Encounter

The next day.

Early morning.

Fang Yuan led Rouge, standing quietly outside the Zhao family's main gate, waiting for Zhao Yu. Beside him, an elaborately embroidered carriage stood still, and a coachman waited for Zhao Yu to emerge.

"Mumbling and wasting my time, it's simply intolerable," Fang Yuan shook his head with slight impatience. He had been waiting for quite some time, and there was still no sign of Zhao Yu.

However, as he was currently the stable boy of the Zhao family, there was no change in his expression. He continued to wait quietly, just as in his memories. After a while, Zhao Yu, surrounded by several maids, walked out slowly.

Watching Zhao Yu's slow exit, Fang Yuan's eyes flickered, and information about Zhao Yu from his memories instantly surfaced. Zhao Yu, the eldest daughter of the Zhao family, sixteen years old, was very rebellious and would often infuriate the family head, Zhao Kang. However, despite her frequent provocations, Zhao Kang couldn't bear to punish her severely, since she was his cherished daughter.

Supported by her maids, Zhao Yu walked into the carriage. Fang Yuan heard Zhao Yu's voice from inside the carriage, "Depart, we're going to the Hanshan Temple outside the city."

Fang Yuan remained silent, watching as the carriage started moving. He then mounted Rouge and followed closely behind. Having absorbed Wang Cheng's memories, riding horses was now child's play for him. Moreover, Rouge had been raised by Wang Cheng for a long time, and they were very familiar with each other. Although this was Fang Yuan's first time riding, there were no mistakes.

"Once we reach Hanshan Temple, I'll take the opportunity to slip away." Leaving Kang City, Fang Yuan looked at the temple situated on a distant hill, his heart stirring.

In this world, there were both Buddhism and Daoism, although the beliefs in Immortals and Buddhas were different from those in his previous life, there were still some similarities. As for why there were Buddhism and Daoism in this world, Fang Yuan was not clear, and he had no intention of researching it, as it was too distant from his concerns.

Shortly afterward, they arrived at Hanshan Temple. Zhao Yu descended from the carriage, spoke a few words to her maids, and then walked into the temple with her personal maid. The others remained in place, waiting for Zhao Yu to come out.

Watching Zhao Yu leave, Fang Yuan engaged in conversation with the maids and coachman beside him while observing the surrounding environment. Gazing at the mountains and dense forests behind Hanshan Temple, Fang Yuan's eyes lit up, "I'll find an excuse to leave in a while, then completely escape from the mountains behind Hanshan Temple."

Fang Yuan believed that as long as he hid in the deep mountains and forests, relying on his experience surviving in the mountains from the previous simulation, the Zhao family would not be able to find him. After all, he was just a house servant, and they wouldn't dispatch any force to search for him.

After a while, Fang Yuan saw that the time was right. He clutched his belly and exclaimed, "Oh no, I must have eaten something bad. I'll be right back." Without waiting for the others to respond, Fang Yuan hurriedly ran into the dense forest near Hanshan Temple.

Witnessing this scene, the remaining maids and the coachman couldn't help but shake their heads, but they didn't think much of it. After all, Wang Cheng was the Zhao family's natural-born child, destined to be a servant for generations, and escaping from his Master was impossible.

In the dense forest, Fang Yuan's expression remained calm, his steps unwavering as he headed deeper into the forest behind Hanshan Temple. "Once I'm far away from Kang City, I'll gather some people, build my influence, and increase the impact I have, ensuring that I gain more simulator points during the settlement."

Fang Yuan walked leisurely through the dense forest, ignoring the messy branches and thorns that troubled many. For him, they posed no hindrance at all. After all, he had survived alone in the deep mountains for eight years during the previous simulation, giving him profound experience in navigating through dense forests.

As for poisonous insects and fierce beasts, Fang Yuan also had ample experience in dealing with them. "By now, those maids should have realized that something's amiss." Thinking of this, a slight smile appeared on Fang Yuan's lips. But even if they did notice, it was too late now.

He had already ventured deep into the forest behind Hanshan Temple, and even if they realized he was escaping, they wouldn't be able to search for him in time. After all, Hanshan Temple was a considerable distance from Kang City, and by the time the Zhao family reacted, it would be too late.

After walking for a while, Fang Yuan reached the deep forest behind Hanshan Temple, completely escaping from the temple's vicinity. At this point, Fang Yuan stopped and looked at a hidden path that appeared before him.

"It seems the monks of Hanshan Temple often come to the back mountains." The path reveled in front him seemed to be a forest path built by the monks of Hanshan Temple.

"With this forest path, it'll be more convenient for me to walk." His clothes were now somewhat tattered. Even though he was familiar with walking through the dense forest, he couldn't avoid being cut by various thorns and branches.

Fang Yuan's eyes flickered, and he began to move forward along the forest path.

However, walking along this path might lead to encounters with the monks. Still, Fang Yuan didn't mind, as in his memories, Hanshan Temple was not a martial arts sect, and the monks didn't practice martial arts. If the unarmed monks encountered him, it would be like mice meeting a cat.

