Chapter 140: 131 Submerged

Zhang Rongfang looked at the approaching ox cart from a distance, his vision gradually expanding, becoming clear.

He felt a sense of sentiment in his heart.

Previously in Tan Yang City, he had indeed gone a bit too far, which led him to be swept into various vortexes of conflict.

But it wasn’t entirely his fault.

If it weren’t for his superiors all having issues, how would he have resorted to assassination and harmonizing them completely?

That’s just the way the world is.

“If you don’t kill, people will kill you.”

Zhang Rongfang quietly decided that he would live well this time, stay undercover for three years, and by then, he estimated he’d have reached a level of unknown strength.

At that time…

Whatever he wished to do would become easier.

“Yes, this time I’ll live well, not trouble my sister and them, not kill recklessly.”

Recalling the terrifying act of almost slaughtering the city by Golden Wing Pavilion, he still felt a bit fearful now.

Suddenly, he spotted several young men and women seemingly out for a picnic in front of the city gate, among them one person glanced his way.

This person subtly waved, flashing a special Feather Talisman.

That was the person who’s the contact from the Golden Wing Pavilion.

Zhang Rongfang nodded in return, both sides not engaging in further communication.

He, serving as the Ninth Grade Spirit Level stationed at the prefectural city, and the Eagle Level of this city, didn’t need much contact.

Just stepping in at critical moments to save the day was sufficient.

Soon, the convoy arrived at the city gates.

Several waiting clerks hastily approached.

“Young Master Rongfang, Lord of Commerce and Lady Yu ordered us to receive you here. I am Zhao Hengyu, responsible for overseeing the safety and inspections of incoming and outgoing trade convoys here.”

“So it’s Lord Zhao.” Zhang Rongfang got off the ox cart and gave a respectful gesture.

The others in the ox cart, hearing this, all had changes in their expressions.

Originally, traveling together, they thought Zhang Rongfang was just a wealthy young man, unexpected that… he was from an official family.

Zhang Rongfang didn’t mind, turned and gestured to the others in the cart.

“Fate brought us together as travel companions, we shall meet again.”

“You’re too kind, young master, until we meet again.”

“Much appreciated, young master!”

They all returned the gesture, feeling impressed by Zhang Rongfang’s courtesy.

“Young master’s first time in Wushan, a place filled with talented people and beauty. If you have the time, I, Old Zhao, can take you for a tour around the area. My daughter is about your age, maybe she can accompany you for some company and fun.”

Zhao Hengyu laughed, appearing honest and straightforward.

“You’re dreaming, aren’t you? Your daughter is a sight to behold! If she accompanies the young master, wouldn’t he be scared to death?”

A colleague nearby laughed and chided.

Zhao Hengyu was not angered.

“Forget you! It’s just some extra birthmarks. And isn’t the Lord himself still finding a pretty wife?”

His words suddenly became a bit untasteful.

Zhang Rongfang listened, seemingly joking on the surface, but it felt a bit harsh.

Was this implying his sister was seeking power by attaching herself to unattractive people?

Yet, with the opposite party’s sincere smile, it was hard to directly counter with words.

“Alright, since the young master is here, you two lead the way to the Commerce Mansion, I’ll continue my duties.”

Zhao Hengyu’s smile was hard to read.

Zhang Rongfang said no more, just cupped his hands and followed the other two towards the city gate.

Soon, inside the city gate, he got onto a previously prepared carriage, which steadily made its way towards the Commerce Mansion.

At the city gates, the silhouettes of the Golden Wing Pavilion, mixed among the crowd, gradually vanished, becoming hidden among the masses.

The carriage smoothly accelerated, Zhang Rongfang remained silent, constantly contemplating the scene of meeting Zhang Rongyu.

He inherited most of the memories from his predecessor, but as they weren’t his own, many were disregarded, gradually fading.

Recalling now, his parents’ faces were blurry and unclear, not remembered clearly since he was very young.

The only clear, unchanged memory was of his sister Zhang Rongyu.

From a girl, to a maiden, to a young lady.

One face after another, maturing from innocent to mature.

But from beginning to end, from the earliest to now, she always gazed at the predecessor with worried eyes.

“Rongfang!”

A sudden female voice came from outside the carriage.

The carriage slowly halted.

Before the door could open, a young woman in a pink gown quickly arrived beside the carriage, opened the compartment, and looked at the person inside.

Zhang Rongfang hurriedly got off the carriage, before he could stabilize himself, he was embraced tightly by the woman.

She held him tightly. That feeling as if she feared he’d run away again, conveyed through just an embrace.

“Why did you run off alone at that time!? Didn’t you know many places are chaotic! Do you know… how long I searched for you alone back then….”

Zhang Rongyu clearly planned not to lecture earlier, but standing before her brother, she couldn’t hold back, tears quickly welled up in her eyes.

Her mouth continued speaking without pause, though it was a complaint, the grief and worry in her heart continuously surfaced in her eyes.

“But I’m fine now, right?” Zhang Rongfang opened his mouth, the word ’sister’ still not uttered immediately.

He let her hold him, his body somewhat uncomfortable.

After all, Zhang Rongyu was still a beauty with a well-proportioned figure, else she wouldn’t easily stand alongside her current husband.

