Chapter 134: So Simple

When he returned to the Fang Manor, the night was already deep. Fang Cun originally planned to rest early, but the Young Miss Qu gently knocked open his door. Just as Fang Cun wondered why this young lady had become so bold, he saw her, her face flushed, hand him an invitation before turning and running away. Watching her frail figure retreat, Fang Cun sighed inwardly. She could have stayed a little longer…

The invitation was actually from Elder Qu, requesting his presence for a drink.

Living in the same compound, why go through the formality of an invite for a drink?

Though puzzled, Fang Cun changed his robes nonetheless and, accompanied by the Little Fox, made his way to Elder Qu’s small courtyard for the gathering.

Elder Qu was already in the gazebo, where a feast was laid out. It appeared he had ordered it directly from the outside Fragrant Pavilion restaurant. He had indeed spent money on this. Unfortunately, a glance at the dishes made it clear they still fell short compared to the Fang Family’s cook.

“Second Young Master Fang, please!” Elder Qu greeted Fang Cun with a jovial laugh, inviting him to sit. The Young Miss Qu, seated demurely to the side to facilitate the meal, promptly filled his cup with wine.

Fang Cun smiled. “Master, have you grown tired of the skill of our family cook? Did you specially order this banquet to treat yourself?”

“Second Young Master Fang, you tease me!” Elder Qu, who also seemed to have dressed up specially in a new robe, devoid of his usual alchemical smoke scent, raised his cup with a smile. He toasted Fang Cun, saying, “When you invited me here previously, Second Young Master, it was solely to refine a bottle of Treasure Pills for your esteemed parents to recuperate their health… Unexpectedly, this old man ended up thick-skinned, staying at the Fang residence for over half a year. During this time, I barely refined three batches of Treasure Pills. For the rest, I indulged in my own little experiments. Yet, not only did Second Young Master Fang voice no complaints, you continued to provide generously for food and drink, and never withheld any wages. Such depth of kindness deserves my sincere thanks!”

Fang Cun hurriedly raised his cup in return, smiling. “Elder is too kind. Keeping someone of your caliber here is the Fang Family’s fortune!”

Indeed, refining the Treasure Pills should have taken only about a month at most. Yet, since Elder Qu had finished the pills without leaving immediately, Fang Cun gladly let him stay. For one thing, without the help of Young Miss Qu, he wouldn’t have refined that batch of Life-Death Sigils so easily.

“Has Elder’s research… yielded results?” Setting down his cup, Fang Cun inquired with a smile.

A faint flush appeared on Elder Qu’s face. He waved his hand dismissively. “How could it be that easy?… But honestly speaking, this old man never expected any progress. I’d been stuck for over a decade on this formula. Yet, while refining pills for the Fang Family, I unexpectedly, shockingly, saw some breakthroughs. The thrill… it made me linger here. However, I now hear Second Young Master has concluded his studies at the Academy and will be heading to the County Sect. It is only proper that I no longer impose. This token banquet tonight is specifically to express my thanks to Second Young Master Fang and to bid farewell!”

As he spoke, he gave a nod to Young Miss Qu. She promptly produced a weathered wooden box.

Elder Qu took the box and placed it before Fang Cun, smiling. “The wages the Fang Family paid me, I’ve long spent. Repaying that isn’t possible. However, this medicinal pill inside… it’s a treasure I’ve personally safeguarded for some years. I offer it now as modest repayment for your family’s extraordinary generosity.”

Fang Cun glanced at the box. It was exquisitely made, though much worn by time, clearly old. The pill inside was a mystery, but given Elder Qu presented it specially, it must possess immense value. After all, any concoction a Pill Master of Elder Qu’s stature chose to keep sealed for decades couldn’t possibly be some mundane, everyday remedy.

The only question lingering in his mind was… had it expired?

“Since your research is progressing, Elder,” Fang Cun asked, looking at Elder Qu with a smile, deliberately keeping his eyes off the pill, “why must you leave?”

Hearing this, a complex expression flickered across Elder Qu’s face. He sighed softly and smiled. “Old Scholar Qu lingering at the Fang residence, feasting freely, drawing a wage… truly, this old face feels thoroughly shamed. Knowing now that Second Young Master Fang also prepares to leave for his studies, I thought it prudent…”

“Honestly, Elder Qu, I fear leaving the Fang home might well halt the very progress you found here,” Fang Cun smoothly interjected, his voice gentle but firm.

Elder Qu’s expression grew more earnest. “It is true… while refining here, I often felt… assisted, as if by spirits.”