"But it looks like I need to speed up; with this forest path, the Zhao family will undoubtedly accelerate their search for me." Fang Yuan walked along the forest path, gradually quickening his pace.

After a moment, Fang Yuan's brisk footsteps suddenly came to a halt, and his brows involuntarily furrowed. He had heard a faint sound coming from a distance, sounding like a woman. The voice brought him a sense of familiarity.

"Who's there? Moreover, it seems like the sound is coming from the end of this forest path." Watching as the forest path gradually disappeared in the distance, covered by trees at the end, Fang Yuan's curiosity was piqued, prompting him to walk over.

At the end of the forest path, Fang Yuan silently stood behind a tree, observing an open space that appeared in the midst of the dense forest. He couldn't help but shake his head slightly.

In that open space, Zhao Yu was leaning against a young and handsome monk, looking sweet and affectionate.

"I never expected the young lady of the Zhao family to fall in love with a monk. If others find out..."

Fang Yuan remained silent but had no intention of intervening. He shook his head slightly and was about to turn and leave.

"Who's there!"

Just as Fang Yuan was about to leave, the young monk embracing Zhao Yu suddenly looked towards Fang Yuan with a horrified expression. Despite Fang Yuan's subtle movement, the monk instantly sensed him.

"Damn it, if others find out about my affair with Miss Zhao, I'm as good as dead."

The young monk's eyes turned sharp, releasing Zhao Yu and swiftly ran towards the direction where he detected the sound.

Seeing the monk's actions and hearing his words, Zhao Yu also entered a state of panic, standing still and not knowing what to do. If her illicit affair were discovered, no matter how much her father favored her, it wouldn't end well for her.

Fang Yuan originally intended to leave, but witnessing the monk's behavior, he halted his steps. Watching the monk approach his hiding place, Fang Yuan's gaze turned cold. "Planning to kill me? Seeking death!"

Fang Yuan had already sensed him; his steps were ethereal, and there were no traces of martial arts cultivation on his body. Although Fang Yuan's current body hadn't practiced martial arts, he possessed the Burning Blood Secret Technique, giving him a burst of strength that the monk couldn't compare to.

With a slight movement of his thoughts, Fang Yuan stepped out from behind the big tree, coldly looking at the approaching young monk.

"It's Wang Cheng!"

As Fang Yuan walked out, Zhao Yu immediately recognized him, her gaze filled with confusion and surprise. She didn't understand why Wang Cheng would be here. Although she couldn’t fully understand the situation, Zhao Yu immediately shouted, "Stop, Li Lang! He is a servant of my house. Don't kill him."

Hearing Zhao Yu's words, the young monk Li Lang hesitated. But in the next moment, his gaze became ruthless again.

"If news of my affair with Miss Zhao spreads, I am as good as dead. I absolutely cannot show mercy."

Seeing that Li Lang didn't heed her plea, Zhao Yu bit her lip lightly, looking at Li Lang with worry.

“Wang Cheng is just a servant, and he doesn't know any martial arts. Li Lang received my instruction on a basic fist technique a few days ago, but I don't know how much he has practiced now.”

The conversation between Zhao Yu and Li Lang took only a moment. Li Lang ran to Fang Yuan and attacked with clenched fists.

Seeing Li Lang's actions, Fang Yuan's gaze flickered. "There's some technique in the swings of his fists. It seems he has practiced some boxing, but it's nothing remarkable."

Sensing Li Lang's strength, Fang Yuan's thoughts subtly stimulated his body, activating the Burning Blood Secret Technique he was extremely familiar with.

Blood surged, muscles expanded, and a latent power was instantly activated, giving Fang Yuan a thirty percent increase in strength out of thin air.

In the next moment, Fang Yuan swung his fist downward. His arm created a howling sound, and the force was formidable. Although his body hadn't undergone martial arts training, daily work with horses had endowed him with strength far beyond an average person. Now, with an additional thirty percent strength, every move he made was formidable.

Li Lang raised his fists to intercept Fang Yuan's incoming punch, but due to the vast difference in strength, his arms were instantly shaken away by Fang Yuan. Fang Yuan's fist hit him hard in the chest.

Crack!

Fang Yuan's fist struck Li Lang's chest, directly breaking his ribs. With fractured ribs piercing his heart and lungs, Li Lang immediately spat out blood and fell to the ground.

Even in his lingering gaze, there was still a hint of bewilderment and disbelief, as if he couldn't understand why a servant could kill him with a single punch.

"How is this possible?!"

Seeing Li Lang being punched to death by Fang Yuan, Zhao Yu's pupils contracted, looking at Fang Yuan with disbelief, her heart trembling.

Watching Li Lang, whom he had just killed with a punch, Fang Yuan sneered, casually wiping off the blood on his fist. He then turned his head to look at Zhao Yu.

Seeing the panic and unease in Zhao Yu's eyes, Fang Yuan's mind stirred. "She is the young lady of the Zhao family. Although she hasn't achieved much in martial arts, she knows some of the martial skills of the Zhao family."

"In that case..."

Fang Yuan's gaze shifted slightly, and he looked again at Li Lang lying on the ground. Immediately, an idea formed in his mind.