Free Web NovelChapter 173: Chapter 172: Hidden Danger
At the Yue Mansion, Yue Xiong was practicing his Fist Technique when he heard the news from his trusted steward. He smashed a fist into a training post, and with a CRACK, the post—so thick it would take two men to encircle it—split right down the middle.
He froze, the muscles in his face twitching. After a long moment, he slowly let out a breath, his eyes filled with a mixture of lingering fear and relief as he whispered.
"Seventh Grade? So that’s how it is! Thank goodness... thank goodness I didn’t act rashly last night!"
At the He Mansion, the scroll in He Wen’s hand fell onto the desk with a SLAP. He stared blankly out the window for a long time before giving a bitter laugh, shaking his head, and murmuring.
"To reach Seventh Grade in a single year... The Fang Family’s rise is unstoppable. Prepare a generous gift. I will personally visit the Fang Mansion later to offer my congratulations."
At the Sun Mansion, Sun Mang was so shocked he shot up from his chair. The Jade Ring in his hand fell to the floor and shattered, but he didn’t even notice. His face was ashen and beaded with cold sweat as he said in a trembling voice.
"Increase the value of the gift by thirty percent! No, by fifty percent! It must be a substantial gift. We cannot afford to be disrespectful!"
After learning the truth, the last shred of unwillingness and wishful thinking in the hearts of the three patriarchs vanished completely, replaced by a deep-seated awe and dread.
For Fang Han to have reached the Seventh Grade at such a young age, his Talent was terrifyingly immense, and his future was limitless—far beyond anything they had imagined.
If they offended a genius who was highly likely to become a high-ranking member of the Qingxuan Sect, the Lin Family’s fate today could very well be the fate of their three families tomorrow!
At this moment, they were all incredibly grateful for their decision to hold back the previous night.
Their desire to covet the Lin Family’s assets had already transformed into a question of how to befriend the powerfully rising Fang Family—or, at the very least, how not to make them an enemy.
The winds of change had truly swept through Liangshui City!
...
「The morning after the destruction of the Lin Family.」
The gloomy clouds that had persisted for days finally scattered. Long-absent sunlight streamed through the window lattice, spilling into the room and bringing a touch of warmth.
Fang Han slowly withdrew from his cultivation and opened his eyes. A trace of deep cyan light swirled in their depths before quickly fading.
He pushed open the door to find gentle sunlight and air filled with the unique crispness of winter, along with the faint, lingering scent of the New Year festivities.
"Brother!"
Fang Ying, who had been waiting in the courtyard, saw him and immediately rushed over like a cheerful little bird, grabbing his hand and shaking it.
"Brother, you promised you’d take us out today! You can’t go back on your word!"
She tilted her small face up, her big eyes full of anticipation.
"Alright. Today, I’ll take Xiaoying and our parents out for a proper stroll."
Fang Han smiled and ruffled his little sister’s hair, his gaze shifting to his parents, who stood smiling nearby.
Fang Zheng looked to be in high spirits today. The gloom that had knitted his brow had completely vanished now that the family’s major affair was settled.
Lin Wan carefully adjusted Fang Han’s collar and said softly, "You’ve been so busy lately. You should go out and relax."
Followed by a few servants, the family of four left the Fang Mansion and joined the early-year crowds on the streets of Liangshui City.
Despite the massive upheaval two nights ago, the city’s festive New Year atmosphere had not dissipated.
The fall of the Lin Family had simply become the latest topic of gossip for the city’s residents. Liangshui City would not cease to function just because one family was gone.
On either side of the streets, most shops were already open for business. Vendors selling New Year’s goods still called out enthusiastically, and lanterns and colorful paper decorations of all kinds had not yet been taken down.
The streets were bustling with pedestrians. Some recognized Fang Han and couldn’t help but stare, their eyes filled with a mixture of awe, curiosity, and an unconcealable trace of fear.
Low murmurs rippled through the crowd like a rising tide.
"Look, it’s that one from the Fang Family..."
