I Have a Sword

Everyone stared in shock at Fang Yu.

Brother Fang?

Some people in the crowd quickly picked up on Ye Guan's choice of words.

Sitting in the front row, Manager Hong's face grew dark. He didn't expect that Ye Guan would return just to find Fang Yu. What did that mean? It meant that the Academy Master genuinely saw Fang Yu as a brother.

Manager Hong's face grew pale, and he wasn't alone. Many of the representatives from the clans and sects had similarly troubled expressions, as they had all made a point to mock Fang Yu after his fall from grace.

Everyone had assumed that the Academy Master could never consider Fang Yu a brother. After all, he was the Academy Master! How could they be equals?

However, Ye Guan's words were akin to a crisp slap across their faces, leaving their cheek stinging from pain.

Fang Yu looked at Ye Guan for a long moment before smiling. "Brother Yang."

Ye Guan said, "I'll be leaving in a couple of days, and I'd like to have a drink with you before I leave. Do you have time?"

He asked! He didn't command him!

It wasn't an order from a superior to a subordinate. Ye Guan was genuinely treating Fang Yu as an equal.

Fang Yu smiled and replied, "I do."

Ye Guan nodded. "Then let's just have a drink here at the Immortal Treasures Pavilion."

With that, the two turned around and left. By then, the managers of the Immortal Treasures Pavilion and countless experts had already gathered outside, awaiting their arrival.

An elderly man quickly approached Ye Guan and Fang Yu, bowing respectfully as he said, "Academy Master, Young Master Fang, this way, please."

Ye Guan asked, "And you are?"

The elderly man immediately replied, "I am Li Chen, the Chief Manager of Little Guan City's Immortal Treasures Pavilion."

Ye Guan nodded. "Lead the way."

Li Chen led the way, accompanied by the managers and experts of the Immortal Treasures Pavilion.

Soon, Ye Guan and Fang Yu made their way to the top floor of the pavilion. The top floor had the most luxurious interior; its walls were made of high-grade, rare glass, offering an expansive and stunning view of the city.

They chose a table by the window. When they sat down, Chief Manager Li Chen bowed respectfully before he left with the other managers. However, none of them actually left. Instead, they stood guard outside the doors.

The corridor outside was now lined with people standing at attention.

These individuals were high-ranking managers of the Immortal Treasures Pavilion, wielding significant power in Little Guan City, but they could only exert their authority over ordinary clans and small forces.

When it came to the Guanxuan Universe as a whole, they were still at the bottom of society. A mere External Committee Grand Elder could decide their fate with ease, let alone members of the Inner Committee. To make matters worse, there was still the Pavilion Master above all of them.

And Ye Guan? He was the true ruler of the Guanxuan Universe! A single word from him could not only end their life but annihilate their families as well. Even an offhand comment from him could doom an entire clan to destruction.

Many people were visibly nervous outside. Ye Guan's presence was so distant and unreachable that this was their first time being so close to him.

Although Li Chen looked calm, he was actually nervous. He couldn't discern Ye Guan's true goal of visiting the Immortal Treasures Pavilion.

***

No one knew what topics Ye Guan and Fang Yu had discussed; all they knew was that they talked through the entire night and drank a lot.

The next morning, Fang Yu found that Ye Guan had already left. Rubbing his slightly groggy head, he looked at the messy dining table in front of him and shook his head with a smile.

A few moments later, he got up to leave.

As soon as he stepped outside, he was shocked to see Li Chen and the managers still standing there.

"The Academy Master has already left," said Fang Yu,

Li Chen smiled and replied, "Young Master Fang, we are here to assist you. Is there anything you need?"

Assist me? Fang Yu was taken aback. Seeing the unmistakable flattery on the faces of the people before him, he chuckled to himself. He understood why they were treating him this way. In the past, he would have been swayed by their treatment, but he was no longer the past Fang Yu.

The seemingly genuine flattery was ultimately hollow.

It could be accepted, but it couldn't be taken seriously.

Fang Yu smiled and said, "I'd like to visit the Fang Clan."

"I'll make the arrangements immediately," said Li Chen.

Manager Hong hesitated for a moment before stepping forward. Bowing respectfully, he said, "Young Master Fang, I deeply regret my actions in the past. I was blind, and I failed to see your value. Please don't take it to heart."

Fang Yu smiled and said, "Manager Hong, you're overthinking it. It's nothing to be worried about."

Manager Hong wanted to say more, but Fang Yu had already turned to Li Chen.

Li Chen then said, "Young Master Fang, this way, please."

Fang Yu nodded and walked into the distance.

Everyone stepped aside to clear a path for him.

Manager Hong's face turned ashen. Fang Yu's attitude didn't matter at all; his opinion was irrelevant. What mattered was the fact that his superiors would surely reassess him due to this incident, potentially sidelining him entirely.

No one would dare risk even the slightest chance that Fang Yu could have spoken ill of Manager Hong in front of Ye Guan. Even if the likelihood was only one in ten thousand, those above him wouldn't take that gamble. In other words, Manager Hong was destined to be completely marginalized.

The political landscapes of the Immortal Treasures Pavilion and the Guanxuan Academy were deep and deeply intertwined.

***

When Fang Yu arrived at the Fang Clan's estate, Fang Ting was already waiting for him with a group of clan members.

