Playing Tricks

If an ordinary person had been stared down by this middle-aged man, they would probably have already lost three parts of their nerve.

But after Fang Yuan glanced at him, he lost interest and turned his attention back to the food on the table, treating the middle-aged man beside him as though he were invisible.

"Who is that guy? Dressed like a household servant and not even a Gu Master, yet he dares question Young Master Fang Yuan?" Seeing that things were going badly, an inn waiter shrank into a corner and asked in confusion.

"Hmph, he's borrowing a fox's might to scare a tiger. One look tells you he's a Mo family servant, relying on the backing behind him to dare shout at a Lord Gu Master. If he were any other mortal, who would have the guts?" someone beside him sneered disdainfully.

"Even so, for a mere mortal to dare yell at a Gu Master... tsk tsk, that must feel pretty thrilling."

"Pah, don't make Gu Masters out to be so formidable. Young Master Fang Yuan is only at Rank One initial stage and has just refined his Destined Gu. If they really fought, he might not beat this sturdy, highly skilled mortal."

"Sigh, I just hope that if they fight later, they don't smash anything in our inn."

The waiters all chimed in one after another. None dared step forward; they could only crane their necks and watch.

"Hm? You still have the mood to keep eating and drinking." Seeing that his words had failed to frighten Fang Yuan, a cold gleam flickered in the tall, burly middle-aged man's eyes. "You think I'm lying? Someone has already gone to inform the young miss. She'll be here before long. Kid, don't even think about running. Of course, you can't run either. I'm here to keep watch over you. Just wait—you'll suffer soon enough."

Fang Yuan turned a deaf ear and continued eating.

The middle-aged servant frowned. He had not seen even a trace of fear or panic on Fang Yuan's face. It made him feel ignored, as though his dignity had been offended.

He had served as a household slave in the Mo family for over a decade and was quite trusted by his masters. Having spent so much time around them, he knew a little about Gu Masters as well.

Rank One initial-stage Gu Masters mostly still had to rely on fists and kicks in combat. In battle, Gu worms were far more intimidating than they were practically effective.

Especially since he knew that a teenage Gu Master like Fang Yuan had only just begun cultivating. Fang Yuan's own strength was far below that of a man in his prime like him. If it came down to fists and feet, with his years of training, he could completely seize the upper hand.

At the same time, Fang Yuan had only refined the Moonlight Gu. At most, he could fire off a few moonblades.

The middle-aged man had long been used as a sparring partner. He had experienced it firsthand and knew clearly that moonblades driven by Rank One initial-stage primeval essence, even if they struck a human body, could at most cut a Blood Maw the length of a palm. Their lethality was quite limited.

Furthermore, the Mo family stood behind him. Thus, facing Fang Yuan, he had nothing to fear. He only wanted to perform well and earn his masters' rewards and favor.

"Kid, you've got quite the nerve..." The middle-aged man's tone grew increasingly hostile. As he spoke, he rolled up his sleeves, revealing his muscular arms. Both arms were thick and covered in scars. Veins bulged and twisted across his forearms, while his upper arms were thicker than Fang Yuan's thighs.

The inn waiters felt their hearts turn ice-cold. Some diners had already risen one after another, hurriedly paid their bills, and prepared to flee this place of trouble.

"Have you found Fang Yuan?" At that moment, a clear and haughty female voice came from the entrance.

Mo Yan strode into the inn, followed by a group of wealthy household servants.

She had a decent figure, somewhat tall, with a full chest and rounded hips. But her horse-like face, inherited from the Mo bloodline, greatly diminished her beauty, leaving her barely passable as average.

However, she wore a blue martial outfit, with a broad scarlet belt around her waist. A square iron plate was embedded in it, engraved with a striking "two."

Moreover, she had just returned from completing a Lineage mission, and there was still a trace of wind and dust about her.

These things lent her an air of sharp, capable pressure.

The moment she entered the inn, the imposing aura she carried plunged the entire dining hall into silence.

"This servant Gao Wan greets the young miss!" The instant the middle-aged man saw Mo Yan, he changed his face entirely.

A fawning smile piled onto his face. He bent at the waist and hunched his back, took several quick little steps forward, then dropped to his knees with a thump and respectfully greeted Mo Yan.

The inn waiters were all dumbfounded at the middle-aged man's transformation.

Gao Wan was tall and brawny, and his groveling posture looked utterly out of place, even somewhat comical. Yet none of the inn waiters could laugh. This middle-aged servant's behavior only highlighted Mo Yan's dominance.

Some waiters could not help secretly breaking into a cold sweat for Fang Yuan. Fang Yuan was a major customer of theirs. If anything happened to him and he could no longer patronize the inn in the future, that would be troublesome.

