Chapter Twenty-One: The Rogue Guest

  "Why must you see what this world is like?" Wu Zhu seemed to be pondering a question. "The place where you stand now, isn't it also a part of this world?"

  Fan Xian didn't know how to answer, since he was from another world, he would naturally be interested in many aspects of this world, and the question that had been haunting him for a long time was: How did he come to this world?

  Six years ago, when Master Fei was still teaching in Danzhou, he mentioned the Temple of Gods. At that time, Fan Xian wondered how it was possible for him to transform from a dying patient on Earth to his current self as a young man. What other explanation could there be besides divine intervention? Therefore, he became very curious about the Temple of Gods and wanted to see what it was like.

  As for Kyoto, it's also a place he really wants to go. Fan Ruo Rou doesn't know if she can live a happy life under her stepmother's tyranny, and after being separated from Fei Jie for a few years, she also has the idea of going to visit that lovely perverted old man.

  Most importantly, having lain in bed for a long time due to illness in his past life, and being confined to the body of a young child in this life for a long time in Dancheng, contrary to his living circumstances, a flame began to burn in Fan Xian's heart. This flame was enough to scorch his spirit, stimulate his desires, and make him want to do something, get something.

  Peace and ambition, power and happiness, love and beauty... These seemingly incompatible terms flashed through his mind like a fleeting light. After much deliberation, he carefully replied: "If human life only has one chance, then we must go see different scenery, meet different people, so that the game that cannot be replayed can be enjoyed to the fullest."

  This was Fan Xian's true words. In his past life, on the sickbed before he died, he had thought that if there was another life, how should he spend it.

  "What's your plan?" Wu Zhu said.

  "First and foremost, one must ensure their own survival." Fan Xian crouched down again and threw another stone, but this time without much force, so the stone shattered on the grey reef below. "Therefore, one must have the ability to protect oneself."

  "Then?"

  "Then I set myself three goals."

  Wú zhú ān jìng qīng tīng.

  Translation: Wu Zhu listened quietly.

  "Firstly, I want to have many, many children. Secondly, I want to write many, many books. Thirdly, I want to live a very good life."

  Fan Xian spoke of such absurd and unbelievable things with great calmness, without a hint of embarrassment.

  In his heart of hearts, since this world is not Earth, he would be the only representative figure of Earth's humanity in this world. According to biological principles, as a representative of human flesh and blood heritage, he should have an obligation to give birth to many children in this world.

  At the same time, he also considers himself a representative of human cultural heritage on Earth. How many magnificent artistic achievements have humans created from ancient times to the present? Yet, in this world, they can't be found anywhere. If he doesn't write (or copy?) many, many books, and let Cao Xueqin, Bill, and other cultural heritages shine brightly in this desolate world, he really feels sorry for those lonely sages in parallel universes... Of course, most of all, he feels sorry for himself.

  Naturally, he also regards himself as the only representative of Earth's humanity to observe this world, so he must ensure that he lives comfortably, only in this way can he prolong his life and observe for a few more years.

  It wasn't until many years later that Fan Xian somewhat shyly acknowledged to himself that he was actually just seeking a great excuse for the deeply hidden lust, shamelessness and greed in his heart.

  On the cliff by the sea, Wu Zhuo seemed to need some time to understand what Fan Xian's three goals meant. He analyzed very calmly: "Then you need to marry many wives, find many concubines, and invite many servants."

  "Rouke?" Fan Xian knew that scholars and poets often used this phrase, but he still didn't quite understand.

  "A down-and-out writer who is used to writing manuscripts for others, without the right to sign their name."

  Fan Xian smiled to himself, thinking that he was going to let the old Cao and Sha become his top gunslingers, so he didn't need those annoying guests. Just as he thought this, he heard Wu Zhu continue with her calm and overly simplistic analysis.

  "If you want to marry many wives, hire many servants, and invite many guests, then you need to earn a lot of money. If you want to earn a lot of money, you need a lot of power; if you need a lot of power, you need to be close to the center of power in this country."

  Wu Zhuo turned around and left neatly: "When you are sixteen years old, we will return to Kyoto."

  Behind him, Fan Xian still stood at the edge of the cliff in a daze, thinking to himself that he had only casually revealed some not-so-outlandish thoughts, so why would this somewhat problematic and exceptionally powerful individual jump to conclusions about national power? And then make such a sudden decision to return to Kyoto - Fan Xian naturally remembered that on the day he was born into this world, he was carried by Wu Xing as they escaped from Kyoto.

  He patted his face hard to get out of this emotional state, ran after him and said with a smile: "Uncle, I've poured my heart out to you, you gotta give me something in return, right?"

  "What would you like to know?"

  "My mother's affair, why are we being hunted down in Kyoto?"

  "Miss's affairs, I will tell you everything when you are 16 years old, this is Miss's last words. As for the people who chased and killed us, there is no need for you to know, because they have all been dead for ten years."

  ———————————————————————

  When he returned to Danzhou Port, it was already noon. Far outside the city, Fan Xian had parted ways with Wu Zhu and entered the city alone. The residents of the city were already accustomed to this young master of the Fan Manor often going out for a stroll outside the city. Although there were no large wild beasts or particularly dangerous places near Danzhou City, some people still felt that the Earl's manor was too neglectful of this illegitimate son's safety.

  After all, in people's eyes, Fan Xian still looked like an eleven or twelve-year-old boy at this time.

  The residents of Xiangzhou, who spend their days idly at home with nothing to do and don't have to pay taxes to the imperial court, always have too much free time to come up with some very strange ideas from many things. For example, they wonder if some people in the Marquis's estate hope that the illegitimate child will be eaten by a wild beast outside or fall off a cliff to death.

  Thinking of that little boy who always had a cute smile on his face living in such a dangerous mansion, everyone felt a thrilling sense of excitement.

  Fan Xian didn't know what these passersby were thinking, still maintaining a slightly shy smile on his face, he lowered his head and returned to the Earl's estate.

  Knowing he was coming back for dinner today, all the servants were waiting for him. The old lady sat on a reclining chair, her eyelids half-closed as if she was dozing off.