"What is it?" Fang Yuan looked at Chi Shan.
Even in winter, he remained bare-chested, his crimson skin radiating warmth, as though one were leaning against a furnace.
Snowflakes drifted onto his body and instantly melted away.
This was because a double-orifice Fire Furnace Gu resided within his Empty Orifices.
The Fire Furnace Gu was a Second Transformation Gu Insect, containing fire energy and used primarily for offense. Warding off the cold was merely a side benefit.
Chi Shan's expression was somewhat conflicted. He stared at Fang Yuan and spoke in a grave voice: "Have you heard that these past few days, Xiong Li from the Bear Family Stronghold has been looking for you to compete in strength?"
"I have." Fang Yuan nodded.
Chi Shan let out a long sigh. "Xiong Li wants to test his strength against yours — it's not a simple contest. It's tied to the distribution of benefits in this Three-Stronghold Alliance. Under the Wolf Tide, refusing to ally means destruction. But once allied, Section One Hundred Twenty-Three: In Heaven and Earth, I Walk Alone, how to divide the spoils is the most critical issue. That's why, these past few days, the three strongholds have been deadlocked over this matter."
Fang Yuan glanced at Chi Shan and immediately understood why he had come on his own.
Negotiation was the most grueling endeavor. For the sake of benefits, none of the three families would voluntarily yield an inch. The negotiating table was already thick with gunsmoke and ablaze with conflict.
This world's values put power first and family second.
The three great families of Qing Mao Mountain each had their own clan, had been clashing for ages, and harbored deep grudges. They naturally couldn't use family bonds to smooth things over. So to break the negotiation deadlock, they had to rely on power.
On Earth, there were military exercises to demonstrate strength. This world operated on the same principle — Gu competitions and duels to showcase one's dominance, thereby vying for greater benefits.
Xiong Li wanting to challenge Fang Yuan in a contest of strength was exactly for this reason.
Sure enough, Chi Shan continued: "I've fought Xiong Li before. He has the Brown Bear Original Strength Gu — he's already cultivated one bear's worth of strength. He also has the Bear Prowess Gu, which can explosively add another bear's strength. Combined, that gives him the strength of two bears. I'm far from his match, though I hate to admit it. But the title of Qing Mao Mountain's strongest strongman — he truly deserves it."
He paused, then went on: "Let's be practical here. The gap between your strength and mine isn't that large Section One Hundred Twenty-Three: In Heaven and Earth, I Walk Alone, so you wouldn't be his match either. But you absolutely cannot lose, because you're the hero who awakened the Swallowing River Toad and saved Qing Mao Mountain. If you lose, our Guye Clan's interests will suffer. So please, for the clan's sake, set aside your personal honor and choose to refuse the challenge!"
Fang Yuan gazed at Chi Shan in silence.
Chi Shan lowered his eyes. "I know this puts you in an incredibly difficult position. Choosing to refuse the challenge would be devastating to your personal reputation. But the clan's interests come first. If you lose, the clan will likely have to concede far more. The clan raised us, and naturally we should give back to the clan. Isn't that right? The clan needs you. Sacrificing your personal reputation for the clan — that's only proper! But this whole situation was sparked by me. So I'll personally compensate you with something, as a gesture of my sincerity."
With that, Chi Shan handed Fang Yuan a large money pouch.
Fang Yuan took it, weighed it in his hand, and couldn't help but laugh out loud. "So my reputation is only worth two hundred Yuan Stones?"
Chi Shan caught the mockery in his words. A sharp glint flashed through his eyes, and he said sternly: "Fang Yuan, don't harbor resentment! I was trying to reason with you politely, but the truth is I came here with a mission. Forcing you to refuse the challenge — this is a secret order from the clan's higher-ups. You'll obey whether you want to or not. You'd better think carefully about your position."
With that, he turned and left, deep footprints pressed into the snow behind him.
Fang Yuan watched Chi Shan's retreating figure, and a look of understanding appeared in his eyes.
"The clan, in its effort to secure maximum benefits, has probably already turned my act of driving away the Swallowing River Toad into a bargaining chip at the negotiation table. After all, the Swallowing River Toad's presence here poses a threat to all of Qing Mao Mountain. The Bear Family Stronghold, to eliminate this bargaining chip, secretly ordered Xiong Li to challenge me."
"To the clan, I'm nothing but a chess piece. Xiong Li is a chess piece too, and Chi Shan is an even bigger one. It's laughable how some people willingly become chess pieces and even take pride in it, thinking it's only natural — they've been thoroughly brainwashed by the clan."
"Though I never intended to compete with Xiong Li in the first place. So-called reputation is nothing but the admiration of others. This shackle that binds people has ensnared countless heroes throughout the ages. But for me, what's there to miss by throwing it away? Heh — I should actually thank Chi Shan for gifting me two hundred Yuan Stones for nothing."
With this thought, Fang Yuan secretly sneered.
Why had he attracted Xiong Li's challenge? Simply because of the reputation from saving the stockade. Why did Chi Shan want to challenge Xiong Li? Simply because of the title of Qing Mao Mountain's strongest strongman.
So-called fame was nothing but a hollow pie of vanity. It tempted so many, shackled so many, and trapped so many.
How pitiful indeed!
The snow continued to fall softly.
The entire Guye Stockade stood quietly in the snow. Passersby hurried along the roads.
"How laughable — all these people, their bodies ensnared by a phantom pie!" Fang Yuan lowered his eyelids, his dark, profound eyes half-concealed beneath his lashes.
The light reflecting off the snow illuminated his face; the young man's countenance appeared pale, carrying an air of cold detachment.
He chuckled softly and recited in a light voice: "White snow stretches far and wide. In heaven and earth, I walk alone. Walking alone, with no ties. My lone shadow comes and goes at will."
He stepped forward and continued on his way.
Along the road, people hurried past, but Fang Yuan walked alone.
Clansmen, white snow, the stockade — all of it nothing more than a blurred backdrop.