Chapter 79

“Big Brother Lu, should we follow them?”

Shen Yuan asked.

Lu Fang glanced at the surrounding Shen family private troops and said, “We seem to have no choice. We planned to visit tomorrow, but since we’ve run into them, it’s fine to go see them now.”

With that, he followed after them.

Shen Yuan hurried after him, expecting to meet Shen Kangbo would be difficult—she never imagined it would be this simple.

In front and behind, the group arrived at the foot of a mountain.

This mountain lay east of Wuyincheng; Shen Yuan had inquired about it yesterday. It was called Shen Family Mountain, and only direct descendants of the Shen clan lived atop it—no outsiders permitted.

Shen Squad Leader suddenly stopped, grabbing Shen Dadan’s ear and pulling it upward. “Ow! Ow! Ow! Master, what did I do wrong again?”

What did you do wrong?

Shen Squad Leader’s lips moved slightly as she transmitted her voice silently:

“Just now, in broad daylight, why did you blurt out everything? Didn’t I tell you? The Ancestor has thoughts of an alliance marriage, but it’s still uncertain—now the whole city is talking. You idiot!”

Shen Dadan pulled her hand down from his ear, weakly saying:

“Master, you told me a real man should be bold. Next time I’ll try to talk less—my ear’s going to fall off!”

Shen Squad Leader released his ear and turned to face the Marquis of Wenguan and his maid—he was even younger than she’d imagined.

Could this man really have written A Dream of Red Mansions?

Truly astonishing!

Shen Squad Leader had read A Dream of Red Mansions and loved it, though she was furious that Lu Fang had killed Lin Daiyu—when she read that chapter, she cried bitterly.

If Lu Fang had been beside her then, she would have beaten him senseless.

She never liked him to begin with, and when she accidentally learned her grandfather intended to marry her off to Lu Fang, she refused outright!

The twenty-year-old Marquis of Wenguan was indeed legendary, but she truly didn’t find him appealing.

Now that she’d seen him in person, she liked him even less—he was as thin as the Shen Dadan she’d picked up.

“Let’s fight!”

Shen Squad Leader had a good idea: beat Lu Fang up, and he’d stop dreaming of marriage.

Lu Fang shook his head. “That doesn’t seem fair. You’re a sixth-rank martial cultivator; I’m only a seventh-rank, second-stage Confucian. No matter how you look at it, I’d be at a huge disadvantage.”

Shen Dadan laughed heartily. “Fair? If your master weren’t stronger than you, would she even hit you? Don’t you get it?”

“...”

Lu Fang opened his mouth but had no reply.

“Shut up!” Shen Squad Leader snapped. This brat blurted out everything—he needed some lessons unlearned. She smiled at Lu Fang:

“Whether I fight or not—I didn’t ask for your opinion.”

Lu Fang smiled gently. “I believe you’re not the kind of person who acts without reason.”

Shen Squad Leader shot forward like a storm, her muscular arm drawing back like a full moon—then, the roar of tigers and leopards exploded, mixed with crackling sonic booms, slamming toward his face.

So slow to react!

The Marquis of Wenguan is nothing special.

Just as she thought this, her smile vanished, replaced by solemnity—she felt the air around her grow heavy, as if weighted.

Her punch felt unbearably heavy, as if a mountain hung from her arm.

Crack!

She tensed every muscle to resist the crushing force; stones beneath her feet shattered into cracks.

Her fist halted an inch from Lu Fang’s nose.

Not because she didn’t want to strike—it was too heavy. Merely holding her fist aloft had drained all her strength.

“I knew you weren’t unreasonable.”

Lu Fang stepped back two paces with a smile.

Instantly, Shen Squad Leader felt the weight lift. She retracted her trembling fist and sighed deeply:

“You’re truly the Marquis of Wenguan—I’m no match for you. But I really dislike you. So when you meet the Ancestor, please don’t agree to this alliance.”

“I promise you.”

Lu Fang replied without hesitation.

Shen Squad Leader exhaled in relief and turned toward Shen Family Mountain. “You came to see the Ancestor about the Great Zhou Literary Gazette’s dissemination? I advise you not to waste your breath—the Ancestor said he won’t interfere.”

Lu Fang shrugged. “Do what one can; leave the rest to fate.”

Shen Squad Leader said nothing, walking toward Shen Family Mountain. Shen Dadan hurried after her, grabbing her sleeve and whispering:

“Master, aren’t you going to beat him before letting him meet the Ancestor?”

“Master, aren’t you going to beat him up first before letting him meet the Ancestor?”

Shen Squad Leader had wanted to—but the moment they faced each other, she realized Lu Fang’s strength far exceeded her expectations. If they truly fought, she’d lose.

Shen Squad Leader wanted to, but after just one glance, she understood: Lu Fang’s strength was far stronger than she’d imagined; if they truly fought, she had no chance against him.

Perhaps it’s the ancient divine art he gained in the Upper Realm.

By the way, it must be the ancient divine art he obtained in the Lesser Upper Realm.

Shen Family Mountain, summit.

A refined courtyard hall.

“We’re really meeting Shen Kangbo now—do I look presentable like this?”

Shen Yuan fidgeted nervously.

Lu Fang smiled. “Are you certain he’s your father?”

“I’m definitely his daughter...” Shen Yuan paused, her face flushing. She squirmed. “Big Brother Lu, I didn’t mean to deceive you—I dressed as a boy for convenience while traveling.”

“I’m obviously his girl…” Shen Yuan paused, her small face flushing, then murmured shyly, “Brother Lu, I didn’t mean to deceive you—I dressed as a man just to travel more easily.”

Lu Fang observed Shen Yuan’s reaction—she didn’t seem to be lying. Could she truly be Shen Kangbo’s illegitimate daughter?

As he pondered, a booming laugh rang out.

“Hahaha! The Marquis of Wenguan—truly a man of outstanding bearing. No wonder you were enfeoffed so young.”

An elderly man of seventy, accompanied by Shen Squad Leader, entered. He stood seven feet five inches tall, wearing a jade crown, a robust yet ethereal old man.

An elderly man of seventy, accompanied by Shen Squad Leader, entered; he stood seven feet five inches tall, wearing a jade crown, a robust and ethereally dignified old man.

one could still glimpse his youthful handsomeness.

“Ancestor Shen.”

Lu Fang rose and bowed. He wondered internally—was tall, sturdy build a Shen family trait? Shen Kangbo and Shen Squad Leader standing together looked remarkably alike.

Shen Kangbo had just seated himself across from them.

Shen Yuan’s expression turned excited, her voice trembling: “Shen... Kangbo, do you remember Wen Yuwan? I... I’m her daughter, Shen Xiaxuan.”

Shen Kangbo studied her for a moment, then shook his head:

“You do resemble an old friend of mine, but I can assure you—you are not my daughter. I do not know Wen Yuwan.”

Shen Xiaxuan shook her head violently, face flushed with anger. “Impossible! My aunt told me—you’re my father! Otherwise, why would I have traveled so far to find you?”

Shen Kangbo frowned and turned to Lu Fang.

Lu Fang shrugged. “I’m unclear—could there be some misunderstanding? If it’s truly not true, clearing it up face-to-face is best.”

Shen Squad Leader snapped: “Our Ancestor says no, then it’s no! Marquis of Wenguan, you bring a girl claiming to be from our family to Shen Family Mountain—is this intentional?”

Shen Kangbo said: “Squad Leader, don’t disrespect the Marquis of Wenguan. How about this—I’ll send someone to investigate the full story, find where the confusion lies. Marquis, what do you think...”

Shen Kangbo said, “Squad Leader, don’t be disrespectful to the Marquis of Wenguan. How about this—I’ll send someone to investigate the full story and see where the misunderstanding lies. Marquis of Wenguan, what do you think…”

Shen Kangbo’s face turned purplish-black. He opened his mouth and spat out a mouthful of blood.

The blood was black—boiling, bubbling like heated water.

The blood was black, boiling and bubbling like water brought to a boil.