Chapter 3: The Four Weapons

Not long after Su Yue left, someone else came.

“Cousin, how are you?”

A gentle voice came from outside the door, tinged with unease and guilt.

“Come in.”

A young man in white pushed the door open. He had a straight nose and bright eyes, a clear and upright gaze, a tall and slender figure, and a warm smile on his face, though it was laced with some apology and caution.

He should have been extremely handsome, but now his face bore several marks from the whip, his lips were bruised and swollen, his eyes were black, and his wrists, occasionally visible, also bore the marks of the whip.

This was Fang Qingyun, the cousin who had beaten Fang Che with one hand.

It seemed he had been beaten quite badly.

At the sight of this “culprit of the previous body’s death,” Fang Che immediately made a judgment in his mind.

This guy… is actually a decent person!

Such a face, even if he were bad, wouldn’t be thoroughly bad. A typical honest and straightforward face, exuding one word from the core: simple.

He was the complete opposite of the just-departed Su Yue.

Fang Che had already made up his mind: such a person, as the heir to the family, is good at maintaining the status quo but lacks the ability to innovate.

No wonder he fell into the trap without noticing anything.

Fang Qingyun nervously rubbed his hands and asked Fang Che, “Are you okay now?”

Fang Che rolled his eyes and said, “Thanks to you, I’m not dead yet.”

These words were not deliberately imitating the previous body’s speech but came out naturally.

Only after speaking did he remember that he should mimic the previous body’s bad temper to avoid unnecessary trouble.

But after thinking about it, he suddenly felt that this sentence, which could instantly choke someone, was even more like the previous body.

He couldn’t help but be taken aback.

Hearing these words, Fang Qingyun became even more embarrassed and, after a long silence, said in a low voice, “Fang Che, we are family! I didn’t mean to.”

His voice was sincere, soft, yet heavy: “Cousin, blood is thicker than water, we share the same fate, the same honor and disgrace, the same joys and sorrows!”

“Cousin, I hope you can forgive my unintentional mistake this time.”

Fang Che’s face was cold, his smile hollow: “Yes, so you beat me to death! Family, after all, blood is thicker than water, I understand. Blood, after all, needs to be beaten out and then dissolved in water, perfect!”

This was impossible to communicate!

Fang Qingyun’s face twisted.

How could he not understand human language?

“This time, I came back to help you break through, as required by Aunt and also by Grandfather, Father, and Uncles. We won’t harm you.”

Fang Qingyun was desperately trying to prove his innocence.

Fang Che remained silent.

Of course, I know it wasn’t you, but the previous body seemed to be in a rebellious phase, defying the whole world and looking down on this cousin, who was said to be ranked at the bottom of his class in the Martial Academy.

In the previous body’s mind, he was extremely disdainful: a slacker... hmpf.

It was said that there were 7,500 students in the same grade at the Martial Academy, and this cousin was ranked 7,476th. It was said that even maintaining this rank was difficult…

Ha, genius!

The best talent in the family?

Ha…

—This was always the previous body’s true thoughts.

So now, Fang Che, who had taken over, must not show any kindness.

So he said, “Ha… ha.”

Fang Qingyun looked at his face with some hope, hoping to hear a reasonable response. But there was none.

He had to continue, “I know you have thoughts in your mind, and I will be returning to the Martial Academy in a few days. I just wanted to tell you one thing.”

Fang Che’s face was as cold as a coffin, and he said indifferently, “Speak!”

“…”

Fang Qingyun was momentarily speechless, sighing helplessly, “No matter what you think or what you want to do, if you must do something, wait until you grow up, get married, and have a family. Then you can do it. By then, I will fully support you!”

He wanted to stabilize this young man. He was still young and didn’t understand. Once he found a wife, had a family, and understood the world, he would naturally understand.

—This was the only hope of all societies for disobedient children: they would be better when they grow up!

And for the Fang family, they firmly believed that this child would have a true moment of enlightenment. It was just a rebellious phase; which child isn’t rebellious?

Once this phase passed, everything would be fine.

When he grew up and understood, it would still be in time!

Fang Che naturally understood this.

So he said, “Yes, I believe that by then you will beat me with all your might!”

Fang Qingyun became depressed.

If it were his younger brothers, he would have already beaten them to teach them a lesson, making them experience the authority of an older brother and ensuring they had a complete childhood.

But for this sensitive and introverted cousin, he couldn’t.

He was his aunt’s only child.

“Are you done?” Fang Che started to shoo him away.

Cousin, I’ll discipline you later.

Now that I’ve just been reborn, I have too many things to do. Go back to school and be the 7,476th place again.

“Fang Che!”

Fang Qingyun called out helplessly.

“Alright…”

Fang Qingyun put down a box and said, “Inside, the white bottle contains Martial Disciple-level Blood Qi Pills, and the black bottle contains Warrior-level Blood Qi Pills. They can help you cultivate… Remember, you must stabilize your cultivation for seven days after breaking through to the Warrior level before…”

“Got it, got it!”

Fang Che sneered, “Such small favors… Do these pills have any poison?”

Fang Qingyun took a deep breath, clenching his fist that almost hit his cousin’s face.

No, I must hold back.

His face turned ashen with the effort.

Finally, he couldn’t help but turn and walk to the door, saying earnestly, “Cousin! You must work hard and be sensible!”

“Cousin!”

Fang Qingyun turned back in surprise.

This was the first time Fang Che had called him cousin in years. Fang Qingyun looked at him expectantly, “Yes?”

“Cousin, if the ranking at the Martial Academy is from the bottom up, your rank is actually quite high.”

Fang Qingyun’s face turned as black as the bottom of a pot, his fists clenched. Crunch, crunch…

But thinking of his father’s whip, he immediately let go of his hands.

He glared at Fang Che hatefully.

Deciding to beat him when he grew up and understood…

He left in large strides.

Then Fang Che sat in a chair, pondering whether there were any flaws in his response.

He fell into deep self-doubt.

What’s wrong with my mouth…

He looked up at the newly hung plaque on the wall that read “Value Words.”

His lips twitched uncontrollably.

I seem to understand why the previous body had such a fixation.

But this time, it was to maintain the previous body’s character. I must not do this in the future.

…

Fang Qingyun returned to the Fang family courtyard and went straight to his father’s study.

“How is Ache?”

Fang Zhenghang asked his son.

“He seems to be recovering well, scolding me with a strong voice.”

“Sigh…”

Fang Zhenghang looked speechless, “Still the same?”

“His mouth seems even more venomous.”

Fang Zhenghang sighed from the bottom of his heart, his long beard trembling, “You should return to the Martial Academy tomorrow. When your aunt comes back, I will explain to her.”

“Yes.”

Fang Qingyun was clearly very angry but couldn’t help saying, “Father, if it were my younger brother speaking so disrespectfully, I would have…”

“What would you have done?”

Fang Zhenghang glanced at his son, speaking sternly, “As the heir of the Fang family, is your heart so small that you can’t tolerate a teenager? What’s wrong with him contradicting you a few times? He’s still young! And because of his background, he’s naturally a bit inferior. If you, as his cousin, don’t give in to him, how will he have a chance to turn around?!”

“Yes, Father is right.”

“Besides, there’s also your aunt’s face to consider. For Ache’s sake, you should also consider your aunt.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Fang Zhenghang’s face, which was always composed, showed a hint of seriousness, “Qingyun, that’s your cousin! He grew up in our home. Can the Fang family not teach a child well? Besides, for your aunt’s sake, what’s the harm in tolerating him a bit?”

Fang Qingyun smiled, “I understand, so before I left, I left him two bottles of Blood Qi Pills that the Martial Academy rewarded me.”

This made Fang Zhenghang a bit pained.

“These… These are the best Blood Qi Pills from the Martial Academy… You, you, how long did it take you to save up these two bottles?!”

Blood Qi Pills are available in the market, but the best quality ones are from the Martial Academy and sects. While the sects’ pills are more effective, they are specific to their own cultivation methods. Practitioners of other sects’ methods would only get average results from other sects’ Blood Qi Pills.

Only the Martial Academy’s pills can be taken by all martial practitioners!

The best quality, with the least side effects and impurities!

And they are only used as rewards within the Martial Academy, never supplied to the outside. This shows how precious they are.

Fang Qingyun smiled warmly, “You said, he’s my cousin. Even if it’s just to make Aunt happy for a moment, these two bottles are worth it.”

Fang Zhenghang smiled in relief, stood up, and patted his son’s shoulder. Just as he was about to say something, he noticed his son’s broad shoulders and tall figure, already taller than himself.

Lifting his hand was a bit difficult.

“…You’re already taller than me.”

Fang Zhenghang swallowed the words he was about to say, changing them to a sigh.

“How are things at the Martial Academy recently?”

Fang Qingyun’s face showed embarrassment, “I’m ashamed, in this year’s competition, I’m still in the bottom hundred. Compared to last time, I only moved up two places. Out of 7,500 students, I’m ranked 7,476th…”

Fang Zhenghang smiled, “If it were before today, I would have scolded you, but what you said today makes me very satisfied. Go with peace of mind. Focus on your cultivation. Whatever rank you get, don’t feel pressured. Your ability to speak and act today shows your character. You can lead the Fang family with ease. Martial cultivation is secondary.”

He smiled, “I’m very satisfied!”

Fang Qingyun’s face turned red, feeling a bit embarrassed, “Th-th-then… I’ll go pack.”

“Go ahead.”

Just as his son was about to leave, Fang Zhenghang called him back, “Being kind is good, but it’s for your own people. If it’s for your enemies…”

Fang Qingyun interrupted, “Then it’s to cut them off at the root, without mercy!”

“Exactly!”

The father and son smiled at each other.

“Speaking of enemies, I still don’t understand what happened back then…”

“Cough!”

Fang Zhenghang said, “Go back and focus on your cultivation!”

He cut off the topic directly.

“Yes.”

“With the Fang family facing a demotion, everyone is working hard. I hope you can hold up.”

Watching his son leave, Fang Zhenghang sat down in the chair, looking defeated.

His face was gray and lifeless.

It seemed he had lost all his energy and spirit.

“The events of the past… Although there’s no evidence, it’s clear who was behind the scenes, but… without evidence, and with the other party now at the peak of power, revealing it would bring disaster…”

“Sigh…”

Fang Zhenghang sighed deeply, “The Fang family, with over 500 years of tradition and over 400 lives… How can it afford impulsiveness?!”

…

Fang Che focused on his cultivation.

Back then, it seemed he was killed, his soul destroyed.

Then a white light flashed, and his shattered soul was enveloped and brought into this body.

Now, this white light was in his mind, transformed into a token, spinning around.

Inside the token was a传承玉佩 (传承玉佩 means "inheritance jade pendant," but in this context, it's better translated as "inheritance jade token").

Apart from that, nothing else was visible.

Fang Che had no interest in studying where this thing came from.

Opportunity is opportunity.

One day, he would know.

It took him three full days to digest the inheritance in the jade token, and Fang Che felt like he had hit the jackpot.

A cultivation method, and four weapon manuals.

The four weapons: saber, spear, sword, and halberd.

“What a great selection of the four weapons!” Fang Che sincerely praised.

Because these were also the top four weapons in the entire continent’s