CHAPTER 189: 189-

The next day, Fang Yuan sat in his office, brush in hand, sorting through the endless stack of paperwork.

Before him hovered the faintly glowing system screen:

[Task: Clean the water in the koi pond.

Merit Points: 20

Risk: None. ]

A small task, like many others, that he copied neatly onto a slip and set aside for the clan to complete.

Even after his two-month absence, the clan had managed to run smoothly.

The merit system had kept them standing, though the exchange of points had stalled.

The pills once offered in exchange were long depleted, and without spirit energy, the cultivation caves had become useless.

But now, after last night, the minor resource wells were restored and he had refilled the exchange of cultivation pills, everything was slowly returning to order.

Fang Yuan leaned back, stretched, and allowed himself a rare, quiet smile. The clan... it’s starting to move like normal again.

A knock interrupted his thoughts.

"Come in," he called.

The door opened, and a girl in crisp maid attire entered.

She carried herself with refined politeness, her voice soft as she bowed.

"Clan Head, the Wu Alliance has sent an emissary."

"Oh?" Fang Yuan set his brush aside. "Are they here already?"

"Not yet, Clan Head. He’s at the gates. Shall I let him in?"

"Him?" Fang Yuan arched a brow, curiosity flickering. "Only one?"

"Yes, Clan Head. He said his name is Elder He Song."

"He Song... He Song..." Fang Yuan muttered, tapping his finger against the desk before his eyes lit with recognition.

"Ah, I remember that old fox. He’s an old senior. Very well.. send him in. Have him meet me at the east courtyard. But be sure to treat him a little bit gently, he’s one of the few elders I respect from the He family."

"Understood, Clan Head." She bowed again and turned to leave.

"Oh, and—Felicia," Fang Yuan called, stopping her. "Go call Brother Xiao Pei for me. I haven’t seen him since I came out of seclusion."

Felicia paused, tilting her head. "Didn’t Matriarch Fang tell you?"

Fang Yuan’s eyes narrowed slightly. "...Matriarch Fang? Why? What did she do?"

Felicia blinked, momentarily puzzled. "Nothing unusual, Clan Head. From what I’ve heard, she sent Guardian elder Du Juan and Great Benefactor Xiao Pei on a mission to the Southern Region."

"...Eh? Oh. I see." Fang Yuan rubbed his forehead with a helpless sigh. "Alright, thank you. I’ll look for her later, then."

Felicia dipped her head once more before gliding out, leaving him alone.

For a moment, Fang Yuan sat in silence, tapping the desk absentmindedly.

Then—

[Quest Completed: Get a girlfriend for your brother Xiao Pei.]

[Reward: Access to Weaponry.]

Fang Yuan blinked.

"...Oh my. So he’s still alive after all."

The humor barely touched his lips before his attention snapped to the new tab now unlocked on his system screen.

At once, he opened it... and baam!

He was met with a dazzling display of weapons that nearly stole his breath.

Blades, spears, halberds, bows, rows upon rows of armaments, each gleaming with the condensed aura of power.

And among them, there were no grade-one trinkets nor grade-two scraps.

The system had likely discarded them outright, deeming them unworthy.

The very first item listed was already leagues above the sword he carried.

And the further he scrolled, the more his heart pounded.

Each weapon outshone the last, divine craftsmanship and ruthless lethality woven into every piece.

Fang Yuan could only allow himself to grin foolishly. He had avoided glancing at the prices for good reason, subconsciously, perhaps.

Meanwhile, at the Fang clan gates, stood an old man. Though his hair was silvered and his back slightly bent, his frame was sturdy—healthy as a warhorse.

At the moment, however, Elder He Song was locked in a heated argument with a little boy.

"Old bone! Old bone!" the boy shouted, laughing as he darted just out of reach.

"You damn brat—!" Elder He Song’s beard bristled as he shook a trembling finger at him. "Call me ’old bone’ again and I’ll drag your father out by the ear and make him kneel and apologize!"

The boy only stuck out his tongue before running off, leaving the elder sputtering in indignation.

Just then, Felicia arrived.

At once, Elder He Song straightened his robes, smoothed his beard, and attempted to recover his dignity.

When the gates opened and Felicia gestured politely, she said, "Elder He, please, come in. The Clan Head awaits you in the east courtyard."

But Elder He Song puffed out his chest, voice dripping with grievance.

"Hmph! I cannot believe this is how the Fang family treats emissaries! Do you have any idea? You made me stand out here for hours!"

Felicia blinked once, her expression unchanging. "Elder, it was only a few minutes at most."

"That’s because you’re young!" Elder He Song retorted, his tone righteous, as though proclaiming a profound truth. "But I’m not! A minute to you is an hour to me!"

Felicia was left momentarily speechless, utterly flabbergasted. In the end, she chose silence.

Without another word, she turned and began leading him toward the east courtyard.

Elder He Song followed, muttering under his breath about "ungrateful juniors" and "a complete lack of respect for elders."

By the time they reached the east courtyard, Fang Yuan was already there waiting.

He stood from his seat as they entered, his midnight-black robes flowing with a subtle weight of authority.

The silver trim along his cuffs and collar shimmered faintly in the sunlight, making his presence feel even more commanding.

With a warm, welcoming smile, Fang Yuan inclined his head slightly.

"Ah, Elder He. Welcome. I must say, it’s remarkable, you still look so healthy despite your age."

Elder He Song froze mid-step.

His back stiffened, his beard quivered, and for a brief moment silence hung in the air.

Then, with an exaggerated sigh and a sharp squint of his eyes, he turned half aside and muttered, loud enough for everyone to hear,

"On second thought... I think I’ve come to the wrong house."