Stranger Danger

Chapter 315: Fu Qianqiu

When Ye Qing followed Fang Xiaoman, Gu Suitang and Xue Beikun to the valley entrance, the head of Blood Shadow Palace, Fu Qianqiu was already waiting for them with all of his elders and disciples. They looked like they were ready for war.

In response, Gu Suitang commanded the Pacification Sentinels and the Black Feather Guards to stop with the wave of a hand. The sound of armor metal smacking into one another sounded as loud as thunder.

The Blood Shadow Palace disciples behind Fu Qianqiu looked panicked and afraid. On second thought, they probably weren’t ready for war after all.

Gu Suitang stepped forward and barked out a laugh. “Is this a welcome ceremony, Head Fu?”

Fu Qianqiu saluted smilingly. “It’s not everyday Chief Fang, Chief Gu and Commander Xue personally pay me a visit. It’s only natural that I should welcome you in person.”

Fu Qianqiu was a man in his fifties with a scholarly appearance and a long, thin beard. He looked refined despite the dark red robe he wore. His amicable appearance didn’t match Ye Qing’s impression of him, a man who betrayed his master, Fu Xueying, for his personal interests[1].

“Haha, it is our honor as well.” Gu Suitang smiled. “You’re a smart man, Head Fu. You should already know why we’re here.”

“I just received word, yes,” Fu Qianqiu admitted. “It would seem that my deputy head, Jiang Huanjian, has colluded with heretics to harm imperial officials and endanger Luo Shui itself. His crimes cannot be pardoned. I and the Blood Shadow Palace are infinitely grateful to Chief Fang, Chief Gu and Commander Xue for eliminating a hidden threat in our sect.”

Behind him, the Blood Shadow Palace disciples also saluted them. “We are grateful!”

Gu Suitang said in a provocative tone, “Oh? It seems you’re suggesting that Jiang Huanjian’s actions have nothing to do with you, Head Fu.”

They weren’t surprised that Fu Qianqiu knew why they were showing at his doorsteps with two armies. Blood Shadow Palace’s reputation as one of the three major sects in Luo Shui would be undeserved otherwise.

“Of course it has nothing to me,” Fu Qianqiu replied calmly as if he didn’t hear the provocation. “As you know, I’ve been secluding myself to heal my injuries since I suffered a deviation a few years ago. Not only that, I only check in on the sect once in a blue moon. Jiang Huanjian was the one who handled everything in Blood Shadow Palace while I was absent, which was why I had no idea about his behavior and actions until now.”

Fang Xiaoman bumped Ye Qing’s shoulder. “Joyless...”

Knowing what he meant, Ye Qing said to Fang Xiaoman and Gu Suitang via sound transmission, “I cannot sense the Mara Buddha’s aura on Fu Qianqiu. It’s the same for the disciples.”

In fact, they knew that the Blood Shadow Palace was most likely clean except for Fu Qianqiu, his friends and his family. Otherwise, Fu Qianqiu would have shown up at the Sunset Hall himself. There was no reason Mara Buddha would not use Fu Qianqiu, a late-stage Spirit Master for his grand scheme if the option was available.

Fu Qianqiu was strong, cunning and ruthless. The reason Mara Buddha hadn’t tried to subvert him was probably because he wasn’t sure he would succeed. That was why he only subverted Jiang Huanjian.

Gu Suitang didn’t speak immediately. As the silence lengthened, the tension grew heavier and heavier until the Blood Shadow Palace disciples grew nervous, and Fu Qianqiu’s back was covered in a sheen of cold sweat.

Ten breaths later, Gu Suitang finally said with a cold glint in his eyes, “I trust you, Head Fu. I trust that you won’t disappoint me. You know what to do, right?”

Fu Qianqiu’s smile looked the same as before, but on the inside he let out a long sigh of relief. “Of course, Chief Gu. Please give me a moment.”

“Bring it over.”

The crowd split in half, and dozens of Blood Shadow Palace disciples stepped out while carrying salvers. Sitting on each salver was a round-shaped object that was covered up by a red cloth.

Ye Qing sniffed as a hint of shock and coldness flickered through his eyes. The next moment, the disciples pulled away the red cloth to reveal many, many human heads.

The age and gender of the heads varied, but their expressions were all frozen in fear.

“Chief Fang, Chief Gu, Commander Xue...” Fu Qianqiu walked up to a salver and pointed at a woman’s head. “This here is Jiang Huanjian’s wife.”

He then moved onto the next salver and introduced the next head. “This is his oldest son.”

“This is his youngest son.”

“This is his daughter.”

“This is his first disciple.”

