Chapter 1591: I Have Always Known

Seeing the servant's growing anger, Wang Yu suddenly remembered something and tried to tug Fang Chen away. "Uncle Fang, forget it. Let's not talk to him."

The green-robed servant stared coldly at Fang Chen and said, "My master is a disciple of the Xu Family from the county seat. You look like a learned man. Don't throw away your future over a moment of impulse."

"You've guessed wrong. I am not a scholar, I am a martial artist," replied Fang Chen with a smile. "I can see you have a few years of training under your belt, but if you strike at me, you will only be throwing away your life."

Wang Yu was genuinely stunned to hear that. "Uncle Fang is a martial artist!?"

She couldn't see even a hint of a fighter in the man before her.

"Your hands have no calluses, yet you claim to be a warrior?" replied the servant, clearly skeptical.

However, he was still guarded. Fang Chen's aura was far too composed and ethereal. Shifting his stance slightly, he didn't want to drag this out. He cupped his fists perfunctorily. "I ask that you do not make things difficult for a mere servant like me."

"Go on. After we finish admiring the blossoms, I will escort Little Yu back myself," said Fang Chen, waving him off dismissively.

"Did you hear that? You go back first, I'll follow later," added Wang Yu immediately.

The servant remained silent for a few breaths. Seeing Fang Chen's back turned to him, the servant suddenly lunged forward in a flash, clawing his hand toward Fang Chen's shoulder.

Puff!

A massive, invisible force surged back. The servant was sent stumbling back a dozen paces, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. He stared at Fang Chen in pure disbelief. Not daring to strike again, he turned and fled in haste.

"Uncle Fang, you really

are

a martial artist!" exclaimed Wang Yu, her eyes wide and filled with wonder.

"I am. Do you want to learn?" asked Fang Chen.

"I do! I really do!" Wang Yu's eyes sparkled, but her face quickly fell. "But I heard from my brother-in-law's people that martial heritage is incredibly precious. No one teaches it for free. You need a massive entrance fee for a master, and I don't have any money..."

"No money is needed. If you want to learn, I will teach you. In the future, you can be a wandering heroine and roam the world with your sword," said Fang Chen with a chuckle.

"How did you know I've always wanted to be a wandering heroine!?" Wang Yu gasped.

Fang Chen smiled. "I have always known."

***

Li Meiyan's residence in Peach Blossom Village was no longer the humble shack of years past, but the small house felt crowded today. Her eldest daughter and son-in-law had returned with a caravan of gifts and servants. Even their carriage was pulled by four sturdy horses.

Opposite Li Meiyan sat the young couple, both in their early twenties. The woman carried an air of refined nobility, while the man was fair-skinned and possessed a sharp, heroic aura.

A fourth person lounged in the hall. It was a slovenly fellow who bore a resemblance to the husband. He had no regard for posture, dangling one leg over the armrest of his chair and letting his arms hang limply.

"Mother, Little Sister is of age now. She's a perfect match for my brother-in-law here. We came today specifically to settle the engagement. Once she marries into the family, I'll have someone to keep me company in the Xu Family," said the eldest daughter softly.

Though a smile remained on Li Meiyan's face, a flicker of worry troubled her eyes. She stole a glance at the lounging youth and sighed inwardly. Rumors of his poor character were widespread. If her daughter married him, she would surely suffer.

Xu Tianhuan sensed the tension and turned to his younger brother with a cold glare. "Sixth Brother, can you sit properly for once?"

"Brother, it's not like we're meeting high-ranking officials. What's the point? I'm more comfortable like this," replied the youth with a grin. "Let's just finalise the marriage quickly. I don't want to linger in this place too long. Anyway, in a while—"

"Shut up," scolded Xu Tianhuan, anger flashing in his eyes.

The youth laughed dismissively but fell silent.

Xu Tianhuan turned back to Li Meiyan and said sincerely, "Mother, let Little Yu marry my brother. My family will not mistreat her. You should close down the tofu shop and move to the county seat to live with us as well. There's no need for you to toil anymore."

"I won't be moving." Li Meiyan shook her head. "I've lived here half my life and gotten used to it. As for Little Yu, she must agree to the marriage herself. As her mother, I can only offer advice."

"Since ancient times, marriage has been decided by parents and matchmakers. How can a little girl decide for herself?" the youth frowned. "Or does your family look down on the Xu Family?"

"Mother simply doesn't want Little Sister to repeat her own mistakes," interjected the eldest daughter calmly. "In our family, whether we marry or whom we marry has always been our own decision. I was no exception, and Little Sister won't be one either."

She glanced at her husband. "Dear, when Little Sister returns, let your brother ask her himself. We shouldn't interfere."

Xu Tianhuan sighed and nodded. "Very well."

Just then, the green-robed servant stumbled into the hall. He couldn't hold it back any longer and spat out a mouthful of blood.

Xu Tianhuan and the Sixth Brother instinctively bolted upright. Li Meiyan and her daughter gasped in panic.

"What happened?" Xu Tianhuan demanded.

The youth's face contorted with rage as he lunged forward, gripping the green-robed servant's shoulder.

"S-Sixth Lord... there is a martial arts expert here... I was no match for him," stammered the servant.

The youth instinctively shot a glance toward Xu Tianhuan. "How is that possible? They arrived so quickly?"

"Explain clearly what happened. Why were you injured?" asked Xu Tianhuan calmly.

The servant quickly recounted the confrontation. Hearing the story, Li Meiyan's eldest daughter looked up in surprise. "You're talking about Mr. Fang? That's impossible. He hasn't been seen in Peach Blossom Village for nearly ten years."

With a complex expression, Li Meiyan added quietly, "Brother Fang... he returned a short while ago."

"And who exactly is this Mr. Fang?" asked Xu Tianhuan, turning to his wife with a puzzled look.

Before she could speak, Li Meiyan elaborated, "Years ago, when I was driven out of the Wang Family, it was Brother Fang who provided me with the silver to open this tofu shop. You must not cause him any trouble."

Her daughter was stunned, clearly having not heard about this before. "Mother, Mr. Fang supported us? Why didn't I know about this?"

Li Meiyan sighed softly. "Brother Fang specifically asked me not to speak of it. I thought that if word got out, it might affect his reputation, so I kept it to myself all these years."

"It seems that Mr. Fang is an extraordinary man," noted Xu Tianhuan with a faint, intrigued smile.

"Extraordinary? Even an extraordinary man must pay a price for striking one of my subordinates," sneered the younger brother.

Xu Tianhuan's voice suddenly turned cold. "Sixth Brother, am I not the head of the family, or do you wish to take my place?"

The youth froze. Knowing his eldest brother was angry, he clamped his mouth shut and looked away.

At that moment, Wang Yu's cheerful voice drifted in from outside.

"Mother! I'm back! I've brought Uncle Fang home for dinner. He says he's going to teach me martial arts!"