Chapter Seventy: Driving Away the Enemy

The armored troops were formidable—Fang Yuan had seen it for himself—but now he was surrounded, unable to escape, compelled to fight. He sheathed his sword, then wielded one sword in his hand, another beneath his feet, and charged toward an armored warrior.

The ironclad warrior did not dodge, taking Fang Yuan’s blow head-on, yet remained unharmed. Fang Yuan struck six times in succession, but not a scratch marred the armor. The ironclad laughed and said, “Your sword is far too ordinary; it cannot hurt me.”

With that, the armored figure unfurled his iron wings. Fang Yuan dodged, but after another sweep, three iron feathers shot forth. Fang Yuan evaded each one, unaware that this was the armored warrior’s tactic: to avoid the first two feathers, one must dodge in a single direction, thus sealing Fang Yuan’s path.

With the third feather incoming, Fang Yuan had no choice but to meet it head-on, turning his sword horizontally to block. His blade was not as ordinary as the armored warrior claimed—he had used it to slay demons without exerting its full power—yet it could not pierce the armor, nor withstand even the iron feather, which sliced through it at the waist.

The sword was severed, impossibly so. Fortunately, the feather changed course after breaking the blade, sparing Fang Yuan’s life.

Ye Sansi and his companions watched, deeply anxious. Sansi gripped his Sky Wrath sword tightly, saying, “If you call Fang’s sword ordinary, perhaps you’d like to try mine?”

Ling Shuang quickly pulled Sansi back, fearing his impulsiveness, soothing him: “Sansi, don’t do anything rash. Brother Fang’s martial skill far surpasses ours; even if we wish to help, there’s nothing we can do.”

Ye Sansi nodded. “Don’t worry, Ling Shuang, I won’t act recklessly. Though they’re in the air and I could ride my treasure gourd up, I’m not used to it yet; even if I reached them, I couldn’t fight. Still... we cannot stand idly by.”

As the group below pondered their options, above, Fang Yuan was completely suppressed, forced to dodge. If the two armored warriors wished to kill him, they could do so effortlessly, but instead, they circled overhead, blocking his escape.

Fang Yuan was like a lone lamb encircled by wolves, desperate to flee, but every exit was cut off ahead of him. The two armored warriors seemed to relish humiliating him, laughing at his panic.

Suddenly, a command echoed from the ship, and the two armored warriors withdrew. Fang Yuan finally escaped, wounded but alive, and returned on his sword.

He thought the warship would now withdraw, but its turrets lifted for another barrage. The barrier was broken; if the attack continued, the residents outside would surely suffer.

Fang Yuan shouted, “Don’t mind me—go protect the residents! Sixty intercept the cannon fire, the rest notify everyone below to evacuate, hurry!”

As the disciples reacted, the cannons fired. With a muffled roar, the smoke-laden shells approached, not toward the disciples, but toward the Immortal Island...

“Impudent!” A voice thundered from the sky, full of authority. All the cannon fire shifted, swirling and converging on a single point, exploding in midair without flames or meteors.

The warships ceased fire at the order, and the gathered shells dropped harmlessly into the sea.

Looking up, they saw an elder in robes, exuding an immortal aura, riding a sword of light in the sky, his voice resonating through the clouds: “Wei Feiliang, my Fangcun Immortal Island has never provoked you. Why do you attack so brazenly? If it is war you want, Fangcun Island will oblige, and your royal status will not shield you.”

A chilling laughter came from a ship, as if the speaker mastered the art of transmitting his voice. “Master Fang, I haven’t seen you in years, and your temper seems worse.”

“Wei Feiliang?” Ling Shuang said, “So it really is the King of Qingjian Creek. I never expected the Island Master to know him.”

Li Taiyi said, “This King Wei is notorious for his evil deeds; few are unaware. Daring to cause trouble on Immortal Island, even with his demonic arts, he can’t match the Island Master.”

