Chapter 296 - 116: Departure

Chapter 296: Chapter 116: Departure

Afternoon.

At the Fang Mansion, Fang Rui, Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family, Third Lady, Fang Ling, and Nannan were sitting in the backyard pavilion, basking in the warm autumn sun and chatting idly.

Fang Rui brought up the subject of leaving Huaiyin Prefecture.

Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family and Third Lady were both surprised, but they didn’t ask too many questions and simply expressed their approval.

"I don’t understand the matters of the outside world. It’s best if you decide."

"That’s right, Brother Rui. We’ll listen to you."

For a long time now, Fang Rui had always planned ahead, and his predictions were never wrong. He had helped the family avoid countless disasters. Now, they had grown accustomed to following his lead.

"Then it’s settled."

Fang Rui looked at the two little girls painting quietly beside him and asked with a smile, "Ling’Er, Nannan, our family is about to leave Huaiyin Prefecture. Will you be sad to leave your friends here?"

"We will."

Fang Ling stopped her brush, tilted her little head, and said as if it were the most natural thing in the world, "But a family is meant to be together! Our friends are with their families, and I’m with my brother."

"Yes, I’ll miss my friends, but I’d miss Brother Ah Rui even more."

"You two... you’ve really grown up!"

Fang Rui was taken aback for a moment. He reached out, habitually going to pat their little heads.

But the two little girls dodged away.

"Brother, I’m a big girl now!"

"Yes!"

Nannan hadn’t moved at first, but seeing Fang Ling dodge, she shyly jumped away too. A blush like sunset clouds appeared on her delicate, youthful face.

At that moment, the creek gurgled nearby. The surface of the pond shimmered with rippling light as fish occasionally leaped from the water, sending out circles of ripples.

By the pond’s edge, a jade-like lotus stood gracefully, wreathed in ribbon-like wisps of golden light.

Just then—

CRACK!

A crisp sound suddenly rang out.

A tantalizing fragrance filled the air as a small, jewel-like fruit broke away from the Jade Lotus. Shaped like a lotus seed, it spun, suspended in the dense, glowing light.

The colorful light of the Jade Lotus plant was rapidly absorbed, and the plant began to wither.

"The fruit of the Jade Lotus is ripe! I know, it’s a ’Jade Lotus Seed’!"

"It’s absorbing the nutrients! Look, the Jade Lotus is withering!"

"It smells so good! Can we eat it?"

...

’When the melon is ripe, it falls from the stem. Is this also a sign that it is indeed time for me to leave?’

Fang Rui sighed to himself. He caught the falling Jade Lotus Seed and said to Fang Ling with a smile, "Of course it’s edible. But this is the seed. If you eat it, you won’t be able to make tea with the Jade Lotus leaves next year."

"Oh, then never mind. Let’s not eat it."

"Yeah, Jade Lotus Water is cool and refreshing. It’s the best drink."

"Let’s go pack our things!"

"You two little girls, come back here! Put away your painting supplies first!"

...

Fang Rui watched as the two older women and two little girls held hands, turned, and walked away side-by-side in the warm afternoon light. A knowing smile touched his lips.

But then, he looked at the Jade Lotus Seed in his palm and thought of Ge Changgeng. The smile on his face froze, and a wave of melancholy inexplicably washed over him.

"In this Mortal World, there is the pain of parting, the bitterness of long-held resentment, the sorrow of unattainable desires, and the inability to let go. After a thousand years, will you be the only one left to accompany me?"

Fang Rui murmured, looking down at the gleaming Jade Lotus Seed.

...

While Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family, Third Lady, Fang Ling, and Nannan were packing, handling affairs, and saying goodbye to their friends, Fang Rui had his own matters to attend to.

...

"Qing Yan, my family is likely leaving Huaiyin Prefecture. Are you willing to come with us?"

"Uncle Fang, I’ll follow you," the Qing Yan Little Child said firmly.

"Good!"

Fang Rui patted the Qing Yan Little Child on the shoulder, pleased. "Excellent. We leave in three days. Go and pack your things."

...

「Divine Capture Bureau, Southeast Branch.」

"No way, Chief! You’re resigning as Silver Seal Chief Constable and leaving Huaiyin Prefecture?" Niu Bajin’s face was full of disbelief.

"Must it come to this!" Xun Buhe sighed.

"There’s no need for persuasion. My mind is made up. If you wish, you can see me off outside the city in three days."

Fang Rui stood up. "Right, before I leave, take me to the dungeons."

...

"Kang Huaifeng, you’re free." Fang Rui ordered someone to unlock Kang Huaifeng’s shackles and escort him out of the cell.

"You’re really letting me go?!"

Kang Huaifeng staggered out of the cell, dazed. He stared at the scenery outside, breathed in the air of freedom, his face a mask of shock. This was completely unexpected.

His crimes weren’t major, but they weren’t minor either. He had... ’plucked’ so many young dandies that, in his eyes at least, he had no hope of ever getting out in this lifetime.

"Yes."

Fang Rui nodded. "As you said, in a way, you are indeed cleaner than most people. Go, and don’t get caught again."

"You..."

Kang Huaifeng gave Fang Rui a deep look and said gratefully, "I heard in the slammer... you got dumped? Now, I’m usually the one doing the ’plucking,’ but uh, for saving my life, I wouldn’t be against making a little sacrifice, letting you..."

"Kang Huaifeng!"

Fang Rui’s eyebrow twitched, and a dangerous aura flared from him. "Before I change my mind, get the hell out of my sight! Now! Immediately!"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, let’s talk this out! I’m going, I’m going."

A chill ran down Kang Huaifeng’s spine. He turned and fled, but after getting some distance, he looked back. "Fang Rui, right? I’ll remember this favor. Of course, you could also reconsider my offer..."

WHOOSH!

A pebble shot out, making his whole body go numb and causing him to fall face-first into the dirt.

...

「Peach Blossom Garden, the secret base.」

’The Dragon Pearl was taken long ago, and the various Exotic Beasts have been moved. Only the Red Jade Peach Tree remains... Ah, well. No need to worry about what can’t be taken along.’

Fang Rui surveyed the dilapidated scene, strolled to the cave entrance, and with a sudden wave of his sleeve, his True Essence surged, forming streaks of faint, cyan Sword Qi.