Chapter Eighty-Five: Zheng Fan

Ye Sansi rode his sword through the sky, rising above the clouds. Looking down, the sea of blue revealed a tiny immortal isle that seemed exceedingly beautiful; even imperial palaces and sovereign courts could scarcely compare to such a sight.

The isle stood above the court, high over the Southern Sea. It was naturally easy to defend and hard to assault, and with its protective immortal formation, in former times, if an emperor had committed some grievous wrong, it could still have served as heaven’s instrument of justice.

But the Fangcun Immortal Isle was not what it once had been. It no longer had any truly formidable figures to speak of. Fang Jian, the isle master, was anxious as well, fearing that one day the island might truly be destroyed. Wei Feiliang’s armored troops were terrifying indeed; even Fang Yuan had been unable to defeat them. If the Wei army launched a sudden assault and shattered the immortal formation, there would be no turning back.

Ye Sansi could read Fang Jian’s worry from his face and understood the burden he carried. If the island were truly ruined in his hands, he would fail the founders of Fangcun. Since he had taken Fang Jian as his master, he must do what he could to help him, but by the look of those ironclad soldiers, he himself was surely no match for them.

It was getting late; half an hour had already passed. Ye Sansi thought of returning. He had become quite practiced in sword flight, and once back at the training grounds, he could also point out a few things to Taiyi and the others. Most of all, there was Ling Shuang; Sansi worried she might be anxious.

From high in the air, the Fangcun Immortal Isle lay clearly below. Ye Sansi immediately spotted the eastern training grounds. Riding Heaven’s Fury, he plunged down at great speed. A hundred paces from the ground, he sprang backward, leaving the sword, turned in midair, and landed squarely upon it once more.

The sequence flowed like moving clouds and running water. He had not discussed it with Heaven’s Fury, yet there was perfect understanding between them. Ye Sansi landed steadily. Liu Lingshuang came over and said, “Sansi, you wild man, what nonsense are you up to now? I don’t know where you learned this showy nonsense from. Hmph.”

Ye Sansi scratched his head and asked with a smile, “Ling Shuang, how’s your sword flight coming along?”

“A little better, but I still can’t keep the sword suspended. This sword-riding art is really difficult.”

“What about Taiyi and Nian’er? How are they doing?”

“They’re stronger than I am. Nian’er can already hold her sword at shoulder height, and Taiyi has some idea of it too. It’s only me…”

“Don’t rush, Ling Shuang. I’ll teach you. Sword flight is actually simple. The main thing is to grasp the knack of it and become one with the sword. Then no matter how the blade trembles, you’ll stand steady. But perhaps it’s only Heaven’s Fury that works this way. I don’t know whether other swords can be ridden with the same method. Lend me Senior Brother’s sword and I’ll try it.”

Ling Shuang handed her sword to Sansi. Following Fang Yuan’s instructions, Sansi placed the sword on the ground and recited the formula. Fang Yuan had only explained it once, and Sansi did not remember it well. The first time, he failed to lift the sword at all.

Seeing Sansi return, Fang Yuan came over and, noticing the failed attempt, asked, “Junior Brother, what happened? Didn’t it work? Where did it go wrong?”

“Senior Brother Fang, I’m still not familiar with the incantation. You only told it to me once, and I didn’t remember it clearly. When I recited it just now, I may have made some mistake.”

“Junior Ye, the formula isn’t the most important part. Take me, for instance: when I ride a sword now, I don’t even need to chant it. I just flick the sword, and it naturally rises. Then with a leap, I’m on it and away.”

Hearing this, Ye Sansi decided to try again. He closed his eyes, silently recited the formula in his heart, and pointed toward the sword. Sure enough, it floated up. Ye Sansi leaped onto it. Though he was not as steady as he was on Heaven’s Fury, it showed that he could ride any sword at all.

Fang Yuan said, “Junior Ye truly is brilliant and perceptive. Just one explanation, and you can grasp it at once. Those twenty disciples are learning slowly. Why not go and give them a hand, as their senior uncle?”

