Futile Devices Scans

Fu Xi Yan suddenly roared, “Uncle! You’re here!”

Without breaking stride, Chu Shao Yang continued running forward. Did Fu Xi Yan honestly think the same trick would fool him twice? Did he take him for a three-year-old child?!

“What is the meaning of all this commotion?”

Fu Xuan’s voice came from outside the crowd, causing Chu Shao Yang to halt abruptly. The pear on his head had not expected the emergency stop and was not wearing a safety belt, so it immediately rolled forward and fell. Chu Shao Yang casually reached out and caught it.

As Fu Xuan walked in, the crowd naturally parted before him. His gaze first swept over Fu Xi Yan, who was standing obediently to one side, then passed through the crowd and settled upon Chu Shao Yang’s face.

Chu Shao Yang immediately felt currents of energy pouring toward him from every direction. Like seawater seeping into every opening, they restrained his entire body and rendered him completely unable to move.

Realm suppression!

Fu Xuan had accurately targeted him through an entire crowd. To exercise such suppression so freely, he had to possess at least middle-to-late Vajra Stage cultivation. Chu Shao Yang’s uncle, who had remained at the early Vajra Stage for years, had not lost unjustly.

Hidden among the crowd, Hu Yu saw Fu Xuan look toward him from a distance and had no choice but to step forward. “The youngsters were merely feeling competitive and wanted to exchange a few moves.” He belonged to the same generation as Fu Xuan, so referring to them as youngsters did not sound inappropriate.

Fu Xi Yan immediately walked toward Chu Shao Yang with great enthusiasm. “Exactly. Brother Chu and I took to each other at first sight when he arrived and simply had to spar. Clearly, word of my greatness has already spread far and wide, making me a lofty peak others can only look up to.”

Chu Shao Yang: “…”

In order to dodge Fu Xi Yan’s slingshot, he had placed some distance between himself and the crowd. At that moment, an empty space of several zhang surrounded him. This was precisely why Fu Xuan could suppress his realm without anyone else noticing.

However, the moment Fu Xi Yan approached Chu Shao Yang, Fu Xuan withdrew the pressure.

Abruptly released, Chu Shao Yang swayed involuntarily. The pear slipped from his fingertips, but Fu Xi Yan bent down and scooped it up. He stroked it affectionately, his gaze drifting intentionally—or perhaps unintentionally—over the top of Chu Shao Yang’s head. Smiling, he said, “Brother Chu is also an outstanding young talent. Our struggle was so evenly matched that we can truly be called worthy opponents.”

I’m playing Go while you’re playing five-in-a-row. Worthy opponents, my ass! Chu Shao Yang thought bitterly. Both he and his uncle had misjudged Fu Xi Yan. According to their original expectations, once he issued the challenge, Fu Xi Yan would have only two choices:

First, grit his teeth and accept, then suffer a crushing public defeat;

Second, invent an excuse to avoid the fight, thereby humiliating the Fu family.

Neither of them had expected rigid, proper Fu Fu to raise such a shameless son! Amid jokes, mockery, and casual banter, Fu Xi Yan had completely shattered their scheme.

Towering waves of fury surged within Chu Shao Yang, and he wished he could smash them directly into the faces of this uncle-nephew pair. Unfortunately, circumstances were stronger than men, so he still had to force out a smile. “Brother Fu is correct.” Still unwilling to let the matter rest, he added, “There will be plenty of time ahead. I hope we will have an opportunity for a genuine exchange someday.”

Since there would be plenty of time ahead, tomorrow’s troubles could be left for tomorrow. Fu Xi Yan smiled. “Oh my, we’ve only just met, yet Brother Chu already wishes to follow in my footsteps. Being outstanding is truly such a burden.”

Chu Shao Yang: “…”

If your uncle were not here…

If my uncle were here…

You might not be here anymore!

Although Fu Xi Yan did not know the dark and vicious thoughts filling Chu Shao Yang’s head, he still knew how to read a person’s expression. Having gained the advantage, he wisely stopped while he was ahead and returned to Fu Xuan’s side. Just as he was about to take a bite of the pear, it was confiscated.

Holding the pear, Fu Xuan swept a cold gaze across everyone present. “Do none of you need to train?!”

Everyone hurriedly formed ranks.

