Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang.

The night watchman on patrol tapped his clappers rhythmically.

The sound drifted into the stilted tower, and Fang Yuan opened his dry eyelids, thinking to himself, "It's the fifth watch."

He had lain in bed last night, pondering for a long time, planning a lot, and ended up sleeping just over an hour.

This body had not yet begun cultivation, so his energy wasn't abundant, and waves of fatigue and drowsiness still enveloped his body and mind.

However, over five hundred years of experience had long forged Fang Yuan's will into one of steel. This slight drowsiness was nothing to him.

He immediately pushed aside the thin silk quilt and got up cleanly and neatly.

Opening the window, he found that the spring rain had stopped.

A fresh, moist scent mixed with the aroma of earth, trees, and wildflowers rushed to his face. Fang Yuan instantly felt his mind clear, and the drowsiness was completely dispelled.

At this moment, the sun had not yet risen, and the sky was a deep blue, both dark and bright.

Looking out, the stilted towers built with green bamboo and trees complemented the mountains, presenting a scene of tranquil verdant green.

The stilted towers had at least two floors, a unique structure for the mountain folk's dwellings. Because of the rugged and uneven mountain terrain, the first floor consisted of large wooden stakes, while the second floor was where people lived.

Fang Yuan and his younger brother Fang Zheng lived on the second floor.

"Young Master Fang Yuan, you're awake. I'll come upstairs to help you wash up," came a girl's voice from downstairs.

Fang Yuan looked down and saw his personal maid, Chen Cui.

Her appearance was only average, but she was well-dressed, wearing a green shirt, long sleeves, and pants, with embroidered shoes on her feet. A pearl hairpin adorned her black hair, exuding youthful vitality.

She glanced happily at Fang Yuan, carrying a basin of water, and quickly climbed the stairs.

The water was warm, prepared for washing the face. For rinsing the mouth, willow twigs dipped in snow salt were used to clean and whiten the teeth.

Chen Cui served him gently, smiling with a spring-like expression. She then helped Fang Yuan dress and fasten his buttons, occasionally brushing her ample bosom against his arm or back during the process.

Fang Yuan remained expressionless, his heart calm as still water.

This maid was not only the eyes and ears of his uncle and aunt-in-law but also vain and fickle. In his previous life, he had been deceived by her. After the Aperture Opening Ceremony, when his status plummeted, she immediately turned her back on him, often giving him disdainful looks.

When Fang Zheng arrived, he saw Chen Cui smoothing the creases on Fang Yuan's shirt, a flicker of envy and jealousy in his eyes.

Living with his brother all these years and receiving Fang Yuan's care, he also had a servant attending to him. However, it wasn't a young maid like Chen Cui, but a plump old maid.

"What would it be like if one day Chen Cui served me like this?" Fang Zheng thought to himself, both wanting and not daring to imagine.

It was well known in the household that their uncle and aunt-in-law favored Fang Yuan.

Originally, he didn't even have a servant, but Fang Yuan had proactively requested one for him.

Although there was a distinction between master and servant, Fang Zheng dared not underestimate Chen Cui. This was because Chen Cui's mother was Aunt-in-law's trusted maid, also the housekeeper of the entire residence, deeply trusted by Aunt-in-law and wielding considerable authority.

"Alright, that's enough tidying." Fang Yuan impatiently brushed away Chen Cui's soft hands. His clothes were already neat, and Chen Cui was mostly trying to seduce him.

To her, Fang Yuan's future was bright, with a high possibility of having Grade A Aptitude. If she could become Fang Yuan's concubine, she could rise from servant to master, a leap to the heavens.

In his previous life, Fang Yuan had been deceived, even falling for this maid. But after being reborn, he saw everything clearly, his heart cold as frost.

"You may leave," Fang Yuan said without looking at Chen Cui, adjusting his sleeves.

Chen Cui pouted slightly, feeling puzzled and wronged by Fang Yuan's lack of understanding today. She wanted to say something coquettish, but was intimidated by Fang Yuan's subtle and inexplicable aura. After opening her mouth a few times, she finally said "Yes" and obediently retreated.

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"Are you ready?" Fang Yuan asked Fang Zheng.

His brother stood dazed at the door, looking down at his toes, and softly replied with a "hmm."

He had actually woken up at the fourth watch, too nervous to sleep, secretly got up early to prepare, with dark circles under his eyes.

Fang Yuan nodded. In his previous life, he hadn't understood his brother's thoughts, but in this life, how could he not?

Yet it was meaningless to point it out now, so he instructed calmly, "Then let's go."

***

The brothers left their residence, encountering many peers along the way, in groups of two or three, evidently heading to the same destination.

"Look, those are the Fang brothers," came a cautious whisper.

"The one walking in front is Fang Yuan, the one who writes poetry," someone emphasized.

"So that's him, expressionless and indifferent, just as the rumors say," someone remarked sourly, with jealousy and envy.

"Hmph, if you were like him, you could act like that too!" someone retorted with a cold snort, hiding a sense of dissatisfaction.

Fang Zheng listened expressionlessly, having long grown accustomed to such discussions.

He kept his head down, following his brother silently.

At this moment, the morning light had already appeared on the horizon, casting Fang Yuan's shadow on his face.

The morning sun was gradually rising, but Fang Zheng suddenly felt as if he were walking into darkness.

This darkness came from his brother. Perhaps for his entire life, he would never escape the enormous shadow his brother cast over him.

He felt a pressure in his chest, even struggling to breathe, and this damn feeling made him think of the word "suffocation."

"Hmph, such discussions truly prove that the tallest tree in the forest is the first to be blown down," Fang Yuan sneered inwardly.

No wonder, after his Grade C Aptitude was revealed, he was besieged on all sides, facing harsh treatment, disdain, and cold shoulders for a long time.

He also heard his brother Fang Zheng's increasingly heavy breathing behind him.

In his previous life, he hadn't noticed, but in this life, he saw everything clearly.

This was all due to the keen insight brought by five hundred years of life experience.

He suddenly thought of his uncle and aunt-in-law, who truly had some means. They assigned Chen Cui to monitor him closely and gave his brother an old maid. There were also other differences in treatment in daily life.

These were intentional, meant to stir up resentment in his brother's heart and sow discord between them.

People do not fear scarcity, but inequality.

In his previous life, he had too little experience, and his brother was too naive, allowing their uncle and aunt-in-law to succeed in their schemes.

Since his rebirth, with the Aperture Opening Ceremony approaching, the situation seemed irreparable. However, with Fang Yuan's methods and wisdom as a demonic path giant, it wasn't impossible to change.

This brother could be subdued, and Chen Cui, a mere maid, could be brought into his harem early. As for his uncle, aunt-in-law, clan leader, and elders, there were at least hundreds of ways to deal with them.

"But I don't want to do that..." Fang Yuan sighed inwardly.

Even if he was his own brother, what did it matter? There was no familial affection, just an outsider, easily discarded.

Even if Chen Cui was beautiful, what did it matter? Without love and loyalty, she was just a shell. Bring her into the harem? She wasn't worthy.

Even if it was his uncle, aunt-in-law, clan leader, and elders, they were just passing figures in his life. Why waste effort and energy dealing with these passersby?

Heh heh.

As long as they didn't obstruct his path, they could play their own games on the side, not even worth stepping on.

---

Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan