Gareth of the Far Shore

Some of it is simply the repression brought about by excessive tradition.

With this in mind, Cong Yu looked at a person in the courtyard.

Not far from Cong Yu and the maid, there was a young man leaning against the artificial hill, eyes closed, seemingly petrified and motionless.

"This is the eldest young master of the Yuan'an family..."

The maid introduced them to Cong Yu in this way.

The man didn't react to this; he just leaned there with his eyes closed. He didn't react at all until Cong Yu and the maid walked away.

It's as if it has blended into the artificial mountain, thus becoming a mannequin.

"The eldest young master's name is Gareth Yuan'an. He doesn't get along well with the head of the family; they probably just had a fight. If it weren't for the young lady, he probably would have severed ties with the Yuan'an family long ago."

"..." fits my stereotypical image of traditional Japan families even better.

Thinking this, Cong Yu, following the maid around, asked, "Could you please not tell me, an outsider, about your family affairs?"

The maid paused for a moment, then looked away somewhat awkwardly. "That's true... because the master said we should be completely open and honest with you, but these things might not really be necessary."

That's quite an interesting request.

So, what are the "demands" of the Yuan'an family?

With this thought in mind, the maid led Cong Yu to a large door. "We've arrived. The master is waiting for you in his room."

As she spoke, the maid opened the door for Cong Yu with impeccable grace, gesturing for Cong Yu to enter.

What immediately caught Cong Yu's eye was a man who looked to be about fifty years old, sitting on a futon, quietly drinking tea.

This

This man possessed an innate air of authority, which emanated from his every move... It felt intentional.

Although it certainly looks imposing, and ordinary people might be intimidated by its aura, thus feeling inferior.

But Cong Yu guessed that this was just for scaring people, and that he probably practiced making expressions in front of the mirror every night.

Look, Cong Yu, who has never practiced, doesn't have any imposing presence at all... Well, to be honest, he's a little envious.

Completely unaffected, Cong Yu, while wondering how long the Yuan'an family had been Qi Refining, calmly walked in and listened as the door closed behind her.

Subsequently, Cong Yu did not sit down in front of the head of the Yuan'an family, who was silently drinking tea, but remained standing.

"What does the Yuan'an family want from me?"

With this simple question in mind, Cong Yu leaned against the wall and posed a challenge to the man. "If I'm not mistaken, you invited me because of the special feature on me called 'a monster modified by the Monster King.'"

"..."

"..." Cong Yu was met only with silence.

The head of the Yuan'an family sipped his tea leisurely, seemingly ignoring Cong Yu... To be honest, this kind of show of force wasn't very clever.

In his mind, Cong Yu should be a young person.

Sometimes, young people don't behave like the partners at the Yuan'an family, who remain calm and composed after being thoroughly intimidated.

Young people might just walk away if they're unhappy.

Cong Yu offered a sharp commentary on this.

"The Yuan'an family seems to have rotted away. The Yuan'an family has fallen so low that the current head of the family doesn't even have the ability to treat people differently based on their status."

"..." These words elicited a reaction from the head of the Yuan'an family. He looked up in astonishment... He had never imagined that someone would speak up and mock him at a time like this.

Normally, shouldn't the guest, observing the atmosphere, sit opposite him and then, unable to contain himself any longer, be the first to speak up?

Why is this young man named Cong Yu so oblivious to the atmosphere?

And... decay?!

How do you know?

The man asked this question without waiting for Cong Yu's response, not even glancing at him directly. "Is Yuan'an Rod still in good health?"

This name belongs to the man's father.

The man frowned at the boy who called his father by his first name, feeling that the situation was completely out of control.

His father's condition is indeed very bad; he has hardly left his bedside, and the Doctor says he doesn't have much time left.

However, he obviously didn't need to explain this to the boy who was a guest.

But sometimes.

Not saying anything doesn't mean you don't know.

"He seems to be in poor condition, and it seems he hasn't told you anything at all... even though you're his son."

As Cong Yu spoke, he sat cross-legged at the small tea table and reached for the cup of tea placed in front of him. "And you don't seem to have inherited his courage and shrewdness... Perhaps you are a little more open-minded, but not much."

Cong Yu said, taking a sip of tea, "Your relationship with your son isn't good. You can't accept some of his ideas, so you hope your daughter will inherit the family business... But Yuan'an Alisa prefers cooking."

"Are you in a hurry?"

"..." Even with his excellent Qi Nourishing, the head of the Yuan'an family was still somewhat annoyed by Cong Yu's sharp criticisms that had been ongoing since they met.

The annoyed man glared at Cong Yu, who had put down her teacup, and demanded, "Seems to know quite a lot... Just who are you?"

"..."

"Just a young man passing by."

After finishing her tea, Cong Yu simply turned the teacup upside down on the coffee table. "No need for more tea... I don't like matcha."

Upon seeing Cong Yu's overly contemptuous attitude, the head of the Yuan'an family immediately slammed his hand on the coffee table and stood up, nearly bursting with rage.

It can only be said that Cong Yu's wickedness is not only reflected in scaring people... she is also quite adept at disgusting and infuriating people.

The head of the Yuan'an family could no longer sit still.

