Chapter 9: Fang Yuan the Tax Collector

Chapter 9: Fang Yuan the Tax Collector 

The Liquor Worm's Buffet (It's Giving Big Spender Energy)

Fang Yuan stood in his dorm, directing four workers from the inn like a true boss. "Put all the wine jars under the bed," he ordered, his tone calm but commanding. Each worker carried jars of green bamboo wine, their arms straining under the weight. Fang Yuan had just pulled off his primeval stone heist and immediately went full-on business mode, dropping forty primeval stones to secure twenty jars of wine for his Liquor worm.

The workers didn't dare to question him. To them, Fang Yuan was a Gu Master—a big spender and a VIP customer. They scurried around, stacking the jars neatly under the bed while Fang Yuan watched with a cold, calculating gaze.

Once they left, Fang Yuan closed the door and sat cross-legged on his bed. The room was dark, lit only by the faint glow of the moon and stars outside. The night breeze carried a faint floral scent, but Fang Yuan wasn't here to vibe. He was here to grind.

The Primeval Sea (It's Giving Hax)

Fang Yuan closed his eyes, his mind slipping into his primeval sea. The sea churned with green copper primeval essence, its waves rising and falling like a restless ocean. The sea took up 44% of his aperture—a limitation of his C-grade talent. The walls of the aperture glowed faintly, holding everything together.

Floating on the sea was the Liquor worm, chubby and white, looking like a dumpling with rizz. It splashed around, diving into the sea and then leaping out, sending droplets of primeval essence flying. Fang Yuan sent a mental command, and the worm immediately stopped playing, curling up into a ball and floating mid-air.

"Go," Fang Yuan thought, sending a stream of primeval essence into the worm. The Liquor worm absorbed it greedily, radiating a soft white light. A mist of wine fumes formed around it, swirling like a mini tornado.

"Arise," Fang Yuan commanded, sending another stream of primeval essence into the mist. The mist dissolved into the essence, condensing it into a darker, more potent form. The green copper primeval essence transformed into pale green—the signature of a Rank one middle stage Gu Master.

Fang Yuan smirked. "5% middle stage essence from 20% initial stage essence. Not bad. But to convert my entire sea, I'll need more primeval stones."

The Sigma Grindset (It's Giving Hustle)

Fang Yuan opened his eyes and pulled out a primeval stone from his pouch. The stone was smooth and translucent, about the size of a duck egg. He clenched it in his hand, absorbing the natural essence inside to replenish his sea.

"Raising Gu is expensive," Fang Yuan muttered, eyeing his dwindling stash of stones. "But I'm not worried. I've got a plan."

The plan? Extortion. Again.

"Today was just the first time," Fang Yuan thought, a sly smile playing on his lips. "Every seven days, when the academy hands out allowances, I'll be there. Blocking the gates, taking my cut. Easy primeval stones."

He wasn't worried about consequences. This world wasn't Earth. Here, fighting was encouraged—survival of the fittest. The academy elder had already shown he wouldn't interfere as long as things didn't get too out of hand. And Fang Yuan? He knew exactly how far he could push it.

The Aftermath (It's Giving Drama)

Meanwhile, the rest of the village was in shambles.

In the Chi family home, Gu Yue Chi Cheng sat with his grandfather, Gu Yue Chi Lian. Chi Cheng's right eye was still swollen from his fight with Fang Yuan, and his pride was even more bruised.

"Grandpa, Fang Yuan robbed me! He took my primeval stone!" Chi Cheng whined, his voice trembling with anger.

Chi Lian sighed, his expression stern. "This is between you and your peers. I can't intervene. Moreover, I can't believe you just got ratio'd like that."

Chi Cheng clenched his fists. "But Grandpa, he's just a C-grade talent! How did he—"

"Enough!" Chi Lian snapped. "Fang Yuan may be a C-grade, but he's resourceful. You need to focus on your own cultivation. Become stronger. Only then can you reclaim your dignity."

Chi Cheng nodded, but inside, he was seething. "Fang Yuan… I'll get you back for this."

The Fang Family Drama (It's Giving Messy)

Over at the Fang family home, Fang Zheng stood before his honorary parents, his head bowed. "Honorary father, mother… Fang Yuan robbed me too. He took my primeval stone."

Aunt's face twisted with rage. "That ungrateful brat! How dare he rob his own brother?!"

Uncle, however, remained calm. "Fang Yuan won't be expelled. The academy encourages fighting as long as no one dies. This is just… part of the process."

Aunt glared at him. "But he's stealing from our son! We can't just let this slide!"

Uncle shook his head. "We can't intervene directly. But we can use this to our advantage. Fang Zheng is an A-grade talent. He'll surpass Fang Yuan eventually. We just need to guide him."

Fang Zheng nodded, but inside, he was conflicted. "Big brother… why are you in your villain arc?"

The Next Heist (It's Giving Chaos)

A week later, Fang Yuan was back at the academy gates, blocking the entrance like a true menace. The students stared at him, their faces a mix of fear and anger.

"Fang Yuan, you're robbing us AGAIN?!" one student shouted, his voice trembling.

Fang Yuan smirked. "A piece of primeval stone per person. Pay the taxes, or else."

Gu Yue Mo Bei stepped forward, his fists clenched. "I'm not scared of you! Let's go!"

Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Mo Bei charged, but Fang Yuan dodged effortlessly, landing a precise strike to his neck. Mo Bei crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

The students gasped. "HE TOOK OUT MO BEI IN ONE HIT?!"

Fang Yuan turned to the rest of the group, his expression cold. "EZ, who's next?"

The Rizzler's Triumph (It's Giving Unbothered)

By the end of the day, Fang Yuan walked away with a bulging money pouch, leaving a trail of groaning students behind him. The guards rushed in to clean up the mess, muttering among themselves.

"Bro's really out here living his best life," one guard said, shaking his head.

Fang Yuan didn't care. He had primeval stones to spend, Gu to raise, and a grindset to maintain.

Fang Yuan! You're Cooked! (It's Giving Chaos)

Gu Yue Mo Bei stood in the family garden, punching and kicking a wooden puppet like it owed him money. His face was a mix of sweat, bruises, and pure malding energy.

"I've trained hard in basic martial arts for seven consecutive days, but to think I only managed to endure 2 strikes from Fang Yuan and lost consciousness afterwards. Shame, UNFORGIVABLE SHAME!" Mo Bei yelled, his voice echoing through the garden like a man who just lost a Fortnite match.

Suddenly, a laughing voice interrupted his rage-fueled workout. "Little brother, do you have deep hatred for the puppet? Why the great resentment?"

Mo Bei turned to see his sister, Gu Yue Mo Yan, standing there with a smirk. She was a Rank two middle-stage Gu Master, fresh off a mission and radiating big-sister energy.

"Sister, you're back!" Mo Bei exclaimed, his face lighting up like he just got gifted a new gaming console.

"Uh-huh, the family council sent me out for an investigation mission which lasted more than ten days…" Mo Yan replied, her tone casual but her eyes sharp. She immediately noticed the bruises on Mo Bei's face. "Brother, what's the matter with those bruises on your face? Who bullied you?"

Mo Bei panicked. "Ah, it's nothing. I accidentally tripped and fell."

Mo Yan raised an eyebrow. "Tripped and fell? Into what, a meat grinder?"

Mo Bei avoided her gaze, his pride taking another hit. He couldn't admit that he'd been knocked out twice by Fang Yuan, a C-grade talent. That was too embarrassing.

The Mo Family Drama (It's Giving Copium)

Mo Yan wasn't buying it. She stormed into the study room where her grandfather, Gu Yue Mo Chen, was practicing his calligraphy. Without knocking, she barged in like she owned the place.

"Grandfather, what's going on with Mo Bei? Who dared to lay a hand on him?" Mo Yan demanded, her tone sharp.

Mo Chen didn't even look up. "You're back? What's the situation with the wolves' den?"

Mo Yan pouted. "Grandfather, stop deflecting! I asked about Mo Bei first!"

Mo Chen sighed, putting down his brush. "Fine. Mo Bei got cooked—twice. Once seven days ago, and again today. Both times by a classmate named Fang Yuan."

Mo Yan's eyes widened. "Fang Yuan? Who's that? And why is a C-grade talent cooking my brother?!"

Mo Chen chuckled. "Fang Yuan fights well. He's… resourceful."

Mo Yan's jaw dropped. "Grandfather, are you serious? Mo Bei is your blood-related grandson! How can you just let this slide?"

Mo Chen's expression turned serious. "Mo Yan, defeat and humiliation are part of growth. Fang Yuan is just a stepping stone for Mo Bei. Let him handle it."

Mo Yan clenched her fists. "But—"

"No buts," Mo Chen interrupted. "This is a matter between the youths. If you interfere, it'll look like bullying. Do you understand?"

Mo Yan lowered her head, but her eyes burned with determination. "Yes, Grandfather."

The Inn Showdown (It's Giving Comedy Gold)

Meanwhile, Fang Yuan was chilling at the inn, enjoying a meal by the window. The sunset outside was picturesque, but Fang Yuan wasn't here to admire the view. He was here to plot his next move.

Suddenly, a muscular middle-aged man barged in, flexing his biceps like he was auditioning for a bodybuilding competition. "Haha, Gu Yue Fang Yuan, I've finally found you!"

Fang Yuan glanced at him, unimpressed. "Who are you?"

The man puffed out his chest. "I'm Gao Wan, servant of the Mo family! You're cooked, lil bro. Young Miss Mo Yan is on her way to settle the score with you!"

Fang Yuan took a sip of his drink, completely unfazed. "Cool story, bro."

Gao Wan's face turned red. "You think I'm lying? Young Miss Mo Yan is a Rank two Gu Master! You're done for!"

Fang Yuan shrugged. "Okay."

The inn employees watched from the sidelines, whispering among themselves.

"Bro, this Gao Wan is wild. He's really out here flexing on a Gu Master."

"Fang Yuan's too chill. Is he built different or just stupid?"

"Either way, this is about to get spicy."

Just then, Mo Yan stormed into the inn, her red belt and steel plate gleaming. The entire room fell silent as she approached Fang Yuan.

"So you're Fang Yuan?" Mo Yan sneered, her tone dripping with disdain. "You seem to be having a good meal. Hehehe, have you ever had a knuckle sandwich? I'll give you a taste of it—it might be even more delicious."

Fang Yuan looked up, his expression calm. "Who told you I was Gu Yue Fang Yuan?"

Mo Yan froze. "What the sigma?"