Su Yue had not gone long before someone else came along.
"Cousin, how are you?"
A refined and elegant voice reached from outside the door, tinged with a hint of trepidation and guilt.
"Come in."
A young man dressed in white pushed the door open and stepped in. His eyebrows were like drawn swords, his eyes bright and clear, and his tall and straight figure exuded an air of nobility. A warm, apologetic smile played upon his face, careful and tentative.
He should have been exceedingly handsome, but his face now bore several lash marks, his mouth was bruised and swollen, and his eyes surrounded by dark shadows. His wrist, when occasionally revealed, also showed the traces of whip lashes.
It was none other than Fang Che's Big Cousin, Fang Qingyun, who had beaten his cousin with a single palm strike.
It appeared that he had been beaten quite severely.
Upon seeing the 'culprit' behind his predecessor's death, Fang Che immediately labeled him in his mind.
This person... should be an honest man!
With such a face, even if he were to do something bad, it wouldn't be thoroughly wicked—a classic honest and straightforward countenance that seemed to shout one word from his bones: simple.
And he was the exact opposite of Su Yue that had just left.
Fang Che had already categorized him in his mind: as a Family Head and successor, he would be more than adequate to maintain the status quo but lacking in pioneering spirit.
It's no wonder he had walked straight into the trap without noticing anything.
Big Cousin rubbed his hands together innocently and asked Fang Che, "Are you alright now?"
Fang Che rolled his eyes and said, "Thanks to your kindness, I'm still not dead."
He had deliberately imitated his predecessor's way of speaking, yet it had come out naturally.
He only remembered afterwards that he should mimic his predecessor's bad temperament and not change too much at once, to avoid unnecessary trouble.
But upon reflection, he realized this choking retort was probably even more like his predecessor than his predecessor himself.
He was momentarily taken aback.
Fang Qingyun grew more embarrassed, falling silent for a long time before speaking in a grave voice, "Fang Che, we are family! I didn't mean to do it."
His voice was sincere and soft yet heavy, "Cousin, bound by blood, linked in life and death, sharing honor and disgrace, weal and woe together!"
"Cousin, I hope you can forgive my unintentional mistake."
Fang Che kept a cold face, his smile skin-deep as he said, "Yes, that's why you beat me to within an inch of my life! Family, right, blood is thicker than water, I get it. Blood should be shed and then mixed with water, perfect!"
This was indeed intentional because the previous holder of his body did not have a very good relationship with his cousin's family.
There's no way to communicate!
Fang Qingyun's expression twisted.
How is it that he can't talk sense into this guy?
"It was my grandmother, grandfather, father, and uncles like your second uncle and fifth uncle who wanted me to help you polish and break through," Fang Qingyun said softly, "We wouldn't harm you."
Big Cousin was desperately trying to prove his innocence.
Fang Che remained silent.
I, of course, know it wasn't you, but it seems the original soul was in a rebellious phase, defying the whole world, and he especially didn't hold this big cousin—who was said to rank at the bottom of their Martial Arts Academy's peer group—in high regard.
In his heart, he thought extremely little of him: a failing student... hmph.
It was said that out of 7,500 students in the Martial Arts Academy, Big Cousin's overall martial ranking was 7,476. And maintaining that was reportedly a struggle...
Ha, a genius!
The highest talent in the family?
Ha...
——That had always been the true thought of the predecessor.
So now the usurper Fang Che, even though he understood completely, had to stick to the original temperament, couldn't afford to sugarcoat things, as that would be a change too drastic.
Hence he said, "Ha... ha."
Fang Qingyun looked at him hopefully, wishing to hear some words reflecting understanding but heard none.
Having no choice, he continued, "I know what you might be thinking right now. I'll be returning to the Martial Arts Academy in a couple of days; I'm only here to tell you something."
Fang Che's expression was stern, impassive as a coffin board, as he said coolly, "Spit it out!"
"..."
Fang Qingyun choked for a moment, let out a sigh of resignation, and said, "Regardless of what you think or want to do, even if you decide to do something, wait until you've grown up, started a family, and established yourself. Then go ahead. At that time, I will support you with all my strength!"
Steadying this kid, he's still young and ignorant now. After he finds a wife, has a family, and understands the ways of the world, he will naturally come to understand.
——That's the only hope that all societies have ever had for disobedient children: they'll be better when they grow up!
And for the Fang Family, they too believed that this child would one day have a true awakening. It's just a rebellion, isn't every child rebellious?
This phase will pass.
Once he grows sensible, everything will still be salvageable!
Fang Che understood, of course.
And so, staying true to his predecessor's temper, he said, "Yeah, I believe that by then, you'll punch me even harder!"
Big Cousin immediately grew despondent.
If it were any of his younger brothers who dared to talk back like that, Fang Qingyun was certain he would have already been hitting and kicking them, letting them experience brotherly love to ensure they had a complete childhood.
But he couldn't do that with this sensitive, reclusive cousin.
This was his aunt's only child.
"Are you done?" Fang Che started to usher him out.
Big Cousin, I'll deal with you later.
I've just been reborn and have too many things to do. You better go back to school, go be your second-to-last.
"Fang Che!"
Fang Qingyun called out feebly.
"Alright..."
Fang Qingyun left a box, "Inside, the white bottle contains Blood Qi Pills for Martial Disciples, the black bottle contains Blood Qi Pills for Samurais, to aid your cultivation... remember, you must stabilize your cultivation for seven days after breaking through to Samurai before..."