The First Venerable of All Paths

"Brother, it's him, Fang Xuan!"

The girl with her hair in a bun said nervously, "Brother, should we run away?"

Seeing the other party's tense and wary expression, Fang Xuan was speechless.

Am I really that scary?

"Little sister, don't talk nonsense."

The young man beside him gave a reprimand, then clasped his hands in a fist salute to Fang Xuan and said with a smile, "He Yun of the He family of Mingyang County greets Brother Fang."

"So it's Brother He, I've long admired your name."

Fang Xuan recognized the other person's voice and politely bowed in return.

They had a dispute with Mingche back then at the Tianbao Tower auction in Mingyang County.

Fang Xuan had also heard that the He and Ming families had always been at odds.

Moreover, Fang Xuan did not sense any hostility from the two people.

Instead, there was a deep sense of apprehension.

"Brother Fang, if you don't mind, shall we have a chat?"

He Yun took the initiative to invite him.

Fang Xuan hesitated for a moment, but still nodded in agreement.

He also wanted to find out about the situation in Mingyang County from He Yun, and see what the Ming family was up to.

Soon, the three of them lit a campfire on the riverbank and started cooking fish soup.

The girl with the bun hairstyle was grilling some wild game, occasionally stealing glances at Fang Xuan.

Every time Fang Xuan glanced at her, he would quickly look away, appearing flustered.

"Brother Fang, how about trying my He family's unique Qingxin Tea?"

After He Yun brewed the tea, he poured a cup and handed it to Fang Xuan.

Thank you.

Fang Xuan took the teacup, secretly checked it, and finding no signs of tampering, took a small sip.

As soon as the tea entered his stomach, Fang Xuan sensed a special energy flowing through his entire body, eventually rising from his abdomen to the top of his head, making him feel refreshed and invigorated.

"It has a delicate and rich aroma, a lingering aftertaste, and can calm the mind; it is truly a fine tea."

Fang Xuan downed the tea in one gulp and exclaimed, "Not bad."

"Haha, Brother Fang, if you like them, I'll give you some later."

He Yunlang laughed, quite pleased.

"Then I shall accept your offer."

Fang Xuan could sense He Yun's goodwill and did not refuse.

The girl with the bun hairstyle muttered under her breath, "You spendthrift! Our family only produces less than a hundred catties of this Qingxin tea a year."

"Grill your fish."

He Yun rolled his eyes, smiled apologetically at Fang Xuan, and said, "Please don't be offended, Brother Fang. This girl is spoiled by me and doesn't know how to speak properly."

"It's alright."

Fang Xuan smiled slightly and said, "I also have a younger sister, about the same age as her."

"Oh?"

He Yun's eyes lit up, and then he and Fang Xuan chatted about the topic.

Perhaps because they had the same topic and no conflict of interest, the two chatted more and more happily, feeling as if they had known each other for a long time.

But He Yaoyao was not happy about it.

Because she was the only one working the whole time, and no one was helping her.

"Make way, make way, you can start eating!"

Soon, He Yaoyao finished cooking the fish soup and then placed the grilled wild game and several kinds of fresh fish between the two of them.

It was plentiful and very abundant.

Moreover, it looks and smells delicious.

"Thank you for your hard work, little sister."

He Yun chuckled and showered his younger sister with praise.

"snort!"

He Yaoyao rolled her eyes at her brother: "All you do is say nice things."

Seeing this, Fang Xuan simply smiled calmly and remained silent.

"Brother Fang, please try my little sister's cooking."

He Yun didn't take it seriously and gestured for Fang Xuan to start.

"Then I won't stand on ceremony."

Fang Xuan picked up a golden-brown, crispy swordfish, took a bite, and immediately gave it a thumbs up.

"This tastes far better than that of top chefs."

Upon hearing this, He Yun laughed heartily, a smug smile on his face: "Don't you even know whose sister she is?"

He Yaoyao was unusually a little embarrassed.

The three of them then ate and chatted.

"Oh, right."

He Yun suddenly flipped his hand and took out a pot of wine.

"Such delicious food deserves fine wine."

He Yun raised an eyebrow and said, "Brother Fang, would you like some?"

Fang Xuan also wanted to try the wine, so he readily agreed.

"Brother Fang, I'll drink this, you can drink as you like."

He Yun poured Fang Xuan a large bowl of wine, then picked up his own bowl and drank it all in one gulp, looking completely satisfied.

"happy!"

Fang Xuan followed He Yun's example, picked up the bowl and drank it down in one gulp.

The moment the liquor entered my stomach, it exploded inside me like a ball of fire.

This caused Fang Xuan to cough violently, his face turning red.

"I didn't expect this to be Brother Fang's first time drinking."

He Yun was taken aback at first, then laughed heartily, patting his knee: "This wine is strong, so it's not advisable to drink it too quickly the first time."

As she spoke, she poured another bowl for Fang Xuan.

This time, Fang Xuan learned his lesson.

He took a small sip; the spicy liquor traveled down his throat, through his body, and finally transformed into a burning energy that filled his limbs and bones.

Fang Xuan felt as if every pore on his body had opened up, an indescribable feeling of comfort.

"How is it?"

He Yun looked at Fang Xuan with a smile, looking like a seasoned gourmand.

Fang Xuan remained silent, but picked up the grilled fish and took another bite. He felt his mouth water and experienced a special sensation that made his internal energy circulate several times faster.

Suppressing the urge to break through, Fang Xuan sincerely said, "Fine tea, fine wine, delicious food."

These words made He Yun's smile even wider.

He Yaoyao's gaze toward Fang Xuan softened, becoming less wary.

"Come on, let's continue!"

