Monarch Night

"Every time I see this mountain, it's as if those predecessors are still here!"

Zhao Shanhe whispered, "So walking on this mountain path gives one an indescribable sense of peace and safety."

Peace and safety, sacred and solemn.

This is exactly how Fang Che feels now.

Resting his palm on the stone, he even feels a sense of warmth.

It seems as if those predecessors are whispering to him.

They are saying: Do not forget to guard!

The wind whistles lowly over Kanke Mountain, as if heroic spirits are chanting in low murmurs over and over.

"All the lights of the Wan Family are on my shoulders! The life and death of the people are in my hands!"

Suddenly, Fang Che feels a surge of warmth in his heart. His whole being fills with hot blood, rushing forth suddenly.

His throat feels somewhat choked, and he suddenly feels an urge to cry.

...

Along the way, he soon reaches the headquarters.

It's all made of stone, appearing quite simple.

At the entrance gate, identity verification is needed.

"Please enter."

The Guardian Headquarters is very vast.

It doesn't look luxurious, but it is filled with a solemn atmosphere, as if it is part of the mountain, giving the impression that even if the sky were to fall, this headquarters would not be shaken at all.

As soon as he steps through the gate, someone approaches: "General Zhao? The three candidates for the selection?"

"Yes."

"The candidates stay behind, you all go over there, guest rooms will be arranged."

"Ahem, there's a special situation here; one of the candidates came with his newlywed wife."

"Really? Which one?"

"That one..."

"What's his name?"

"Fang Che."

"Oh, oh... I've heard his name is like thunder, it's this gentleman who roared ten noble sons into idiots, right?"

"..."

One has to say, Mr. Fang's reputation precedes him.

Now the Guardian Headquarters is indeed very familiar with this name.

When faced with someone harassing his wife, he confronted them directly, disregarding everything, roaring ten noble sons into idiots.

Then more composedly, he faced others and stated his name: I am Fang Che!

Truly, he sits without changing his name or surname.

Such a manly act.

Of course, the most famous part is that he used this matter to directly stir all the families on the continent — and when this news arrived, the Ninth Lord happened to be in the hall.

In a rage, all the continent's families suffered because of those ten troublemaking young men.

What a miracle.

So the name "Fang Che" naturally caught everyone's attention.

"Is that his wife? Tsk, truly beautiful, like an Immortal Fairy, no wonder those ten troublemakers went forward... Alright, I'll arrange something, hey you, come over here, help General Zhao with the guest rooms downstairs..."

The sentence wasn't finished.

A chill fills the hall.

A person clad in white, like ice and snow, walks in; it is Ningxue Sword.

Everyone falls silent instantly.

Ningxue Sword rushes inside but surprisingly comes back in a flash, stands before Fang Che, and smiles brightly: "Hey, it really is you, kid."

"Senior Sword, greetings." Fang Che bows respectfully.

"Hm, not bad."

Ningxue Sword laughs, "How have you grasped that sword stroke I showed you back then?"

"Ashamed to say, I've only made some small progress so far."

Ningxue Sword laughs heartily: "Show me later."

"Yes."

Ningxue Sword nods to that deacon: "Arrange things properly for me, got it?"

Then he says, "I have to go see Ninth Brother... Okay, go about your business."

With that, Ningxue Sword breezes out like the wind.

But everyone's gaze has changed.

This Fang Che actually has connections with Lord Jian!

The face of the deacon who had just arranged Zhao Shanhe and the others suddenly pales, nodding towards Ningxue Sword's retreating figure, then immediately changes his tone: "… Hey you, come over here, arrange a refined courtyard for General Zhao and the others in the upper guest rooms, the one belonging to Lord Jian."

The person is puzzled: "... Didn't you just say downstairs?"

"But now I'm saying upstairs!"

The deacon glares, looking serious.

"Yes."

"After arranging it properly, report immediately to this Steward Fang."

"Which... Steward Fang?"

"This one over here..."

"Understood, understood, now I really understand..."

"Go on."

Zhao Shanhe and the others didn't expect that coming to the Guardian Headquarters would unexpectedly garner them Fang Che's favor. They couldn't help but be greatly surprised.

Ye Meng waved her hand at Fang Che.

In this solemn atmosphere of the headquarters, the little girl didn't dare to speak.

Fang Che smiled, "I'll come over as soon as I'm done here."

Ye Meng felt reassured.

Zhao Shanhe, Old Man Shen, and An Ruoxing took Ye Meng and left.

Old Man Shen chuckled, his expression sly, saying lightly, "Some people always act high and mighty, and now that they're at the headquarters, they're placed in the lower rooms..."

Zhao Shanhe's face darkened like charcoal, ignoring him, he walked on quickly.

"Still benefited from Fang Che's favor, huh, where's the dignity in that."

Old Man Shen continued his sarcastic remarks, "If it were me, I wouldn't have the face to see anyone, I'd have turned into a ball and sent to a dung beetle's nest."

An Ruoxing frowned and whispered, "Say a few less words."

Old Man Shen snorted, but lowered his voice, though intentionally loud enough for Zhao Shanhe to hear, winking at An Ruoxing, "Annoying him a bit, damn it feels good."

Zhao Shanhe's face turned even darker.

They walked on, heading towards the guest rooms.

Several others ahead were also heading that way, apparently people from another section of the headquarters.

One person turned back, "Oh, Chief Zhao is here too."

"Old Ren, you're here too, hahaha..."

Zhao Shanhe greets, engaging in small talk all the way, successfully shaking off Old Man Shen's incessant chatter.

Seeing outsiders arrive, Old Man Shen restrained himself a bit, ceasing his mockery.

As they approached the lower courtyard, the Chief Mr. Ren proceeded inside but heard Zhao Shanhe call out, "Old Ren, I'll come find you for a drink later."