Chapter 12: Fang Cun’s Calculations

Fang Cun ordered the gifts to be carried. He himself carried a purple sandalwood box as he walked into the garden. He followed the winding paths and was quickly led by a servant to a study near the pond. There, he met an old man, about sixty years old, dressed in a blue robe. The old man had a refined face and smiled warmly as he came forward. He invited Fang Cun to sit down, saying, “Second Young Master Fang visits! I failed to greet you properly!”

Fang Cun obediently sat down, politely saying, “Thank you for the seat, Instructor Zhang!”

This old man before him was named Zhang Shixian. He was an instructor at White Xiang Academy, specializing in the art of strange formations. Although not as grand a figure as one of the Four Elder Mentors or the Academy Head, no one would dare look down on him. He held significant influence within the academy.

The last time Fang Cun saw him, he had still called him “young friend”!

“Ah, your elder brother possessed outstanding talent, far surpassing us ordinary cultivators. How regretful that heaven took him so early. It was truly…” Zhang Shixian sighed deeply as soon as he sat down, his face full of emotion.

“Instructor Zhang, you flatter him,” Fang Cun replied, looking even more earnest and mournful than Zhang Shixian. “When my late brother was alive, he often wrote to me saying everything he achieved was thanks to the teachings of the Elder Mentors at White Xiang Academy. Especially Instructor Zhang. He said your mastery of formations was profound and ingenious, benefiting him immensely. Later, even when he entered the palace, served in the Grand Hall, faced the evil men of Nine Nether Mountain or the monsters of South Mist Marsh, he always relied on those techniques to defend himself. He believed he wouldn’t have survived those ordeals otherwise!”

Zhang Shixian’s old face flushed red, though he couldn’t quite hide a flicker of excitement. He chuckled, “Praise indeed, too much praise…”

Excellent! I should include this exchange in my eventual cultivation memoirs, he thought privately.

Fang Cun then smiled openly. “To be frank, Instructor Zhang, your lowly nephew wishes to enter the academy myself. I hope to learn from masters like you…”

“Enter the academy?” Zhang Shixian had been wondering about Fang Cun’s purpose for this visit. This request struck him as strange. He stroked his beard thoughtfully. “Your brother was a rare genius. It stands to reason your aptitude wouldn’t be poor either, Second Young Master Fang. To have someone like you enter the academy would be most welcome. However,” his tone became hesitant, “the academy’s official opening ceremony isn’t for another year. Isn’t it too early to speak of this now?”

Fang Cun hurriedly responded, “Precisely why I come seeking your guidance, Instructor. Surely entering the academy doesn’t have to wait for the official opening?”

“You mean… the Rear Mountain?” Zhang Shixian blinked in surprise, finally understanding.

“There have been many precedents for gaining entry through the Rear Mountain. Even your brother passed through it that way in his time…” Zhang Shixian stroked his chin, eyeing Fang Cun with suspicion. “However, the Rear Mountain path is fraught with perilous formations that shift and change, filled with fierce beasts and vengeful spirits. Even someone at the peak of the Divine Realm might not pass safely through it. Second Young Master Fang… do you believe you are capable of this?”

Hearing this, Fang Cun laughed openly. “Capable? Most certainly not!”

“Most certainly not?” Zhang Shixian stared at Fang Cun’s utterly forthright face and felt utterly exasperated.

If you don’t have the capability, why bring this up to me?

Times have changed! Just ten days or a fortnight ago, if you had come seeking my help to enter the academy, I would have done it in a heartbeat out of respect for your brother. But now… Zhang Shixian thought soberly. Your brother is gone. That the Immortal Palace sent condolences so late only fuels further suspicion. Until the situation becomes clearer from above, who dares have close ties with your Fang Family?

The only reason I received your gifts… well, the snow dragon pills were truly precious… no! I mean, the reason I received you at all is shared history!

But that shared history only justifies this cordial chat. Expecting more…?

His expression grew subtle and unreadable. Fang Cun’s smile only deepened. “Instructor Zhang, you are recognized as Willow Lake City’s foremost Grandmaster of formations! With your expert guidance, not only would the Academy’s Back Mountain pose no barrier, I dare say I could safely traverse the Nine Nether Mountain itself unhindered! What is there truly to fear?”

Zhang Shixian offered a thin smile, tapping his fingers lightly on the table. “You overpraise this old man, Second Young Master. I dare not accept such accolades.”

The Rear Mountain was both a place of danger and a place of fortune.

On the surface, it was intended for those without connections who desperately wished to follow the path of cultivation and enter the academy. If they could successfully traverse the Rear Mountain’s challenges, regardless of background, they would be exceptionally admitted as academy disciples. This rule was originally decreed by the late Emperor to attract talents. However, rules are ultimately crafted by men. Since White Xiang Academy established its Rear Mountain gate, many disciples had entered that way. But how many genuinely lacked connections was debatable…

Countless souls without backing or wealth set off seeking entry but ended up only adding to the Rear Mountain’s pile of bleached bones, further cementing its fearsome reputation.

Those who actually succeeded almost always came from established backgrounds, having received training since childhood and possessing a solid foundation of skill. For them, entry through the Rear Mountain wasn’t their only option. They chose that path expressly to garner fame immediately upon arrival within the academy walls!

For the present-day Fang Cun, stripped of his former status, attempting to enter via the Rear Mountain was truly…

…

Seeing the guarded expression on Zhang Shixian’s face, Fang Cun inwardly sighed.

In the past, if I wished to enter the academy, Zhang Shixian would likely have hustled on my behalf. But now, reluctance was etched so clearly on his face. If securing his help for something as simple as academy entry proves impossible… how then can I leverage influence to confront Lao Chao?

How can I prevent the Twelve Continuous Docks from falling into Lao Chao’s hands?

Simple!

…

“Your stupid nephew nearly forgot something,” Fang Cun suddenly chuckled after his moment of thoughtful silence.

Still smiling, he gently pushed the box he had carried in front of Zhang Shixian. “My late brother once said he regretted deeply while entertaining guests: he owed lasting debts of gratitude to White Xiang Academy and its masters. Having received great kindness during his study years, he felt ashamed he never found a worthy way to repay them. Now that he is gone, his solemn duty falls to me: to fulfill this last desire of his heart. Therefore, today I bring… a modest token of respect. I humbly beseech you, honored Elder Mentor, to accept this donation in my late brother’s name to the academy. Let this fully discharge his gratitude towards his teachers.”

“Hmm?” Zhang Shixian found this abrupt and baffling. He frowned slightly as he slowly opened the lacquered box.

Then his expression abruptly changed. He scanned the contents intensely before looking up urgently at Fang Cun. “What is this?”

“The business charters, land deeds, operating ledgers, account books, and every contract within the Twelve Continuous Docks outside the city walls…” Fang Cun replied with a serene smile. “From this day forward, the Twelve Continuous Docks belong to the Academy.”

…

Zhang Shixian gazed fixedly at the stack of deeds inside the box. His breathing became noticeably coarse. He scrutinized them for what felt like an eternity.

Fang Cun’s smile widened. He picked up his teacup and took a long, noisy sip.

After a long pause, Zhang Shixian slowly turned his eyes back to Fang Cun. “Then just give them directly to the academy. Why ask me to relay them?”

Fang Cun set his cup down and smiled. “Because, Instructor Zhang, you showed profound kindness to my elder brother. To be perfectly candid, I trust you more.”

Zhang Shixian’s face darkened considerably. But after another long moment, expression dissolved gradually changed, replaced by visible relief. Soon a wide smile spread, he even began to laugh heartily, pointing at Fang Cun. “You… you! Well played, Fang Two! Well played, Fang Cun! Everyone says you fall short compared to your brother, but I declare you may truly surpass him in cunning after all!”

“Very well!” He closed the box lid decisively. “When do you wish to attempt the Rear Mountain?”

Fang Cun immediately stood up and bowed deeply. “Your disciple lacks such discernment. I humbly await your honored guidance!”