"Hiss... That’s him? The one who, with a single sword..."
"Keep your voice down! You don’t want to provoke him..."
Fang Han acted as if he didn’t notice the stares, simply staying close to his family with an unhurried gait.
Fang Ying, however, was buzzing with excitement. Her head darted left and right, and her attention was soon completely captured by a stall selling candied haws and all sorts of preserved fruits.
"Brother, I want that one, and that one!"
She pointed at the glistening candied haws and the lusciously colored honeyed dates, pleading as she tugged on Fang Han’s sleeve.
"Alright, we’ll get both."
Fang Han chuckled, stepping forward to buy a stick of candied haws and a bag of the preserved fruit. Fang Ying cheered, took the candied haws, and ate with such delight that her eyes curved into crescents, oblivious to the sugar sticking to the corners of her mouth.
Lin Wan smiled, taking out a handkerchief to wipe her daughter’s mouth, her eyes full of affection.
Fang Zheng watched his son and daughter, stroking his beard with a smile. With the Lin Family gone, the worry had completely vanished from his face.
The family strolled slowly through the bustling market. Fang Ying was curious about every snack she’d never seen before, so Fang Han bought them one by one for her to try.
The servants following them were soon carrying all sorts of treats, while the little one happily munched on her newest purchase.
The warm sun shone down on them as the family enjoyed the leisure and coziness of their festive reunion.
After they had been walking for about an hour, it was approaching noon. Fang Ying pouted and said,
"Father, Mother, Brother, let’s go eat at the Hundred Flavors Building, okay? I heard their Eight Treasure Duck and Hibiscus Cake are delicious!"
Fang Ying suggested, looking up with her eyes shining in anticipation.
Fang Zheng and Lin Wan exchanged a hesitant glance.
But Fang Han had already nodded with a smile. "Alright. We’ll go to the Hundred Flavors Building today and try the Eight Treasure Duck that Xiaoying recommended."
The Hundred Flavors Building was a well-known restaurant in Liangshui City, famous for its exquisite but pricey dishes. In the past, while the family wasn’t struggling, they rarely dined at such an expensive establishment.
However, with his current wealth, a meal at the Hundred Flavors Building was nothing to him.
When they arrived at the Hundred Flavors Building, it was, as expected, packed with customers, and all the private rooms had long been booked.
"Greetings, Young Master Han! It is an honor for our humble restaurant that you would choose to dine with us..."
The Shopkeeper, having a sharp eye, recognized Fang Han. His attitude immediately became incredibly respectful and enthusiastic. He even managed to clear out a reserved private room and personally led Fang Han’s family inside.
The dishes arrived quickly, a feast for the senses. Fang Ying ate until her little mouth was glistening, praising the food repeatedly.
The atmosphere at the table was warm and cozy. No one spoke of the turmoil in the city, only sharing amusing family anecdotes.
After the meal, the family left the Hundred Flavors Building, completely satisfied, and returned to the Fang Mansion.
Just as they stepped through the mansion gates, a servant hurried forward, bowed respectfully to Fang Han, and said,
"Young Master Han, the Patriarch requests your immediate presence at the council hall in Songtao Pavilion."
Hearing this, Fang Han’s brow twitched almost imperceptibly.
’The Lin Family is gone, and the situation is settled,’ he thought. ’So why the urgent summons? Did something happen?’
A flicker of doubt crossed his mind, but his expression remained impassive as he said to his parents,
"Father, Mother, you two head back to Tingyu Pavilion and get some rest. I’ll be right back."
With that, he turned and strode quickly in the direction of Songtao Pavilion.
Upon entering the council hall, he saw Patriarch Fang Lingyuan seated in the main seat, with the four Core Elders—Fang Tu, Fang Yuan, Fang Mingde, and Fang Zhenshan—seated on either side.
However, the atmosphere in the hall was not relaxed and celebratory as one might expect. Instead, it was heavy with a palpable tension.
