"Who made you do this?"
While the other man was still weeping bitterly, Fang Yuan hurriedly asked him.
Heart-Questioning Tea could at most cleanse the mind; it couldn't make someone abandon evil and turn to good.
Old Man Tian had never been wicked at heart, and he already felt guilty. That was why the spirit tea's effects had brought him to his senses. If he'd been evil by nature, he would at most have thought the tea tasted wonderful, but it never would have had such an effect.
"I'm no better than an animal... Sob..."
On the ground, Old Man Tian was still streaming tears. "I've finally seen it clearly. My whole life has been so miserable. Even when I finally gained a little standing in my old age, I still had to bow to other people's pressure and frame the disciple of my savior. I'm no better than an animal... I've made up my mind. To hell with the Gui Ling Sect! Even if I have to quit for good, I can't let my benefactor suffer!"
"The Gui Ling Sect?"
Fang Yuan gave a sudden jolt when he heard that.
Could they still refuse to let this go? Wait! No, that can't be right. If they really refused to let it go, they would have come to kill me outright. This half-hearted, roundabout business feels more like some underling acting on his own, like a child playing a prank...
Thinking of this, he continued, "Did the Gui Ling Sect put you up to it? Who came to threaten you?"
"An Outer Sect Steward. I don't know where he heard the news, but he knew this old man had dealings with you... Layman, why don't we leave? Even if the Gui Ling Sect rules everything within a hundred li, who'll recognize it once we're several hundred li away? This old man has a little savings and has seen something of the world. We'd have no trouble on the road..."
After his conscience stirred, Old Man Tian earnestly urged Fang Yuan to find a way out.
Watching him act as though he were ready to sacrifice everything to help, Fang Yuan could only shake his head. "No need to rush! Let's wait a little longer..."
With that, he sat cross-legged and leisurely sipped his tea.
"Huh?"
A moment later, the rush of passion in Old Man Tian's heart faded, and his shrewd nature surfaced again. He immediately regretted it. What's gotten into me? Why would I throw away my whole livelihood just to help the young layman go up against the Gui Ling Sect?
As he searched his conscience now, he could imagine warning Fang Yuan and urging him to leave as soon as possible.
But stake all his property on escaping together? Old Man Tian rubbed his head. He didn't think he'd ever been kicked by a donkey.
When he saw Fang Yuan looking his way, he grew even more anxious, afraid Fang Yuan would really take him up on the offer and drag him into fleeing together.
Fang Yuan watched him fidget awkwardly and couldn't help chuckling to himself.
This man isn't bad at heart, but he has too many worldly ties. He's prone to wavering and indecision...
After that silent thought, Fang Yuan said, "Elder Tian, don't worry. I have no intention of running away, and there's no need to trouble yourself on my behalf!"
"How can that be?"
Old Man Tian replied weakly, though inwardly he let out a long breath of relief.
Though he was puzzled by why his conscience had suddenly stirred today, he had already spoken up, so he warned Fang Yuan, "Since ancient times, common folk haven't fought the officials. The Gui Ling Sect may not be an official government, but it's even more powerful than one. How did you offend them, young layman? If there's any way to make peace, find an intermediary to help as soon as possible. If there's no way, then leave at once!"
"Thank you for your concern, Elder Tian, but I can't bear to leave this place..."
Fang Yuan let out a breath. He meant it.
He had grown up here, and his attachment to it wouldn't be so easily erased.
Besides, there were spirit tea and Spirit Rice to consider. There was no way he could move them all a long distance in a hurry.
What was more, Fang Yuan trusted his own judgment. He had returned the Marriage Contract, accepted the compensation, and humbled himself. They had no reason to pursue him relentlessly.
This matter was most likely just some underling acting on his own to curry favor.
Could this be another mess Lei Yue caused?
Fang Yuan felt awkward at the thought. In his memories, that girl hadn't been particularly pretty, and her face had already grown hazy.
Still, plenty of novels in the dream world used this sort of plot, especially with a pile of inexplicable love rivals. They were practically born to be disposable side characters.
"Besides, the ban on transporting goods isn't a big deal!"
He smiled. "Elder Tian won't have to work so hard from now on!"
"Huh?"
Old Man Tian looked at Fang Yuan, uncertain what to make of him.
"I'm alone and have nothing tying me down, so I'll be fine. As for you, Elder Tian, if you do what they asked, they'll have no reason to come after you."
Fang Yuan analyzed the matter calmly, then brought out a plate of medicinal ingredients. "These are the ingredients from this time. We're square."
"Ah... Take care of yourself, young layman!"
Old Man Tian sighed again and again, but seeing how determined Fang Yuan was, he could only leave helplessly.
"There are enough supplies in the valley, and we're not short on salt or oil..."
After seeing Old Man Tian off, Fang Yuan looked through the bamboo basket on the ground.
The old man had prepared a generous amount of supplies this time. Added to what Fang Yuan already had in storage, it should be enough for the next few months.
"But one ingredient needed for the Fire-Returning Liquid has to be bought outside. I'd originally planned to ask Old Man Tian to get it for me this time... Looks like I'll have to make the trip myself!"
