Chapter 200: Chapter 197: There Shouldn't Be Golden Scales in the Pond_1
With this matter, only Lin Bozhong had no qualms about eating, joking. How could he possibly feel embarrassed? He was the old man who had often followed Young Master Fang and Madame Xuan for meals. Could he really be like these folks who hadn't seen much of the world?
During the meal, several butlers inevitably engaged in small talk, while Fang Ren remained mostly silent, his expression indifferent throughout and speaking only a few courteous words.
"The Fang Family has truly produced three heroes in this generation," said Butler Liu with a smile.
"Indeed, Young Master Fang was able to concoct a fourth-grade miraculous pill within 15 minutes at such a young age. Mr. Liqun and Mr. Li Zhong also possess exceptional talents in cultivation. The Fang Family's generation is surely set to surpass the preceding one," Housekeeper Wang also commented.
"Speaking of which, to this day, my heart is still full of shock. A fourth-grade upper level pill from Young Master Fang has overturned my decades of understanding of pills," said Butler Cao.
On the surface, Lin Bozhong replied with a smile, but in his heart, he didn't have much liking for Fang Lizhong and Fang Liqun, the other two young masters of the Fang Family. In his eyes, no one in the Fang Family could outshine Young Master Fang.
No, to put it more accurately, Lin Bozhong believed there was not a single person among the younger generation on Earth who could compare to Young Master Fang.
In just two months, Young Master Fang advanced from zero cultivation level to the peak of the Chongshan Realm, and at twenty-two, he could casually concoct fifth-grade pills.
What could other people do in two months? What were they doing at twenty-two? Even Madame Xuan had only reached the early stages of the Yuanxin Realm in two months, and even the world's most talented Alchemist had to be over seventy years old to scarcely produce fifth-grade pills.
If one were to talk solely about talent, Lin Bozhong felt that the strongest Practitioner and the strongest Alchemist in the world combined could not even touch a hair on Young Master Fang.
In his eyes, Young Master Fang was nothing less than a formidable genius who had defied the heavens.
Yet, this heaven-defying genius preferred to keep a low profile, stay out of trivial matters, and not engage in petty squabbles. He did not seek glory in the presence of others and consistently ranked third from the bottom in his achievements...
If it weren't for Madame Xuan's matter, it was likely that Young Master Fang would have never desired to showcase his talents.
...
After the meal, Fang Ren and Bai Qi headed towards the hotel, while the few elderly gentlemen stood at the entrance of the restaurant, watching the two leave.
"After this meal, Young Master Fang has truly overturned my perception of the younger generation," said Butler Liu as he watched Fang Ren's unassuming silhouette, shaking his head with a sigh.
Chen Cheng laughed and said, "It's rare to see Brother Liu so appreciative of a junior. How do you think Young Master Fang compares to Song Mobei of the Tiandao Sword Sect?"
Butler Liu frowned slightly and said, "I've never seen such an indifferent young person; even Song Mobei of the Tiandao Sword Sect, in this respect, likely can't match Young Master Fang's demeanor and mindset."
"Brother Liu, don't flatter him too much. There's still a big gap between Young Master Fang and Song Mobei," said Lin Bozhong with a smile.
In truth, he very much agreed with the others, but he felt it was better not to elevate his Young Master Fang too highly.
Butler Liu still shook his head and sighed, "Brother Lin, I genuinely admire Young Master Fang, truly, without a hint of flattery."
"In this regard, I very much agree with Brother Liu," said the Butler of Wang Family, "At this morning's alchemy competition, facing the ridicule of hundreds of people, he remained unfazed, focused on his alchemy. When the two invigilators started fighting just half a meter away, he remained calm.
After the pill was made, at his moment of great success, he was neither arrogant nor rash, overlooking the faults of petty people, not seeking instant verbal victory. Such mentality is truly rare among the young."
Butler Cao chuckled and shook his head, "All the good words have been said by you two. However, seeing Brother Liu, who has deep cultivation in education, show such admiration for a junior is truly rare."
...
The men casually chatted for a bit before heading toward the site of the alchemy competition, while Lin Bozhong and Chen Cheng were to return to the hotel to watch over the younger members of their families.
As Lin Bozhong and Chen Cheng left, the conversation among the three old men of the families became more open.
"They say that the Young Master Fang was once an abandoned castoff of the family. What do you two brothers think of this matter?" Housekeeper Wang asked.
Butler Cao replied, "The affairs within the Fang Family are complex. Nobody knows what exactly happened within the Fang Family back then. Although the Fang Family is very strong now, it is severely divided internally. I've heard that this is related to the incident when this Young Master Fang was sent away from the family."
Butler Liu spoke with a hint of seriousness, "A golden scale is not a common thing in the pool. Perhaps even the Fang Family isn't worthy to possess this young man. If I'm not mistaken, there's more to Young Master Fang than what we've seen today."
"Oh?" Both Wang and Cao looked surprised.
"Brother Liu, what do you mean by that?"
"I've heard many rumors about Young Master Fang, and one of them is his academic performance at school, which has consistently been the third from last," Butler Liu pondered for a moment before speaking, "He seems to be someone unconcerned with the world, indifferent to how others view him. A person like this should never shine in life because no matter how you advise him, he won't listen.
Only if he himself possesses the desire for greatness will he act. But such a person, why would he participate in this kind of competition? I guess something or someone must have touched a line that he cannot withstand, and this line... is very likely related to the internal strife and divisions of the Fang Family.
If so, then his talent and abilities may not be a blessing for the Fang Family, and that is why I say perhaps the Fang Family is not deserving. Besides, do you think he seemed serious today? Nothing of note really happened at the examination site today to warrant such a usually indifferent person to become earnest."
"Brother Liu, if your deduction is true, then troubles could greatly escalate in the Fang Family. Moreover... Young Master Fang's abilities will surely enable him to become a vast ocean that gathers hundreds of rivers. If he so wishes, he could undoubtedly become the leader of a faction..."