Fang Cun paused briefly before asking, “What pill are you striving to create?”

Elder Qu remained silent for a long moment, not answering.

Fang Cun instantly realized his breach of alchemist decorum and quickly raised his cup. “My apologies! That was presumptuous of me!”

Elder Qu hastily waved his hand. “Young Master, you misunderstand. My reluctance… it stems not from concealment, but because…”

“There is no need to explain, Elder!” Fang Cun smiled confidently. “I firmly believe whatever pill you refine must be one meant to save lives!”

Elder Qu was slightly stunned, then a hint of pride touched his features. “Of course!”

Fang Cun returned the look, warmly yet directly. “Then, Elder Master, you truly should remain.”

Elder Qu’s face now showed deep conflict.

He knew the immense effort poured into this pill, understood its staggering complexity. A decade of stagnation, bitter decline… arriving at Feng Manor almost casually attempting a refinement and then experiencing these startling breakthroughs… each step forward brought immense joy. Precisely this exhilaration, this feeling that the barriers were finally breaking in the Feng home, anchored him for over half a year. Relocating felt perilous – might this incredible momentum vanish?

Yet, he had lingered so long. And Second Young Master Fang himself was due to leave soon for higher studies…

“Elder possesses immense talent, lofty ambition, and fearless resolve. Simply having you here benefits the Fang Family immensely!”

Fang Cun read the hesitation and pressed on with a genial smile. “However, let us be practical. My name is Fang Er, and I confess a rather narrow mind regarding expenses! Seeing an Elder Master freeloading – enjoying our meals freely, lodging freely, drawing wages freely – well, it does pinch.” His eyes twinkled. “Perhaps… consider a business arrangement? An Elder Master inevitably refines pills for sale outside anyway. Here’s my proposal: any Pill Elder creates henceforth, let my family’s Apothecary Pavilion handle the selling.”

“For the profits… Fang Estate takes seventy percent. Acceptable, Elder?”

His smile stayed gracious. “And naturally, as recompense, this small courtyard remains yours… rented at ten ounces of silver monthly. Reside for decades if you wish! Furthermore, all precious materials required for your research and refining? We, the Fang Family, shall entirely shoulder that cost. Additionally… monthly wages shall still be paid. What say you?”

Elder Qu gaped, utterly dumbfounded. “This… how could this be acceptable?!”

At first glance, the arrangement seemed brutally exploitative. Yet Elder Qu keenly grasped its underlying essence. He knew the relatively modest income from his Qi Refining Pills. More crucial was the terrifyingly immense value of precious ingredients consumed during research – figures known vividly only to him.

And crucially… Fang Cun’s offer secured him residency in the very courtyard… just ten silver ounces per month…

“Elder need not refuse!” Fang Cun preempted his protestation.

His expression turned sober, voice direct: “Elder… the deepest worry plaguing this young man as he departs for studies… is the well-being of his parents.”

Elder Qu grew very still. He looked at Fang Cun with absolute seriousness etched onto his face.

Fang Cun met his gaze just as earnestly. Slowly, deeply, he bowed. “I entrust them… to your care.”

A prolonged silence stretched before Elder Qu finally stood with immense gravity. Returning the bow low, he said in a subdued voice, “I cannot vow any grand assurances, but… so long as I remain within the walls of Fang Manor… let any demonic cultivator or foul entity dare trespass my domain… their first encounter? One, maybe two collisions with my Alchemy Cauldrons…” His gaze sharpened.

A profound sigh escaped Fang Cun. “My deepest gratitude, Elder.”

As he said this, his eyes slid almost imperceptibly towards Young Miss Qu. After all, regarding raw protective capability? This young lady possessed… rather tangible potential…

Throughout the exchange, Young Miss Qu listened with mounting excitement, hope lighting her eyes. Spotting Fang Cun’s gaze flickering towards her, she instantly flushed bright red and jumped to her feet. With a sharp motion of her small hand, two massive iron hammers, each resembling millstones, seemed to materialize from thin air. She intended a harmless flourish. Glancing at the gazebo’s tight confines and delicate pillars, she wisely discarded the idea. Instead… thoom. The hammers went down onto the ground.

The entire gazebo shuddered. The bluestone pavement didn’t just creak… Crack! Crunch! Huge dents formed instantly.

Both Fang Cun and Elder Qu wore expressions of profound… strangeness.

