Chapter 154: The Engagement Reopened

The news that Ji You and Fang Ruoyao had returned spread quickly throughout Yuyang County.

As a result, countless people gathered at the Paifang Street, the courtyard in front of the Fang residence, and the house of Old Qiu outside the city.

They normally dared not look directly at immortals, but Ji You and Fang Ruoyao had both been raised before their eyes, so their fear was far less than the dread inspired by Fengxian Shanzhuang.

Many also got their wish—seeing Ji You return.

In the late afternoon, Scholar Kuang arrived at Ji’s residence and invited Ji You to a banquet at his home; the crowd caught a glimpse of him once.

The next morning, Ji You went to a noodle shop for a meal and was surrounded by onlookers.

Then he went to the Qiu family’s home outside the city, and people along the way stopped to stare at him for long stretches.

Though everyone knew Ji You was now a mountain immortal, many commoners could not tell any difference between him and ordinary mortals when his spiritual energy was fully concealed, as if he had never left Yuyang.

During this time, Jia Sicong and Dong Wei gathered courage to approach and speak to him, and Ji You took them out for a meal.

“I don’t feel any difference—it’s more like he’s become a bandit…”

Dong Wei nodded after hearing this: “Yeah, maybe he entered Tian Shu Academy but didn’t achieve anything substantial?”

Jia Sicong agreed: “I saw Miss Fang yesterday—she truly radiated divine authority. Compared to her, Ji You doesn’t even look like an immortal.”

“That’s right—I pretended to casually pat his shoulder, and he didn’t unleash any divine aura at all.”

“So it seems Ji You is merely a beginner on the immortal path—he still has a long way to go compared to those immortals from Fengxian Shanzhuang who radiate divine power.”

Dong Wei lowered his voice: “Don’t you dare say that aloud—even if there’s a gap, Ji You is still an immortal, and he can kill you without breaking the law.”

As they spoke, four carriages arrived at Paifang Street and stopped before Ji’s residence.

They recognized the lead carriage—it belonged to the County Magistrate of Yuyang.

Sure enough, as the carriage halted, the County Magistrate of Yuyang stepped out, followed by three elderly men descending from the three carriages behind.

Dong Wei and Jia Sicong instantly recognized them: the three most venerable elders of the Fang clan.

“Are they here to see Ji You?”

“Probably. Fang Ruoyao and Ji You are the only pair of cultivators to emerge from Yuyang County. That canceled engagement must be back on the table now.”

Jia Sicong and Dong Wei guessed correctly—the County Magistrate Fang Zhongzheng had come specifically regarding the engagement.

In his view, the two had grown up together in this small county, had once been betrothed, and had spent a year apart; even if there had been rifts, they could still be mended.

So over the past year, he had written letters to his daughter, urging her to reconcile with Ji You and forget the past.

Both held immortal status—if they married, their offspring could also cultivate, eliminating the need to beg for cultivation slots.

But when Fang Zhongzheng asked about his daughter’s condition, he discovered she refused to speak.

Helpless, Fang Zhongzheng had no choice but to come himself and gauge Ji You’s intentions.

Yet because the forced annulment had been so disgraceful, to show sincerity, Fang Zhongzheng brought along the three most respected elders of his family—demonstrating his respect for Ji You.

Knock knock knock—a series of knocks sounded. Ji You opened the gate.

He had just returned from the Yuyang County school, which he had funded and where Master Chen taught; all the children of Yuyang now studied there. Yet he had barely sat down before guests arrived.

Their words matched his expectations—they were here about the engagement.

“That incident back then was my foolishness, but it had nothing to do with Ruoyao—she’s always thought of you. If you’re angry, blame me.”

“But on the other hand, this is still a fine match.”

“Originally, our Fang family and your Ji family were longstanding friends, and we arranged this betrothal because our families were equally matched. Though things took a twist, now you’re a student of Tian Shu Academy and Ruoyao is too—so we’re still equally matched, aren’t we?”

“Fengzhou is poor, and there are only a few families we truly know. Ruoyao and you are truly made for each other. If you two return to Fengzhou, both as cultivators, your descendants can cultivate too.”

“Put simply—if not Ruoyao, who else could you choose?”

“I’ve heard that cultivators care about family status. You’ve spent a year in Tian Shu Academy—you must understand better than we do. Forget whether noble families would even look down on people from Fengzhou; even if they did, you’d have to become a son-in-law.”

“The Ji family now has only you. If you truly become a son-in-law, how will the Ji lineage continue?”

