Eighteen years had passed, and this was the first time Fang Ling had left the long-sealed gate.
He stepped down the moss-covered stone steps, which had become slippery from years of neglect. An ordinary person would likely slip and fall.
As a child, he had longed to leave this dilapidated temple, but now that he was finally leaving, he felt a sudden sense of uncertainty.
Not knowing where to go, he followed a path until he reached a small, remote village.
The village was small and isolated, so the arrival of an outsider immediately drew the attention of the villagers.
A few young men from the village gathered around him but did not dare to act rashly.
Fang Ling was dressed in silk woven from the threads of poisonous silkworms raised by Fat Master, a clear sign of his noble status.
"What brings you to He Family Village, young master?" asked a dark-skinned young man who seemed to be the leader.
Fang Ling replied, "I got lost in the mountains and don't know how to get out. I'd like to reach the nearest city. Could you guide me?"
"I see," the dark-skinned young man nodded and looked at the others.
"Dog Egg, you guys go back to your work. I'll take this young master to the city. I need to head there for some business anyway."
"Alright, Brother Blackie, come back often!" the others said their goodbyes.
"Will do, will do!" the dark-skinned young man waved them off with a smile.
He then led Fang Ling toward the city.
"My name is He Dayou, but because of my dark skin, the villagers call me Blackie. May I ask your name, young master?" the dark-skinned young man inquired.
"My name is Fang Ling," he replied.
This was his first interaction with people from outside the mountain.
He realized that the outside world was not as deceitful and cunning as his masters had described. He Dayou seemed quite kind.
"Your surname is Fang? Are you from the Fang Family in the south of the city?" He Dayou asked eagerly.
Fang Ling shook his head, "No, I'm from another place. I only know that this is the Great Chu Kingdom, and there's a city called Smelt City nearby."
"The Great Chu Kingdom? Are you joking?" He Dayou was astonished.
"The Great Chu Kingdom was destroyed long ago. It's now the 678th year of Emperor Shao's reign in the South Sun Kingdom!
Our South Sun Kingdom has been established for over twenty thousand years, and the city you mentioned has long been renamed Liu City."
"Time changes everything. It seems Grandmaster and the others really haven't left Frozen Mountain Temple for tens of thousands of years…" Fang Ling muttered to himself.
He Dayou scrutinized Fang Ling and said, "I understand now. You must be a cultivator! And you must have teleported from a faraway place, right?"
"Yes," Fang Ling confirmed.
***
He chatted with He Dayou along the way, gradually learning about his current location.
Liu City, nearby, was a large city with a population of over a million, and it housed many cultivators and cultivation families.
However, compared to other places, Liu City was quite unremarkable and remote.
To Fang Ling, this didn't matter.
His immediate priority was to understand this world, and then he would consider his next steps.
He Dayou, being an ordinary person, took his time walking, and they only reached Liu City by dusk.
Fortunately, he was strong and energetic; otherwise, they might not have made it before the city gates closed.
Although Liu City was just a small place, it felt enormous to Fang Ling, who had spent eighteen years cooped up in Frozen Mountain Temple.
The bustling streets and various novelties gave him an almost surreal feeling.
"Young master, I've brought you here. I need to return to my main house now. Shall we part ways here?" He Dayou said with a smile.
Fang Ling pondered for a moment and said, "I heard you mention on the way that the Zhao Family you work for is also a cultivation family.
I've fallen on hard times and have no travel expenses. If possible, could you introduce me to them? I'd like to stay with the Zhao Family for a while."
"This…" He Dayou hesitated.
"What skills do you have, young master?"
"Does killing count? Although I haven't killed anyone yet, I've been trained in the art of killing since childhood," Fang Ling replied.
He Dayou chuckled awkwardly, "I believe you must have some skills, young master. You might be able to become a guard for the Zhao Family.
The treatment for Zhao Family guards is much better than my poor carpentry job.
But I can't guarantee they'll accept you. The Zhao Family has high standards for their guards."
"Thank you, Brother Dayou!" Fang Ling smiled.
"Alright, follow me!" He Dayou nodded.
"But I must warn you, the Zhao Family is very strict about their rules.
When you get there, don't look at what you shouldn't, and don't ask what you shouldn't. Otherwise, you'll get into big trouble."
"Understood, Brother Dayou!" Fang Ling replied.
***
Soon, they arrived at a large mansion in the west of the city.
He Dayou went in first, and after a while, a portly middle-aged man came out.
The well-dressed man looked Fang Ling up and down and said, "I am Zhao Ruixiang, the steward of the Zhao Residence."
"You are not an ordinary person. What brings you to the Zhao Residence?"
Zhao Ruixiang had low cultivation but had held the steward position for decades.
Though he lacked other skills, he was good at judging people and situations.
He immediately sensed that Fang Ling was not to be underestimated, so he spoke politely, not daring to offend him.
Fang Ling said, "I've fallen on hard times and have no place to go. I'd like to find a job at your residence."
Zhao Ruixiang pondered for a moment, already having a plan in mind.
This young man seemed quite mysterious. If he were to be taken in rashly, it might cause trouble.
So, he decided to come up with an excuse to send him away without offending him.
As he was thinking of a reason, a carriage suddenly stopped in front of the mansion.
"The young lady is back!" Zhao Ruixiang quickly went to greet her.
A soft "hmm" came from the carriage, followed by the appearance of a black boot. Miss Zhao stepped out of the carriage.
"Uncle Rui, who is this?" she asked curiously, looking at Fang Ling.
"Here's the situation…" Zhao Ruixiang quickly explained.
"If he's fallen on hard times, it's no problem to help him for a while," Miss Zhao said calmly.
"You can stay at our Zhao Residence for now. We'll discuss your duties later."
"Thank you!" Fang Ling cupped his hands in gratitude and followed the steward into the Zhao Residence.
Zhao Ruixiang did not place him in the servants' quarters but took him to a top-tier guest room.
After giving some simple instructions, Fang Ling settled in.
***
"Father, you called for me?"
At night, in the room of the family head Zhao Tianlong, Miss Zhao asked.
"Xi Lian, I heard from Uncle Rui that you took in a stranger?" Zhao Tianlong asked solemnly.
"He had nowhere to go and wanted to stay with us for a while," Zhao Xilian replied.
"I went to see him earlier and found him quite unusual…" Zhao Tianlong continued.
"Precisely because he's unusual, I decided to take him in," Zhao Xilian said.
"The Qin Family has been pressuring us a lot lately, and our Zhao Family needs more people."
"Aren't you afraid he's a spy sent by the Qin Family?" Zhao Tianlong asked seriously.
Zhao Xilian laughed, "The Qin Family couldn't possibly have someone like him. He can't be a spy from the Qin Family!"
Zhao Tianlong laughed heartily, "That's a good point! With the Qin Family's upbringing, they couldn't possibly produce someone like him.
I've traveled far and wide and seen many people. This person is definitely not simple!"
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan
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