Fang Lingyuan’s brow was slightly furrowed, his fingertips tapping unconsciously on the armrest of his rosewood chair.
Elder Fang Tu sat with his arms crossed, his expression somber and his gaze as sharp as a hawk’s.
Elder Fang Yuan stroked his beard in silence, his white eyebrows slightly knitted.
Elder Fang Mingde stared down at a ledger-like book in his hands, his expression grim.
Even Fang Zhenshan, who was normally expressionless, had a gaze that seemed colder and harder than usual.
A faint shadow of worry hung over all five of their faces.
"Patriarch, Elders, you summoned me with such urgency. Has something happened?"
Fang Han’s heart sank slightly. He stepped forward and cupped his fists in a salute.
"Fang Han, you’re here. Have a seat."
Fang Lingyuan looked up at Fang Han and waved his hand, signaling for him to dispense with the formalities, before speaking in a low voice.
After Fang Han took a seat below, Fang Lingyuan mulled it over for a moment before continuing. freewebnøvel.coɱ
"Although the Lin Family has been destroyed, we’ve encountered some... peculiarities while taking inventory of their assets." freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
"Peculiarities?"
Fang Han’s gaze swept over the Elders’ expressions, and the unease in his heart grew.
"What kind of peculiarities?"
Fang Lingyuan exchanged a glance with Fang Tu, who snorted, his voice tinged with irritation.
"We’ve taken inventory of the Lin Mansion’s treasury and accounting office. We found that the ready silver, gold, and easily liquidated jewelry total a value of... just over one hundred thousand taels."
"Only a little over one hundred thousand taels?"
At these words, Fang Han’s pupils constricted. For the first time, a look of clear surprise appeared on his face.
"How is that possible?"
The Lin Family had been entrenched in Liangshui City for decades and owned numerous businesses. Even if most of their wealth was tied up in fixed assets like mines, shops, and properties, there was no way their liquid cash and valuables amounted to so little.
It was far too little. Unusually so!
"As surprising as it is, that is the reality," Foreign Affairs Elder Fang Mingde looked up, putting down the book in his hands. His plump face, usually wearing a slick smile, was now grave.
"We truly only found assets worth a little over one hundred thousand taels in the Lin Mansion."
Law Enforcement Elder Fang Zhenshan frowned. "We have repeatedly interrogated the Lin Mansion’s Stewards, accountants, and the trusted servants of their core disciples. All of them say there have been no records of major expenditures in recent years, yet a massive sum of money has simply vanished."
Fang Han’s brows furrowed. "Did the money just grow wings and fly away?"
"Not only that," Fang Lingyuan said, his gaze heavy. "While accounting for the Lin Family’s members, we discovered that the bodies of one Lin Family Elder and five of their most valued Inner Hall Disciples are missing."
"Missing?" A chill went down Fang Han’s spine. "Did they escape through a secret passage during the chaos?"
Elder Fang Tu shook his head. "The Lin Family did indeed have several secret exits, but our raid was too swift. No one had a chance to escape through them."
The confusion in Fang Han’s eyes deepened. "Then what about... those six?"
Elder Fang Zhenshan said gravely, "According to testimony gathered from separately interrogating numerous Lin Family servants and maids, those six... didn’t disappear on the night of the attack. They had already been gone for two or three days before the New Year festivities."
Hearing this, Fang Han’s expression instantly darkened. "They left before the New Year?"
A thought flashed through his mind. ’Could the Lin Family have learned of our plan in advance, moving their assets and sending away some core disciples to preserve their bloodline?’
But he immediately dismissed the thought as soon as it arose.
’The decision to annihilate the Lin Family was known only to the six of us here. Our interests are all tied to the Fang Family. It’s impossible that any of us would have leaked the plan, let alone tipped off the Lin Family.’
’Besides, if the Lin Family really had advance warning of something so major, why would they only send away a single elder and five disciples?’
’They would have made a much bigger move, either preparing for an all-out war or having the entire clan flee.’