More people silently prayed in their hearts: hopefully Fang Yuan would surrender without resistance. If a fight truly broke out and damaged the inn's property, that would be even worse.

Mo Yan did not spare Gao Wan, kneeling on the ground, a single glance. Her eyes locked tightly onto Fang Yuan as she strode to the table. Her tone was incomparably sharp. "You are Fang Yuan? Looks like you're eating quite happily. Heh heh heh, I wonder whether you've ever eaten a fist? I'll let you taste its flavor. Perhaps it'll be even more delicious."

Though she said this, Mo Yan did not immediately act.

Fang Yuan's conduct was too calm, too strange. Could there be some hidden figure backing him?

But that shouldn't be possible. Before coming here, I already investigated him. This Fang Yuan is the sort whose uncle does not care for him and whose aunt does not love him. His parents died early, and his uncle and aunt even drove him out of the house. On top of that, his aptitude is only C-grade. What background could a frail youth possibly have? Mo Yan could not help muttering inwardly.

But no matter what, where there was something abnormal, there was a monster. This was strange; she needed to probe him.

Fang Yuan gave a soft laugh and glanced sideways at Mo Yan. "Who told you I was Gu Yue Fang Yuan?"

Mo Yan froze at once, then immediately turned to look at Gao Wan.

Gao Wan had just risen to his feet, but he instantly knelt again. Cold sweat streamed down his forehead as he stammered, unable to answer. "Master, this servant, this servant..."

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

"No wonder this youth looked so fearless. So he's Fang Zheng, not Fang Yuan." For a moment, the household servants around Mo Yan all came to this conclusion.

"Fang Zheng is not someone Fang Yuan can compare to. The latter is merely C-grade, alone and without any backing. The former, however, is an A-grade genius. At the Aperture Opening Ceremony, he was taken into the clan leader's branch. As long as he grows up, his future will be immeasurable!" Since Mo Yan had not received Gao Wan's confirmation, she became even more hesitant.

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

But they could not afford to offend either side. Thus, they all kept their mouths tightly shut.

Fang Yuan had finished eating. He slowly rose to his feet and gave Mo Yan an indifferent glance. "Weren't you looking for Fang Yuan? Come with me. I'll take you to the academy dormitory to find him."

If the person before my eyes is Fang Zheng, I do not want to offend him. If he is Fang Yuan, I'll follow him closely all the way, so I need not fear him impersonating someone else. In an instant, thoughts churned through Mo Yan's mind, and she made her decision.

"Fine, I'll go to the academy with you. Please." Mo Yan stepped aside to make way, held out her palm flat, and gestured to Fang Yuan with flashing eyes.

Fang Yuan smiled freely, lifted his head, and strode away.

Mo Yan followed close behind, with a group of household servants filing out after her like fish.

"That was close."

"They've finally left."

"Even if they fight, it won't have anything to do with our inn now."

The remaining inn waiters mostly patted their chests, rejoicing greatly.

The group arrived at the academy entrance.

"Halt!"

"Stop. Only Gu Masters of the Lineage are permitted to enter and leave the clan academy freely." The two guards at the entrance stopped Fang Yuan, Mo Yan, and the others.

"Insolence! Have you forgotten who I am? You dare stop me?" Mo Yan swept her gaze over the two men and opened her mouth to rebuke them.

"We wouldn't dare." The guards hurriedly cupped their fists.

"Miss Mo Yan, we have you etched in our hearts. But the clan rules are solid and real. How about this? Miss, you may bring one household servant inside. That is our greatest concession." An older, more seasoned guard answered respectfully.

Mo Yan snorted coldly. Though unwilling, she did not dare openly violate the clan rules.

The Mo family was powerful, but precisely because of that, a great tree caught the wind. One must not forget that beyond the Mo family stood the Chi Family, matching it blow for blow. Beyond the Chi Family was the clan leader's branch, waiting to seize the Mo family's weaknesses.

"You all stay here. Gao Wan, follow me." After thinking for a moment, Mo Yan gave the order.

Gao Wan immediately held his head high and puffed out his chest, his face full of delight. "Many thanks for the young miss's favor!"

"Let's go, junior brother." Mo Yan smiled meaningfully at Fang Yuan.

Fang Yuan's expression remained calm as he took the lead.

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

He stepped into the room, then stopped.

The door stood wide open, and the room was clear at a glance. Its furnishings were simple and plain, and there was no one else inside.

Mo Yan stood at the door and glanced inside, her face darkening slightly. "Junior brother, you'd better explain yourself clearly. There's no one in the room!"

Fang Yuan smiled faintly. "Am I not a person?"

Mo Yan stared at Fang Yuan. Her gaze flickered as if she had understood something. "The one I'm looking for is Gu Yue Fang Yuan!"

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