He once defeated Song Yuanqiao with a single strike, truly a Prodigy-level figure.
Such a Genius, yet without a powerful backer, Dragon Guard Villa must strive to recruit him.
After a moment of thought, Haitang continued to persuade him, "Fahai, you have many enemies now."
"The Qingcheng Sect and Mount Song Sect are closely related, and Mount Song is a member of the Five Mountains Sword Sect, so they are intertwined."
"The remaining forces of the Xingxiu Sect will not let you off easily either."
"Adding to that the power of the Western Regions Buddhist Sect and the Murong family."
"In this situation, Dragon Guard Villa can offer you protection."
"These external threats will not affect you; the Villa has enough capability to handle them."
She spoke until her lips were dry, believing she had presented a comprehensive case, covering both reason and benefits.
With emotional appeal, logical persuasion, and attractive benefits, she expected Fahai would find it difficult to refuse.
But the result was that Fahai merely shook his head.
Protect him? Was this a joke?
What kind of place was Dragon Guard Villa?
And what kind of person was Lord Shenhou?
He was single-mindedly pursuing power, secretly accumulating strength, and intending to overthrow the court.
To enter Dragon Guard Villa and live peacefully? That was simply absurd.
Moreover, a true man stands between heaven and earth; how could he be content to always be beneath others?
Wouldn't returning to Shaolin be good? Wouldn't going to Vulture Palace also be good? Why must he rely on Lord Shenhou and become a person of Dragon Guard Villa?
"Sorry."
"Your words are very reasonable. However—I still cannot agree!"
At this, Haitang was completely stunned.
She had analyzed the pros and cons so clearly that there was nothing left to say.
She was convinced that any normal person would choose to join Dragon Guard Villa.
But Fahai's choice completely exceeded her expectations.
He actually refused!
"Why?" Haitang looked at Fahai, full of doubt.
"Are you not afraid that Wudang will seek revenge on you?"
"Are you not afraid that Zuo Lengchan will gather the heroes of Jianghu and attack you?"
"Dragon Guard Villa is your best protection."
"With Lord Shenhou backing you, no one would dare touch you."
Fahai smiled slightly, "Thank you for Mysterious Agent Shangguan's kindness, I appreciate the sentiment."
"It's just that what you mentioned, in my eyes, is not a problem at all."
In an instant, Wuliang Mountain fell silent.
Countless eyes widened in shock, staring at Fahai.
What did he say? Not worth considering?
Was this a joke?
Was Zuo Lengchan someone to be trifled with?
And were the Five Mountains Sword Sect merely empty names?
Zhang Sanfeng was even a Martial Forest grandmaster!
Uh... Zhang Sanfeng did indeed abstain from meat and chant Buddhist scriptures.
But facing so many enemies, how could he escape unscathed?
Haitang stared at Fahai, momentarily speechless.
She didn't understand why he was so confident.
Looking at his expression again, it was calm and composed, as if he was stating a fact.
It seemed he truly had full confidence in his own strength.
Let it be, let it be.
Haitang gently shook her head, sighing.
"One day, you will regret it."
"If that day truly comes, you can come to me."
"I will intercede for you."
After all, she couldn't bear to see Fahai hunted down by the entire Jianghu.
Fahai nodded in acknowledgment, pressing his palms together.
"Thank you, benefactor."
He knew that although Haitang approached him on orders, her kindness was genuine.
Otherwise, she wouldn't still be willing to offer help after failing.
After a moment of contemplation, Fahai spoke:
"Shangguan Haitang... Young Master, if you encounter difficulties, you can also come to me for help."
Fahai was clear about gratitude and grudges; although his temperament was resolute, he did not forget to repay others' kindness.
In the original work,
Haitang loyally served Lord Shenhou, regarding him as a father.
But Lord Shenhou only treated her as a pawn.
Ultimately, her death was also due to Lord Shenhou's ambition.
