Early that morning, Fang Yuan climbed the steps up to the mission hall, only to see three people waiting for him.
At the lead was Qing Shu, his new team leader.
Next to him was a female Gu Master by the name of Yao Hong. She was a Poison Path Gu Master and someone who didn't like to think very much- preferring to attack with reckless abandon rather than thinking things through.
On the other side was Qing Mao, a Gu Master with green hair. Qing Mao and Qing Shu were not related by blood, but Qing Shu had been adopted by the clan head as his godson and the two were apparently very close. He was an Information Path specialist who was very good at reconnaissance and espionage and by contrast to Yao Hong preferred to mull things over several times before dedicating himself to a decision.
Fang Yuan knew that this meeting was no coincidence- more likely than not, his uncle had set this up. And as much as he'd loved to tiptoe past them, he couldn't very well blatantly ignore them. Especially not when Qing Shu approached him directly.
"Junior Fang Yuan! What are you doing at the mission hall this early in the morning? We don't even start with missions until next week, you know," Qing Shu said.
"I'm here to accept a mission to inherit my family's assets," Fang Yuan replied, as if he didn't know that Qing Shu must've already known that.
"I see," Qing Shu. "Family is quite important- as well as their legacy." He had been orphaned since the wolf tide had taken his parents away at a young age, so he was more privy to most what the importance of family was. He as a lot like Fang Zheng in that regard without a massive inferiority complex. "Fang Yuan, you and I are not so different. Both of us grew up without our parents, and its only natural to want to look after that legacy. I'm sure that you're quite eager to find out what your parents have left behind for you." He had misunderstood why Fang Yuan wanted the inheritance- thinking that he was after the sentimental value of having his parent's things passed down to him. Fang Yuan could care less about his parent's heritage and was only after the primeval stones that those assets could generate- whether they were from his parents or someone else did not matter in the slightest.
"Of course," Qing Shu continued, "family doesn't just extend to your parents, after all. It extends to your cousins, brothers, aunts, uncles- in a way, the entire clan is just like one huge family, Fang Yuan. I'm sure that you've already realized that."
Fang Yuan nodded. When was this guy going to get to the point? He didn't think that this uncle would be able to convince Qing Shu to stand against him when it came to inheriting his family's legacy. His uncle might be influential, but not that influential.
"Fang Yuan, even if you feel that your aunt and uncle have wronged you and your brother in the past," Qing Shu said. "I'm sure that they only wanted the best for you. Tough love is a thing in this world, and now that you're older and can appreciate how hard it is to live in this world, I think you can understand that seeking 'revenge' for perceived slights is useless, especially when it comes to your own family. It is best to simply look towards the future and to let such things go."
Fang Yuan had no clue what he was talking about, though he agreed with the sentiment that revenge was pointless.
"I... I'm afraid that I don't quite understand," Fang Yuan said. For once this wasn't him acting, instead, it was genuine confusion. Qing Shu was being so roundabout with what he was saying that Fang Yuan couldn't figure out what he was actually getting at.
"What I'm trying to say is that you'll ascend to the rank of an elder sooner or later," Qing Shu said. "When you're an elder, you need to look after the clan's needs first and your own later. With great power comes great responsibility, after all. I think you can understand that it is wrong for an elder to take out his frustration on those beneath him."
"I... guess?" Fang Yuan said.
"I know that you and your uncle have had your differences," Qing Shu said. "But taking revenge on them won't heal the scars in your heart. If your parents were still alive, I don't think they'd like to see you turn on the only family you have left."
"Did my uncle say something to you?" Fang Yuan asked.
"Quite perceptive- indeed, I met him earlier and he expressed worry... that the child he had raised so warmly might one day turn on him," Qing Shu said. "I expressed the thought that someone as magnanimous as Fang Yuan could never do something like that."
"And yet, you want confirmation?"
"It's good that you understand."
"Alright," Fang Yuan said. "I'll forego any anger I have towards my aunt and uncle, if you'll help me with the inheritance mission. How about that?"
"Why you-" Qing Mao was about to say, annoyed that this newly joined freshmen was making demands of Qing Shu, but Qing Shu just laughed and waved him down.
"Not a problem, not a problem, as your new team members, how could we stand by and watch you struggle with a mission?" Qing Shu asked. He had been tasked with bringing Fang Yuan into the clan head's fold, and this was an easy way to get on the newcomer's good side. Originally this treatment was planned for Fang Zheng, but Fang Zheng had gotten crippled and that had ruined the clan head's original plan. He had pivoted then to supporting Fang Yuan, but that had only taken place over a few months. Who knew if Fang Yuan still resented the clan? Because of that, Qing Shu was being extra friendly and welcoming to Fang Yuan.
"Ah, so we have to go do some silly mission? What a drag," Yao Hong complained, but did not object. It was clear that both of the others followed whatever Qing Shu said without objection.
"By the way," Qing Shu asked as they walked down the hall as a group. "What is your brother, Fang Zheng doing?"
"Right now, nothing," Fang Yuan said. "You could say that he's unemployed, spending all of his time in his room cultivating with the Liquor Worm."
Qing Shu frowned. He had not expected Fang Zheng to fall so low so quickly. The only reason that Fang Zheng could behave like this was because of Fang Yuan supporting him, though Qing Shu genuinely hoped that Fang Zheng would eventually recover his self-confidence. He was not someone who carried ill-will towards anyone.
"Let's see... yes, a mission to inherit your parent's fortune..." the clerk said. "Here is one!"