Chapter 38: Fearless

With a burst of energy, Elder Xuan An sped several miles away before coming to a halt. His aged face was marked by a look of bewildered suspicion.

He had met Daoist Pang twice before and knew his background well. In his memory, Pang was a man with some cultivation and strength, but completely lacking in spirit—little more than a useless wreck. He was fit only to idle away his days in the Little Jing Mountain temple, waiting for death. Such a muddy, worthless character never registered in Xuan An’s mind. If one day news came that Pang had fallen prey to a demon, Xuan An would simply smile and treat it as a breeze passing by.

So today, when Xuan An arrived at Little Jing Mountain to demand justice, he was intent on teaching Pang a lesson. He was determined not to leave until he had squeezed some compensation out of him.

Yet Xuan An never imagined that the Pang whom had just roared at him was a completely different person from the Xuan Pingzi he remembered. Elder Xuan An even suspected that if he insisted on fighting Pang, he might never leave the temple alive.

Could this be Pang’s true nature?

A chill ran through Elder Xuan An’s heart. He couldn’t help but glance back toward the temple on Little Jing Mountain, his murky old eyes burning with jealousy and resentment.

There was still time ahead. “This matter isn’t over yet!”

At the same time, Daoist Pang was cursing in the temple, muttering to Fang Xiao, “If the tiger doesn’t show its claws, it gets mistaken for a sick cat. Foxes, old bastards—one after another, they come here to bully me!”

“I’ll make sure they regret it one day!”

“One day?” Fang Xiao nodded. “So you mean you can’t do anything to them right now?”

Daoist Pang immediately deflated, like a balloon pricked by a sharp needle. All his bravado vanished in an instant.

He smiled awkwardly. “Right now, there’s a bit of difficulty.”

The Xuan An elder who had just been chased off was no ordinary cultivator, but one of the three elders of Clear Wind Temple in Liuhe County, a high-level practitioner in Qi refinement.

And though both were temples, the one Daoist Pang resided in was nothing like Clear Wind Temple. He was alone, while Clear Wind Temple boasted dozens of cultivators and a chief who had reached Foundation Establishment. In terms of influence, Clear Wind Temple could easily crush Little Jing Mountain.

As for Old Ancestor Huang Feng, he was a great demon—on par with a Foundation Establishment cultivator. But the old fox’s lifespan was nearly spent, his demonic power waning, and he was unwilling to act rashly. So Pang could go and curse at his door without much issue, but if it came to a life-and-death struggle, he would have little confidence.

“A tiger fallen to the flatlands is bullied by dogs!” Daoist Pang grew more depressed as he spoke, lighting a cigarette and taking a deep drag. “Back in my day…”

He didn’t finish the sentence, but Fang Xiao could see the bitterness and unwillingness in the old man’s eyes.

“It’s alright.” Fang Xiao patted his heavy iron spear and declared loudly, “I’m not afraid of them!”

Elder Li Yuanchao had said, “Man dies, bird flies to the sky; if you don’t die, you live ten thousand years!”

Fang Xiao was not afraid of death.

Daoist Pang inhaled deeply, his face turning beet red. After a moment, his complexion paled and he said fiercely, “Fang Xiao, I’m working on something big. If it succeeds, I’ll help you get justice!”

Fang Xiao grinned, revealing his teeth. “Good.”

Sunlight bathed the spirited youth, making him seem to glow.

Daoist Pang gripped his whisk tightly. “I’m off. Look after the house.”

No sooner had he spoken than he darted out of the temple like a rabbit chased by a dog.

But moments later, Daoist Pang returned, hurriedly stuffing two yellow talismans into Fang Xiao’s hands. “If anything happens, call me!”

And then he was off again in a rush.

Fang Xiao looked at the talismans in his hand and smiled. He put away his refined iron spear and began practicing the Tiger-Dragon Stance.

Clear Wind Temple, Elder Xuan An—they all faded from Fang Xiao’s mind.

As his stance shifted, he immediately felt the extraordinary power of the “Tiger-Dragon Stance.” It was as if a fierce tiger slumbered within him, its claws and fangs hidden, and a strange strength flowed from his muscles and bones. In the next moment, he transformed into a soaring dragon, roaring above the nine heavens. Hot energy surged from his tailbone, permeating his internal organs and spreading throughout his limbs!

Fang Xiao repeated the stance over and over, his mind shifting between tiger and dragon, countless insights sealed in his mind rushing forth. He felt utterly exhilarated!

Meanwhile, Fang Xiao failed to notice the big green donkey trembling under a tree, curled up in terror.

Too frightening! Absolutely terrifying!

Through its donkey eyes, Fang Xiao sometimes became a fierce tiger, sometimes a soaring dragon. An invisible aura of savage beasts enveloped the courtyard, making the donkey feel it was about to be roasted alive.

The donkey wanted to beg for mercy, to cry for help. But heaven and earth offered no response. It could only do its best to reduce its presence.

It didn’t dare breathe loudly, not even once!

Not until the sun dipped westward and Fang Xiao, exhausted, finally stopped practicing did the donkey feel reprieved, tears welling up as it prepared to rise.

But then it heard a devilish voice.

“Brother Fang!”

Fang Xiao scratched his head, seeing a little girl at the door, and smiled. “Sister Huaihua.”

“Mm.” Huaihua carried a bamboo basket into the courtyard. Her face was pale, her eyes still holding a trace of lingering fright, though she hid it well.

Fang Xiao was not a careful observer, so he failed to notice anything amiss.

He gladly took the basket she brought. “I’m just hungry. What did your mother make today?”

Widow Qin was an excellent cook, and she brought different dishes to the temple every day. Since Daoist Pang was often away, most meals ended up in Fang Xiao’s belly.

“Lamb flatbread,” Huaihua said, lifting the cloth cover. “Just baked, still hot!”

She stood close to Fang Xiao, and his radiant energy made her cheeks flush with a gentle red.

Fang Xiao’s attention was entirely on the basket. He eagerly grabbed a fragrant flatbread and took a big bite.

“Delicious!” Fang Xiao exclaimed sincerely.

The plump flatbread was crisp on the outside and firm inside, the scallion and lamb filling exceptionally savory. Each bite overflowed with juicy flavor, nearly swallowing his tongue!

He finished the flatbread in two or three bites and reached for another.

“Let’s eat together,” Fang Xiao said, pulling the dazed Huaihua to sit with him on the bench and handing her a warm flatbread.

Huaihua came to herself, tilted her head, and two shallow dimples appeared on her cheeks. “Thank you, brother.”

“No need to be so polite with me!” Fang Xiao chuckled. “Eat quickly, while it’s still hot.”

“Mm.” Huaihua took a bite, her eyes shining as if she had something to say.

The two sat close together.

And in the corner, the big green donkey watched the scene, hanging its head in dejection.