"I am Shen Yuan."
Shen Yuan was carefully observing the middle-aged man who had barged into the courtyard, confirming that he did not know the man.
The middle-aged man nodded slightly and said, "I am Fu Hua. The gentleman, Old Master Fu, who rented this small courtyard to you, is my father. I came here today to discuss something with you."
In Shen Yuan's mind, an image of an elderly master, dressed in a traditional Chinese Suit, looking aged but still spirited, flashed instantly.
Old Master Fu had first met Shen Yuan in a park when he was cultivating the Breathing Method. During the early stages of its practice, there were some corresponding martial arts poses that aided the transition into the state of the Breathing Method, and it was during this martial arts practice that Shen Yuan had met Old Master Fu.
It seemed that the Fu family was already somewhat versed in cultivation, but the Spirit Energy depletion that had continued for three thousand years had rendered most ordinary cultivation methods useless, and the preserved forms of these methods had not been passed down well.
By the time the Spirit Energy Tidal Surge returned, the Fu Family had only retained a few fist forms and some thoughts on cultivation.
Thanks to these remnants, old Master Fu, despite being nearly seventy years old, still enjoyed good health.
Old Master Fu had great interest in these practices and after seeing Shen Yuan's practiced martial arts moves, he befriended him. Before long, they became good friends, often exchanging thoughts on cultivation.
Shen Yuan, in this process, had taught Old Master Fu some tricks to the Breathing Method. However, given the maxim to not pass along secrets lightly, Shen Yuan did not teach the complete Cloud Mist Breathing Method to him.
Despite this, Old Master Fu treated the teachings as a precious gift and many times offered to repay Shen Yuan, but Shen Yuan declined each time.
Several months ago, when Shen Yuan moved out of his family home, Old Master Fu rented this courtyard to him at a friend price. It was a favor packaged in part sale, part gift.
Without Old Master Fu's help, the few hundred yuan that Shen Yuan had for rent would have only been able to afford him a very run-down, independent courtyard in an old district, and certainly not such a good environment.
Of course, this was not a purely one-sided favor. Technically speaking, the tips Shen Yuan taught about the Breathing Method were invaluable in this era of returning Spirit Energy Tidal Surge, and the minor rent was nothing in comparison.
Their exchanges, thus, were not purely grounded in monetary values, resembling instead a dignified, gentlemanly friendship.
From this, Shen Yuan now understood why Fu Hua had earlier furrowed his brows.
Due to his cultivation last night, a group of lesser demons had been drawn to the courtyard and while Shen Yuan had used his Divine Skills to eliminate them, the courtyard had been significantly damaged.
In Fu Hua's eyes, Shen Yuan was still an ordinary tenant.
Seeing the state in which Shen Yuan had left the courtyard, anyone would be upset. That Fu Hua had not directly voiced out his displeasure already showed considerable manners.
Seeing no point in trying to explain the mess in the courtyard, Shen Yuan said straightforwardly, "Whatever matter Mr. Fu Hua has in mind, please feel free to say."
Fu Hua nodded towards the young assistant behind him, who immediately pulled out a document from his briefcase and handed it to Shen Yuan.
"I came here to talk about taking back the rental property that we rented to Mr. Shen."
"The agreement on the house rental between Mr. Shen and my father was a gentleman's agreement and we did not sign a rental contract. It was verbally agreed that the house would be rented. But I feel taking it back earlier would break our agreement with Mr. Shen.
We have this contract here, if Mr. Shen could sign it, we could offer compensation equivalent to double the rent that Mr. Shen has paid.
If Mr. Shen still wishes to rent in the vicinity, I can arrange another residence. What do you think, Mr. Shen?"
Shen Yuan did not take the contract. Instead, he asked Fu Hua, "Did Old Master Fu instruct this?"
Fu Hua frowned slightly, "It was my own idea. It has nothing to do with my father."
In Fu Hua's opinion, he had left his work to come attend to Shen Yuan, and even prepared a compensation contract beforehand. He deemed it as extending maximum courtesy to Shen Yuan.
Looking at Shen Yuan's demeanor, it seemed to Fu Hua that Shen Yuan was far from impressed. This greatly agitated him.
Shen Yuan didn't care for Fu Hua's demeanor. He remained calm and said:
"The master of this house is Old Master Fu, and the agreement to rent this home was made between me and Old Master Fu. Furthermore, it was more than a simple monetary transaction.
If Old Master Fu required it, I would move out immediately without any question.
Mr. Fu Hua, with your father yet to express his intent, aren't you worried your intrusiveness might upset Old Master Fu?"
A hint of anger finally appeared on Fu Hua's face.
"This courtyard belongs to the Fu Family. It's only right for me to take it back. You don't have to use my father to pressure me.
You have to understand, there's no signed contract between you and my father. Even if I forcibly take back the house and pay you no compensation, it is completely within the bounds of the law."
After a slight pause, Fu Hua swept his gaze over the severely damaged courtyard and the big hole in the middle of the yard, and continued in a cold voice:
"You have been damaging the house during your stay. I have been very magnanimous in that I did not hold you responsible. If you're wise, sign the contract, take the compensation money and leave. Otherwise, prepare yourself for a court summons!"
Fu Hua's threat finally made Shen Yuan's eyes flicker, and it seemed as if the temperature of the air dropped a few degrees.
Over by the stone table, Bai Xue who was taking advantage of the conversation to sneakily taste a noodle, instantly pulled back. She shrank into a ball and hid in the corner of the stone table, shivering.
She could feel the displeasure in Shen Yuan's heart.
Just last night, Shen Yuan had casually killed so many demons with no sign of any emotional fluctuation. Now, this ordinary person had poured oil on smoldering embers, as they say.
"Will the demon overlord turn this man into a soul and light the sky lantern? Or slaughter everyone around?"
Bai Xue's mind was buzzing with thoughts.
But just then, a chilling gust raced through Fu Hua, who was facing Shen Yuan directly. For a second, he seemed to have seen the horrifying spectacle of a legion of disconsolate souls wailing mournfully in the courtyard. It was as if he was looking at the righteous ghosts of the Underworld.
In an instant, Fu Hua felt his back soaked in a cold sweat.
Just at that moment, hurried footsteps were heard from outside the door, followed by two more figures entering the courtyard.
One of them was a beautiful young woman in her twenties who, upon seeing the dumbstruck figure of Fu Hua, couldn't help but exclaim in surprise:
"Big brother, what are you doing here?"
It was only then that Fu Hua recovered from the spectral illusion as if waking from a dream.
Upon seeing that there were more guests from the Fu Family, Shen Yuan, without any further ado, picked up a trembling snowy ball from the table and walked towards the front door.
Fu Yu looked confusedly at Shen Yuan departing the courtyard, then turned to Fu Hua and asked:
"Brother, did father give you the task of finding Teacher Shen as well?"
There was a slight look of panic in Fu Hua's eyes, "Task? What task?"
Fu Yu looked confused: "Father especially told me yesterday to come here early in the morning to hand over the deed of this old house to Teacher Shen, and from here onward this old house will belong to Teacher Shen.
If it is not for this, what are you doing here in the old house?"
The color drained from Fu Hua's face as he quickly called out to Shen Yuan, who had just walked out:
"Sir, please wait!"