Fang Zhongzheng spoke earnestly, laying out every possible advantage of marrying his daughter.

The eldest elder of the Fang clan could not help but speak: “Ji You, you’re now an immortal. Technically, I dare not offend your divine aura by acting as an elder. But you know well—I was sworn brothers with your grandfather, and I’ve watched you grow up since childhood.”

The second elder nodded too: “The Ji family has only this one bloodline—you cannot let it end.”

Ji You listened quietly, then spoke: “I appreciate your intentions, but I truly am incompatible with Fang Ruoyao. If there had ever been a chance, it would’ve happened long ago. Please leave.”

“But I heard from Ruoyao that since entering the academy, you’ve been avoiding her—you’ve never truly spent time together. How can you know you’re incompatible?”

What Fang Ruoyao told Fang Zhongzheng was that she never had a chance to speak to Ji You; in Fang Zhongzheng’s mind, it became Ji You actively avoiding her.

He believed the rift still stemmed from the forced annulment.

“Avoiding her? That’s nonsense. Besides, I already have a woman I love. Though a true man may take three wives and four concubines, my primary wife’s standards will be extremely high.”

The County Magistrate frowned sharply: “Who is this woman? Is she also from Tian Shu Academy? Does she even know you were Ruoyao’s betrothed?”

As soon as he spoke, Fang Zhongzheng felt a crushing pressure that made his heart tremble—as if a sword had risen before him—and he collapsed face-first onto the table.

Ji You looked down, his eyes icy: “I have no relation to Fang Ruoyao. You know this better than anyone. Even if the engagement hadn’t been broken, when the Qiu family was in trouble, your entire Fang clan stood by and did nothing—I could never be with her.”

“And you, old man.”

Ji You turned to the eldest elder: “Sworn brothers? Where were you when the Ji family suffered? I didn’t kill you because I refuse to treat mortal lives as grass, like other cultivators. But now that I’ve said all I can, I’m getting tired.”

The eldest elder held his breath: “You…”

“Leave. Don’t force me to send you to heaven.”

Without another word, the County Magistrate rose immediately and hurried away with the three elders.

Even after returning to the Fang residence, the County Magistrate remained shaken, as if a sword still hung above his neck.

“It seems the outside world truly is dazzling—this Ji boy has been blinded by it.”

Back in the Fang family’s front hall, the three elders, trembling with fear and rage, slammed their canes on the ground: “Impudent! Utterly impudent! I was sworn brothers with his grandfather!”

Fang Zhongzheng took a deep breath: “Over the years, only he and our Ruoyao have entered immortal sects from humble families. If he refuses to become a son-in-law to a noble house, he will surely regret it.”

The eldest elder of the Fang clan turned: “Given his attitude today, even if he regrets it later, our Fang family will never accept this match!”

The County Magistrate gripped his sleeve: “Correct. Ruoyao is a daughter—marrying into a noble house is far better than this!”

“Father, what did you say?”

“!”

Fang Ruoyao stepped in from the back hall, eyes wide: “You went to see Ji You? Didn’t I tell you not to?”

Fang Zhongzheng looked up, silent for a long moment, then spoke: “Ruoyao, you’re a girl—I know some things are hard for you to say outright, so I thought I’d speak for you. But that boy truly has no sense!”

“Ji You entered the Inner Court—he doesn’t want me. That’s why I didn’t tell you—I didn’t know how to say it!”

“Inner Court?”

Fang Zhongzheng looked up, his face filled with shock.

Though not a cultivator, he knew Tian Shu Academy had Inner and Outer Courts—only those with exceptional talent could enter the Inner Court.

But like the family of Governor Xiang of Danshui Commandery, such vague descriptions meant little to Fang Zhongzheng—he couldn’t grasp the weight of those words.

“Even if he entered the Inner Court, he was still your betrothed. That connection alone makes you closer to him than anyone else—he wouldn’t choose anyone else!”

“He has many choices.”

“The Qingyun Realm values status. Could his choice possibly be more suitable than you?”

Fang Ruoyao gave a bitter laugh: “Suitable? Father, you overestimate the Fang family. Did you know even a princess of the Great Xia Chong Prince’s household wants to marry him? And the Lady Lu of Yunzhou, whom I often mention in my letters, has already sent him a silk undergarment waiting for his reply—I can’t even get in line.”

The smile faded from Fang Zhongzheng’s face. He sat down heavily on the bench, stunned into silence.

Living in Fengzhou, the County Magistrate had been even more narrow-minded than most—he didn’t understand what the Inner Court meant, or what status meant.

