Free Web NovelChapter 316: Chapter 165: Great Dream of 10 Years (Part 3)
The five men appeared to know one another. Judging from their postures, their gazes, and the subtle movements of their hands and feet, they were wary of each other, yet also seemed to be in a loose, watchful alliance.
Fang Shuwen was taken aback; this was not what he had expected at all.
’Could it be that this manor truly holds no ill will toward me and Long Qingzhi?’
’And who are these men?’
Among the five, the youngest was at least in his fifties, while the oldest was well past his prime and appeared decrepit.
However, every one of them radiated vigor, a clear sign that they each possessed extraordinary Martial Arts.
Suddenly, there was a loud BANG.
A teacup between two of the men suddenly exploded, sending tea and ceramic shards flying in all directions.
THWACK! THWACK! THWACK!
The shattered pieces embedded themselves in a pillar.
One of the men extended a hand, getting it splashed with tea. He drew his hand back, his gaze turning grim as he stared at the man across from him.
That man’s lips curled into a cold smirk.
"My thanks."
"Hmph. They say an old man who clings to life is nothing but a thief. Cen the Ninth, at your advanced age, what are you doing here?"
"What? You all can come, but I can’t? This place has ties to them, and there’s a huge prize at stake. Not only did you not think to include me, you’re actually trying to shut me out?"
Cen the Ninth had the white hair of an old man but the face of a youth, and his voice boomed as he spoke.
"Are you planning to keep it all for yourselves?"
"And I still haven’t settled the score with you lot for what happened back then!"
"Settle what score?"
Another man interjected coldly.
"Back then, if every single one of you hadn’t been nursing your own schemes..."
"...would we have ended up in such a dire situation?"
"If not for that, would we be in this predicament today?"
"And how could we have allowed a scoundrel like Ye Wufeng to dominate the Northern Domain?"
Hearing this, Fang Shuwen grew even more confused.
’Just who were these people?’
’What happened to them all those years ago?’
’They sure talk big... From the sound of it, they don’t even have any respect for Ye Wufeng?’
Although Fang Shuwen didn’t hold Ye Wufeng in high regard either, the man was still the Patriarch of the Sword God Palace and a top figure in the Northern Domain.
He deserved a certain degree of respect.
As Fang Shuwen’s mind raced, Elder Nong entered the hall at a slow pace, holding a single lantern.
"Gentlemen, the Patriarch wishes me to inform you that he is at a critical stage of his Alchemy."
"It is inconvenient for him to receive guests at this time..."
"We have prepared rooms for you in the manor. Please, follow me to get some rest."
"Ah, and inside your rooms, the Patriarch has prepared a generous gift for each of you."
With that said, he turned and walked away, not bothering to wait for the five men’s reactions.
The five men glanced at one another. As they watched Elder Nong’s retreating figure, they exchanged another look.
Fang Shuwen caught the look that passed between them and narrowed his eyes.
’Looks like they want to cause trouble.’
In the end, however, the five men restrained their impulse and did not act immediately.
Instead, they followed Elder Nong out of the main hall, and he began to escort them to their rooms.
The five men were split between two courtyards.
Elder Nong then warned them,
"Tonight, no matter what you hear or see, I advise you to stay in your rooms. Otherwise, you will have to face the consequences."
In truth, these words were rather pointless.
Those looking for trouble would come out to have a look regardless of any warning.
And those who didn’t want trouble didn’t need to be told in the first place.
Judging by this group, there was no way they would stay quietly in their rooms.
It was just that Fang Shuwen was thinking that this whole affair really seemed to have nothing to do with him.
Elder Nong hadn’t mentioned that he and Long Qingzhi were there, so these men must have come for some other reason.
With that thought, Fang Shuwen decided to leave.
But just then, one of the men who had just returned to his quarters suddenly rushed out of his room.
His face was a mask of ecstasy, but he still moved with great care, as if he had found an earth-shattering treasure. He took off at a run in a specific direction.
As Fang Shuwen watched the man go, another person emerged from his room.
In a flash, he was on the roof, swiftly giving chase.
The pair had truly piqued Fang Shuwen’s curiosity.
After a moment’s hesitation, he decided to tail them quietly and see what they were up to.
Their destination wasn’t far—a spot near a rockery. The first man was already there, digging a hole with his bare hands.
His palm technique was superb; his hands sliced through the soil like blades, meeting no resistance whatsoever.
In just a few moments, his body suddenly went rigid.
Then, he burst out laughing.
"Found it! I found it!"
"The ’Ten Years of the Great Dream’! The ’Ten Years of the Great Dream’!"
Fang Shuwen, listening from a distance, was momentarily confused.
’What is "Ten Years of the Great Dream"?’
But just then, a palm appeared out of nowhere, striking silently for the vital point on the man’s back.
But the man had been on guard.
He spun around, thrusting out a palm of his own.
A muffled THUD echoed.
A shockwave erupted from the point of impact, forcing both men back a step. The leaves on the surrounding bamboo and trees rustled violently. RUSTLE!
"Feng Qiuzi, you dare launch a sneak attack on me!?"
"Wang Baisheng, give me that Elixir Recipe! If you don’t, I’ll make sure you die without a place for burial today!"
Having said their piece, there was nothing left to discuss.
The next instant, they threw themselves at each other and began to fight.
Fang Shuwen watched from a distance, arms crossed. But as his gaze swept the area, he realized he wasn’t the only spectator.
In the distance, a woman dressed in white stood silently at the foot of a wall, quietly watching the two combatants. Her eyes... were not the eyes of a living person.
