Chapter 774: Coastal Exorcism Realm

“You little rascals, hurry up and practice your boxing!” Fang Dalong roared at the children gathered around their mothers.

“Yes, Father!” Six children immediately responded in unison, but couldn't help glancing curiously at their eldest brother, who was rumored to be a high-ranking official and an exorcist. However, their father’s authority was too great, so all six children ran off to practice their boxing as usual.

“Qi’er, I’ll take you to your room,” Fang Dalong said to his eldest son with a softer tone.

Meng Chuan, for his part, understood Fang Dalong’s rags-to-riches story.

Fang Dalong had risen from a common countryman through sheer fighting ability. In this world, there was indeed martial arts, with so-called Grandmasters of martial arts. However, a Grandmaster of martial arts possessed only the strength of a thousand catties, relying on their exquisite techniques to fight a hundred opponents. With the rise of firearms, the status of martial arts waned. After all, if a dozen muskets fired simultaneously, even a martial arts Grandmaster would have to flee in disarray; they too were made of flesh and blood, and a slight delay in escape would mean several more holes in their body.

“This courtyard is yours,” Fang Dalong said, leading Meng Chuan to a small courtyard. “The room’s layout is just like back home.”

With that, he pushed the door open and entered.

Meng Chuan could tell at a glance that the room was regularly cleaned and very tidy, its arrangement much as he remembered. There was also a photograph of a couple holding their children.

The couple in the photo were a young Fang Dalong and a gentle woman.

“All your belongings have been moved here from our old home; not a single item is missing,” Fang Dalong said, walking over to gently wipe the photograph. In his youth, photography was a luxury, yet he had excitedly taken his wife and children to the city to have their picture taken.

Fang Dalong had married at sixteen; his wife was seventeen, a year older than him.

He had started from nothing, building a substantial family fortune in those tumultuous times. He had dealings with rebel forces and maintained excellent relations with local government officials, his influence extending a hundred li around. Once, when a local official tried to move against him, that official was assassinated by the rebels.

A group of ruthless individuals in the area respected and followed him; he even brought many of his fellow villagers to Binhai.

“My biggest regret is agreeing to let you go to the capital, to the Exorcist Academy,” Fang Dalong sighed, setting down the photograph and sitting on the bed. At that moment, the old father looked considerably aged.

“I was the one who wanted to become an exorcist back then, it’s not your fault,” Meng Chuan replied.

As a young man, Fang Qi had heard tales of exorcists battling demons and yearned to join them.

“I didn’t agree. How could a mere youngster like you go to the capital?” Fang Dalong glanced at his son and sighed. “It was my ambition back then; I thought firearms were too powerful, and our Fang family’s reliance on martial arts wasn't reliable enough. We needed to learn a more formidable skill. That's why I sent you to the Exorcist Academy in the capital… In these chaotic times, gold, silver, and grain are useless. Only by relying on people and formidable abilities can one establish a foothold. Everyone, no matter their family, must show proper respect for the methods of exorcists.”

Meng Chuan could see that Fang Dalong was indeed a formidable figure.

In his hometown, he had led a group of fierce men, dominating the area for a hundred li. Now in the prosperous city of Binhai, he had bought such a large mansion with over a dozen guards, indicating his continued significant status.

“I’ve failed your mother. I swore at her grave that I would take good care of you and your sister, but I broke my promise,” Fang Dalong said, his voice weak.

Though he remained formidable in public, he was now over forty, and he could feel his body was not what it used to be.

“But it’s good that you’re back,” Fang Dalong said, looking at his son. “When you’re settled, find a few women, have some children, and live a good life.”

“Where’s my sister?” Meng Chuan, however, changed the subject.

“Your sister is out wandering again. I’ve spoiled her too much, and she’s becoming impossible to control,” Fang Dalong said, shaking his head. Although he had later married several concubines and had other children, only Fang Qi and Fang Qian, the siblings from his first wife, were his most beloved, and also the hardest to manage.

Meng Chuan nodded.

In his memories, his sister Fang Qian was Fang Qi's full sibling.

Having inherited this body, Meng Chuan now bore Fang Qi’s karma, and naturally valued the people Fang Qi cared about most.

