A short while later, Fang Yuan sat waiting in a quiet reception room.
The chamber was small, its air thick with incense, the faint hum of spiritual energy lingering in the silence.
A teapot stead gently at his side.
The door slid open and a youth entered with a bright smile plastered on his face.
Fang Yuan lifted his cup and took a slow sip, his gaze cool and asuring.
The youth’s aura flickered into view under his perception.
Qi Transformation Realm... Fang Yuan mused. Impressive for soone his age.
Setting the cup down, he spoke in a rough, steady tone. "What brings you here?"
The youth bowed respectfully. "Clan Head Fang, I am glad we could et again."
"Oh, where are my manners." Cheng Bo removed his hat with a flourish, his smile never faltering. "My na is Cheng Bo, a humble artifact trader from Crimson City."
Fang Yuan gave a faint nod and gestured for him to sit.
Cheng Bo settled into the chair opposite, while Fang Yuan calmly sipped his tea.
His eyes narrowed slightly as he asked, "Crimson City... isn’t that within the Azure Phoenix Kingdom? What business brings you here?"
The rchant’s grin widened. "I go where the money flows. That is how I make my fortune, Clan Head."
Fang Yuan’s tone cooled, his words cutting sharper than his gaze. "Or perhaps you’re the source of conflict itself. I find that explanation far more convincing."
Cheng Bo’s composure wavered for the first ti, and he raised both hands quickly in denial.
"No, no, you misunderstand , Clan Head Fang! I am not nearly as powerful as you think. I’m rely a pawn in a much greater ga."
Fang Yuan gave a curt nod as he asked once again. "What brings you here?"
"As I’ve said, Clan Head," Cheng Bo replied smoothly, "conflict brews everywhere. I simply wish to earn enough to feed my family."
Fang Yuan locked eyes with him, his tone turning razor-sharp. "Get on with it. I don’t have ti for jokes."
Cheng Bo’s smile never wavered. "Then I’ll be direct. I ca to thank you for driving out the Wu Clan. You may not have officially accepted the commission, but you completed the task. For that, I am deeply grateful."
He leaned forward, voice lowering slightly. "I ca today to hand over the promised reward... along with sothing extra."
Excitent flickered in his eyes as he placed two gleaming blades upon the table. "Grade Three weapons, as agreed."
Fang Yuan’s gaze lingered on the two weapons laid before him.
The first was a spear. Its lines appeared flawless while the craftsmanship looked so refined, it might have even been the finest weapon he had ever seen... if not for the weapons he found in the system.
The second was a sword. Its proportions, the curvature of the blade, even the balance of its hilt, it seed as though it had been forged with him in mind.
A weapon tailored for his hand alone.
Yet Fang Yuan did not smile. If anything, his expression grew colder.
Without the faintest sound or warning, he released his divine sense as invisible pressure crashed into the room like a tidal wave.
Cheng Bo stiffened, his breath catching in his throat.
His smile faltered for the first ti, and his voice ca out hoarse, almost strangled.
"Cl-Clan Head Fang?" Cheng Bo’s voice caught in his throat, barely a whisper.
His bright smile faltered, replaced by shock and a creeping unease as he stared at the figure before him.
Fang Yuan’s eyes narrowed, his voice low and edged with steel.
"Tell ... are you the one who started the rchant Alliance?"
Cheng Bo’s composure shattered.
His breath ca short and ragged beneath the crushing weight of Fang Yuan’s divine sense.
"T-That... t-that alliance ans no h-harm to de Fang Family, S-Sir! I swear—!" His words ca out broken, strangled, as if every syllable was being forced past an invisible hand at his throat.
"Wrong answer," Fang Yuan said flatly, lifting his cup and taking another unhurried sip of tea.
The pressure in the room thickened, bearing down like a mountain upon Cheng Bo’s chest.
His knees trembled while smile twisted into desperation.
"Y-Yes! I was the one!" he scread finally broken, voice cracking under the suffocating aura.
Fang Yuan’s gaze stayed fixed on Cheng Bo as he slowly withdrew the crushing weight of his divine sense.
The rchant slumped in his seat, gasping for air, sweat beading on his brow.
"Good," Fang Yuan said at last with a slight nod.
He set his teacup down gently, the porcelain clicking softly against the table.
"Then tell , is it not that alliance of yours that attacked my family’s warehouses the past few months?"
Cheng Bo’s throat worked as he swallowed hard. His hands trembled on his knees.
"Y-yes..." he muttered, barely able to et Fang Yuan’s gaze.
Fang Yuan rose from his seat, each step toward Cheng Bo steady and unhurried, the air growing heavier with every pace.
"Hmm... and i suppose you’re smart enough to understand that," Fang Yuan said, a faint smile playing at his lips, "you’ve brought your own head here on a silver platter. Isn’t that right?"
Cheng Bo’s face went pale.
He bowed his head, voice trembling as he forced the words out in a rush, "It—it’s my show of sincerity, Clan Head! I swear, I never wished your family harm. Everything I did was only to drive the Wu Alliance out of Coldwind City!"
Fang Yuan’s smile lingered, but his eyes remained cold.
"You dare think I would forgive your misconducts simply because you crawled here in person? No, no... I intend to kill you today. Tell , who could possibly stop ?"
Cheng Bo’s body shook violently. His throat tightened, and then, in a panicked scream that cracked midway, he blurted, "I—I’m from the Ember Heart Monastery! If you kill here, they’ll co for your head!"
Fang Yuan’s smile deepened, unshaken.
His voice was calm, almost mocking as he replied, "The only person in this world I probably fear... is Lin Zhaoyue."
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