Chapter 46

The courtyard was guarded with a solemn and imposing presence. Upon entering the county magistrate's office, Yu Fan had someone announce his arrival.

Inside the county, there were three examiners responsible for rechecking the qualifications of the young scholars, taking turns on duty. Besides Lan Chongwen and Zeng Lian, there was also an official named Yang Cai.

At this moment, Lan Chongwen was leaving the courtyard, preparing to take over Yang Cai's shift. He noticed Yu Fan waiting outside with a few young scholars.

Seeing Lan Chongwen approach, Yu Fan stood up and bowed, saying, "Student Yu Fan greets Lord Lan."

The other young scholars also bowed, calling out, "Lord Lan."

"Oh, it's Young Master Yu. What brings you here?" Lan Chongwen's smile was very warm. Yu Fan's father, Yu Cheng'en, was a vice-magistrate, a prominent figure in the local faction. Although Lan Chongwen was from the capital and a juren (imperial scholar), appointed by the court, and thus belonged to a different camp, there was no need to offend him.

"Last night, I studied too late and missed the morning recheck. I hope Lord Lan can help me out," Yu Fan said, clasping his hands. The other young scholars stood behind him, bowing silently.

Lan Chongwen thought carefully. There was actually another recheck in the evening. Helping this young master save some time was not a big deal. He immediately agreed, "Follow me."

"Thank you, Lord Lan," Yu Fan said, clasping his hands again. They walked through the solemn garden and soon arrived at Lan Chongwen's room. The room had some standard furniture, clearly for the use of those on duty.

Yu Fan saw cabinets, all locked and sealed, containing confidential documents. He did not look further, standing with his hands hanging by his sides.

"Bring me your tokens," Lan Chongwen said, sitting at his desk. He checked their records, took their tokens, and carefully examined them. Pointing to a sheet of paper, he said, "Write your names and press your fingerprints here, and it will be done."

Yu Fan and the others nodded in agreement, wrote their names, pressed their fingerprints, and took back their tokens, then thanked Lan Chongwen and left.

On their way out of the office, as they passed the noodle stall, Yu Fan noticed that the master and servant were nowhere to be seen.

After a moment's thought, he said, "Brothers, go back to the inn. I need to return home."

The young scholars were surprised, assuming it was an urgent matter at home. They did not dare to ask more, responding, "If Brother Yu says so, we won't disturb you. We'll wait at the inn."

"Good," Yu Fan nodded, said no more, and hailed a carriage, heading for the Yu residence.

After Yu Fan left, the remaining young scholars began to murmur.

"What's up with Young Master Yu? Why did he suddenly go back?"

"Who knows? Maybe he's thinking about the beauties at home," someone joked.

"Forget it. We'll go back to the inn and wait. The Yu family is a powerful ally. If we stick with them, we'll benefit," one of the young scholars said.

This statement was met with agreement from the others, "That's true."

The inn was not too far away. They chatted as they walked back.

At the Yu residence, two large stone lions squatted on either side of the gate, their eyes gleaming with a hint of gold, and their foreheads inscribed with pale blue runes, ancient defensive artifacts passed down for hundreds of years.

The steps leading up to the gate were seven in number, a symbol of the former noble status, though the title was long gone, the structure remained as a legacy of honor.

A black lacquered plaque hung above the gate, inscribed with "Yu Residence" in elegant calligraphy, a masterpiece by Yu Wenhuan, a renowned scholar, which still commanded respect.

However, the armored guards once bestowed by the court were no longer present, replaced by gatekeepers who still practiced martial arts but no longer wore armor, known as "hidden armor," lacking the former grandeur.

Seeing Yu Fan return, the hidden armor guards bowed in respect, following the strict rules.

Yu Fan ignored them and walked inside. The Yu family was known for its military discipline, with ancestors like Yu Wenhuan, who had fought alongside the founding emperor, earning the titles of Duke of Jingwen and Governor of Yingzhou, and building a strong reputation. He was venerated in life and buried in a prime feng shui location, becoming a guardian spirit for the family.

Over generations, the Yu family had formed extensive marital ties and held various official positions. Currently, Yu Fan's father served as the vice-magistrate of Nanchang County, representing the Yu family and its affiliated clans in the government.

Though the family's influence had diminished from a provincial governor to a county vice-magistrate, they were still a prominent family, with a thriving aura. During the annual grand ceremony, a golden mist would envelop the residence, earning it the title of "Golden Residence."

Yu Fan walked quickly, passing through the inner courtyard, where lush bamboo and artificial mountains surrounded a flowing stream. Even in winter, the water remained warm, thanks to a small hot spring in the back garden.

Yu Fan, familiar with this beautiful scenery since childhood, felt a sense of relief, took a deep breath, and entered the hot spring garden.

The garden was paved with pebbles, flanked by tall, leafy trees. Not only was it a hot spring, but it was also a magical array that altered the local environment, providing health benefits and longevity.

