Chapter 97: The Langhuan Jade Cave

But one thing did catch him off guard. He had thought that Xiao Wuxiang Gong would certainly be preserved here. Yet after several searches, he had found nothing—there was no trace of this supreme technique.

Fang Han furrowed his brow, pondering: “Could I have misremembered? But Kumazhi did indeed obtain Xiao Wuxiang Gong at Manduo Manor. Perhaps there is a hidden compartment or a secret chamber here?”

He rose, returned the manual to its shelf, and searched the surroundings. Again, nothing.

Fang Han sighed lightly and left the Langhuan Jade Cave.

He did not intend to remain here long—at most a month.

His primary purpose in coming was precisely that of Xiao Wuxiang Gong, and possibly other martial arts of the Xiaoyao Sect.

Yet to his dismay, he had found not a single one.

Walking through Manduo Manor, Fang Han let his thoughts drift, wondering if he had overlooked something.

Suddenly, he caught the fragrance of flowers on the wind and returned to his senses. Ahead lay a garden filled with blooming camellias.

Unfortunately, it seemed the mistress of this place was no expert in horticulture. Even Fang Han, with little knowledge of plants, could see that the arrangement was somewhat lacking.

“Far worse than my Lady Cheng’s handiwork.”

Lady Cheng loved to tend to flowers. Those she planted were not only arranged with elegance but also grew with remarkable vitality, unlike these—ordinary at best.

Fang Han lingered for a while, then turned toward Lady Wang’s quarters.

In truth, Manduo Manor was vast, set upon an island in the lake.

Fang Han and his companions occupied only one part, leaving Lady Wang’s daily life largely undisturbed—aside from his occasional visits to borrow manuals from the Langhuan Jade Cave.

But today, having searched in vain for Xiao Wuxiang Gong, Fang Han decided not to wander aimlessly anymore. It would be more efficient to ask the lady of the manor directly.

As for whether she would tell him…?

…

With a single step, Fang Han’s figure glided forward like a swimming dragon.

In no time at all, he arrived at Lady Wang’s residence: a refined little pavilion, surrounded, once again, by camellias.

He approached the door and paused. His keen ears caught faint, peculiar sounds within.

The corner of Fang Han’s mouth twitched, but he knocked nonetheless.

Knock knock

“Who is it!? Didn’t I say no one is to come near!?”

A sharp, feminine rebuke rang out!

Though cold and severe, her tone carried a hint of… something else.

Fang Han replied softly: “Madam, I wish to ask you something. Do you have a moment?”

Lady Wang, flustered and angry, snapped: “No! Go away!”

Fang Han’s expression remained calm: “Madam, surely you do not wish me to linger here long? If you are willing to tell me, I shall keep my word—I will leave within the month.”

There was silence inside. Then: “Wait.”

Rustling sounds followed. After a short while, the door creaked open.

Lady Wang stood there, dressed in a goose-yellow ruqun. A faint blush tinted her oval face, making her striking beauty all the more vivid. Her lovely eyes, however, brimmed with anger and resentment as she glared at Fang Han, gritting her teeth: “What do you want to ask!?”

These past few days, whenever she recalled that day’s humiliation, she burned with fury and shame, wishing she could cut this man to pieces for fertilizer!

Detestable!

Fang Han said evenly: “In the Langhuan Jade Cave, is there a manual for Xiao Wuxiang Gong?”

At these words, Lady Wang’s face instantly changed: “You!”

Fang Han carefully studied her expression. Inwardly, he nodded. Judging by her reaction, she clearly knew of Xiao Wuxiang Gong. It must indeed be within the Langhuan Jade Cave—or perhaps she had hidden it elsewhere.

“I want the manual for Xiao Wuxiang Gong. If Madam is willing to hand it over, my words just now stand true—I will not overstay.”

Lady Wang coldly snorted: “You can forget it!”

Xiao Wuxiang Gong had been left to her by her mother. Though she herself could not cultivate it, she would never part with it—let alone give it to him!

Biting her lip, she glared at Fang Han and demanded: “Who are you, really!? How do you know about this!?”

This secret was known to none— not even Yu Yan. How could he possibly know!?

Fang Han chuckled: “That manual is in the Langhuan Jade Cave, isn’t it?”

Lady Wang’s eyes narrowed, then she sneered: “I told you—there is none. Do not delude yourself!”

But Fang Han was no fool. Her every subtle shift in expression only confirmed his suspicions. He now had a rough idea—Xiao Wuxiang Gong

was indeed there, merely hidden somewhere he had yet to discover.

He inclined his head slightly: “Since Madam refuses to say, I suppose you intend for me to be your neighbor forever. I have all the time in the world.”

Of course, he did not. He would leave in due time.

But that did not stop him from saying it.

“You!…”

Lady Wang bit down on her silver teeth, wishing to fight him to the death. Yet remembering his unmatched skill, she could only endure.

Her voice turned icy: “There is none! Even if you stayed here until the end of days, you would never find it!”

Inwardly, though, she considered whether to seek her nephew’s aid…

But she had never been close to the Murong family, nor did she like Murong Fu. Moreover, they had always coveted the manuals within the Langhuan Jade Cave. If she rashly sought their help, she feared she would merely drive away the tiger only to welcome the wolf.

Seeing her obstinateness, Fang Han knew she would not yield so easily. He didn’t mind. He had already confirmed the manual existed—it was only a matter of finding where it was hidden.

That was enough. With a clear goal, he could search thoroughly later.

He gave a shallow bow: “Very well. In any case, thank you for your answer, Madam.”

He turned to leave. After a few steps, he suddenly paused.

Looking back with a peculiar expression, he said: “Madam, there’s a saying—‘Know when enough is enough.’ In all things, moderation is key. As for you… I suggest a bit more restraint…”

In his first life simulation, he had lived as a physician all his days. The habit of diagnosing at a glance was ingrained—something he could not shed.

And just now, from both what he heard and what he saw… hmm…

For someone long dwelling in loneliness, it was understandable.

But her lack of restraint was clearly taking a toll on her complexion.

With that, he left leisurely.

Lady Wang, seeing him go, exhaled in relief. But when he suddenly turned back, her heart pounded in panic, fearing he meant to assault her. Logically, he would not—his two companions were beauties far beyond herself, already fading into age.

But hearing his words, she froze in disbelief.

Moderation… What moderation?

After a long blank pause, realization struck. Her face flushed scarlet in an instant: “Bastard! Lecher!”

She fled back inside and slammed the door shut.

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FOOTNOTES

* * * * Langhuan Jade Cave (琅嬛玉洞 / Langhuan Yudong)– A fictional treasure trove of martial arts manuals, inspired by classical Chinese tales of immortal paradises.

* * * * Xiao Wuxiang Gong (小无相功)– “Small Formless Skill,” a high-level martial art technique in Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils (Tian Long Ba Bu).

* * * * ruqun (襦裙)– A traditional Han Chinese outfit consisting of a blouse (ru) and a long skirt (qun).

* * * * “Know when enough is enough” (适可而止 / shì kě ér zhǐ)– A Chinese idiom meaning to act with moderation, to stop before going too far.