The Fang Family, Inner Courtyard.
The Fang Family, once brimming with joy, was now shrouded in gloom.
The banquet had ended in disarray.
Fang Tianhao, who seemed to have aged a decade overnight, lay on his bed, his eyes filled with regret and resentment as he clenched his fists tightly, "Damn Xiao Yi, he's pushed me too far... *cough cough cough*..."
Fang Zheng hurriedly patted Fang Tianhao's back, "Father, please calm down! Care for your health!"
"Care for my health? Do any of you even care about this old man's well-being?"
Fang Tianhao slapped away Fang Zheng's hand with a look of cold indifference, "Look at the wonderful daughter you've raised! She always takes the side of others instead of her family. It's one thing not to help your kin during critical moments, but she even ran off with that bastard Xiao Yi, as if her goal is to see me dead!"
"This..."
Fang Zheng and his wife exchanged a glance, both seeing helplessness and bitterness in each other's eyes.
Once upon a time, Fang Qingzhu was the pearl in their palms.
But ever since Fang Qingzhu married Xiao Yi and lost her cultivation, and there were even suggestions to strip her of the position of family heir, their attitude towards Fang Qingzhu had drastically changed.
What they never expected was that the useless son-in-law they thought little of would suddenly become the cherished friend of Elder Yan.
Fang Tianhao's heaving chest slowly calmed down as he said sternly, "I don't care what methods you use, you must make Fang Qingzhu and Xiao Yi change their minds. Even if you have to kneel and apologize, you must do it, understand?"
Fang Hao protested, "Grandfather, why should my parents humble themselves and beg that waste? Doesn't the Fang Family still have me?"
"You?"
Disdain and contempt filled Fang Tianhao's eyes. "If the Fang Family relied on you, I'm afraid our downfall wouldn't be far off!"
At seventeen, Fang Hao had also received a lot of resources by riding on the coattails of Fang Qingzhu's status. Six months ago, he entered the Qi Gathering Realm First Layer — such talent wasn't too bad.
But to rely on him to revitalize the Fang Family?
That was a fool's dream!
Fang Tianhao didn't bother with him anymore and turned to Fang Zheng with a tone that brooked no argument, "As long as you can bring Xiao Yi back, with his relationship with Yan Mingli, he will definitely help our Fang Family's business to a new level. And when we get the news of Fang Jin joining the Royal Martial Arts Academy, the rise of the Fang Family will be unstoppable! You must bring Xiao Yi back, understand?"
There's power in wealth, and strength in writing.
The rise of any family or individual is absolutely inseparable from resources.
The Treasure Pavilion controlled more than seventy percent of Nanhuang City's trade — it was a veritable money tree.
Yet, thinking of how they must now beg the once-despised waste they'd reluctantly accepted as a son-in-law made his face burn with pain.
Fang Zheng felt incredibly frustrated but dared not go against Fang Tianhao's wishes, "Father, rest assured, I will bring them back!"
Leaving Fang Tianhao's separate residence.
The reverence on the faces of the trio, Fang Zheng, Fang Hao, and Liu Yun, vanished once they were outside, Liu Yun said fiercely, "That old coot actually expects us to kneel and beg that waste to return? If we really did that, could you and I ever hold our heads high again?"
"Rest assured!" Fang Zheng's eyes glinted fiercely and menacingly, "If Xiao Yi obediently follows us back, so be it. But if he dares to resist, then he can't blame me for being ruthless!"
...
On the wide street.
A carriage moved smoothly along. Pedestrians cleared the way upon seeing the symbol of the Treasure Pavilion on the carriage, fearing to disturb the important person inside.
Inside the carriage.
Fang Qingzhu was somewhat silent.
Today at the birthday banquet, the actions of Fang Zheng and his wife, along with Fang Hao, had deeply wounded Fang Qingzhu's heart.
Xiao Yi kept holding her hand, his warmth comforting her.
"Xiao, was dinner to your liking?" Elder Yan asked.