As he walked deeper, the mist grew thicker, and at the end of the pebble path, a pavilion appeared, shrouded in white mist. A middle-aged scholar sat by the railing, his back to Yu Fan, quietly observing the mist, his aura suggesting he was not an ordinary person.

The middle-aged scholar sensed Yu Fan's presence and said without turning around, "Fan, your mind is restless. Your dao skills are still shallow, and such thoughts are harmful to your body and detrimental to your cultivation."

His voice was harsh and unpleasant, contrasting sharply with his appearance.

Yu Fan felt a chill. His uncle had been injured in a magical duel, and was now recuperating here. Despite the family's prominence, each member had their responsibilities, whether in literature, martial arts, magic, or government.

Yu Fan sat on a stone by the spring, "Uncle, you should be resting. I am restless and need your advice."

The middle-aged scholar "hmm"ed, sat in his chair, sipped tea, and gently tapped the green bamboo with his fingers.

After a moment, he said gently, "Tell me, what trouble have you gotten into?"

"Uncle, as you predicted, I went to Taiping County, obtained 20,000 silver, and cultivated relationships to benefit the family..." Yu Fan recounted the events, neither exaggerating nor hiding anything, concluding, "... This was not in your prediction, so I am wary and suspicious."

"You did not come in first?" The middle-aged scholar closed his eyes, his brows furrowed. He remained silent until Yu Fan finished, then sighed and fell into deep thought.

After a moment, his frown deepened, "I calculated your fate, and your luck has changed. Someone has intercepted some of your fortune. Let me see..."

Before he could finish, his fingers began to tremble.

"Uncle!" Yu Fan stood up, urgently calling out, "You cannot use your powers like this. You have been demoted from the dao registry. If you continue to overexert yourself, you will..."

Yu Fan could not continue, but the middle-aged scholar finished for him, "You will eventually disintegrate into dust and vanish from the world?"

"Ha, who doesn't end up as dust? I dare to say, perhaps there are those who can escape eternal destruction..."

He suddenly stopped, tears welling in his eyes. The forest was silent, the wind adding to the eerie atmosphere. After a moment, he laughed, "The great dao is hopeless. I am merely surviving. What is there to cling to?"

He looked up at the sky, murmuring, "What remains is to settle scores and comfort my life, and to do what I can for the family, to repay my grandfather's cultivation."

Yu Fan broke out in a cold sweat, grateful that his uncle did not continue. He remained silent, unable to agree, but every time he saw his uncle's lonely back, he felt like a child again.

"Let's not talk about this," the middle-aged scholar shook his head, laughed coldly, "The Dragon Lord's banquet was arranged by me last year using my master's techniques, combining celestial calculations and star power to communicate with fate and secure your fortune. Whoever dared to disrupt my plan must be met. I need to see this person and find out who is behind him."

He stood up, his face weathered but still handsome, with white hair at his temples. He looked at Yu Fan, then stepped forward, and a breeze blew through the hot spring, the mist swirling, and he vanished.

"Uncle!" Yu Fan's forehead was drenched in sweat at the sudden disappearance.

His uncle, though gifted, was not the eldest son. To support the family, he had turned to the dao after passing the juren exam, sacrificing his future and losing the chance to become a jinshi (imperial scholar).

Over the years, his uncle had shielded the family from countless attacks, engaging in numerous magical duels, exhausting his life force, and was now confined here to recuperate.

But he could still use his powers to predict the future, avoid misfortune, and seize opportunities. Yu Fan, being the most talented among the direct descendants, had a complete fortune map.

Yu Fan's intention was to seek his uncle's guidance due to the unexpected changes, but he did not expect to trigger his uncle's departure.

His uncle had peeked at too many celestial secrets. Staying in the hot spring forest was safe, but stepping out would invite retribution. Yu Fan was filled with regret, "If anything happens to Uncle, how can I face the family?"

"I should have killed that scoundrel in secret or sought help from Father's connections. I should not have come here alone!"

He reached the gate, but his uncle was nowhere to be seen. After a moment's hesitation, he did not retrace his steps but took a path through the forest toward his residence, his mind heavy with thoughts.

Yu Fan was deeply worried, hoping his uncle would return after a quick look, hoping no one would know. If the family learned that he had disturbed his uncle over a minor matter, there would be punishment.

Even if there was no punishment, his reputation would be damaged, and he would face many more troubles.

As he walked, the sky grew darker, and the forest became gloomy. He shuddered, thinking, "All because of that scoundrel!"

His initial hesitation turned to determination.

If not for Ye Qing, he would not have placed second. If not for Ye Qing, he would not have disturbed his uncle.

Thinking of this, he left the forest and arrived at his residence. The servants rushed to him, saying, "Master, please change your clothes. It's windy outside, be careful not to catch a cold!"

Yu Fan let them serve him, then instructed, "Please bring the two tutors. I have questions for them."

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