Chapter 318 - 124: Shangluo

Chapter 318: Chapter 124: Shangluo

The Fang Family departed from Huaiyin Prefecture, crossed Wuzhou, and began a long journey.

From the bleak autumn winds to the first winter snow, from the sprouting grass and soaring warblers to the patter of summer rain, and back to frost-covered leaves like flowers...

「Three years passed in a flash.」

The Fang Family crossed Lu State, Lanzhou, and Qi State. Along the way, whenever they came across a famous and bustling place, they would stay for a while to rest and play, see the local sights, and sample all kinds of delicacies. When they encountered less interesting regions, they would travel a short distance with a merchant caravan or by riding the Flowing Cloud Cyan Simurgh.

It was like an extra-long vacation.

Fang Rui had his Perfection Level Medical Skill and the abilities of a Middle Grade Spirit Master as a guarantee. Compared to their journey from the Three Southern States to Wuzhou, this was much more relaxed, and Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family, Third Lady, and the others remained in much better spirits.

Of course, during these three years, the rate at which his Tribulation Points increased on the system panel had shrunk drastically compared to their final days in Huaiyin Prefecture.

But Fang Rui didn’t mind too much. He continued on at a steady, unhurried pace, immersing himself completely in this long journey while Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family still had the energy and Third Lady was still young.

He knew that as Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family grew older, such opportunities would become rare.

The tree wishes for calm, but the wind will not cease; a son wishes to care for his parents, but they do not wait. Compared to his own long life, the lifespans of Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family, Third Lady, and the others were far too short. Fang Rui did not want to be left with too many regrets.

But even the longest journey must eventually come to an end.

「After three cycles of spring and autumn, as spring arrived once more with swallows gathering mud and peach blossoms in full bloom, they were about to reach the Great Yu’s secondary capital—Shangluo.」

CREAK...

Inside a custom-made luxury carriage, Fang Rui, Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family, Third Lady, Fang Ling, Nannan, and Qing Yan were all present.

"Brother Rui, we’re almost at Shangluo, aren’t we?"

"Yes, Third Sister. It’s almost over," Fang Rui said with a smile.

"Thinking back, we’ve eaten so much on the road: the White Jade Chestnuts of Lu State, the Tricolor Brocade Fowl of Lanzhou, the Cyan Dragon Fish of Qi State... And we’ve seen so much: the boundless great river, the purple fir trees on red earth, the cacti in the Gobi... I’m so sad to see it end."

"Oh, you. Your brother took us so far, let us eat so much, and see so much. You should be content."

Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family paused, then asked, "Ling’Er, do you still remember your childhood in Changshan County? So many of our neighbors never traveled far their entire lives, just circling around within a few miles of their homes. Compared to them, we are so very fortunate."

As Fang Ling grew older, she rarely spoke to her in a scolding tone anymore.

"That’s right. A journey like this is such a luxury. After experiencing this, I feel my life has been worthwhile," Third Lady said with a gentle smile.

When she awoke from dreams in the middle of the night, she had more than once rejoiced in the choice she had made, and she was utterly content with her current life.

Every day was filled with anticipation, every day embraced with passion, gratitude, and contentment, as if she were afraid that a single misstep would shatter this beautiful dream.

"I was just saying! I’m content, too. I love and am most grateful to my brother," Fang Ling pouted playfully.

She had also seen so much along the way and had matured a great deal. She knew what great fortune it was to have a brother like him, and her heart was full of gratitude.

"Yes. Without Uncle Fang, I would have been long gone," Qing Yan added from the side.

"Brother Ah Rui, how can I ever repay you?" Nannan looked at him with adoration.

"What silly things are you saying?"

Fang Rui ruffled Nannan’s bangs.

It wasn’t just Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family and Fang Ling; he had long come to see Third Lady and Nannan as his own kin.

Qing Yan... ’Hmm, he’s still under observation.’

"You all speak of my contributions, but you have also given me so much warmth and happiness. You are my anchors!" Fang Rui said with a smile, his gaze gentle.

That cherished feeling was something that could not be understood without having experienced true affection in the Mortal World, without having a sister, a daughter, a whole family living in harmony.

—Mutual respect, mutual harmony, mutual care—this kind of familial affection grew stronger with time. He possessed it, savored it, and enjoyed it. The feeling of wanting to give them the best of everything in the world was something that any language would render pale and hollow in describing.

A heart of stone does not a true hero make; how can a man who cherishes his kin be anything but great!

In Fang Rui’s view, if even the closest of kin treated each other with cold, calculated interest, disregarding life and death, possessing only a detached divinity, a Taishang-like emotionlessness...

Then, no matter how powerful one became, they would ultimately be nothing more than a puppet of their own strength.

"Oh, right. I just thought of something. Brother Rui, you know, it seems that everywhere we’ve been on our journey has been peaceful. The weather has been favorable and the people are living in peace and prosperity," Third Lady started a new topic, pulling everyone out of the sentimental atmosphere.

"Yes, now that you mention it, that’s true. Only our Yunzhou seems to be plagued by disasters... It’s as if all the calamities in the world have gathered there," Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family chimed in.

"Mother, that’s an interesting way to put it."

A glint flashed in Fang Rui’s eyes as he thought to himself, ’Over the course of our journey, the various regions of the Great Yu have indeed been too peaceful. The weather has been abnormally favorable! A great cleansing that happens once every few decades, a concentrated outbreak of Tribulation Qi... in this Extraordinary World... it’s really not impossible.’

"Brother Fang! Brother Fang!" At that moment, a voice suddenly called from outside.

"That’s Owner Yu. We’re probably close to Shangluo, so he’s come to give us a heads-up. I’ll go take a look!"

With that, Fang Rui went out.

This "Owner Yu" was the master of the caravan the Fang Family was accompanying for this final leg of their journey. His name was Yu Song.

Sure enough, Yu Song approached with a broad smile and said, "Brother Fang, we’ve reached Two Realms Mountain. We’re less than half a day’s journey from Shangluo now."

His attitude was extremely courteous, even tinged with a hint of fawning.