Zhu Yu Da moved beside Fu Xi Yan and whispered, “We brothers failed to think matters through properly this time.” They had originally intended to intimidate Chu Shao Yang, only to nearly entrap one of their own instead. The more he thought about it, the more frustrated he became!

Fu Xi Yan patted his shoulder. “They came prepared. Even if we hadn’t given them an opportunity, they would have created one themselves.”

Zhu Yu Da carefully considered his words, then suddenly said, “You’re right. I need to investigate who suggested this welcoming ceremony! And that Hu Yu—he hid himself remarkably well!”

Fu Xi Yan looked at Zhu Yu Da’s solemn retreating back, then at the members of the Chu faction whispering with Chu Shao Yang, and silently sighed. Once a man entered the jianghu, he no longer controlled his own fate. As someone who had entered through connections, his mere existence was an original sin in the eyes of those with ulterior motives.

Nevertheless, after surviving this test, Fu Xi Yan’s standing within the Fu faction improved somewhat. He was no longer merely a bug in their defenses, but a bug capable of applying its own patch in time.

Fu Xi Yan, simultaneously a bug and a patch: “…” Thank you for the compliment. Let there never be a next time!

Of course, it was impossible for the Fu faction to admire and like him wholeheartedly. Most of them were reckless men who worshipped the principle of fighting even if it left their heads split open and blood pouring down their faces.

The intensity of that day’s training was even greater than usual.

By the time his shift ended, Fu Xi Yan’s mind was filled with nothing but an aching waist, a sore back, and cramping legs. He wanted to take Mega Calcium, swallow some Brain Platinum, sit in Daddy’s arms, and sing, “Why are there little stars all over the sky?”… Ah.

Zhu Yu Da caught up with him from behind. “Fourth Young Master, tomorrow is your rest day.”

A delighted smile spread across Fu Xi Yan’s face. “This is so sudden.”

“You rest during the day and take the night shift.”

Fu Xi Yan: “…”

His smile immediately disappeared. “This is so sudden!”

After spending several days with him, Zhu Yu Da knew exactly where his weak spot lay and added, “There is little to do at night. You may even find time to nap.”

But after being misled so many times, Fu Xi Yan was no longer the sweet, naive fool he had once been. The imperial palace was heavily guarded, with strict restrictions on movement, and the Chu faction was watching nearby like tigers stalking their prey. How long could he possibly nap? Long enough to blink in slow motion? Spare him! As a chubby man, reversing day and night would only worsen his already subhealthy condition.

The moment Fu Xi Yan returned home, he begged Fu Xuan to use his connections and transfer him away from night duty. Naturally, it would be even better if Fu Xuan could grant him a long leave so he could remain at home and repair the fragile glass heart Chu Shao Yang had frightened into pieces.

Fu Xuan had already intended to discuss the day’s incident. Upon hearing this, he said, “Tell me how he frightened you.”

At that, Fu Xi Yan immediately became animated. With vivid emotion, he described Chu Shao Yang’s ferocity and cunning as he had “forced an innocent man into prostitution,” placing particular emphasis on Fu Xi Yan’s own confusion and helplessness at the time.

Fu Xuan said, “In other words, you relied on opportunistic tricks to force a draw?”

Fu Xi Yan was displeased. “Given that we are uncle and nephew, calling it ‘opportunistic trickery’ sounds rather unkind.”

“Heh. Given that we are uncle and nephew, why would I stop at merely sounding ‘rather unkind’?” Fu Xuan’s face grew exceedingly long. “You were utterly reckless! How could you dare accept a challenge from someone at the Bone Forging Stage? If Chu Shao Yang had not been young and too concerned about appearances, I might have arrived only in time for the older generation to bury the younger!”

Fu Xi Yan felt that this was an exaggeration. “There were so many people present. Uncle Zhu was there as well…”

“What? Did you expect everyone to start an armed brawl for your sake inside the imperial palace and get dragged outside to be beheaded together?”

That was too serious. Far too serious. Fu Xi Yan lowered his eyelids. “Surely I’m not hated enough to inspire that?”

Fu Xuan snorted coldly. “Members of the Chu family have always been narrow-minded.” That was why he had deliberately used realm suppression to bully someone younger, drawing some of Chu Shao Yang’s hatred toward himself and diverting attention away from his foolish nephew.

Fu Xi Yan asked dejectedly, “Was I trying to be clever only to make things worse?”