Young Miss Qu murmured, voice barely audible, “Lor… Lor… Lord Second Young Master Fang… rest assured…”

“My sense of assuredness… paradoxically dwindles…” An awkward half-smile flickered on Fang Cun’s lips as a thought struck him: ‘Should I perhaps prohibit Miss Qu from practicing martial arts inside the estate henceforth?’

… …

After settling matters with Elder Qu, Fang Cun felt a sliver of relief lift the weight from his shoulders.

Since entering the Academy, Fate had predetermined his path — study, then distant journeys for cultivation. Yet safeguarding his parents, securing their tranquility… this presented the weightiest challenge. Hence, Fang Cun convened with Master Qin. This guarded against mighty, reclusive experts breaching the manor. He ensured mastery over the underworld channels within Willow Lake City: a shield against covert schemes targeting the Feng household. He sought audience with the Academy Head and the City Governor, weaving the Fang family’s destiny with theirs: ensuring resilience against official pressures when calamity inevitably pressed down.

Inviting Pill Master Qu? A calculated layer for this very scenario: defending against the insidious poison-artistry and soul-curses wielded by vile practitioners from the shadows.

As for Elder Qu willingly continuing his stay within the manor? Frankly… this outcome was assured the instant Fang Cun invited him to refine the Life-Sustaining Pill. Every soul lingering long at the Fang residence eventually sensed a unique essence permeating the very air. The winds? Gentler than elsewhere. The blossoms? Possessed a richer, more vibrant hue. Even the butterflies flitting through their gardens — somehow larger.

Within these walls? Studying brought clarity to the mind.

Within these walls? Pondering profound arts sparked ideas like clear springs rising effortlessly; daily brought deeper insight.

… …

“Nowhere beneath heaven rivals the shelter of one’s own home…”

Exhaustively arranging protective measures, envisioning every conceivable stratagem to shield his home… meticulously refining every detail… only then, with a potent flask of wine, did Fang Cun approach the twin stone sentinels guarding the manor’s threshold. A pensive sigh escaped him.

The Willow Lake Fang Estate held perfection. Eighteen vital years unfolded right here.

Some of the protective constructs left by his revered elder brother remained unknown, guarded even from their parents. Yet Elder Brother revealed their secrets to him. Thus, within the confines of his ancestral home, Fang Cun understood the depths and secrets concealed — knowledge perhaps exceeding anyone alive. He grasped the unique nature — the true essence — of the Fang Estate itself.

Any guest arriving quickly felt an irksome anchor settle deep within. The Fang tea flowed warm and rich. Their kitchen served unmatched feasts. Flowers blossomed abundantly. Even the Manor’s inhabitants exuded a potent, welcoming calm. Why else did Meng Zhixue visit repeatedly? He Zhenzhang always lingered once stepping over their threshold? Perhaps it explained even a being like Master Qin — why had he stood sentinel over Willow Lake City, silently, for seven long years? And those granite guardians flanking their gate? Beings whose full power potentially threatened the city’s foundations — why did they prefer crouching at that manor gate… lazily observing the young ladies traversing the street outside?

Only bitter irony remained: everyone desired to linger within the Fang Estate walls… yet both sons born to the Fang Manor? Destined for departure.

“Gentlemen… Your diligent guardianship is truly acknowledged.”

Fang Cun raised three wine cups — one each for the stone lions, one for himself.

He settled onto the cool manor steps, a companionable silence blooming briefly. Then, a near-whispered murmur stirred the quiet: “Ever since beginning cultivation of the Treasure Body Scripture… clarity regarding my Elder Brother’s ultimate purpose increasingly eludes me. Precisely what Path had he embraced? How did he draw such widespread venom… yet command unwavering devotion? When the seeds of the Treasure Body Scripture first bloomed in his mind… was he truly devoid of any dread toward… Heavenly Retribution?”

Silence. One lion casually tilted its head. The other? Lips curled eternally upwards. The statue-smile lingered — offering no reply.

“Enough…” An elongated sigh later, Fang Cun drained his wine in a single swallow. Rising, he turned towards the manor, walking away as his quiet utterance trailed: “He elected silence… concerning his ambitions. Therefore… why should I exhaust my intellect wrestling with them? Ultimately… placing faith in me implies he discerned my true nature…”

“He sacrificed all for vast Justice… Yet I guard fiercely what is mine…” His stride didn’t pause; firm steps echoed within the entry hall. “For a better world, he tread endless roads… whereas I? Merely ensure that my kin endure no undeserved suffering.”

“Really… just that simple…”