The husband and wife exchanged a glance. Their eyes sharpened, then softened, but the shared expression carried a single question.
"How did you know the name of your younger brother?" Yuan Xuanzhe's deep voice rolled out like a slow gong strike, heavy and steady.
Zhen's heart gave a violent thump. Cold prickled across his back, though his face remained outwardly calm. He realized with horror that neither of them had ever mentioned the name to him before. Not once. His tongue had moved too fast.
But he forced himself to inhale slowly, then exhale, just as the training scrolls taught him. His voice was smooth, even casual, "You… mentioned him once, Father. A long time ago."
Both parents leaned forward slightly. Xi Shannguan's eyes narrowed with motherly suspicion. "When did we say it?"
Zhen froze for half a heartbeat before dropping his gaze respectfully, masking his panic with humility. "I… don't recall exactly. Perhaps during a discussion with the elders. Or when we spoke of the mortal side of the family. Forgive me. My memory is unclear."
Silence weighed heavily, thick enough that Zhen could hear his own pulse roaring in his ears. For a dreadful moment he thought they might press harder, tear apart his lie and demand truth.
But then Yuan Xuanzhe leaned back in his seat, expression thoughtful yet not hostile. "Hm. If that is so…"
Xi Shannguan studied Zhen a moment longer, searching his face as though peering into his soul. Finally, she sighed softly, shaking her head with a smile. "Forget it. There's no reason for you to lie about such a thing. Perhaps it was indeed mentioned in passing."
Relief surged through Zhen's chest, but he kept his shoulders steady, his expression neutral. He dared not let his trembling reach his face.
Just as his mind groped for a way to redirect the conversation, a clear, sweet voice rang from outside, cutting through the heavy air.
"Master, Madam! Li Rong has brought Yuan Fangzhou!"
Zhen's blood went cold. His body stiffened as if frozen in ice.
"Come in," both parents called together, their tones warm.
The doors creaked again. Zhen turned his head slightly, the motion slow, deliberate, as if he dreaded what awaited. His gaze slid toward the entrance—
And there he was.
Yuan Fangzhou.
The boy who stepped inside moved with a quiet, measured grace. His robe was simple, light grey with faint white embroidery along the edges. His face, however, was anything but simple. His features were as ethereal as carved jade, handsome in a way that mirrored Zhen himself. They shared the same sharp brows, the same dark eyes, the same proud nose. They looked so similar it was impossible to deny their blood. Yet Fangzhou's eyes carried no warmth. His expression was calm, almost empty, the still surface of a deep lake hiding unseen currents.
Fangzhou walked steadily forward and stopped beside Zhen. He raised both hands together in front of his chest, bowing low. His voice was calm, clear, unshaken. "Mother. Father. Fang'er is here."
The words settled over the hall like falling snow.
Xi Shannguan beamed, and Yuan Xuanzhe's expression lightened. The questioning edge they had aimed at Zhen was gone, replaced by paternal pride.
They began to ask questions, their voices eager, their eyes shining with expectation.
"How have you been in the clan?"
"What accomplishments did you bring back with you?"
Fangzhou's responses were quiet, but each word precise, never wasted. He spoke of his trials in the mortal branch of the Yuan clan, of the training halls where he rose swiftly despite his late awakening.
He described how he defeated opponents older and stronger than him, not through reckless power but through patience and cunning.
He detailed his long hours of silent study in the clan's humble library, how he memorized entire scrolls until even elders praised his dedication.
He spoke of his success in tempering his body, enduring pain that broke others, until even seasoned instructors whispered that his will was frightening.
His stories stretched long, each one layered with detail, each one spoken with calm clarity. He mentioned how he helped weaker juniors cultivate, how he won small competitions, how he earned recognition step by step. He did not boast. He did not exaggerate. He simply listed them, one after another, until his accomplishments piled high like mountains.
By the end, Yuan Xuanzhe's stern face broke into a rare, genuine smile. Xi Shannguan's eyes glistened faintly with pride.
"We are proud of you," Yuan Xuanzhe declared, his voice resonant.
"Yes," Xi Shannguan added warmly, "our Fang'er has grown into someone remarkable."
Fangzhou bowed his head slightly, his eyes lowering in respect. His voice was soft, nearly tender, "I am happy that Father and Mother are proud. Every step I took, every effort, was for you both. I dedicate it all to you."
