For several days in a row, no one came to ask Fang Ling to do any work.
Instead, they served him fine food and drink, which struck him as rather strange.
He was about to find the plump steward and ask what was going on when he suddenly sensed someone approaching.
Knock, knock, knock. Someone rapped on the door.
"May I come in?" The visitor was none other than the Zhao Family's eldest daughter, Zhao Xilian.
"Come in!" Fang Ling said mildly.
Carrying a food box herself, Zhao Xilian pushed the door open and entered.
She was beautiful and carried herself with poise. The pale blue court dress she wore today lent her an even greater charm.
"The kitchen made some pastries. These are laurel cakes, a specialty unique to Willow City."
"You've come from far away, young master. Why not try some?"
Zhao Xilian raised her eyes to him and smiled faintly.
She had already learned the broad outlines of Fang Ling's origins from Heizi.
At the very least, she could be certain that he probably wasn't from the Southern Sun Kingdom. His accent alone was worlds apart from theirs.
"Thank you, miss!" Fang Ling nodded slightly. "By the way, I've been staying at your estate for some time now."
"Is there anything you would like me to do?"
"We have plenty of servants and maids, as well as guards and guest retainers. There's no need for you to trouble yourself, young master," Zhao Xilian said with a smile.
"Since misfortune brought you here, please rest and recuperate at our estate. If you need anything, just say the word."
"Our Zhao Family may be a small clan, but we know how to treat our guests. We'll do our best to meet your needs."
"There is actually one thing," Fang Ling said.
"I was teleported here from a very distant place, and the journey home will be long."
"If I don't learn about the lands along the way, I fear I may run into danger."
"So I would like to borrow your library and read through some miscellaneous writings and accounts."
"We happen to have just such a place. It may meet your needs, young master," Zhao Xilian said with a smile.
"Come with me first! Once you know the way, you can go there to read whenever you like."
"Sorry for the trouble, then!" Fang Ling replied.
He followed behind Zhao Xilian, turning left and right through several covered walkways until they reached a thatched cottage.
Few people normally came here, so fallen leaves and dead twigs lay unswept in front of the courtyard.
Just then, the plump steward, Zhao Ruixiang, jogged over, panting.
"Miss! Young Master Fang!" He greeted them both, then immediately took out the key to the Thatched Study and unlocked the door.
"No one has been here for quite some time, and it smells musty inside."
"I'll have the servants clean it first. You can wait a little before going in."
Zhao Xilian gave a soft hum of assent, then said, "Uncle Ruixiang, give this key to Young Master Fang for now!"
"He'll probably come here often from now on. It'll save you running back and forth all day."
"Of course! Please keep this safe, Young Master Fang!" Zhao Ruixiang respectfully presented the key with both hands.
Fang Ling accepted it and quietly thanked him.
After a while, once the servants had finished cleaning, he went inside with Zhao Xilian.
"Young Master Fang, I have some matters to attend to, so I won't stay to keep you company," Zhao Xilian said.
"If you need anything, just tell my Uncle Ruixiang."
"Please go ahead, Miss Zhao!" Fang Ling nodded, then took a book from the shelf and began leafing through it.
He had actually read some books at Cold Mountain Temple, but they had all been Buddhist scriptures treasured by his eldest master.
Everything he knew about the outside world had come from things they had told him, piece by piece.
But they had been cut off from the world for tens of thousands of years. Many things might already be vastly different.
He devoured the books hungrily. He did not believe everything they said, but read through them all...
In the blink of an eye, more than a month passed.
In the Zhao Family's garden, Zhao Xilian was banking soil around the spirit flowers.
Suddenly, she seemed to sense something. She turned and rose to her feet. "Greetings, Father!"
Zhao Tianlong gave a quiet hum of acknowledgment, then led her over to sit at a nearby stone table.
"My girl, what has our guest been doing lately?"
He had left on business barely two days after Fang Ling arrived and had only returned today, hence his question.
"Reading day and night," Zhao Xilian replied. "He's stayed in the Thatched Study and hasn't come out at all."
"Oh? How very strange!" Zhao Tianlong was quite surprised.
"Have you learned anything more about his identity?"
Zhao Xilian shook her head helplessly. "Nothing at all. It's as though he appeared out of thin air."
"In that case, don't investigate any further. We wouldn't want him to find out and take offense," Zhao Tianlong said mildly.
"By the way, when will that senior brother of yours arrive?"
"I expect the Qin Family will make their move within the next couple of days."
"They certainly won't let the matter of that spirit mine rest."
"He... should be here soon!" Zhao Xilian sighed softly.
Had her family's situation not been so urgent, she would never have wanted to invite that man over.
Meanwhile, at the Thatched Study some distance from the garden.
Fang Ling set down the book in his hand, looking thoughtful.
With the power of his soul, he could perceive everything that happened in every corner of the Zhao estate.
He knew every word anyone spoke with perfect clarity.
His figure flashed, and he appeared in the garden in an instant, beside the Zhao father and daughter.
His appearance out of nowhere gave them both quite a fright.
"Thank you for looking after me all this time," Fang Ling said.
"If your Zhao Family is in trouble, I can lend a hand once."
Zhao Tianlong hurriedly stood and greeted him with a smile. "Please, take a seat, Young Master Fang!"
Fang Ling sat down and turned his gaze toward Zhao Xilian. "Miss Zhao, are you from the Crane Feather Sect?"
His month of reading had not been wasted. He now had a general understanding of the outside world and the Southern Sun Kingdom.
Willow City had only a few small cultivation families, while the larger cultivation powers were based in Heavenward City.
There were numerous sects and great cultivation families there, and the martial arts flourished considerably.
Zhao Xilian nodded. "Yes, I'm an inner disciple of the Crane Feather Sect."
"I only came home for a short stay because of some family matters."
Just then, a hearty laugh rang out from the archway. "Junior Sister, I'm here!"
"You're here too, Uncle? I'm Qian Ling. Junior Sister Zhao must have mentioned me to you."
A reasonably handsome man in white strode over.
"Greetings, Senior Brother Qian Ling!" Seeing him arrive, Zhao Xilian immediately rose to greet him.
"You've finally arrived, my worthy nephew!" Zhao Tianlong said delightedly. "Come! Please, sit down!"
Qian Ling had been brimming with confidence, but now his gaze involuntarily settled on Fang Ling.
"Junior Sister, who is this...?" he asked.
"Oh! This is Young Master Fang Ling, an honored guest of our Zhao Family," Zhao Xilian replied.
"Might I ask where you hold a position, Young Master Fang?" Qian Ling immediately turned to Fang Ling and asked.
"Just an idle cloud and a wild crane," Fang Ling said.
"So you're a rogue cultivator! Heh." Qian Ling smiled and shook his head.
Zhao Tianlong understood these little jealousies of young men all too well and did not want relations between the two to sour.
Yet he had no idea what to say, so he could only make a few casual remarks to smooth things over.
"Junior Sister, just where did this man come from?" Qian Ling asked again after Fang Ling left.
"I don't know either," Zhao Xilian said. "He merely ended up stranded here and is staying with our Zhao Family for the time being."
"You're being foolish, Junior Sister! Don't be taken in by his looks. He's most likely a swindler," Qian Ling said gravely.
"I've seen plenty of men like him. They love coming to rural places like yours to put on airs and make you think they're powerful."
"Then they seize the chance to cheat you out of your money and lure women into bed!"
"Surely not?" Zhao Xilian said with an awkward smile.
Before you continue