It had been eighteen years; this was Fang Ling's first time leaving the long-sealed gate.
He stepped down the moss-covered stone steps one by one.
Because no one had set foot on them for many years, the steps were covered in slippery moss.
An ordinary person would likely fall here if they weren't careful.
When he was young, he longed to leave this dilapidated temple, but now that he was truly leaving, he suddenly felt a little lost and unsure.
He didn't know where to go, so he slowly walked along a path until he reached a village with signs of human habitation.
The village was small and located in a remote area.
Therefore, as soon as an outsider arrived, he immediately attracted the attention of the villagers.
Several young men from the village surrounded him at this moment, but they didn't dare to act rashly.
Fang Ling was wearing silk woven from the threads spun by the poisonous silkworms raised by Fat Master, a get-up that clearly marked him as a Young Master from a prominent family.
"Young Master, what brings you to our He Family Village?" the dark-skinned young man in the lead asked.
Fang Ling: "I got lost in the mountains and don't know how to get out."
"I want to go to a nearby city; could I trouble you to show me the way?"
"So that's it." The dark-skinned young man nodded, looking at the others beside him.
"Goudan, you all go back to your work! I'll take this Young Master into the city; it just so happens I need to go back to the city for my own work."
"Alright, Hei Zi Ge, come back often when you have time!" The others bid him farewell.
"Definitely, definitely!" The dark-skinned young man smiled and waved at them.
Then he led Fang Ling towards the road to the city.
"My name is He Dayou, and because my skin has been dark since childhood, the villagers also call me Hei Zi."
"May I ask how Young Master is addressed?" the dark-skinned young man asked.
"I am Fang Ling," he replied.
This was his first time interacting with people from down the mountain.
He found that people outside weren't as treacherous and cunning as his Masters had said; this person named He Dayou seemed quite kind.
"Young Master Fang? Are you from the Fang Family south of the city?" He Dayou quickly asked.
Fang Ling shook his head: "No, I come from another land."
"I only know that this is the Great Chu Kingdom, and there is a city called Ye City nearby."
"Great Chu Kingdom? Young Master, are you joking?" He Dayou was astonished.
"The Great Chu Kingdom was destroyed long ago; this dynasty is already the Nanyang Kingdom, Shao Emperor, year 678!"
"My Nanyang Kingdom has also been established for more than twenty thousand years, and as for the Ye City you mentioned, it was renamed Liu City a long time ago."
"Time has changed so much; it turns out my Masters really haven't left Hanshan Temple for tens of thousands of years…" Fang Ling muttered to himself.
He Dayou carefully scrutinized Fang Ling from top to bottom and said, "I know, Young Master must be a cultivator!"
"And you were transported here from a very distant place, weren't you?"
"Yes," Fang Ling replied.
He chatted with He Dayou all the way, gaining some understanding of his current location.
The nearby Liu City was a large city with over a million people, and there were also many cultivators and cultivating families within the city.
However, compared to other places, Liu City was very inconspicuous and a remote area.
For Fang Ling, none of this mattered.
His most urgent task now was to understand this world, and then he would consider where to go next.
He Dayou was an ordinary person, stopping and going along the way, only reaching Liu City near dusk.
It was also fortunate that he was in the prime of his life; if it were anyone else, they would likely have difficulty reaching before the city gates closed.
Although Liu City was just a small place, for Fang Ling, who had been cooped up in Hanshan Temple for eighteen years, it was still too big.
The bustling streets and all sorts of novelties gave him a sense of unreality.
"Young Master, I've brought you to the road, and I must return to my Master's house!"
"Shall we part ways here?" He Dayou said with a smile.
Fang Ling hummed softly and said, "I heard you say on the way that the Zhao Family you work for is also a cultivating family."
"I am stranded here with no money, so if possible, I hope Brother Dayou can help me get an introduction."
"Let me also stay at the Zhao Family for a while."
"This…" He Dayou hesitated.
"Then, may I ask what skills Young Master Fang possesses?"