Just half an hour later, his sister Fang Qian rushed back.

“Brother, brother!” Fang Qian, with her wavy hair, ran along the corridor to Meng Chuan’s small courtyard.

Hearing the sound, Meng Chuan stepped out of the room and immediately saw a vibrant, beautiful young woman. His sister Fang Qian resembled their mother in the photograph, but she was younger and her eyes were bright. Having grown up practicing martial arts, she exuded vitality.

Fang Qian, too, looked at the young man in plain clothes before her. His sleeve hung empty, clearly indicating a severed arm. His aura was contained and steady, making him seem not like someone in his early twenties, but rather an older person in their forties or fifties who had endured much hardship.

Fang Qian observed her brother. He had been a youth when he left home, and she could still recognize his former self, only now he was more mature.

But this demeanor…

Fang Qian knew that losing his arm must have been a tremendous blow to her brother.

“Brother,” Fang Qian ran to him and hugged him tightly, her tears soaking Meng Chuan’s clothes.

“Third Sister, now that the eldest young master is back, surely the Master won’t let him manage the household, will he?”

“The Master spoils that brother and sister immensely.”

Five women gathered, eating pastries and discussing.

“Don’t worry,” the Third Concubine said confidently. “If the eldest young master Fang Qi weren’t disabled and still possessed his exorcism skills, he would most likely take charge of the household. But he’s disabled, and our Fang family is a prominent one; allowing a disabled person to manage it would become a laughingstock in Binhai City. I heard that after his disability, his exorcism abilities were rendered useless, and he can’t even use firearms. In these times, he’s simply not qualified to manage the household.”

Currently, the Third Concubine held the highest informal status in the Fang family’s back courtyard. After all, she was originally one of the dozens of formidable individuals who followed the Master, her marksmanship was exceptionally precise, and she had taken many lives. After marrying the Master, the other concubines naturally feared her, and her worldly knowledge was also much broader.

Her deduction was quite logical. Fang Qi, originally just an ordinary exorcist, required the combined efforts of several companions to deal with a single demonic creature. After losing his arm, his strength was likely reduced to only ten percent… He wouldn’t even be qualified to team up with companions against demonic creatures. To say his exorcism abilities were ruined wouldn't be far off.

However, with Meng Chuan’s arrival, things were naturally different.

To the relief of these concubines, the eldest young master, ‘Fang Qi,’ didn't interfere with any household matters after his return. When the Master offered him silver, the eldest young master refused it. Instead, he casually produced a ‘precious pearl’ and instructed the household staff to use it to purchase exorcism materials. This made Fang Dalong ponder, realizing his eldest son hadn’t been idle all these years. The concubines, meanwhile, watched in stunned silence; most of them were short-sighted, having married the Master for money and survival.

That fist-sized pearl must be worth ten thousand taels! The eldest young master had been in the capital for so many years and was quite ‘wealthy.’ Immediately, some of the younger concubines changed their attitudes, trying to curry favor.

Meng Chuan naturally looked down on the Fang family’s accumulated wealth. With his abilities, during the chaos in the imperial palace, he had casually picked up some rare treasures of the royal family using illusions, bagging half a parcel of ‘treasures’ that surpassed the Fang family’s fortune a hundredfold. He could certainly be considered the wealthiest individual in all of Binhai City.

There was no other way; Meng Chuan needed to refine Dharma artifacts, and the more precious the materials, the more exorbitant the cost. Some were even unobtainable for purchase. The ten-thousand-tael pearl he had openly presented was, in fact, almost the cheapest item among the treasures in his possession.

“Now, my Thunder Law and Five Element Law have both reached the Heavenly Master realm. I still need to delve into Array Formations and Artifact Refining,” Meng Chuan thought, sitting cross-legged in the room with a calm expression.

Thunder Law encompasses numerous combat secret techniques and escape techniques.

The Five Element Law also includes various secret techniques and Five Element escape techniques.

If he couldn't win, he had to be able to escape! After all, he was currently in a mortal body; failure and loss of life would mean failing his tribulation.

