2: Chapter 2: Starting a New Life

Lin Waner's voice held not a shred of warmth as it struck Chen Fan's ears.

He slowly turned around, meeting that pair of eyes filled with disgust and coldness.

This was Zhao Long's primary wife, Lin Waner.

She was the daughter of the former instructor of Qinghe County, well-versed in literature and etiquette, and possessed a fine hand for calligraphy, making her somewhat famous throughout the entire county.

Zhao Long had used despicable means to ruin her engagement, forced Magistrate Zhao De to propose, and forcibly took her into the household.

From Zhao Long's memories, Chen Fan could feel the original owner's obsession with her, as well as... the frustration of not being able to possess her.

As for Lin Waner, she held only a hatred for him that was etched into her very bones.

"Understood."

Chen Fan spat out the three words in a flat tone, lacking the impatience Zhao Long usually displayed, and devoid of any fawning, greasy obsequiousness.

He didn't even spare Lin Waner another glance, walking straight past her toward the study.

The bellyful of mockery Lin Waner had prepared instantly got stuck in her throat.

She stood frozen in place, watching that familiar back, yet feeling a sense of unfamiliarity she had never experienced before.

Today's Zhao Long... seemed to be acting a bit strange.

In the study of the Zhao residence, sandalwood incense curled in the air.

When Chen Fan stepped into the study, his "father," Magistrate Zhao De of Qinghe County, was standing with his back to him, copying a landscape painting.

The brush moved like a dragon and a snake, possessing an extraordinary Aura.

"Father."

Chen Fan addressed him in a low voice, following the designation from his memories.

Magistrate Zhao De did not turn around, and the wolf-hair brush in his hand did not pause for even a fraction of a second.

"So you still remember that I am your father?"

"I thought you, Young Master Zhao, no longer held anyone in your eyes."

Magistrate Zhao De's voice was heavy, carrying the dignity of one who had long held a position of authority.

The air pressure in the study instantly dropped to freezing.

Chen Fan did not speak.

He knew from Zhao Long's memories that at this moment, any defense would only invite even harsher reprimands.

The best response was silence.

Sure enough, Magistrate Zhao De finished the final stroke and placed the brush on the brush washer.

He turned around. On that face, which was seventy percent similar to Zhao Long's but etched with countless wrinkles and authority, no joy or anger could be discerned.

"Was it you who killed that woodcarver in the alley?"

Magistrate Zhao De got straight to the point.

"Yes," Chen Fan replied crisply.

Such matters could not be hidden.

Magistrate Zhao De stared at him, seemingly wanting to see something on his face.

But Chen Fan merely kept his head lowered, appearing as if he were confessing his guilt.

"Did you clean up the loose ends?" Magistrate Zhao De asked again.

"Zhang San and Li Si went to handle it."

"Hmph." Magistrate Zhao De snorted coldly, walked over to the armchair, sat down, and picked up a cup of tea that had gone cold.

"Committing murder in the street over a woman you just snatched, and even taking a life."

"Zhao Long, where is your ambition?"

"My face, the face of the entire Zhao family, has been completely lost because of you!"

Magistrate Zhao De slammed the teacup down on the table, causing the tea to splash out.

Chen Fan remained silent.

He knew the storm was coming.

"Your mother and I have only you as our only son. From childhood to adulthood, whatever you wanted, we gave you. Yet look at you?"

"Cockfighting, chasing dogs, bullying men and oppressing women! In the entire Qinghe County, who doesn't point at my spine and curse me for failing to teach my son properly!"

The more Magistrate Zhao De spoke, the angrier he became, his chest heaving violently.

"Today's incident has already spread. Do you think silencing a few people is enough? The mouths of the masses—how will you stop them?"

"If this continues, you will be the next Chen Fan!"

Chen Fan's heart stirred.

The next Chen Fan?

Sorry, he already was.

"Father, I was wrong."

Chen Fan finally spoke, his voice not loud, but very clear.

The bellyful of reprimands Magistrate Zhao De had prepared was blocked back by this single sentence.

He looked at his son suspiciously.

Today's Zhao Long was too abnormal.

In the past, at this time, he would have already started throwing a tantrum or acting unreasonably.

Today, he actually admitted his mistake?

"Wrong? When have you not said you were wrong?" Magistrate Zhao De's anger had not diminished in the slightest.

"This time, I was truly wrong."

Chen Fan raised his head. On his face, the previous arrogance was gone, replaced by a kind of... calmness that even Magistrate Zhao De could not quite describe.

"I shouldn't have committed murder in the street and caused trouble for you, Father."

Magistrate Zhao De was stunned.

Caused trouble for him?

This bastard's main concern was actually this?

He wasn't focused on the fact that he had killed someone, but that killing someone had caused trouble for his old man?

For a moment, Magistrate Zhao De actually didn't know whether to be angry or "gratified."

"You..."

Magistrate Zhao De pointed at him, unable to speak for a long time.

"I have already made arrangements for you."

Finally, he waved his hand, his face full of exhaustion.

"West Mountain, Qingyang Taoist Temple."

"I have already spoken with your Uncle-Master Liu. You will go up the mountain tomorrow and stay at the temple for a year to properly temper your temperament!"

"You will not come down the mountain until you have become sensible!"

It was coming.

Chen Fan felt a sense of clarity in his heart.

Qingyang Taoist Temple.

The place Zhao Long feared most in his memories.

The rules there were strict, and the temple master, Daoist Master Xuan Yangzi, was an impartial martial arts expert who had some friendship with Magistrate Zhao De.

When Zhao Long was a child, because of his naughtiness, he had been sent there for a month. He was beaten every day and punished by having to carry water and chop wood, which left a huge psychological trauma.

From then on, as soon as Magistrate Zhao De mentioned the words "Qingyang Taoist Temple," Zhao Long would immediately cower.

But for the current Chen Fan...

That place had a martial arts Legacy.

In this world where human life was as cheap as grass, what was more important than strength?

Although he had the Golden Finger 'Substitution Rebirth,' as a Chinese person, he had an inexplicable obsession with martial arts.

"Fine."

Chen Fan said one word, resolute and decisive.

The study fell into a deathly silence once again.

Magistrate Zhao De's hand, holding the teacup, paused in mid-air.

He suspected he had misheard.

"What did you say?"

"I said, fine," Chen Fan repeated. "I will follow your arrangements, Father, and go up the mountain tomorrow."

Magistrate Zhao De was completely dumbfounded.

He had imagined his son would cry, throw a tantrum, kneel and beg for mercy, or even storm out.

The only thing he hadn't imagined was that he would so calmly... agree?

Was this still his bastard son?

Could it be... that killing someone today really scared him?

Or perhaps, was this bastard planning some new trick?

Magistrate Zhao De examined his son, but on that face, there was only calmness, and nothing else.

"...It is good that you know."

After a long while, Magistrate Zhao De slowly put down the teacup, his voice carrying a hint of dryness he hadn't even noticed.

"Get out."

"Go back to your courtyard and reflect properly!"

"Yes, Father."

Chen Fan bowed in a salute, the movement so standard it made Magistrate Zhao De feel a bit dazed.

Then, he turned and left the study crisply and decisively.

Watching his son's disappearing back, Magistrate Zhao De fell into a long silence.

He always felt that something was different.

Returning to "Tingtao Pavilion."

Chen Fan let out a long sigh of relief.

The first hurdle had finally been passed.

Playing the part of a "scared out of his wits, suddenly awakened" playboy seemed to be working quite well.

He sat on the stone bench in the courtyard, and the little maid immediately served freshly brewed tea.

The tea aroma curled, dispelling the oppression brought from the study.

He picked up the teacup and took a gentle sip.

The warm tea slid down his throat, allowing him to relax completely.

From a commoner who died in a gutter to the Young Lord of this mansion.

From a woodcarver who could be slaughtered by anyone to a playboy who could decide the life and death of others.

It only took the time of one incense stick.

The ups and downs of life were simply too surreal.

He needed some time to adapt to these changes.

He closed his eyes and began to organize Zhao Long's complex and chaotic memories.

Wealth, power, connections...

Of course, there were also women.

The primary wife, Lin Waner, was cold as frost and hated him to the bone.

The second concubine, Liu Ruyan, was a redeemed courtesan from a brothel with a fiery personality, and she was also merely feigning compliance with him.

The third concubine, Su Qingyu, was a demure and timid girl who had been forcibly snatched by Zhao Long, and she felt only fear toward him.

And there was Cui'er, who he had just gotten his hands on today, who could be considered a bonus.

It was truly... a mess.

But for the current Chen Fan, none of this was a problem.

He was a brand-new player who had taken over an Advanced account.

Whatever problems the account itself had, it didn't matter.

What was important was that he could freely use the resources within this account.

"Someone, come here."

Chen Fan said indifferently.

A servant immediately trotted over.

"What are your orders, Young Master?"

Chen Fan put down the teacup, leaned back against the chair, and lazily stretched.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting mottled light and shadows on him.

"Go and invite the Second Madam to my room."

He paused and added a sentence.

"Just say that I, her husband, have a surprise for her."