"Today's sky is a blue-grey brindle with the softest accents of white."
After waking up and collecting reports on what happened after he fainted, Bai Jiade confirmed that the timeline hasn't changed that much as of now. With Fang Zhen losing in that spectacular manner he would be most fragile. Perfect to exploit. A broken-hearted fool with an inferiority complex towards his own brother. The actions Bai Jiade took to be the anti-Fang Yuan would finally have their proper return.
So you go to Fang Zhen's home. Arriving there you are greeted by Mother Shen and made to wait, then you had to indulge Fang Zhen's honorary father in some smalltalk. When he made a covert attempt at asking for a bribe to allow you to go and call Fang Zhen out to eat something, you simple gave your already previously prepared bribe.
There was a young man with an ordinary appearance and wearing white robes in the stairs. His long hair cascaded behind his back. His eyes had a mad glint, filled with a conflicting mix of resignation and defiance.
"How are you, Brother Bai?" He said in a sad tone.
"I'm feeling like shit. Lets go eat something in restaurant. I'll pay for it."
"I can't allow that. How about we split the bill in half, Brother Bai?"
"Fine, fine. Just lift your spirits, craneboy. It is just the start of our journey."
"Start of our journey…"He mumbles in a tone that tells you that he is about to cry. Which makes you capitalize on it by simply hugging him. Something which doesn't shock him as you frequently do that to your 'friends'.
Yes, you know you are a manipulative bastard.
He cries,"Brother Bai…"
You just let him pour his grievances on your robes and guide him towards a restaurant, a high-quality one called Moon's Rose. The establishment was on the main street in the village, incomparable to the outskirts tavern you suspected Fang Zhen's uncle owned. The Hidden Elder only had that title, as Fang Yuan pointed out in the novel, thanks to the rank 2 Nine Leaf Vitality Grass.
'Fang Zhen's uncle is a somewhat cunning old man even if complacent. Though he certainly isn't worthy of the Hidden Elder moniker.' You thought.
Entering through the carved wooden door in the shape of a rose, you immediately notice Yao Ji and her granddaughter Yao Le. You greet them and after some smalltalk, of which you try to distance yourself from them to properly isolate Fan Zhen, then invite you to lunch with them. A invitation you can't refuse as that would entail offending a clan elder.
'Damn old snake, you truly won't let go of the opportunity to befriend Fang Zhen. It looks like I have to amplify Brother Fang's naïve and lovestuck countenance.'
"Junior Bai, where did you learn your basic fighting techniques? The extraordinary dodging you showcased was etched in my mind for quite some time. Haha, with this old body of mine I can't even dodge at 2 meters distance nevermind at 1 meter." Said Yao Ji, seemingly completely at ease talking about her age.
Except you don't doubt she would react in a fiery manner if someone other than herself mentioned it.
"I learned fighting Fang Yuan. And I'm sure, Master, you don't even need to dodge at 2 meters as you would easily obliterate anyone who dared to provoke you." You curtly answer then redirect. All the while exerting your Oscar-winning capabilities.
"Junior Bai is too polite." She said, while seemingly pleased.
Indeed, Gu Yue Yao Ji is your master. After you luckily refined the new Ghostly Bark Gu, the clan deemed you a good refinement Gu Master seedling, and now they must think you are a battle talented junior too. As such they assigned you to be mentored by the most capable at refining in the Gu Yue Village, Yao Ji. The old lady was treating you quite well all times you met, but you weren't fooled she is crafty jackal who was willing to break her own arm to evade drafting by the Clan Leader.
"Junior Brother Bai, you were so cool at the stage. Dancing against that tyrannical Fang Yuan's moonblades. You were the only one who managed to injure him, did you know that?" Said Yao Le, causing Yao Ji to glare at her granddaughter and Fang Zhen to sink further into depression.
Seizing such precious opportunity to look like a good friend, you excuse yourself and Brother Fang and sit at a table by the windows.
Further isolating Fang Zhen, you say,"Don't care about what these people say. The only opinion that matters are from those you deem worthy. Don't be a dog helplessly begging for attention."
He nods and says," When I woke up, Clan Leader was there and said to me: You need to find your purpose. I can't give you one. You have to find one yourself."
'That fucking clan leader is trying to stealing my pawn. But helpfully he is wrong. You can give purpose to someone else, or rather direct and guide someone to a purpose. If not, how would Heaven's will be such a powerful influence?'
"Gu Yue Fang Zhen, even though you are a grade-A talent you are still a normal young man, you want to be loved, you want the best for the ones you love and the worst for those you hate. But is it really what you want? I recommend you suspend you hatred to see clearly."
"Suspend my hatred, against the one who always put me down, who always disdained me and my efforts? N-"He screamed.
You interrupt him by staring at his eyes until he comes tom himself,"Fang Zhen, your enemy is, and always will be, yourself."
After this we lunch without exchanging more words. Exiting the Moon's Rose, he thanks you and marches off towards his house. Taking a sap chewing gum out your pocket, you throw it in your mouth and go away. Wandering beneath the buildings's shadows, you reach the gate of mansion, your family's mansion. Knocking once on the gate, you are greeted by a guard, a pretty superfluous position you think considering there is a rank 3 elder in this mansion.
"Greetings, Young Master."
"Greetings, Biao Chu."
Calmly striding inside the mansion, you see at semi-opened door a woman's silhouette. Finally opening the door, you see a stunning middle-aged woman, with brown hair and honey eyes filled with love. She is accompanied by a youth around your age, with similar characteristics as well. They are your mother, Chi Fang, and traitorous untalented brother, Chi Huise.
"Well, guys who is up for some food. I offer to cook." You say.