The Island Master snorted coldly, laughing, “Wei Feiliang, I’ve heard of your recent activities—swallowing sects, expanding your power, oppressing the people; your very existence is a scourge. Within Immortal Island, I avoid worldly disputes, but you come here to provoke me, overestimating your own strength, daring to covet Fangcun Island.”

---

“Ha ha ha, Fang Jian, I know your prowess, and I’ve never coveted Fangcun Island. This backwater means nothing to me. But your disciple killed my son; every time I recall it, my heart aches. As a father, I seek justice for my child; both in emotion and reason, my actions are righteous.”

Fang Jian laughed, “What a convenient excuse. Even if your son died, how is that my fault? My disciples are dispatched to the south, their routes prescribed. Your Qingjian Creek’s three prefectures are far from my island; his death has nothing to do with me.”

“The king cares not. When Xikun fled home, barely alive, he uttered ‘Fangcun Immortal Island’ before dying. How should I avenge this?”

Fang Jian laughed heartily, “Ridiculous! You spin this absurd tale to thrust blame upon Fangcun. Your scheme is clever: invade my island, cloak yourself in righteousness. But hear me well—Fangcun Immortal Island is known throughout the world for its benevolence; you, though a prince, commit heinous deeds. Who is right and who is wrong, the world knows.”

“Heh, a righteous sect indeed. You killed my son so blithely, hide the murderer behind your island’s power, and dare claim moral high ground. I admit, the world praises Fangcun’s virtue, but today, I want to hear your justification—where is your righteousness?”

Fang Jian rolled his eyes, flicked his sleeve in anger. “Fangcun does not reason with villains. Wei Feiliang, you’re not worth my breath. Let me put it this way: if a Fangcun disciple truly killed your son, not only would I spare him, I’d reward him handsomely.”

Wei Feiliang pointed at Fang Jian, furious. “You—”

Fang Jian smiled and continued, “I urge you to leave at once. Don’t force my hand. You have ten ships, each with hundreds of soldiers; if I destroy them, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

“You—how dare you, hiding the murderer and speaking so arrogantly!”

“Ha ha ha! Indeed, I am arrogant—what can you do? The one you seek is in the Hall of Heaven and Earth. If you have the skill, go find him.”

“Find him I shall! Don’t think I fear you. My cultivation has increased greatly these years; you’re not necessarily my match.” As he spoke, dark mist surrounded him, preparing to rise into the air and forcibly enter the island—even if he couldn’t find the murderer, he could slaughter indiscriminately to vent his rage.

Fang Jian saw through his intentions, coughed, and spoke slowly: “Wei Feiliang, your status and power were hard-won; do you truly wish to lose your life here? Would you be content? Fangcun Island is imbued with extraordinary spiritual power, enhanced by the immortal’s array. The one hundred and eight steps, the Four Corners Dining Hall, Eight Martial Halls, thirty-six assorted halls—these form a formation. If I activate it, intruders will be utterly destroyed, never to reincarnate.”

Hearing this, Wei Feiliang grew fearful. He had cultivated so long for immortality; Fang Jian’s words struck his greatest weakness. He feared death; more so, he feared never attaining transcendence.

Though standing far from Fang Jian, Wei Feiliang retreated several steps, supported by his subordinates. He whispered, “Withdraw...”

His men didn’t hear, asking for clarification. In response, the prince slapped his subordinate twice, roaring, “I said withdraw! Withdraw!”

Terrified, the subordinate knelt for forgiveness. At the command, the ten warships raised anchor and circled the island, turning away.

Fang Yuan remained concerned, wanting to pursue, but Fang Jian stopped him. “Yuan, no need. My words made our position clear; even if he had ten times the courage, he wouldn’t dare return. You’re wounded—go see your uncle Hua in the Healing Hall.”

Fang Yuan bowed. “Island Master Uncle, these minor injuries are nothing. I’ll take the seriously wounded disciples first. Fang Yuan takes his leave.” With that, he led the injured away, entering the inner island.

