Chapter 625 - 620: Returning to the Clan
Chapter 625: Chapter 620: Returning to the Clan
Yun Qianyue wore a pale green long dress, her face veiled by a light purple gauze that revealed only a pair of cold, clear eyes.
At this moment, Fang Han’s reflection was mirrored in those eyes, which held a hint of nearly imperceptible anticipation and joy.
"You’re back."
she said. Her voice was cold, yet it held less of its usual distance and a little more gentleness than when she spoke to others.
"Mm."
Fang Han stopped before her, his gaze lingering on her face for a moment.
The two walked side by side through the courtyard and into a side hall.
Qiu Lan had already prepared a steaming hot dinner: several exquisite side dishes, two bowls of Blood Rice, and a pot of warmed fruit wine.
Fang Han and Yun Qianyue sat facing each other.
"Did you run into any trouble on your trip to the Imperial Capital?"
Yun Qianyue’s cold eyes rested on Fang Han, filled with a hint of concern.
"Not much trouble, no."
Fang Han shook his head, picking up a piece of meat with his chopsticks and placing it in Yun Qianyue’s bowl.
"But I did encounter many experts at the Martial Arts Assembly."
Yun Qianyue set down her teacup and looked at Fang Han, waiting for him to continue.
So, Fang Han began to tell her about some of the events from the Martial Arts Assembly.
He spoke of his Swordsmanship duel with Bai Yan, the fierce battle against Lie Yang, the clash with Zhen Feixuan where he had been forced to reveal almost all his trump cards, and finally, his crushing defeat by Qin Yuan’s heaven-shattering saber strike.
He spoke calmly, his tone holding no trace of showing off or resentment, as if he were recounting a perfectly ordinary experience.
But Yun Qianyue listened intently.
When she heard how Fang Han, with his Late-Stage Second Grade Cultivation, had fought Zhen Feixuan, who was at the Middle Stage of First Grade, her fingers tightened slightly around her teacup.
And when she heard that Fang Han had ultimately been defeated by Qin Yuan’s saber strike—one that surpassed the level of Breaking the Three Gates—a flicker of barely concealed heartache crossed her cold eyes.
"Qin Yuan has been cultivating for several years longer than you. Given time, you will surely surpass him."
Yun Qianyue said, her voice still cold but laced with concern and comfort.
Fang Han smiled but didn’t reply.
He picked up the Purple Jade Hairpin and a wooden box from the table, handing them to Yun Qianyue.
Yun Qianyue froze for a moment, then reached out and took the Purple Jade Hairpin.
A faint purple glimmer danced on her fingertips as it flowed along the hairpin’s body. Under the lamplight, the exquisitely carved orchid looked breathtakingly lifelike.
"I happened to see this in the Imperial Capital and thought it would suit you."
Fang Han said.
Yun Qianyue didn’t speak. She simply lowered her head to gaze at the Purple Jade Hairpin. In the eyes visible beyond her veil, the faintest ripple of emotion appeared before quickly returning to tranquility.
But her fingers, holding the Purple Jade Hairpin, gently caressed its body with slow, cherishing movements.
"This is Three-leaf Sword Grass, a Low-grade Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure that can improve one’s Talent for Swordsmanship."
Fang Han pushed the wooden box toward Yun Qianyue.
Yun Qianyue’s hand paused. She lifted her eyes to look at Fang Han.
For the first time, a clear fluctuation appeared in her cold eyes—surprise, hesitation, and an ineffably complex emotion.
"This is too valuable."
she said softly, her voice a few degrees quieter than usual.
"You should keep it and use it yourself."
Fang Han shook his head.
"I’ve already consumed four such Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. Taking another would have very little effect. It’s better for you to have it than for it to be wasted on me."
He paused, his tone growing more serious.
"Your Talent for Swordsmanship is already exceptional. After consuming this Three-leaf Sword Grass, you’ll surely reach an even higher level."
Yun Qianyue was silent for a moment, then nodded lightly and put the wooden box away.
Her eyes lingered on Fang Han’s face for a moment before shifting away, settling on the bright, clear moon that had risen outside the window.
With no outsiders present, she removed the light purple gauze from her face, revealing an exquisitely beautiful countenance.
Her features were pure and otherworldly, her eyes and brows like a painting. Her skin was as fair and smooth as porcelain, glowing with a faint luster under the lamplight.
Fang Han’s gaze rested on her face for an instant before he looked away.
The two finished their dinner under the lamplight.
Qiu Lan cleared the dishes and served tea and snacks, and the two continued to talk for a long time.
They discussed the recent state of the Sect, the movements of the various other sects, and their recent insights from cultivating Swordsmanship.
