Chapter 177: Chapter 176: The Family’s Reward
"Uncle Xiao, you helped our Fang Family eliminate a grave threat. This is no ordinary favor. If you don’t accept this, I truly won’t be able to rest easy."
Fang Han said with utmost sincerity.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Tiannan slowly nodded and gestured for the butler at his side to accept the wooden box.
"In that case, it would be disrespectful for the Xiao Family to refuse. My good nephew, should you face any difficulties in the future, our family will not hesitate to help in any way we can."
Though his words were simple, they held the weight of a solemn promise.
After a bit more small talk, Fang Han and Elder Fang Yuan rose to take their leave.
Xiao Tiannan personally saw the two to the door of the main hall, his demeanor even warmer than it had been the day before.
Upon leaving the Xiao Mansion, Fang Han and his group departed without delay, riding straight out of the city and spurring their horses onward toward Liangshui City.
The journey was uneventful, and by the time they reached Liangshui City, night had already fallen.
The city gates were already closed, but given the Fang Family’s standing in Liangshui City, it was not difficult to have them reopened.
Lanterns hung high before the Fang Mansion. Upon learning of their return, someone immediately went inside to announce their arrival.
Carrying two chests, one large and one small, Fang Han and Elder Fang Yuan headed straight for the study in Songtao Pavilion.
The study was brightly lit. Patriarch Fang Lingyuan was already waiting inside, and upon hearing the news, Foreign Affairs Elder Fang Mingde had also hurried over.
"How did it go?"
Fang Lingyuan asked the moment the two entered, his gaze sweeping over the large and small chests they had brought with them.
Elder Fang Yuan placed the small wooden chest on the desk, opened the lid, and revealed a thick stack of land deeds inside.
He then gave a concise summary of their trip to Celestial Wind City, explaining how they used the Xiao Family’s power to find and eliminate Lin Yuan and the others, and how they subsequently discovered a secret room containing these two chests of wealth.
He emphasized that the Lin Family had converted a great deal of their wealth into properties in Celestial Wind City, and that some of the deeds had already been gifted to the Xiao Family as thanks.
"...And that is the situation. These are the remaining deeds. Please, Patriarch, look them over and make a decision."
Fang Lingyuan and Fang Mingde carefully examined the deeds, their expressions shifting constantly.
They displayed relief at the removal of a hidden threat, shock at the Lin Family’s clandestine machinations, and deep thought upon seeing this unexpected fortune.
"To think they converted their wealth into properties in Celestial Wind City..."
Elder Fang Mingde stroked the official seal on one of the deeds, his small eyes glinting sharply as he said thoughtfully,
"Patriarch, our Fang Family has just taken over the Lin Family’s vast assets in this city. The mines and shops all require capable personnel to take control and reorganize, and we’re already stretched thin. All of our reliable clansmen have been sent out; we simply don’t have the capacity to divert our attention to managing these properties so far away in Celestial Wind City."
"In my opinion, while these deeds are valuable, they are more likely to become a liability. We should find a reliable buyer as soon as possible, liquidate these assets into silver coins, and use the funds to replenish our treasury. That is the best course of action."
Fang Lingyuan considered this for a moment, then slowly nodded his head.
"Elder Mingde speaks wisely. The Fang Family’s foundation is still in Liangshui City, so our priority must be to completely absorb the Lin Family’s former assets. These Celestial Wind City properties should indeed be liquidated."
He looked at Fang Mingde.
"I’ll entrust this matter to you. Contact reliable merchant houses and arrange for a swift sale."
"Yes, Patriarch."
Fang Mingde bowed, accepting the order.
With the major decision made, Fang Han and Fang Yuan took their leave.
For the next few days, Fang Han didn’t participate much in family business. He spent most of his time at Tingyu Pavilion with his parents and younger sister, cultivating his Inner Qi, honing his Martial Techniques, and enjoying the rare warmth and leisure at the end of the New Year festivities.
