The Nine Gates Commander

Fang Shiyu knew his elder brother well. After all, Fang Xiaoyu always expressed regret over the loss of the internal cultivation methods every time he mentioned the King Kong Unbreakable Body skill. It was something Fang Shiyu couldn't help but remember.

"It can't be helped. It's not just Shaolin that has lost the internal methods; it's the same with all major sects and schools across the world. However, the fact that you could achieve the first level of the King Kong Unbreakable Body skill despite the loss of the internal methods is already quite astonishing. Didn't the master say that in a life-and-death struggle, even he might not be your match?"

Fang Xiaoyu smiled slightly and patted Fang Shiyu's shoulder. "That's the master being modest. You're not weak yourself. If we truly fought, I wouldn't be sure of defeating you."

Fang Shiyu grumbled, "You might not be able to capture me alive, but it's not a problem to kill me."

Fang Xiaoyu's lips curled into a smile, taking on the role of the elder brother. "Shiyu, what are you mumbling about?"

Fang Shiyu quickly said, "Well, big brother, we should head back to the mountain. If we're late, the old monk might get angry."

Fang Xiaoyu nodded. "Hurry up and wash off the smell of meat on you. Otherwise, not only will the old monk be angry, but you might also have to recite the Diamond Sutra a hundred times."

Fang Shiyu shuddered and jumped into the stream with a splash. Fang Xiaoyu also cleaned up the traces of roasted meat before jumping in to wash himself.

The two brothers returned to the temple and were about to sneak back to their rooms when suddenly, a Buddhist chant echoed through the air. They stopped in their tracks and looked at each other before slowly turning toward the source of the sound.

"Greetings, Master!"

Master Zhishan glanced at the two of them and slowly walked toward the meditation room, saying, "Come with me."

The brothers sensed something unusual about Master Zhishan's behavior but didn't dwell on it. They followed him into the meditation room.

The meditation room was filled with a faint sandalwood fragrance. Master Zhishan sat cross-legged, his face glowing with a benevolent light, exuding the aura of a venerable monk.

The two brothers sat down, looking at Master Zhishan with a hint of confusion.

Master Zhishan spoke, "How long have you two been with me in Shaolin?"

Fang Xiaoyu thought for a moment and said, "It's been eight years."

Master Zhishan nodded. "Eight years. You two were just young boys back then, and now you've grown into adults. I have fulfilled my promise to your parents. Our time together as master and disciples is drawing to an end. It's time for you to leave the mountain."

Although Fang Xiaoyu and Fang Shiyu often talked about leaving Shaolin, hearing this day actually come made them feel reluctant.

With a thud, both Fang Xiaoyu and Fang Shiyu knelt before Master Zhishan. Fang Xiaoyu's voice trembled as he said, "Master, are you really sending us away?"

Master Zhishan looked at them with affection. "You are not children anymore. Just like birds that have grown wings, it's time for you to spread them and fly. You can't stay with me forever."

Master Zhishan then closed his eyes, chanting a Buddhist mantra, "Foolish children, pack up and go down the mountain."

Seeing that Master Zhishan's decision was final, the two brothers looked at each other and respectfully bowed to him.

"Unworthy disciples, farewell to Master."

Eight years of time, even for someone like Fang Xiaoyu, who had received modern education, had greatly changed his outlook. He regarded Master Zhishan as a close relative.

As people are not made of wood, how could they be unfeeling? After eight years of interaction, the bond between them was anything but ordinary.

Returning to their residence, Fang Shiyu looked reluctant and said, "Big brother, are we really going to leave the mountain?"

Fang Xiaoyu collected his emotions and, as someone who had lived two lives, patted Fang Shiyu's shoulder. "Shiyu, all gatherings must eventually come to an end. We've been away from home for so long. It's time to return, though I wonder how our parents are doing."

Guangzhou was as bustling as ever, even more so than before. Now, there was a rumor spreading through the city that the wealthiest merchant in Guangzhou, the Fang family, was about to marry the daughter of the second wealthiest merchant, Lei Laohu.

This news had shaken the entire city. The Fang family, once a small household in Guangzhou, had grown into the city's wealthiest merchant with assets worth millions in less than ten years.

Fang Xiaoyu, the eldest son of the Fang family, and Lei Tingting, the only daughter of the Lei family, were to be married, signifying the unification of the two dominant families in Guangzhou. The impact was bound to be significant.

Meanwhile, at the General's Mansion in Guangzhou, Su Hade, a third-rank general, was respectfully greeting a man in a brocade robe.

"Subordinate Su Hade greets the Commander. I apologize for not迎接您, and hope you will forgive this oversight."

The Commander turned slowly, his face solemn and his bearing imposing. He appeared much younger than Su Hade, looking to be in his thirties.

Under the Commander's gaze, Su Hade felt nervous, especially with those eyes that seemed to exude authority even without anger. Su Hade secretly admired the man, acknowledging him as one of the emperor's most trusted advisors, the Nine Gates Commander, E'erdou.

If Fang Xiaoyu were to see this Nine Gates Commander, he would surely exclaim, "Zhao Wenzhuo!"

Indeed, this person was the Nine Gates Commander E'erdou, portrayed by Zhao Wenzhuo. He exuded a commanding presence, with one hand resting behind him and the other lightly stroking a jade ring on his thumb.

"Su Hade, how is the matter you were investigating?"

Su Hade immediately bowed and replied, "Reporting to the Commander, the investigation revealed that the Fang family's influence in Guangzhou is indeed shockingly strong. At least thirty percent of the city's shops are controlled by the Fang family. Additionally, we found that a large sum of money and goods has gone missing from the Fang family…"

E'erdou, still stroking the jade ring, his eyes flashing with a sharp glint, said, "As expected from our intelligence reports. The Fang family has been colluding with the anti-Qing organization, the Red Flower Society, providing them with substantial amounts of money and goods. Especially Fang De, who is a key member of the Red Flower Society and holds a list of all its members in Guangdong."

Su Hade was shocked, recalling the large sums of money and weapons he had received from Fang De and the smuggling activities. The realization of Fang De's connections with the Red Flower Society made him break out in cold sweat.