"Young people shouldn't be so hot-blooded!"

The instant he finished speaking, Cong Yu, as if noticing something, sank into the ground and disappeared.

"..."

"Aaaaaah!!!"

The head of the Yuan'an family was furious. His Qi Nourishing was clearly no match for Cong Yu, and he swept all the teacups off the coffee table.

I can't take this anymore!

"Bump!"

He kicked the coffee table over.

Chapter 136 Gareth Yuan'an

"Splash... thump--"

"..." The Deer Scarer in the courtyard, or rather, the addition of water.

It continued to tap the rock that served as its base, producing a quiet and tranquil sound that brought a sense of peace to the listener.

Should I install one in my bathroom at home?

Cong Yu thought to himself... then he immediately realized that his wild ideas were really too bizarre, probably because he had spent too much time with Yaochuan Guang...

(Yaochuan Guang: Are you being polite?)

With this thought in mind, Cong Yu simply leaned against the artificial hill behind her... and the artificial hill

On the other side was the eldest son of the Yuan'an family.

Because Cong Yu burrowed directly from the ground to the other side of the artificial hill, the young master did not notice Cong Yu arrival.

The two sat back to back, separated by an artificial hill.

Cong Yu could sense that the magic emanating from the other person was spreading continuously... reaching every corner of the Yuan'an Manor.

However, this does not mean that he can sense the Cong Yu.

As mentioned before, releasing magic to probe for something may not necessarily allow you to successfully sense the presence of others, but it will certainly expose yourself.

With Cong Yu mentally prepared, blending into the Surface Side environment like a chameleon was effortless.

As if in retaliation for the rudeness of the Yuan'an family head, Cong Yu never spoke to this young master.

Cong Yu's vengeful nature occasionally aligns with his perverse sense of humor.

The young master of the Yuan'an only straightened up with a frown when his father stormed out of the room.

Then, I heard a voice behind me.

"So eagerly unleashing your magic, attracting all sorts of attention, I can only assume it's to lure me here... Gareth Yuan'an, right?"

Suddenly hearing Cong Yu's voice coming from behind him, Gareth Yuan'an froze instantly. "..."

This situation is truly terrifying.

However, thanks to the good upbringing he received from the Yuan'an family, he quickly regained his composure. "Yes, I'm worried that my father's corrupt ways might upset you."

So your father succeeded.

"Hmm... let me think--"

Cong Yu said this, pondering her experience coming to the Yuan'an family: "So, you are actually the one in charge of the Yuan'an family?"

Upon hearing this, Gareth Yuan'an paused for a moment, then calmly admitted, "I suppose so..."

Cong Yu: "Is that so?"

"Yes, it's roughly the difference between the Surface Side and the Inner Side. The Inner Side world changes too fast; Father couldn't grasp it, and Grandpa didn't intend for him to."

Cong Yu understood Gareth Yuan'an: "Actually, the Surface Side of the world changes very quickly. You know... just a few decades ago, we were still using satellite phones."

Gareth Yuan'an, seemed somewhat taken aback. "To be precise, fifty years ago... but I never imagined you would bring this up with me."

What else?

We'll discuss the changing times, the Monster King who failed to get into art school, the pristine landscapes, and the city's development and economic progress.

No, Cong Yu is a young man. No matter how far the times have changed, he will always be that modern person walking forward with the breeze in his face and his hat brim pulled down.

"If you'd like, we can also talk about mobile games, magical girl live streams, esports competitions..."

Upon hearing Cong Yu's words, Gareth Yuan'an's expression became complex, a mixture of astonishment and excitement.

He never expected that the King of Wind City would share the same hobbies as him.

But before he started talking about live streaming...

"But what I really want to know is, how did you confirm my identity? Don't tell me you know nothing..."

Cong Yu asked this question.

Gareth Yuan'an immediately responded without reservation, "It was just a guess at first, but I discovered that near Wind City... there is an ancient family whose members occasionally awaken the ability of 'Identification'."

As he spoke, Gareth Yuan'an in the Yuan'an family, explaining, "That family... or rather, not really a 'family,' just a few ordinary families living together who share the surname 'Nagashima.'"

"The maid who greeted you was someone I found; she has the ability to see through disguises... I discovered her by chance in Echo Valley Town."

"..." It seems that Nagashima Koki's ability is not an accident.

Is it the Nagashima family in Echo Valley Town?

Or rather, the head of the Nagashima family.

As Cong Yu pondered and remained silent, Gareth Yuan'an expressed his respect. "If you want her, I will offer her to you."

Regarding this...

"Hahaha, I don't want it... I have one myself."

Cong Yu responded with a smile, then straightened up and patted her back to remove any dust that might have been there because she was leaning against the artificial hill.

Of course, even the dust avoided him.

So in fact, it wasn't contaminated.

"Well then, let me sort out the current situation... It was your father who invited me to the Yuan'an family, but your father doesn't actually know anything about it."

"Yuan'an Rod didn't tell him anything, including the fact that you had already pledged your allegiance to me countless years ago."

"He invited me only because I'm a 'monster transformed by the Monster King,' and you noticed something amiss, arranging for the maid from the Yuan'an family to confirm whether I am truly the King of Wind City..."