Zhou, the head steward, lay wretchedly on the ground, his face a blossoming mess of red, spitting out a few broken teeth. He was still in a semi-conscious state, his powerless gaze toward Fan Xian filled with fear and astonishment.

Fan Xian said softly, "I really don't understand how you people think. Did you really think I wouldn't dare hit you? You seem to have forgotten your place. Perhaps a well-bred master wouldn't lay a hand on a servant, but unfortunately, I just did. What? Are you going to hit me back? So, what's done is done. You can only accept it, only endure it. Smile, or go cry to the Old Madam or even all the way to Kyoto… But… don't come into the back garden again. I don't like seeing you."

Having said this, he brushed the dust off his trousers, turned, and went up the steps, quietly telling Si Si, who was standing dumbfounded by the bench, that he was going out. Then he left the Earl's residence.

Behind him, a look of fear involuntarily appeared on the faces of the servant girls and other workers. No one could have imagined that this gentle and adorable boy could have such a violent side. This contrast shocked everyone's minds, making it all the more terrifying.

At this time, the Old Madam also arrived in the back garden. Looking at the head steward lying on the ground, covering his face and moaning in pain, she couldn't help but reveal a meaningful smile as she thought of that child.

Last year, he drove out the head maid. Today, he slapped the head steward so hard he didn't know which way was up. Twelve-year-old Fan Xian had finally successfully established some semblance of authority in the Earl's residence.

…

…

Ten *li* west of Danzhou Port, the coastline was a treacherous area densely packed with reefs. The sea wind whipped up blue water, hurling it against this spot, where it smashed against the hard rocks, creating a vast expanse of foamy spray.

To the east, a very narrow path snaked through the jagged rocks, appearing and disappearing. Fan Xian came from that path, turned, and faced away from the sea, listening to the deafening roar behind him, and looked up.

Before him was a steep cliff. This coastal peak had been born of nature's own hand, and behind it lay hundreds of *li* of primeval forest and swamp, making it impossible to reach the summit by going around. If one wanted to reach the top, the only way was to climb up the cliff.

Fan Xian glanced at the face of the cliff, his brow slightly furrowed. He immediately recalled the route he often used to climb. However, due to the strong winds by the sea in recent days, some of the rocks that once jutted out from the cliff face, offering support, had become loose. If he were to climb up today, he would have to be extra careful.

Behind him, the waves crashed against the black reefs, unable to overcome the cold, merciless barriers of those stones. They only sent some seawater onto the shallows, making the sand here much wetter than elsewhere. His feet were in the sand, and the edges of his shoes were a bit wet, which felt uncomfortable.

He took off his shoes and placed them in a clean little depression at the foot of the cliff. Then, Fan Xian found some dry, coarse sand and rubbed it on his palms, beginning to regulate the true energy within his body. With his preparations complete, his right hand steadily gripped an inconspicuous projection on the cliff face. With a slight exertion, his entire body rose into the air, and he lightly began to climb.

He climbed quickly, his entire body pressed tightly against the cliff face, looking like some sort of strange animal adept at climbing rocks. Each reach, each foothold, and each exertion appeared smooth and free, without a hint of strain.

Before long, he had nearly reached the top of the cliff. The sea wind swirled around him, dispersing the heat and sweat produced by his exertion, making him feel very comfortable.

"I bet even Jing-gege couldn't climb as fast as I do. But that blind man on the summit is a lot tougher than Ma Yu..."

As he climbed, Fan Xian thought about what had happened in the garden of the residence earlier. He felt that something was a bit strange. If that confidant head steward of the Second Madam had been honest for over a year, why would he have made a mistake today, giving himself this opportunity?

The sea wind carried moisture, so the exposed rocks were a bit slippery. Fan Xian saw that he was about to reach the summit, and his mind relaxed a bit. He was thinking about the things at home, so he lost focus for a moment. His right hand slipped, and he nearly fell.

Seemingly dangerous, but Fan Xian wasn't too flustered. He infused the domineering true energy within him into his left hand, and three fingers gripped the only stone projection he could rely on. His slightly trembling fingers seemed to be deeply embedded in the stone, impossible to dislodge.

A wooden stick was extended down from above, signaling him to grab it.

Fan Xian seemed to avoid the stick, not even looking at it. His body swung back, and his toes pushed against the cliff face. The entire person leaped upward using the momentum, reaching the summit with a near miss.

"Lack of focus can get you killed."

On the cliff's edge at the summit, Wu Zhu, dressed in rough cloth clothing, stood against the sea wind, his eyes covered as always by that black cloth.

Fan Xian ignored him, sat down cross-legged on his own, adjusted himself for a while, then stood up and told him what had happened at the Earl's residence that day, as well as his doubts, hoping to get a definite answer from Wu Zhu.

Wu Zhu said coldly, "Do you think your slap will make the head steward restrain himself?"

"Yes, as long as Grandma is on my side." Fan Xian lowered his head and said. Although he hadn't used true energy just now, the powerful strength hidden in his young, thin body all these years was truly terrifying. And most importantly, the gloomy temperament he showed at that time was truly frightening.

"Then that's fine." Wu Zhu didn't seem to like discussing this issue.

"I'm just wondering why the head steward would cause trouble today. He's been keeping his tail between his legs in Danzhou Port for a year and a half. Under normal circumstances, there's really no reason for him to show his true, ugly colors at this time, unless... he feels he's been enduring a lot, and something is about to happen in Danzhou. In his eyes, I'm no longer a threat to that young master in Kyoto, so there's no need to deliberately please me anymore."

A self-deprecating smile appeared on Fan Xian's young face, looking very out of place.

It was really strange. If Fei Jie had some doubts and fears about Fan Xian's precociousness, Wu Zhu was completely unconcerned about this issue. It seemed that even if Fan Xian turned into an old tree spirit, as long as he was still Fan Xian, Wu Zhu wouldn't have any reaction.

Fan Xian thought that it was probably because the other party was blind, so he couldn't see those expressions that he often unintentionally revealed, those expressions that shouldn't appear on a child's face.

Wu Zhu suddenly said, "This is a minor matter." Obviously, he felt that Fan Xian's analysis was too serious.

"I suspect someone will come to kill me, and that's a minor matter too?" Fan Xian chuckled.

Wu Zhu replied coldly, "Fei Jie and I have taught you so much. If you still can't handle this kind of minor matter, then that would be a major issue."

Fan Xian pondered for a moment, agreed with this fact, and understood that Uncle Wu Zhu wouldn't handle this matter for him.

"Let's begin."

"Yes."

…

…

After a long time, in a remote spot above the cliff, Fan Xian, bare-chested, pitifully moaned in that direction, "Again..."

As soon as the sound floated out over the cliff, a wooden stick came from nowhere, striking him hard on the back, making a dull thud.