Demon Slaying, Gaining 60 Years of Cultivation From the Start

Having been immediately met with a closed door upon arrival, Wu Qian's face couldn't help but show some embarrassment as he was blocked by two servants at the door.

"Audacious!"

Wu Qian's face showed anger as he reached for the long knife at his waist, stepped forward, and bellowed, "Are you blind, you dogs? Lord Gu Chen of the Jing Tian Department of Tiandu is here. Who gave you the boldness to block Lord Gu at the door? Summon your master of the Fang family at once!"

"Sorry, but we've received strict orders not to entertain guests for the time being. It's the same for everyone," one of the servants said coldly.

"Impudent! Lord Gu is here on official business to investigate a case. If you've done nothing wrong, you have nothing to fear from ghosts knocking at your door. What's the meaning of this, stopping Lord Gu here?"

Wu Qian's eyes turned frosty as his finger touched the hilt of his knife, lightly pushing it, revealing three inches of the blade as it glinted with cold light. "I'll say it one more time, notify your master and let us pass quickly, or do not blame my blade for being heartless!"

Seeing Wu Qian getting serious, the two servants' complexions changed, feeling uneasy.

After all, the Fang family was a major clan in Ning City and, generally speaking, Wu Qian, even as constable of Ning City, was not keen on provoking them without good reason.

After all, Wu Qian couldn't be constable for life and would have to step down one day. If he offended the Fang family, his future would not be easy.

Moreover, with Fang Yong serving as the prefecture magistrate of Ning City, the status of the Fang family had risen by threefold in Ning City, and few dared to provoke them.

If it weren't for Gu Chen standing by his side today, giving Wu Qian support, he would never have dared to be so bold, decisively drawing his knife.

Gu Chen stood by, silent, calmly watching Wu Qian handle the situation.

"Who's the blind one daring to trespass into the Fang residence, seeking death?!"

Just then, with a creaking sound, the gates of the Fang residence opened, and a young man dressed in brocade stepped out, followed by a dozen servants.

Upon laying eyes on Wu Qian, the young man sneered coldly and said, "So it's you, Constable Wu."

"Young Master Fang," Wu Qian said, greeting with a fist salute.

The newcomer bore a resemblance to Fang Yong, being his younger son named Fang Tangjin.

"I don't deserve such a title," replied the young man, Fang Tangjin, who then began to mock Wu Qian. "Constable Wu, our family treated you well when my father was the prefect. Now that my father is dead, you've changed masters and can't even remember the kindness of our Fang family. At a time like this, you even have the gall to barge into our residence and think about harming others.

Your sense of authority is quite immense, Constable Wu."

Wu Qian's expression turned sour as he replied, "I have always been true to my conscience in my conduct and not only served the Fang family, but all the citizens of Ning City. I'm saddened by the death of the magistrate, but there was no alternative."

Fang Tangjin listened with disdain, then sneered and turned his gaze to Gu Chen, saying sarcastically, "Is this your new master?"

"You..."

Wu Qian looked at Fang Tangjin with anger, his forehead's veins bulging. He could clearly hear the insinuation comparing him to a dog, which made him furious, yet he restrained himself, unwilling to act rashly, and kept his rage bottled up inside.

"Humph, what now, Wu Qian, you want to strike me? You must be incredibly bold if you think you can trespass in the Fang residence and even contemplate raising your hand against me. It seems you, Wu Qian, truly wish to rebel against the heavens!" Fang Tangjin sternly said, even boldly stepping in front of Wu Qian, pointing at his nose, and splattering his face with spittle while scolding.

Wu Qian clenched his fists and held back, without uttering a single word.

At that moment, Gu Chen spoke up, saying, "Who gave you the guts to insult an imperial official?"

Fang Tangjin turned his eyes towards Gu Chen, snorted coldly, and said, "And who are you? If Wu Qian wishes to be scolded, what's that to you? I haven't even held you to account for barging into the Fang residence yet, and you dare to counterattack?"

Slap!

Suddenly, a slap from Gu Chen landed on Fang Tangjin's face. He cried out in pain, spinning around several times on the spot, falling to the ground with blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, his cheek swelling visibly at a rapid rate, as several teeth were knocked out.

Gu Chen's strength was tremendous, and this was with him holding back; had he not done so, that slap could have sent Fang Tangjin's brains flying.

Fang Tangjin himself was completely dazed, seeing stars before his eyes, lying on the ground, taking a long time to come to his senses.

Inside the Fang residence, there were people paying attention to everything happening outside. Seeing Fang Tangjin get hit, a whole group of people rushed out.

"Jin'er!"

A woman in the crowd cried out in alarm upon seeing Fang Tangjin's terrible state, rushing over as she ran.

"Who is so presumptuous as to dare to commit violence in the Fang residence? Are you tired of living?!" someone shouted in a deep voice.

Seeing this group approaching, Wu Qian began to whisper their identities to Gu Chen.

Wu Qian, how dare you cause trouble at the Fang residence!"

From among the Fang people emerged a lean middle-aged man. He was Fang Yong's younger brother named Fang Zhen. With Fang Yong deceased, everything concerning the Fang family had been left in his hands.

"Lord Fang," Wu Qian began respectfully, "there's a reason for all this; what happened just now was due to..."

"I don't want to hear your explanations!"

Fang Zhen, wearing a displeased expression, interrupted Wu Qian's words sharply, "Wu Qian, you'll come into my Fang residence causing uproar, trespassing, and now you're so bold as to attack violently. Do you think just because you're a constable, you can behave so arrogantly? Do you really believe that there's no one in Ning City that can deal with you?"

Wu Qian looked uncomfortable and attempted to explain further, but Gu Chen stopped him, stepping forward and saying, "It has nothing to do with Wu Qian, he is but following orders. The person I hit was struck by me, and that's that. If you have a problem, take it up with me."

"And who might you be?" Fang Zhen asked with a frown.

Wu Qian quickly introduced, "This gentleman is Lord Gu Chen from the Jing Tian Department of Tiandu. We are here for an official investigation."

Hearing this, Fang Zhen's expression darkened as he retorted, "Lord Gu certainly has quite the authoritarian streak. You bring your investigation to the Fang household and even behave with such brusqueness, resorting to violence without discussion. Even imperial officials shouldn't have such liberties, should they?"

Gu Chen looked at Fang Zhen calmly, "It didn't, but now it does."

Fang Zhen's face turned ashen at his words.

"I am an imperial official, tasked with investigating a case in Ning City. You people obstruct every step of the way, causing a ruckus, and even dare to insult an imperial official. I've only slapped him once, which is being lenient. If I had decided to take his life, what can the Fang family do about it?"

Gu Chen stood his ground, his tone steady and devoid of any anger, yet the cold look he gave Fang Zhen caused the latter's heart to tighten inadvertently, as a cold sweat broke out on his back.