Fang Yuan

Qingling Mountain.

The mountain stretched for hundreds of li, its depths impossible to measure. It was rich in natural resources and sustained many of the mountain folk living nearby.

But farther in, the fog grew thicker, and there were no paths. Even veteran hunters who went into the mountains year-round could easily lose their way.

Yet at that moment, two figures walked side by side, gradually venturing deeper. Whether over jagged rocks or through dense woods, they moved as if on level ground.

Before long, a valley appeared ahead. Earth Qi rose in wisps, mist curled through the air, and crystalline dew formed on green leaves, reflecting a dazzling, rainbow-colored glow beneath the sun.

"Mm... Earth Qi rising, springlike in every season. It's a fine place. Is that person here?"

The one who asked was a man with a goatee, knife-sharp eyes, and hands like chicken claws.

He wore a dark blue robe. His gaze was hard and keen, with a hint of disdain; when he looked around, he was like a tiger. Beside him, a middle-aged man dressed like a wealthy country gentleman could only force a smile and wipe the cold sweat from his face. "That's right... There's a separate residence in this valley, built by my old friend. My young friend is there, too."

"At a time like this, you're still calling him your young friend?"

The goateed old man asked with a cold laugh.

"Alas... No matter what, his master and I have been friends for decades. Besides, I'm the one who wronged him this time... Alas..."

The country gentleman sighed deeply, looking even more troubled.

As they spoke, the two had already entered the valley.

The valley was small, but pleasantly warm. A clear spring flowed through it, and the surroundings were exceptionally tranquil. At its center stood a refined little residence, encircled by a fence. Jade Crystal Rice grew there, its grains full and plump, its growth vigorous and pleasing to the eye.

"Mm... This residence and this land are both quite nice... Your old friend seemed like a man with a grand plan, but it's a pity he's dead..."

The goateed old man shook his head.

"Heart-Questioning Hermit lived in seclusion, taking no interest in worldly affairs, but he was highly accomplished in both Medical Skill and the Dao of Planting. I only became acquainted with him through a twist of fate. My young friend is the orphan he adopted..."

The country gentleman shook his head.

The two went forward, stepped over the fence, and knocked on the door.

Knock, knock!

The clear sound echoed through the valley, but no one answered.

"Hmm? No one's home?"

The country gentleman looked surprised, but the goateed old man beside him pushed the door open without the slightest courtesy. "Hmph! Putting on airs!"

The Spirit Cottage was furnished with exceptional simplicity. Aside from the necessities of daily life, it contained only a single quiet room. Behind the cottage, however, there was a small door. When they opened it, a much larger flower garden came into view.

A Spring Eye bubbled in the middle of the garden, its living water trickling with a pleasant sound, set against the colorful flowers all around.

Among several flowers, a young man lifted his head. "So Uncle Lin has come? Please wait a moment! Let me finish planting this camellia!"

He looked to be about seventeen or eighteen. His large eyes were bright and lively, but he wasn't particularly handsome; his face was plain and ordinary. He wore coarse cloth clothes, his sleeves rolled up and his trouser legs splattered with mud. He looked just like an old farmer, utterly absorbed in his work.

"Oh, Fang Yuan, go ahead and finish what you're doing. I'm in no hurry!"

Perhaps feeling guilty, Uncle Lin gave an awkward smile.

Planting tea took care, especially with this camellia, which liked shade but not heat. Fang Yuan had deliberately found a shady spot beside the Spring Eye and was slowly planting it.

First, he loosened the soil, then watered and fertilized it. He used spring water to irrigate, having let it sit for two days. His movements weren't quick, but they were meticulous, giving the work an almost pleasing grace.

When he had finished everything, Fang Yuan went to the clear spring and washed the mud from his hands and feet.

The spring water came from a living underground source. It felt wonderfully cool against the skin, yet wasn't bitterly cold. It was the finest of the finest.

After washing up, Fang Yuan slowly entered the room and saw the old man, whose face was full of impatience.

"Uncle Lin, and this gentleman is...?"

A trace of confusion crossed his face.

"Ha... Let me introduce you!"

Steward Lin laughed. "This is Mr. Yu Qiuleng, the Outer Sect Steward of Gui Ling Sect, also known as Cold-faced Iron Eagle... You know, Lei Yue has just joined that sect..."

"Greetings, Mr. Yu!"

Fang Yuan greeted him with a very honest smile.

"Hmph! As expected of a mountain bumpkin, ignorant of manners. We've been here for ages, and you haven't even offered us a cup of tea!"

Yu Qiuleng grumbled. If Steward Lin hadn't been holding him back, it seemed he would already have taught this ignorant brat a good lesson for not knowing his place.

"Sorry, my humble home is crude, and I've neglected my honored guests..."

Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow and replied coolly, neither warm nor cold. Then he looked at Steward Lin. "Uncle Lin, what brings you here this time?"

"Well... That is..."

Steward Lin hesitated for a long time before finally blushing and saying, "Lei Yue has joined Gui Ling Sect, one of the greatest sects within a hundred li. A Martial Ancestor is stationed there. The Sect Leader saw Lei Yue's aptitude and took a great liking to her, even accepting her as a Personal Disciple. But to practice the martial techniques passed down through the Sect Leader's line, one must have a Pure Yin Constitution. So... the marriage between you and Lei Yue..."

