Fang Yuan handed the newly-refined Moonlight Gu to Yu Sai.
Yu Sai sighed, but still accepted the refined Gu without any complaint.
He felt that 4 stones was too much to pay for this, but he had no intention of reneging on their deal and bilking Fang Yuan out of the last stone.
While it was cheaper than doing it himself, he still felt that Fang Yuan shouldn't have charged him this amount.
'Now that he is at Rank 1 Middle Stage, that means that with the Liquor Worm his primeval essence is 4 times as concentrated as mine,' Yu Sai thought. 'With that and his higher aptitude, refining this shouldn't have been a problem at all.'
He didn't complain though- it wasn't worth it to pick a fight with someone like Fang Yuan. He instead went to go practice shooting out moonblades. He was quite far behind his other classmates.
As he left, Fang Yuan was about to check what One With Scenery Gu did, when someone else came to see him.
"Ah, Fang Yuan, how have you been?"
Fang Yuan snorted coldly at the feigned concern in that voice. "What is the matter, uncle?"
This had not happened back in his old life, then again, things were quite different now. Fang Yuan was contending for his parent's inheritance, which meant that uncle no doubt was quite worried. Unlike his previous life, their scheme had not succeeded in throwing him out and so he was still in the running to obtain his parent's inheritance once he graduated.
Outsiders were usually not allowed inside the dorms, however, he had likely made the excuse that he was just visiting his nephew. As it was, Fang Yuan was still technically what would be called a 'minor' by village standards, and so uncle used his authority as his 'guardian' to try and barge in.
A fraction of a primeval stone might've even been exchanged with the guards, as it was, they were mortals, and would not give him too much trouble.
"That is good to see you are well," uncle said, walking inside. "Your aunt and I were so worried about you moving out, and truth be told, we've been greatly missing you. Fang Zheng doesn't say so, but he is your twin brother after all and he is also concerned and worried about you." He then sighed. "Fang Yuan, problems and fights happen in all families, but that doesn't mean that we break them, no? After all, in this harsh world, who can we rely upon but family?"
Fang Yuan felt that even by his own standards, this man was incredibly shameless!
If an outsider were to see only this conversation, they might end up believing his uncle and thinking that Fang Yuan was being the unreasonable one between the two of them.
As if! As if a few honeyed words could change Fang Yuan's mind even if he hadn't changed significantly since his last life.
In truth, uncle realized that he had no cards to play and so had come to bargain with Fang Yuan.
As it was, uncle considered himself to be the 'secret elder' of the clan, though Fang Yuan knew that this was a pile of horse dung. His uncle had been Rank 3 at a time, true, but had been injured while in a mission and then fallen back to Rank 2, even losing his own B-grade talent. With that, he had also lost the title of elder, and so had no real power in the clan.
He did have his old 'friends' and those he could bribe into helping him out, but at this point, none of them would want to mess with Fang Yuan.
It would be different if he had any actual influential friends, like an actual elder, but no one without real backing would want to risk offending Fang Yuan. Things were different from his past life.
The main thing was the deal with the Flower Wine Monk. Although it was only for a brief moment, the clan elder had publicly proclaimed Fang Yuan as a clan hero. Given this, many of them thought, 'what if he is to request help from the clan head? I would be cooked then!'
They didn't know that the clan head, much like the academy elder, was annoyed at Fang Yuan. Not because he had done anything that was objectionable - but because his presence greatly annoyed and suppressed Fang Zheng, who they really wanted to nurture.
The story of the Flower Wine Monk was known to everyone in Gu Yue Village, it had been told and retold countless times over and over. And now, that legend had a new twist to it, with Fang Yuan finding the remnants of the inheritance. Now, Fang Yuan's name would be mentioned nearly every time the story was told again, naturally.
Who would want to find trouble with a hero of the clan?
Even if the clan head himself didn't come to suppress them, the others would look down upon them for such an action. And none of the people whom his uncle could reach out to could handle that kind of pressure.
Seeing that Fang Yuan wasn't responding, uncle continued, "Fang Yuan, I know that you are angry, but you are still young. Listen to the wisdom of those who have seen the world more than you." Uncle did not know that Fang Yuan, in terms of experience, greatly beat him. "You will need the support of your family sooner or later. If you come back, we will forget everything. Ah- it has been so long since we've heard one of your outstanding poems too. Come and there will be no more conflict among us."
Fang Yuan let out a gentle smile. "Speaking of poems, uncle, I thought of one right now and was wondering if you would appraise it."
Uncle wasn't' sure how the conversation had taken such a turn, but he didn't say anything.
Fang Yuan began reciting his latest masterpiece.
"O great sea, you are made of water,
O horse, you have four legs,
O beauty, you have large eyes and a mouth."
There was only stunned silence from uncle. "Nephew... this is... that was..."
"It was just a good poem," Fang Yuan said. "I was about as sincere in composing it as you were when coming here to make peace with me."
Uncle's expression soured. "Fang Yuan, you go too far!"
"I can see through your lies easily," Fang Yuan said coldly. "Do not try to come here and pretend to be happy. I have nothing else to say to you, nor do I intend to go back on my intention for my parent's inheritance."
Uncle was angry, without a doubt, but could do little but grit his teeth.
It was onto plan B for him then.