Only when his daughter mentioned the Chong Prince and the word “princess” did he vaguely grasp Ji You’s current standing.

But how?

Fang Zhongzheng remained bewildered—until his daughter spoke again, and he realized his imagination had been far too limited.

“After Ji You entered the Inner Court, he received the qualification to establish a noble house. On this journey with them, three Commanders have bowed to him.”

“Three Commanders… why?”

Fang Ruoyao pressed her lips together: “In the Qingyun Realm, immortal authority reigns supreme. Fengzhou has no immortal sects or noble houses. When Ji You establishes the first native noble house here, according to Qingyun immortal law, he becomes the true master of Fengzhou—controlling all resources, including taxes and cultivation slots.”

Fang Zhongzheng’s mind went numb: “But Fengzhou still has countless immortal estates!”

“According to the same immortal law, those outside estates must either leave or submit to his rule.”

“What about Fengxian Shanzhuang? That powerful estate?”

In Fang Zhongzheng’s eyes, Fengxian Shanzhuang was the strongest cultivation force he had ever seen.

His predecessor as County Magistrate had once been forced to spend seven days acting like a dog for delaying tax payments—only then was his life spared.

So the County Magistrate wondered: even Fengxian Shanzhuang, so powerful and ruthless, would be subject to this?

Fang Ruoyao glanced at her father: “If that estate still existed, its master might already be at Ji’s residence, smiling and apologizing…”

【If they return to Fengzhou, their descendants can cultivate too.】

【Even if you don’t choose Ruoyao, you’ll still have to become a son-in-law—how will you continue the Ji lineage?】

At this moment, the three elders’ withered hands gripping their canes went limp.

Like Jia Sicong and Dong Wei, they too had seen Ji You these past days and thought him ordinary, lacking divine aura—especially since they’d watched him grow up, they’d assumed the posture of elders.

In their eyes, Ji You and their Ruoyao were both immortals—surely not vastly different.

But now they understood: the returning boy had merely been polite, while his status had become utterly incomparable.

They dared not even raise their heads before Fengxian Shanzhuang, trembling in fear—yet according to Fang Ruoyao, even Fengxian Shanzhuang would dare not defy Ji You.

“How could this be? Doesn’t he cultivate the same immortality as you?”

Fang Ruoyao clenched her teeth: “Because I’m not a genius.”

The County Magistrate held his breath: “So Ji You is a genius?”

“No, he isn’t.”

“Then how did he reach this level?”

Fang Ruoyao gazed out the window at the clouds and sky: “Because ‘genius’ is merely the threshold to meet him.”

Fang Zhongzheng: “…”

“Father, you were lucky—you never saw him step by step raise his sword qi toward heaven, hated how high he climbed while you had the will but no power.”

In the front hall, Fang Ruoyao bit her red lips until not a trace of color remained: “This is all your fault! When I insisted on breaking off the engagement, why didn’t you stop me!”

Yuyang County was small; some things spread in less than half a day, just as when the Qiu family’s little girl was once taken to be turned into medicine.

Here lived scholars who drew water for widows and guided the blind—certain things were bound to spread.

Thus by evening, rumors that the imperial princess and noble daughters of the capital lined up to wed Ji You, and that Ji You would likely control tax revenues across Fengzhou, gradually reached every household.

And when many heard this news, most were utterly bewildered.

They simply could not imagine that after only a year away, this harmless, bookish man had risen so impossibly high.

【Didn’t he cultivate anything substantial?】

【He’s just entered the Immortal Path—he still pales beside the Immortal Lords of Fengxian Manor】

【He’s not even as celestial as Miss Fang】

Jia Sicong stared at his palm, which had once clapped Ji You on the shoulder, and murmured: “I’ll probably never wash my hands again.”

Meanwhile, after the Fang family departed, Ji You had gone to the Qiu household and now sat at the table eating lunch.

The Qiu couple had also heard the rumors; they stared at the young master, unsure what to say.

“Young Master.”

“Hmm?”

“They say if you establish a clan, much of Fengzhou will have to obey you—that your word will outweigh even the Governor’s. Is that true?”

Ji You broke off a piece of steamed bun and fed it to Qiu Ru, ruffling her small head: “Old Qiu, you were truly born to be a steward.”

At these words, Qiu Zhong instantly held his breath.

“Before, you managed the Ji household. Soon, you’ll help me manage the mountain stronghold.”

“Wait, isn’t it a clan?”

“Isn’t a clan the same as a mountain stronghold?”

(End of Chapter)