Therefore, Meng Chuan greatly valued escape techniques. He had learned the fastest, Thunder Escape, and the Five Element Escape, which could handle various treacherous environments. While at the Exorcist Academy, his Thunder Law had already reached the Heavenly Master realm! The Five Element Law was considerably more complex; he had only fully reached the Heavenly Master realm in it after acquiring three precious exorcism scrolls from the imperial palace and cultivating for half a year in Binhai City.

“My first step in cultivation is to bring exorcism techniques, artifact refining, and array formations all to the Heavenly Master realm. Currently, I still have a long way to go for this first step,” Meng Chuan mused.

To become the strongest in this world, his plan was to first follow this world’s system and cultivate to its highest level, including artifact refining and array formations.

Once he had sufficient experience, the second step would be innovation: attempting to create more powerful techniques.

The third step would be to refine the ‘Dharma artifacts’ and ‘Dharma arrays’ most suitable for himself.

Humans are distinguished because they are adept at using tools! The existing Dharma artifacts and arrays in this world were, firstly, too old, and many were damaged. Secondly, Meng Chuan wasn't impressed by the ones preserved, as the exorcist artifact refiners who made them had limited realms. Only by personally refining the strongest Dharma artifacts and arrays, combined with his own various exorcism secret techniques, could he hope to reach an unprecedented state.

“Even then, can I kill a Prime Demon?” Meng Chuan wondered.

Because Prime Demons had never been slain before.

“I should find a few demons to practice on.” Whenever Meng Chuan made progress in his cultivation, he would conveniently seek out demons to test his skills. He flipped his hand and took out a Dharma artifact compass: “Demonic Qi Tracking.”

This compass was a Dharma artifact; controlling it allowed him to sense demonic qi within a thirty-li radius.

“Hm?” Staring at the black light illuminating on the compass, Meng Chuan was surprised. “Such strong demonic qi… Is it a Greater Demon? Has a Greater Demon appeared in Binhai City?”

“I haven’t encountered a Greater Demon since arriving in this world,” Meng Chuan thought, intrigued.

Over long ages, there were only nine Prime Demons, all sealed away. Should even one break free, it would unleash immense catastrophe.

While Greater Demons were more numerous, they were still incredibly rare. Perhaps there were dozens of them across the world in this era, but they were dispersed. For Meng Chuan to encounter one would be quite difficult unless he actively sought it out.

To encounter a Greater Demon while staying in Binhai City?

That night, Meng Chuan quietly left the Fang mansion, holding the compass and tracking the demonic qi as he went.

After walking over ten li, he arrived at a bustling district. Meng Chuan looked up and saw a lavish mansion guarded by a large number of soldiers. Distinguished guests were arriving in automobiles, a novelty that emerged almost simultaneously with the rise of firearms. A single automobile cost over a thousand taels of silver, serving as a symbol of status and wealth in Binhai City.

“Chairman Wan, please enter.”

“Gang Leader Ma, the Commander did not invite you; you cannot enter.”

“Mr. Wu, please enter.”

“Young Master Liu, please enter.”

One after another, prominent figures of Binhai City entered the mansion.

“Damn it, our Blood Axe Gang has at least a hundred members, and they won’t let me, a gang leader, in? They look down on people too much!” A well-dressed man muttered, feeling quite indignant as he watched numerous dignitaries enter the brilliantly lit mansion. That was the Commander’s Residence, home to the most influential figure in all of Binhai City at the moment.

Meng Chuan observed all this from a distance outside the mansion.

“Hmm?” Meng Chuan noticed something.

Three automobiles arrived consecutively, and six people emerged from them, walking toward the mansion. Fang Dalong was among the six.

“Father is going too?” Meng Chuan mused. Fang Dalong had brought his fellow villagers to Binhai City and joined his friend’s gang, the ‘Gold and Silver Gang,’ one of Binhai City’s three major gangs. Fang Dalong ranked fifth within the Gold and Silver Gang.

Meng Chuan also walked over.

As the one-armed young man walked forward, he seemed to instinctively be overlooked, drawing no attention from anyone.

“Please enter,” the greeter at the main gate didn’t stop him; instead, he smiled and allowed Meng Chuan to go inside.