The smiles on Fang Zheng’s and Lin Wan’s faces grew more frequent. With the family’s hidden threat eliminated and a son who was making them so proud, their hearts were free of worry.
Fang Ying, like a happy little butterfly, fluttered around Fang Han all day, chattering without end.
However, time spent together is always fleeting, and the day of his departure soon approached.
One evening, the figure of Patriarch Fang Lingyuan appeared at the courtyard gate of Tingyu Pavilion.
"Patriarch."
Fang Han rose to greet him.
Fang Zheng and Lin Wan also hurried to their feet and bowed.
"There’s no need for such formalities."
Fang Lingyuan waved his hand, his gaze falling on Fang Han. He took a foot-long Purple Sandalwood Box from within his robes, handed it over, and said in a warm tone,
"Fang Han, you will soon be departing to return to the Sect. This... is from the family, for you."
Fang Han accepted the box with both hands. It felt heavy. His heart stirred as he opened the lid.
Inside was not the gold or silver he might have expected, but neat stacks of brand-new silver notes. Each bill had a denomination of one thousand taels, and the thick pile looked to contain at least a hundred of them.
"This is one hundred thousand taels in silver notes."
Fang Lingyuan’s voice was steady, yet it held an authority that permitted no argument.
"You were instrumental in the annihilation of the Lin Family. This is what you have earned."
Fang Han stared at the silver notes in the box, and his heart couldn’t help but skip a beat.
One hundred thousand taels!
This was the exact amount he needed to activate the thirty-two-fold amplification for either his Swordsmanship or his Stepping Talent!
He took a deep breath to suppress the joy welling up inside him, then looked up at Fang Lingyuan with sincere eyes.
"Thank you, Patriarch. Thank you for the family’s generous gift."
Seeing that Fang Han was pleased but not giddy, and remained as composed as ever, the look of approval in Fang Lingyuan’s eyes deepened. He stroked his beard and said slowly,
"There’s no need for thanks. You earned this through your own strength and merit. Besides, this one hundred thousand taels is only the beginning."
He paused for a moment before continuing.
"Elder Mingde has already begun contacting reliable merchant houses to sell the deeds the Lin Family acquired in Celestial Wind City. Once the sale is complete, the family will allocate another three hundred thousand taels of the proceeds and have it delivered to you at the Qingxuan Sect."
Three hundred thousand taels!
Even with his composed nature, Fang Han’s breath caught in his throat.
With this gesture, the Patriarch was essentially handing over the majority of the liquid assets gained from the Lin Family’s fall, aside from the fixed properties.
It was an incredibly hefty reward!
A warm current surged through his heart, and an indescribable feeling of gratitude and responsibility welled up within him.
He didn’t make a show of refusing, knowing full well that his Cultivation desperately needed vast resources. He simply closed the lid of the wooden box and gave another deep, solemn bow.
"I will never forget the family’s investment in me. I will cultivate diligently and without cease, and I will reach a higher Realm as soon as possible to repay the family!"
"Good! Excellent! The family awaits the day you make your name known to the world!"
A broad smile spread across Fang Lingyuan’s face as he clapped Fang Han heartily on the shoulder.
He pondered for a moment before adding,
"Furthermore, the family has decided, after discussion, to transfer five storefronts in a prime location in the eastern market district, originally under the Lin Family’s name, over to you."
"Henceforth, the income from these shops will be yours to do with as you please; the family will not ask about it. Consider it a source of long-term income for your future cultivation."
This was a tangible asset, a piece of property that would provide Fang Han with a continuous stream of income.
Fang Han was even more grateful, knowing this was another significant investment the family was making in his future.
"I... thank the Patriarch, and I thank all the Elders!"
His voice was composed, but it carried a clear undertone of gratitude.
Fang Lingyuan nodded in satisfaction, offered Fang Han a few more words of encouragement, and then left, no longer wishing to intrude on their family time.
After seeing the Patriarch out, Fang Han returned to the room, clutching the heavy wooden box.