Even if facially unattractive, but her husband is an authentic Spirit Person, now a noble of the Great Spirit.

Someone like him, even with flaws, would still have plenty of beautiful women willing to be with him.

But the only one who actually did was Zhang Rongyu.

Zhang Rongfang lifted his head, looking towards the entrance of the mansion, where a tall man stood wearing a half-black mask.

The man gazed at him softly, with worry and reproach in his eyes.

“Now that you’ve returned, don’t leave again. You must have endured a lot out there, come back and rest well. Your brother-in-law and I have already discussed it, we are financially stable now, so you can focus on your studies, practice martial arts, or do whatever you wish.”

Zhang Rongyu let go of her brother and quickly wiped her tears away.

“Uh…I just came to see you, but I won’t be leaving anytime soon.” Zhang Rongfang replied.

“You still want to leave? … Are you still blaming me?” Zhang Rongyu couldn’t help but tremble slightly.

Back when her brother ran away from home, it was because she had aligned herself with the powerful, and now…

“No.” Zhang Rongfang felt like he wasn’t a good actor.

At least he couldn’t portray real familial feelings.

“Rongfang, since you’re here, don’t leave. Spare your sister the worry constantly. Here in Wushan Prefecture, your brother-in-law has some influence, so you can live comfortably.”

At this moment, Suda Heqi also stepped forward, smiling.

“Thank you, brother-in-law.” Zhang Rongfang cupped his hands in thanks.

“We’re family, no need for formalities. You can stay at the mansion for now, and later, you can go to the steward to withdraw some taels of silver for whatever you wish to do.”

Suda Heqi patted Zhang Rongfang’s shoulder.

“Don’t make your sister worry again.”

Zhang Rongyu carefully watched her brother’s face.

She knew that her brother had left because he disliked her relationship with Suda Heqi.

Now… in front of her husband, she feared her brother would turn around and leave in anger.

If that really happened, she…had no idea how to face her husband.

It was only now she realized that she shouldn’t have let them meet immediately.

She should’ve welcomed her brother first, let him have some time to adjust, and then find an opportunity to arrange a meeting.

But before, she was all tangled up in her thoughts about her brother, not noticing these details.

Now it was too late.

Zhang Rongfang carefully examined Suda Heqi in front of him; he had already gathered a rough understanding of his brother-in-law from the intel from the Golden Wing Pavilion.

He knew his temperament and character.

Then he clasped his fists.

“Thank you, brother-in-law, for your assistance previously.” He referred to the Qinghe Palace’s Taoist records and the silver coins later sent over.

Those silver coins helped him greatly.

And the Taoist records allowed him to start smoothly.

Suda Heqi didn’t say much, only sighed.

“Come on, it’s been a hard journey, have some food and rest, get a good sleep. Here in Wushan Prefecture, as long as you’re in my place, you can rest assured. I’ve got it covered.”

Zhang Rongfang nodded heavily.

*

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“The axe is suspended at the waist, watching the game once decayed~~~”

“The moon was once refined by grinding. Not trimming branches of the connected trees~~ It’s true steel.”

In the music pavilion, an actor dressed as a woodcutter holding an axe was singing lyrics and melodies, performing a play named “Connected Trees.”

On the stage, actors came on and off, sometimes alternating, sometimes gathering.

The accompanying orchestra played with extreme precision.

The stage and music pavilion were specifically designed for performing plays.

At this time, the surrounding music pavilion had three floors filled with people watching the play.

Among them were common folk as well as rich idlers.

In the corner, a rosy-skinned girl with tied small buns on each side of her black hair was slowly walking down from the third-floor railing alongside a tall man.

The girl’s appearance was charming and cute, with peach blossom eyes, a high nose bridge, coral lips, and a slightly chubby face.

Her baby-fat cheeks made people want to pinch them.

“I’m telling you, I sacrificed my rest time to show you around the fun places. Remember to speak nicely to my brother later.”

As she walked, she glanced down at the music pavilion stage.

“They have new plays every few days here; if you have nothing else to do, you can come watch plays here. Today’s seems pretty good.”

“And then, down there, there are various milk tea shops, pubs, fruit stalls, and snack shops. If you’re hungry or thirsty, you can tip the assistants here to buy things and bring them up.

This place has many that specialize in this.”

She was Lu Meisha, the younger sister of Zhang Rongfang’s brother-in-law.

Of course, Lu Meisha was the Northern name she gave herself. Her Spirit People name was Lu Shamiya Mu Chi.

In these few days, her brother asked her to help guide Zhang Rongfang around Wushan Prefecture, to explore and have fun.

By this time, Zhang Rongfang had changed his clothes, wearing dark blue silk robes, a fitted silver belt, a white jade hair band, long black boots, and a brown cloud-patterned short-sleeved coat.

This type of short sleeve was called a half-sleeve robe in Great Spirit.

Besides this, his brother-in-law also gave him a silver talisman from the Commerce Prefecture.

Indicating he was also one of the masters of the Commerce Prefecture.

At this moment, apart from his slightly muscular physique, Zhang Rongfang didn’t look like a Daoist at all.

This fitted attire, along with a high ponytail draped behind him, was the typical look of a valiant young gentleman.

Moreover, he was already of the Ninth Grade carrying an official title, blending two temperaments and adding a sense of grandeur.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep