Chapter 9 Drifting Apart
The crimson sun sank in the west, but had not yet completely set.
Light still lingered in the sky, though everything seemed shrouded in a layer of gray. Gazing through the window, the distant mountains were gradually merging into a heavy darkness.
Inside the living room, the dim light cast shadows over the faces of the uncle and aunt seated in the main chairs, making their expressions hard to discern.
Seeing the two jars of wine Fang Yuan had brought with him, his uncle, Gu Yue Dong Tu, furrowed his brow deeply and spoke. “Time flies—you’re already fifteen now. To think you both possess the aptitude of a Gu Master, especially Fang Zheng. Your uncle and aunt are truly proud of you both. Here are six primeval stones for each of you. Take them. Refining Gu worms consumes a great deal of primal essence, and these stones will be of use to you.”
As he spoke, a servant approached and handed each of the brothers a small pouch.
Fang Yuan accepted his in silence.
Fang Zheng, however, immediately opened his pouch and saw six oval, grayish-white primeval stones inside. His face lit up with gratitude as he rose from his seat and bowed to his uncle and aunt. “Thank you, uncle and aunt. I truly need primeval stones to replenish my primal essence. The kindness of raising me all these years—I will always remember it!”
The uncle smiled and nodded.
The aunt waved her hand and spoke gently to Fang Zheng. “Sit down, sit down. Though you two are not our biological children, we have always raised you as our own. Seeing you succeed makes us proud. Alas, we have no children of our own. Sometimes I wish you could truly be ours.”
Her words carried deeper meaning, which Fang Zheng failed to catch, but Fang Yuan’s brow furrowed slightly.
Sure enough, the uncle continued, “Your aunt and I have discussed this—we would like to formally adopt you both into our family, to become true family. Fang Zheng, would you be willing?”
Fang Zheng was momentarily stunned, but soon his face brightened with joy. He agreed readily. “To be honest, ever since our parents passed away, I’ve longed for a united family. Being able to become part of your family is wonderful!”
The aunt relaxed and smiled. “Then you are our good son now. Still calling us uncle and aunt?”
“Father. Mother.” Fang Zheng quickly corrected himself, realization dawning.
The uncle and aunt both laughed.
“Good son, it’s all worth it after raising you from age five—a full ten years.” The aunt wiped away tears.
The uncle turned to the silent Fang Yuan. “And what about you, Fang Yuan?”
Fang Yuan shook his head without a word.
“Brother,” Gu Yue Fang Zheng began to persuade him, but the uncle stopped him.
The uncle’s tone remained unchanged. “Very well, Nephew Fang Yuan, we won’t force you. But since you’re already fifteen, it’s time you establish your own household—this will also make it easier for you to inherit your branch of the Fang family. I’ve prepared two hundred primeval stones for you, as support.”
“Two hundred primeval stones!” Fang Zheng’s eyes widened in astonishment. He had never seen so many stones and could not help but look envious.
Yet Fang Yuan still shook his head.
Fang Zheng was utterly baffled, while the uncle’s expression shifted slightly and the aunt’s face darkened.
“Uncle, Aunt, if there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave now,” Fang Yuan said, not giving them a chance to speak further. He picked up the wine jars and walked straight out of the hall.
Fang Zheng stood up. “Father, Mother, perhaps my brother just needs time to think. Let me talk to him?”
The uncle waved his hand and sighed deliberately. “Alas, this cannot be forced. Your concern already warms my heart. Someone, show Young Master Fang Zheng to his room and make sure he’s comfortable.”
“Then I’ll take my leave.” Fang Zheng withdrew, and the living room fell into silence.
The sun had completely set, and the room grew darker.
After a long pause, the uncle’s cold voice cut through the gloom: “It seems that little brat Fang Yuan has seen through our scheme.”
According to the Gu Yue clan’s rules, the eldest son, upon reaching sixteen, was entitled to inherit family property.
Fang Yuan’s parents had passed away, leaving behind a substantial inheritance—currently “managed” by his uncle and aunt.
This inheritance was worth far more than a mere two hundred primeval stones.
If Fang Yuan were adopted like Fang Zheng, he would lose his right to inherit. If he established his own household at fifteen this year, it would also violate the clan’s inheritance rules.
“Fortunately, we’ve won over Fang Zheng, and Fang Yuan only has C-grade aptitude,” the uncle sighed again, feeling a wave of relief.
“Then what do we do, Master? Fang Yuan clearly intends to set out on his own at sixteen,” the aunt said anxiously, thinking of the inheritance.
“Hmph, since he harbors ill intentions, we can’t blame us for acting. If we catch him committing a grave mistake before he leaves, we can expel him from the family and strip him of his inheritance rights,” the uncle snorted.
