The Monarch Of Everlasting Night Chapter 367: Unforeseen Future, Step by Step (Part 1) - Novel Cool

Chapter 367: Unforeseen Future, Step by Step (Part 1)

Chapter 367: Unforeseen Future, Step by Step (Part 1)

Fang Qingyun sighed, "Everything has changed. It's as if time suddenly sped up, leaving me unprepared."

"Becoming a Martial General within five years was my ultimate goal. But now, I haven't even reached my third year of studies, and I've already attained the rank of Martial Marshal. This rapid progress caught me off guard. At this point, I should at least develop our family to the eighth level, right? Otherwise, it would be too embarrassing."

"If this continues, by the time I graduate, I'll be close to becoming a Martial King. If I return to the family and inherit its leadership, a family with a King-level guardian should at least reach the eighth level, if not the peak of the eighth level. And yet, I would still feel ashamed..."

"But I'm still young, and the future holds endless possibilities. Should I just stay at home and guard the family? Should I not contribute to the continent in some way? Should I be content with this? No, that's not right."

Fang Qingyun's voice was filled with dejection, "Originally, seeing your potential made me happy, cousin. I know I'm mediocre and lack ambition. I only hoped that in the future, you would venture out, and I would take care of the family for you."

"No matter when, if you ever feel homesick, just come back and take a look. The family will still be here. This is our root! That way, even if you wander for a thousand or ten thousand years, your heart will be at ease because you have a root, and the root remains!"

Fang Qingyun forced a smile, "But now... I'm at a crossroads. If I continue to cultivate, I might even have a chance at becoming a Martial Emperor or a Sovereign. But... if I do that, how can I stay at home? Should I just learn these skills and then live in fear of death?"

Fang Che finally understood.

He shook his head and chuckled, "Cousin, why would you have such thoughts? What's the conflict here?"

"I want to be a guardian, a protector. I want to fight against the demons and contribute to the continent."

Fang Qingyun's eyes were filled with uncertainty, "But my innate character is that of a homebody, not a tiger or a dragon soaring through the heavens."

"Just guarding the home doesn't satisfy me, but venturing out means leaving the family behind."

"I'm afraid that if I go out, a moment of carelessness could leave both of us without a root."

Fang Qingyun's face was filled with melancholy and uncertainty.

"There's no need to worry about that," Fang Che reassured him. "Just focus on improving your cultivation. Leave the path ahead to fate. Your uncle's chronic illness has been cured, and with him steering the family, there's no problem for at least a century or two. As for your concerns... you can consider them in two hundred years."

"Moreover, there are several paths you can choose from in the future: first, come back and guard the family; second, become a protector; third, take up a position in the Guardian Palace; fourth, work in the Castle Defense Department."

"Whether you can protect the family depends on your strength, not on whether you stay at home or venture out."

"I understand your character. You're not the type to wander the world, and it's not suitable for you. But staying at home doesn't mean you can't make contributions."

"Bringing peace to the people is also a significant contribution!"

Fang Qingyun nodded silently, but his heart was still heavy. He still believed that with his skills, not fighting at the forefront against the Only Righteous Sect was a crime.

"Don't worry. When the time comes, everything will fall into place. Your future path will naturally reveal itself. You haven't even started yet, so why worry? I think the issue you should focus on is your indiscriminate friendship."

Fang Qingyun said, "I was thinking about the long-term development of our family. I wanted to lay a solid foundation, and making more friends seemed like a good idea. Having friends all over the world is the best thing, isn't it?"

Fang Che spoke calmly, "Having many friends is good, but in my opinion, being invincible in the world is even better!"

"When you have many friends, various issues are bound to arise. Inevitably, there will be unfairness because no one can treat everyone equally."

"If seven friends take turns treating each other to drinks, and they all drink ten taels of gold worth of wine, but one of them only spends two taels of silver, problems will eventually surface over time. This is the most ordinary of matters."

"So, you don't need many friends. Three or five are enough."

"Cousin, I always ruin your friendships, not because I'm immature, but because... your current friends don't deserve to be your friends."

Fang Che spoke with conviction, "Without a trace of gratitude, for so long, it's always been you giving and never receiving. I know you don't care, but friendship should be mutual. When they have resources or something enjoyable, they will always curry favor with the strong and never think of you, their so-called friend."

