Chapter 341 132: Splendid Years
「The next day.」
A shocking piece of news spread through Shangluo City, causing a huge uproar: Bao Sichun, Master Bao, had disappeared.
Well, to say he disappeared wasn't entirely accurate. Bao Sichun had left a letter. In it, he stated that he sensed his end was near and was resigning from his post to travel the world and return to the earth...
There's an unwritten rule in officialdom: as long as the crime isn't unpardonable, once things reach this stage, no one will pursue the matter relentlessly. It's best to let bygones be bygones.
In reality, Bao Sichun had sensed the aura of the 'Primordial Golden List' and assumed he was being targeted by someone in the Great Yu Court. He was just trying to use this method to buy a little time.
But little did he know, that strike from the 'Primordial Golden List' in the Void Realm Space was something Fang Rui had manifested using Tribulation Points. After letting his imagination run wild, Bao Sichun had successfully scared himself into fleeing.
The Great Yu Court confirmed the letter was indeed from Bao Sichun and didn't investigate further, letting him go as he pleased.
And so, a peculiar misunderstanding was born.
...
"Bao Sichun ran away?!"
Fang Rui's expression was odd when he heard the news. "My manifestation of the 'Primordial Golden List' strike yesterday had such an effect? It actually scared the man off?"
'It seems this man has some serious problems and isn't tolerated by the Great Yu Court.'
'But it's good that he ran. In the future, when I kill him, there will be far fewer complications.'
'Hmm, let's give it a try and see if I can lock onto him.'
Spiritual Light flickered in Fang Rui's hand as he began performing Divination with his fingers. He tried several times, but to no avail.
'This shouldn't be happening. We're at the same level, my Divination Skill is Limit-Breaking, the causal connection is strong enough, and I even have a sliver of status borrowed from the panel.'
Normally, he should have been able to lock onto the man, yet he had failed.
He mused, subconsciously recalling the book pages he had seen yesterday, filled with a bizarre and ominous aura. His expression immediately turned grave.
'The ancient cataclysm, the poisonous Spiritual Qi, the sudden drop in Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, Saint Emperor Yu defining Qi Fortune, the path of the Imperial Spirit Masters, the birth of Martial Arts, the suppression of Ancient Spirit Cultivators...'
'From Yuan Haogu, to yesterday's Bao Sichun...'
Fang Rui ran through these thoughts in his mind. As he felt himself drawing closer to the truth, he couldn't help but sigh with emotion. "How many truths, how many heroic and tragic tales, lie buried beneath the annals of history!"
He was quite philosophical about it, though. Seeing that he truly couldn't find Bao Sichun, he put the matter to the back of his mind. Coincidentally, the renovation of his private school was complete.
'DING! Your "Teacher" profession has finished loading.'
Fang Rui smiled, thinking to himself with a bit of humor.
As he grew older, his home was filled with people of all ages: someone older like Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family; someone in her prime, mature and magnificent, like Third Lady; those brimming with youthful, lively energy like Fang Ling and Nannan; and even one just learning to babble, like Fang Li.
In such an environment, he found himself becoming more and more playful.
Today, because he was preparing to enroll students, Fang Rui had changed into his 'teacher outfit'.
"Third Sister, do I look good?" Dressed in a long, belted robe, he spun around in front of Third Lady and asked with a smile.
"Very handsome."
Third Lady smiled, her lips pursed, her bright, clear eyes shimmering. She clearly liked what she saw.
"Then when I get back tonight, how about we... roleplay..."
"Of course!"
Third Lady agreed readily. "Brother Rui, I'll make soup for you."
Fang Rui was speechless.
'Am I being teased?! I'm definitely being teased, aren't I?!'
Back in the day, Third Lady would have been shy hearing such a thing. But now, she had fully blossomed and changed a great deal.
They were truly like an old married couple now.
The two of them looked at each other and both burst out laughing, sharing the comfortable intimacy of a deeply devoted couple.
...
The former 'Caozhi Hall' had now been converted into 'Sanwei Bookstore'.
Today, the area outside was bustling with people.
"Old Chen?! What are you doing here? Didn't you say you wouldn't let your kid come even if Divine Doctor Fang got on his knees and begged you?"
"Did I say that? Oh, that was just to mess with you... Ahem, never mind me. Old Bai, didn't you also say..."
"I was just angry! Just angry words! I have the utmost trust in Divine Doctor Fang!"
...
"Young friend Fang Rui, it looks like you don't need my help after all."
Zhou Changfa presented a congratulatory gift, then left with a smile and a wave of his hand. "I'm off! You're busy, don't see me out!"
"This..."
Fang Rui was stunned for a moment when he saw the crowd in front of 'Sanwei Bookstore'. But then, on second thought, he understood.
Yes, it was true that he had been cursed and ridiculed for closing his medical hall to open a private school instead.
Among them were those who were jealous, unable to stand seeing someone else succeed. There were those frustrated that he wasn't living up to his potential, who hoped he would change his mind. And then there were those who were just there to stir up trouble and watch the show.
So why didn't the common people speak up for a great divine doctor of his generation?
Because, apart from his neighbors, Fang Rui's reputation among the middle and lower classes wasn't actually that great.
The reason was simple: Fang Rui was no great saint. To maintain a relatively leisurely life, he only treated High Grade Martial Artists or those who could afford his extremely high prices.
The reputation of 'Fang Yidao' was no joke.
It wasn't that Fang Rui was heartless. Rather, he knew that once he made an exception, his leisurely days would be over. Oftentimes, such efforts were thankless anyway.
—A certain medicine peddler was right: in this world, there is only one disease—the disease of poverty.
'So, the ridicule was real, but that doesn't stop them from taking a gamble, does it?'
Fang Rui now understood.
To put it bluntly, he had been too high and mighty in the past, too difficult to approach. Now that he was opening a private school, he had become more accessible.
Furthermore, Fang Rui had been Yuan Haogu's neighbor. Having been influenced by him through constant exposure, even if he only had a fraction of the man's skill, that would be more than enough to teach elementary studies!
There was also the fact that Yuan Haogu had left behind a house full of books. For that reason alone, becoming his disciple was worth it!
Not to mention, if they became Fang Rui's disciples, and a family member fell ill with some complicated disease in the future, they would have this connection, making it easier to seek his medical help, wouldn't it?