Meng Chuan entered the mansion, passed through the front courtyard, and arrived at a brightly lit grand hall. Many guests were already seated inside. At the front of the hall was a raised platform where a singer was performing, accompanied by a group of dancers in revealing outfits performing provocative dances. This singer was a famous courtesan in Binhai City, but few of the many guests seated below paid her any attention that day.

“The Commander has taken over most of Binhai City, and today he has summoned all the influential figures of Binhai City here. It seems his intentions are not benign.”

“Hmph, he hasn’t completely conquered Binhai City yet. If he provokes the entire city, and all factions unite, he might have to flee back to wherever he came from.”

“All factions uniting? It’s not that easy.”

The guests whispered among themselves.

Fang Dalong sat there, his brow slightly furrowed.

“Brothers, the Commander hasn’t summoned our Gold and Silver Gang since he arrived in Binhai City. This first public summoning feels wrong,” the leading thin old man said, his voice chilling.

“Let’s see how things unfold,” the burly man beside him remarked.

“When we tried to visit before, he refused to see us. His demands must be immense,” a fair-skinned man said softly.

“Let’s see how greedy he is,” Fang Dalong stated.

Meng Chuan, meanwhile, sat at a corner table. Two other guests at his table nodded to him with smiles, though they seemed slightly puzzled, as if… they didn’t recognize him.

“A warlord, and his residence actually holds sixteen demonic creatures and one Greater Demon,” Meng Chuan mused, somewhat surprised. At such close proximity, he could already sense them. The Greater Demon’s aura was deep and vast, far surpassing his own. However, exorcists inherently fought by borrowing the power of heaven and earth… so strength could not be judged by appearance alone.

A moment later, the song and dance concluded.

Finally, flanked by two lieutenants, a straight-backed middle-aged man in military uniform with sharp eyes walked to the center of the stage. Instantly, all the guests in the hall fell silent. The man before them was currently the most powerful figure in Binhai City.

“Gentlemen,” the middle-aged man sighed, “I, Shi, have led my army in campaigns for over a decade. The Great Yu Dynasty has finally been overthrown, but many of my brothers in arms have fallen along the way. War is fought with silver, and I, Shi, cannot even provide pensions for my old comrades. I am ashamed before the old brothers who left our hometown with me. I know Binhai City is a city of heroes, and you are its elite. Today, I hope you will support us with silver. I, Shi, would be immensely grateful. With your immense wealth, if you are still stingy, then you shall be my enemy.”

The middle-aged man’s gaze fell upon a fat man sitting in the front row.

The fat man quickly exclaimed, “The Commander leads a great army into battle; naturally, we must contribute. I am willing to offer one hundred thousand taels of silver.”

“Thank you, Chairman Wan,” the Commander said with a smile and a nod.

Many guests below changed their expressions.

Chairman Wan was not considered a major figure among Binhai City’s elite, yet he had to produce a hundred thousand taels. Wouldn’t the highest-ranking powers have to offer in units of ‘millions of taels’? This wasn’t just exploitation; it was outright extortion!

“Mr. Li, what about you?” The Commander’s gaze shifted to an old man next to Chairman Wan.

“I… I am willing to offer…” The old man gritted his teeth. “I am willing to offer thirty thousand taels! Commander, this is all the liquid silver I possess.”

“Too stingy,” the Commander said, shaking his head.

A bloodied hole immediately appeared on the old man’s forehead, with blood gushing out. One of the many soldiers standing along the hall’s edge had opened fire.

This sent a chilling wave of fear through the entire hall.

“As I said, stinginess makes one my enemy,” the Commander declared, his sharp eyes filled with murderous intent. “Enemies, of course, must be killed.”

“The amount of silver to be offered should depend on individual willingness. Even if the Commander is not satisfied, it could be discussed. Why not even give a chance to talk, and just open fire directly?” an old man with a fleshy growth between his eyebrows, seated in the front row, said grimly and calmly.

“To demand silver like this, the Commander intends to plunder all of Binhai City. Is he not afraid of breaking his teeth?” another young man, accompanied by his wife, scoffed.

