Chapter 63 Fang Yuan [2]

A few minutes later...

Fang Yuan emerged from the bathing hall, spiritual robes draped over his shoulders, hair loosely tied as droplets still clung to his collar.

His expression, once bright with post-seclusion triumph, was now dark with defeat. Not the kind earned in battle, no, this was the weight of bureaucracy. He stepped into his study, and froze.

"...Whoa."

On his desk sat two massive piles of scrolls.

One was neatly labeled in his uncle's handwriting: "Important: Requires Clan Head Clearance"

The other had a smaller note stuck on top:

"Already sorted. Read if you want to catch up."

Fang Yuan raised a brow, walked around the desk, and dropped into his seat with a resigned sigh.

He leaned back, muttering, "I knew I could count upon you, uncle... dumped the sect work on him for two months and he actually made a system. Not bad, old

man."

He plucked the top scroll from the 'optional reading' pile and cracked it open with one hand.

The parchment was official, stamped by one of the city's messengers. He began to read:

CONFIDENTIAL REPORT:

Regarding: Fang Yuan, current Head of the Fang Clan

Rumors have circulated across the Eastern Region suggesting the Clan Head

has reached the Peak of Nascent Soul Realm.

These claims, however, have been debunked.

Teacher lan, direct instructor of Crown Prince Lukas Von Avetide and a respected member of the Imperial Cultivation Academy, made the following

statement:

"I personally felt his divine sense when I visited the Fang estate due to their Spirit pond discovery banquet. He is strong, but his realm is Early Nascent Soul Realm, nothing more. The rumors are exaggerated."

Public perception aligns with this conclusion. Most citizens and experts believe the Clan Head's recent reclusion and achievements stem from natural progress post-breakthrough.

Additional note from Teacher Ian:

"However-while I myself only reached the Nascent Soul Realm at sixty, I've been informed Clan Head Fang accomplished it at thirty. He may not be at the peak of nascent soul realm right now... but make no mistake-this man has monstrous potential."

Fang Yuan stared at the scroll for a moment.

Then he tossed the scroll aside with a scoff.

"A little bit of nonsense," he muttered. "What's next?"

He picked up the next scroll with one hand and cracked it open lazily.

His eyes scanned the opening lines.

REPORT: Regarding internal financial crisis - status: resolved.

He blinked.

Then leaned forward, suddenly far more attentive.

Subject of Note: Fang Tian, the younger brother of Fang Yuan

The incident began with the destruction of Herb Warehouse No. 3, which had caught fire during your presence.

This led to a critical shortage of alchemical ingredients across the sect.

Due to the lack of herbs, our alchemists were unable to fulfill production quotas, which in turn caused several of our affiliated shops to run dry of key pills and medicinal products.

Left unresolved, this would have resulted in a projected 41% loss in monthly

revenue.

Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow. "That bad?"

He kept reading.

However, Fang Tian intervened.

Utilizing independent study and existing alchemical notes, he adjusted several core pill recipes, replacing high-grade ingredients with more sustainable

alternatives.

The new formulas proved not only cheaper, but also markedly more effective in internal circulation tests.

Production resumed ahead of schedule, and profits rose by 60% compared to the previous quarter.

Fang Yuan leaned back, eyes slightly wide.

"Wait, what?"

He kept going.

Additionally, Fang Tian personally oversaw the investigation into the warehouse

fire.

He traced the arson back to a rogue subordinate under the Lin Pavilion, potentially acting on internal pressure from their elders.

After a tense negotiation with Matriarch Lin, peace terms were reached.

Fang Yuan frowned. "That woman's always up to something..."

Then he read the next line.

Matriarch Lin herself offered to betroth herself to the Fang Clan Patriarch, should he desire it as an act of goodwill and reconciliation.

He blinked.

Fang Tian agreed to this part of the deal on the Clan Patriarch's behalf, pending

no objections.

Fang Yuan spat out.

"PUHAH!!"

The scroll fluttered to the desk as he shot up from his chair, coughing violently.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE AGREED?!!"

Silence followed, only the faint rustle of the scroll settling and the quiet creak

of his chair as he slowly sank back into it.

He let out a long breath, rubbing his temples, eyes closed.

After a moment, he muttered to himself, voice dry and weary, "...Of course he

did."

He leaned back, gaze drifting toward the ceiling, expression somewhere between exasperation and reluctant amusement.

"The snake may be beautiful," he muttered, eyes narrowing with a dry glint, "but

a snake's still a snake. This little brother of mine really enjoys making trouble

for me..."

With a heavy sigh, he reached into his drawer and pulled out a crimson ink stamp, engraved with the Fang Clan's seal of judgment, reserved for internal

discipline and formal resolutions.

He dipped it into the inkstone beside him and dragged over a clean scroll.

In brisk strokes, he wrote:

Fang Tian's merits in resolving the financial crisis and reformulating medicinal

processes are acknowledged.

However, the unauthorized engagement agreement with Matriarch Lin is a direct violation of Clan rules.

Result: Merits and demerits nullify each other. No rewards shall be granted.

He stamped it with a satisfying thunk, the bright red mark declaring finality.

He smirked faintly.

"Petty?" he muttered. "No, I'm being generous."

Tossing the scroll into the "Resolved" tray, he picked up the next document,

slightly thicker, with finer parchment and laced in a subtle floral fragrance.

It was the formalized contract from the Lin Pavilion.

A binding agreement outlining terms of alliance, resource exchanges, dowry distribution, and, at the very bottom in flowing golden calligraphy marital oath

clauses.

He stared at the signature line meant for the Fang Clan Patriarch.

His eye twitched again.

Without a word, he dragged out a large, dusty stamp with a barely legible

carving across its face: DECLINED.

He slapped it on with a little too much force.

BANG!

A vivid red seal bled into the corner of the scroll.

DECLINED.

This agreement is deemed null by the authority of Fang Yuan, Patriarch of the

Fang Clan. Fang Yuan leaned back once more, arms behind his head, as he watched the scroll curl from the damp stamp.