Fang Yuan

Qingling Mountain.

This mountain stretches for hundreds of miles, its depth unknown, and it is so rich in resources that it supports a large population of mountain villagers nearby.

However, venturing further beyond the outskirts, the mist grows thicker, and there are no paths. Even seasoned hunters who enter the mountain year-round can easily get lost.

But at this moment, two figures walk side by side, gradually venturing deeper. Whether it's the rugged, strange rocks or the dense jungle, they move as if on flat ground.

Before long, a valley appears ahead. Earth Qi rises, and wisps of mist entwine, forming crystal-clear dewdrops on the green leaves, reflecting colorful halos under the sunlight.

"Hmm... Earth Qi rising, spring all year round, this is quite a good place. Is that person here?"

One of them, a man with a goatee, eyes like knives, and hands like chicken claws, asks.

He wears a dark blue robe, his gaze cold and sharp, yet tinged with disdain. As he looks around, he resembles a fierce tiger, causing the middle-aged steward beside him to only smile and wipe the cold sweat from his face: "Precisely... Inside this valley, there is a separate courtyard, built by my good friend. Your nephew is also there."

"Even now, you still call him nephew?"

The old man with the goatee sneers in response.

"Alas... Regardless, my friend and his master have known each other for decades. Moreover, this time, I am the one who has failed him... Alas..."

The steward sighs repeatedly, his brow furrowed with deeper bitterness.

As they speak, the two have already entered the valley.

The valley is not large but carries a warmth. A clear spring flows slowly, and the environment is extremely serene. In the center stands a separate courtyard, exquisitely built, surrounded by a fence. Some Jade Crystal Rice is planted outside, with plump grains and vibrant life, growing most pleasingly.

"Hmm... This courtyard, this land, are all quite good... Your old friend was quite resourceful, a pity he's already dead..."

The old man with the goatee shakes his head.

"Heart-Questioning Hermit lived in seclusion, detached from worldly affairs, but his medical skills and the Dao of Planting were both quite accomplished. It was by chance that I got to know him. My nephew is an orphan he adopted..."

The steward says, shaking his head.

The two step forward, cross the fence, and knock on the door.

Knock knock!

The clear sound echoes in the valley, but there is no response.

"Hmm? No one?"

The steward is somewhat surprised, but the old man with the goatee pushes the door open unceremoniously: "Hmph! Playing mysterious!"

The interior of the dwelling is exceptionally simple, with only essential living utensils and a meditation room. However, behind the dwelling, there is another small door, which opens to reveal a larger flower garden.

A spring gushes in the middle of the flower garden, with lively water, making a tinkling sound, complementing the vibrant colors around it.

And amidst a few flowering plants, a young man looks up: "Oh, Uncle Lin is here? Please wait a moment! Let me finish planting this camellia!"

He looks about seventeen or eighteen years old, with bright, piercing eyes. He's not particularly handsome, his appearance is very ordinary, very plain. He wears coarse cloth clothes, his sleeves rolled up, and his trouser legs are stained with mud, like a farmer engrossed in his work.

"Oh, Fang Yuan, you carry on. I'm not in a hurry!"

Perhaps feeling guilty, Uncle Lin smiles awkwardly.

Planting tea is quite particular, especially this camellia, which prefers shade over heat. Fang Yuan specifically found a shady spot behind the spring and slowly planted the camellia.

First, he loosened the soil, then watered and fertilized it. The water used was mountain spring water, left to sit for two days. His movements were not fast but meticulous, giving a pleasing impression.

After everything was done, Fang Yuan went to the clear spring to wash the mud from his hands and feet.

This spring water comes from a living underground source, cool to the touch, but not icy cold. It is of the highest quality.

After a thorough wash, Fang Yuan slowly walked into the room and saw the old man with an impatient expression.

"Uncle Lin, who is this?"

He asks with a hint of confusion.

"Ha... Let me introduce you!"

Steward Lin laughs heartily: "This is the Outer Sect Steward of the Gui Ling Sect, Cold-faced Iron Eagle, Mr. Yu Qiuleng... You know, Lei Yue just joined this sect too..."

"Greetings, Mr. Yu!"

Fang Yuan greets him, smiling very honestly.

"Hmph! As expected of someone from the remote mountains, lacking manners. We've been here for half a day, and not even a cup of tea!"

Yu Qiuleng snorts. It seems that if not for Steward Lin holding him back, he would have already taught this ignorant youngster a lesson.

"My apologies, my humble abode is simple and has inconvenienced our esteemed guest..."

Fang Yuan raises an eyebrow at this and replies coolly, then looks at Steward Lin: "Uncle Lin, what brings you here this time?"

"This... that..."

Steward Lin hesitates, and after a long pause, says with a blushing face: "Lei Yue has joined the Gui Ling Sect. This is a top sect within a hundred miles, with Martial Ancestors overseeing it. The Sect Leader, upon seeing Lei Yue's talent, greatly favored her and even took her as a personal disciple. However, to practice the Sect Leader's lineage martial arts, one must possess the Pure Yin Constitution. Therefore... your marriage with Lei Yue..."

"Hmph!"

