He stared at the unfamiliar man before him. Was this still his son? When had he become so distant? At that moment, Yun Fan felt as though something had slipped away from the depths of his heart, never to be grasped again.
"You." Guilt flickered in Yun Fan's eyes. He wanted to call out Yun Di's name, but the words wouldn't leave his lips.
In the past, he had always thought Yun Di was too reckless, flaunting his status as the town leader's son without restraint. Time and again, he had felt disappointed in him, yet he had never truly paid him any real attention. Every time Yun Di caused trouble, he never listened to his explanations, directly pinning the blame on him.
But now, seeing that Yun Di no longer needed him at all, a pang of bitterness surged in his heart.
Yun Di, however, didn't care what his father thought. He had long since given up on him.
"Since everything's settled, let's go." Ye Lanshan nodded at him and walked out.
Yun Di naturally followed without looking back.
"Son, now that you're home, won't you stay for a meal before leaving?" Yun Fan's voice seemed to have aged several years. Yun Di's steps faltered for a moment, but he kept walking.
"If you're reluctant, we could stay a few more days," Ye Lanshan said, fully aware that he hadn't completely given up on his father.
"Yeah, after all, he never really did anything truly harmful to me. At most, he was too careless, completely blind to Si Mingyue's true nature and Yun Kong's schemes."
"But I still can't forgive him for betraying my mother like that." Though Yun Di outwardly showed no emotion toward Yun Fan, deep down, he still craved paternal love.
"Maybe you're misunderstanding your father? I think you should give him a chance. After all, he's still your father. You don't want your relationship to end up like strangers from now on, do you?" Ye Lanshan didn't want Yun Di to regret it for the rest of his life. Missing this chance, who knew when they'd be back?
"Alright, I'll listen to you. Maybe Father really didn't betray Mother?" Yun Di returned to the Yun residence.
But what he saw was Yun Fan's grim face. The look in his eyes as he stared at Yun Di was dark and heavy—far from the gaze a father should have.
A wave of disappointment washed over Yun Di. He shouldn't have come back.
"Ungrateful wretch, you even killed Yun Kong. He was your brother!" How could Yun Fan not be furious? Yun Kong had been raised by his side for years, and naturally, he felt more affection for him than for Yun Di, who had only ever brought disappointment. But he never expected this.
"Brother? Is that what you think? Yun Fan, do you still remember what you promised Mother? A lifetime with only one person. Did you keep that promise? You let the murderer of my mother become the matriarch, and while she was still alive, you got drunk and favored a servant, even letting her bear your child."
"Is this your so-called 'lifetime with only one person'? I will never acknowledge him as my brother. Since you think I'm an ungrateful wretch, I'll make it clear right here. From today onward, I sever all ties with you. You are no longer my father." Yun Fan sneered coldly, turning and leaving the Yun residence without a backward glance.
Yun Fan stood there as if struck by lightning, frozen in place. It took him a long moment to realize that his only bloodline had cut ties with him. Now, he was truly alone.
He closed his eyes, memories of Yun Di's mother flooding back—a gentle, elegant woman who was decisive in action. He recalled her playful words: "We agreed on a lifetime with only one person. You can't go back on your word. If you betray me, I'll make sure you lose your wife and child, spending the rest of your life alone."
Maybe this was karma. Yun Fan's once-straight back bent, the light fading from his eyes. A bitter smile crept onto his lips as he slowly walked back inside.
Yun Di pointed at the tranquil valley before them and said, "This is the Medicine Valley. The Sikong family has close ties with it. My uncle was once the valley master, but he was betrayed by a scoundrel who took over."
"The Medicine Spirit Jade is the token of the Medicine Valley master, isn't it?" Ye Lanshan wasn't slow-witted; she guessed it immediately.
"That's right. My uncle had a premonition and entrusted the token to my mother for safekeeping. But that venomous woman Si Mingyue dared to kill her."
At the mention of this, a burning hatred flared in Yun Di's heart. Though Si Mingyue was already dead, he felt that letting her die so easily was far too merciful. It couldn't quell the rage within him.
"If that's the case, then Si Mingyue has been controlling the Medicine Valley all these years?" Ye Lanshan raised an eyebrow. She found it hard to believe that someone like Si Mingyue could manage the valley, filled as it was with proud alchemists who were hardly easy to control.
"Of course not. The one controlling the Medicine Valley now is Sikong Yan'guang, Sikong Cheng's right-hand man." Yun Di snorted. A woman like Si Mingyue might have some schemes, but she lacked the ability to dominate the Medicine Valley.
"I see. So your plan is to reclaim the Medicine Valley first, then go to the Sikong family?"
"Yes. If we take back the Medicine Valley first, retaking the Sikong family will be much easier." Yun Di had known these two factions intimately since childhood; their ties were tightly interwoven.
Though the Medicine Valley was renowned, it was full of alchemists, making it easier to deal with than the Sikong family.
"Hey, who are you? Don't you know this is Medicine Valley territory? We don't receive visitors. Go back where you came from!" Before they even reached the valley's entrance, a young boy in an alchemist's robe jumped out, trying to shoo them away.
"Tsk, is this how the Medicine Valley treats its guests? The so-called premier alchemy sanctuary, and you don't even know basic courtesy?" Ye Lanshan shook her head, disdain clear in her eyes. How utterly arrogant.
Unbearable, the boy erupted in anger. "Who are you, you insolent rats? How dare you act so brazenly before the Medicine Valley? Aren't you afraid of its wrath?"
"Go tell your valley master that I'm here to challenge him. Have him come out and face me." Though Ye Lanshan wore a gentle and refined expression, her attitude was unapologetically arrogant.
After all, this was the Medicine Valley, filled with alchemists of immense pride. If she wasn't even more arrogant than them, it would be hard to bring them to heel.
"What? You're challenging us? Are you out of your mind? You, challenging the Medicine Valley? Our challenges are always about alchemy!" The boy looked Ye Lanshan up and down. She was beautiful, but far too young. Though she carried an air of ethereal grace, her attitude was far too cocky.
"I'm here to compete in alchemy. Stop dawdling and call your valley master out." A smile curled at the corner of Ye Lanshan's lips. By now, everyone in the valley must be fuming, right?