Qīnglíng Mountain.

This mountain stretches for hundreds of miles, its depth unknown. It produces abundant resources, providing a good living for many nearby villagers.

The path simply leads outward, into a thicker and thicker fog. There is no way to tell where you are going, even experienced hunters who have spent their lives in the mountains can easily get lost here.

But at this moment, the two figures walked side by side, gradually disappearing into the depths. No matter how rugged the rocks or how dense the jungle, they moved with ease as if on level ground.

Before long, a mountain valley appeared ahead. The earth's energy rose, with wisps of mist swirling around it. On the green leaves, dewdrops sparkled like crystal jewels, reflecting a kaleidoscope of colors below.

"Well... the air is rising, with all four seasons like spring. It's a nice place indeed. Is that person here?"

Among them, a man with a bushy beard, hawk-like eyes, and hands like claws, spoke up.

He wore a teal robe, his eyes cold and sharp, with a hint of disdain. His gaze was like that of a tiger, making the middle-aged man beside him, dressed in the attire of a local official, smile nervously while wiping sweat from his face: "This is... there's a separate courtyard in this valley, built by my friend. Your nephew is also staying there."

"At this point, you still call me your nephew?"

The old man with a goatee sneered and asked back.

"Sigh...No matter how I put it, I've known his master for decades. And besides, this time, I'm the one who owes him an apology...sigh..."

The magistrate sighed deeply, his brow furrowed with even greater sorrow.

As they talked, the two had already walked to the bottom of the valley.

This valley is not large, but it has a warmth to it. A clear spring flows slowly through it, making the environment extremely tranquil. In the center stands a beautiful courtyard house, with a fence surrounding it. Inside the fence, some jade crystal rice is planted, its grains plump and full of life. The growth looks very promising.

"Hmm... this courtyard, this land... are quite good... Your old friend, it seems like he was a capable person, too bad he's already dead..."

The goat-bearded old man shook his head.

"The recluse, Mr. Wenxin, lived in seclusion and did not concern himself with worldly affairs. However, he was quite skilled in both medicine and agriculture. It was purely by chance that I met him. My nephew is actually an orphan adopted by Mr. Wenxin..."

The magistrate shook his head.

Two people stepped forward, crossed the fence, and knocked on the door.

Knock knock!

A clear voice echoed in the valley, but there was no reply.

"Huh? No one?"

The magistrate looked a little surprised, but the elderly man with the goat beard beside him pushed the door open without ceremony: "Hmph! Putting on airs!"

The room was furnished very simply, with only the essentials for living. There was one quiet room, and behind it another door led to a larger flower garden.

A spring gushes in the middle of the flower bed, bubbling with lively water and making a tinkling sound. It contrasts beautifully with the colorful flowers surrounding it.

And just then, a young man raised his head from among the flowers: "So it's Uncle Lin! Please wait a moment! I'll finish planting this tea flower!"

He looked to be about seventeen or eighteen years old. He had large, bright eyes. While not particularly handsome, he was ordinary and unremarkable in appearance. He wore a linen shirt, the sleeves of which were now rolled up, his feet covered in mud, much like a dedicated farmer.

"Oh, Fangyuan, you go ahead with your work. I'm not in a hurry!"

Perhaps feeling guilty, Uncle Lin awkwardly smiled.

Growing tea requires meticulous care, especially the tea blossoms. They prefer a cool environment. Fang Yuan specifically located a spring and built a shaded area there before carefully planting the tea blossoms.

First, the soil was loosened, then immediately watered. The watering used spring water, which had been left for two days. He worked not quickly, but not slowly either, giving people a pleasant feeling.

After everything was done, Fang Yuan came to the edge of the clear spring again and washed the mud off his hands and feet.

This spring water comes from a living eye underground, it is incredibly refreshing and yet lacks the biting chill of ice. It is the finest of the fine.

After washing up, Fang Yuan walked slowly into the room and saw an old man with a visibly impatient face.

"Uncle Lin, who is this?"

He had a look of suspicion on his face.

"Ha... Let me introduce myself!"

Master Lin let out a hearty laugh. "This is Elder Yu Qiu Leng, the outer sect disciplinarian of Gui Ling Sect... As you know, Lei Yue just recently joined that sect as well..."

Mr. Yu, good to see you!

Fangyuan greeted with a very guileless smile.

"Humph! As expected of a mountain dweller, lacking in manners. I waited for half a day and you didn't even offer a cup of tea!"

Yu Qiu snorted coldly, it seemed that if it weren't for Lin Yuanwai pulling him aside, he would have given this ignorant little boy a good lesson.

"I apologize for the humble abode and the inconvenience caused to our esteemed guest..."

For this, Fang Yuanmei raised an eyebrow and replied coldly. Then she looked at Lin Wailu: "Uncle Lin, what brings you here this time?"

"

“This…that…”

Mr. Lin seemed hesitant, and after a long pause, he blushed and said: "Lei Yue has returned to the Gui Ling Sect, which is one of the most prominent sects within a hundred miles. They have a martial arts master in charge, and when the sect leader saw Lei Yue's talent, he was very fond of her and even took her as his direct disciple. However, practicing the sect leader's martial arts requires pure essence. Therefore... your marriage with Lei Yue..."

