"Has someone been deliberately making things difficult for you lately?"
Fang Yuan went to Miao Yunshang's residence. As the head of the Rain Listening Pavilion, she had access to the most comprehensive information.
"There have indeed been a lot of minor troubles."
A thoughtful look appeared in Miao Yunshang's beautiful eyes. "But they've all been within normal bounds. I've already taught Young Master Lin a lesson."
"If this happens again, don't worry about the consequences. Just kill them all."
Fang Yuan's tone was indifferent, but carried an unquestionable authority. A cold glint flashed in his eyes.
"You don't need to worry too much. There aren't many people in Clear Sea City whom I consider worth taking seriously."
Fang Yuan's words gave Miao Yunshang a deep sense of security, filling her completely and sending warmth coursing through her.
It was something she had never experienced in all her years adrift, not even when she was in the Murong Family.
"If someone really is plotting something, that Young Master Lin will probably come again."
Fang Yuan thought for a moment. "I'll have Steward Fang Rong stay nearby for two days. Just keep to your usual routines."
"Stay in touch with me if anything happens. Have every disciple in the Rain Listening Pavilion become a martial artist before the end of the month."
"If any disciples can't keep up, demote them to registered disciples. If they fall behind repeatedly, have them leave and become support staff. You can judge the specifics."
Miao Yunshang nodded. Seeing Fang Yuan hand her another pile of cultivation resources, she hurriedly said:
"Young Master, the resources you left last time were already more than enough."
"Their cultivation needs to improve, but you can't let your own strength fall behind, either."
With that, Fang Yuan left the Rain Listening Pavilion. As he walked, he pondered that he still needed to get his hands on more cultivation resources.
He had the Fang Family backing his cultivation, but if he wanted to support a whole group of people and build a faction, he certainly couldn't use too many family resources.
Once the Rain Listening Pavilion had a solid foundation, its growth would mainly depend on its own efforts. His role was simply to keep it on course.
"On my last trip to Green Ridge Stronghold, I did make a bit of a contribution."
Fang Yuan's eyes shifted. The scraps he had once considered beneath his notice would still be a considerable sum for the Rain Listening Pavilion, which was only just beginning to take shape.
"Here we are!"
Fang Yuan didn't hurry to the Imperial Fragrance Tower. Instead, he made his way to the Outer City and stopped in front of a blacksmith's shop.
"Sir, we're an old, established shop, and our workmanship is excellent. What can I do for you?"
The clang of hammering rang out without pause. An apprentice at the door wiped away his sweat with the towel around his neck and asked with a smile.
"I want a three-thousand-pound pudao made."
"What?"
The apprentice at the door thought he'd misheard and froze for a moment, but he recovered quickly.
"Please wait a moment. I'll fetch the shopkeeper."
A moment later, a burly man in plain clothes, his arms bare, came over and looked at Fang Yuan.
"A three-thousand-pound pudao. That's no light weapon."
"I've heard that the blades made by Master Di are the finest—killing without leaving a trace of blood."
Di Qiu raised his eyes slightly and gestured for him to come inside, transmitting his voice with true qi.
"Who do you need me to kill, and when?"
"The Lin Clan in the Inner City. Leave no survivors. Strike on the day someone comes to collect the blade."
Fang Yuan sent his voice along a thread of true qi as well. A chilling glint flashed in his eyes.
"Fine."
Di Qiu asked no questions. He simply agreed calmly and watched Fang Yuan leave.
"If someone wants to muddy the waters, then let's stir up a storm big enough to shake the heavens."
Fang Yuan figured that anyone with roots in the Inner City would inevitably look into their target's background before making an enemy.
A spoiled young master might be spoiled, but that didn't mean he was stupid.
It would take only a little effort to find out who stood behind the Rain Listening Pavilion.
After all, Xiao Zi came and went from the place often. To a certain extent, she represented Fang Yuan's will.
"The Lin Clan. I hope they don't bring about their own ruin."
Fang Yuan had no interest in a clan he'd never even heard of. Whether they lived or died made no difference to him.
But if they dared to provoke him and willingly let someone use them as a weapon, they shouldn't blame him for unleashing his thunderous fury.
Perhaps someone might wonder:
Why drag an entire family into a matter involving a mere junior?
But in reality, after Young Master Lin died, the Lin Clan would inevitably demand an explanation.
The Rain Listening Pavilion couldn't hold them back. In the end, Fang Yuan would have to step in, perhaps even drawing his family into the matter.
If the person behind the scenes really wanted things to escalate—
Then the Lin Clan might as well be wiped out.
"The Inner City has been peaceful on the surface for too long. It's time to teach people a lesson, so every family with a bit of nerve doesn't start sticking its head out."
Di Qiu, the blacksmith Fang Yuan had just visited, was a genuine Foundation Establishment True Person. He had concealed his identity for three or four years.
He had once been a smith in the Fang Family's foundry, but after causing trouble, he fled the Fang Family.
The careless man had only thought of running off by himself, leaving his wife and children behind in the Fang Family.
If Fang Qingyun hadn't taken pity on a little girl and protected her, the entire family might have been killed.
At the time, the one with the authority and standing to make the decision was Fang Yuan, who had been accompanying his younger sister.
For that reason, after learning that his family was still alive, Di Qiu had become exceedingly respectful toward Fang Yuan.
All these years had passed.
This was the first time Fang Yuan had called on him. Di Qiu knew the rules, so naturally he didn't ask questions.
"Looks like I should get a carriage for when I go out."
Before he knew it, Fang Yuan had reached the Imperial Fragrance Tower.
The distance wasn't enough to tire him, but the luxurious carriages parked on either side of the entrance certainly made a fine impression.
"Greetings, Young Master!"
Fang Yuan hadn't even stepped into the Imperial Fragrance Tower when a chorus of respectful greetings rang out from the entrance. The family disciples all bowed.
"Why aren't you going inside?"
The Prefect had organized this celebration banquet, so everyone who had gone to Green Ridge Stronghold was invited.
Many family Stewards didn't want to attend such an event, so they sent their younger disciples instead, just to join in the festivities.
"How could we attend the banquet before Young Master arrived?"
Fang Yuan nodded slightly and glanced around, but didn't see Fang Man. He found that rather strange.
Fang Man didn't like occasions like this either, but if Fang Yuan was there, he would definitely come.
"Reporting to Young Master, Fang Man said he had a sudden insight and was about to break through, so he's in seclusion. He asked me to apologize to you."
Fang Ping came over to Fang Yuan, bowed slightly, and spoke in a low voice.
"Don't stand around outside. Let's all go in!"
Fang Yuan led the way. Fang Yan and Fang Ping followed half a step behind him, while everyone else trailed after them.
"That's the peerless genius of the Fang Family? He really is handsome beyond compare."
"The Prefecture City Grand Competition is coming up soon. I think the Fang boy will still take the top spot."
"That's hard to say. The Wang Clan's Qilin Child is also exceptionally gifted."
The Imperial Fragrance Tower was the best restaurant in the Prefecture City, and only people of a certain standing could come and go there.
But when Fang Yuan and the others approached, they could only step aside and stand to the side, murmuring their admiration.
"Why trouble the Prefect with waiting for me personally?"
At the foot of the stairs leading to the top floor, the Prefect stood in plain clothes, beaming as he made himself seem as deferential as possible.
"I was afraid the banquet would be dull, so I specially invited the city's young talents. I hope Young Master Fang doesn't mind?"
Fang Yuan's expression remained calm, but he had already guessed the truth.
This celebration banquet was probably no ordinary affair.
Before you continue