Make Fang Yuan Move Away

Facing Liu Wanwan and Little Bean Sprout's eyes, brimming with fear and worry, the cold severity on Fang Yuan's face quickly faded.

He first reached out and vigorously ruffled Little Bean Sprout's hair, the steady strength in his hand somehow reassuring.

Only after he had thoroughly mussed up the little girl's neatly combed hair did he stop.

"It's all right now. Don't be afraid." His voice softened considerably.

"They didn't come looking for trouble. It was Brother San Zhuang from the east end of the village. He heard Heizi came by during the day and specifically came over to check on us."

Hearing this, Liu Wanwan's taut shoulders relaxed slightly, though the worry in her eyes had not completely faded.

She was a clever woman and naturally guessed that things were probably not so simple.

Fang Yuan pulled Little Bean Sprout down to sit, then picked up his bowl and chopsticks again. As though merely making casual conversation, he said:

"Brother San Zhuang wanted to bring me into their hunting party. He said there was safety in numbers, that we could look after one another and guard against Heizi."

Before he could finish, Liu Wanwan blurted out instinctively:

"You... you didn't agree, did you?"

She knew her husband's temperament well. He was proud and unruly; though he had changed somewhat lately, that pride still ran in his bones.

He would never be willing to tie himself to others.

"No, I didn't." Fang Yuan picked up a piece of cured meat and put it in his mouth, chewing as he spoke in a calm yet certain tone. "I'm used to being free on my own. I don't want that kind of restraint. Besides, if something really happens, relying on others will never be as dependable as the knife in your own hand."

He said it lightly, yet it was like a calming pill dropped into the rippling lake of Liu Wanwan's heart.

She had already guessed her husband would refuse, but hearing him state his reasons so clearly and calmly with her own ears—

the heavy stone that had been hanging in her heart ever since Heizi's visit seemed to suddenly fall to the ground.

Although their situation had not truly changed, Heizi's threat still remained, and the villagers' prying had not lessened,

the days ahead were still difficult, but her husband's clear-headedness and decisiveness gave her an indescribable sense of security.

She knew that he was laying the matter out plainly because he did not want the two of them to let their imaginations run wild at home.

If they stayed home trembling with fear, it would only make it easier for outsiders to exploit an opening.

And though her own strength was slight, guarding this home and keeping watch over the door,

making sure the rear did not catch fire while her husband was away, was the greatest thing she could do.

"Mm, I understand." Liu Wanwan responded softly, lowered her head, and began to eat as well.

Her movements were no longer as restless and panicked as before. They remained delicate, but had grown much steadier.

The following morning, the sky was gray and the cold wind still howled.

Fang Yuan's family happily finished breakfast.

White rice with cured meat—Little Bean Sprout ate with particular delight!

In the past, villagers did not eat breakfast. But after Fang Yuan began training in martial arts and his vigor and blood greatly increased, he insisted that the family have three proper meals a day without fail!

After breakfast, Fang Yuan went into the courtyard as usual, preparing to begin his daily training.

However, the moment he picked up the chopping knife, he keenly sensed that the atmosphere in the village was entirely different from usual.

Beyond the courtyard wall, there were no longer merely one or two hurried figures passing by from time to time. Instead, quite a few people stood gathered in small clusters.

They did not come close, only stood at a distance, pointing at the Fang Family courtyard and whispering among themselves.

Their eyes no longer held only curiosity or envy, but obvious fear, estrangement, and even a trace of gloating.

As though the Fang Family were not a neighbor's home, but the source of a plague about to erupt.

Sure enough, before long, several better-dressed people with some standing in the village came over.

At their head was Village Chief Li from the west end of the village, accompanied by two elderly men who were usually well respected.

Their faces were grave, and they wore the air of men speaking for the people, but the anxiety and impatience in the depths of their eyes could not be concealed.

Village Chief Li cleared his throat and called loudly through the courtyard gate to Fang Yuan, who was practicing his knife forms inside.

"Fang Yuan!"

Fang Yuan stopped moving and looked calmly at them, having already guessed why they had come.

Seeing that he did not reply, Village Chief Li had no choice but to continue. "Fang Yuan, it's not that we want to criticize you. But this time... you've caused a terrible disaster!"

An old man with a goatee beside him cut in, his voice shrill.

"Heizi has already made his position clear! He explicitly said that he's coming after you! He also said that in this village, whoever dares help you will become an enemy of Heizi!

Listen to that! You're dragging the whole village into the water!"

Another portly old man stamped his feet, looking heartsick.

"Tell me, why couldn't you just live a good life? Why did you have to provoke that baleful star? Now look at this—everyone has to live in fear because of you!"

Village Chief Li waved a hand, cutting off the two men, then looked at Fang Yuan and delivered an ultimatum.

"Fang Yuan, now that things have come to this, we can only come forward and speak a fair word.

For your own sake, and for the peace of all the young and old in the village, you... should move away!"

"Move away?" Fang Yuan finally spoke, his voice betraying neither joy nor anger. "In this freezing weather, with just a few empty words, where do you expect my family to move? Live on the northwestern wind?"

Village Chief Li choked on his words, his face unable to bear it, and said forcefully:

"That's your problem! In any case, this village can no longer tolerate you! If you stay, you'll bring disaster upon the whole village!"

The goateed old man added sinisterly:

"Fang Yuan, a wise man submits to the times. Move away now, and you can still keep some dignity.

If you wait for Heizi to come invite you in person... then the scene will not be pretty. By then, there truly won't be a single spot in Fang Family Village for you to plant the tip of a cone!"

Those were naked threats.

They did not dare fart in Heizi's face, yet they dared band together and use the whole village's name to force a soft persimmon to his death.

If Fang Yuan were still the scholar he used to be, anyone could have squeezed him as they pleased. But now he trained in martial arts!

He slowly tightened his grip on the chopping knife in his hand, the icy feel of the handle making him even more clear-headed.

He neither erupted nor begged. His gaze merely swept over Village Chief Li and the old men one by one.

His voice was clear and calm, yet carried an unquestionable resolve.

"My family has lived here for generations. Our roots are here. I'm not going anywhere."

He paused, emphasizing his next words. "If Heizi wants to come for me, I'll wait for him here. As for you..."

His gaze sharpened.

"If you're afraid of being implicated, then go tell Heizi right now. I, Fang Yuan, am right here. If he has the ability, let him come take my life himself!"

With that, he ignored those outside the gate and abruptly turned around.

Bang! The chopping knife, carrying a fierce gust of wind, hacked viciously into the training post in the courtyard with a heart-stopping blast!

Wood chips flew everywhere!

That strike seemed to cleave into the hearts of every onlooker. They all shuddered and instantly fell silent.

Fang Yuan did not spare them another glance. He continued practicing his knife forms as though no one else existed, every slash carrying ruthlessness and resolve suppressed to their very limit.