Chapter 42: Guidance and Encounters

Sensing the weight in his hand, Fang Can estimated it to be about a pound, though only a small fraction of that was loose silver.

Judging by the corner peeking out from the money bag, it was clear that silver banknotes were tucked inside. After all, a hundred taels would weigh several pounds if carried in silver alone, making it rather impractical to haul around the streets.

"No need to count, Mr. Fang," Ye Yonglie said with a sincere tone. "The one hundred taels is your salary for the trouble of coming here, and the remaining four hundred is a token of our appreciation. It’s more than what the previous representative received, and it will be the same amount every month from now on."

Hearing this, Fang Can’s eyes narrowed, and the smile on his lips grew even brighter. He hadn't expected such a windfall—five hundred taels in total. It was a pleasant surprise.

Feeling the heavy weight of the money, Fang Can was about to bid farewell when the master’s voice sounded in his ear: "Young Friend Fang, let us proceed as per the usual custom."

*‘The usual custom? What custom?’*

Fang Can swallowed his parting words, wondering if there was some unspoken rule he was unaware of. With a hint of unease, he nodded with a smile and said, "Of course, we shall follow the established practices of the Tiger Spirit Sect."

"Good. Then, I invite the talented disciple of the Tiger Spirit Sect to provide some guidance to our students." The master looked toward the guards nearby. "Go and wake the disciples. Tell them to prepare to receive instruction."

Under Ye Yonglie’s orders, gongs and drums soon began to sound. Before long, the disciples of the Blazing Sun Martial Hall were roused from their beds, donning their standard training uniforms and lining up before Fang Can.

"Young Friend Fang, these are the lackluster disciples of our hall; the highest among them has only reached the second stage of the Profound Gate." Ye Yonglie gestured to the dozen or so young disciples and smiled. "I know your time is precious, so please, just spend an hour providing some guidance."

*‘Well, how about that.’* Fang Can felt the heavy bag of money in his hand. So, this protection money wasn't so easy to earn after all—it came with a side of private tutoring.

He roughly understood the Tiger Spirit Sect’s motive: it was a show of strength to the local factions. After all, if a mere disciple of the Tiger Spirit Sect could instruct them, it implied that the managers, hall masters, and the sect leader himself were far more formidable.

However, earning 500 taels for an hour of private tutoring was a huge profit, and Fang Can couldn't refuse. The problem was how to actually "teach" them. His current cultivation level was only at the first stage of the Profound Gate. While he could kill any expert who lacked a "Mental Image" in a one-on-one fight, a first-stage expert was still just a first-stage expert.

If he were to fight and reveal his true level, this group would definitely suspect his background. That would only invite unnecessary trouble, and he would have to waste time wiping out the entire Blazing Sun Martial Hall, which simply wasn't worth it.

With this thought, Fang Can smiled slightly. "Since Master Ye insists, I shall reluctantly provide some guidance to your disciples."

"However, as I cannot impart the secret martial arts of my sect, I cannot offer technical pointers. In that case, I shall simply temper your will."

As he spoke, a mysterious, imposing aura erupted from Fang Can, pressing down on everyone present.

"This is… a Mental Image!" Feeling the immense psychological pressure, everyone was struck with terror.

Looking at Fang Can’s youthful face, they were stunned. To be so young and already an expert at the sixth stage of the Profound Gate or higher—even stronger than their own master—was truly terrifying.

Facing their wide-eyed, awestruck gazes, Fang Can let out a bashful, embarrassed laugh. "My martial arts are meager; I hope you all don't feel this was a waste."

"It’s worth it! This 500 taels was worth every penny," Ye Yonglie exclaimed, eyeing Fang Can with astonishment and voicing the unspoken thoughts of all his disciples.

It was rare for an expert with a Mental Image to release it for purposes other than combat, allowing others to sense its intricate details. In this era where martial secrets were jealously guarded, such an opportunity was priceless.

Fang Can had underestimated his own value, or perhaps his perspective was skewed because the first faction he encountered was the Tiger Spirit Sect. Just possessing a Mental Image meant that if he were to affiliate with any martial hall and use his aura to temper the disciples' willpower, earning a hundred gold pieces a month would be easy—plenty of people would pay for the chance to experience it.

*‘Is this what a Mental Image feels like?’* Ye Yonglie closed his eyes, greedily savoring the sensation along with his disciples. Despite being a master who had spent twenty years in grueling practice to stabilize his cultivation at the sixth stage, he had yet to manifest a Mental Image himself.

Feeling the aura that made their hearts beat with unease, the disciples breathed heavily, desperately trying to "swallow" and absorb the Mental Image. Technical pointers were common, but encountering a Mental Image was a once-in-a-lifetime event. There was a massive barrier between those who had one and those who didn't, a threshold that most disciples with insufficient talent could never cross. Now that a master was offering them a chance to experience it freely, it would be of immense help to them once they reached the necessary cultivation level.

*‘Are these guys for real?’* Leaning back in his grand chair, Fang Can rested his cheek on his hand, silently mocking them in his mind.

Seeing them all so focused, their faces full of intoxicated enjoyment, Fang Can felt they looked like masochists being played by a manipulator. Seeing a bunch of grown men wearing such "philosophical" expressions was just too surreal.

As he patiently watched, Fang Can noticed one youth who remained calm despite being within the range of his aura. Compared to the others, who were struggling to hold themselves together, the boy was unnaturally composed, which piqued his interest.

*‘Hmph, the same old trick, trying to fool these country bumpkins by flaunting a Mental Image,’* Yuan Dang sneered inwardly.

As a reincarnator who had read the chronicles written by others about Fang Can, he knew that this "Emperor Fang" was currently only at the first stage of the Profound Gate, using his Mental Image to play god. But even knowing this, he dared not expose him. The fact that a first-stage expert could possess a Mental Image was even more heaven-defying and unprecedented. Revealing it wouldn't hurt Fang Can; it would only expose himself.

"What are you thinking about?" A curious voice suddenly sounded in Yuan Dang's ear.

He opened his eyes slightly to see a youth with sword-like brows and starry eyes sitting on a chair, hands folded casually, looking at him with interest. It was none other than Fang Can.

*‘Fang…’* Yuan Dang stepped back in fear, nearly blurting out "Emperor Fang."

The psychological trauma Fang Can had inflicted on him in his previous life was immense. Seeing him in the flesh, despite all his hatred and anger, his knees instinctively buckled as he prepared to kneel before him.

*‘How can this be? This didn't happen in my past life. Have I changed history?’*

Yuan Dang’s mind was in turmoil. He was terrified, too panicked to even notice his own kneeling posture, fearing that Fang Can might sense his ill intentions. He hurriedly bowed his head. "I… I…"

"Yuan Dang, how dare you! Do not interfere with Mr. Fang’s instruction!" Ye Yonglie’s angry rebuke suddenly echoed in his ears.