Xi Shannguan's lips parted in a smile so bright it lit her whole face. Yuan Xuanzhe nodded solemnly, clearly touched.
Meanwhile, Zhen stood stiffly at their side. His heart was pounding like war drums, though outwardly he kept his posture composed.
Inside his head, panic roared.
He remembered the novel too clearly. Fangzhou's calm, respectful demeanor was nothing but a mask. Behind it lay a monstrous cunning, schemes stacked upon schemes, cruelty sharpened like a blade. He was not just dangerous. He was the calamity himself, the storm destined to stain the heavens with blood.
This… this is the beginning. He's already weaving trust. Already winning them over.
But none of that showed on Fangzhou's face. He looked like nothing more than a respectful son returning home.
"Zhen," Xi Shannguan said suddenly, turning toward him with bright eyes. "This is your younger brother, Yuan Fangzhou."
"And Fang'er," Yuan Xuanzhe added, his gaze proud, "this is your elder brother, Yuan Zhenzhou."
Fangzhou turned slightly, his movement smooth, measured. His dark eyes settled on Zhen, unreadable. Then he lifted his hands together in a respectful gesture, bowing lightly.
"Greetings, older brother Zhen. Please take good care of me." His tone was calm, perfectly respectful, carrying not a trace of malice.
Zhen's chest tightened. He wanted to laugh at the absurdity. This boy standing before him looked harmless, almost endearing in his courtesy. Yet Zhen knew better. He knew what horror lurked beneath those dreadful calm eyes.
He forced himself to move, cupping his own hands together and bowing in return. "Greetings, younger brother. Congratulations on stepping onto the path of immortal cultivation."
Fangzhou inclined his head slightly. "Thank you, elder brother."
The moment seemed peaceful. Safe. But Zhen's mind gnawed at him relentlessly.
Before he realized it, his tongue betrayed him again. The words slipped out like an arrow loosed without thought. "But… how did you do it? I thought you hadn't awakened a spiritual root like the others."
The air shifted instantly.
The hall grew cold. Heavy. The faint warmth of incense seemed to vanish. Silence pressed down like a crushing weight.
Zhen's stomach dropped. He cursed himself silently. Idiot! Why did you say that out loud?!
But then Fangzhou's expression did not darken. Instead, he smiled faintly, almost gently. His voice was calm, his tone perfectly reasonable.
"It seems my root only needed time to awaken. Unlike you, older brother, who shone with talent from the start, I bloomed late. But the path is not the same for everyone."
The oppressive feeling dissipated as smoothly as it had come. His explanation was flawless, leaving no gap to question.
Zhen nodded slowly, forcing a polite smile, though his heart twisted in fear. "So that's how it is. Then I am glad you have come."
Inside, though, he screamed. Lies. He stole someone's spiritual root. Brutally. I remember it. I knew it because that's his only way… But he dared not speak it aloud.
Fangzhou's eyes flickered, just barely, as though surprised that Zhen did not press further. He composed himself quickly, inclining his head again. "Thank you, older brother."
The parents' faces glowed with happiness, delighted to see their two sons speaking so harmoniously. "Good," Xi Shannguan said brightly, "it seems you two will get along well. That is what we hoped for."
"You are right," Fangzhou agreed smoothly, turning slightly toward Zhen. "Elder brother is gracious. I am honored to have him."
Zhen nearly choked at the words, but he kept his expression steady.
"Perhaps," Yuan Xuanzhe suggested, "you two would like to spend time together, get to know each other better?"
Zhen's heart lurched violently. What? Spend time with him? Alone? No way. No way in hell.
He bowed respectfully, lowering his voice. "Mother, Father… as much as I would like to, my head still spins from yesterday's injury. I may not be fit to accompany my younger brother today. It would be better another time."
He forced his tone to sound regretful but respectful, hiding the urge to not say he absolutely wouldn't do it.
Fangzhou did not seem offended. His expression remained calm. "Elder brother is right. Recovery is most important. I can wait. There will be plenty of time to share words later."
"Then so be it," Yuan Xuanzhe said, nodding.
Xi Shannguan's smile lingered, though her eyes flickered briefly, as if sensing something unspoken.
Zhen bowed again, this time stepping back. "Father. Mother. Younger brother." He paused just slightly on those words, his throat tightening. "I will take my leave first."
Both parents exchanged a look. Their eyes softened, though there was something faint, almost imperceptible, in their gazes—a shadow of suspicion, or perhaps unease.
But in the end, they nodded.