Chapter 168 - 138: Temple Fair
"I’ll choose the stack of firewood," Fang Yue replied with a slight smile.
Hearing Fang Yue’s answer, the Temple Priest immediately adopted a profound, mysterious expression. His voice took on a cryptic tone as he said,
"Benefactor, you have chosen incorrectly. You should have chosen the axe. With an axe in hand, wouldn’t all the firewood in the forest be yours for the taking? Giving a man firewood is no substitute for giving him an axe."
"Your donation helps more people by giving them the ’axe’ they need to earn a living, allowing them to chop even more firewood for themselves."
It was a simple parable, much like the one about the fish and the fishing rod from his past life.
But the effect was just as good. The moment the Temple Priest finished speaking, the surrounding crowd erupted in cries of approval.
Seeing his words had taken effect, the Temple Priest prepared to seize the opportunity, piling on more grand principles to break down this stubborn fellow’s resolve and make him donate.
But just as he was about to open his mouth, the young man in black spoke.
"There you are mistaken. A stack of firewood, taken to Xiahe County Town, would sell for at least thirty maces. An axe costs ten maces. With that money, I could buy three axes. I’d keep one to chop my own firewood and sell the other two to people who need them. Wouldn’t that be a far better outcome?"
The yellow-robed Temple Priest, who a moment ago wore such a profound expression, was now utterly dumbfounded.
’So that’s another way to look at it!’ he couldn’t help but marvel internally. ’And it makes so much sense! I’ve learned a new trick. I can use this to swindle people in the future.’
At the same time, however, his expression turned sour. After all, being verbally outmaneuvered in front of so many people was a huge loss of face.
"Huh? You can look at it that way? I feel like that young man makes a lot of sense."
"I know, right? I wonder which family he’s from. And if he’s married yet."
In an instant, the way all the women in the crowd, young and old, looked at Fang Yue changed.
But Fang Yue, the one who started it all, didn’t stick around. He was already walking away as he finished speaking, leaving the crowd with nothing but the sight of his dashing figure disappearing.
~~~~~~~
Inside a dimly lit room.
"This is a good spot. Who would’ve thought the bustling Goddess Temple would be the place where they’re hiding the missing children."
Yang Yan surveyed the room before him, nodding in satisfaction.
Over the past half-month, he had contacted the Scholar who was undercover in the city.
The Scholar was currently hiding within the Wei Family, a noble house in the city. He had become the butler to the family’s young master and was using the power of the young master’s position as an Inspector to provide cover for them.
After all, the person currently in charge of the case was none other than this young master of the Wei Family, a Captain and Inspector in the Guard Army.
By serving him up close, the Scholar was in a prime position to gather intelligence and information.
This allowed them to easily evade the Guard Army’s searches and pursuit.
"Indeed. Once the next batch is gathered, this job will be complete," said a man in black robes standing nearby.
"Still, make sure you remind our people to keep a low profile. Tell them not to stir up trouble. If they interfere with the organization’s important work, I won’t let them off easy," Yang Yan continued.
The black-robed man nodded and left the room.
~~~~~~
The Goddess Temple was still bustling with activity.
As he was strolling about, Fang Yue glanced toward a moon gate that led to a rear courtyard. Two sturdy, yellow-clad men stood guard there, their expressions clearly warning strangers to keep out.
The two men had none of the air of a temple attendant; instead, they looked more like thugs.
Fang Yue couldn’t help but stare for a moment longer.
Just then, a vaguely familiar female voice called out.
"Fang Yue?"
Fang Yue turned to see who it was. To his surprise, it was Zhang Shu.
’I can’t believe I’m running into her here,’ he thought. ’Hasn’t Zhang Shu already married and moved to Shanyang Prefecture City? What is she doing here?’
’Oh, right. She’s probably just home visiting her family.’
"Ah, Senior Sister Zhang. It’s been a while," Fang Yue said with a small smile.
Fang Yue took a moment to observe her. As a married woman, Zhang Shu had gained a certain sophisticated charm. Her skin was clear, glowing with a light sheen of sweat.
Her figure was also impeccably maintained.
Though now a wife, she still possessed a captivating allure, appearing even more radiant than she had in her youth.
For some reason, the sight of Fang Yue made a fire of irritation flare up in Zhang Shu’s chest.
She had always looked down on her father’s poor martial brother. Among all her father’s peers, Fang Hu had fared the worst.
’He was a Martial Artist, for crying out loud. He could have done anything, but he was content to be a country bumpkin.’
’And he was always coming over to freeload off her family. How could Zhang Shu possibly be pleasant to him?’
’Then, that Master Fang took on a disciple—this very Fang Yue. Her father even had the wild idea of trying to marry her off to him.’
’That just infuriated her even more.’
’All of her peers were marrying the sons of Noble Families or the descendants of Martial Scholars.’
’A lucky country bumpkin who had just passed the preliminary examination to become a Martial Scholar was completely beneath her consideration.’
’Her father’s constant praise for Fang Yue, going on and on about his bright future, only made her resent him more.’
’Later, when she heard Fang Yue had passed the higher examination to become a Martial Scholar, she had been prepared to reluctantly give him a chance.’
’But then Fang Yue had the audacity to refuse!’
’That, of course, only made her hate Fang Yue even more.’
Still, it was a good thing he had refused back then.
She was married into a good family now—the eldest son of a Military Officer in Shanyang Prefecture. Surely that was a hundred times better than being with Fang Yue, a mere Martial Scholar from a tiny county.
"Hmph."
Zhang Shu snorted, but a smile blossomed on her face:
"I wonder, does Junior Brother Fang have an official position now? If not, I could put in a word with my husband. Perhaps he could find a vacant post for you to fill."