At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, they called me a demonic monk.

Fang Yingyu looked up in surprise, then lowered her head again, tacitly agreeing.

"Why not send it out?" Fang Xiaohe sat on the edge of the bed.

"Too rough...not good enough for her," Fang Yingyu said softly.

Fang Xiaohe sighed, "Silly brother, it's a small gift but a deep sentiment. Miss Ruan is pure of heart; she's not the kind of person who values ​​material possessions."

Fang Yingyu shook her head: "It's not just that... Brother, like you said, we're poor guys, and she's a rich girl. There's a huge gap between us."

Silence fell over the room, broken only by the occasional crackling of the oil lamp. Fang Xiaohe knew his brother was right; in this world, social class was an insurmountable barrier.

"Go to sleep, you have to get up early for the temple fair tomorrow." In the end, Fang Xiaohe simply patted his younger brother's shoulder and went back to his room.

Fang Yingyu clutched the small wooden box tightly, her heart filled with mixed emotions. In the end, she couldn't resist taking it out and putting it into the pocket of her clothes.

The temple fair in Yuanzhou City was bustling with activity. The streets were lined with all sorts of stalls, and the sounds of vendors calling out their wares filled the air. Fang Yingyu wore her best clothes—a faded blue long gown—and arrived at the agreed-upon location early.

He waited for about half an hour before seeing Ruan Yichen arrive late with Ruan Shanruo. Ruan Shanruo was wearing a pale yellow dress today, with only a simple silver hairpin in her hair, which made her skin look as white as snow and her beauty radiant.

"Brother Fang, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting." Ruan Yichen smiled and cupped his hands in apology. "Some things at home have kept me waiting."

Fang Yingyu quickly returned the greeting: "You're too kind, I just arrived recently."

Ruan Shanruo stood behind her younger brother and secretly winked at Fang Yingyu, making his heart skip a beat.

The three strolled slowly along the street, occasionally buying small trinkets. Fang Yingyu followed silently behind, her gaze unconsciously following Ruan Shanruo's figure.

"Yichen, I want to eat a sugar figurine." Ruan Shanruo suddenly pointed to a sugar figurine stall by the roadside.

Ruan Yichen laughed and said, "Sister, how old are you? Why are you still eating this?"

'

"I want it!" Ruan Shanruo tugged at her younger brother's sleeve and pleaded.

Helpless, Ruan Yichen was about to take out his money when a servant-like man rushed over and whispered a few words in his ear. Ruan Yichen's expression changed: "Sister, there's an urgent matter at home, I have to go back."

Ruan Shanru pouted: "Didn't you promise to come with me to the temple fair?"

"It's really important," Ruan Yichen said apologetically, then looked at Fang Yingyu, "Brother Fang, why don't you go shopping with my sister for a while? I'll be back as soon as possible."

Fang Yingyu paused for a moment, then nodded: "Brother Ruan, don't worry!"

After Ruan Yichen left in a hurry, Ruan Shanruo seemed even happier: "Finally, I don't have to be controlled by him anymore! Young Master Fang, let's go take a look over there!"

She naturally took Fang Yingyu's hand and ran towards the sugar figurine stall. Fang Yingyu felt a soft touch in her palm and froze, letting Ruan Shanruo pull her through the crowd.

The two bought sugar figurines and watched a variety show. Ruan Shanruo was as curious about everything as a child. Fang Yingyu gradually relaxed and was often amused by her.

"Young Master Fang, do you think this hairpin is pretty?" Ruan Shanruo stopped in front of a jewelry stall and picked up a wooden hairpin—it bore a striking resemblance to the one Fang Yingyu had carved. Earlier, in this bustling market, Ruan Shanruo had spotted a beautiful jade hairpin and bought it without asking the price. Fang Yingyu knew that the price of that hairpin was enough to cover their family's expenses for a month. This disparity was like a dull knife, cutting into his heart day and night. He carried the hairpin he had carved with him every day, yet he could never bring himself to show it off. Now, the wooden hairpin felt slightly warm in his arms. He hesitated, thinking that he should find an opportunity today to present the hairpin as a thank-you gift for facilitating his apprenticeship. Perhaps that wouldn't be too presumptuous!