“Gladly. I can also see how Taiyi and the others are doing.”

After Ye Sansi left, Liu Lingshuang murmured, “I truly admire Sansi’s comprehension. I’ve practiced this sword-riding method for half an hour and still see no progress. Perhaps... perhaps I’m simply not suited to cultivating immortality or learning martial arts.”

“Don’t say that, Junior Sister Liu. Junior Ye can lift that sword because he already has spiritual power. You’ve only just entered the immortal sect, and no one has yet guided you in cultivation. It’s only natural that you can’t lift the sword yet.”

“What about Nian’er...?”

“Junior Sister Lin’s spiritual power is extraordinary. She learns techniques far faster than the rest of us. Back when I first practiced this sword-riding art, I was just like you, Junior Sister Liu. For quite some time I couldn’t see any progress at all. But if you settle your mind, ponder it carefully, and practice diligently, you’ll certainly not be worse than me.”

Liu Lingshuang nodded and went to seek guidance from Lin Nian’er.

Taiyi saw Sansi approaching and hurried to greet him with a smile. “Brother Sansi, I just saw you ride your sword down. Truly amazing. You can already control it so nimbly?”

“Haha, not really. It’s just that I’m a little steadier on Heaven’s Fury. If I switch to another sword, it’s still hard to make it fly. What about you? How’s your practice going?”

Taiyi waved his hand and said, “I’ve got a little understanding of it, but without spiritual power it’s hard to lift the sword. I’ll have to wait until I’ve practiced Fangcun’s immortal arts before trying again. Then I should be able to manage it.”

“Oh? Are these all new disciples taken in by Fang Yuan?” A voice sounded nearby. Looking over, Sansi saw a disciple in his thirties. From his attire, he belonged to the eleventh generation.

Li Taiyi had just been about to bow when the disciple spoke first. “So these are the junior nephews? Didn’t your master teach you anything? When you see an uncle, you should make a proper bow.” Then he pointed at Ye Sansi. “You. Come give them an example.”

Ye Sansi said angrily, “You... and if I refuse?”

“If you refuse, that means disrespecting your elders and your teacher. I can deal with you according to the island laws.”

Ye Sansi gave a cold laugh. “What a grand tone. I’ll teach you a lesson on behalf of my master. How can a noble immortal sect have someone as overbearing as you?”

“Heh, teach me a lesson for Fang Yuan? Even if he were standing before me, I wouldn’t fear him. What can a little brat like you use to fight me?”

“With Heaven’s Fury!”

As soon as he finished speaking, Heaven’s Fury flew out and struck straight at the man, but was evaded.

The man spread his hands, and two swords flew out from behind him, one blue and one red, rushing toward Ye Sansi. Their movement was so unpredictable that Sansi did not even know where to dodge. Ten steps, nine steps...

When it came to one step away, Heaven’s Fury was finally in his hand. Ye Sansi blocked with the sword’s body, but to his surprise, the twin blades were overwhelmingly powerful. He was unable to withstand them; the blue sword suppressed him while the red sword circled around him, waiting for an opening. Ye Sansi could not guard against both sides at once.

Just when it seemed Sansi might find a breakthrough, the red sword gave him no chance to breathe and suddenly rushed at him. Sansi dodged and blocked with Heaven’s Fury, but this time it was the red blade that pinned him down while the blue sword circled. The technique was exquisite, and Ye Sansi had no chance to counter.

The man laughed. “You’re nothing special after all. There’s no need to waste any more time.”

With that, the two swords struck together—one at Sansi’s throat, the other at his chest. Ye Sansi had no choice but to leap and roll away. The blades brushed past him, but because he had moved in haste, he failed to steady himself and crashed heavily to the ground.

Hearing the commotion, Fang Yuan hurried over. Seeing the man, he said, “Junior Brother Zheng, what are you doing? Junior Ye only entered the sect yesterday, and you’re already making things hard for him?”

