Martial Dao: I Can Enhance My Talents

Chapter 356: Chapter 353: New Year’s Visit

About half an hour later, everything was ready.

Two carriages departed from the Fang Mansion. One carried Fang Zheng’s family of four, while the other was packed to the brim with all sorts of gifts.

The coachman flicked his whip. The horses’ hooves clip-clopped crisply on the frost-kissed stone slabs as they headed toward his maternal grandfather’s home, which was also in the eastern part of the city.

The carriage passed through several streets and alleys, gradually entering a more secluded area.

The residents here were wealthy merchants and shopkeepers who, like his grandfather’s family, had some assets but were far from being established clans.

However, when the carriage turned into the alley, the scene before him made Fang Han raise an eyebrow slightly.

More than ten lavishly decorated carriages were parked at the alley’s entrance—far too opulent for such a remote area.

People who looked like servants bustled about, directing the carriages and horses, creating a lively scene.

Looking further in, he saw his grandfather’s familiar courtyard. The vermilion gate was wide open, and a gilded "Fu" character for good fortune shimmered in the morning light.

The stone path before the entrance had been swept clean, and a short red carpet had even been laid out, extending straight into the courtyard.

Well-dressed guests chatted and laughed as they came and went, while attendants at the gatehouse greeted and saw them off. It was a bustling scene, reminiscent of a crowded marketplace.

"This..."

Lin Wan lifted the carriage curtain, staring at the scene in a daze.

This level of fanfare was more befitting of one of the city’s great aristocratic families. ’Is this really my family’s home? Not some other major clan’s?’

Fang Zheng was also surprised, but he quickly understood. He glanced at his son, and a knowing look dawned on his face.

The carriage slowly came to a stop before the gate.

A sharp-eyed servant at the gate had already dashed inside to announce their arrival.

Just as Fang Han’s family stepped out of the carriage, before they could even steady themselves, a figure strode out to greet them.

It was his young uncle, Lin Hai.

Today, he wore a brand-new, dark blue brocade robe with a jade belt at his waist and black boots on his feet.

The weary look that had often clouded his face was gone, replaced by a radiant, high-spirited expression.

A few servants who looked like stewards followed behind him, their attitudes deferential.

"Sister, brother-in-law, Xiaohan, Xiaoying, you’re finally here!"

Lin Hai took a few steps forward, his smile sincere and enthusiastic. When his gaze fell upon Fang Han, it held an extra touch of unconcealable pride and gratitude.

The family’s dramatic transformation was all thanks to this nephew of his, Fang Han, who was on the Celestial Pride List and famed throughout Qingyang County.

"Quick, please, come inside! Dad’s been talking about you all morning, saying you should be arriving soon. He’s sent me out to check for you several times!"

"Little brother, who are all these visitors?"

Lin Wan asked, glancing with surprise at the carriages filling the entrance.

Lin Hai chuckled, scratching his head and lowering his voice.

"Sister, thanks to Xiaohan, our family has seen some big changes this year. Let’s go in first, Dad’s waiting!"

With that, he enthusiastically led the family inside.

Passing through the main gate and into the courtyard, Fang Han scanned his surroundings and nodded to himself in approval.

Though it was the same courtyard, it had clearly been meticulously renovated.

The doors, windows, and corridor pillars had been repainted. Several valuable bonsai trees had been added to the garden, and even the green bricks underfoot seemed to have been newly laid, smooth and level.

A dozen or so eight-immortal tables were set up in the yard, already occupied by many guests who were toasting, talking, and laughing.

These people were well-dressed and carried themselves with an air of distinction; they were clearly not ordinary folk.

When they saw Lin Hai personally escorting the family of four inside, many eyes turned toward them, and a low murmur of whispers began to rise.

"Is that Young Master Fang? The one from the Qingxuan Sect’s Celestial Pride List?"

"That’s him. I’ve seen his portrait. He’s as handsome and distinguished as they say!"

"Elder Lin is so fortunate to have a grandson like him..."

"I heard that Young Master Fang single-handedly killed a Demon Beast nearing the Upper Three Grades yesterday. A true hero emerges from the young!"

Voices of praise and astonishment rose and fell, and gazes filled with awe and fervor landed on Fang Han.

Fang Han nodded slightly in acknowledgment, his steps steady as he followed Lin Hai across the courtyard toward the Inner Hall.

Inside the Inner Hall, it was even livelier than the outer courtyard.

In the seat of honor, his maternal grandfather, Lin Chengde, was dressed in a festive, dark red patterned brocade robe, seated in a Grandmaster’s Chair.

His face was ruddy, his spirit vigorous, and his expression wreathed in smiles as he chatted with several distinguished-looking old men.

When he saw Fang Han’s family enter, his eyes lit up, and he stood up.

"Grandfather, I’ve come to give you New Year’s greetings."

Fang Han took a few steps forward, about to bow in respect.

"Good child, rise, quickly, rise!"

Lin Chengde caught Fang Han, gripping his shoulders firmly. His eyes were full of relief and pride as he looked him up and down, nodding repeatedly.

"You’ve gotten a bit thinner, but your spirit is even stronger! Good, very good!"

He took Fang Han by the hand, turned to the old men beside him, and announced in a booming voice,

"Come, come, my old brothers, this is my grandson, Fang Han!"

The old men had already risen to their feet, their attitude so polite it bordered on reverent. They spoke one after another.

"True Inheritor Fang is a young genius. To meet you today is an honor that spans three lifetimes!"

"We have long admired your great name and are finally able to meet you today!"

Fang Han returned their greetings one by one, neither servile nor arrogant.

Just then, a delicate voice sounded from the side.

"This must be Xiaohan, right? I’ve heard your uncle mention you so often. It’s wonderful to finally meet you."

