Playing a Trick

If an ordinary person were stared down by this middle-aged man, they would likely be intimidated.

However, after a glance at the man, Fang Yuan lost interest and refocused his attention on the food on the table, treating the middle-aged man beside him as if he were invisible.

"Who is that? Dressed as a house slave, and not even a Gu Master, yet he dares to question young Master Fang Yuan?" a waiter, seeing the tense situation, asked from a corner, bewildered.

"Hmph, he's just a dog borrowing a tiger's might. Clearly, he's a powerful slave from the Mo family, relying on his backing to dare yell at a Gu Master. If it were any other mortal, who would have the guts?" someone nearby scoffed dismissively.

"Even so, just a mortal daring to yell at a Gu Master. Tsk tsk, that must feel exhilarating."

"Come on, don't make Gu Masters sound so formidable. Young Master Fang Yuan is only a Rank One initial stage, he just refined his Destined Gu. If it really came to a fight, he might not even be able to beat this burly, skilled mortal."

"Alas, I hope they don't break anything in our inn when they fight later."

The waiters chattered amongst themselves, none daring to step forward, only peeking from their hiding spots.

"Huh? You still have the appetite to eat and drink." Seeing that his words hadn't intimidated Fang Yuan, the tall, burly middle-aged man's eyes flashed with cold light. "Do you think I'm lying? Someone has already informed the young lady, and she'll be here in a moment. Kid, don't even think about running. Of course, you can't run anyway, I'm here to keep an eye on you. You'll regret this later."

Fang Yuan ignored him, continuing to eat his meal.

The middle-aged house slave frowned. He saw no trace of fear or panic on Fang Yuan's face. This made him feel ignored and his dignity offended.

He had been a house slave in the Mo family for over a decade, trusted by his masters. Having been around for so long, he knew a thing or two about Gu Masters.

For a Rank One initial stage Gu Master, most martial combat still relied on fists and kicks. In battle, the deterrence of Gu worms far outweighed their actual effect.

Especially since he knew that a young Gu Master like Fang Yuan, who had only just begun cultivating, was far weaker than himself, a man in his prime. If it came to a fistfight, his long-term training would give him the upper hand.

At the same time, Fang Yuan had only refined the Moonlight Gu, and at most, could only unleash a few Moon Blades.

The middle-aged man had been used as a sparring partner long ago. He had personal experience and knew clearly: a Moon Blade propelled by Rank One initial stage primeval essence, if it truly struck a person, would at most open a palm-sized gash, with very limited lethality.

Coupled with the backing of the Mo family, he was fearless when facing Fang Yuan, intent on actively performing to earn the favor and appreciation of his masters.

"Kid, you've got some nerve..." The middle-aged man's tone grew more hostile as he rolled up his sleeves, revealing his muscular arms. Both his arms were thick and covered in scars. Veins snaked across his forearms, and his upper arm was thicker than Fang Yuan's thigh.

The inn waiters watched with dread, and some diners had already begun to get up, hastily paying their bills to distance themselves from the trouble.

"Found Fang Yuan?" Just then, a clear, proud female voice came from the entrance.

Mo Yan strode into the inn, followed by a group of family slaves.

She had a good figure, somewhat tall, and curvaceous. However, her horse-like face, a trait inherited from the Mo bloodline, greatly diminished her beauty, making her only moderately attractive at best.

She wore a blue martial arts uniform, a red wide belt cinched at her waist. The belt was inlaid with square iron plates, each bearing a prominent character for "two."

She had just returned from a family mission, and a hint of the elements still clung to her.

These details lent her an air of sharp competence.

Thus, as soon as she entered the inn, the imposing aura she carried brought a hush to the entire dining hall.

"Your servant Gao Wan pays his respects to the young lady!" Upon seeing Mo Yan, the middle-aged man's demeanor changed drastically.

A fawning smile spread across his face as he bowed and took a few small steps before falling to his knees with a thud, greeting Mo Yan.

The inn staff watched the middle-aged man's transformation, dumbfounded.

Gao Wan, tall and burly, looked somewhat awkward and comical in his subservient posture. However, the inn staff couldn't bring themselves to laugh; the middle-aged house slave's behavior only highlighted Mo Yan's dominance.

Some waiters couldn't help but worry for Fang Yuan. Fang Yuan was a major patron of theirs, and if anything happened to him, their business would suffer in the future.

More people silently prayed in their hearts: they hoped Fang Yuan would surrender. If a fight broke out and the inn's property was damaged, it would be even worse.