“Hahaha. Today I heard that our isle master’s junior uncle had taken a beloved disciple, so I came to have a look. At a glance I recognized a spirit sword, so I wanted to spar a little. What I said just now was only meant to provoke Junior Ye into taking this more seriously. I hope he won’t bear a grudge.”

Supported by Liu Lingshuang, Ye Sansi got to his feet and said, “How could I bear a grudge? Senior Brother Zheng’s swordsmanship is truly formidable. If Senior Brother hadn’t shown mercy just now, I’d already be dead.”

Fang Yuan introduced him to the others. “This is your second martial uncle. He’s the one I get along with best in ordinary times. If you have any questions in the future, you can ask him.”

“Hey, Senior Brother, that’s not fair. I’m not going to look after your disciples.”

Fang Yuan only smiled and went on. “To tell the truth, in this immortal isle, apart from the isle master, he’s the most formidable of all. Whether in martial skill or immortal arts, he is top-tier.”

“Don’t let that stubborn Fang Lang hear you say that. He’d... hmph, no, I’m not afraid of him. That old fossil had better not think of punishing me again.”

Liu Lingshuang covered her mouth and laughed. “So there’s such a person on the island. How interesting. Those words may be rude, but somehow they’re so pleasing to hear. Hahaha.”

Fang Yuan laughed. “Ah, only you, Zheng Fan, would dare say such things.”

Everyone burst into laughter. Zheng Fan waved a hand and said, “I’m leaving. You carry on with your training. Junior Ye, if you’re interested, come find me again for a spar.”

With that, Zheng Fan leaped into the air and departed. Ye Sansi marveled, “Senior Brother Zheng doesn’t need to ride a sword?”

“No,” Fang Yuan said. “He’s a prodigy. He can travel on the wind and does not rely on mundane things.”

Liu Lingshuang asked, “Is this senior brother an immortal?”

“Haha, Junior Sister Liu, where in the world would there be so many immortals? Junior Brother Zheng Fan’s background is pitiful. His father was a demon, his mother a human. After he was born, the world treated him as a disaster and wanted to destroy him. Fortunately, our Fangcun Immortal Isle took him in, and that was what saved his life.”

Li Taiyi said, “Then wouldn’t he have endured nothing but cold stares on this island?”

“Indeed he did in the beginning. The disciples of his generation all called him a monster, and even the master did not favor him. He thought Zheng Fan would tarnish Fangcun’s reputation, and he spoke to the isle master many times, asking that Zheng Fan be driven from the island. Luckily, the isle master was merciful and kept him here, personally teaching him magic. But under Fang Lang’s pressure, he still could not be formally taken into the immortal sect...”

Ye Sansi said angrily, “How hateful. Demons have good and bad among them too. If two beings truly love one another and marry to have children, what is wrong with that? It is their own affair, yet those who call themselves the righteous way only think of exterminating them all. Why should a matter of one family be judged by all under heaven?”

Liu Lingshuang echoed, “Exactly. So what if he is a demon? Along the way we’ve met benevolent demons and righteous demons who care for all living beings. How can we paint them all with the same brush?”

Lin Nian’er said, “That’s right. The Great Elder is truly stubborn. Senior Brother Zheng is such a pitiful person. If anyone bullies him, I’ll certainly stand up for him.”

On this Fangcun Immortal Isle there were two great experts. The first was the isle master, Fang Jian. The second was Zheng Fan. Yet Fang Lang would not acknowledge it, insisting that because Zheng’s surname was Zheng and he was a demon, he could not be counted as a disciple of the immortal isle. But Fang Yuan did not see it that way; calling him Second Junior Brother came naturally to him.

Though Zheng Fan was Fang Yuan’s junior brother, Fang Yuan treated him like an elder brother. He thought of him whenever there was any good fortune to share. Zheng Fan was reclusive and loved only martial training, yearning to grow strong so he could repay Fang Jian for taking him in and teaching him.

For more than ten years, Fang Jian had watched Zheng Fan’s conduct with his own eyes. Though he never granted him formal standing, he treated him like a son and cared nothing for his demon heritage. It was a pity... a pity that Fang Lang would not allow it, or else that position of isle master...