Just as Fang Yingyu was about to answer, the sound of horses' hooves suddenly came from behind. Zhao Mingxuan, accompanied by four or five servants, rode up and reined in his horse in front of the two of them.

He had always liked Ruan Shanruo, but she never reciprocated his feelings. He persisted, believing that sincerity could move mountains. Today, seeing her traveling with Fang Yingyu, he was consumed by jealousy and resolved to cause trouble, determined to humiliate Fang Yingyu and make him lose face in front of Ruan Shanruo, thus venting his anger.

"Miss Ruan, what a coincidence." He dismounted, but his gaze was fixed on Fang Yingyu. "Isn't this that poor boy who freeloads? Miss Ruan, you really have been lured away by this poor boy after all."

Ruan Shanru frowned: "Young Master Zhao, please have some self-respect."

"Have some self-respect?" Zhao Mingxuan sneered. "Miss Ruan, who are you? Who are he? You should tell this poor kid to have some self-respect!"

He stared at Fang Yingyu, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "You stole the show at the martial arts arena the other day; today I'll let you steal the spotlight!" With that, he suddenly waved his hand. "Teach this arrogant brat a lesson!"

Fang Yingyu clenched her fists: "Zhao Mingxuan, if you have the guts, come and teach me a lesson yourself!"

Zhao Mingxuan shook his head: "I don't even need to lift a finger. Do you know why I bring servants with me when I go out? It's like going hunting with dogs; if something happens, the dogs go first, and you end up getting hurt."

Upon hearing this, the servants all blushed, but could not refute it. Fang Yingyu smiled disdainfully: "Your analogy is excessive, but it also makes a lot of sense."

Zhao Mingxuan then mocked, "You wouldn't understand. You don't even have a dog at home. You're barely able to support yourself, how could you afford a dog?" With that, he waved his hand, and the servants behind him really did surround Fang Yingyu like dogs.

Even without using the Canglang School martial arts taught by Song Bie, his solid foundation honed through years of hard work and experience was still useful against the servants. One servant threw a punch, but Fang Yingyu dodged to the side, grabbed the servant's wrist, and twisted it, sending the man sprawling to his knees in pain. Another servant attacked from behind, but Fang Yingyu, as if seeing in the back of the head, ducked and swept his leg, sending the servant sprawling face-first into the dirt.

In no time, several servants were lying on the ground groaning in pain. Zhao Mingxuan's face was ashen. He roared and charged forward with his sword. In his eyes, Fang Yingyu was just a poor boy. Even if he knew some martial arts, how could he be a match for him? He had already witnessed Fang Yingyu's abilities at the martial arts arena last time and found him nothing to fear.

Seeing Zhao Mingxuan's outrageous behavior, Fang Yingyu's anger surged. Knowing she couldn't be careless in dealing with him, she instinctively clenched her fists. Although she had no sword, she could use her fists as a weapon, unconsciously unleashing the Canglang Sword Technique. Her movements were as swift as lightning, her fists flashing and seemingly chaotic, yet subtly revealing hidden techniques. After a few rounds, Zhao Mingxuan became flustered, having already taken several punches and suffering excruciating pain.

"You... how did you suddenly become so powerful!" Zhao Mingxuan took a few steps back in horror, his eyes filled with disbelief.

There's a saying: "A scholar should be looked at with new eyes after three days' absence." If I don't teach you a lesson today, I'll truly be letting you down.

"Impossible! How could you..."

He roared and drew his sword, thrusting it at Fang Yingyu. The sword strike was swift and ruthless, aimed directly at her throat—a killing blow.