Fang Ting stepped forward and greeted warmly, "Little Yu…"

His voice carried a hint of awkwardness, but he couldn't let his feelings stop him. The future of the Fang Clan was on Fang Yu's shoulders. No matter how uncomfortable he felt, he had to push through.

The flattery from the Fang Clan made Fang Yu sigh inside. He could be indifferent when it came to outsiders, but when it came to his own family, how could he stay indifferent?

Ever since he joined the Cultural Academy, the Fang Clan had ceased all contact with him, even going as far as to avoid him deliberately. They were his relatives—they were related to him by blood!

Fang Yu sighed again and looked at Fang Ting, saying, "Clan Leader, I'd like to visit the Ancestral Shrine."

"Of course, of course!" Fang Ting nodded. He then led Fang Yu to the Ancestral Shrine.

Fang Yu knelt down upon entering the Ancestral Shrine.

Fang Ting, along with a group of Fang Clan members, waited quietly nearby.

Fang Yu stared at the ancestral tablets in silence.

Last night, Ye Guan shared many things with him over drinks. At the end of their conversation, Ye Guan had asked him to take on a task. The task wasn't something that could be completed in a day or two. It required long-term commitment as well, but Fang Yu had accepted the offer.

However, it meant leaving the Fang Clan. Fang Yu stood up.

Fang Ting saw that and walked over with a smile. "Little Yu, someone from the Yue Clan has come."

Fang Yu frowned slightly. "What are they here for?"

Fang Ting hesitated before replying, "They're hoping that we can fulfill that marriage agreement based on what we had agreed upon."

Fang Yu froze. Then, he chuckled and shook his head. "Tell them that I'm not worthy of such an arrangement."

Fang Ting seemed like he wanted to say more, but Fang Yu beat him to the chase, saying, "Clan Leader, I'll be leaving the Fang Clan for a while. During this time, please keep a low profile.

"If anyone tries to win us over, don't accept it, as it's best for the Fang Clan to decline. Our foundation is too weak, and the waters in the Little Guan City are far too deep for us to navigate. Developing steadily here in Yongzhou is good enough for us."

Fang Ting asked, "Little Yu, you're leaving the clan? Where are you going?"

Fang Yu didn't answer and simply started walking toward the exit.

"Little Yu!" Fang Ting called out.

However, Fang Yu didn't look back. Before long, he disappeared from sight.

***

The news of Ye Guan drinking with Fang Yu at the Immortal Treasures Pavilion spread quickly throughout Little Guan City. No one had expected Ye Guan to treat a "nobody" as a close friend and a brother.

As a result, Fang Yu's fame skyrocketed. Major clans, sects, and factions began teaching their younger generations to treat Fang Yu as their role model when it came to integrity and steadfastness.

Everyone touted the idea that one ought to live like Fang Yu.

Meanwhile, within the Cultural Department grounds, Yang Yue rushed into his grandfather's room and found his grandfather reclining on a chair nearby.

"Grandfather," Yang Yue said hastily. "I just received news that Fang Yu resigned, and the higher-ups approved it immediately. He… must have been reassigned elsewhere, but no one knows any details about it."

Yang Ji nodded calmly, remaining expressionless. "Understood."

Yang Yue hesitated before asking, "Grandfather, are you not happy?"

"Happy?" Yang Ji replied, "Of course, I'm happy. Fang Yu has finally made it."

Yang Yue nodded. "Indeed. No one will dare underestimate him now. The Academy will definitely entrust him with important responsibilities."

Yang Ji let out a faint, mocking laugh. "Success is guaranteed for those with a connection to the Academy Master. As for those without such a robust connection? The world is still the same; nothing has changed at all."

Just then, an elderly man suddenly entered the room.

Both Yang Yue and Yang Ji froze in surprise.

The newcomer was none other than Elder Zhang of the Guanxuan Committee.

Yang Ji quickly got up, puzzled. "Elder Zhang?"

Elder Zhang smiled slightly. "Yang Ji, the Academy has investigated that incident back then. It turns out that certain individuals from the External Committee have deliberately targeted you. You did nothing wrong. In fact, your integrity and refusal to go along with them prevented losses for the Academy.

"Now that everything has been clarified, the Guanxuan Committee has approved your appointment to the External Committee, and you will concurrently serve as the Censorate Inspector in the Censorate.

"You'll have the authority to monitor and impeach officials, review memorials, and offer advice or suggestions to the Academy Master."

Elder Zhang then handed a token over to Yang Ji.

However, Yang Ji was still in a daze. "Elder Zhang, what… what is going on?"

Elder Zhang smiled. "This is a direct order from the Academy Master. Additionally, your grandson has been determined to be qualified to join the Academy. You may have him report to the Main Academy when he's available.

"The Academy Master has also asked me to deliver a message to you. He said that the Academy is still new and undoubtedly has many shortcomings, but he hopes you won't lose faith in him or the Academy."

Upon hearing that, tears streamed down Yang Ji's face.

***

Nalan Jia was standing at the entrance of a grand hall somewhere in Great Zhou, and An You was standing in front of her.

"Are you sure?" asked Nalan Jia while staring at An You.

"It has been confirmed." An You nodded. "Clan Leader Nalan has indeed—This matter is of great significance. Pavilion Master, please be careful about your decision."

Nalan Jia remained silent, deep in thought.

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