The coachman gave a light cough and said, "My lord, would you like to go inside?"
Fang Yun nodded. "Leave the carriage for my use. You may return and report."
"Yes, my lord!" The coachman bowed and turned to leave. After a few steps, he glanced back at the carriage, then at the dilapidated Zhang Estate, and hurried away.
Fang Yun stepped forward and ran a hand over the stone lion, which had only half its head left, as though reminiscing about something.
Pedestrians gave him a wide berth, whispering and pointing.
"I, Zhang Longxiang, have returned!" With that, Fang Yun shoved the gate, announcing his homecoming.
Crash...
The gate collapsed, sending dust flying.
An invisible force pressed all the dust down an inch from Fang Yun, leaving clear traces on the ground.
Flutter...
Startled sparrows took wing, circling overhead and chirping.
The corner of Fang Yun's mouth twitched. He walked forward, his face expressionless.
"What little bastards dare come make trouble at the Zhang Estate? Aren't you afraid I'll rip your balls off and feed them to the dogs? Are you trash from the Gou Household?" A young but brazen voice rang out from deep within the courtyard.
Fang Yun could hear not only anger in that voice, but also a tremor of fear.
Without answering, Fang Yun followed the pebble path, where small blades of grass had sprouted. Artificial hills and flower beds stood on either side, but all had fallen into neglect, overgrown with stray trees and weeds. He could faintly hear katydids calling.
At the end of the path stood the gate to the inner courtyard. Its plaque hung askew, with a swallow's nest plainly visible on top.
Through the gate, he could see a fairly tidy courtyard. A child of eleven or twelve stood at