The implication was that Fang Zheng could still challenge Fang Yuan with different reasons.
This was one of the things Gu Yue Qing Shu and Gu Yue Bo would be happy to see. They hoped Fang Zheng would defeat Fang Yuan and break the shadow in his heart to build up his self-confidence.
Fang Yuan suddenly smiled, he had been listening to Gu Yue Qing Shu's chatters from the beginning. And now, he finally spoke.
"You think I will lose if we fight?" Fang Yuan asked Qing Shu.
Qing Shu also smiled, "Fights are full of variations, no one can foretell what might happen. However, I need to remind you, Fang Zheng has already refined the Rank two Moonveil Gu; you won't have much of an advantage."
"Hahaha." Fang Yuan shook his head, and the smile on his face became bigger, "I will lose, I'd definitely lose."
Qing Shu stared blankly.
Fang Yuan stared into his eyes and continued, "Not only will I lose, I will even lose very miserably. I will hand over all my parents' inheritance, and from then on I will sleep on the street and wander about begging in the village."
"You…." Gu Yue Qing Shu was smart, he understood Fang Yuan's true intentions. His expression became grave; no longer was it confident and graceful.
Fang Yuan's words were nothing short of a direct threat.
Fang Zheng was being groomed as the next clan leader. If word got out that he had acknowledged outsiders as his parents, used his cultivation and aptitude to suppress his elder brother, and even seized the inheritance, the blow to his reputation would be irreparable.
Even on Earth, such actions would bring shame and scorn. In this world—where the ideals of familial love were held in even higher regard—it would be utterly unforgivable.
It would be one thing if Fang Zheng intended to walk a demonic path. But he was meant to become a clan leader, a representative of the righteous path. Such a role demanded virtue, integrity, and the appearance of moral righteousness.
For a brief moment, Gu Yue Qing Shu stared blankly at Fang Yuan.
Despite everything he'd heard about him, he realized he had still underestimated Fang Yuan. The confidence and pressure he had built up with his words since their encounter had shattered in an instant. Fang Yuan struck directly at the core of the matter, leaving no room to retreat.
If it had been someone else, Fang Yuan might have approached the situation differently. But Gu Yue Qing Shu was known for his unwavering loyalty to the clan.
In Fang Yuan's previous life, he had even laid down his life for it. So now, faced with this threat, he had no choice but to be deeply concerned.
However, he quickly calmed down, his eyes staring at Fang Yuan as he spoke between clenched teeth, "But you won't do this. Because the inheritance has been your goal all along, how will you cultivate if you give up the inheritance?"
Fang Yuan wasn't afraid. He met Qing Shu's gaze, his lips curled up in a smile, "That's why I believe you will give up the notion of buying the Liquor worm and also persuade Fang Zheng to not challenge me, am I wrong?"
Others might not be able to persuade Fang Zheng, but Gu Yue Qing Shu had this capability.
Fang Yuan had no doubt on this.
The situation was in a deadlock.
After a moment, Gu Yue Qing Shu lowered his eyes.
He stared at the wine cup in his hand for a while and suddenly laughed.
"Interesting, we will do just that." His tone carried a hint of melancholy.
A day later
After organizing and inspecting everything in his family assets, Fang Yuan could now focus on the Flower Wine Monk inheritance.
"There are two things I need to concentrate on right now. First is the Flower Wine Monk inheritance, and second is acquiring more primeval stones. There are only a few Gu worms left in the inheritance, but I'll need a large number of primeval stones for the next caravan merchant, which should arrive early next year." Fang Yuan sat by the window seat. Per his request, wooden plank screens had been arranged around him, forming a small private space.
A gust of wind blew in from the window, and the fresh and fragrant smell of the earth was wedged between the air, letting people who smelled it feel carefree and pleased.
Jiang Ya and Jiang He were sat opposite Fang Yuan, their faces full of smiles.
Next Jiang He, raised his cup, toasting to Fang Yuan. "Fang Yuan, happy doing business with you, let me toast you!"
Jiang Ya does the same
Fang Yuan had called them to sell his vitality leaves, hearing such propose both of them quickly went to Fang Yuan to make sure he is not joking.
Although Fang Yuan had nine vitality leaves in his possession, he did not plan to sell it himself. If it was Gu Yue Dong Tu, he would rather do this to sustain his social relationships and increase his influence.
