Fang Han, From Today On, What's Yours Is Mine

Within the Fang Family's inner estate, which covered a thousand mu and was extravagantly luxurious, Fang Zetao's blue eyes widened in fury. His voice boomed like thunder, like a great bell, as he shouted, "You little brat, repeat what you just said!"

"Father, your son said that our Fang Family has a stablehand named Fang Han who possesses considerable fortune. Like our ancestor, he obtained and consumed the gallbladder of a Unicorn Viper. His natural aptitude is exceptional, surpassing that of most Fang Family descendants. Therefore, I hope Father will not reject him and will take him as an adopted son, adding another Divine Strength Realm expert—or perhaps even a Divine Courage Realm expert—to the Fang Family."

Without changing expression, Fang Yu slowly repeated what he had just said.

Now that they were brothers, it would be awkward for him to pursue my sister, wouldn't it?

Moreover, perhaps this method could draw him closer to Fang Han and lay the groundwork for obtaining the Five Emperors' Great Devil Divine Ability in the future.

The only one affected would probably be Fang Zetao, having to take a servant as his adopted son.

If the other families of the Great Li Dynasty learned of it, they would inevitably mock Fang Zetao. But before long, they would likely be jealous instead.

Because once Fang Han entered the Eclosion Sect, he would soon break through into the Mystical Realm.

When that happened, the rewards the Fang Family could receive would be far from insignificant.

"You... Even if he consumed a Unicorn Viper's gallbladder, he will likely only reach the Divine Strength Realm in his entire life. That amounts to nothing."

At those words, Fang Zetao's face turned livid. He snorted coldly and spoke.

"But if he receives the Fang Family's training, or even enters the Ascension Immortal Sect, then with his fortune, he may be able to reach the Divine Courage Realm, or even the Divine Transformation Realm. At that time, Elder Sister and I would have a powerful helper in the Ascension Immortal Sect. As for the other families, why should we care? It would not affect the Fang Family's interests in the slightest."

Fang Yu continued persuading him in an even tone.

He did not dare say that Fang Han could break through into the Mystical Realm. If he did, Fang Zetao would surely have Fang Han killed, thinking Fang Han had bewitched him and driven him mad.

"But even so, there is no need for me to take him as an adopted son! Allowing him to enter the martial training grounds and cultivate martial arts alongside the other descendants is already the greatest favor he could receive. Why must I take him as my adopted son as well? This would... would damage the Fang Family's reputation."

Fang Zetao's expression eased somewhat, but he was still unwilling.

To him, allowing Fang Han into the martial training grounds was already the greatest favor he could grant, out of consideration for Fang Yu and the Unicorn Viper's gallbladder.

"Father, didn't our ancestor have thirty-six adopted sons back then? They accompanied him in campaigns north and south, earning countless military merits and establishing the Fang Family's vast foundation. What is wrong with you taking Fang Han in? Among those people were even slaves of humbler origins than Fang Han."

Fang Yu brought up the Fang Family ancestor.

Sure enough, as soon as he dropped this weighty argument, Fang Zetao's expression changed. He looked at Fang Yu's solemn face, sighed, and gritted his teeth. "But this matter must first be told to your elder sister. Only if she agrees can I agree."

"If she agrees, then in a few days, we shall choose an auspicious date and take Fang Han as an adopted son."

"Fine, that is no problem. This matter should not be delayed. As long as Elder Sister agrees, Father should take Fang Han as his adopted son tomorrow, so he can enter the martial training grounds and cultivate martial arts as soon as possible. Perhaps he may even enter the Ascension Immortal Sect together with Elder Sister and me."

Fang Yu did not want to waste time, lest Fang Zetao change his mind.

Especially if Fang Qingwei learned about it, she would certainly refuse.

He was not even particularly confident he could persuade Fang Qingxue. He could only give it a try.

After all, he remembered that in the original story, Fang Qingxue only agreed to have Fang Zetao take Fang Han as an adopted son after Fang Han reached the Mystical Realm, or perhaps the Divine Transformation Realm.

But now, with only a Unicorn Viper's gallbladder, he did not know whether it would succeed.

"Very well. Go on, then. Your elder sister may not agree."

Fang Zetao nodded.

"Yes. Your son takes his leave."

Fang Yu said nothing more. He cupped his hands in farewell, left the hall, and headed for Fang Qingxue's courtyard.

As the only Mystical Realm expert in Dragon Deepwater Province's Fang Family, Fang Qingxue naturally had the finest courtyard in the entire estate. It covered a full forty-nine mu and contained every sort of scenic feature, luxurious to the extreme.

Moreover, although Fang Yu was Fang Qingxue's younger brother, he still needed a servant to announce him if he wished to see her. That servant was Fang Qiang, the maid Fang Zetao valued most.

This maid wore a green-trimmed long dress. She was tall and slender, with exceptionally long legs and a crane-like figure. She stood gracefully, her eyes seeming to hold a misty sheen. Her breathing was especially deep and prolonged, while her heartbeat was nearly imperceptible. Clearly, she too was an expert.

She was the head of the Fang Family's maids and held a very high status.

Fang Zetao had even intended to take her as a concubine, but the First Madam opposed it, and the matter was dropped.

"Greetings, Young Master. May I ask what business you have with the Eldest Miss?"

Fang Qiang curtsied and asked respectfully.

"It is an important matter. I wish Father to take an adopted son, but he said Elder Sister must agree first. Therefore, I came to ask for Elder Sister's opinion."

Fang Yu answered unhurriedly.

"An adopted son? May I ask who it is?"

Fang Qiang froze for a moment, then questioned him with evident confusion.

She remembered that Fang Yu's circle of fair-weather friends—no, wealthy young masters—might not have statuses equal to Fang Yu's, but there was still no need for Fang Zetao to take any of them as adopted sons.

"His name is Fang Han. He is the servant who used to feed Second Sister's horses. He consumed a Unicorn Viper's gallbladder several years ago, and his natural aptitude is quite good. That is why I intend for Father to take him as an adopted son, then bring him to the Ascension Immortal Sect. Perhaps he may become a great help in the future."

Fang Yu could not continue concealing it and explained.

"The stablehand... Fang Han... This..."

After hearing Fang Yu's words, Fang Qiang was utterly stunned for a while. Once she recovered, she carefully looked Fang Yu over again, as though she were meeting him for the first time.

"Fine. I agree to this matter. You need not come in."

Suddenly, an ethereal, clear, and cold voice, like a spring in a secluded valley, rang by their ears.

"Thank you, Elder Sister. I will inform Father immediately."

Hearing this, Fang Yu let out a sigh of relief. He cupped his hands toward the courtyard gate in salute.

Then Fang Yu looked at Fang Qiang. "Sister Fang Qiang, I'll be taking my leave first."

"Young Master is too polite. This servant does not deserve such a title."

Startled by Fang Yu's form of address, Fang Qiang hurriedly bowed.

But Fang Yu did not reply and simply left.

The next day at noon, Fang Zetao had Fang Yu bring Fang Han to the Fang Family ancestral shrine. There, he formally took Fang Han as his adopted son. After offering a few words of comfort and encouragement, he left.

"Fang Han, from today onward, you and I are brothers. What's yours is mine..."

"Little Brother, what nonsense are you up to?"

Before Fang Yu could finish, a sharp feminine rebuke rang out from outside the ancestral shrine. Then Fang Qingwei stormed inside, her beautiful eyes filled with fury as she glared at Fang Han.

"Fang Han, you lowly servant, you have quite some nerve! You actually dared to bewitch Young Master. You are courting death!"