"Open your eyes and see; friends will be waiting for you in the distance."

"Also, once you become stronger, you'll have even more friends than you do now."

"As for your future path, I can't help you decide how to think or act. All I can say is, with an uncertain future, take it one step at a time."

Fang Che smiled, "Thinking so much is pointless. Tonight, let's just get drunk together, cousin."

Fang Qingyun's eyes lit up, and he suggested, "Drinking is fine, but let's make a bet. Whoever doesn't get drunk has to beat up the one who does!"

This honest guy wants to get back at me?

Fang Che suppressed a smile, "Okay!"

That night, Fang Qingyun got drunk.

He was completely inebriated.

He had never drunk so much, especially not after sealing his cultivation. Eventually, he lay on the ground like a boneless muddle.

The drunk Fang Qingyun's eyes were blurry, and he mumbled incoherently.

"...Cousin, cousin..."

"I've wanted to beat you up for years... you're so immature. I always thought I'd wait until you grew up, but by the time you did, I couldn't beat you anymore..."

Fang Qingyun cried, his heart heavy with sorrow, "...I can't beat you anymore..."

"How embarrassing... at least I didn't shame the family elsewhere..."

"Cousin... don't worry. When you go out, I'll take care of the family. The instructor said that you're destined to soar like a dragon in the sky. But our family must have someone to guard it... because if a dragon loses its home, it will always carry that regret. A dragon without a home will struggle to fly higher... I want you to fly higher, much higher..."

"Cousin... you're not a good person. Every time you come back, I end up getting beaten up..."

"...I'm ashamed. I can't give you anything, yet I enjoy your treats every day... Sigh, I'm such a useless cousin. If I can't even protect the family..."

Fang Qingyun muttered, burping, and a stream of wine gurgled out, bubbling like a fountain for a long time.

Finally, he fell into a deep slumber.

Fang Che sat quietly beside him, watching as he spoke incoherently.

Of course, he wouldn't fulfill the agreement to beat up the one who didn't get drunk.

As he watched Fang Qingyun's gibberish, Fang Che's eyes softened.

He looked up at the bright moon and sighed softly.

"Cousin, perhaps you don't know, but watching over the family... is it really as easy as you think? Or should I say, can we brothers really protect the family just because we want to?"

In this chaotic world of demons, with countless enemies...

Watching over the family is truly challenging.

Especially with all my schemes, the number of enemies will only increase in the future, and one day, I might have the whole world against me.

Watching over the family... is difficult.

Cousin, I hope that you can truly watch over our family for me. I also hope that no matter when we return in the future, we can still say, as you did: "This is where our roots are."

He exhaled a long breath of alcohol.

His eyes were dim.

Fang Qianyi approached quietly, her heart aching as she asked, "Why did you drink so much?"

"I didn't stop him."

Fang Che helplessly spread his hands, "He insisted on getting me drunk and beating me up..."

Fang Qianyi almost laughed, "So you got him drunk instead?"

"Yes, I didn't even drink enough."

"You're so good at it." Fang Qianyi pointed at her son's forehead and said, "Every time you come back, you tattle on your cousin. Don't you think I can't see through you?"

"It's strange. You two have such a good relationship, yet you enjoy teasing him so much?"

Fang Qianyi furrowed her brows.

She helped Fang Qingyun up, patted his back, and released his cultivation restrictions, letting him lean against the chair. Then, she propped the chair against the wall and began to work while complaining.

"You don't understand, Mom. I tease him because we're close; when have you ever seen me tease anyone else?"

Fang Che chuckled, "Cousin has a straightforward personality, he's so fun to tease."

"Fun..."

Fang Qianyi's face scrunched up in pain.

She was speechless at her son's ill-tempered behavior.

"Your cultivation is sealed too? I'll release it. Help your cousin circulate his energy to expel the alcohol."

Fang Qianyi was about to step forward.

"I'm fine."

Fang Che patted Fang Qingyun's back with a palm, and instantly, alcohol fumes gurgled out of Fang Qingyun's body.

Fang Qianyi was both amused and annoyed, "You didn't seal your cultivation? You only sealed your cousin's?"

"Yes, I did."

Fang Che spread his hands, "But after the first sip, my cultivation automatically circulated and broke the seal..."

"You... you..."

