Beast Taming: I Have an Immortal Mansion

Lechuan soon found a moment to be alone with Fang Qingyuan. He approached when Tu Dai’er had to take a rest, as Tu Wuzhao’s Divine Spirit avatar had been present for too long.

The two arrived at the cliff’s edge on the back mountain, the very spot where, years ago, Lechuan had taught Fang Qingyuan the Qi Eating Technique.

This was also where Lechuan performed his daily practice of "qi fishing." Back then, whenever Fang Qingyuan needed him, he would come to this spot to find him. The memories remained as clear as day.

The two gazed at the roiling sea of clouds before them. A listless sun hung in the sky, its fading light casting a detached glow.

For a time, both were silent. This master and disciple, once so close, now had a thick wall between them, erected in just ten short days.

Tragic.

A wave of sadness washed over Fang Qingyuan. He couldn’t bring himself to hate Lechuan, the master to whom he owed so much. Lechuan hadn’t sold him out; he had merely betrayed his trust.

Trust was something that could take a century to build, but only a single day to destroy.

From the moment he learned that Lechuan had sacrificed Bear Wind, Fang Qingyuan felt the crystal of trust in his heart shatter with a deafening crash.

Over the past few days, Fang Qingyuan had been carefully reflecting on everything he had done for Lechuan over the years.

’It started when Lechuan accepted me as his Closed-door Disciple. I took on the perilous role of Vice Master for the Southern Border Beast Taming Sect. My cultivation wasn’t high then, but I got things done with a ruthless streak.’

’I saved Huo Hu, planted a mole, managed affairs, and brought in funds. I felt I had repaid Lechuan’s trust.’

’Later, when Zhao E Lian was about to arrive, I was sent to the Outer Sea Iron Wind Islands to secretly dig up dirt on him. That mission lasted twelve years. I was isolated overseas, and the harsh environment forced my hand, leading to a great deal of bloodshed. I nearly succumbed to demonic cultivation because of it.’

’After that, Lechuan gave me the chance to establish the Qingyuan Sect. That favor was as heavy as a mountain. But I paid my dues in Spirit Stones. And while the Spirit Stones were trivial, I later helped Lechuan devise a method for Nascent Soul Formation. I made attempts and put in real effort. Even though unexpected problems arose and it didn’t succeed, I poured my heart and soul into it. I even ended up indebted to Chu Hongshang and Yan Nanxing because of it.’

As Fang Qingyuan tallied all this in his mind, he suddenly came to a startling realization. ’When did I start keeping score?’

The thought brought a fresh wave of sorrow. ’It’s true,’ he thought sadly. ’Once a bond weakens, you start to tally up the costs. Every past event needs to be picked apart and settled.’

He raised his head and looked at Lechuan. He saw that Lechuan was gazing at the clouds ahead, his expression placid, but the fists hidden in his wide sleeves were clenched tight.

"Do you hate me?"

Lechuan spoke, and those four short words were fraught with emotion.

Fang Qingyuan fell silent, only speaking after a few breaths.

"I would not dare."

"I can hear the resentment in your voice. Yes, if our positions were reversed, I would be resentful too. But I am, after all, the branch master appointed by the Beast Taming Sect. My roots, my honor, everything I am is tied to the Beast Taming Sect. I cannot break free from it, nor do I wish to."

After saying this, Lechuan stared intently at Fang Qingyuan and asked:

"Can we just move past this? Can our relationship go back to the way it was, with a caring master and a devoted disciple?"

Hearing this, Fang Qingyuan slowly shook his head. He couldn’t act as if nothing had happened. On a psychological level, he simply couldn’t accept it. But more importantly, he had to make his stance clear to Bear Wind.

Lechuan was the one who tore up the contract first, and Lechuan was the one who sold him out. If Fang Qingyuan continued to play the part of the devoted disciple with Lechuan, how could Bear Wind be expected to seek refuge with him? Therefore, he had to sever ties with Lechuan today.

But a bond of nearly a century couldn’t be settled with just a few words. As Lechuan watched Fang Qingyuan’s expression, he gradually understood his disciple’s resolve, and his eyes began to well up with tears.

Lechuan turned away, presenting his back to Fang Qingyuan. He gazed into the mists ahead and began to speak, finally voicing the sorrow he had long kept locked away:

"I learned something from a young age: it’s a hard life, having to live at the mercy of others’ moods. I was born into a Nascent Soul Family, but before my birth, the Le Family’s ancestor suffered a fatal accident. All that was left to watch over the family was a Nascent Soul Spirit Beast who rarely meddled in our affairs."

"With our Nascent Soul Ancestor’s recent death, the various Golden Core elders in the family began vying for power and wealth. The Le Family began to splinter and disintegrate. Although the family Spirit Beast eventually put a stop to it, the decline of the Le Family was unavoidable."

"I was raised during the Le Family’s continuous decline. In its prime, the Le Family had seven or eight Golden Core cultivators, but by the time I achieved my own Golden Core, I was the only one remaining. A thousand-year-old noble family had become little more than a destitute clan in my generation. How could that grant me any peace of mind?"

"The success rate of the Nascent Soul Technique is only thirty percent, but I was ready to take that gamble anyway. I simply never got the chance to take that final step. Now, Yue’e Ancestor is formally establishing the Awakening Lion Valley. To me, this is an opportunity, a chance to take the next step. Can’t you understand how I feel?"

Lechuan finished his explanation and looked hopefully at Fang Qingyuan, seeking his understanding. But Fang Qingyuan’s expression did not change.

Silent and resolute.

"I can understand. But everyone has their own difficulties, and I don’t wish to judge too much. It’s just that... regarding Bear Wind, you handled things poorly."

Though Fang Qingyuan had lived two lives, both had taught him one truth: there is no such thing as a single betrayal. There are only zero betrayals, or countless betrayals. There is no in-between.

Seeing Fang Qingyuan’s resolve, Lechuan heaved a long sigh and spoke, his voice filled with earnest gravity: