Fang Yun bought a new guqin stand and brought his Shocking Gallbladder Guqin, fitted with a dragon horn cushion, back home. He first played a few tunes on the old stand. The sound was indeed purer than before, and even if the stand below cracked, it seemed to bear no weight. So, he switched to the new stand and continued to play.
Just as Fang Yun was engrossed in his music, a shout came from outside the gate, “Fang Yun, do you have time for a drink?”
The voice was unfamiliar. Fang Yun was sure it was the first time he had heard it. He found it strange and went outside.
The gatekeeper opened the door to reveal a young man with a playful smile standing outside, holding a jar of wine and peering inside.
Although the man seemed extremely casual, his body was upright, and his gaze was more indifferent than careless, as if there was nothing in the world worth his concern.
Fang Yun was slightly taken aback, thinking that this man must be a renowned scholar. There were many unconventional scholars.
The man stared at Fang Yun with his dark eyes. His casual demeanor faded, but his smile deepened. “Fang Yun, Fang Zhenguo? Just as the rumors say, you have a unique aura at such a young age, and you’re on the rise. I am Li Fanming, the one who wanted to buy your stuff on the Qixi Festival was my uncle.”
Fang Yun suddenly realized. No wonder this man looked so extraordinary. He was Li Fanming, one of the four sons of the Jing Kingdom, unlike the other three Imperial Scholars, Li Fanming was only a Presented Scholar, and his greatest hobby was drinking.
However, no one looked down on him. Not only was he from a wealthy family and related by marriage to the Ji Prominent Family, but he was also the top scholar in the capital of Jing Kingdom. His interpretations of classics and policy discussions were famous throughout Jing Kingdom. Five years ago, his interpretations and discussions were published in “The Path of the Saints”, causing a sensation.
He was also a regular in the “Literary Report”. Since at least three out of ten news stories about Jing Kingdom were related to him, Fang Yun had a deep impression of him.
Almost as soon as he heard the name Li Fanming, Fang Yun understood that he was representing the Ji family.
“So it’s Young Master Li, I’ve heard a lot about you.” Fang Yun said politely.
Li Fanming laughed, “I’ll take that as a compliment. I heard that there are many boats in Jade Sea. Since I’m new here, I’d like to ask Brother Fang to show me around.”
Fang Yun smiled slightly, “I’m preparing for the Mid-Autumn Festival in the Holy Land and really don’t have time to play. Why don’t you come in and have some tea?”
Fang Yun made a gesture of invitation. Li Fanming walked towards the living room with a disappointed look on his face.
After they sat down, Fang Yun asked everyone else to leave, “Brother Li, just say what you have to say.”
Li Fanming dropped his frivolous attitude, “Fang Zhenguo is straightforward, so I’ll get straight to the point. Then go for a drink. Our Ji family was wronged. On the Qixi Festival, although my uncle wanted the Blood Droplet Beast Skin, he told me afterwards that it might be fate and asked me not to make things difficult for you in the Holy Land.”
“Have you been waiting for the Holy Land all these years without taking the Imperial Scholar exam?” Fang Yun asked.
“Yes, the Ji family asked me to wait for seven years, on the condition that they would no longer interfere with my drinking.” Li Fanming said.
“Wait for seven years, is it also for this Blood Droplet Beast Skin?” Fang Yun asked.
“Half of it is. Even without this Blood Droplet Beast Skin, it wouldn’t necessarily be a waste of time.”
Fang Yun nodded, “Meng Linyu came to me that day and said that your Ji family leaked the news that I got the Blood Droplet Beast Skin.”
“With your wisdom, you should understand that our Ji family would not do such a stupid thing. I came here to clarify this matter and tell you some things that even many Semi-Saint Prominent Families don’t know.”
“Speak!” Fang Yun said indifferently.
“The Meng family entered the Holy Land, claiming to be looking for traces of the Meng Semi-Saint, but the Tyrant’s real intention is to find the relics of the Zi Lu Semi-Saint. You must know that the three Semi-Saints, including Zi Lu, fell in the Holy Land.”
Fang Yun asked, “The Meng family has only the Tyrant shining brightly these years. The others are unknown. He is a Hanlin Scholar and cannot enter the Holy Land. Why does he want to find the relics of Zi Lu Semi-Saint?”
Li Fanming slowly said, “By openly repairing the plank road and secretly crossing the Chencang.”
Fang Yun was stunned. Secretly crossing the Chencang was a famous battle example of Han Xin. He couldn’t help but widen his eyes, “Does he want to sneak into the Holy Land with the military book ‘Three Articles of Han Xin’?”
“No, he can’t enter the Holy Land himself. Instead, he uses other means in combination with ‘Three Articles of Han Xin’ to indirectly achieve the purpose of sneaking in. As for what the specific means are, we don’t know, because he has too many means to use. And, it has been used before.”
Fang Yun pondered for a moment, “I think I understand what you mean. You want to say that he is determined to get the Blood Droplet Beast Skin?”
“Correct.” Li Fanming said.
“The evidence is insufficient.” Fang Yun remained unmoved.
Li Fanming, however, smiled confidently, “That’s why I came to explain in person, and I will give you all the information our Ji family knows.” As he spoke, he took out a Swallowed Lake Pearl from his sleeve, wiped it casually, and a book and a map appeared in his hand, which he handed over.Fang Yun took the book and looked at it. On the surface, he remained calm, but inwardly, he had to admit that the Semi-Saint Prominent Families indeed had a profound foundation. The previous twenty-four travelogues and all the atlases combined were not as detailed as this one book and atlas from the Ji family. It marked many places, even clearly marking the rumored Holy Land Dragon Cliff.
The value of this book and atlas far exceeded that of The Swallowed Lake Pearl.
After reading it, Fang Yun slowly said, “It’s still not enough.”
Li Fanming didn’t mind at all, saying, “The three drops of blood on the beast skin should be the blood of one of the three Semi-Saints who fell in the Holy Land. It can point to the battlefield of the three Saints and the Demon Saint. You should know that back then, Zi Lu and the other two Saints accidentally entered the edge of a Demon Saint’s tomb and were attacked by the Demon Saint.”
Fang Yun nodded.
“But according to our Semi-Saint Prominent Families’ speculation, the Demon Saint would never fight to the death for a tomb. That tomb has other mysteries!”
Fang Yun said, “Is this the reason why your Prominent Families of All Saints have been going to the Holy Land one after another?”
“The biggest reason is that the current Demon Emperor actually grew up in the Holy Land, and the mysterious princess of the East Sea Dragon Clan also made rapid progress after coming out of the Holy Land. Do you remember the dragon of the Kong Family?”
“Of course.” Fang Yun vaguely understood something.
“That dragon of the Kong Family also suddenly became famous after coming out of the Holy Land, but unfortunately, it was killed by the Demon Emperor. The people of the Semi-Saint Prominent Families are used to calling these three people the Three Sons of the Holy Land, each of them has the potential of a Sub-Sage!”
“The Tyrant is not only interested in the relics of Semi-Saint Zi Lu, but also wants to become the fourth son of the Holy Land?”
“Is this evidence enough?”
“It’s enough.” Fang Yun sighed lightly. Li Fanming was just a Presented Scholar. If he used military strategies or diplomatic tactics, he would never be able to deceive him. Moreover, Li Fanming’s tone was extremely sincere, a sincerity that those who specialize in miscellaneous studies and diplomacy could never fake.
Li Fanming said, “Your blood-dripped beast skin is not the only key, but having one more possibility is always not a bad thing. So the Tyrant and others really want to get it, especially since you are not a descendant of the Prominent Families of All Saints.” His tone was full of regret at the end.
“It’s okay, I will work hard to make my descendants become the descendants of the Semi-Saint Prominent Families.” Fang Yun said indifferently.
Li Fanming laughed and said, “This is the most interesting Semi-Saint declaration I have ever heard. So, is our Ji family’s sincerity enough?”
“Very enough, thank you.” Fang Yun said.
Li Fanming quickly said, “We can’t afford this thanks. The reason I came here is to clarify one thing, and secondly, I hope you won’t join the Tyrant. If you join the Tyrant, our Ji family will be in danger. It’s a way of self-preservation, not entirely for you.”
“I understand, your frankness is far better than anything else.” Fang Yun raised his teacup, made a toast to Li Fanming, and took a sip.
Li Fanming also solemnly raised his cup and took a sip of tea.
“So, what exactly is the biggest secret of the Holy Land? Do you have any guesses?” Fang Yun asked.
Li Fanming sighed helplessly and said, “There are too many guesses. We even guessed that Sage Confucius left something inside, but the people of the Kong Family denied it, because if Sage Confucius really wanted to leave something good, he could only leave it in the Holy Academy or Kong Prefecture. Oh, right, it might also be left in the Book Mountain.”
Fang Yun was about to put down his teacup, but he silently took another sip of tea.
Li Fanming continued, “What are you going to do with the blood-dripped beast skin in your hand? Are you planning to exchange it for something, or use it yourself?”
Fang Yun said, “Since this thing involves the Sons of the Holy Land and may give people the potential to become a Sub-Sage, its value is definitely not less than Han Xin’s Military Recruitment Platform.”
“The Military Recruitment Platform? You mean…” Li Fanming looked at Fang Yun in confusion.
“The Tyrant wants to exchange the blood-dripped beast skin for Han Xin’s Military Recruitment Platform.”
“He’s really willing to… No, he’s not in urgent need of military treasures. Does he want you to conflict with the Han Family?”
“Of course. So, do me a small favor and spread this out, let others know about my relationship with the Tyrant.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve got this. However, according to our speculation, the incident on the Qixi Festival was spread by the Meng Family, but the slander against you and our Ji Family should not be the work of the Tyrant.”
“Since it’s not the Tyrant’s doing, you probably know who did it. They love to kill with a borrowed knife.” Fang Yun said.
Li Fanming naturally knew that Fang Yun was talking about the miscellaneous scholars and diplomats, and said, “It seems that I came here for nothing, you know everything, I’m relieved. Oh, right, I have one more important thing.”
Fang Yun immediately listened attentively. The previous conversation even involved the big secret of the Holy Land. This time Li Fanming said it was an important matter, it must be even more extraordinary.
Who knew that Li Fanming coughed lightly, looking a bit embarrassed, and said, “I bear the hopes of my younger brothers and sisters, and I want to ask you to write a copy of ‘Inscription of a Humble Room’. If you don’t write it, they won’t let me off when I go back.”
Fang Yun pointed to the book and atlas about the Holy Land and said, “With these two things here, a copy of ‘Inscription of a Humble Room’ is nothing. But the original is not with me, you can’t even see it if you want to.”
“That’s great! As long as it’s your authentic work.”
Fang Yun didn’t expect that his calligraphy could now be called a “masterpiece”. He said, “Let’s go to my study.”
“I didn’t expect you to be so understanding. How about I treat you to some flower wine?” Li Fanming suggested.
“There’s no need for flower wine. In the future, if there’s anything important concerning me, if your Ji family knows about it, tell me at the earliest opportunity. I will certainly repay kindness with kindness,” Fang Yun replied. (To be continued.)