Volume One: Youth Enters the World Chapter Forty-Two: Preparing to Leave

At the Zhou family residence, Fang Tian was currently in his room, eyes closed, resting and recuperating. The act of inscribing the spirit array had drained a vast amount of his soul power, and only through meditation could he hope to recover.

“I didn’t expect the toll of drawing the spirit array to be so great,” he thought, opening his eyes and sensing his soul power, only to find it had barely recovered. To be fully restored in a short time was impossible.

After the upheaval of the previous night, only the Zhou family remained of the three great families of Maple Leaf Town. Sun Zhengyun had met a brutal end, and Chen Shikang’s plot had been foiled by Fang Tian. Overnight, both families had lost their leaders, and chaos reigned among them. The Chen family’s desire to become the sole rulers of Maple Leaf Town had even driven them to target the heads of the other two families—a turn of events few could have foreseen.

Upon returning to the Zhou residence, Fang Tian learned from Zhou Yunshu that the Chen family’s ambition to be the sole ruling house was no sudden impulse, but a long-brewing scheme. Ever since the Zhou and Sun families were left with only their patriarchs, each barely at the third level of Spirit Gathering, the Chen family’s intentions had been plain to see in their conduct. Their desire for dominance was no passing fancy.

What Zhou Yunshu had not anticipated was how swiftly they would act, nor that they would enlist Qi Liang, deputy commander of the Wufeng City Guard, to aid them. Had Fang Tian not intervened, their plot would surely have succeeded—the Zhou and Sun families would have been wiped out, and few among their descendants would have survived.

For this, the Zhou family was deeply grateful to Fang Tian, treating him as a benefactor.

With the sudden chaos, the three-family competition had been canceled, and it was unlikely to be held again—after all, only the Zhou family remained.

Fang Tian ceased his meditation, stood, and left his room, heading purposefully toward the main hall.

In the main hall, Zhou Yunshu was receiving reports from his subordinates on the Chen family’s situation. With Chen Shikang and Chen Shiqing both dealt with by Fang Tian, only Chen Yufeng remained, guarding the Chen household alone. To prevent his escape, Zhou Yunshu had ordered his men to surround the Chen residence upon returning with Fang Tian, for the Chen family, as the ringleaders, could not be easily let go.

Hearing that no one had left the Chen estate, Zhou Yunshu nodded and dismissed his men. At that moment, Fang Tian entered.

Seeing him, Zhou Yunshu smiled. “Tian, you’re here. Is there something you need?”

Fang Tian paused in thought before speaking. “Uncle Zhou, I’ve come to bid you farewell.”

Zhou Yunshu stood, pacing back and forth, clearly hesitating. At last, he turned to Fang Tian. “Tian, must you leave so soon?”

“Yes. If the authorities from Wufeng City trace matters here, Uncle Zhou, you may shift all the blame onto me. I am not afraid to bear it alone.”

“Tian, that’s not necessary. I will explain everything to them—they will see you are blameless.”

“Uncle Zhou, I killed the deputy commander of Wufeng City, and he’s dead beyond testimony. Even if you explain, they may not believe you. No matter what, they will not let me go. Only by giving me up can you ensure the Zhou family’s safety.”

“Tian, I know you’re doing this because you fear Wufeng City’s officials will punish us as well. Is that not so?”

“Yes. Let me carry this burden alone. Uncle Zhou, you mustn’t hesitate any longer.”

“So this is the only way… To push you into the fire, I truly cannot bear it.”

“Uncle Zhou, this is my own choice. You need not feel any guilt.”

“Ah, you’ve been made to suffer.”

“It’s nothing. Uncle Zhou, I must take my leave.”

As Fang Tian prepared to depart, Zhou Yunshu seemed to come to a decision. “Tian, wait a moment. Allow me to have the kitchen prepare a feast to send you off.”

Fang Tian quickly refused. “There’s no need, Uncle Zhou. I wish to leave quietly. Before I go, I’ll say goodbye to Xiaodie and Zhou Quan.”

“Tian, I know I can do little to help you now, and in fact have placed you in danger. To tell the truth, I feel uneasy in my heart. If I cannot at least see you off before you go, there may never be another chance.”

“Let me do this for you, so my heart may be at ease.”

Fang Tian found himself at a loss for words. After some thought, he could only nod. “Very well, Uncle Zhou.”

Seeing Fang Tian agree, Zhou Yunshu immediately began giving orders for the kitchen to prepare the food and wine. “Tian, go take a walk if you wish. When the meal is ready, I’ll send someone to fetch you.”

“Alright. I’ll go see Xiaodie first.”

“Go on, then.”

Fang Tian left the hall, heading for Zhou Xiaodie’s quarters. As he walked, he puzzled over Zhou Yunshu’s insistence on seeing him off. Could there be some hidden motive? But that seemed impossible—he had been with the Zhou family for so long.

Besides, the Zhou family had now become the foremost house in Maple Leaf Town, with only himself in real danger moving forward. Shaking his head, Fang Tian dismissed his doubts, taking Zhou Yunshu’s gesture as a simple token of gratitude—there was no need to suspect otherwise.

In Xiaodie’s quarters, Fang Tian and Zhou Xiaodie sat together in silence, savoring the precious time they had left. Soon, Fang Tian would have to leave, and neither wished to part. For now, all they wanted was to hold each other tightly.

After a while, Fang Tian realized that if he did not speak now, he might never have another chance. Gazing at Zhou Xiaodie, he said softly, “Xiaodie, I must go.”

“I know,” she replied.

“After I leave, you must live well. If you tire of waiting, don’t force yourself to wait for me, do you understand?”

“Brother Fang Tian, I am already yours. There will be no one else for me but you.”

“I do not know when I will return. If you wait for me all this time, you will only suffer.”

“I’m not afraid. Even if I must wait day and night, I will wait for you. Don’t you wish to take responsibility for me?”

“How could I not, silly girl? I just don’t know if I will survive, or be able to complete what I must do and return to you.”

“Don’t say such unlucky things! I believe in you. After all, here I am, waiting for you, loving you. Isn’t that so?”

Fang Tian laughed. “You’re right. For your sake, and for my own, I must return. Then we can be together.”

“Yes, brother Fang Tian. That day will come.”

“Xiaodie, look at me.”

“Hm?”

Fang Tian lifted Zhou Xiaodie into his arms, gazing at her delicate face, her quick-witted eyes, and then at her soft, exquisite lips, which he kissed gently.

Moved by her feelings, Zhou Xiaodie closed her eyes.

After a long while, a knock sounded at the door—it was someone informing them that the wine and dishes were ready, inviting them to come. Only then did the two part, sharing a smile before heading out together.