The topics were fragmented and didn’t flow together, but the conversation never felt dull.
As the night deepened, Yun Qianyue glanced at the high moon outside the window and finally stood up.
"It’s getting late. I should be heading back."
Her voice was still cold, but it carried an imperceptible hint of reluctance to leave that hadn’t been there when she arrived.
Fang Han walked Yun Qianyue to the courtyard gate.
Under the moonlight, her pale green figure receded into the distance, soon disappearing around a bend in the mountain path.
Fang Han stood before the gate with his hands behind his back, watching until her figure vanished into the night before turning back into the courtyard.
...
The next morning, after breakfast, Fang Han left the Qingxuan Sect and headed for Qingxuan City.
The doors to the Qingxuan City branch of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion were wide open, with customers constantly coming and going. Business was clearly booming.
Fang Han stepped through the doors, and a maid came forward to greet him.
Upon recognizing Fang Han, a look of respect immediately appeared on the maid’s face. She bowed and said:
"Young Master Fang, the Young Mistress is in the back hall. I’ll take you to her."
Fang Han followed the maid through a corridor and into the back hall.
Inside the back hall, Lan Yuexin was sitting at a rosewood desk, looking through a thick ledger.
She was dressed in a water-blue long dress, her long hair falling softly over her shoulders, which made her already stunning face seem even more refined and otherworldly.
Hearing footsteps, she looked up. Her bright eyes rested on Fang Han for a moment before blossoming with pleasant surprise.
"Young Master Fang Han."
She put down the ledger and stood up.
"When did you get back?"
"Yesterday."
Fang Han nodded slightly and sat down opposite Lan Yuexin.
After serving fragrant tea, the maid silently withdrew, leaving the two of them alone in the hall.
Lan Yuexin looked at Fang Han, her bright eyes filled with concern.
"I’ve already heard about the Martial Arts Assembly. Top four, congratulations."
Fang Han shook his head. "I didn’t manage to get first place in the end."
"The prodigies from all One Hundred and Eight Counties of the Great Chu Dynasty gathered there, and you don’t even have the advantage of age. Making it into the top four is already an incredible achievement."
Lan Yuexin said earnestly, her tone devoid of flattery, only sincere admiration.
Fang Han retrieved an exquisite Brocade Box from his Storage Ring and handed it to Lan Yuexin.
"I happened to see this in the Imperial Capital. I thought it would suit you, so I brought it back."
Lan Yuexin froze for a moment, then reached out, took the Brocade Box, and gently opened it.
Inside the box lay a pair of sapphire earrings.
The gemstones were shaped like teardrops, completely clear and translucent. Under the lamplight, they glowed with a deep, pure blue, like the purest drop of water from the deep sea.
Lan Yuexin’s gaze lingered on the earrings for a long time before she lifted her bright eyes to look at Fang Han.
"Thank you."
she said softly, her voice filled with unconcealable delight.
Lan Yuexin carefully put on the earrings. The blue gemstones swayed gently against her snow-white earlobes, making her bright eyes seem even more clear and captivating.
She looked at Fang Han, a smile gracing the corners of her lips.
The two chatted in the back hall for a long time.
Lan Yuexin spoke of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion’s recent business performance, mentioning the many conveniences that had come with their formal affiliation with the Qingxuan Sect.
Fang Han listened quietly, occasionally adding a few words.
It was nearly noon when Fang Han finally rose to take his leave.
Lan Yuexin saw Fang Han to the main entrance. They exchanged a slight nod, and Fang Han turned and walked away.
...
「At the same time.」
Donglu County, Thunderlight Pavilion.
In a quaint, antique side palace, the Pavilion Master of Thunderlight Pavilion, Lei Qianting, sat in the seat of honor, his expression as heavy as still water.
Several Elders sat on either side below him. The atmosphere in the hall was so oppressive it was nearly suffocating.
"Still no news from Elder Lei Zheng and the other two?"
Lei Qianting asked, his voice low and deep.
Based on his calculations, the Martial Arts Assembly had been over for quite some time. With Elder Lei Zheng and the others long overdue, he felt a growing sense of unease.
"Reporting to the Pavilion Master."
an Elder replied with a bow.
"Ever since their departure, Elder Lei Zheng and the other two have not sent back any news. It has been over a month now."
Lei Qianting’s brow furrowed tightly, and he fell silent for a moment.
"Send someone to the other sects in Donglu County that participated in the Martial Arts Assembly. Find out if Lei Zheng and the others ever made it to the Imperial Capital and if they appeared at the assembly."
"Yes, sir."
The Elder accepted the order and withdrew.