But Fang Yuan was reluctant to do this. It wasted too much time and effort. Thus, he sold them all to Jiang Ya who was a shop owner, so Jiang Ya could sell the Rank one healing grass Gu to the clansmen.
Fang Yuan gave a bag towards Jiang Ya who received it with both hands and opened the bag, checking the quantity carefully.
"One, two, three… nine. Indeed, it is nine vitality leaves." Jiang Ya counted three times before closing the bag and carefully keeping the bag close to his body.
Seeing this, both Jiang Ya and Jiang He smiled even more brightly, realizing that Fang Yuan wanted them to sell the vitality leaves.
"My brother Jiang Ya will follow your instructions and give you the primeval stones next week," Jiang He said respectfully at once, afraid that Fang Yuan might suddenly take back his words.
Fang Yuan sold the vitality leaves to them which allow them to earn the difference in price. Fang Yuan is already their money tree, and Jiang He and Jiang Ya no longer dared to offend this junior.
Fang Yuan raised his cup and drank it in one shot.
"I will make more vitality leaves the next time you visit. You may sell the Gu at fifty primeval stones each, as the clan's market price is fifty-five primeval stones apiece," Fang Yuan instructed Jiang Ya.
"Understood." Jiang Ya immediately agreed to it. After all, this would also improve his social relationships and increase his influence.
The three of them drank
"Owner, someone is finding trouble." At this time, a clerk carried a scared expression and walked towards Fang Yuan.
"Oh?" Fang Yuan's brows raised, not expecting to encounter this immediately. As Fang Yuan knew what the 'trouble' was.
Not waiting for Fang Yuan to react, Jiang Ya stood up abruptly, eagerly saying, "Wait a moment lord, let me go see."
He walked out of the partition and came back almost immediately.
"It is Gu Yue Man Shi!" Jiang Ya's expression was pale, suppressing his voice. His gaze revealed shock and worry.
"Gu Yue Man Shi? What is he doing here?" Jiang He was also confuse.
Bam!
Smashing sound came from outside.
Thereafter, a coarse and arrogant voice resounded, "Blah, what sort of wine is this? Tastes like horseshit, you dare sell this to me?"
"Hmph!" Fang Yuan's gaze shone with cold light as he stood up.
Jiang Ha saw that Fang Yuan intended to go out and wanted to accompany him. "Brother Fang Yuan, even if this Man Shi is very strong, if we team up, we could go against him. After all, two fists are no match for four."
Meanwhile, Jiang Ya was scared and mentioned. "Brother and Lord Fang Yuan, a wise man does not fight when the odds are against him. This Man Shi is very strong—one of the few who managed to escape with his life from Bai Ning Bing. He cannot be underestimated."
"Using his loss as a glorious fame, what fear is there for these kinds of people?" Fang Yuan laughed lightly, "Both of you just sit here and drink away."
"Lord…" Jiang Ya was about to urge again, but he met with Fang Yuan's icy gaze.
The chilliness in Fang Yuan's eyes caused his heart to stop.
He was tongue-tied, helplessly sitting on the chair again while Fang Yuan took a few strides and left the partitioned room, walking towards the main hall.
As for Jiang He, since Fang Yuan had already said that he would handle it, he simply observed from afar. However, he was prepared to step in if it looked like Fang Yuan was about to lose.
As Fang Yuan walked out towards the main hall he saw a Rank two Gu Master had one foot stepping on a stool while another stepping on the table.
He was slightly short in stature, but his arms and waist were thick and solid. A dense black beard stretched from his cheeks and met at his chin, giving him a fierce and rugged appearance. A powerful, wild aura radiated from his body.
Scattered around him were fragments of broken wine pots. Most of the liquor had already seeped into the floor through the cracks in the concrete. Only a few small puddles of wine remained, either pooled on the surface or caught within the shattered pieces.
The shopkeeper old man bowed his head low as he apologised in trepidation, "Lord please be appeased, if this wine is not to your satisfaction, the shop will give you another brew free of charge!"
"Hmph, I don't want wine! Your wine tastes like shit, why are you opening a shop. Compensation, I must be compensated! My good mood was ruined by you guys, you have to compensate me at least five hundred primeval stones!" Man Shi demanded a ridiculous amount.