Ye Sansi cheered, “Wonderful! This Immortal Island is truly formidable, and the Island Master even more so—just a few words sent that prince fleeing in panic. His cowardice was hilarious.”

Li Taiyi laughed with him. “Sanshi, you really are carefree. Do you know why that prince came?”

“Of course I do. When we fought Wei Xikun, Ling Shuang used the Heaven and Earth Lock, and Wei Xikun assumed we were Fangcun disciples—that’s why the prince came for answers.”

Ling Shuang nodded. “So that’s it. I wondered why Wei Xikun’s death was blamed on Fangcun. It’s good now—the Island Master regards our actions as serving the people, so we’re safe here.”

Jin Sun was shocked. “What? The prince’s son was killed by you?”

Ye Sansi nodded. Xiong Gang leaned in, excited. “I always heard the Wei clan was tyrannical, their son arrogant. You rid us of that villain; it’s a blessing to have heroes like you as brothers.”

---

Li Taiyi spoke softly, “Xiong Gang, Jin Sun, we treat you as brothers and friends. We share these things because we trust you. Please keep it to yourselves—don’t mention it outside; it could cause trouble.”

Xiong Gang laughed, “Second brother, rest assured. I know the ways of loyalty and honor; I’ll act as if I never heard a word of this. No matter who asks, I’ll say nothing.”

Jin Sun agreed, nodding fervently.

As they spoke, the disciples and Island Master returned to the inner island, the smoke of conflict dissipating, leaving the surroundings as if nothing had happened. The residents, curious, emerged to see what had transpired.

Within half an hour, Fang Yuan left the barrier. Ye Sansi and the others approached, asking, “Brother Fang, are you all right?”

Fang Yuan waved and smiled. “Just a scratch, nothing serious. But you’ve been here all this time? The cannon fire was dangerous; you should have taken shelter—so reckless.”

Li Taiyi smiled. “Brother Fang, the island is guarded by so many immortals; how could they neglect our safety? We watched your battle from here and are perfectly fine.”

Fang Yuan laughed, “You have a silver tongue. I’m a mere warrior; you out-talk me every time. The bombardment must have startled the residents. Master sent me here to calm them.”

Xiong Gang chimed in, “Brother Fang, let me handle it. I know this area and have plenty of helpers—it’ll save you some trouble.”

Ling Shuang agreed, “Yes, yes, we’ll take care of it. You’re wounded, so rest well. Leave these minor matters to us.”

Hearing their insistence, Fang Yuan accepted, his own duties pressing. He entrusted the task to Ye Sansi and his group.

Fang Yuan gave a few instructions, then prepared to enter the island, but Li Taiyi stopped him. “Brother Fang, after today’s events, will tomorrow’s disciple recruitment still go ahead?”

“Of course. Fangcun Island’s recruitment is a major event; how could it be affected by a petty prince? Rest well tonight—you’ll face a tough challenge tomorrow. I wish you luck in advance. Farewell, see you tomorrow.” With that, Fang Yuan waved, opened the barrier, and departed.

Ye Sansi stretched and yawned. “No time to waste—let’s split up and explain the invasion to the residents. It shouldn’t take more than an hour.”

Ling Shuang nodded. “Good. We’ll regroup here in an hour; it’ll be late, and we can have dinner and rest.”

The six divided into two groups by gender, moving quickly. Soon the word spread, reassuring everyone that there was no need for panic—a foolish prince had come to provoke, but was driven away.

After dinner, they returned to their rooms, finally at ease, washed up, and went to bed.

Though only Ye Sansi felt confident about the recruitment, the others were anxious after witnessing the invasion and the destructive cannon fire.

But as they lay down, their hearts gradually settled, their worries subsiding. The six fell asleep at once, determined to rest well and face tomorrow’s trials.

The night on Immortal Island seemed serene...