Martial Dao: I Can Enhance My Talents

Upon hearing this, the surprise on Fang Lingyuan’s face faded slightly. He leaned back in his chair and remained silent for a moment before speaking slowly.

"It’s not that it’s troublesome."

His voice was a bit low, and his gaze drifted to the pine forest outside the window, which was rustling in the afternoon wind.

"It’s just that I feel... somewhat overwhelmed."

Fang Han didn’t speak, just listened quietly.

"Because of you, the Fang Family’s influence is no longer confined to just Liangshui City."

Fang Lingyuan said slowly.

"We’ve dabbled in business in several surrounding cities, and our assets have grown more than tenfold compared to two years ago."

He paused, the weariness between his brows becoming more distinct.

"You also know that the Fang Family’s current prestige is all thanks to you alone."

"You’re ranked first on the Celestial Pride List, a fact known by everyone in Qingyang County. People give special consideration to the Fang Family’s businesses out of respect for you, but our family’s own strength can’t keep up with this rate of expansion."

His fingers tapped lightly on the desk twice, producing a dull thudding sound.

"Those five Middle Grade Cultivation Techniques you brought back last time did indeed solve an urgent problem. They sped up the clan members’ Cultivation, and I even used them to break through to the Sixth Grade."

"However, not enough time has passed. The overall strength of the Martial Artists in the family is still low, and we don’t have many capable people."

He sighed, retracted his gaze, and looked at Fang Han.

"In the end, our foundation is too shallow. We’ve spread ourselves too thin and can no longer support it all."

Fang Han listened quietly and didn’t speak immediately.

He pushed the bundle on the desk forward and untied the cloth knot.

Fang Lingyuan’s gaze fell upon the bundle, his tone tinged with inquiry. "This is...?"

Fang Han didn’t answer directly. He just opened the bundle, revealing a thick stack of manuals carefully wrapped in oilcloth.

"A while ago, I performed some meritorious deeds for the Sect, and the Sect rewarded me with a few things."

His voice was calm, as if he were speaking of a trivial matter.

"These are part of the reward."

Fang Lingyuan reached out, picked up the topmost manual, and opened it to the title page.

His fingers paused slightly as they touched the paper.

"A Top Grade Cultivation Technique... *Profound Frost Sword Technique*?"

He picked up another one.

"A Top-Grade Inner Power... *Guiyuan Heart Method*?"

His hands began to tremble slightly as he looked through them one by one.

A Top Grade Body Technique, *Flying Goose Step*; a Top Grade Saber Technique, *Army-Breaker Saber Art*; a Top Grade Fist Technique, *Mountain-Shaking Fist*...

A total of ten Top Grade Cultivation Techniques, covering Inner Power, Swordsmanship, Saber Technique, Fist and Palm, and Body Technique. Any single one of them would be enough to cause a bloodbath in Liangshui City, and even the surrounding cities.

When Fang Lingyuan reached the last three manuals at the bottom, his breathing suddenly hitched.

*Heavenly Dipper Fist*, a top-level Fist Technique.

*Qingyuan Sword*, a top-level Swordsmanship.

*Lie Yang Saber*, a top-level Saber Technique.

"Top-level... top-level Cultivation Techniques?!"

Fang Lingyuan’s head snapped up, his usually calm face filled with unconcealable shock. His voice cracked.

"Fang Han, what... what kind of meritorious deed did you perform for the Sect to bestow such a precious reward?"

Fang Han met his gaze, his voice still calm.

"The Sect was in urgent need of some items. It just so happened that I had them, so I handed them over."

Fang Lingyuan stared blankly at the thick stack of manuals on the desk. His fingers gently caressed the dark gold cover of *Heavenly Dipper Fist*, his knuckles turning white from the pressure.

His lips moved several times before he finally found his voice.

He looked up, and a fervent heat faintly surfaced in his experienced eyes.

"Top-level Cultivation Techniques... those are top-level Cultivation Techniques! In all of Liangshui City—no, in all the surrounding cities, which family can produce even one top-level Cultivation Technique? And yet our Fang Family now has three."

"With these, the Fang Family now has the foundation to become one of the great families in the county."

Fang Han didn’t say much, simply pushing another bundle forward.

"These are some Elixirs I exchanged for at the Sect. They should be helpful for the clan members’ Cultivation."

Fang Lingyuan opened the bundle. Inside, Jade Bottles and Porcelain Bottles of various sizes were stacked neatly.

He casually picked one up. The label on the bottle read—"Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill".

He picked up another—"Peiyuan Pill".

"Detoxification Pills," "Barrier-Breaking Pill"...

Fang Lingyuan’s hand began to tremble.

"You... why did you exchange for so many Elixirs? You need them for your own Cultivation in the Sect. Why would you..."

He was happy that Fang Han was thinking of the family, but if it was at the expense of Fang Han’s own Cultivation, then he would be sacrificing the essential for the non-essential.

"I have enough for myself."

Fang Han said with a smile.

"The Patriarch just said that the family lacks foundation. With these Cultivation Techniques and Elixirs, we should be able to speed up the Cultivation of the family’s Martial Artists."

Fang Lingyuan gazed at the table full of Cultivation Techniques and Elixirs, speechless for a long time.

Only after a moment did he speak slowly.

"Fang Han."

He paused, his eyes filled with solemnity and gratitude, and said.

"On behalf of the entire Fang Family, I thank you."

Fang Han stood up and shook his head slightly.

