"Where are you?"
Xu Xiu turned his head to look:
"The changes at Fang Mansion over the past two years almost made my jaw drop."
"It’s rely a case of a monkey claiming to be king in the absence of a tiger." Fang Zheng shook his head:
"The demise of the Ren Family and the Ling Family’s intent to move to Prefecture City left such a large space in the county, which happened to be taken advantage of by yours truly."
"Alas!"
"Nothing much to say."
"Indeed." Xu Xiu nodded, not finding it strange. After all, Gu’an County has been raided multiple tis over several years, and Fang Zheng was always able to navigate through the chaos steadily. Each ti he erged unscathed, Fang Mansion was able to absorb the industries of others and grow stronger; achieving this was only natural.
"By the way."
Fang Zheng spoke:
"Are you staying this ti you co back, or leaving?"
"Leaving," Xu Xiu replied:
"I am now appointed as a captain with the military; how can I abandon my duty? This trip is both for a mission and to return to honor my ancestors."
"As for my father’s grave..."
"Also needs proper handling."
"Indeed." Fang Zheng nodded first, then sighed lightly:
"How wonderful it would be if you could stay. I still have the title deed to the original site of the Divine Spear Hall. Take it with you when you leave, and don’t be shy."
"Brother Fang..." Xu Xiu’s face showed gratitude:
"Thank you!"
"No need for formality between us." Fang Zheng waved his hand:
"In the future, I might still have to rely on you for so matters."
"Through fire and water, I will not hesitate!" Xu Xiu earnestly clasped his fist.
"There’s no need for such formality." Fang Zheng smiled slightly, lifted his wine cup:
"Co!"
"Drink!"
......
The next day.
The wheels turned, heading towards the location of Dingseng Mountain.
At the foot of the mountain, there was a small village.
Because there were many kiln workers residing on the mountain, and with the recent flooding, the village had grown considerably.
The number of people,
increased significantly as well.
"Whoa..."
Wu Hai waved the reins, stopping the carriage:
"Master, I’ll wait here for you."
"Okay."
Fang Zheng alighted from the carriage, surveyed the surroundings, tidied his clothes, and strode towards the village.
In the southeastern corner of the village, there stood a simple thatched house, surrounded by a fence forming a small courtyard. Just in ti for dinner, thin smoke wafted from the chimney on the roof.
Fang Zheng halted at the courtyard gate, calling out:
"Miss Du!"
"Creak..."
The door of the thatched house opened, and a woman dressed in linen, wearing straw sandals, her long hair simply tied behind with a thin rope, stepped out.
The woman’s face was slightly sallow, her eyes weary, but on seeing Fang Zheng, she smiled faintly, revealing traces of her forr beauty.
"Brother Fang."
"Please co in!"
Who could have imagined that Du Qiaoyun, the Young Martial Arts Hall Master of the forr Pan She Martial Arts Hall, once so vibrant in appearance, would co to this.
"I brought so herbs."
Fang Zheng placed down the dicine bundle in his hand:
"How is Heng’Er’s condition?"
"Thanks to the dicine you brought last ti, he’s almost recovered." Du Qiaoyun took the dicine bundle, beckoning to a child cautiously peeking from the inner room:
"Hurry up and call Uncle."
"Uncle..."
Che Heng, rely two or three years old, still in the early stages of understanding, looked at Fang Zheng with curiosity, yet not unfamiliarity.
After all,
since his father’s demise, this uncle was one of the few visitors to the house, and each ti he ca, there would be several days of good food for the child.
"Good boy."
Fang Zheng patted the child’s head, quietly circulated True Qi to sense his condition, and nodded:
"He should be fine, this place is close to Cien Temple, and it’s convenient to go up the mountain."
"Yes."
Du Qiaoyun responded:
"Is there a reason for your visit this ti?"
"Yes." Fang Zheng nodded:
"Yesterday, Xu Xiu from the Divine Spear Hall ca back. He is now a captain with the military, and this trip will deal with the rebels from back then."
"Which includes Pan She Martial Arts Hall."
"Clang..." Du Qiaoyun’s bowl fell to the ground. Tears filled her eyes, and her voice began to tremble:
"Really?"
"It’s true." Fang Zheng nodded:
"Back then, the charges against Pan She Martial Arts Hall and Divine Spear Hall were unjustly imposed. Xu Xiu is representing General Yang from the military this ti."
"I’ll contribute so money, and it should be easy to resolve."
"Thank you!" Du Qiaoyun’s tears flowed down:
"Thank you..."
"It’s already two years late." Fang Zheng sighed softly:
"This matter should soon have news. When the ti cos, you can take Heng’Er back to the county; the deed to Pan She Martial Arts Hall is with ."
"And reopen the martial arts hall in the future..."
"No." Du Qiaoyun shook her head:
"Ever since my father’s passing, there is no longer a Pan She Martial Arts Hall. I... simply wish to raise Heng’Er well and do not seek to reopen the martial arts hall."
"That is fine too." Fang Zheng nodded, not persuading further.
In the past.
Du Qiaoyun was valiant, supporting the entire Pan She Martial Arts Hall with her father’s illness, and she was indeed a heroic woman.
Nowadays,
she no longer possesses that fervor, and both her physical and ntal states have beco weary.
"Brother Fang."
Du Qiaoyun wiped her tears, tidied her hair, and asked:
"Are you going up the mountain today?"
"Yes." Fang Zheng nodded:
"A new batch of porcelain is coming out from the kilns on the mountain, and I have so magic-related questions I want to ask Master Wuyuan."
"Well..." Du Qiaoyun blushed slightly:
"Will you co back to stay tonight?"
"This..." Fang Zheng glanced at Che Heng, who was fiddling with sewing thread:
"It’s not very convenient."
"It’s okay." Du Qiaoyun spoke softly:
"Heng’Er sleeps early and any noise won’t wake him."
"...Forget it." Fang Zheng sighed, ultimately choosing to decline:
"I will stay on the mountain."
"Alright then." The fleeting look of disappointnt in Du Qiaoyun’s eyes vanished.
Cien Temple.
Fang Zheng stood with his hands behind his back at the mountain’s peak, gazing downward. Dense clouds obscured the view, and the thick layer of clouds lay beneath his feet.
’Xu Xiu hinted at more than just seeking justice for those from the past, suggesting other plans that likely involve Lord Governor.’
’Soon, the Lord Governor will tour nearby, and as Lord Yan’s supporter, he will surely visit Gu’an County. Known far and wide as a treacherous official, many Jianghu People are rumored to want him dead.’
’Flood, Exclusion Sect, Lord Governor, Jianghu People...’
’Soon, Gu’an County may beco the center of a whirlpool.’
’Alas!’
’Perhaps it’s better to leave this place of trouble for now?’
’Liu Qinghuan and Jin Shu must be hiding so secrets; their sudden resignation today is likely connected to the Lord Governor’s impending arrival.’
’Enough!’
’Enough!’
’For now, I’ll avoid the storm outside!’
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