CHAPTER 161: 161- WHAT HAPPENED.

Fang Yuan’s gaze lingered on Xiao Pei’s despondent form and Fang Lian’s pale face.

If only the system shop offers healing pills or a body transformation elixir, he thought in his head.

"Alright then, Xiao Pei," Fang Yuan said, his voice regaining its steady command. "Go to the alchemy pavilion and seek my Aunt Jingyi. We’ll consult Doctor Mu tomorrow when he’s done... so let’s go with our second best option."

Xiao Pei nodded, relief warring with residual dread. "Understood, Brother Fang. I’ll take my leave then."

He shuffled out, shoulders hunched as if expecting fangirls to ambush him once he stepped out.

The door clicked shut.

Silence thickened, broken only by the brazier’s soft hiss.

Fang Yuan turned fully to Fang Lian.

Her knuckles were white where she gripped her tunic, her spine rigid despite her attempt at calm.

"Sit," Fang Yuan ordered, gentler than his usual tone.

She dropped to the packed-earth floor like a stone, folding her legs beneath her.

Without another word, Fang Yuan knelt before her.

His fingertips brushed her temple, cool, deliberate. A thread of his qi, fine as spider silk and warm as sunlight, flowed into her meridians.

It wasn’t invasive. It was a slow, methodical exploration, mapping bone, muscle, and the delicate lattice of spiritual pathways around her bandaged stomach.

He felt the knit of healing flesh, the fading echo of torn qi, the stubborn throb of bruised organs... but no corruption, no hidden fractures.

There remained no more physical threat.

He withdrew his energy and the hut felt colder without its warmth.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, eyes never leaving hers.

"Truly fine, Master," Fang Lian insisted, forcing brightness into her voice. "The pain’s gone."

Fang Yuan’s gaze sharpened, piercing through the brave facade. "Not the body," he said softly. The words hung heavy.

"Your mind. Your spirit. I know what you endured. I saw the aftermath." He paused, a flicker of genuine regret in his eyes. "I’m sorry I didn’t get to you sooner."

Fang Lian’s lips parted, the automatic denial, It’s nothing, Master, already forming.

But Fang Yuan raised a hand, silencing her before a syllable could escape.

And then with his voice low and startlingly tender:

"You’re my favorite disciple. Did you know that?"

The declaration landed like a pebble dropped into still water.

Fang Lian froze. Her breath hitched. The practiced reassurance died unspoken.

Confusion, then a dawning, flustered warmth spread across her cheeks. Her mind scrambled—Favorite? But...

The realization clicked. A tiny, incredulous laugh escaped her, shaky but real.

"But, Master..." she murmured, meeting his earnest gaze with wide, suddenly tear-bright eyes, a faint, wobbly smile touching her lips. "I’m your only disciple."

Fang Yuan’s lips quirked into a rare, soft smile. "That doesn’t mean it’s not true, and you know it, Lian."

Fang Lian ducked her head, a fresh wave of giggles bubbling up, light, genuine, a sound that momentarily chased the shadows from the herb-scented hut.

Fang Yuan waited patiently, the crackle of the brazier the only counterpoint to her mirth, until her laughter subsided into warm, contented silence.

The quiet stretched, comfortable now. Fang Yuan leaned back slightly, his gaze steady on her.

"Do you remember," he asked, his voice low but clear in the stillness, "who it was that ambushed you? Anything distinctive?"

Fang Lian’s smile faded, replaced by a focused intensity. She shook her head, her short hair brushing her jawline. "All black, Master. From head to toe. They were like shadows given form."

Her hands sketched the memory in the air. "Not a sliver of skin, not a strand of hair was made visible."

She took a breath, her eyes gaining a distant, fierce light. "Elder Ruì... she reacted first. Faster than I thought."

Fang Lian’s fist slammed lightly onto her own thigh, mimicking the sudden action. "Wham! She didn’t hesitate and just spun and straight up kicked us, knocking me, Bong, Lin, Wen and Rin clean off our feet and back, out of the path of their first strike. It wasn’t gentle," she added, a touch of wryness in her voice, "but it did saved us taking that blow full on."

A spark of pure admiration lit her face. "And Master... she was magnificent. Eighteen years old, standing there alone against the sudden dark, robes flaring around her like a banner."

Fang Lian’s voice dropped, thick with emotion. "She then yelled at us... us, disciples older than her! ’Run! Get back to the estate! NOW!’ With the authority of an elder. That... that’s the honour of the Fang." She swallowed hard.

Then, a sudden, unexpected giggle burst from her, cutting through the gravity. "Oh, heavens, master you should have seen it! Elder Ruì was ordering me,bher senior by a year to scram like a naughty child!" She covered her mouth, shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter. "It was... hilarious! She forgot who was the adult there."

The laughter faded as quickly as it came, replaced by a more pragmatic expression.

"Of course, none of us wanted to leave her as well. Pride, Master. Stupid pride." Fang Lian’s gaze sharpened, reliving the critical moment.

"So I made the call. I shoved Fang Bong and the others further back, they were only at Qi Condensation, stumbling over their own fear. The newcomers... they radiated Qi Transformation, every one of them. Cold and heavy. They were like a walking glaciers."

Her voice turned crisp, commanding, echoing her past self. "’Scram!’ I told them. ’You three are barely at Qi Condensation while we are supposed to be facing a group of Qi Transformation folks! The only thing you’re good for right now is getting your legs moving and bringing the Clan Head! GO!’"

A shadow crossed her face. "But apparently that was enough time to launch another attack on us"

Her jaw tightened. "I didn’t expect it... the newcomers also didn’t wait for me to finish speaking. They didn’t posture or gloat. While Fang Bong was still blinking at me, one of them just... lunged. There was no warning instead it was just ruthless, aimed to kill."

She clicked her tongue, a sound of pure disgust. "Tsk. Talk about sneak attacks."

Fang Yuan hadn’t moved, hadn’t blinked.

He sat utterly still, his dark eyes fixed on Fang Lian, absorbing every word, every flicker of emotion on her face.

The intensity of his silent focus was like a physical presence. A small, encouraging smile touched his lips.

"Go on," he murmured, his voice a low rumble. "What happened next? I’m... deeply curious."

Fang Lian drew herself up, the storyteller reclaiming the moment.

"Alright! So," she began, her voice regaining some of its earlier energy, "Fang Bong and the others finally got the message or the terror of what was really happening and then bolted like rabbits."

"After they turned on their heels, I spun back only to see Elder Ruì already a whirlwind ahead of me! One small figure holding her ground against six of those black ghosts!"

She punched the air, eyes alight with the fire of remembered defiance. "She must’ve forgotten she’s the youngest of them all, and that, talent-wise, she should have been the first to run."

Fang Yuan’s brow arched. "And what about you, then? You’re hardly lacking in talent yourself."

"Me?" Her lips curved into a proud, almost mischievous smile. "Master, you didn’t train me to leave a friend behind."

"Nor did I teach you to go courting death," Fang Yuan said with a low chuckle, reaching out to flick her nose.

Then his expression softened, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Still... I’m glad you all are alive."