Obtaining Top Art on Family's Extermination Night

"First, I’d like to commission the Golden Bell Tower to help me sell something."

"What is it?"

"A sword. It’s called Sinking Blood."

Fang Shuwen said casually.

Xiao Yanyu was about to nod. A sword was no big deal. But the next moment, her head snapped up.

"What? Sinking Blood? The Sinking Blood forged by Wind-Fire Lan Shan?"

"The personal sword of the Blood-Crying Sword Demon, Shangguan Ying?"

"That’s right."

Fang Shuwen nodded.

Xiao Yanyu’s mind was buzzing.

"How did this sword end up in your hands?"

"Back in Flying Snow City, Shangguan Ying seemed to have been bribed. He tried to kill me, so I killed him. The sword was my spoil of war."

Fang Shuwen said,

"I don’t practice Swordsmanship, and I’ve heard that sword is a Demon Sword. So I figured I’d sell it for some money. Will the Golden Bell Tower accept this commission?"

"We’ll take it!!"

Xiao Yanyu nodded immediately.

"We will definitely take it. However, this is no small matter. I must return to the Golden Bell Tower to report to my superiors and have someone assigned to handle the transaction with you."

"You’re not planning to gather some Golden Bell Tower experts to come and ambush me, are you?"

Fang Shuwen studied Xiao Yanyu for a moment.

Although his impression of this woman from their time in Flying Snow City had been decent...

...trusting her was another matter entirely.

Xiao Yanyu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

"The Golden Bell Tower doesn’t do business that loses money. With Young Hero Fang’s level of Martial Arts, ambushing you to seize the Blood-Sinking Demon Sword would be just that for us—a losing business. So, Young Hero, you can rest assured."

’What a joke. Although she didn’t know much about Fang Shuwen, the simple fact that he could kill Shangguan Ying and take the Blood-Sinking Demon Sword meant that killing *him* would come at an extremely high cost.’

’Compared to the potential reward, the costs would far outweigh the gains.’

’Why would the Golden Bell Tower ever engage in such a transaction?’

"...Fine."

Fang Shuwen nodded.

"I also have a second matter. But since you have to go back to report and find someone to liaise with me..."

"...we can discuss it after the person from the Golden Bell Tower arrives."

"Alright."

Xiao Yanyu didn’t dawdle. She gave a crisp nod and asked,

"I was just wondering, what are Young Hero Fang’s movements from now on?"

"That’s hard to say..."

Fang Shuwen smacked his lips and glanced at the Vermilion Bird Hall Master not far away.

’If things go smoothly, I might head out to sea in a few days to find Dragon Emperor Hall.’

’If they don’t... I might stay in the Eastern Domain a while longer.’

But he couldn’t very well explain the details to Xiao Yanyu.

Xiao Yanyu didn’t press for details, saying instead,

"Young Hero, you have a Jin Ling from my Golden Bell Tower. We have people stationed in every major city throughout the Eastern Domain."

"You can use this Jin Ling to contact the Golden Bell Tower."

"Just give your name, and we’ll get the message and find you quickly."

"That works too."

Fang Shuwen nodded.

"Then it’s settled. I’ll contact you when the time is right."

"Very well."

Xiao Yanyu cupped her fist.

"Then I shall take my leave."

"Please."

Fang Shuwen returned the fist-cupping gesture.

Xiao Yanyu said her goodbyes to Miao Feichan as well before turning to leave.

After her figure disappeared from sight, Miao Feichan suddenly spoke.

"You know something, don’t you?"

"Senior, what makes you say that?"

Fang Shuwen was confused.

"About the Jinghua Pavilion killings."

Miao Feichan said,

"I just have a feeling you know something."

Fang Shuwen shook his head.

"Just some speculation. Nothing concrete."

"Mm."

Miao Feichan hesitated for a moment before speaking slowly,

"When faced with a roaring tide, try not to swim against the current."

"Senior, are you worried I’ll go help Jinghua Pavilion?"

Fang Shuwen smiled faintly.

"I have no prior relationship with them, so it’s unlikely I’d help."

"However... if what I’m thinking is true, the mastermind behind all this might just become my target."

"But it’s too early to say for sure."

"Rest assured, though, I won’t joke around with my own life."

Miao Feichan thought for a moment, then shook her head slightly.

"As you wish..."

’She had just been mulling it over. Fang Shuwen’s Martial Arts were so ridiculously profound that, when compared to that other group, it was hard to say who truly represented the "overwhelming tide".’

So, she didn’t try to persuade him further.

Fang Shuwen, meanwhile, casually grabbed the Vermilion Bird Hall Master and pulled him over.

Seeing this, the Vermilion Bird Hall Master knew there was no chance of being spared and sighed in resignation.

"Just give me a quick death."

"Don’t be hasty."

Fang Shuwen smiled faintly.

"I’d actually like to have a nice chat with you."

"So let’s not talk about all this killing for a moment. We can start by chatting about the Divine Fire Seal."

"I know you should have one inside you, too. I’m just not sure how its intensity compares to those people in red."

"Will you be able to say a little more?"

"..."

The Vermilion Bird Hall Master stared at Fang Shuwen, his brow tightly furrowed.

"I can tell you anything, except for a few key details." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"Then tell me the identity of the Young Venerable."

"...The Young Venerable’s identity is one of those key details."

The Vermilion Bird Hall Master’s face darkened.

Fang Shuwen raised an eyebrow.

"Then what’s your relationship with him?"

"Relationship?"

The Vermilion Bird Hall Master frowned.

"The Young Venerable is second only to one person, above all others. We merely follow his orders. That is the extent of our relationship."

Hearing this, Fang Shuwen’s expression didn’t change, but he couldn’t help but feel a stir in his heart.

’That Young Venerable pulled some strings behind the scenes, allowing Qian Gong to reveal information about the Vermilion Bird Hall Master.’

’Originally, I thought it was because he and the Vermilion Bird Hall Master didn’t get along—a case of dog-eat-dog.’

’That the Young Venerable wanted to use me to eliminate a dissident.’

’But based on what the Vermilion Bird Hall Master is saying, it seems my guess was way off.’