Fang Han followed the voice and saw a pretty young woman in a lotus-root-pink embroidered dress emerge from a side door of the Inner Hall.

She appeared to be in her early twenties, her black hair coiled in an exquisite bun and pinned with a green Jade Hairpin. Her eyes crinkled with a smile, and her every move carried the demure grace of a well-bred lady.

Lin Hai quickly came forward, took the woman’s hand, and introduced her with a beaming smile.

"Xiaohan, this is your aunt, He Wanjun. We just got married last year. You were at the Sect, so you missed the wedding feast."

He Wanjun?

A thought stirred in Fang Han’s mind.

He had heard about his uncle’s marriage, but he never expected the bride to be from the He Family.

The He Family, once ranked alongside the Fang Family as one of the five great families of Liangshui City. Since the fall of the Lin Family and the rise of the Fang Family’s power, few people used that designation anymore.

But given the He Family’s deep-rooted foundation, they could still be considered a major family in Liangshui City.

Furthermore, if he recalled correctly, He Wanjun was a daughter of the He Family’s direct line.

’A daughter from the direct line of the He Family, condescending to marry the son of a cloth merchant...’

After a moment’s thought, he understood. His own influence was undoubtedly the reason behind it.

However, he wasn’t angry about it. On the contrary, he was happy that his uncle had made such a good match.

"Happy New Year, Aunt."

Fang Han’s expression was calm as he cupped his hands in a slight bow, his tone serene.

"Yes, Happy New Year!"

He Wanjun quickly returned the courtesy, her smile growing even more gentle. Her gaze lingered on Fang Han’s face for a moment, filled with visible warmth.

She walked over to Lin Wan, affectionately took her arm, and said in a soft, lovely voice,

"Sister, you must be tired from the journey. Please, take a seat and have some hot tea to warm yourself."

Lin Wan smiled and agreed.

The family took their seats, and hot tea and snacks were quickly served.

He Wanjun was an attentive hostess, her words exuding a sense of closeness.

Lin Hai sat to the side, a constant smile on his face as he watched the scene.

Before long, He Wanjun led several other lavishly dressed women over and introduced them with a smile.

"Sister, these are my sisters-in-law and sisters from my maiden family. They’ve long heard of your virtuous character and wanted to meet you today."

The women quickly came forward and surrounded Lin Wan, showering her with compliments.

"Sister Lin is so fortunate to have such an outstanding son as True Inheritor Fang!"

"I heard True Inheritor Fang single-handedly killed that troublesome Demon Beast yesterday? What a hero!"

"Sister, how do you usually raise him? You must share some of your wisdom with us..."

Though a bit overwhelmed by the attention, Lin Wan was delighted and responded to each of them with a smile.

Meanwhile, Lin Hai pulled Fang Zheng over to sit with some of the male guests from the He Family, where they drank and chatted in a congenial atmosphere.

Fang Han sat upright beside his grandfather, occasionally exchanging pleasantries with the old men, but mostly just listening quietly.

He could feel gazes, both overt and covert, constantly fixed on him.

There was awe, curiosity, scrutiny, and flattery.

Fang Han handled it all with a faint smile.

The He Family had married off a daughter of their direct line to Lin Hai for the sake of latching onto him, a great tree offering shade. This was only human nature, and he held no resentment toward them.

As long as the He Family behaved themselves and didn’t use his name to cause trouble, he didn’t mind them benefiting from this connection.

The meal proceeded in this warm yet delicate atmosphere.

In the evening, Fang Han’s family rose to take their leave.

"Grandfather, take care of your health. I’ll come visit again when I have time."

Lin Hai and He Wanjun escorted them all the way to the alley’s entrance, watching until the carriage disappeared into the distance before turning back to the residence.

...

Over the next few days, the festive New Year atmosphere remained thick in the air.

As the number one family in Liangshui City, the Fang Family received an endless stream of guests coming to offer New Year’s greetings.

However, given Fang Han’s current status, there were few people in Liangshui City worthy of his personal reception. Thus, he wasn’t particularly busy and only needed to make brief appearances.

He devoted most of his time to Cultivation.

Although his current strength was considerable, the pressure on him was just as great. The threat from the Netherworld Pavilion hung over him like the Sword of Dharma; it was far from a time to relax.

In the Cultivation Room, Fang Han sat cross-legged on a cattail hassock, his consciousness sinking into his body.

Nearly two months had passed since he broke through to the Middle Stage of Fourth Grade.

In these two months, he had not slacked off in his Inner Qi Cultivation.

Even when he was away, he would set aside time each day to cultivate and refine his Inner Qi.

The amount of Inner Qi required to advance from the Middle Stage of Fourth Grade to the Late Stage of Fourth Grade was even greater than what was needed to go from the Early Stage to the Middle Stage.

But after nearly two months of accumulation, coupled with the improvements to his Root Bone from the Earth Core Stone Milk and his 128-fold Root Bone Talent Amplification, his Taichong Acupoint was already more than ninety-five percent full.

’Almost there.’

Fang Han opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them.

He took out the Jade Bottle containing the True Spirit Pills, poured out two elixirs, and placed them in his mouth.

The elixirs melted the moment they entered his mouth, transforming into a vast yet gentle Medicinal Power that surged through his limbs and bones.

Fang Han focused his mind and circulated the Profound Wind Technique with all his might.

His Inner Qi rushed like a torrential river, roaring through his meridians as it continuously absorbed and refined the pure Medicinal Power from the True Spirit Pills.

The Cultivation Room fell silent, the only sounds being his long, steady breaths and the faint, barely audible hum of Inner Qi surging within him.

Time slipped by unnoticed as he lost himself in his Cultivation.