Chapter 24: Questioning Fang Xian

“That might be someone Third Uncle brought back from Wudu—perhaps an official of the Wu Dynasty? And a top-tier master at that; his identity surely isn’t simple,” Ye Hongxiu nodded as she spoke.

“Come and listen in at the council this afternoon,” Ye Qingyun said as he departed, addressing the pair. “Let’s see how Third Uncle fared in Wudu this time.”

Meanwhile, in the Zhou family compound, Huang Yuantao, accompanied by Huang Shuhua and a middle-aged man in azure robes, walked alongside Zhou Boxiong. “Second Brother, congratulations! You finally have a grandson, the wish you’ve cherished for so many years,” Huang Yuantao said.

“Ahem, yes, Afang has done well. She finally gave this old man a robust grandson,” Zhou Boxiong replied with a smile.

“Right, Second Brother, let me introduce you. This is General Wei Qian’an of the Wu Dynasty’s Imperial Guard, my brother, who traveled from Wu with me to discuss important matters here at Qingyun Village,” Huang Yuantao said, gesturing to the man beside him.

“Brother Wei, welcome. But Third Brother, as soon as Brother Wei arrived, he injured Dan Niu. That might not have been wise,” Zhou Boxiong said calmly, nodding to Wei Qian’an and then turning to Huang Yuantao.

“Second Brother, what’s the story with Dan Niu? Just a few months ago he was far from reaching the peak of second-tier strength. How did he suddenly become a first-rate expert? And what about Hongxiu, when did she break through? I think Tianming has also advanced. What’s going on?” Huang Yuantao paused, struck by a thought, and asked.

“To answer Third Uncle, we all managed to advance so quickly thanks to Brother Fang’s help. He prepared a medicinal solution to strengthen our physiques. We soaked in it for over a month, solidifying our foundations, and finally broke through,” Zhou Tianming replied nearby.

“Where did this Fang come from? How could Big Brother be willing to marry Hongxiu to him?” Huang Yuantao’s expression darkened, his voice stern. Beside him, Wei Qian’an’s eyes lit up—a formula like that could allow the Ninth Prince to secretly cultivate more powerful warriors.

“This is a long story. Let’s sit down and have a few drinks to welcome you. We can talk slowly afterward,” Zhou Boxiong said, not giving a direct answer. He led Huang Yuantao to a newly arranged table, poured him wine, and raised his cup.

Though Wei Qian’an was present, Zhou Boxiong hardly spoke to him, only raising his cup a few times in courtesy. Wei Qian’an sensed a clear rejection and hostility from the father and son.

“Second Brother, you say Fang was just a roadside stranger taken in by the village, but because of his medical skill, he saved Big Brother. That’s why Hongxiu married him? How could Big Brother agree to such nonsense? Isn’t this making a joke out of Hongxiu’s lifelong happiness?” Hearing Zhou Boxiong’s brief explanation, Huang Yuantao frowned and grunted.

“Third Brother, don’t be hasty. You saw yourself how Hongxiu cherishes him. How could it be nonsense? Let me tell you, their feelings are genuine—they’re inseparable. Besides, Fang is kind-hearted and an exceptional healer; he’s cured many here, even restored Old Mother’s eyesight. So the brothers now regard him as their teacher and benefactor,” Zhou Boxiong explained, hoping to avoid animosity between Fang and Huang Yuantao’s family.

Because on one hand, Fang was the Zhou family’s benefactor and godfather to his grandson; on the other, Huang Yuantao was his lifelong comrade, who trained and survived countless battles together. Both held a special place in his heart.

“Hmph, just a few trifling favors to win people’s hearts. Second Brother, aren’t you and Big Brother blind to the fact that his origins are unknown? He’s infiltrated the village—could his intentions be good?” Huang Yuantao snorted coldly.

“Third Uncle, I don’t like what you’re saying. Fang didn’t know you before, nor did he provoke you. There was a misunderstanding, but he explained and moved on. Yet you, as an elder, keep targeting him. Why?” Zhou Tianming suddenly stood, his expression stern.

“Rascal, is that how you speak to your Third Uncle? Apologize at once,” Zhou Boxiong’s face darkened as he berated his son.

Huang Yuantao was taken aback, never expecting Zhou Tianming to snap at him. He stared at Zhou Boxiong in confusion. “What’s gotten into Tianming? Is he closer to Fang than to us, even after thirty years together?”

“Third Brother, you don’t know. When Afang gave birth, she suffered a difficult labor, and was dead for half an hour. Yet Fang managed to bring her back, and both mother and child were safe. Today, Tianming already had his son acknowledge Fang as godfather. Our family is truly grateful to him. In my heart, he’s Hongxiu’s husband, Big Brother’s son-in-law, and my grandson’s godfather—just as close as you and Shuhua,” Zhou Boxiong sighed.

“Master Zhou, bringing someone back from the dead—isn’t that a trick? What if he drugged your daughter-in-law to simulate death, then restored her just to earn your gratitude?” Wei Qian’an interjected, offering a bold suspicion.

“Brother Wei, you’d make a better civil official than a general. Your mind jumps to conspiracy at every turn,” Zhou Boxiong retorted coldly.

“Second Brother, perhaps that’s the truth. We must be cautious,” Huang Yuantao urged.

“Third Uncle, days before the incident, Fang and Hongxiu went hunting in the mountains. Afang’s due date was still five days away, but she slipped and fell, causing the difficult birth. Do you think Fang arranged that too? Pardon me, I must go inside to tend to Afang—she’s weak and needs care,” Zhou Tianming said coldly, bowing and turning away.

“Third Brother, if Fang truly harbored ill will, when Big Brother was poisoned by the Five Venoms Sect leader, he could have let him die. Qingyun Village would have declined on its own. Why go to the trouble of saving a grandmaster only to infiltrate afterward?

Moreover, everything Fang has done lately has been for the village. He discovered a crop called red yam, which yields thousands of pounds per acre, and led everyone to plant it. Next year, we could support thousands more people. Not only did he heal so many, but he shared his formulas from medical texts for martial training, and organized the elite soldiers’ drills. His heart is wholly dedicated to the village.

And Big Brother isn’t senile yet—he agreed to let Hongxiu marry Fang, so surely he can judge character. Put aside your bias; get to know him, and you’ll see what kind of man he is,” Zhou Boxiong counseled.

Hearing this, Huang Yuantao and Wei Qian’an exchanged glances and fell silent, drinking their wine. It was clear Zhou Boxiong fully trusted and defended Fang.

Huang Yuantao thought to himself: In the months since I left, the village has changed dramatically. I must learn more before making any judgments—if I target Fang now, it will only invite resentment.

...

Meanwhile, beneath a mountain ridge beside Qingyun Peak, a burly man with a full beard knelt before an elderly woman. “Mother, Dan Niu has returned.”

This was Zhou Dan Niu, a village deputy and second-tier expert, who served as escort captain on Huang Yuantao’s journey to Wudu. His mother was the old lady whom Fang had saved one morning at the market.

“My son, you’re home. That’s all that matters. If not for our son-in-law, Mr. Fang, I might never have seen you again,” she said, helping him to his feet, relieved to see him unharmed.

“Mother, what happened? Who is this son-in-law? And who is Mr. Fang?” Zhou Dan Niu asked, helping his mother to sit and massaging her legs as he spoke.