"Humph!"

At this moment, Yu Qiu Leng directly spoke up: "Lady Lei Yue is a high disciple of my Sect Master, with extraordinary talent. In the future, it's very possible she could even reach the realm of Wuzong..."

Although it was never spoken aloud, the metaphor of the toad and the swan still hung in the air.

"Oh! I see!"

Fangyuan listened, pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Please wait a moment, both of you!"

Go straight in, turn into the inner room.

"Huh?"

This posture, however, came as somewhat of a surprise to Mr. Lin.

He asked himself that even when he was young, if he had encountered such a thing, he absolutely wouldn't have been able to remain so calm.

Could it be that you're consumed by anger, wishing for everyone to perish?

Master Lin felt a chill in his heart and glanced at Yu Qiu Leng beside him. The latter, however, remained calm and collected, shooting him a knowing look.

Even if one were desperate enough to resort to drastic measures that year, they would certainly not be a match for this cold-faced iron hawk.

"Uncle Lin!"

The door creaked open, and Fang Yuan walked out, holding a wooden box in his hand: “This is the marriage certificate between me and Miss Lei Yue. Since our engagement, my nephew has thought about it several times, feeling unworthy of Miss Lei Yue. Today, with Uncle Lin here, I can finally put my mind at ease.”

"Huh?"

Mr. Lin stared, took it, and opened it. Inside was the marriage certificate from before, not a fake one.

He was so surprised by how smoothly things were going that he just stood there dumbfounded.

As for Yu Qiu Leng, he got up with a look that said, "You're not so bad after all, you know," and was about to leave.

"Alas... Fang Xian, nephew, I won't say much else. You and Yue are simply not destined to be together... here is a small token of my appreciation, please accept it."

Mr. Lin, his face flushed, took out a small package from his bosom and handed it over.

"Since it's a gift from the elders, then this young nephew should refuse with decorum!"

Fangyuan didn't look to see what was inside. He just took it directly into his hands.

Excellent! Excellent!

The more indifferent he acted, the more embarrassed Lin Weiwai became. He directly grabbed Yu Qiuling and quickly walked away.

……

"Well, the entire valley's deed? It actually connects to the joints. Getting this, Lin Wai is pretty generous. Do you have connections?"

After they left, Fang Yuan opened the package and found inside a deed to land, some gold and silver, and a jade bottle. He couldn't help but smile.

He naturally understood that Master Lin had agreed to the betrothal between him and Lei Yue because his master, the renowned physician "Asking Heart" had saved his life. Coupled with a desire for connections and influence, the marriage was arranged.

Now that he's fallen from grace and the other party has climbed higher, it's already quite restrained of them to negotiate a divorce amicably instead of storming in directly.

In reality, one doesn't have much choice.

Accepting the apology is also for this reason. Otherwise, harboring resentment would easily lead to trouble.

If you refuse, shall I have to utter a few pleas of poverty and then be cut down like grass, eradicated for good?

Fāngyuán smiled wryly and muttered to himself.

He was fortunate to be open-minded and optimistic. Since he had only met Lin Lei Yue a few times, he didn't have any particular admiration for her and wasn't too upset about the situation.

As for insults, reputation and so on...

For this hermit dwelling in the mountains, couldn't those wild rabbits laugh at him for losing face?

As long as one doesn't take oneself too seriously, the outside world's praise and criticism are just like the breeze.

Since you're not afraid of losing face and are willing to accept compensation, then this is truly a windfall.

"Huh? Red Jade rice seeds?"

When he counted them one by one and opened the jade bottle, he was somewhat surprised to speak out.

Inside the jade vase, there were crystal-like, round and plump grains, wrapped in red rice. They emanated a fiery heat that made one's mouth water.

This is a spirit seed, very precious. Fang Yuan had been looking for it for a long time, and he had even asked Lin the Elder for help. This time, he finally managed to bring it over together with other items.

"Well, these red corns are meant to be planted now. Tonight, we'll plant them in that newly plowed ground..."

Fangyuan weighed the jade bottle in his hand, a smile on his face.

…………

Beyond the fields.

"Oh..."

Lin Yuanwai sighed, even though he had already made up his mind. Today, seeing Fang Yuan's measured demeanor, neither humble nor arrogant, he still felt a pang of regret.

"How about it? Is Mr. Lin worried?"

Yu Qiu Leng smiled and said beside him, "The marriage certificate has been returned, and the compensation has been received. Even if he makes a fuss in the future, he will be in the wrong... Of course, if you are still not at ease, this old man can also go back again and get rid of this trouble."

"No, no!"

Mr. Lin shook his hands and said, "I just think Fang Yuan is a good boy, it's a pity for Lei Yue..."

"Hmph, in the future if you ascend to the Martial Saint realm, any young prodigy will be at your disposal. Why would you care about a poor boy from the countryside?"

Yu Qiu Leng's eyes twinkled with amusement as he said, "Of course, if you still can't let go, you could always marry another son! After all, as long as it's not Lady Lei Yue, our sect master doesn't care."

“Oh... with this incident happening, where do I even have the face to speak up?”

Master Lin sighed and quickened his pace.

The two people walked further and further away, disappearing in the mountains before long.

(Editor in charge:the outsiders novel)