At this moment, Yu Qiuleng speaks directly: "Miss Lei Yue is my Sect Leader's esteemed disciple, with extraordinary talent. In the future, she might even contend for the Martial Ancestor realm..."

Although not explicitly stated, the metaphor of a toad wanting to eat swan meat was evident.

"Oh! I see!"

Fang Yuan listened, pondered for a moment, and then slowly said, "Please wait a moment, both of you!"

He got up directly and went into the inner room.

"Huh?"

This action surprised Steward Lin somewhat.

He felt that even in his youth, he wouldn't have been able to remain so calm if he encountered such a situation.

'Could he be secretly furious, planning to drag us down with him?'

Steward Lin felt a chill and looked at Yu Qiuleng beside him. The latter gave him a knowing glance, his meaning very clear.

Even if the young man was desperate, he wouldn't be a match for this Cold-faced Iron Eagle.

"Uncle Lin!"

The room door creaked open, and Fang Yuan walked out, holding a wooden box in his hands. "This is the Marriage Contract between Lei Yue and myself. After our engagement, I've thought about it several times and felt I wasn't worthy of Miss Lei Yue. Your visit today has truly settled one of my concerns."

"Hmm?"

Steward Lin took it blankly. Upon opening it, he saw the Marriage Contract from before; it wasn't fake.

He hadn't expected things to go so smoothly, leaving him stunned.

Meanwhile, Yu Qiuleng, with a look that said, 'You're quite sensible, kid,' stood up, ready to leave.

"Alas... Nephew Fang, I won't say much else. You and Lei Yue truly have fate but no connection... Please accept this small token of my appreciation!"

Steward Lin, blushing, took out a small packet from his embrace and handed it over.

"Since it's a gift from an elder, I shall gratefully accept!"

Fang Yuan didn't even look at what was inside, directly taking it into his hands.

"Excellent! Excellent!"

The more calmly he reacted, the more embarrassed Steward Lin felt. He directly pulled Yu Qiuleng and left quickly.

"Hmm, it's the Land Deed for the entire Secluded Valley. He managed to pull some strings to get this. Steward Lin is quite generous and resourceful."

After they left, Fang Yuan opened the packet and saw a Land Deed, some gold and silver, and a jade bottle. He couldn't help but smile.

He naturally knew that the reason Steward Lin had arranged the engagement between himself and Lei Yue was because his master, Heart-Questioning Hermit, had miraculously saved his life. Coupled with a desire to curry favor, the engagement was made.

Now that his backing was gone, and the other party's daughter had climbed higher, it was considered restrained that they came to discuss the dissolution of the marriage amicably rather than barging in.

He actually didn't have much room to maneuver.

Accepting the compensation was also for this reason. Otherwise, harboring resentment could easily lead to trouble.

'If I hadn't agreed, would I have had to shout 'Don't bully a young man for being poor' and then be completely eliminated to prevent future trouble?'

Fang Yuan muttered with a wry smile.

Fortunately, he was open-minded and optimistic. He had only met Lin Leyue a few times and didn't have any feelings of admiration for her, so he wasn't particularly upset.

As for insults, reputation, and so on...

To him, a recluse living in the mountains, could wild chickens and rabbits mock him for losing face?

Therefore, as long as he didn't take it to heart, the outside world's praise or criticism was truly like a gentle breeze.

Since he wasn't afraid of losing face, the compensation from the woman's side was truly a case of "why not take it if it's free?"

"Huh? Crimson Jade Rice Seeds?"

As he inventoried everything and opened the jade bottle, he exclaimed in pleasant surprise.

Inside the jade bottle were grains of rice, crystal clear like jade, round and large, with a red husk. They exuded a fiery aura that made one's mouth water.

These were Spirit Seeds, very precious. Fang Yuan had searched for them for a long time and had even asked Steward Lin for them. Now, they were finally delivered together.

"Hmm, these Crimson Jade Rice Seeds are inherently yang, but they need to be planted in the yin hour. I'll plant them tonight on the newly cleared land..."

Fang Yuan weighed the jade bottle, a smile on his face.

Outside the valley.

"Alas..."

Steward Lin sighed. Although he had made up his mind, seeing Fang Yuan's composed and neither humble nor arrogant demeanor today still made him feel a bit regretful.

"What is it? Steward Lin, are you still worried?"

Yu Qiuleng chuckled beside him. "The Marriage Contract is returned, and he accepted the compensation. Even if he causes trouble later, he'll be in the wrong... Of course, if you're still uneasy, I can go back and deal with this troublemaker."

"No, no!"

Steward Lin waved his hands frantically. "I just think Fang Yuan is a good young man. It's a pity about Lei Yue..."

"Hmph, if your daughter achieves Martial Ancestor status in the future, she can choose any talented young man she desires. Why cling to a poor boy from the mountains?"

Yu Qiuleng said with a playful expression. "Of course, if you're still reluctant, you can always marry off another daughter! Anyway, as long as it's not Miss Lei Yue, our Sect Leader won't interfere with anything."

"Alas... With all this having happened, how could I still have the face to bring it up..."

Steward Lin sighed and quickened his pace.

The two walked further and further away, disappearing into the mountains in the blink of an eye.