"Innkeeper, do you have any rooms available?" Fang Yuan came to the only inn in the village and asked for the price.
"Yes, yes. There is room on the second floor and third floor. Not only is it cheap, the rooms are also tidy and clean. The first floor is the cafeteria; guests of the inn can come here and eat. There is also service for asking the inn workers to bring up food to your room." The innkeeper was full of hospitality as he entertained Fang Yuan.
Fang Yuan was a little hungry, so he passed 2 full round pieces of primeval stones to the innkeeper. "Give me a good room for me to stay in, and return me any excess balance."
"Also, prepare some hot water for me, I would like to wash myself."
"Done." The innkeeper took the 2 pieces of primeval stone and asked, "Would you like to eat in your room, or dine in the hall?"
Fang Yuan looked at the sky. The rain is pouring heavily and it's still early in the morning. He replied, "I'll eat in the hall."
"Yes!" The worker immediately nodded, "My lord, go on to your room first. I guarantee you, the hot water will be sent over immediately."
Fang Yuan let out a noise of approval and went up the stairs, heading towards the second floor.
"With my C grade talent, the amount of my primeval sea in the aperture is only 44%. The speed of Gu using up primeval essence is way faster than my own recovery rate. If I want to refine a Gu I would need to borrow external help, which means I need to waste primeval stones." he pondered.
"To refine the Moonlight Gu I would at least require five primeval stones, at the most I'd need eight pieces." He returned to his room.
Just after he lit the lamp, the inn worker came up with a basin of hot water. Of course, there were cloth towels and other toiletries.
Fang Yuan let the worker leave and closed the room door. He put down the door latch, washed himself and got up to his bed.
Growl…
At this moment Fang Yuan's stomach came up with a cry of protest.
He ate very little in the two days, and was without sleep as he was chipping away the rock wall.
"I guess I'll go and fill my stomach first." Fang Yuan rubbed his belly and went downstairs. He went to the cafeteria and picked a seat at the corner, ordering a few kinds of breakfast dishes.
Just as he was beginning to eat, his younger brother Gu Yue Fang Zheng appeared.
"Big brother, why are you staying at the inn, why didn't you go back home and sleep last night?" His brother was very straightforward, his tone carrying the implication that it was demanding for an explanation.
Faced with his brother's question, Fang Yuan did not speak; he continued eating his breakfast. He knew his younger brother's character – Fang Zheng was not someone who could keep in his composure.
Sure enough Fang Zheng saw that his older brother did not even bat an eye at him, as if Fang Yuan pretended he was air. In the next moment he called out in a tone full of unhappiness, "Big brother, what did you do to Shen Cui? Ever since she came out from your room yesterday, she cried all over the place. When I comforted her, she cried even more."
Fang Yuan looked up at his younger brother, his face expressionless. Fang Zheng frowned, staring firmly at his older brother, waiting for his reply.
The atmosphere was growing tense.
But Fang Yuan just looked at him for a second before he lowered his head and continued eating.
The younger brother Fang Zheng was immediately flustered. Fang Yuan's attitude was clearly an undisguised contempt towards him. Under shame and frustration he banged his hand on the table, roaring loudly, "Gu Yue Fang Yuan, how can you act like this! Shen Cui as a servant girl has served you for so many years; I have seen her gentleness and care towards you. Yes, I know you feel lost, and I can understand your dejected feelings. Yeah you're just a C grade talent, but it doesn't mean you can vent your anger on others just because of your own misfortune. This isn't fair to her!"
He had barely finished when Fang Yuan stood up, raising his hand in a flash.
Slap!
With a loud snap he gave Fang Zheng a solid smack.
Fang Zheng covered his right cheek, stumbling two steps backwards, his face full of shock.
"Useless bastard! Just because of a lowly girl like her you would forget that I am your older brother?" Fang Yuan reprimanded in a low voice.
Fang Zheng finally reacted, his stinging pain on his face surging through his nervous system in waves. He stared wide-eyed, his breathing rough as he said in disbelief, "Big brother, you hit me?"
"I am an A grade talent and you are just a C grade."
Slap!
Fang Zheng had not finished speaking, yet Fang Yuan used the back of his hand and smacked him again.
Fang Zheng covered both his cheeks with his two hands. He was stunned.
"Naïve fool!"
Fang Yuan sneered, "From today onwards, you are not my little brother, and I am no longer your older brother."
"Big brother!" Fang Zheng was surprised, opening his mouth to say something.
At this moment Fang Yuan spoke, "Don't you like Shen Cui? Don't worry; I didn't do anything to her. She's still a virgin, untouched and pure. Pass me six primeval stones and I'll pass her to you, from today onwards she can be your personal maid."
"Big brother, why are you…" To have his inner thoughts revealed out loud so suddenly, Fang Zheng felt a surge of panic, feeling rather unprepared.
Seeing Fang Zheng not replying, Fang Yuan frowned and said, "Of course, if you don't want to exchange, then that's fine."
Fang Zheng was anxious on the spot. "I'll exchange! Why would I not exchange. But the primeval stones on me are not enough for six anymore."
As he said this, he took out his money pouch, his face red all over.
"I'll keep these, you can go now." Fang Yuan's expression was cold as he tucked the bag away.
"Big brother…" Fang Zheng wanted to say more.
Fang Yuan raised his eyebrows slightly, speaking in a slow and leisure manner, "Before I change my mind, you better disappear from my eyes."
He did not look back, and walked out of Fang Yuan's sight.
"I can finally have you rightfully as mine, Cui Cui." Fang Zheng felt his heart throb.
Fang Yuan reached into his robes and patted the five-and-a-half primeval stones at his bosom, his mouth curling into a mocking smile.
...
In the blink of an eye, a week has passed.
In the room at the inn, there were no lights. The moonlight poured in, casting a color of frost. On the bed Fang Yuan sat cross-legged, his eyes closed.
In his aperture was a sea of primeval essence. The seawater was a green copper color, the surface of the sea clear and calm as a mirror. The water level was about half the height of the aperture. The entire volume of the sea occupied 44% of the aperture.
Inside his aperture, Liquor Worm and White Boar Gu hovered silently.
A pale blue crescent mark formed in the middle of his brow, appearing onto his forehead.
"Finally!" Fang Yuan opened his eyes and touched the crescent mark on his forehead.