…

“Where’s my first-grade snow dragon pills?”

“Respected Master, Young Master Fang Cun took them as gifts…”

“What about my red jasper lion sculpture?”

“Respected Master, Second Young Master took them as gifts…”

“And the 300-year-old special pear-blossom spirit wine I treasured?”

“Respected Master, Second Young…”

“He’s no second young master! He’s a wastrel! See if I don’t break his legs!”

“…………”

Fang Cun arrived back home. Already, he saw Elder Fang waving a broom, spinning around the courtyard seeking something—or someone—to hit.

Who rattled Father enough this time? Pondering this, Fang Cun quietly crept up behind Elder Fang, arms tucked into his sleeves. He leaned in. “Father? Who requires disciplining today?”

Elder Fang jumped, startled. Seeing his second son, he hastily hid the broom behind his back. “My son! Have you eaten?”

“Left early today, hadn’t time.”

“Then hurry to the hall! Your mother simmered pear-paste tonic…”

Inside the reception hall, Fang Cun’s appetite proved formidable: he consumed two bowls of pear-paste tonic followed by three steamed buns, finally ordering the kitchen maids to slice a platter of spiced ox-meat for him. Sitting opposite were Elder Fang and Madam Fang. His elder brother now laid under solemn burial; mourning seemed momentarily suspended. Yet the flush of grief had not entirely washed away brother since putting his son to rest: lingering sorrow rimmed both parents’ eyes, more weariness than tears dwelling within.

“My son,” Elder Fang began tremulously once Fang Cun seemingly finished, watching him warily. “Your mother and I spoke formerly… Our Fang Family prefers trouble sliding past untouched: those Twelve Continuous Docks…”

Not letting him finish, Fang Cun stuffed the final half-bun in his mouth. “They’re gone. I gifted them away already.”

“What?!”

Elder Fang sat frozen a moment, comprehension absent. Then he burst from his chair explosively. “Those Docks, do you grasp what assets?”

“Understand entirely!” Fang Cun grunted, head still bowed. “Brought upwards of several thousand silver taels’ profit last year. Likelihood grows yearly increased.”

“You… you thoughtless…!” Anger finally conquered Elder Fang’s restraint. He turned. “Fetch the broom! Where lies the broomstick?”

Scanning frantic circles, servants wisely slipped beyond reach. A young maid scrubbing floors hid her cleaning brush behind her skirts. Growing red-faced, Elder Fang declared, “Discussing grave crisis, yet precedes decision distributing family treasures! I shall confine you instead at home! Forget venturing outside!”

“Oh Father, but please,” interjected Madam Fang tearfully. “He stands our sole surviving son will you treat him harsh?”

“I…”

Elder Fang faltered, voice fading away.

A profound gloom descended upon his face – more anxiety than grief. How could the docks be treated so lightly?

“By the way!” said Fang Cun abruptly, snatching a corner of a maid’s sleeve to wipe greasy fingers. Without glancing up, he addressed his parents. “First light tomorrow: I test the Academy’s Back Mountain passage.”

The pronouncement struck like thunderclaps. Elder Fang and Madam Fang exchanged dumbfounded stares.

Another crisp repetition from beyond the table’s veil: “Climb the Academy’s Back Mountain!”

His explanation held straightforward sureness. “Now exceeds not admission season. But urgency arises requiring academy acceptance – climbing remains sole recourse! Advantageously, successfully surmounting those dangers inherently shines widely before Willow Lake eyes also. Our Fang Family currently pass through turbulent days: countless watchful souls crouch scheming. Thus serves another purpose also… showing hardness compelling foes respecting caution.”

“Fetch ropes!” Madam Fang’s voice rose shrill commanding fury before Fang Cun finished. “Tie the foolish boy instantly!”

“Break both legs thoroughly if restraints dissatisfy securing!”

Master Fang, already preceded pursuit skipping halfway to needing ropes. Thus was shout echoed.

“You reckless boy! Think academy Rear Mountain constitutes private scenic foothill?”

“Off willingly seeking death? Refuse repeat experience losing sons within months!”