Chapter 306 - 202: Recuperating (Part 2)

Chapter 306: Chapter 202: Recuperating (Part 2)

So these twenty taels were essentially profit. He could use them to buy a good amount of grain, which would solve his food and shelter problems for quite a while.

"Alright. You get some rest. When you’re better, I’ll help you find an ox-cart to take you back, so you don’t run into any more trouble," Li San said before turning to leave.

The moment he was gone, Fang Yue immediately stood up to check his injuries.

His injuries were still severe. His Primordial Qi was almost completely depleted, and numerous bones in his body were broken. In particular, around ten of his ribs were fractured, and his internal organs had suffered from the violent impact.

If not for his incredibly resilient constitution and his several defensive Talents, he would have died a thousand times over by now.

’Looks like I won’t be recovering anytime soon!’

Fang Yue sighed and sat down cross-legged.

After circulating his Cultivation Technique for half an hour, he finally, slowly, got to his feet.

He could just barely move, and that was about it.

Fang Yue pushed the door open and stepped out, surveying the courtyard.

The courtyard was small, only about seven or eight square meters, with some vegetables planted in a corner.

Though the courtyard was modest, it was kept very clean.

As Fang Yue surveyed the courtyard, his gaze suddenly sharpened, fixing on the thatched hut to the side.

CREAK!

The door to the hut opened, and a beautiful, captivating woman emerged gracefully.

The woman was about thirty years old, with a tall, slender figure, fair skin, and delicate features. There was a heroic air about her.

’Li San is supposed to live alone. Why is there a beautiful young woman in his courtyard?’

More importantly, the young woman’s cultivation had actually reached the level of a Qi Sensing Martial Master.

Fang Yue’s pupils contracted. He had a distinct feeling that this scene was incredibly bizarre.

’How could there be such a master in a simple farming household?’

"Ah, you’re awake, young man. Are you hungry? I’ll go make you something to eat." The beautiful woman seemed not to notice Fang Yue’s stare, speaking with a warm smile.

With that, she headed to the kitchen.

Half an hour later, three dishes, a soup, and two yellow-flour steamed buns were placed on the table.

"Our guest, please eat."

The beautiful woman said, "It’s all made from wild rabbit and pheasant from the mountains. Give it a try. I hope it’s to your liking."

"Thank you."

Fang Yue picked up his chopsticks, tore off a piece of the steamed bun, and popped it into his mouth to chew.

It tasted pretty good.

Fang Yue was starving to begin with, so he devoured the meal with gusto.

"Slow down, there’s more in the pot," the beautiful woman said with a smile, watching Fang Yue wolf down his food.

"Mhm." Fang Yue nodded, then suddenly asked, "Excuse me, how far is it to Denglai City from here?"

"Denglai City?" The beautiful woman’s brow furrowed slightly as she thought for a moment. "About a thousand li, I’d say."

Hearing this, Fang Yue nearly spat out the bun in his mouth. "Over a thousand li?"

He never imagined it would be so far. ’Did I get my bearings wrong while I was drifting in the water? Did I wash ashore much farther away than I thought?’

But the beautiful woman had a serious expression; it didn’t look like she was lying.

He couldn’t help but curse inwardly. ’This is bad.’

If that was the case, getting to Denglai City was going to be a real chore. After all, he was still severely injured and in no condition for long-distance travel.

At this thought, he quickly finished the last bowl of his congee.

The beautiful woman looked at Fang Yue, her gaze softening. She smiled, "Sir, are you full?"

"Yes!" Fang Yue nodded, just as he was about to ask another question.

Just then, the door was pushed open and Li San walked in. "Lan, step outside for a moment. I have something to discuss with this gentleman."

The beautiful woman hesitated for a moment before saying softly, "Alright, Father." With that, she left.

Watching the beautiful woman’s graceful, swaying figure disappear from sight, Li San gave a sly chuckle, rubbed his hands together, and took a step closer to Fang Yue.

Fang Yue was taken aback, but quickly asked, "Elder Li? Is there something you need?"

