Outside, the courtyard was alive with noise and excitement.
Disciples, servants and the youngest children of the Fang Clan had gathered, their faces bright with curiosity and relief.
At the center stood Fang Yuan, their ex clan head, answering the flood of questions with a calm smile and easy laughter.
"Clan Head, Clan Head! How did you survive those big monsters?" one boy shouted, nearly bouncing on his toes.
"Was the monster really strong?" another piped up, wide-eyed, his voice trembling between awe and fear.
"Who's stronger, sister Mei or that monster?"
The little ones crowded closest, eyes gleaming with unfiltered excitement, while the older disciples lingered at the back, anxious, reserved, waiting to hear the truth in his reply.
Fang Yuan let out a laugh that carried across the courtyard.
"Your clan head here turned out to be very unappetizing for those monsters. The Saberfang took one bite and promptly vomited me out."