"Patriarch, you’re being too serious. I am also a member of the Fang Family. A strong family is a pillar of support for me as well."

Fang Lingyuan took a deep breath, suppressed his surging emotions, and his familiar, calm smile reappeared on his face.

He walked back to the desk and carefully re-wrapped the thick stack of Cultivation Techniques in oilcloth, his movements as gentle as if he were handling a priceless treasure.

"I will personally safeguard these Cultivation Techniques and choose carefully who to bestow them upon. There are a few disciples in the family with good aptitude. Given time, they should be able to achieve something."

Fang Han nodded and said.

"Patriarch, I’ll return to Tingyu Pavilion now to visit my parents and little sister."

Fang Lingyuan looked up, nodded slightly, and said in a gentle voice.

"Go on."

Fang Han walked along the bluestone path toward Tingyu Pavilion.

This courtyard, located in the deepest part of the Fang Mansion, had changed somewhat compared to when he left several months ago.

A new row of green bamboo had been planted outside the courtyard wall. It had already grown to be twice the height of a man and rustled when the wind blew.

On both sides of the Moon Cave Sect, a newly inscribed couplet was hung, the calligraphy vigorous and strong.

He passed through the Moon Cave Sect and stepped into the courtyard.

A small figure in a green dress was practicing calligraphy at a stone table under the courtyard pavilion. A female tutor was instructing her, with a Maid attending nearby.

Hearing footsteps, the figure looked up, revealing a small, exquisitely carved face.

"Brother!"

Fang Ying dropped her brush and pounced on him like a cheerful sparrow.

She was eight years old this year and had shot up in height since last year. Her hair was tied in two buns, and a newly picked silk flower was pinned by her temple. The flower trembled adorably as she ran.

Fang Han squatted down and patted his sister’s head.

Fang Ying snuggled against Fang Han, her voice filled with unconcealable joy.

"Brother, you’re back!"

"Look what Brother brought you."

Fang Han gently patted his sister’s back, took out a paper-wrapped package, and dangled it in front of her.

Fang Ying let go, took the package, and unwrapped it in a few quick movements. Inside was a neat arrangement of osmanthus cakes, each one exquisitely shaped like a little rabbit.

This was the specialty of an old, time-honored pastry shop in Qingxuan City. Fang Han had made a special detour to buy them before he left.

"It’s the little rabbit pastries!"

Fang Ying’s eyes immediately lit up. She carefully picked one up and looked at it from every angle, reluctant to take a bite.

"Eat slowly, don’t choke."

A gentle female voice came from under the corridor.

Fang Han looked up and saw his mother, Lin Wan, standing under the corridor. She was wearing an elegant, moon-white blouse and skirt, with a light cyan outer jacket over it.

Her hair was tied up with a single silver hairpin. Her face was still gentle, but a few more fine lines had appeared at the corners of her eyes.

Her gaze fell on Fang Han, and her eyes, which bore a slight resemblance to his, were filled with affection and relief.

"Mother."

Fang Han stood up and walked over.

"You’re back."

Lin Wan reached out to straighten his slightly messy collar and looked him up and down. Her brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

"You look thinner. Have you not been eating well at the Sect?"

"The food at the Sect is excellent. How could I have gotten thinner?"

Fang Han smiled, took a small Jade Box from his robes, and handed it to his mother.

"Mother, this is for you."

Lin Wan took the Jade Box and opened it. Inside lay two pills the size of longans, their color as lustrous as solidified grease. A cool, medicinal fragrance wafted out, invigorating just to smell.

"These are Beauty Pills. Taking them can enhance one’s appearance and slow aging."

Fang Han then took out a slightly larger Wooden Box. Inside were several bottles of health-preserving elixirs held in warm jade vials.

"These are for Father. They can strengthen the body and nourish one’s qi and blood. I asked an Elder from the Sect’s Pill Hall and specifically chose them for you."

"You silly child, why spend so much money on these? Your father and I don’t need them."

Lin Wan looked at the Elixirs but didn’t refuse them. She just carefully put away the Jade Box, a flicker of imperceptible pride in her gentle eyes.

At some point, Fang Ying had squatted down on a nearby stone stool, nibbling on the osmanthus cake with her cheeks puffed out like a little squirrel hoarding food.

She looked at her mother, then at her brother, her dark, glossy eyes darting back and forth. Suddenly, she spoke up.

"Brother, do I get a present?"

"Yes, of course."

Fang Han took a small Brocade Box from his robes and handed it to Fang Ying.

Fang Ying opened it eagerly. Inside lay a pair of jade bracelets. Their color was warm and lustrous, the carving was exquisite, and their size was just right for a child to wear.

A circle of extremely fine cloud patterns was carved onto the bracelets, which shimmered with a faint glow in the light.

"So pretty!"

Fang Ying’s eyes sparkled. At her age, she loved shiny things the most.

She carefully picked one up, slipped it onto her slender wrist, and looked at it from every angle, unable to get enough of it.

Lin Wan watched this scene from the side, the corners of her mouth curving into a slight smile.

Fang Han handed the remaining items to the Maid standing by and turned to his mother.

"Mother, is Father not home?"

"Your father? He left at the crack of dawn."

Lin Wan shook her head, her tone carrying a hint of helplessness.

"Thanks to you, the family has promoted him to General Manager. He’s now in charge of dozens of shops and several hundred people. He’s probably checking the accounts in one of the shops right now."