“This is his second disciple.”

“This is his best friend.”

“This is his personal bodyguard.”

......

And finally, this is his personal servant.”

Fu Qianqiu patiently introduced every head at the scene before smiling gently. “In summary, I have executed one hundred and fifty three people, and they are Jiang Huanjian’s family, friends, disciples, servants and other related people. As far as I’m aware, I have not missed anyone.”

“Are you satisfied with this outcome?”

Heavens above, what a ruthless motherfucker, Ye Qing thought while inhaling deeply. He should’ve known better than to judge a book by its cover. Fu Qianqiu might look refined, but he was a far harder man than Wang Luori. It was cruel enough that he exterminated Jiang Huanjian’s family to the three generations, his friends, his disciples and even his servants didn’t escape his persecution. There were more than a couple of children—some only five or six years old at most—mixed among the casualties as well. To call him heartless would be an understatement.

“You sure are a ruthless man, Head Fu!” Gu Suitang lamented. It was impossible to say if he was voicing his shock at Fu Qianqiu’s ruthlessness, or sighing for the lives who were lost.

He only wanted Fu Qianqiu to capture everyone who was related to Jiang Huanjian and give them to the Pacification Bureau so they could differentiate who was corrupted and who wasn’t. However, Fu Qianqiu took it one step further and killed all of them.

At least it saved them some time and effort.

“Heretics deserve no mercy,” Fu Qianqiu answered matter-of-factly.

“Indeed!” Gu Suitang barked out a laugh. “You are a capable man, Head Fu. No wonder you were able to make Blood Shadow Palace the strongest sect in Luo Shui in just a matter of years. I am truly impressed!”

“You flatter me, Chief Gu. So long as I meet your expectations,” Fu Qianqiu replied.

“You certainly have,” Gu Suitang replied with a nod, “but I’m still going to have to inspect your people just in case.”

“I’ve already gathered everyone here. Do as you wish.” Fu Qianqiu waved his hand. Some people might consider it humiliating to submit to the Pacification Bureau’s authority like meek dogs, but he thought this was nothing at all compared to the total annihilation Sunset Hill and the Bai Clan had suffered.

An incense stick later, they had inspected everyone in the Blood Shadow Palace including the elders, disciples, servants and more. As expected, no one was controlled by Mara Buddha.

It was at this moment Ye Qing asked suddenly, “Head Fu, are you sure that everyone in Blood Shadow Palace is here?”

“Yes. They are all present.” Fu Qianqiu answered Ye Qing dutifully even though he was “just” a Patrolman. He didn’t underestimate or look down on the young man.

Ye Qing smiled. “No, there is one more person. I’m pretty sure that one of the Four Gentlemen, Chen Cang the Sword Gentleman, is a member of the Blood Shadow Palace. In fact, he is your direct disciple, isn’t he?”

He hadn’t forgotten about Chen Cang. Chen Cang was an insane man who wanted to kill him and take revenge for his younger brother, Chen Zheng. There was no hope for reconciliation between them either. Obviously, he couldn’t kill Chen Cang right in front of Fu Qianqiu, but he could at least make him regret antagonizing him a little.

Fu Qianqiu replied calmly, “Chen Cang is my disciple, but he had left Luo Shui to explore the jianghu a few days ago. I’m not sure where he is right now.”

“You have my word that he has nothing to do with Jiang Huanjian or the heretics though.”

“He left Luo Shui?” Ye Qing stared at Fu Qianqiu dubiously, but the man looked like he was telling the truth. So, he shrugged and nodded. “Very well.”

Fu Qianqiu let out a chuckle. “I’m aware that my disciple and you share a grudge with each other, but it is better to resolve the grudge peacefully than not, don’t you think? That is why I’ve prepared a gift for you. I hope you will accept it and forgive my disciple.”

The head produced an embroidered box from his Nature’s Shell and presented it to Ye Qing.

“A gift?” Ye Qing subconsciously accepted it and opened it on the spot. His eyes were immediately attracted to a demonically gorgeous curved saber, a martial arts manual and a lingzhi that was shaped like a full moon.

The curved saber had a short, scarlet blade that was as thin as a cicada’s wing. Its spine was snow white like a translucent white jade. It glowed watery red when it was hit by sunlight, and its blade was curved just right like the comely waist of a gorgeous woman. It was mysterious yet elegant, beautiful yet deadly.

Sitting next to the curbed saber was a martial arts manual named the “Saber of Spring Wind and Fine Rain”. The moon-shaped lingzhi looked pretty awesome as well.