Lord Shenhou conspired with Ryukyu Dan Mashou, one aspiring to become emperor, the other wishing to seize the leadership of the Eastern Martial Forest.
They colluded, and Haitang was killed by Ryukyu Piaoxu because she discovered their conspiracy.
Lord Shenhou harbored grand ambitions; apart from Su Xin, everyone else could be discarded like old shoes.
The person Haitang respected as a father, who she originally saw as a model loyal minister of Great Ming, now she knew was merely a treacherous official harboring evil intentions!
He could not stand by and watch Haitang be eliminated by Lord Shenhou.
How sorrowful Haitang must have been when she discovered her foster father's actions.
Such a loyal and intelligent woman should not have met such a tragic end.
Haitang shook her head gently after hearing this.
What trouble would he encounter?
And would he need Fahai's help?
She was a Mysterious Agent of Dragon Guard Villa, with the backing of the imperial court.
Not to mention, she herself was the Mistress of the Number One Under Heaven Villa, commanding a vast power.
How could she possibly fall into a predicament?
She did not take Fahai's words to heart.
Instead, one sentence made her suspicious.
He just called her "Shangguan Haitang gu"...
He stopped halfway through and changed his words.
Could it be...
He had already seen through her disguise as a woman?
Haitang frowned slightly, impossible!
The secret of her being a woman was known to no one except her foster father who raised her.
Even Duan Tianya and Gui Hai Yi Dao, the Heaven and Earth Agents who spent day and night with her, were completely unaware.
She had presented herself as a man for many years, never revealing any flaws.
No one could possibly see through her identity.
"Since that is the case, Haitang will not disturb you further and will take her leave."
With the recruitment unsuccessful, Shangguan Haitang was unwilling to stay long and turned to depart.
The heroes watched her receding figure, all expressing regret and sighing.
Alas, Fahai, Fahai, you missed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
If he had joined Dragon Guard Villa, important matters would be settled.
But he refused an opportunity that countless Jianghu people dreamed of.
Next, he would likely face the encirclement of the entire Martial Forest, ushering in a bloody storm.
Although Fahai had strength, he was too arrogant and looked down on everything, which was unwise.
In contrast, Wanwan showed joy.
What about Dragon Guard Villa?
The Yin Kui Sect was a great sect of the Demonic Dao; how could it not protect Young Master Fahai?
Her Master was an extraordinary figure, rarely seen in the Demonic Dao for a century, known as "Yin Hou," ranking among the top three experts of the Demonic Dao, second only to Shi Zhixuan.
Furthermore, her Master had already unified the six Dao of the Demonic Dao, possessing immense power, subtly demonstrating the influence of Xiang Yutian from yesteryear.
Even Cihang Jingzhai, relying on the Great Sui empire, could not contend!
Soon after, news of the Zhenlong Chess Game being broken spread across the four seas.
The Jianghu was turbulent, with various opinions.
The chess game that no one had been able to solve for thirty years was actually broken!
As soon as the news came out, it shook the Martial Forest!
Almost everyone in Jianghu learned of this matter.
"Have you heard? The Zhenlong Chess Game has been broken!"
"Really? Who has such ability?"
"It's that Demon Monk—Fahai!"
"It's actually him!"
For thirty years, how many Jianghu heroes had gone to the chess game, attempting to solve it.
However, without exception, they all returned in defeat.
No one expected that this unknown young man, who had just entered the Martial Forest, would break the Zhenlong Chess Game!
As soon as the news broke, the entire Jianghu erupted.
Many people looked confused, as if they had misheard.
"Does that Fahai really have this ability?"
In a bustling tavern, several Martial Forest figures sat around, discussing animatedly.
"I heard Fahai solved the Zhenlong Chess Game; is this true?"
"This matter has already spread throughout Jianghu, so it should be true."
"I really didn't expect Fahai to be not only astonishing in martial arts but also so formidable at chess."
"It seems Fahai has truly made a name for himself under heaven this time."
