Yu Yaoguang would sneak over in the dead of night...
...
Throughout the entire journey, they had only practiced the Cloud Rain Harmony Technique once. Seeing her so negligent, Fang Shuwen would occasionally urge her on, but Yu Yaoguang would just put him off, saying, "Definitely tomorrow."
Tomorrow after tomorrow, the tomorrows are endless...
’It was a wonder how someone so lazy had been chosen by Bai Liuli to become the Sect Leader of Yuqing Pavilion.’
’Now it was Fang Shuwen’s turn to worry. With Fang Lingxin in her care, wouldn’t the girl be led astray?’
However, before Fang Shuwen could have any regrets, they had arrived at Guangning City.
...
...
The Fang Family!
As soon as Fang Lingxin reached the main gate, the two servants standing guard looked as if they had seen a ghost.
Their eyes went wide and they took a sharp breath before rushing through the gates.
"This is terrible, the Young Miss is—! No, this is wonderful! The Young Miss is back!"
A vein throbbed on Fang Shuwen’s forehead. ’Is this the same son of a bitch who shouted, "The Young Miss has been kidnapped by that lecher again!" last time?’
Chen Yan gave Fang Lingxin a peculiar look.
"It’s obvious your family doesn’t mistreat its servants."
"...Of course not."
Fang Lingxin nodded. After being away for so long, the sight of her home made her heart ache with the desire to return.
She pattered through the gates, only to remember Fang Shuwen and the others, and quickly returned to lead them in.
Along the way, maids and servants bowed and greeted her, their words filled with warmth and affection.
She had barely taken a few steps when a man rushed toward them, his face etched with anxiety. It was Fang Mingxuan.
The moment he saw Fang Lingxin, his eyes reddened. With tears welling in her own eyes, Fang Lingxin threw herself into his arms.
"Father..."
Fang Mingxuan gently patted his daughter’s back, then held her by the shoulders to look her over from head to toe.
"Have you been through a lot? Did anyone bully you?"
"You... you silly girl..."
"I’m fine, Father. No one bullied me, and I didn’t suffer at all..."
Fang Lingxin said quickly.
"I even found a master... It’s Brother Fang, the one who saved me before."
Fang Mingxuan paused, as if only just noticing the others, and looked up at Fang Shuwen.
"Young Hero Fang?"
Fang Shuwen nodded.
"Master Fang. We meet again."
Fang Mingxuan glanced from Fang Shuwen to Fang Lingxin.
"Young Hero Fang, how... how did you come to know my daughter?"
"We met by chance on the road. I realized this mischievous child had run away from home, and since I happened to be returning to Julu City, I brought her back with me."
Fang Shuwen explained casually, but his thoughts were a complex tangle.
He had already tested it.
The Seven-String Ancient Chapter glowed when it touched his blood, but it had no reaction to anyone else’s.
He just hadn’t figured out how to use it properly yet.
But this alone was enough.
The fact that the Seven-String Ancient Chapter reacted to his and his sister’s blood could not be a coincidence.
All along the journey, he had been weighing whether or not he should tell Fang Mingxuan about it.
In the end, he made his decision.
He wanted to know the truth of what happened all those years ago. He wanted to know why he had become an orphan, left to wander the streets where he had nearly died.
And if he wanted to learn these things, he had to let Fang Mingxuan know who he really was.
"I see."
Fang Mingxuan nodded.
"Young Hero, please, come in. And these two are?"
"This is Yu Yaoguang, the Sect Leader of Yuqing Pavilion. And this is Chen Yan, the Young Master of Heaven-Reaching Pavilion, and his donkey."
Fang Shuwen made the introductions.
Fang Mingxuan was taken aback, wondering why the donkey warranted an introduction.
But he quickly put on a shocked expression.
"The Sect... the Sect Leader of Yuqing... Yuqing Pavilion!"
"Well, what a... Your presence brings light to our humble home! It truly does!"
"Everyone, please, please come in!"
"Zhao Cai! Jin Bao! Hurry up! Serve tea! The good tea!"
He played the part of a wealthy patriarch in Guangning City to perfection.
Fang Shuwen was both amused and exasperated, but he didn’t expose the act.
They followed him into the main hall, where everyone took their respective seats as host and guests.
However, Yu Yaoguang offered the seat of honor to Fang Shuwen.
Fang Shuwen accepted it and sat down without any fuss...
This scene made the corner of Fang Mingxuan’s eye twitch, and his gaze toward Fang Shuwen filled with surprise and uncertainty.
The subsequent small talk revolved entirely around Fang Lingxin.
Learning that his daughter had run off to Pojun City just to watch the excitement, Fang Mingxuan was both angry and worried. But he was relieved now that his little girl was back home.
But Fang Shuwen couldn’t shake the feeling that the old man’s expression was a little fake.
’Maybe it’s just a preconception... but I can’t shake the feeling that Fang Mingxuan knew all along.’
The harmonious atmosphere lasted right up until Fang Shuwen mentioned sending Fang Lingxin to Yuqing Pavilion.
Fang Mingxuan’s face filled with distress. While he didn’t outright refuse, his reluctance was clear in everything he said.
Yu Yaoguang, on the other hand, was unconcerned. She had only agreed to let Fang Lingxin join Yuqing Pavilion because of Fang Shuwen; she couldn’t care less what anyone else thought or how things were decided.
After trying to persuade him a few more times, Fang Shuwen saw that Fang Mingxuan was just being evasive, so he dropped the subject.
Then, he suddenly said:
"Master Fang, we’re weary from our travels. I was wondering if we might impose upon you to stay the night?"
"Of course! It would be our honor."
Fang Mingxuan immediately had someone prepare guest rooms.
Fang Shuwen then asked Fang Lingxin to lead Chen Yan and Yu Yaoguang to their rooms.
Soon, only Fang Shuwen and Fang Mingxuan remained in the hall.
Fang Mingxuan looked at Fang Shuwen, the earlier panic in his eyes now gone. He could tell Fang Shuwen wanted to speak with him alone, but he had no idea what it was about...
Fang Shuwen’s own gaze, as he looked at Fang Mingxuan, was quite complex.
After a long moment of contemplation, Fang Shuwen finally took the Seven-String Ancient Chapter from within his robes.
"Master Fang... do you recognize this?"
Fang Mingxuan’s expression didn’t change in the slightest as he shook his head.
"Isn’t this just a rock?"
Fang Shuwen sighed. Circulating his Inner Breath, he forced a drop of blood from his fingertip, letting it fall onto the Seven-String Ancient Chapter.
The moment Fang Mingxuan saw that drop of blood, however, his pupils contracted violently.
He looked again at the Seven-String Ancient Chapter... it was glowing with a faint light.
...
...
PS: Running a 38.8°C fever... I’m getting delirious.