Fang Zheng and Lin Wan looked at their son, their faces full of pride and gratification, but not much surprise. It was as if they had already expected the family to bestow such a great reward upon him.
Fang Ying sidled up curiously, blinking her big eyes. "Brother, that’s so much money! Does this mean you can buy lots and lots of candied fruit skewers now?"
Fang Han couldn’t help but laugh as he ruffled his sister’s hair. "That’s right. From now on, your big brother will buy you all the candied fruit skewers you could ever want."
...
「A few days later, in the early morning.」
In front of the Fang Mansion in Liangshui City, a thin mist had yet to disperse, and a biting chill was in the air.
Fang Han, dressed in the cyan Qingxuan Sect Disciple’s Robe and carrying the Cyan Blade Sword on his back, bid farewell to his parents and younger sister with only a simple satchel for his journey.
"Han’er, be careful out there. Cultivate diligently, but remember to take care of yourself, too."
Lin Wan smoothed out her son’s already neat collar, her eyes filled with reluctance to part and motherly advice.
"Big brother, you have to bring me back something tasty when you return!"
Fang Ying hugged Fang Han, her little face upturned, her big eyes welling with tears.
"Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of myself."
Fang Han ruffled his little sister’s hair before speaking solemnly to his parents.
Fang Zheng clapped his son firmly on the shoulder, everything he wanted to say conveyed in that single gesture.
Fang Lingyuan and the four Core Elders had also come to see him off.
"Fang Han, back at the Sect, focus on the Martial Dao. Don’t grow complacent because of your recent achievements," Fang Lingyuan said earnestly.
"I understand."
Fang Han bowed, his gaze sweeping over the assembled elders. Then, without further hesitation, he turned and strode away.
Since he was traveling light, he opted not to take a carriage, planning instead to travel using a Body Technique.
He took a deep breath, and as his Seventh Grade Internal Qi began to circulate, he tapped the ground with the tip of his toes.
WHOOSH—
His figure shot forward several dozen feet in an instant. Within a few short bounds, he had disappeared at the far end of the street.
Fang Zheng, Lin Wan, and the others watched him go, their eyes fixed on the direction he had taken until long after his figure had vanished completely. Only then did they look away, their eyes filled with hope and pride.
Traveling with his Body Technique, Fang Han quickly left Liangshui City and stepped onto the main road.
The main road was sparse with travelers and carriages, so he began to pick up the pace.
With a push of his foot, his body became like a wisp of pale cyan smoke, instantly appearing more than a hundred feet away.
With his Wind Shadow Step at the Great Success Level, his speed far surpassed that of a galloping horse. The scenery on both sides flew backward, and the year’s early chill wind howled past his ears.
However, this was not yet his top speed.
He wasn’t blindly pushing for maximum velocity, but rather maintaining an efficient, energy-saving pace. Inner Qi flowed endlessly through his meridians, perfectly synchronizing with the Wind Momentum generated by his feet. His movement had the effortless grace of flowing water and drifting clouds.
As evening fell, Fang Han slowed his pace outside a city called Baishi City.
He entered the city, found a clean-looking inn, and rented a premium room.
He ordered hot water to wash up, had the innkeeper’s assistant bring a meal to his room, and ate in peace.
After his meal, he did not rest immediately. Instead, he sat cross-legged on the bed and began to operate his Cultivation Technique, cultivating his Inner Qi.
His Inner Qi, powerful and condensed at the Early Stage of Seventh Grade, surged through the circulatory system formed by seven acupoints. With every full Circulation, he could feel his Inner Qi growing noticeably stronger.
With his Root Bone improved by the Earth Core Stone Milk and boosted by the thirty-two-fold Root Bone Talent Amplification, the pace of his Cultivation progress was nothing short of terrifying.
He had only broken through to the Early Stage of Seventh Grade on New Year’s Day, and now, a mere ten-odd days later, the Inner Qi in his newly opened Laogong Acupoint was already half full. He had already completed more than half the accumulation required to reach the Middle Stage of Seventh Grade.