"Does killing count? Although I haven't killed anyone yet, I've been practicing the art of killing since childhood," Fang Ling replied.
He Dayou chuckled and replied, "I suppose Young Master Fang must have some abilities, so becoming a Zhao Family guard could be considered."
"The treatment for a Zhao Family guard is much better than for a humble carpenter like me."
"However, I can't guarantee that the Zhao Family will definitely accept you, as the recruitment standards for Zhao Family guards are quite high."
"No matter, then I thank Brother Dayou very much!" Fang Ling said with a smile.
"Mm-hmm, come with me then!" He Dayou nodded.
"But there are some things I must warn you about first: the Zhao Family is a very strict place."
"Once you're there, don't look at what you shouldn't, and don't ask what you shouldn't, or you'll easily invite big trouble."
"Understood, Brother Dayou, rest assured!" Fang Ling replied.
Before long, Fang Ling followed He Dayou to a large mansion in the west of the city.
He Dayou went in for a while, and then a portly middle-aged man emerged from the main gate.
This lavishly dressed middle-aged man scrutinized Fang Ling from top to bottom and said, "I am the Zhao Manor steward, Zhao Ruixiang."
"Your Excellency is no ordinary person; what instructions do you have for visiting the Zhao Manor? Please speak directly."
Zhao Ruixiang's cultivation was not high, but he had steadily held the position of steward for decades.
Putting aside other abilities, his skill in discerning people and judging matters was quite good.
He immediately felt that Fang Ling should not be underestimated, so he was polite and dared not offend him.
Fang Ling: "I am stranded here with no place to go, so I wish to seek a position in your esteemed manor."
Zhao Ruixiang pondered for a moment, already having a plan in mind.
This young man in front of him seemed very peculiar; if he were rashly taken into the manor, it might cause trouble.
Therefore, he could only use an excuse to send him away for now, but he must not offend him.
Just as he was contemplating what excuse to fabricate, a carriage suddenly stopped in front of the manor.
"The Young Miss is back!" Zhao Ruixiang quickly went to greet her first.
A soft "hmm" came from inside the carriage, and then a black boot emerged as the Young Miss Zhao stepped down from the carriage.
"Uncle Rui, who is this person?" she asked curiously, looking at Fang Ling beside her.
"It's like this…" Zhao Ruixiang immediately reported.
"Since he is a person in distress, helping him for a period is not a problem," Young Miss Zhao said indifferently.
"You may stay at my Zhao Family for now; as for what you will do in the future, it's not too late to discuss it later."
"Many thanks!" Fang Ling cupped his hands towards Young Miss Zhao, and then followed the steward into the Zhao Manor.
Zhao Ruixiang did not arrange for him to stay in the servants' quarters but specially led him to a top-tier guest room.
After a few simple instructions, Fang Ling settled in there.
......
"Father, you were looking for me?"
It was night, and Young Miss Zhao asked in the room of the family head, Zhao Tianlong.
"Xilian! I heard from your Uncle Rui that you took in a stranger at the manor?" Zhao Tianlong said in a deep voice.
"He had nowhere to go and said he wanted to stay at our house for a while," Zhao Xilian replied.
"I just went to see this person and found him to be extraordinary…" Zhao Tianlong added.
Zhao Xilian: "It is precisely because this person is extraordinary that your daughter is willing to take him in."
"These days, the Qin Family has been pressuring us too much, and my Zhao Family needs more manpower."
"Aren't you afraid this person is a spy sent by the Qin Family?" Zhao Tianlong asked somewhat sternly.
Zhao Xilian chuckled: "The Qin Family couldn't possibly have such a person; he absolutely cannot be a Qin Family spy!"
Zhao Tianlong also burst into laughter: "Indeed, my daughter, you are absolutely right!"
"With the Qin Family's upbringing and family traditions, it's impossible for them to cultivate such a character."
"Your father has traveled extensively and seen many people."
"This person is definitely not simple!"