Chapter 66: Fang Xian Leaves the Mountain

“Excellent. As long as we capture Fang Xian and interrogate him, I believe he’ll surely reveal the true refining recipe,” Huang Yuantao nodded in agreement.

Five days later, Huang Yuantao returned to Qingyun Stockade with abundant supplies. Accompanying him were Wei Qian and a court official—none other than Zhang Xiuquan in disguise.

“Chief Ye, this is Imperial Envoy Zhang Xiuquan, sent by the Court with an urgent summons for General Fang Xian to enter the capital and treat the Crown Prince,” Wei Qian introduced after the supplies were delivered and everyone gathered in the hall for tea.

“There are so many imperial physicians in the palace—could none of them cure the Prince? Xian is merely a wandering healer. I fear this is a burden too great for him,” Ye Qingyun replied after reading the imperial decree Zhang Xiuquan presented. He was reluctant to let Fang Xian leave the stockade.

“Chief Ye, more than a hundred thousand citizens of Qingyang City are all talking about how General Fang healed the people in the city that day—a miracle doctor come again. Word of it has already reached the capital. That is why His Majesty issued the decree, inviting General Fang to the capital. With his unparalleled medical skills, surely curing the Prince is no great challenge. And for General Fang, is this not a tremendous opportunity?” Wei Qian said with a smile.

“Chief Ye, His Majesty also gave verbal instructions: if Mr. Fang can cure the Crown Prince, he will be appointed Chief Imperial Physician, a high second-rank official, and handsomely rewarded,” Zhang Xiuquan added with a nod.

They did not resort to force or direct orders, even though they carried the imperial edict. Their attitude was courteous. Ye Qingyun could not refuse outright, especially as he was still feigning cooperation with the Court—though he knew their real contact was the Ninth Prince.

After some thought, he ordered Fang Xian summoned, introduced him to Zhang Xiuquan, and handed him the edict: “Xian, the Emperor commands you to enter the capital and treat the Crown Prince, with rich rewards promised. What do you think?”

“Lord Zhang, did you just arrive from Wudu? You must have been traveling day and night for several days,” Fang Xian asked, bowing to Zhang Xiuquan.

“Indeed. I hurried all the way, not daring to delay even a moment. I wore out five or six horses, traveling eight days straight before reaching Qingyang City, where I happened to meet General Wei and General Huang, so we came up the mountain together,” Zhang Xiuquan replied with a smile.

“I would like to consider this matter. May I have a day or two to decide?” Fang Xian asked.

“Though the matter is urgent, the Prince’s illness is not new—it is not a matter of a day or two. General Fang, take some time to prepare. If you decide to go, I will return to Wudu first to make my report, and you can follow after. Besides, General Huang has been to Wudu before—he can accompany you,” Zhang Xiuquan answered.

During dinner, Fang Xian discussed the matter with Ye Qingyun and his daughter. Ye Hongxiu said, “Xian, I suspect Lord Zhang is also one of the Ninth Prince’s people.”

“Without a doubt. They think we’re unaware of the power behind them, so they sent Zhang Xiuquan to pose as a court official, hoping to trick Xian into leaving the mountain,” Ye Qingyun replied.

“If we refuse, they’ll realize we know who’s behind them, and things could turn ugly. If Marshal Hong gathers his strongest men and army to storm the mountains, it would be a catastrophe for Qingyun Stockade,” Fang Xian said.

“If it comes to a fight, so be it. We’re not afraid. If they dare enter the Daba Mountains, they’ll never return,” Ye Hongxiu snorted, well aware that the three great stockades were secretly united now.

“We can’t confront them just yet. If they intend to act against me, it will likely be on the way to the capital. As long as I reach the capital before they make their move and treat the Prince, their plot will be foiled,” Fang Xian said with a smile.

“So you plan to go to Wudu. That’s risky,” Ye Qingyun remarked.

“Father, with my current abilities, the world is open to me. Besides, as adventurers, if we never take risks, how are we different from ordinary people? But I won’t act recklessly—I’ll make a thorough plan before setting out,” Fang Xian said.