"Hmph!"

At that moment, Yu Qiuleng spoke up directly. "Miss Lei Yue is the Sect Leader's esteemed disciple. Her talent is exceptional, and in the future, she may even reach the Martial Ancestor realm..."

He didn't say what came next, but the comparison between a toad and swan meat was plain enough.

"Oh! So that's how it is!"

Fang Yuan listened and pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Please wait a moment."

He rose and went straight into the inner room.

"Eh?"

His reaction took Steward Lin by surprise.

He thought that even if he himself had encountered such a thing when he was young, he could never have remained this calm.

Could he be seething inside, ready to fight to the death?

Steward Lin felt a chill in his heart. He glanced at Yu Qiuleng beside him, but the other man merely sat there as composed as an old god and gave him a look that spoke volumes.

Even if the boy tried to lash out in desperation, he would still be no match for Cold-faced Iron Eagle.

"Uncle Lin!"

The door creaked open, and Fang Yuan came out holding a wooden box. "This is the Marriage Contract between Miss Lei Yue and me. Since we became engaged, I've thought it over several times and decided I wasn't worthy of her. Uncle Lin coming here today has finally lifted a weight from my heart."

"Hm?"

Steward Lin took it in a daze. When he opened it, he saw the original Marriage Contract. It wasn't a fake.

He hadn't expected things to go so smoothly, and stood there stunned.

Yu Qiuleng, meanwhile, gave Fang Yuan a look that said At least you know what's good for you, then stood up to leave.

"Alas... Young Fang Xian, I won't say much else. You and Lei Yue were simply fated to meet, but not to be together... Here's a small token of my sincerity. Please, you must accept it!"

Steward Lin blushed as he took a small bundle from his robe and held it out.

"Since it's a gift from an elder, I'll accept it without standing on ceremony!"

Fang Yuan didn't even look inside. He simply took it.

"Excellent! Excellent!"

The more calmly Fang Yuan took it, the more ashamed Steward Lin felt. He grabbed Yu Qiuleng and hurried away.

"Mm, the Land Deed for the entire Hidden Valley. He actually managed to pull strings and get this. Steward Lin is quite generous, and well-connected too."

After they left, Fang Yuan opened the bundle and saw a Land Deed, a few pieces of gold and silver, and a Jade Bottle. He couldn't help smiling.

He naturally knew that Steward Lin had originally arranged his engagement to Lei Yue because Heart-Questioning Hermit's miraculous Medical Skill had saved his life, and because he'd hoped to curry favor with him.

Now Fang Yuan had lost his backing, while Steward Lin's daughter had married into a powerful family. The fact that Steward Lin had politely discussed breaking the engagement instead of simply coming to his door with force was already rather restrained.

In truth, Fang Yuan had little choice.

He'd accepted the compensation for that very reason. Otherwise, he would have harbored resentment and invited trouble.

"If I'd refused, would I have had to shout, 'Don't bully a young man just because he's poor,' only to be cut down and have the roots pulled out to prevent future trouble?"

Fang Yuan murmured with a bitter smile.

Fortunately, he was naturally openhearted and optimistic. He had only met Lin Leyue a few times, and felt no affection for her, so he wasn't all that upset.

As for humiliation, reputation, and the like...

For a recluse living deep in the mountains like him, could pheasants and wild rabbits really mock him for losing face?

So long as he didn't take it to heart, the world's praise and blame were no more than a breeze brushing his face.

Since he didn't fear losing face, the woman's compensation was something he'd be a fool not to accept.

"Eh? Crimson Jade Rice Seeds?"

As he checked everything one by one and opened the Jade Bottle, he cried out in surprise.

Inside the bottle were grains of rice, crystalline as jade and round and plump, each wrapped in a red husk. They gave off a spicy heat that made his mouth water.

These were spiritual seeds, extremely precious. Fang Yuan had searched for them for a long time and had even asked Steward Lin to help. At last, they had been sent along with everything else.

"Mm, this Crimson Jade Rice is inherently yang, but it needs to be planted during Yin Hour. I'll sow it tonight in the newly cleared land..."

Fang Yuan weighed the Jade Bottle in his hand, his face bright with delight.

Outside the valley.

"Alas..."

Steward Lin let out a long sigh. Though he had already made up his mind, seeing Fang Yuan conduct himself with such poise, neither servile nor overbearing, still made him regretful.

"What is it, Steward Lin? Are you worried?" Yu Qiuleng said with a laugh. "The Marriage Contract has been returned, and he's accepted the compensation. Even if he makes trouble later, he'll be the one in the wrong... Of course, if you still can't rest easy, I can turn back and remove this threat while I'm at it."

"No, no!"

Steward Lin waved both hands. "I just thought Fang Yuan was a genuinely good young man. It's a pity about Lei Yue..."

"Hmph. If your daughter becomes a Martial Ancestor one day, what Young Talent won't be hers for the choosing? Why cling to some poor mountain boy?"

Yu Qiuleng wore an amused expression. "Of course, if you still can't bear to let go, you can always marry another daughter to him! Our Sect Leader won't care—as long as it isn't Miss Lei Yue."

"Alas... After what's happened, how could I possibly have the face to suggest that?"

Steward Lin sighed and quickened his pace.

The two walked farther and farther away, disappearing among the mountains in the blink of an eye.