Chapter 16: Relentless Obstruction


    Fang Chen went to the Minister of Military Personnels manor?


    Is he still harboring a grudge over that? But Ye Dongming cant be med for that. His subordinate was the one who messed things up and delivered Fang Chens military ration elsewhere


    Is there any news from His Majesty? Why hasnt the Court of Great Brilliance apprehended Fang Chen yet?!


    The upper echelons of Great Xias capital had dispatched their men to keep a close eye on Fang Chens movements, so that they could receive thetest updates.


    The manor doors opened. Ye Dongming and his family quietly met eyes with Fang Chen.


    Does War God Fang think that Xiao En is hiding inside the Minister of Military Personnels manor? The official from the Court of Great Brilliance widened his eyes in rm.


    The Minister of Military Personnel should have no reason to house the remnants of the Greenpine martial artists. He would be making an enemy out of Fang Chen if so, as thetter had already dered that he was going to purge the capital of them.


    It has been a while, War God Fang. It has been hard to meet you ever since you stopped attending morning assembly, though well likely meet in the imperial court very soon. May I know the reason behind your abrupt visit today? Ye Dongming asked.


    The Ye nsmen assessed Fang Chen. To their relief, he had lost much of the imposing air he used tomand back then. This told them that the man standing before them wasnt the same Fang Chen from five years ago. He wasnt all-powerful anymore, so there was nothing to fear.


    I have given it a lot of thought over thest five years. I dont intend to bother with the imperial court anymore. Fang Chen shook his head. Im afraid you wont meet me in the imperial court, after all.


    <em>What?!</em>


    Not only were the Ye nsmen stunned, but those from the Court of Great Brilliance were dumbstruck too. The spectating civilians, academics, and martial artists couldnt believe what they had just heard as well.


    <em>War God Fang isnt going to bother with the imperial court? Doesnt this mean that he doesnt intend to take charge of the military anymore?</em>


    Ye Qinghes breathing hastened. He intently stared at Fang Chen as if assessing how sincere thetter was.


    War God Fang is humoring me. You have regained your martial cultivation. It shouldnt be long before His Majesty tasks you with the important responsibility of leading our soldiers against Greenpine Country, Ye Dongming said deeply.


    Take it as if Im joking then, Minister Ye, Fang Chen casually replied with a smile.


    Ye Dongmings eyebrows shot up. War God Fang, what brings you here today?


    Im here to demand a man from your Ye n, Fang Chen replied.


    <em>Demand a man? Who do we have that warranted Fang Chen personally knocking on our door to ask for? </em>Ye Dongming and the others were perplexed.


    However, Ye Qinghes eyes flickered in a panic. He couldnt believe what he had just heard. <em>How does Fang Chen know that Xiao En is in the Ye Manor? Did someone in the Jade Fairy Boat leak the news?</em>


    This thought enraged Ye Qinghe. He didnt think those artisans would dare to reveal the content of their conversation, as they knew his identity. The culprit had to be those who shared the same table as himst night.


    <em>But who could it be? </em>Ye Qinghe wondered as faces shed across his mind.


    War God Fang, who does our Ye n have that warrants you to personally knock on our door? Could you have gotten the wrong ce? Ye Dongming asked with a polite smile. He nced at the official and constables by the side and frowned.


    Im looking for Xiao Tiancis son, Xiao En. Hes in your Ye Manor. Minister Ye, Ill leave as soon as you hand him over to me, Fang Chen said.


    Wait! Ye Dongming was astounded. Xiao Tiancis son, Xiao En? War God Fang, please watch your words. Theres no way Id take in someone like that!


    That was a Greenpine martial artist, not to mention Dojo Master Xiao Tiancis son!


    Should the civilians think that he was providing refuge to Xiao En, their ns reputation would immediately fall to the gutters, and rocks and smelly eggs would be hurled at their manor all day long.


    As expected, amotion broke out amongst the spectators, as they began pointing their fingers at the Ye n. The schrs began berating them, while the martial artists rolled up their sleeves.


    <em>Are these people from the Court of Great Brilliance after Xiao En too? Fang Chen would never make an empty im. What makes him say that Xiao En is in my manor </em>Ye Dongmings mind quickly whirred into action.


    Ye Qinghe could hardly maintain his expression. Small beads of cold sweat dotted his forehead. He confidently thought there was no way Fang Chen could have known Xiao Ens whereabouts, but it only took a night for thetter toe knocking on his door.


    This sent him into a panic. He hadnt made preparations for this yet


    Lord Ye, if youre confused, you may consider asking your son for rification, Fang Chen politely offered advice.


    Ye Dongming immediately turned to Ye Qinghe with a flicker of rage in his eyes. Qinghe, have you met with Xiao En?


    Father, I have not met with Xiao En. Ye Qinghe shook his head. He turned to Fang Chen and sped his fist, saying, Brother Fang, Im not sure where you got the news from, but you might have been taken for a fool.


    Indeed Could War God Fang be mistaken?


    Theres no way our Minister of Military Personnel will harbor a Greenpine martial artist.


    War God Fang is not omniscient; he cant possibly know everything. Now that I think about it, I recall there being a grudge between War God Fang and the Minister of Military Personnel.


    Could War God Fang be making use of this opportunity to settle old grudges?


    Such murmurs could be heard from the surroundings.


    Ye Dongmings face darkened. He looked into Fang Chens eyes and said, War God Fang, I concede that I have let you down regarding that matter, but I have reported it to His Majesty and received punishment for it. You shouldnt frame me and sully my reputation over that.


    Minister Ye, would you allow me to search the premises of your manor? Fang Chen asked.


    Fang Chen, youre getting overboard! This is the Minister of Military Personnels manor, not a ce where you cane and go as you please. Do you honestly think that youre still the War God? Youre just a normal civilian now; you dont even have the right to enter the imperial court, Ye Qinghe roared.


    However, to Ye Qinghes shock, his father gestured for him to keep quiet.


    War God Fang, my manor isnt too big. Youre free to search the area as you like. However, I expect an exnation if you cant find any traces of Xiao En.


    Ill be following them to the Court of Great Brilliance if I cant find Xiao En. What other exnation do you require? Fang Chen gestured to the official standing not too far away.


    Ye Dongming nodded in realization. <em>So they are here to apprehend Fang Chen.</em> That took a load off his heart.


    Very well. Go ahead, War God Fang.


    Father?! Ye Qinghe panicked.


    We havent done a thing, so what do we have to fear? Ye Dongming coldly harrumphed.


    Ye Qinghe fell silent. He couldnt say anything more, or else he would be giving himself away.


    Just as Fang Chen was about to enter, another group of people rushed over and stationed themselves in front of the manor. The leader got off his steed and cidly looked at Fang Chen.


    Fang Chen, you cant enter the Minister of Military Personnels manor.


    Your Highness?! Ye Dongming hurriedly bowed in astonishment.


    The crowd was startled too. Who could have thought the crown prince would get involved too?