Full-Level Fierce Person
Chapter 230 - 151 Yun Meng

Chapter 230: 151 Yun Meng

Fang Zhixing didn’t say another word and quickly climbed up the slope to take a look.

At the end of the pebble path stood a high-walled courtyard with towering pavilions, gold-tipped stone walls, and a scale even larger than that of Mirror Water Villa.

From a distance, the architectural layout within the courtyard was quite sophisticated, with an array of bird sculptures of various sorts perched on the roof ridges, vibrant and lifelike.

Across the gate hung a plaque with red background and golden letters, which read "Yun Meng Villa."

Fang Zhixing pondered for a moment and then stood at the top of the slope, surveying his surroundings.

All of a sudden, he saw a wisp of blue smoke rising sinuously from the woods below.

Fang Zhixing descended the hill and headed straight for the blue smoke.

Xigou expressed his surprise, "Yun Meng Villa is right before us, where are you going off to?"

Fang Zhixing replied, "We know nothing about Yun Meng Villa, rashly proceeding, the fortune or misfortune unknown."

Xigou understood.

That was just Fang Zhixing’s nature, never to fight an unprepared battle.

A moment later, they weaved through the woods and suddenly came upon a small fishing village lying alongside the river.

The fishing village was only a mile or two from where Fang Zhixing had come ashore.

If Fang Zhixing had known earlier about the existence of this little fishing village, he naturally would have come here first for some information.

His gaze swept across and spotted a few women sitting together in the village, busily knitting fishing nets.

Not far from the riverbank, several children were frolicking in the water.

Not a single man was in sight.

Seeing this, Xigou speculated, "The men from this village must have all gone out fishing."

Fang Zhixing nodded and approached an older middle-aged woman.

On meeting her, he immediately took out some coins and handed them over, smiling warmly, "Sister, I’m just passing by, may I inquire about something with you?"

Initially very wary, the woman’s expression relaxed considerably at the sight of the money, and she smiled, "Young man, ask away."

Fang Zhixing tilted his head towards Yun Meng Villa and asked, "Over there, is there a large estate?"

The woman nodded and said, "Yes, that’s Yun Meng Villa, so grand it is. I’ve heard that the villa took seven or eight years to build."

Fang Zhixing then asked, "Who is the master of the villa?"

The woman replied, "The master is a woman, we call her ’Madam Yun Meng.’"

Fang Zhixing’s brows furrowed slightly, curious, "Who exactly is this Madam Yun Meng?"

The woman laughed, "That I can’t say for sure, but, heh heh, I’ve heard that she’s the kept woman of some powerful figure."

"Kept woman?"

Fang Zhixing felt the situation was becoming more and more intriguing, "And who might that powerful figure be?"

The woman shrugged, "That really, I do not know."

Fang Zhixing understood and left the fishing village, quickly making his way back.

He arrived at the gates of Yun Meng Villa and stepped forward to knock.

Soon, a grey-clad elderly servant opened the door; he was an old man with both hair and beard white and his eyesight seeming not too sharp.

"Who are you?"

The grey-clad servant squinted his cloudy eyes, sizing up Fang Zhixing with a slightly puzzled expression.

Fang Zhixing responded, "My name is Fang Zhixing, I have a major deal to discuss, and I have come to visit your master."

The old servant seemed to half understand, replying, "Please wait, I will go inform them."

He then turned and went.

A moment later, with a creak, the door fully opened.

The old servant reappeared, gesturing with an inviting hand, and smiled, "The master invites you in."

Fang Zhixing walked straight in, all the while scanning around, and his heart grew even more astonished.

He saw within the courtyard, pavilions and towers, ponds and waterside pavilions nestled among the green pines and verdant cypresses, a scene full of poetry and picturesque charm.

There were also rockeries with oddly shaped stones, flowerbeds with potted plants, lush wisteria and bamboo, strategically scattered, an abundance of beautiful vistas too numerous for the eye to take in all at once.

Fang Zhixing became overwhelmingly curious—who exactly was the owner of Yun Meng Villa?

"This way, please."

The grey-clothed old servant led the way, entering into a living room.

Following him, Fang Zhixing stepped through the door and, looking up, he saw a gracefully beautiful lady who appeared to be under thirty. She was very pretty, with smooth and delicate skin, hands like jade that inspired an impulse to touch.

Fang Zhixing’s eyebrows raised slightly as he stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting, "Fang has the honor of meeting the villa’s owner."

The lady of the villa stood up, her hair floating like clouds, faintly curled, casting her gentle beauty in an even more stirring light.

She returned the greeting with a bow, saying, "You flatter me, my name is Yun Meng; if it please you, you may call me Sister Yun."

Yun Meng paused, taking a deep look at Fang Zhixing, and asked, "May I ask, sir, how did you find this place?"

Fang Zhixing replied, "Someone wise to the ways of the world guided me."

Hearing this, Yun Meng subconsciously knotted her handkerchief, then asked, "What is your purpose for coming here?"

Fang Zhixing hesitated for a moment before stating flatly, "I am entrusted by someone to purchase your villa at a negotiable price."

At that remark!

Yun Meng’s complexion underwent a tremendous change, nervousness washing over her face as she bit her lip, "Could you possibly not insist on buying it?"

Fang Zhixing was taken aback, carefully reading her expressions. A newfound confidence emerged within him as he said, "I’m sorry, Sister Yun, this matter may not leave room for negotiation."

Yun Meng collapsed into her seat like a deflated balloon, her expression laden with anxiety.

Seeing this, Fang Zhixing vaguely guessed something and inquired, "May I ask, Sister Yun, are you the true master of this villa?"

Yun Meng gave a bitter smile, shaking her head slightly as she sighed, "Since you have found your way here, you must already know the owner of the villa is not me."

Suddenly, she looked up and asked, "Do you know where ’he’ has gone?"

"He?!"

Fang Zhixing’s mind was racing.

Xigou cast his gaze around and exclaimed, "Damn, what in the world is this, everyone’s speaking in riddles! She thinks you know everything, but you actually know nothing."

Fang Zhixing maintained his composure and coolly asked, "When was the last time you heard news of ’him’?"

Yun Meng let out a deep sigh and responded, "He’s been missing since Qingguang County fell to the rebels. I haven’t seen him since, nor do I know where he has gone."

Qingguang County!!

Could the owner of this villa be him?!

Xigou blinked and whispered, "Who is this woman talking about?"

Fang Zhixing replied, "Lord County Magistrate Luo Tiantai of Qingguang County."

Xigou shivered, marveling, "You mean that Luo Tiantai who abandoned his wife and child, left his confidants, and fled without a fight?"

Fang Zhixing confirmed, "That’s the one! Rumors are rampant that after Luo Tiantai fled, fearing his family’s retribution, he went into hiding."

Xigou had an epiphany, "So Yun Meng is the woman Luo Tiantai kept on the side."

Fang Zhixing also realized, sighing, "Well, Luo Tiantai hid his lover well, but Keji has already discovered his secret. Wait a moment..."

At that thought, Fang Zhixing had a sudden realization. He stood up, walked over to Ru Meng, and looked her directly in the eyes.

"Sister Yun, Luo Tiantai is hiding here right now, isn’t he?" he demanded sternly.

Yun Meng’s expression turned to panic, she uttered in shock, "No, I don’t know where he is."

Fang Zhixing cut her off, "Sister Yun, to be frank with you, Luo Tiantai has been abandoned by his family. Continuing to stay with him won’t end well for you."

At these words, Yun Meng couldn’t help but clench her handkerchief tightly, her expression full of confusion and helplessness.

Fang Zhixing continued seriously, "You’ve been secluded here, out of touch with the outside world; you might not understand the situation. Let me explain.

Luo Tiantai has a son who, allegedly, had great martial Talent and was valued by the family, but when he fled the city, he abandoned that son, which led to his death at the hands of the rebels.

The family is furious with his cowardly conduct, and he’s certain to be severely punished.

Honestly, Luo Tiantai is ruined. He can’t even take care of himself, much less protect you."

Yun Meng’s face filled with despair, tears streaming down, she anxiously said, "But what can I do? Without him, I have nothing."

Fang Zhixing stated gravely, "If you tell me where Luo Tiantai is hiding, I will give you enough money to ensure you never want for anything for the rest of your life.

If you persist in your delusions, you will only be a sacrifice to his downfall. I have said all I can."