He Yun picked up his wine bowl and it clinked against Fang Xuan's.

Drinking wine and soup, enjoying delicious food and chatting, the atmosphere became increasingly lively.

"Brother, I want a drink too!"

Seeing the two of them enjoying their meal, He Yaoyao brought over her empty bowl.

"What kind of alcohol does a little brat drink?"

He Yun poured a bowl of fish soup for his younger sister, handed it to her, and said, "Drink the soup."

"Hmph, you stinky older brother!"

He Yaoyao was a little angry, her eyes darting around, and it was unclear what she was thinking.

"Fang Xuan is now a celebrity in our Southwest region."

After eating and drinking for a while, He Yun's conversation gradually became more in-depth.

"Oh? What makes you say that?"

Fang Xuan was somewhat curious.

He Yun said, "Brother Fang, don't you know?"

Fang Xuan shook his head: "I've been in seclusion recently and I really know nothing about what's happening outside."

No wonder.

He Yun said, "More than a month ago, when the news of Wen Donglin and Ming Che's deaths was sent back, the entire Mingyang County was in an uproar."

"After all, one of them is the young master of the Ming family, and the other is the head of the Wen family, both experts at the half-step Divine Intent Realm."

"Given the conflict between the Wen and Ming families and you, everyone suspects it was you who did it."

He Yun said, "To be able to bring two major families to such a state all by yourself, your name is naturally known to everyone."

Fang Xuan could only manage a wry smile in response.

He doesn't care about this so-called reputation.

"So, doesn't that mean Mingyang County is in complete chaos?"

Fang Xuan tore off a piece of fish, put it in his mouth, and chewed slowly.

"On the contrary."

He Yun shook his head and said, "Mingyang County is more stable now than ever before."

"Could it be that the Ming family didn't take this opportunity to attack the Wen family?"

According to Fang Xuan's understanding of Ming Yong, now that Wen Donglin has fallen, the Ming family will definitely take this opportunity to annex the Wen family.

"The Wen family has long since pledged allegiance to the Ming family."

He Yun said, "Originally, the two families were fighting fiercely at the beginning, but for some reason, the Wen family suddenly stopped fighting and chose to submit, and all their businesses were handed over to the Ming family to manage."

"The Wen family is now a mere shell of its former self."

Fang Xuan frowned, then said, "Thinking about it, it makes sense. The two families were never evenly matched in strength, and now that Wen Donglin has fallen, it was only a matter of time before the Wen family was swallowed up."

"This is not normal."

He Yun said, "Logically speaking, the Ming family should have made a big fuss and continued to issue arrest warrants for you, but not only did they not, they withdrew all the arrest warrants, as if this had never happened."

"Oh?"

Fang Xuan asked, "Has Ming Yong changed his nature?"

I don't think so.

He Yun shook his head and said, "I always feel that Ming Yong is brewing some big move. He's definitely planning how to get rid of you."

Upon hearing this, Fang Xuan simply smiled calmly.

"Brother Fang, please don't take this lightly."

He Yun warned, "Ming Yong is a man who holds grudges the most. And you killed his son Ming Che, on whom he had placed great hopes. He dreams of killing you."

"It's alright."

Fang Xuan chuckled and said, "I have no intention of letting him go either."

"Could it be that you...?"

"Haha, Brother He, don't misunderstand."

Fang Xuan said, "I'm not so arrogant as to go looking for Ming Yong right now. He's a Divine Intent Realm expert, after all, and he's not so easy to deal with."

"That's good."

He Yun said, "A gentleman takes revenge even after ten years. With Brother Fang's talent, it will take at least three years, and at most five years, for Ming Yong to be no match for him."

"Why go through all that trouble?"

At that moment, He Yaoyao's voice rang out.

"Why don't you join forces with my He family?"

He Yun's expression changed, and he coldly shouted, "Little sister, don't talk nonsense!"

"I...I'm not talking nonsense!"

He Yaoyao's cheeks were flushed, her eyes were glazed, and she was slurring her words.

"The Ming family has been targeting us all along. Fang Xuan is so powerful, if we join forces, wouldn't... wouldn't that..."

Before she could finish speaking, He Yaoyao's body went limp and she collapsed to the ground.

"That brat, she actually dared to steal a drink."

He Yun rubbed his forehead, speechless.

He picked up He Yaoyao and said to Fang Xuan, "Brother Fang, let's call it a day. If there's a chance, we'll get together again."

"As a friend, take my advice."

He Yun said, "Don't confront the Ming family for now. Go as far away as possible. When you have enough strength, you can do whatever you want."

Throughout the entire conversation, he did not mention a single word about joining forces with Fang Xuan.

"I've got it."

Fang Xuan nodded.

After thinking for a moment, Fang Xuan took out a bottle of pills and handed it to He Yun.

"Brother Fang, what are you doing?"

He Yun glared at her and said, "What do you take me for? Take it back right now!"

"Brother He Yun, please don't misunderstand."

Fang Xuan said, "This bottle of Nourishing Essence Pills isn't for you, it's for your younger sister. Consider it a gift for her."

"Nourishing Essence Pill?"

He Yun exclaimed in surprise, "This pill is far too precious, I..."

"Brother He Yun, if you truly consider me a friend, then please don't refuse."

Fang Xuan said, "Thank you for your hospitality today. I will definitely enjoy myself with Brother He Yun next time."

"good!"

He Yun nodded emphatically, picked up his little sister, boarded the boat, and quickly left.

Watching the brother and sister leave, Fang Xuanyuan's energy surged, his drunkenness dissipated, and his mind returned to clarity.

A cold glint flashed in his eyes, and Fang Xuan murmured softly.

"Ten years is too long, I can't wait that long!"