CHAPTER 190: 190- HE SONG.

"Elder He, surely you jest. Here, come and take a seat," Fang Yuan said warmly, rising with a practiced smile.

Yet the warmth only made Elder He Song’s skin prickle.

To his eyes, this youth in front of him was a vessel brimming with trouble and even if it wasn’t trouble, then Fang Yuan himself was a ticking bomb, waiting to go off.

Still, He Song reminded himself of his duty.

He gave a stiff snort, dragged out a chair with unnecessary noise, and sat heavily.

Fang Yuan returned to his seat and gestured. "Felicia, bring us the tea my aunt favors. Thank you."

Felicia dipped into a bow.

Her polite smile didn’t hide her relief, she was more than happy to excuse herself and slip away, leaving the two alone.

Now the east courtyard was quiet, just Fang Yuan and Elder He Song beneath the pale light.

The elder’s sharp gaze wandered over the space before finally clicking his tongue.

"So this is the east courtyard?"

"Yes, indeed it is."

He Song leaned back and waved dismissively.

"Tsk, what a child. I distinctly remember you declaring you’d plant the Blossoming Thunder Orchid gifted by the Lin family here on your thirtieth birthday. And yet—" he swept his arm at the courtyard, where dry grass clung to barren soil, "—not even its shadow exists. Look at this place! The grass itself is dying. Tsk, tsk. This is why you’re despised by so many elders. At the very least, we maintain our pride and don’t lie."

His words dripped with superiority, smug satisfaction building in his chest.

Fang Yuan, however, wasn’t offended, instead his expression softened, even agreeing. "You’re right about that, Elder He. But tell me... is that important right now? You know—"

"It is important!" He Song cut in, seizing momentum, his voice swelling with relish.

"If I cannot verify your sincerity, if I cannot measure whether you’re trustworthy, then how could I possibly proceed with the information I’m going to share? Hmph! This is precisely the cliff you stand on."

Fang Yuan nodded and said. "I see. I’m still young... while you’re old."

That last word struck Elder He Song like a blade to the ribs.

His lips twitched before curving into a smile that was far too stiff. Inside, his thoughts roared. Old? Me? Do you have any idea, boy? A Golden Core cultivator lives two hundred years at least! I’m only a hundred and fifty, still in my prime! A young stallion compared to mortals! I still have fifty good years left!

Fang Yuan, oblivious or perhaps deliberately ignoring the storm in the elder’s heart, continued smoothly. "And because of that, I trust you’ll be able to judge clearly. At this stage, it isn’t about whether we can ’trust’ one another. That’s already past us. Instead, it’s about negotiating terms that benefit both sides."

"Youre right—no, you’re wrong!" Elder He Song suddenly blurted, leaning forward with a jab of his finger.

Fang Yuan blinked, a little caught off guard by the abrupt outburst, but his tone remained calm. "Oh? And what do you suppose then, Elder He?"

The elder harrumphed, crossing his arms with a self-satisfied nod.

"I’m saying you should start learning how to get along with others. Hmph, no wonder people bristle at the mention of your name."

He glanced down at the stone table between them, drumming his knuckles against its bare surface.

Then, with a sharp click of his tongue, he added, "Tsk! You don’t even prepare tea for your guests. Is this how the Fang clan entertains emissaries?"

Fang Yuan’s gaze rested on him for a moment, steady, unreadable.

Earlier, in Elder He Song’s presence, he had instructed Felicia to bring them some tea.

That alone was enough.

This elder was clearly fishing for a reaction, probing or even trying to agitate him.

His lips curved into the faintest of polite smiles, but he offered no retort, no defense. Silence hung in the air.

The elder shifted, slightly irritated by Fang Yuan’s refusal to rise to the bait.

Elder He Song leaned back, waving his hand dismissively. "Kid, I hate wasting my time, so I’ll get straight to the point. We want you to stop ambushing our caravans and burning down our warehouses."

Fang Yuan’s eyes narrowed slightly, his tone still measured. "We didn’t do any such thing."

TheThe old man shook his head with the weary indulgence of a master chastising a slow-witted pupil.

"Tch... you don’t even know how to lie. Aside from your lack of manners even your lies lack soul.

Listen here young man, a hollow word is no different from air, it scatters at the slightest wind. If you wish to deceive, then let your tongue bear weight, let your words carry spirit.

Only then will falsehood become indistinguishable from truth."

With a self-important flourish, he raised a finger, as though inscribing some eternal law of heaven and earth into the air itself, utterly convinced his pronouncement would carve itself into Fang Yuan’s heart.

Fang Yuan only sat in silence, but his thoughts stirred sharply.

Since we didn’t touch their caravans, then who did and what could be gained if they did? The merchant alliance?

That would be too reckless, they’d risk exposure the moment words reached us... unless they wanted it to look obvious.

Or... it could also just be a ploy by the Wu alliance themselves. Sow distrust and then swoop in with ’sincerity.’

His suspicions grew heavier when Elder He leaned forward, lowering his tone, voice dripping with drama. "And to show the Wu alliance’s sincerity, we offer your entire clan the chance to explore a special tomb."

He paused, letting silence draw tight around the courtyard before leaning closer, voice dropping to a grave, almost spectral whisper.

"The Tomb of great Pill King Shan Yifeng."

"Pill King... Shan Yifeng?" Fang Yuan repeated, brows slightly furrowed as he looked at Elder He Song.

The elder, who had been bracing himself for awe, perhaps even greedy excitement, froze when all he saw was mild confusion.

His face stiffened, then twitched.

"You—! How can someone not know the great Pill King Shan Yifeng?!"

Elder He Song shot to his feet, his beard quivering.

He looked personally insulted, as though Fang Yuan’s ignorance were a deliberate slight against him.

"Are you mocking me, boy? Pretending ignorance to save face? Hah! I’ve met beggars on the roadside with more respect for history than this!"