Meng Chuan knew these two. Both were exorcists with considerable reputations. In the Binhai region, there were two major exorcist sects: the ‘Soul Bell Sect’ and the ‘Sea Demon Sect.’ Exorcist sects had long traditions, centered around exorcists and demon hunters. Even in chaotic times, they had guns and followers… and various means of wielding the power of heaven and earth. These were Binhai City’s true top powers.

The Commander looked at the two, knowing they represented the sects behind them, and couldn’t help but smile. “I, Shi, deeply admire the contributions exorcist sects have made to countless people. The Soul Bell Sect and the Sea Demon Sect only need to contribute one million taels of silver, and I, Shi, will be quite satisfied.”

“With your tens of thousands of troops?” the young man asked nonchalantly, gently stroking his wife’s hand.

The Sea Demon Sect itself had several thousand well-equipped fighters and commanded various ‘sea demons.’ In a direct confrontation, the Sea Demon Sect would not fear the so-called thirty thousand strong army. However, ancient sects rarely engaged in full-scale conflicts.

When it came to battles within the hall, or any skirmish with limited numbers, exorcists had never been afraid! Exorcists were the only beings in this world capable of dealing with demons, and if they could handle demons, then ordinary mortals were no match.

“The Commander has been campaigning on all sides. Our comrades from the Sea Demon Sect and the Soul Bell Sect should understand the Commander’s efforts,” a grey-robed old man said, materializing from thin air beside the Commander.

“Sect Master Feng?”

“Sect Master Feng?”

The young man and the fleshy-growth-browed old man both changed their expressions.

The grey-robed old man before them was the current Sect Master of the ‘Demon Refining Sect,’ one of the top ten major sects in the world. The Demon Refining Sect lineage primarily focused on controlling demons! Historically, the Demon Refining Sect had refined a total of three ‘Greater Demons,’ two of which were still alive today. Although commanding them was extremely difficult… wielding even one Greater Demon bestowed strength comparable to a Heavenly Exorcist. Sect Master Feng was capable of controlling the ‘Greater Demon’ within his sect; he was a truly significant figure in the exorcism world.

“Comrades from the Soul Bell Sect and the Sea Demon Sect, I believe they are willing to each contribute one million taels of silver,” the grey-robed old man chuckled.

The young man and the fleshy-growth-browed old man exchanged glances.

“Since Sect Master Feng has spoken, we are willing to grant the Commander this courtesy,” the young man and the fleshy-growth-browed old man had no choice but to concede. After all, the two major sects in Binhai City combined were still inferior to the Demon Refining Sect. Since its Sect Master had appeared, the Demon Refining Sect must have other exorcists accompanying him.

“It seems in these chaotic times, the Demon Refining Sect is supporting Commander Shi in his bid for dominion,” all parties in the hall now understood.

At present, warlords were emerging across the land. Commander Shi’s strength wasn’t particularly outstanding, not even considered top-tier. However, first-tier warlords also had powerful exorcist forces backing them.

The fact that Commander Shi could garner the support of the Demon Refining Sect changed everyone’s perceptions.

“Our Li family is willing to support the Commander with two hundred thousand taels.”

“Our Fu family is willing to offer two hundred thousand taels.”

All parties, comparing themselves to the first, Chairman Wan, gritted their teeth and made their offers based on their own capabilities.

The Commander’s army alone wasn’t terrifying, but when combined with the ‘Demon Refining Sect,’ one of the world’s top exorcist powers, it became rather formidable.

“Our Gold and Silver Gang is willing to offer one million taels,” the Gold and Silver Gang’s leader spoke up.

“The Gold and Silver Gang is one of Binhai City’s three major gangs, and known for its vast wealth. One million taels, isn’t that a bit too little?” Commander Shi said with a faint smile. “I, Shi, believe that five million taels would better reflect the Gold and Silver Gang’s status.”

The expressions of several high-ranking members of the Gold and Silver Gang drastically changed.

The Gold and Silver Gang was indeed powerful, but with so many members, their daily expenses were staggering. On the surface, the gang appeared prosperous, but its actual financial foundation was inferior to that of some large merchant houses. Offering one million taels would already drain the gang’s liquid assets, requiring them to mortgage assets for future operations. As for five million taels? That wasn’t just cutting off a limb; it was taking their very lives.

Commander Shi watched with a smile, but his eyes were cold.