“But that little brat is so clever—how could he make a mistake?” the aunt asked, puzzled.
The uncle rolled his eyes and whispered harshly, “You really are foolish! If he won’t make a mistake, can’t we frame him? Just have that girl Shen Cui lure him in, then cry ‘assault’—we catch them in the act, accuse him of drunken lechery and madness, and won’t we easily have him expelled?”
“Master, your plan is brilliant!” the aunt exclaimed, overjoyed.
Night deepened, the sky heavy with dark clouds that hid most of the stars. Lights began to flicker on in households across the mountain stronghold.
Gu Yue Fang Zheng was led into a room.
“This room was specially prepared for you, Young Master Fang Zheng, on Master’s personal orders,” said Shen Momo, bowing low with an ingratiating smile.
Fang Zheng looked around, eyes shining. The room was twice the size of his previous one. In the center was a spacious bed; by the window stood a sandalwood desk with fine brushes, ink, and paper. The walls were adorned with elegant hangings. Even the floor was covered with a soft, handwoven carpet.
Never in his life had Fang Zheng stayed in such a room. He nodded repeatedly. “This is wonderful. Thank you, Shen Momo.”
Shen Momo was the aunt’s most trusted servant, overseeing the household staff—a true steward.
Shen Cui, Fang Yuan’s personal maid, was her daughter.
Shen Momo chuckled. “How could I dare accept your thanks, Young Master? It’s only my duty. Please, eat and sleep well. If you need anything, just ring the bell by the bed, and a servant will come at once. The Master has instructed that you focus entirely on cultivation these days—we’ll handle all the trivial matters.”
Fang Zheng felt a surge of gratitude. He said nothing more, but silently resolved: This time, I must win first place. I won’t let Father and Mother down!
……
The clouds grew heavier, and the night deepened. The stars were almost entirely obscured, with only a few still glimmering faintly in the sky.
*Uncle and aunt must be plotting how to expel me,* Fang Yuan thought, a cold smile forming in his heart. *In the past life, they secretly incited the servants to provoke me, then framed me and cast me out. I wonder what changes this life will bring.*
He had long seen through his uncle and aunt’s true faces.
Yet he could understand.
People die for wealth, birds die for food. Whether on Earth or in this world, so many trample on familial bonds, friendship, and love for the sake of profit.
In truth, there was no familial affection to begin with. When his uncle and aunt took in Fang Yuan and Fang Zheng, their true aim was the inheritance. It was just that the brothers kept surprising them.
*The beginning is always the hardest, especially for me. I have no exceptional talent, no mentor’s guidance—essentially starting from nothing. My parents’ inheritance could be my great leap forward. In my past life, my uncle and aunt seized it, costing me two years just to reach the peak of first-turn cultivation. This life, I cannot repeat that mistake.*
Fang Yuan walked, lost in thought.
He didn’t stay at home. Instead, he carried two jars of wine and headed straight for the stronghold’s outskirts.
The sky grew darker, clouds swallowing the stars. The mountain wind howled, picking up strength.
A storm was brewing.
But he still needed to explore. His parents’ inheritance would have to wait until he turned sixteen next year. As for the legacy of the Flower Wine Traveler—that was something he might secure soon.
The streets were nearly empty. Dim light seeped from some houses; bits of trash, leaves, and dust swirled in the wind.
Fang Yuan’s thin clothes couldn’t block the mountain wind, and he shivered slightly.
He opened one of the wine jars and took a small sip. Though it was cheap wine, the warmth spread through him after he swallowed.
This was his first real drink in days.
The closer he got to the stronghold’s edge, the sparser the houses grew, and the dimmer the lights.
Ahead, darkness loomed. The wind pressed against the forest; in the night, branches swayed and rustled, like beasts roaring.
Fang Yuan’s steps did not falter. He passed through the stronghold gate and walked deeper into the dark road.
Behind him lay the brilliant, warm lights of a thousand homes.
Within those lights, there was a cozy corner.
His younger brother, Gu Yue Fang Zheng, sat at the desk, reviewing his notes from class. The room was brightly lit, the sturdy walls blocking the cold wind. A warm cup of ginseng tea sat by his hand, steam curling upward.
“Young Master Fang Zheng, the hot water for your bath is ready.” Outside, Shen Cui’s soft voice came.
Fang Zheng’s heart stirred. “Bring it in.”
Shen Cui swayed into the room, her face full of allure.
“This servant greets Young Master Fang Zheng.” She gazed at him with coquettish eyes. Fang Yuan only had C-grade talent, but Fang Zheng was A-grade. If she could win his favor, true wealth and status would be hers!