In the quiet warmth of his private courtyard, Fang Yuan sat beneath the open rafters of the moonlit eaves, the last remnants of the banquet echoing faintly through the manor’s distant halls.
The sound of approaching footsteps broke the stillness.
"Uncle," Fang Yuan said with a faint smile, rising politely. "Thank you for coming."
Fang Chen, tall and solemn in his long dark robes, gave a brief nod in return. "Family Head."
But there was no chill to the title. Only respect and a trace of familial warmth.
They took their seats across from each other at the stone table in the courtyard, moonlight glinting off its polished surface.
Fang Yuan turned to the servant girl nearby. "Felicia, prepare tea for us."
Felicia bowed and disappeared soundlessly into the inner halls.
And then the stillness returned.
Fang Yuan leaned forward slightly, hands clasped, voice quiet.
"Uncle," he said, softer this ti. "May I ask you to guide ?"
Fang Chen raised a brow, faint surprise flickering in his normally unreadable eyes. "You’ve never needed guiding before, Yuan’er."
Fang Yuan gave a low chuckle. "Maybe not in battle and strategies. But with family..."
He exhaled softly, his gaze drifting toward the quiet corridor where the family portrait hung, an old painting of Fang Yuan, Fang Tian, and their parents, captured in a mont that felt like a lifeti ago.
"He left without saying a word," Fang Yuan finally said. "There was no ssage left behind or clue to know where he went."
Fang Chen remained silent, waiting.
"I’ve told myself he’ll be fine," Fang Yuan continued, "and I know he has spirit in him. But everyone’s worried. Fang i won’t say it, but she hasn’t slept soundly since. She’s your daughter, you must have noticed it too."
He paused, then looked up, expression clear and calm.
"So tell , Uncle. What should I do? As Family Head? As his brother?"
Fang Chen’s answer ca without hesitation.
"Act."
His voice was quiet, but firm.
"You’re not just his brother anymore, Fang Yuan. You are the head of the Fang Clan. You don’t have the luxury of waiting for news. The people are watching—wondering if you’ll protect them, even from silence."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Even if you trust your brother, they need to see that you take his absence seriously. That his actions matter."
Fang Yuan nodded slowly, absorbing every word.
"So... find him and get him back?"
Fang Chen shook his head.
"Not yet. First, understand him. Send soone to track him and not to drag him back, but to learn where he is and what he’s doing.
Whether he left in defiance or in hope. You must know what road he walks... before you decide whether to stop him or walk beside him."
Fang Yuan exhaled, a thin smile curling his lips.
"And here I thought you’d tell to lock him in the pill room until he broke through Golden Core."
Fang Chen snorted softly. "That too. He needs to be strong enough to protect i’er after all."
Just then, Felicia returned with a jade tray and began pouring their tea, delicate fragrance wafting from the steaming pot.
Fang Yuan accepted the cup and raised it toward his uncle.
"To family, then," he said simply.
Fang Chen tapped his own cup to Fang Yuan’s and nodded once.
"To clarity."
Fang Yuan sipped his tea in thoughtful silence, the steam curling between them like drifting clouds.
Fang Chen, ever composed, sat across from him with his usual stoic calm, eyes sharp beneath his lined brow.
"So," Fang Yuan said at last, setting his cup down gently. "We’ll quietly send soone I trust to follow him. Not to interfere—just to understand."
Fang Chen nodded. "That’s the best course. I’ll prepare soone discreet. If he senses them, it’ll be over."
"I figured as much," Fang Yuan murmured. "He’s reckless, not stupid."
The matter of Fang Tian rested between them for a mont longer, heavy but settled. Then Fang Yuan’s tone shifted, lightening like mist lifting from stone.
"On a lighter note," he said with a faint smile, "I’ve recently co into possession of sothing interesting. A set of seven formation flags."
Fang Chen raised an eyebrow, slightly intrigued. "Formation flags?"
Fang Yuan leaned back lazily. "Mm. Each marked with their respective orientation.
When placed according to the enclosed diagram, they form a complete high-grade spirit gathering formation. Top Black-grade, by my judgnt."
Fang Chen’s brow furrowed.
"That’s no ordinary find. Where did you get them?"
Fang Yuan’s smile deepened just slightly, a flicker of mischief flashing in his eyes.
"They were in the gift box from the Divine Ice Sect."
Fang Chen blinked. "That box...?"
He paused, mind drifting back to the scene.
The Divine Ice Sect had sent them a gift just a week ago... ant to accompany the formal announcent of the annulled engagent between Fang Tian and Gu Xin.
In front of all the guests, they had presented a small, ornate box alongside the news of the cancellation.
It was so small, in fact, that he had doubted it could hold anything more than a single pill.
And now Fang Yuan was saying it contained seven formation flags?
"That box was barely the size of a lon," Fang Chen said slowly. "You’re saying it held seven formation flags?"
Fang Yuan’s expression didn’t change. "That’s what I’m saying."
Fang Chen stared at him.
"...Were they paper flags?"
"No," Fang Yuan said mildly, "standard spiritual flags. Full length."
Fang Chen looked even more baffled.
He opened his mouth. Closed it.
Then frowned to himself and took another slow sip of tea.
"Maybe I’m overthinking it," he muttered. "They’re from the Divine Ice Sect. Maybe they folded space inside the box. Or... sealed a storage ring inside the wood. Or..."
His voice trailed off.
Fang Yuan studied him quietly and then chuckled.
"You’re taking it quite well, Uncle."
Fang Chen gave him a long look.
"I’ve decided," he said flatly, "that I’m too old to argue with you over spatial logic."
Fang Yuan laughed under his breath, eyes glinting like moonlight on black water.
"That’s wise."
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