“I want to go with you,” Ye Hongxiu said, standing up.

“Very well, we’ll go together,” Fang Xian agreed with a nod.

That night, he sent word to Feng Ling of Flying Phoenix Ridge, asking her to accompany him to Wudu. As for the Ridge, Zhou Boxiong would discreetly be stationed there, while Ye Qingyun and Zhu Jiu would tighten patrols around the area.

The next day, after Fang Xian agreed to go to Wudu, Zhang Xiuquan and Wei Qian departed ahead, while Fang Xian would travel with Huang Yuantao two days later, after making preparations.

Once Zhang Xiuquan and Wei Qian left the mountain, Fang Xian instructed the King of Hawks to follow them. As expected, they went straight to the military camp in Qingyang City and did not leave, confirming that this was indeed a plot by the Ninth Prince’s faction.

Two days later, Fang Xian, Ye Hongxiu, and Huang Yuantao set out from Qingyun Stockade, accompanied by Er Niu and Scarface Gan leading twenty elite guards—five of them second-tier experts, the rest third-tier martial artists.

“Uncle, should we hurry straight to Wudu, or take our time?” Fang Xian asked Huang Yuantao as they left the mountains.

“The Prince’s illness is not new, so there’s no need to rush. Besides, with Hongxiu here, let’s take it slow and not exhaust ourselves,” Huang Yuantao replied, not knowing where and when Jintu Kang’s men would strike, or if they were ready.

“Very well, we won’t hurry. Hongxiu, you’ve never traveled by carriage, have you? Once we reach Qingyang City, we’ll get a carriage, then travel by boat up the Huai River and enjoy the scenery along the way,” Fang Xian said with a smile.

“So we’re going to travel at leisure? That’s far easier than Lord Zhang’s mad dash day and night,” Ye Hongxiu replied, laughing.

By afternoon, the group reached Qingyang Prefecture. The Prefect, Li Changlin, and the wealthiest local, Shen Zhongliang, came out to greet them. Fang Xian declined Li Changlin’s offer of the official posthouse and instead stayed at a luxurious Shen family villa, complete with pavilions, towers, and rock gardens—a place of opulence.

After resting for the night, the next day they set out for Wudu in a lavish carriage gifted by the Shen family, with several government soldiers assigned by Li Changlin to escort them and clear the way.

Half a day’s journey from Qingyang City, the group stopped for lunch in a small town. Suddenly, a troop of blue-robed riders arrived at a gallop. At their head was a captivating woman in white, exuding charm and allure.

“Oh my, isn’t that Mistress Feng? Sister Feng, what a surprise to meet here!” Fang Xian and Ye Hongxiu stood up together and went to greet her at the entrance.

“It’s been a while, Fang Xian, Hongxiu. Where are you two off to?” The newcomer was none other than Feng Ling, who had arranged to meet Fang Xian here.

“We’re on our way to Wudu. And you, sister?” Fang Xian asked.

“I must return to Hundred Flowers Abyss. My master is conferring the title of Elder upon me after my recent breakthrough, so I must make the journey back. You’d better hurry with your meal—afterwards, we’ll all be on our way,” Feng Ling replied with a smile, turning to direct her attendants.

“Uncle, let me introduce you. This is Mistress Feng of Flying Phoenix Ridge, a master of the Transformation Realm. Sister Feng, this is my uncle, Huang Yuantao,” Ye Hongxiu said, drawing Feng Ling forward.

“An honor, Mistress Feng,” Huang Yuantao greeted respectfully, a bit uneasy at encountering such a powerful master, though relieved she’d be leaving after the meal.

“Not at all. I’ve long heard of your reputation, Master Huang. It’s a pleasure to meet such a hero,” Feng Ling replied, then instructed the innkeeper, “Find a private room upstairs—I wish to share a few parting cups with my dear friends.”

The three of them went upstairs to drink and chat, while Huang Yuantao, a little embarrassed, remained downstairs with the others, his gaze never straying from the upper floor.