"Heh heh, sir, my Lan is twenty-four this year. She’s a proper and beautiful girl..."

Li San stared at Fang Yue, his face plastered with a smile. "She may be a widow, but her looks are second to none. I wonder... what do you think, sir?"

PFFT!

Fang Yue nearly choked on hearing this.

’How did this suddenly turn into him trying to set me up with a wife?’

He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

’We barely know each other. Why would Li San suddenly want to marry his daughter off to me?’

’There has to be a reason for this! Besides, Li San is just an ordinary man, but his daughter is a Qi Sensing Martial Master.’

’And Li San acts as if he has no idea.’

Still, he did his best to control his reaction, pretending to ponder the offer. "Elder Li, about that... I have no plans to marry at the moment."

"Haha! Young men are all like that, aren’t they? I get it."

Li San laughed and patted Fang Yue’s shoulder. "I can see you’re a man with great ambitions. But marriage is a serious affair, decided by parents and matchmakers. My daughter Lan is a fine girl; every man for miles around wants to marry her. If you miss this chance, you’ll regret it!"

"Er..."

Fang Yue was a little awkward.

Li San was certainly enthusiastic, but unfortunately, Fang Yue truly had no intention of getting married.

"Since you’re not considering marriage right now, sir, how about we try a different approach? Would you be willing to do me a favor and enter a fake marriage with my daughter?" Li San asked.

A rumor had recently reached the village that the imperial court was conscripting soldiers. This time, every household had to provide one man.

His family also had to send someone, so Li San had set his sights on Fang Yue. If everyone knew Fang Yue was his son-in-law, then Fang Yue could fulfill his military service obligation for him.

"A fake marriage?"

Fang Yue frowned. He didn’t understand what trick Li San had up his sleeve. Growing cautious, he asked, "I’m not sure what kind of help you’re looking for, Elder Li."

"It’s simple."

Li San lowered his voice and whispered to Fang Yue, "You just need to do as I say."

"Oh! Let me think it over," Fang Yue said with a nod.

"Excellent!" Li San said cheerfully. He gave a few more instructions before leaving.

After Li San left, Fang Yue fell silent.

’What is this Li San really up to?’ he wondered, rubbing his chin. ’Well, since he wants me to pretend to be his son-in-law, I might as well see what he’s planning.’

Fang Yue had a sharp and meticulous mind; he didn’t believe in such convenient coincidences.

’This Li San definitely has an ulterior motive!’

However, Fang Yue wasn’t worried. His injuries were still unhealed, and having just escaped danger, his strength was less than a tenth of what it was at his peak.

But even so, an ordinary Qi Sensing Martial Master was no match for him. Whatever Li San was plotting, he wouldn’t be able to cause any real trouble.

’Whatever! I’ll focus on healing my injuries first.’

Fang Yue shook his head, put the matter out of his mind, and closed his eyes to recuperate.

His injuries were too severe; he had to use every moment to recover.

~~~~~~

...

「Meanwhile.」

In the mountains near Li Family Village, two black figures flickered through the trees and undergrowth at high speed.

A thick, overpowering stench of blood clung to both of them.

"Chief, Li Family Village is just ahead. Why do you think the leader is hiding in a small village like this?" one of the men asked.

"Don’t ask questions you’re not supposed to ask. Once we find the leader and give him the news from the stronghold, we leave immediately," the other man replied.

Both men were incredibly agile, darting through the air by pushing off the tips of tree branches.

Soon, they reached the outskirts of Li Family Village.

"Stop!"

The man suddenly held out an arm to stop his companion. He carefully scanned their surroundings, and only after confirming it was safe did he let out a breath. "Let’s go!"

With that, the two figures shot out from the woods and slipped straight into Li Family Village.

Although Li Family Village was poor, a clear river ran through it, making the environment very peaceful.

The villagers’ homes were built along the riverbank.

The two men crept forward without a sound.

"Chief, where are we going?" the man following behind asked, confused.

"Just follow me, and keep your mouth shut!"

the lead man chided. He then followed the river for a short distance before stopping near a particular residence.