Chapter 1974: Yes, Eat

"F-For me?" stammered the little girl.

She didn't reach out and take the buns. Her dirty little hands were clasped together, twisting nervously.

Clearly, an extremely intense inner struggle was taking place inside her.

Fang Chen smiled and nodded. "Yes, eat."

After making sure that this handsome older brother wasn't deliberately teasing her, the little kid hurriedly reached out and grabbed the bun. She didn't even care that it was scalding hot. She immediately held it in both hands and began devouring.

Fang Chen glanced at Xia Ji and instructed, "This bun is quite greasy; don't eat too fast. Xia Ji, go to the side and fetch a bowl of cold tea for her to cut the grease."

"Me?

Xia Ji's mouth was already covered in grease. Seeing Fang Chen order him around again, he was somewhat reluctant. But considering that he still intended to mooch food and drinks off Fang Chen in the future, he could only obediently scurry over to a nearby tea stall and fetch a bowl of cold tea.

Xia Ji handed the tea bowl to the little kid. "Here, drink it."

The little kid glanced at the tea reluctantly.

Fang Chen said, "Drink some tea to cut through the grease. Otherwise, you'll get diarrhea."

"Okay."

The little girl nodded and took the tea bowl. She gulped down a large mouthful.

Seeing that, Fang Chen turned around with Xia Ji to leave, leaving the little kid alone behind them eating the bun alongside the cold tea.

The two walked down the street for a distance when they suddenly felt someone following behind them.

Xia Ji turned around to look.

"Fang Da, that little beggar has been following us."

Fang Chen stopped walking and looked back at the little kid. She was timidly looking up at Fang Chen.

Fang Chen pondered for a long moment before smiling at Xia Ji. "Go back to my manor first. I'll be back shortly."

Xia Ji said, "Then come back early. I still want to play marbles with you."

He turned around and walked toward the Fang Manor. He hadn't forgotten to take the oil-paper package of steamed buns from Fang Chen's hands before leaving. His movements were so practiced that it was clearly second nature.

Fang Chen walked up to the little kid and asked, "Do you have nowhere to go?"

The little kid shook her head.

"Where are you from?"

"We were fleeing from famine. Both my parents died on the road."

Fang Chen smiled. "I'll give you food to eat, and you help me do things in the future. How about it?"

The little kid looked at Fang Chen with a trace of vigilance. "What kind of things?"

Fang Chen reached out and patted the little kid's head. "Rest assured. It's nothing bad."

The little one had still been looking at him with caution, but when she felt the soft warmth of his hand, the wariness in her eyes immediately faded.

Fang Chen led the little kid through the city. After walking through several alleys, he stopped before the gate of a quiet and elegant courtyard.

Fang Chen knocked on the door. Before long, the gate opened, and a head popped out. Seeing that it was Fang Chen, the very young Xu Ge hurriedly opened the gate.

"My lord."

Fang Chen smiled. "I brought a little kid."

Xu Ge glanced at the little kid behind Fang Chen with a strange expression, but he didn't say anything. His young lord did this sort of thing quite often. He had long grown accustomed to it.

Fang Chen brought the little kid into the courtyard and found a few slightly older women to take her to wash up.

He then went to the front hall with Xu Ge. Inside, dozens of figures were already standing. When they saw Fang Chen arrive, respect appeared on their faces.

Only after Fang Chen sat down did they dare to sit down on their chairs, practically sitting on the edges of their seats.

"Lord, the Qingsong Empire has been making constant moves in recent years. Several other empires have also been in frequent contact with them, with extensive trade between them. Just recently, three new trade routes were established between Guhe and Qingsong. Our people went to check and found out that the profits from these routes are immense, capable of raising a substantial military budget in a short time."

"Lord, is Qingsong going to attack us?"

Fang Chen listened as everyone continuously reported the information they had gathered. After considering everything for a moment, he said, "A fight between Qingsong and us is bound to happen. It's just a matter of when. Therefore, the Hidden Guards must keep a tight grip on the intelligence channels. Not even the slightest mistake could happen. Sometimes, a single piece of incorrect intelligence can result in the deaths of hundreds—or even more—Great Xia soldiers."

Everyone nodded.

At that moment, Xu Ge smiled. "My lord, what realm has your martial cultivation reached?"

"I am one step away from the Qi Core Stage."

Everyone couldn't help but feel admiration.

Their young lord was only so young, yet his martial cultivation was already this close to the Qi Core Stage. Once he broke through to the Qi Core Stage, he would become Grand Xia's foremost expert!

They hadn't been talking for long when several women entered the main hall with a delicate-featured little girl. The little kid looked rather timid. Only when she saw Fang Chen sitting there did she visibly relax. She hurried over and stood beside him.

A smile instantly surfaced in everyone's eyes. They had already witnessed scenes like this many times before.

Fang Chen smiled. "What's your name?"

"My name is Little Yu. That's what my father and mother always called me."

"Little Yu." Fang Chen pondered briefly before nodding. "You will live here from now on. These big brothers and sisters will take care of you, but you must also learn some skills to support yourself as soon as possible."

Little Yu asked in a low voice, "Big brother, do you live here too?"

Fang Chen smiled. "I drop by occasionally."

After giving everyone a few more instructions, he stood and left. The moment he walked out of the courtyard, a peculiar sensation suddenly surfaced in his heart.

"Interesting."

Fang Chen's eyes suddenly brightened. He looked at the surrounding scenery, a faint smile emerging in his eyes.

After entering the Nine Profound Mirror, even with his cultivation, he had nearly forgotten everything.

It felt similar to a Demonic Calamity. If you failed to remember, you would remain trapped here, reincarnating over and over.

***

Two hundred years passed in the blink of an eye.

Deep within the Nine Realms, Motian Dizang led a squad of Yin soldiers here and was setting up an incomparably enormous formation. The formation used ninety-nine stars as banners. As the formation took initial shape, a terrifying surge of energy seemed to sweep in all directions.

No matter what the cultivators in the surrounding regions were doing, they all sensed something in their hearts. They raised their heads toward the sky, bewilderment appearing on their faces.

Xia Ji stood beside Motian Dizang and asked softly, "Consort Yan, do you really not plan to inform the old man and the others about this place?"

"The more people who know, the less safe this place becomes. My foundation is already sufficient. I'll be able to attain the Dao very soon. But during the process, I must not be disturbed by anyone. If the outsiders descend, they will surely know about this and will try every means to sever my path. Several hundred years have already passed since that incident. According to my calculations, they should be about to find this place."

"You don't even trust the old man and the others."

Xia Ji smiled but didn't say anything more about it.

"My Hidden Guard Division will investigate the situation in various places for you during this time. If anything happens, I will notify you immediately."

"There's no need to notify me. By that time, I won't be able to help myself. Even if I know about it, I won't be able to intervene and act."

Motian Dizang smiled faintly. "If that time truly comes, you must call my husband back."