Fang Qianyi's fingers tapped the air, her face filled with excitement, "Why didn't you release him completely?"

"If I did, he would wake up."

Fang Che lifted Fang Qingyun onto his back, "I'll take him to his uncle."

"Stop!"

Fang Qianyi quickly blocked her son, who was full of mischief, and scolded, "You're taking him back like this? You're clearly sending him to get beaten up..."

After some discussion, they tossed Fang Qingyun into the guest room.

In the middle of the night, Fang Che slept soundly, only to be awakened by Fang Qingyun's laughter from the other side, "Cousin! Haha, remember this beating I gave you today..."

This fool is actually beating me up in his dreams!

Fang Che was shocked.

Such deep resentment!

The next day, Fang Qingyun woke up to find himself covered in vomit, even the bed he slept on was a mess, and it wasn't even his room. He had to recall what had happened.

He quickly circulated his energy to recover and became fully sober.

Then, covering his face, he sprinted back...

He was too embarrassed to face anyone.

He couldn't beat him, couldn't out-insult him, couldn't out-argue him, couldn't reason with him, and now, he couldn't even out-drink him, and he ended up like this...

Fang Zheng Hang and his wife hid behind the flower tree, watching their son dash away, and couldn't help but sigh, "With this intelligence, he still plays tricks with Che'er every day..."

Fang's wife said, "But the bond between these two brothers is truly strong."

"Are you relieved now? You were always worried about your son being bullied."

Fang Zheng Hang glanced at his wife and scolded, "I've told you before, Che'er is inherently kind, he won't go astray. You're always worrying like a typical woman. Now, Che'er has soared like a dragon, and Qingyun's role in watching over the family is especially crucial."

Fang's wife's eyes sparkled with joy, "With such harmony between the brothers, I have no worries at all."

"Perhaps, our Fang family will truly rise because of these two brothers."

Fang Zheng Hang's eyes shone with aspiration, and he smiled, "When the time comes, if I meet our ancestors, I'll be able to boast for days and nights."

"Virtue!"

Fang's wife rolled her eyes, "You still have a long life ahead of you."

"Let's go, let's rest for a bit. These days are getting more and more exciting."

Fang Zheng Hang looked at his wife, who had become young again due to the Rejuvenation Pill, and her playful rolling of the eyes reminded him of his youth. He couldn't help but feel indulgent, and a bit stirred.

Fang's wife blushed, and as they walked back quietly, she whispered, "But what about my sister's matter? Who is her husband? She still hasn't told us..."

"There must be a reason she hasn't said anything... Don't worry, Qianyi knows what she's doing."

Fang Zheng Hang and his wife quietly disappeared.

Fang Che and Ye Meng stayed at home for a full seven days. During this time, Fang Che helped Fang Qianyi sort out her meridians several times and had her consume various divine pills, ensuring her cultivation would reach the Imperial Champion level without issue.

He then earnestly instructed her, "You're not allowed to go out on missions. You can only cultivate at home. No taking risks or competing with others..."

Fang Qianyi was exasperated, "Why won't you leave? Am I your mother, or are you mine? You're so young, but you act like an old nag."

"Your vacation is over, right? Hurry up and get back to work."

"Just go, go already... You're so annoying."

On the sixth day, Fang Qianyi packed Fang Che's luggage and placed it by the door.

But Fang Che stubbornly lingered for another day before leaving.

Before departing, he threatened Fang Qianyi, "Remember what I said. Hmph, when we have a child, I'll expect you to babysit. Listen, if you go out on missions and encounter any trouble... you know what to do."

Mentioning grandchildren directly hit Fang Qianyi's soft spot.

She could only surrender.

"Okay, okay, I'll remember, I promise!"

Fang Qianyi repeatedly agreed, urging him to leave.

Then she added, "Don't be reckless, and be careful..."

Under the watchful eyes and earnest requests of the entire family, Fang Che, Fang Qingyun, and Ye Meng mounted their horses and rode out.

After traveling several dozen zhang, they turned back to see a crowd of people at the gate, still waving goodbye.

All three of them waved back.

Then they turned around.

"Let's go!"

The three horses sped up simultaneously, rushing out like a whirlwind.

At the gate.

Madame Fang and Fang Qianyi shed tears.

Fang Zheng Hang scolded with a pout, "Look at the two of you, so sentimental. Your children are embarking on a great future, and you two women are so emotional, crying at the drop of a hat. It's really..."