He could afford to be a bit more lenient with exorcist forces and influential families with deep backgrounds.

As for the so-called three major gangs? A bunch of commoners gathered into gangs; he had no intention of letting any of them off the hook.

“The three major gangs are of comparable status. I think it’s quite fitting for each to contribute five million taels,” Commander Shi stated.

“This—”

“Commander!”

The high-ranking members of the other two major gangs also became anxious.

Although the gangs seemed to have many members, they were no match for tens of thousands of soldiers. Thus, at his command, the leaders of all three major gangs had to come. They hadn't expected Commander Shi to be so ruthless.

“Don’t worry, you two other gangs. I’ll speak with the Gold and Silver Gang first. I believe they are all people who love the army and the common folk,” Commander Shi said, looking at the Gold and Silver Gang’s senior members. The leaders of the other two gangs turned pale.

“Commander, you intend to devour our three major gangs,” the thin old leader of the Gold and Silver Gang said.

“Isn’t it natural for the big fish to eat the small fish?” Commander Shi replied, looking at the old man.

“We cannot produce five million taels,” the thin old man shook his head. The burly man beside him added, “Even if we handed over the entire Gold and Silver Gang to the Commander, it wouldn’t amount to five million taels.”

“Of course the gang itself can’t produce it; after all, much of the gang’s silver is in your own homes. A search of your houses should be enough,” Commander Shi chuckled. “Either you become my enemies, and I’ll kill you and send troops to search your homes. Or you become my friends and voluntarily produce five million taels.”

If he truly killed these high-ranking members, the gang would fall into chaos, and its members would flee with the silver, making it very difficult for him to seize that much.

Forcing these high-ranking members to gather the funds themselves would yield more.

“These commoners,”

Other people in the hall coldly observed the scene. Gangs were fundamentally different from influential families, large merchant associations, and exorcist sects. Gangs rose from the lower ranks, only growing so massive during times of chaos.

Didn’t they see? While Commander Shi was harsh in his demands on other forces, he was absolutely ruthless towards the three major gangs.

“Does the Gold and Silver Gang intend to be my enemy?” Commander Shi asked, looking at the six high-ranking members of the Gold and Silver Gang. Instantly, soldiers raised their guns and pointed them at them.

Fang Dalong felt deeply aggrieved at this moment.

When the rebel army was weak, they had to ally with local forces, just as it was in his hometown back then.

But after the imperial court completely collapsed, the rebels became much more aggressive. Seeing the dire situation, Fang Dalong had promptly sold all his land and brought his entire family to Binhai City, seeking refuge with an old friend and joining the Gold and Silver Gang.

Who would have thought that the Gold and Silver Gang would also be targeted for extortion?

“In chaotic times, the big fish eat the small fish. The Gold and Silver Gang is also a small fish,” Fang Dalong understood.

“Hm?” Fang Dalong suddenly sensed something and turned around to see a one-armed young man walking towards him.

“Qi’er?” Fang Dalong was startled. How did his son get here?

Although Meng Chuan’s exorcism methods were profound, he was ultimately mortal. If a bullet were fired at his father from a distance, he wouldn't have time to intercept it. That’s why he stood by his side! With him there… no matter how many soldiers there were, they could hardly threaten Fang Dalong.

“You should leave quickly,” Fang Dalong urged in a low voice. The guns were aimed at the Gold and Silver Gang’s high-ranking members; his son wasn’t their target. If his son appeared now, wouldn’t he be walking into a trap?

“It’s fine,” Meng Chuan reassured him. He looked up at Commander Shi and spoke, “Commander Shi, I’m quite puzzled. The capital is in the north, and most of the imperial army is gathered in the north. If you intend to overthrow the imperial court, why has your army been running south, even reaching Binhai City?”

The hall fell silent. Everyone was astonished by the audacity of this one-armed young man. Even the other high-ranking members of the Gold and Silver Gang looked at him with profound surprise and suspicion.

“Who are you?” Commander Shi on the stage asked indifferently. The grey-robed old man, Sect Master Feng, formed a hand seal within his sleeve, his eyes glowing purple as he looked at Meng Chuan, and his expression subtly changed.