Chapter 119: It’s Fang Can I’m Looking For

Chapter 119: Chapter 119: It’s Fang Can I’m Looking For

At noon, the high walls of Cangren City towered all around.

As a prosperous city in the heart of the Central Plains, its gates stood wide open, welcoming merchants and travelers from all directions.

The bluestone-paved streets teemed with people. Lined with shops on both sides, the city was exceptionally bustling.

On the bustling streets, a man and a woman walked side by side through the lively market. They would occasionally stop at a vendor’s stall, earnestly picking out small trinkets.

Though they were just casually strolling, the man, with his sharp brows, star-like eyes, and extraordinary air, and the woman, whose beauty in her flowing green dress rivaled a Celestial Immortal, naturally drew the gazes of everyone around them whenever they paused.

Inside a nearby teahouse, where the fragrance of tea wafted through the air, a storyteller was vividly narrating a fabricated tale.

The content of his tale, however, caught the couple’s attention.

"Esteemed patrons, today we shall not speak of the glorious histories of kings and generals, nor shall we touch upon fantastical tales of demons and ghosts. Today, we will speak only of a heroic youth from Yanggu County named Fang Can."

"Hey, Ah Can, someone’s telling a story about ’Fang Can’," Ye Qingshi said with a smile, tugging on Fang Can’s sleeve. "Let’s go have a look."

Looking at the old man in the teahouse, whose voice boomed like a great bell, Fang Can estimated that he must have some martial arts training—probably around the First or Second Layer of the Profound Gate. ’No wonder his voice carries so far,’ he thought.

It wasn’t just Ye Qingshi; Fang Can’s interest was piqued by the storyteller’s tale as well. He smiled and said, "Alright, let’s go check it out together."

As they drew closer, they saw the storyteller slam his wooden gavel on the table and announce with an animated expression, "Last time, we spoke of how Fang Can bested all challengers in the martial contest and then mistakenly entered the Tiger Hall."

"Picking up where we left off... Fang Can, a man of heroic spirit, was displeased with the many evil deeds of the Tiger Slaughter Sect. After laying low for a few days and achieving a major breakthrough in his divine arts, he unhesitatingly cut down the scoundrels within the hall one by one. But in doing so, he earned the ire of all the remaining villains."

"And so, they devised a scheme to trick Fang Can, telling him the Sect Leader had issued a Rush summons for him at Tiger Hall to test his martial arts. Believing them, Fang Can led his men and mistakenly entered a vital, restricted area of the Tiger Hall..."

They entered the teahouse, ordered a pot of Longjing tea, and sat down facing each other, listening to the storyteller with the other patrons to while away the time.

As for the storyteller’s tale, Fang Can could only remark that it was entirely accurate, except for all the parts that were wrong. The whole thing was just a wild fabrication based on the commentary provided by the Celestial Secret Tower.

As the story continued, even Ye Qingshi couldn’t suppress her laughter. Her almond-shaped eyes kept stealing glances at the man himself, curious to see his reaction.

In the storyteller’s version, Fang Can had become a paragon of justice, a great hero who rooted out evil and swept away darkness.

’But anyone who knew the reality knew better,’ she thought. ’What kind of great hero stalks a girl to her private chambers on the first day they meet, then ends up sleeping in her arms by the second?’

’Although I’ve now gotten into the habit of cuddling up with him every night, that doesn’t mean his actions back then were befitting a hero!’

As for Fang Can, the experience was rather novel. ’I used to live such an ordinary life, and now, for the first time, I’m the heroic protagonist in someone’s story,’ he mused. ’I have to admit, I’m secretly enjoying it.’

"How interesting," Fang Can remarked, looking around at the packed teahouse as he sipped his tea and listened.

’In all the time since I transmigrated here, I haven’t really had a chance to experience the sights of this ancient world. This is a good opportunity.’

’If it weren’t for the young lady with me, I’d probably want to check out the brothels and enjoy the music and entertainment there.’

Meanwhile, outside the city, Fang Can’s entourage was resting and purchasing supplies. They planned to set off again once they were done.

Such a massive procession, especially with a palanquin carried by Martial Artists, naturally drew a curious crowd of onlookers.

When people approached to ask questions, the followers politely explained the situation and then began to proselytize.

Even if a passerby refused, they insisted on giving them a volume of scripture. ’It helps leave a lasting impression,’ they reasoned. ’Who knows, maybe they’ll want to join the faith in the future!’

While the group was taking a break, another procession of over a hundred people slowly approached in the distance.

Inside a red phoenix palanquin, a young woman in a white dress, with bright eyes and pearly teeth, peered through the curtains at the distant procession. "What is that?" she asked curiously. "They look even more magnificent than our own party."

"Princess, that is likely a procession of worship for a civilian Martial Artist."

The young maidservant at her side explained, "It’s a procession prepared by followers for when a Martial Artist who has appeared on the Celestial Secret List travels."

The young woman nodded with a vague understanding. Frail since childhood and possessing a quiet disposition, she was unsuited for martial arts and thus had little exposure to the affairs of the martial world.

She had been on her way to visit her mother’s clan, but halfway through the journey, news arrived that her father, the Emperor, had passed away. She had no choice but to turn around and return to the capital.

"Princess, the Grand Tournament of Nations is about to begin, so young Martial Artists from all over the country are rushing to the Imperial Capital. There are many such processions, but one of this scale is truly a rare sight," the maidservant added, herself a bit surprised.

"Then just go and ask," the young woman in the palanquin said with a faint smile.

A short while later, the maidservant returned, her face a mask of shock. "Princess, it’s Fang Can, the one who’s first on the Ascending Dragon List! His followers claim he has already reached the Profound Gate Ninth Layer and is preparing to participate in the Grand Tournament of Nations!"

"The same Fang Can who was first on the last Ascending Dragon List?" The young woman covered her mouth in surprise. "But wasn’t he only at the First Layer before? Did he consume some kind of miraculous panacea?"

"I don’t understand it either. It’s possible they’re just lying," the maidservant guessed.

As the two women spoke, their procession continued toward the Imperial Capital without a pause. With both the Emperor and the Crown Prince dead, this was no leisurely journey; they could only afford to exchange a few words before moving on.

The young woman had her own suspicions about the reason for this return to the palace.

’After all, as a member of the imperial family, I’ve of course heard about the Martial Restriction Edict, and I fit its requirements perfectly.’

’But I’m not the only one among the imperial relatives who has never cultivated, and I have no interest in the throne. So when they ask, I’ll just have to refuse them directly.’

But they had not gone much farther before the procession was forced to a halt. Two more imposing groups were approaching them head-on.

Each group numbered over a thousand strong. A ceremonial band played rousing music, followed by the sound of chanted scriptures. They did not look friendly.

These were precarious times. Seeing the two groups surge forward, with thousands of people surrounding the main road from all directions, they found themselves completely encircled. The Captain of the Guard at the head of their procession reacted instinctively.

"Insolence! What is the meaning of this! What do you want!"

A great roar erupted from the Captain of the Guard. The middle-aged man drew his saber, pointed it at the crowd, and seethed with killing intent:

"You dare to surround the Princess’s royal procession? Do you all have a death wish?"

Faced with this angry roar, the two approaching processions seemed momentarily stunned. The music and chanting ceased. Then, a youth being carried aloft by the crowd spoke, his tone exasperated:

"You people are full of yourselves. Who gives a damn about your princess? Don’t be so full of it. Can your princess even take three of my punches? If she can’t, then get the hell out of the way."

"I’m looking for Fang Can of the Ascending Dragon List, not your damn princess. Now, move."