Chapter 141 - 140: Lie Detector

Kneeling before Fang Can, Wan Guixuan broke out in a cold sweat.

Demanding half the family's fortune right from the start was a crippling blow to the Wan family, a massive clan that had been rising for over two hundred years.

But as ruthless as Fang Can was, all he wanted was money. Once the money was paid, he would let bygones be bygones.

This made him far more reasonable than those Martial Artists who'd trained their brains to mush, the kind who'd fight heaven, earth, and the very air just to satisfy a whim.

"Oh, right. We can't forget the main culprit."

Fang Can clapped his hands suddenly. "That Wan Chenyu was the instigator. He won't have to pay with his life. From now on, he can live a comfortable life as a rich man, but he can forget about martial arts."

Before him, Wan Guixuan's head shot up.

Everything else was negotiable, but to cripple Wan Chenyu, the Wan family's future Patriarch, was a blow even more terrifying than losing half their assets.

After all, as the most promising member of the younger generation, Wan Chenyu's aptitude, talent, and comprehension were second to none.

"Young Hero Fang, I'm afraid the Patriarch will find this demand difficult to satisfy," Wan Guixuan said.

"It's fine. I'm not in a rush. Take your time to consider," Fang Can said with a carefree smile. "After all, I'm not some devil. Even if you refuse, it's not like I'd personally deal with you, right? That would be beneath me."

"Yes, yes, of course. Young Hero Fang is magnanimous," Wan Guixuan nodded repeatedly in agreement.

"Then let's start at the end of the month. I expect to see your sincerity by then." Fang Can's tone was incredibly amiable. "For every month that passes after, just add 5% interest."

"Five percent monthly interest!" Wan Guixuan said, stunned.

That was worse than a loan shark. And the principal was half the Wan family's fortune! It was insane.

"In any case, I won't forcefully collect it. You can pay me back whenever you feel like it."

Fang Can waved his hand casually. "And if your family's assets are no longer enough, you can always borrow and take out loans to raise the money."

"This matter is too important. This old slave must return to report it and let the Patriarch discuss it with the various branches of the family. I beg for the Young Hero's permission," Wan Guixuan pleaded, lowering his head.

"Of course. You can go. But there's no need to inform me of the result. If you're willing to pay, just send it over yourselves, and we'll consider this matter closed."

"If you're not willing, then just tuck your tails and hide. Don't get in my sight again," Fang Can waved his hand impatiently.

After receiving permission, Wan Guixuan dissolved back into a pool of shadow and flowed upward, reattaching himself to the canopy above.

As he hid, Wan Guixuan complained internally, 'Some "Young Hero." He's nothing but a bandit—no, he's worse than a bandit! Even bandits wouldn't dare to be this greedy.'

Once the irrelevant parties were gone, Fang Can turned to Jiang Qilan and said seriously, "Miss Jiang, a friendly reminder: you should avoid associating with scum like the Wan family in the future."

After all, the current emperor was killed precisely because he was friendly with the Wan family. If Jiang Qilan were to remain on good terms with them before they paid their debt, she might also find herself easily disposed of.

'Holy shit, does he not even bother to talk behind people's backs anymore?' Up above, Wan Guixuan's expression darkened. He couldn't believe he was still being bad-mouthed after he'd "left."

"Thank you for the advice, Young Hero Fang. I understand." Jiang Qilan shrank back, slightly afraid of the beaming youth before her.

"Good that you understand. In that case, I won't disturb you any longer, Miss Jiang." Fang Can picked up another pastry and popped it into his mouth. "Perhaps we'll meet again. I'll take my leave now."

After saying this, he showed no hesitation, picking up the entire plate of pastries and leaving with it tucked under his arm.

Have to say, these pastries were pretty addictive. Delicious.

He walked and ate, the pastries tucked under his arm. By the time he returned to his procession, he had just finished the last one.

He looked at the procession, which was resting and reorganizing, and then at the relatives of the Martial Artists who had been slaughtered in the battle, now approaching in the distance.

Thinking about the need to help their souls pass on, Fang Can hesitated for a moment before saying, "I'll hold a ritual to guide their souls before we depart."

"As the god commands," Ye Yonglie said piously, pressing his palms together.

Meanwhile, Wan Guixuan found a deserted corner and activated a Spirit Talisman, using its connection to the Soul Lamp to contact Wan Yuxuan.

Wan Yuxuan had already finished with the morning court session. Dressed in casual clothes, he sat in a Grandmaster's Chair. His tone was steady as he asked, "Have you seen Fang Can? What was his attitude?"

"Reporting to the Patriarch, I have successfully met with Fang Can. He said he is willing to reconcile, but his conditions are rather... harsh."

"Oh? What did he demand?"

"He said... he wants half of the Wan family's fortune and for Young Master Wan's martial arts to be crippled." Wan Guixuan's voice grew softer, full of apprehension.

"What did you say?!" Wan Yuxuan's eyes flew open. "Why doesn't he just go rob someone?!"

'Isn't that exactly what he's doing...' Wan Guixuan complained internally.

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!" Wan Yuxuan flung his sleeves. "A mere potential future Fourth Turn expert wants half of my family's fortune? Does he, Fang Can, think he's worthy?"

"Jiejian Mountain isn't the only Fourth Turn Sect in the Great Derivation! If the Wan family were to pledge allegiance to another power, sects like the Inverted Gate or the Supreme Profound Sect would be begging me to join them!"

Wan Yuxuan's brow furrowed. "Tell Fang Can his demand is impossible. At most, I'll give him two Fourth Turn Sacrificial Artifacts."

"Yes, I will tell Fang Can," Wan Guixuan said in a low voice, but he had no intention of relaying the message.

Fang Can had already said not to bother him if they didn't agree. Besides, if the matter with Wang Peng's Sacrificial Artifact came to light—how his greed had jeopardized everything—Wan Yuxuan would have him killed immediately.

So, for now, he was trying his best to prevent any direct contact between the Wan family and Fang Can.

After cutting the connection, Wan Yuxuan sat in his chair, frowning in deep thought.

He had now completely abandoned the idea of reconciling with Fang Can. Instead, he began to consider which Fourth Turn power he should pledge allegiance to.

Or perhaps, he could dig up some old grudges and see which power was at odds with Jiejian Mountain.

After all, pledging allegiance was just being a dog in name. It required a show of sincerity and loyalty, yes, but it wasn't as bad as bleeding out half your fortune like Fang Can was demanding.

Back in the sedan chair, Fang Can was wearing the hypnotic glasses he'd gotten from Wang Peng and wandering around the procession, ready to test their effect.

But after trying them out on everyone, the effect was negligible. They were practically useless.

The glasses' ability was cognitive modification—implanting false concepts into others' minds.

However, the entire divine procession was founded on faith in Fang Can.

If Fang Can claimed that water was poisonous or that there were three suns in the sky, his followers would, after a moment's pause, begin to doubt their own common sense.

Among his own retinue, Fang Can himself had a built-in hypnotic effect. He didn't need the glasses at all.

'What a piece of junk. Needing hypnosis to pick up girls is just pathetic.'

Speechless, Fang Can walked back into the sedan chair. Looking at a maid who was not one of his followers, he said, "You are now going to feel an overwhelming desire to sleep with me."

"I... I wouldn't dare presume," the maid said in a panic, but Fang Can's hypnotic glasses didn't activate.

Apparently, the hypnotic glasses, acting as a lie detector, had concluded that no implantation was necessary.

Was there any maid present who *didn't* want to sleep with him? The glasses weren't needed at all.