“There is no need to worry too much. From the moment I defeated Chu Guang, the Chu family and I were already enemies.” Seeing Fu Xi Yan’s gloomy expression, Fu Xuan finally relented. “Report for duty as usual tomorrow. I will make arrangements regarding the night shift.”

As expected, having connections at court made everything easier. Reassured, Fu Xi Yan returned to researching soap.

Fu Xuan went back to his room, changed his clothes, and immediately went to find Fu Fu.

Fu Fu was in the study sampling pastries sent by several concubines. When Fu Xuan entered with a grave expression, his own mood became heavy as well. “Did Fourth cause trouble?”

Fu Xuan said, “We will set that aside for now.”

So he had indeed caused trouble. The pastry in Fu Fu’s mouth instantly lost its flavor, and his gaze involuntarily drifted toward the saber rack.

“The Chu family may be planning something significant.”

Fu Xuan’s words drew his attention back.

“Hmm?” Fu Fu said. “Isn’t Chu Guang still recuperating from his injuries?”

Fu Xuan briefly recounted what had happened that morning. “Chu Shao Yang is one of the Chu family’s most outstanding younger descendants. His entry into the Yulin Guard cannot possibly be a wasted move. I have asked Eunuch Zhang to observe matters discreetly.”

What exactly he had been asked to watch went without saying.

Fu Fu began to lose his composure and stated the question plainly. “There has still been no reassignment from the palace?”

Over the past several days, officials from every ministry had engaged in open and covert struggles, resulting in numerous promotions and demotions throughout the bureaucracy. Why had the Fu family alone remained stuck in an awkward position, neither rising nor falling? Could it be that the damned emperor had once again decided not to behave like a human being?

Fu Fu pondered for a moment before saying, “Xia Qing is currently discussing marriage with the Grand Guardian’s Estate. I will ask Madam Fu to send a calling card tomorrow and visit the Grand Guardian’s wife. If Noble Consort Liu supports us within the palace, we will be less passive in the future.”

Surprise appeared on Fu Xuan’s face. “Brother?”

Fu Fu smiled bitterly. “His Majesty possesses towering ambition. If I continue stubbornly clinging to old ways, I fear I truly will destroy the century-old foundation of Count Yongfeng’s Estate.”

Grand Guardian Liu Yan Sheng had been the emperor’s childhood study companion, and the two had grown up together with extraordinary mutual understanding. When the emperor wished to behead someone, he handed him the blade; when the emperor grew tired, he massaged his waist. He was someone who truly held a place in the emperor’s heart. Since the empress’s death, responsibility for palace affairs had been entrusted to his younger sister, Noble Consort Liu, clearly demonstrating the extent of her favor.

The declining Fu family had only managed to arrange this marriage because Fu Li An had been a classmate of the other family’s concubine-born son. Yet after the two families began marriage discussions, Fu Fu had worried that becoming too close to them would offend the noble military faction to which he belonged. As a result, he had hesitated, keeping the relationship neither close nor distant. The present situation, however, forced him to make a final decision—

Would they sink quietly into obscurity, or risk everything on one decisive gamble?

Fu Xuan said, “We will have to trouble Sister-in-law.”

Madam Fu came from an aristocratic family and was exceptionally skilled at diplomacy. The Fu family’s collateral branches had refrained from visiting and causing trouble for so many years entirely because of her efforts. Her talents had only gone unnoticed because the Fu family had possessed so little presence within their social circle in recent years.

While Madam Fu prepared to rally herself and expand the family’s diplomatic operations, Fu Xi Yan was staring incredulously at a newly formed bar of soap, utterly convinced by his own brilliance.

“As expected, I am this dynasty’s… beacon of scientific progress!”

Excitedly, he extended his palm toward the sunlight.

The evening glow evenly outlined its rounded contours, making him sigh in admiration. “What an incredible golden finger!”

“Young Master,” the young servant’s calm voice intruded discordantly, “is it used the same way as pig-pancreas soap?”

Fu Xi Yan awakened from his ecstasy and turned around. His soul nearly flew from his body—the young servant was holding a basin of water, preparing to test it.

“What are you doing? Put that down first. We can discuss this calmly.”

Fu Xi Yan carefully rescued the soap from the bewildered servant’s hands. It had taken him countless hardships, endless anticipation, painstaking effort, and every conceivable method… to finally produce it. Unable to resist, he touched it, rubbed it, kissed it, and licked it—

“Blegh!”

Previous

Main

Next