Xiao Yi nodded and smiled, "Indeed, especially the Huadiao-steamed flying dragon. It was truly an extraordinary delicacy!"
"That's aged Huadiao Wine of over thirty years, and the dragon was just caught from the Southern Desolate Mountain Range this morning; before cooking, they were all lively creatures!"
Elder Yan took out a jade bottle from his bosom, his eyes beseeching as he looked at Xiao Yi, "Xiao, there are a few Qi Gathering Elixirs inside this bottle, you must accept them!"
Qi Gathering Elixir.
A second-grade, low-level elixir, one worth a hundred taels of silver.
Xiao Yi shook his head, "Without merit, I cannot accept the reward; I cannot take these elixirs."
"Don't be so quick to decline, I have a favor to ask of you!" Elder Yan chuckled, having seemingly anticipated Xiao Yi's refusal.
Xiao Yi's inquisitive gaze met his.
"On the fifteenth of next month, the Treasure Pavilion's treasure appraising event of the five cities of Nanhuang will be held in our Nanhuang City. At that time, Pavilion Masters from the other four cities of Nanhuang, as well as some significant figures, will attend. Elder Yan Mingli of Sky Moon City's Treasure Pavilion and I are old rivals, and just a few days ago, he sent me a challenge letter, declaring that the younger generation from both sides would compete."
Nanhuang is boundless and vast, an incredibly large territory.
Within the entire Nanhuang, there are five cities: Nanhuang City, Sky Moon City, Shouye City, Dinghai City, and Qingyang City. Each city has a branch of the Treasure Pavilion, and they constantly vie with each other, both openly and in secret.
Elder Yan said gravely, "I've received word that he has recently taken on an exceptional disciple; although Bing Xin is quite competent, she still falls short in experience compared to Cheng Fu's disciple. Therefore, I would like to ask for your help at the event, Xiao!"
"I will go!"
Xiao Yi agreed. To him, it was no more than lifting a finger.
Elder Yan's face broke into a thrilled smile, and without further ado, he stuffed the elixirs into Xiao Yi's hand, "Now you can accept them with a clear conscience, right?"
Xiao Yi could only smile helplessly and accept them.
"Pavilion Master, we've arrived!" called the coachman from outside the carriage.
The three stepped out of the carriage.
Xiao Yi took Fang Qingzhu's small hand, "Shall we go in and sit for a while?"
Elder Yan glanced at the dilapidated courtyard in front of him, his eyebrows knitting slightly.
This courtyard was truly too rundown.
The walls were cracked, and the door was mostly broken, creaking in the wind.
Elder Yan averted his gaze and shook his head with a smile, "The Treasure Pavilion still has matters to deal with; I won't disturb you and Madam Xiao's rest today!"
Fang Qingzhu bowed her head, her pretty face flushed.
Xiao Yi laughed heartily, unconcerned, "If that's the case, I won't keep you! I'll remember the matter and will attend when you let me know!"
"Then I'll take my leave first!"
Elder Yan gave a respectful bow to Fang Qingzhu, "Madam Xiao, do remember to visit the Treasure Pavilion when you have the time; let me have the honor of being a proper host!"
Fang Qingzhu nodded, "Take care, Elder Yan!"
"You two go ahead inside; no need to see me out!"
Elder Yan waved his hand and slipped back into the carriage.
They watched Elder Yan leave.
Xiao Yi looked at Fang Qingzhu before him, "Do you want to stay here, or go back?"
Fang Qingzhu bit her lip, a hint of struggle appearing on her face.
What Fang Zheng and his wife did today had indeed chilled her heart; for the moment, at least, she did not wish to see them again.
She inconspicuously slipped her hand out of Xiao Yi's grasp, and said softly, "I'd like to be alone for a while."
"There are vacant rooms in the courtyard. We can each take one," Xiao Yi said, not really minding.
But before they could step inside, they heard hurried footsteps coming from behind, accompanied by Fang Zheng's voice.
"Wait!"