Mo Yan didn't even glance at Gao Wan kneeling on the ground. Her eyes were fixed on Fang Yuan. She strode to the table, her voice extremely sharp, "You are Fang Yuan? You seem to be eating quite heartily. Hehehe, have you ever tasted a fist? I'll let you have a taste of its flavor, perhaps it's even more delicious."

Although she said this, Mo Yan didn't make a move immediately.

Fang Yuan's demeanor was too calm, too peculiar. Could he have some hidden backer?

"But that shouldn't be the case. I investigated before I came. This Fang Yuan is a standard orphan, his parents died early, and he was even kicked out by his aunt and uncle. Plus, his aptitude is only C-grade. What kind of background could a frail youth have?" Mo Yan couldn't help but mutter to herself.

But no matter what, abnormality breeds suspicion. This situation was strange and needed probing.

Fang Yuan chuckled, glancing sideways at Mo Yan. "Who told you I am Gu Yue Fang Yuan?"

Mo Yan froze for a moment, then turned to look at Gao Wan.

Gao Wan, who had just stood up, immediately knelt down again, cold sweat beading on his forehead, stammering, unable to reply, "Master, I, I..."

They had a portrait of Fang Yuan, but they also knew that Fang Yuan and Fang Zheng were twin brothers with extremely similar appearances.

"No wonder this youth looks so fearless; it turns out he's Fang Zheng, not Fang Yuan." For a moment, the slaves around Mo Yan all had this thought.

"Fang Zheng is not Fang Yuan. The latter is merely a C-grade, alone, with no backing. The former, however, is an A-grade genius, taken in by the Clan Leader during the Aperture Opening Ceremony. If he grows up, his future is limitless!" Mo Yan's hesitation grew as she didn't receive a definitive answer from Gao Wan.

At this moment, the only ones who knew Fang Yuan's identity were the group of waiters in the corner of the inn.

However, they couldn't afford to offend either party, so they all kept their mouths shut.

Fang Yuan finished his meal and slowly stood up, casting a faint glance at Mo Yan. "You're looking for Fang Yuan, aren't you? Follow me, I'll take you to the academy dorm to find him."

"If this person is Fang Zheng, I don't want to offend him. If it's Fang Yuan, I won't be afraid of him impersonating if I follow him closely." In an instant, Mo Yan's thoughts raced, and she made her decision.

"Alright, I'll go with you to the academy. Please!" Mo Yan stepped aside, extending her palm, her eyes gleaming, gesturing for Fang Yuan to go ahead.

Fang Yuan smiled freely and strode forward with his head held high.

Mo Yan followed closely behind, and the group of slaves filed out after them.

"That was close."

"They're finally gone."

"Even if a fight breaks out, it won't involve our inn."

The inn workers left behind mostly patted their chests, immensely relieved.

A group of people arrived at the academy entrance.

"Halt!"

"Stop right there. The family academy only allows Gu Masters from our family to enter and exit freely." Two guards at the entrance blocked Fang Yuan, Mo Yan, and their group.

"How dare you! You don't even recognize me? How dare you stop me?" Mo Yan's gaze swept across the two as she shouted.

"We wouldn't dare," the guards quickly clasped their fists.

"Young Miss Mo Yan, we have you etched in our hearts. But family rules are concrete. How about this, Young Miss, you can bring one house slave in with you. This is our biggest concession." An experienced guard replied respectfully.

Mo Yan snorted coldly. Although somewhat unwilling, she dared not openly defy the family rules.

The Mo family was powerful, but that also made them a target. Don't forget that outside the Mo family, the Chi family stood in opposition. Beyond the Chi family, there were also factions within the clan leader's lineage waiting to find fault with the Mo family.

"You all stay here. Gao Wan, you're with me." After some thought, Mo Yan gave the order.

Gao Wan immediately puffed out his chest, his face filled with joy. "Thank you, Young Miss, for your favor!"

"Let's go, junior brother." Mo Yan gave Fang Yuan a meaningful smile.

Fang Yuan's expression remained indifferent as he led the way.

He arrived at the dormitory door, unlocked it, and pushed it open.

He took a step into the room and stopped.

The door was wide open, and the room was in full view. Its furnishings were simple and unadorned, and there was no one else inside.

Mo Yan stood at the doorway, glanced inside, and her expression turned grim. "Junior brother, you'd better explain. There's no one in the room!"

Fang Yuan smiled faintly. "Aren't I a person?"

Mo Yan stared at Fang Yuan, her eyes flashing, as if she had realized something. "The person I'm looking for is Gu Yue Fang Yuan!"

Fang Yuan chuckled lightly. "I never said I wasn't Gu Yue Fang Yuan."