“What a great saber!” Ye Qing complimented from the bottom of his heart. In his eyes, the red saber looked like a gorgeous woman in red: bright as blood, passionate as fire, and beautiful as a painting.

“I’m very glad to hear that.” Fu Qianqiu smiled. “I heard that you’re an expert in saber arts, and it so happens that I have a Hatred-class curved saber and a Spirit Purification-stage saber art. The saber’s name is “Red Sleeve”, and it is 66.66 cm long and 175.6 grams heavy[2]. It’s named Red Sleeve as it’s as beautiful as a woman and could be hidden in one’s sleeve. It whistles like a flute and gives off a light but fragrant scent when it swings through the air. It is a bloodthirsty saber, however. If it is drenched in blood, its blade would turn redder, and its power would grow stronger.”

“The saber art is called the ‘Saber of Spring Wind and Fine Rain’. Its techniques are long, connected, and gentle as a spring wind and fine rain. So gentle, that your enemies wouldn’t even realize that they were dead until after the fact.”

“If you execute the ‘Saber of Spring Wind and Fine Rain’ with Red Sleeve, it would be like a fiery, gorgeous woman dancing amidst the wind and rain—fiery and passionate, invisible and deadly.”

Fu Qianqiu paused for a moment before continuing, “As for this lingzhi, it is called the ‘Moon Lingzhi’. It possesses the ability to condense one’s mind and spirit and is greatly beneficial to any Spirit Purifier.”

“On behalf of my disciple, these are my apology gifts to you. I sincerely hope you will accept them.”

Gu Suitang laughed. “Hahaha! You sure don’t skimp on gifts, Head Fu. But if I remember correctly, Red Sleeve is a Strange Artifact of unknown origin and mysterious qualities despite its power. In fact, almost everyone who wielded it had met a terrible fate. You’re not trying to curse my Patrolman to an early grave, are you?”

Fu Qianqiu chuckled. “Of course not. Lord Ye is already a dragon among men at his age. The previous saber wielders were unable to hold onto the weapon because they were weak in fate and power, but Lord Ye is the opposite. I am sure that he is deserving of this saber.”

“Also, I simply wish to find a good belonging for Red Sleeve. I don’t mean any harm by it.”

“Hahaha, I was just joking. No need to take it seriously.” Gu Suitang laughed again. “I see no reason to spurn Head Fu’s gifts, so feel free to keep them, Joyless.”

“Thank you, Head Fu.” Ye Qing obliged and put away the gifts. While had accrued a ton of Strange Artifacts and martial arts manuals, he hadn’t been able to find a saber and saber art that suited him. To be fair, the “Hellfire Red Lotus Saber Art” was an amazing saber art, but it was best used as a trump card even with his new power. That was why Fu Qianqiu’s gifts were absolutely perfect.

In fact, he had fallen in love with Red Sleeve at first sight. A Buddhist would say that he and the saber were destined for each other.

As for Gu Suitang’s warning, he didn’t take it to heart. He had the Annon Sutra after all, and Fu Qianqiu was trying to save his sect and himself from annihilation. It would be counterproductive if he gave him a cursed gift. Not only that, he was pretty sure that Fu Qianqiu still had more to offer.

“I’m glad you like it.” As if on cue, Fu Qianqiu grinned wider and said, “I’ve also prepared a feast and more gifts as thanks for eliminating the hidden threat in my sect, everyone. I humbly invite you all to partake in it.”

“We’ll take the gifts, but we won’t be joining the feast,” Gu Suitang replied. “Our work isn’t done, you see. We’ll be leaving in a moment.”

Fu Qianqiu saluted him. “In that case, I shan’t hold you back any longer. I will pay you another visit tomorrow.”

“I can feel your sincerity, Head Fu,” Gu Suitang replied indifferently, “but I must say this regardless. Remember Jiang Huanjian’s downfall and never commit the mistakes he did. Otherwise, I don’t mind turning Blood Shadow Palace into the next Sunset Hill.”

Fu Qianqiu hurriedly replied, “I understand. I will shut off my sect for a year and reorganize things during that time. I promise that my disciples will not misbehave or commit any crimes from now on.”

“Good. I will remember this.” Gu Suitang smiled and turned around. “Let’s go.”

After the Pacification Bureau and the Black Feather Guards left, Fu Qianqiu’s smile disappeared into coldness and ruthlessness. “Toss the bodies to the wilderness. Also, the sect will be shut down for a year starting down. No one is allowed to leave the sect grounds without good reason, or they will be executed without mercy.”

“At once!”

1. Please refer to Chapter 33. ?

2. I double-checked. Just how light is this thing? ?