After a brief scolding, he turned and said, "Let's go home. Don't give people a reason to laugh."

He escorted his sister and Ye Meng into the house, but then he paused and looked back. "By now... they should have reached the city gate, right? Will they be back in half a year? Or..."

He sighed softly and turned back home.

"Do more good deeds, accumulate blessings for the two children. In the future, even if they encounter danger, their good deeds will protect them. They'll turn misfortune into good fortune and escape harm."

Fang Zheng Hang thought to himself, "For this, we can't be stingy with money..."

He issued orders one after another, keeping the housekeeper busy.

At the gate.

The old doorkeeper, his wrinkled face filled with creases, had a thought: "This family... is not bad."

...

"Cousin, do you know what you do when you're drunk?" Fang Che urged his horse to catch up with Fang Qingyun.

"Don't say it!"

Fang Qingyun's face darkened as he rode his horse swiftly.

But his horse wasn't fast enough, and Fang Che quickly caught up.

"You probably don't remember, or maybe you don't remember clearly. I'll help you recall."

"..."

Fang Qingyun's face remained dark throughout the journey.

This trip was truly torturous.

Countless times, Fang Qingyun felt that his cousin was even worse than when he was younger and clueless, at least back then he could beat him in a fight.

If his cousin had been this annoying back then, he would have taught him a lesson.

Now... he could only endure the bullying.

The journey felt endless; Fang Qingyun felt like he had traveled for ten years before reaching the White Cloud Continent.

He rushed to the White Cloud Martial Academy, feeling relieved.

Fang Che laughed and led Ye Meng towards the Scholar's Residence.

But then he saw Fang Qingyun rushing back.

Fang Qingyun huffed, "Don't speak!"

Fang Che: "???"

"Be careful! Your reputation has spread far and wide, and your appearance is well-known. You can't change your daily route, which is likely to cause trouble. Be cautious in everything. If there's anything, let me know. And if you go out to do something, tell me as well."

Fang Qingyun said, "Also, behave in front of me. It's one thing that I can't beat you, but remember, our family has rules! Don't make me use family rules to discipline you!"

Having found a way to deal with Fang Che, he smiled triumphantly.

Before Fang Che could respond, Fang Qingyun turned his horse and rode off, disappearing in an instant.

"..."

Fang Che's mouth hung open, but before he could say anything provocative, Fang Qingyun was gone.

He could only close his mouth in disappointment, "This goody-goody!"

Even Ye Meng couldn't help but laugh, "Big Cousin is really nice."

"Yeah, he's too nice."

Fang Che sighed, "He's too easy to take advantage of."

"Are you being a bit too..." Ye Meng asked.

"Overbearing? Harsh?" Fang Che smiled.

"A little."

"People like Big Cousin are honest and kind, and they have a very naive idea, which is... to give sincerely and expect sincerity in return. They believe that all efforts will be rewarded."

Fang Che continued, "But he's wrong. Not all efforts are rewarded, and not all sincerity will be reciprocated. These have a prerequisite: you must meet the right person. You need to encounter someone who will reciprocate your efforts and cherish your sincerity, then you can expect a response."

"Meeting the right person and giving your all is like sharing your heart and soul. But if you give to the wrong person, you're just a fool."

"He's like this at the Martial Academy, and the harm isn't too great. But once he leaves, with this personality, if he encounters harm, it will be easy for him to drag the entire Fang family into trouble, because... by then, his cultivation will be the highest in the family."

"We're not afraid of any harm that bad people might plan. But we're most afraid of the mistakes a good person might make unintentionally; that's truly deadly. Because you can guard against bad people, but a good person's well-intentioned mistake is truly flawless."

"So I repeatedly strike him, stimulate him, and provide him with resources to push him forward.

Now, his actions have undergone significant changes. Although his personality remains unchanged, his vision and perspective are continually broadening."

"When a person's vision expands, the mistakes they make will naturally decrease."

Fang Che smiled faintly, "It's like the saying, 'Raise sons in poverty and daughters in wealth.' A daughter, brought up in luxury and abundance, even if she doesn't understand the ways of the world, is unlikely to be deceived by a penniless young man. This principle, while not absolute, does provide a certain level of security.

(End of Chapter)

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