Chapter 261: The Fang Family Submits

It was not just Chen Che; Su Xiao was also stunned by the scene before her.

She had originally thought Chen Che's Artisan Technique Array Diagrams were already profound and miraculous enough, but she had not expected Song Jinhe's three-dimensional array to be even more shocking!

And that Puppet—could it actually mobilize True Qi?!

Could a robot reach such a level? In any case, she could not imagine it!

Furthermore, listening to their conversation, these two stunningly brilliant women, as well as the designer of that Puppet, were all Chen Che's senior martial sisters.

Where on earth did they study? How could every single one of them be so heaven-defying?!

Su Xiao suddenly felt that her own Yin-cold constitution was nothing special, and besides, she had heard every word spoken by Song Jinhe, who wore the fox mask, quite clearly.

The protection and doting toward Chen Che were beyond doubt, and the woman Chen Che called Third Senior Martial Sister was currently focused on healing Chen Che's injuries; looking at the way they interacted, their relationship was clearly intimate, perhaps even ambiguous.

And those other senior martial sisters she had never met—they were likely doting on Chen Che as well...

A touch of sorrow suddenly rose in Su Xiao's heart; she felt that wanting to stay by Chen Che's side forever was a very difficult thing.

She had originally thought he only had Jiang Lan by his side, but now it seemed Jiang Lan might just be the most mediocre one among the women around Chen Che.

However, Su Xiao would certainly not give up just like that; she clenched her fists, glanced at Chen Che, and secretly cheered herself on in her heart: "I must work harder! There will definitely be a place for me by his side!"

Also shocked were Fang Shaoyi and Fang Jixian, as well as Fang Yuying.

Fang Yuying was young, and her thoughts were all written on her face; she stared dumbfounded at the scene before her, the rotating, profound array diagram dazzling her and leaving her too shocked to speak.

Fang Shaoyi's knife-carved, cold, and hard face also showed ripples at this moment; he had considered himself to have no worries in his heart after nearly a hundred years of cultivation and experience, but at this moment, he still could not help but be shocked.

What shocked him was not the Mysterious Gate Dunjia Technique displayed by Song Jinhe—although this three-dimensional array could be called heaven-shaking and earth-shattering—but after all, Song Jinhe's Martial Dao Cultivation was only at the Grandmaster Great Perfection.

If he used his full strength, he could still manage to break the array.

But what shocked and made Fang Shaoyi wary were the longer-term considerations.

He had originally thought that it was only Chen Che personally who had a grudge with the Martial Arts Alliance; if that were the case, no matter how strong he was, he would be unable to contend with an organization like the Martial Arts Alliance on his own.

But now it did not seem that way; these three people who came to the rescue were all highly skilled, and listening to their conversation, they should be from the same sect.

Could it be that there were only these few people in this sect?

Of course, not necessarily!

But taking a step back, even if there were only these few people, it was enough to turn the world upside down!

Therefore, Fang Shaoyi judged that these people before him were very likely not having a personal grudge with the Martial Arts Alliance, but rather a struggle between organizations.

If that were truly the case, it was no longer a question of whether he could stop these people today; even if he did stop them, then what?

Hand them over to the Martial Arts Alliance? Then their sect would certainly come to take revenge and save them.

But if he did not hand them over to the Martial Arts Alliance, there would be no way to account for the death of Zhuque, and he would offend both sides.

The current Fang Family had suffered a great loss of Vital Energy, and even if it had not, he could not guarantee he could withstand either of these two forces.

"Sigh—"

Fang Shaoyi pondered for a long time, finally turning it into a sigh; the Fang Family had already been swept into this torrent, and wanting to stay out of it was impossible.

He could only choose one side, stake his life and the family's future, and make a desperate gamble.

Fang Jixian's body trembled slightly; if not for Fang Yuying supporting him in time, he would likely have fallen to the ground long ago.

The appearance of the array had shaken his mind and spirit; he could not understand such a profound Artisan Technique, but he could feel the power within it.

He knew very well that if the array were fully activated, he would not be able to last even half a minute in his current state!

"Old Ancestor, I beg you—"

Fang Jixian looked at Fang Shaoyi; at this moment, he no longer had the dignity of the Fang Family Patriarch or his earlier arrogance, but instead, like a child begging for an adult's protection, he grabbed the corner of Fang Shaoyi's robe.

However, before he could finish his sentence, Fang Shaoyi turned abruptly and did something that exceeded everyone's expectations!

Fang Shaoyi clamped his hand onto Fang Jixian's neck and, with a *crack*, snapped his spine.

Fang Jixian's head tilted to the side, his eyes wide open, filled with terror and disbelief.

"Old Grandfather!"

Fang Yuying was startled and let out a cry.

Fang Shaoyi's expression remained normal as he withdrew his arm; Fang Jixian fell backward to the ground, dying with his eyes wide open.

Chen Che and the others were also shocked by Fang Shaoyi's actions; they all watched Fang Shaoyi with vigilance and curiosity, waiting for what would come next.

Fang Shaoyi ignored the stunned Fang Yuying and instead turned to face Chen Che and the others, cupping his hands in a salute, and said, "Today's events were an offense by the Fang Family. As the Old Ancestor of the Fang Family, I failed to discipline and correct the words and actions of my descendants in time, and I am to blame. I ask that you all forgive us."

"Not fighting anymore?"

Song Jinhe asked with a playful smile.

"You joke. I have already witnessed your abilities; after so many years of cultivation, I still have that much discernment. Today's matters end here; you may all leave safely."

Fang Shaoyi said.

"It's rare for the Fang Family to have someone who knows the times; not bad."

Song Jinhe spread out the scroll, raised two fingers, and silently recited a mantra; the three-dimensional array gradually shrank until it disappeared from sight.

"I have one more request, and I ask that you all grant it."

Fang Shaoyi said sincerely.

Song Jinhe and the others looked at Chen Che; it was clear that their goal was only to save people, and as for future matters or making decisions, they still had to listen to Chen Che.

Chen Che narrowed his eyes and said, "Let's hear it."

Fang Shaoyi said, "I do not know what kind of grudge you have with the Martial Arts Alliance, but the Fang Family has already been implicated and cannot escape. Today, Zhuque died at the Fang Family, and the Fang Family must have an explanation for the Martial Arts Alliance..."

Fang Shaoyi paused, looked at Chen Che, cupped his hands, and bowed, saying, "The Fang Family is willing to submit to you, Sir, and become a nail of yours within the Martial Arts Alliance. Therefore, I wish to request that you, Sir, protect the safety of the Fang Family in times of life and death."

"Old Grandfather, you..."

Seeing Fang Shaoyi's humble posture, Fang Yuying was filled with astonishment; for a moment, she could not accept it, and her heart felt blocked.

"It seems the Fang Family Old Ancestor has decided to choose me?"

Chen Che guessed Fang Shaoyi's thoughts and spoke up.

"I have only just come out of seclusion, so I do not fully understand how deeply the Fang Family is entangled with the Martial Arts Alliance, but I do know what the Martial Arts Alliance has done; such a Martial Artist faction is dangerous and evil."

Fang Shaoyi said sincerely, "I admire you and everyone else from the bottom of my heart for daring to oppose such an organization. I know well that if I want to preserve the Fang Family now, I must choose between you, sir, and the Martial Arts Alliance. The reason I choose you, sir, is not only because of your strength, but more importantly, to lead the Fang Family back onto the right path so it cannot continue to make mistake after mistake."

Chen Che pondered slightly and walked slowly toward Fang Shaoyi, with Song Jinhe and the others following closely behind.

Seeing Chen Che and the others approaching, Fang Yuying immediately went to Fang Shaoyi's side, but before she could release her True Qi, she was grabbed by the shoulder by Fang Shaoyi and pulled behind him.

Fang Yuying glanced at Fang Shaoyi in confusion, and the latter smiled at her and shook his head.

"I do not doubt your words, but since you killed Fang Jixian, there are many things I can no longer ask about."

Chen Che stood still in front of Fang Shaoyi, his tone carrying a hint of holding him accountable.

"He had already tasted the benefits brought by the Martial Arts Alliance; if he had heard that I intended to defect to you, sir, there would have been complications. Moreover, he offended you, sir, so killing him was both a punishment and a display of my sincerity to you. I hope you can believe me."

Seeing that Chen Che did not speak, Fang Shaoyi continued to explain:

"Furthermore, as the ancestor of the Fang Family, it is only right for me to discipline my clansmen. Additionally, now that he is dead, if people from the Martial Arts Alliance come to hold us accountable, I can push the matter onto him to preserve myself, so that I may better serve you, sir, can I not?"

Chen Che stared at Fang Shaoyi, wondering if this wily old ancestor of the Fang Family could truly be trusted.

Song Jinhe tossed the scroll in her hand up and down and said, "What kind of sincerity is killing someone who deserved to die anyway? If you really want to defect, then offer your precious granddaughter behind you to my junior brother as a maid."

Fang Yuying was stunned; she glared fiercely at Song Jinhe, then looked at Fang Shaoyi with a face full of panic.

Seeing that Fang Shaoyi said nothing and only kept staring at Chen Che, she breathed a sigh of relief, while her peripheral vision also drifted toward Chen Che.

At this moment, Chen Che still wore the appearance of Lu Renjia—old, ugly, and carrying a hint of greasiness.

Although Fang Yuying knew it was a disguise, she still felt disgusted and repulsed in her heart, thinking that his real appearance probably did not look much better.

Being a maid for him would be better than death!

Chen Che clearly did not take Song Jinhe's words to heart and laughed, "I naturally desire the Fang Family ancestor's willingness to defect to me, but I only hope this trust is not wasted in vain."

"Sir knows Artisan Techniques; you may place a Restriction on me."

Fang Shaoyi said.

"I do not doubt those I employ; I am willing to trust you. Besides, if the Fang Family wants to be preserved, there is indeed no other way out."

Chen Che extended his hand: "Then I welcome the Fang Family to become one of our own."

Fang Shaoyi's expression relaxed; he gripped Chen Che's palm and said, "Thank you for your trust, sir. I have one final request: may I know your real name, and may I see your true face?"

"My name is Chen Che."

Chen Che did not dawdle and immediately removed the Ghost Gate Needle from his face, revealing his originally delicate and handsome features.

Fang Shaoyi and Fang Yuying's eyes lit up at the same time.

"I never imagined Mr. Chen would be so young; truly a youthful talent, a favored son of heaven!"

Fang Shaoyi cupped his hands and bowed again, saying respectfully, "The Fang Family is willing to die for you, sir!"

Fang Yuying stood frozen in place, somewhat dazed; she had assumed Chen Che looked similar to Lu Renjia, never expecting him to be so young and handsome!

She suddenly felt that being a maid might not be so bad after all...