Fang Yuan sighed. "And I'll have to get to the bottom of this deliberate targeting, too..."
To be honest, he had rarely left the Hidden Valley, and now he felt a genuine longing for the outside world.
Since he had decided to go out, he naturally had to prepare.
First, Fang Yuan picked several valuable medicinal ingredients that had been processed and aged for some time, to cover his expenses. Then he changed into fresh clothes and shoes. Most importantly, he packed enough provisions.
How could ordinary rice from outside compare with the Pearl Jade Crystal Rice he grew himself?
After getting used to eating vegetables and grains he'd grown himself, ordinary food from outside was practically pig slop.
Once he was ready, he hung a woodcutter's knife at his waist for a little protection, then set off at an unhurried pace.
Qingling Mountain stretched across a vast area, spanning several commanderies and counties.
Qinghe Commandery was the closest place to the Hidden Valley.
Though Fang Yuan rarely left the mountains, he had accompanied the Heart-Questioning Hermit outside a few times and secretly memorized the route. He wouldn't get lost.
After passing through several villages and towns and entering the county seat, Fang Yuan felt relieved. If the Gui Ling Sect really wanted to deal with me, with its enormous influence, I'd already be unable to take a single step. As things stand, my guess must be right: some underling was warning me on his own?
At the thought of being treated as a potential love rival, and of the other party's lackeys impatiently jumping out to cause trouble, Fang Yuan's expression turned awkward.
"If all else fails, I can just go see Steward Lin. This whole mess ultimately came from him, so surely he can't just stand by and do nothing?"
After paying the entrance fee, Fang Yuan wandered aimlessly through the county's streets, mulling things over.
As far as he was concerned, as long as he could avoid trouble, pride didn't matter.
Still, relying on other people all the time wasn't a long-term solution. Besides, they both felt awkward whenever they met, so if he could handle things himself, he should try to do so.
"Hot flatbreads!"
"Rouge and powder!"
"Fine gold and silver jewelry..."
Though it was only a small county seat, there were plenty of shops along the main street, and the hawkers' cries rose and fell amid the bustle. Fang Yuan watched with great interest. Of course, he also caught a few contemptuous looks from people who saw a country bumpkin in town, but he paid them no mind.
"To make the Fire-Returning Liquid, I need Fire-Leaving Wood, Rootless Water, and Realgar Powder... The first two are already produced in my valley. The key is the Realgar Powder. I'll need to buy a large batch!"
As he calculated, Fang Yuan arrived at a Grocery Store.
"What can I get for you, sir?"
The shopkeeper was a plump, middle-aged man with a genial smile.
"Mm, I need some high-quality Realgar Powder. Also... do you buy medicinal ingredients here?"
Steward Lin had given him some silver and gold last time, but Fang Yuan instinctively preferred to pay with his own goods. He had stashed the money away as a reserve to use later.
After all, if things really went terribly wrong and he had to flee, carrying gold and silver would be much more convenient than hauling other odds and ends.
Though Fang Yuan couldn't bear to leave the Hidden Valley, he wasn't a fool. When the time came, he would know what to do.
"We do! We do!"
The shopkeeper paused, then smiled warmly. "What sort of mountain herbs do you have, young man? Bring them in and let me see!"
"Mm!"
Fang Yuan knew that no matter how amiable the shopkeeper seemed, if he brought out anything too precious, the man would probably start getting bad ideas.
After all, he looked like a poor kid from the mountains. What sort of backing could he possibly have?
After weighing it over, he took out a cloth bundle. It immediately caught the shopkeeper's attention, but when he unwrapped it layer by layer and saw a Red Ginseng, disappointment appeared on the man's face.
"A twenty-year-old Red Ginseng. It's in good condition! Let me have another look..."
What Fang Yuan had brought out wasn't especially rare, but it was decent enough. The shopkeeper instinctively looked for flaws so he could drive the price down, but after examining it carefully, he couldn't help drawing in a sharp breath.
The Red Ginseng was nearly flawless in its appearance, preservation, and color. In the end, he could only say, "What a pity... It still hasn't grown long enough. I can only offer you..."
"Wait, I'll take it!"
Before he could finish, a hand reached over and snatched the Red Ginseng. The newcomer examined it carefully. "What a pity... It hasn't grown long enough!"
The voice was as clear and delicate as an oriole's. Fang Yuan turned and looked at the young girl in a goose-yellow robe, displeasure showing on his face. "Miss, this Red Ginseng belongs to me!"
"How many taels of silver do you want for it?"
The girl looked about seventeen or eighteen, roughly the same age as Fang Yuan, and asked him directly.
"This isn't about the money. I was about to trade it with the shopkeeper for other goods. Your actions amount to openly seizing it by force!"
Fang Yuan shook his head, making the girl flush with anger. "You!"
At that moment, a young man in a blue robe stepped out from behind the girl and apologized. "This young lady is my sister. She was worried about our father's illness and acted rudely in her haste. Please don't take offense, young brother—or you, shopkeeper."
"Not at all, not at all. Your sister's filial devotion is sure to move Heaven!"
The shopkeeper rubbed his hands together, smiling ingratiatingly. It seemed the other party wielded considerable influence here.
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