A dozen people, both men and women, the oldest no more than twenty-four or five, the youngest only thirteen or fourteen.

Here, at thirteen or fourteen, one can already start a family and establish a career.

Their cultivation base varies.

The more advanced ones are Martial Artists and Mages, while the less advanced are no more than Three Blood, even down to Second Blood.

"Greetings, Mr. Fang Sr.!"

Everyone performed a respectful salute.

"Hmm."

Fang Zheng nodded, glanced at everyone, and then spoke slowly:

"You should know that here in Gu’an County, I, Fang, can still offer some protection. If you work diligently, you should have no worries about food and clothing. Outside, chaos reigns, and bandits run rampant. A slight mistake may bring fatal danger."

"You are so young, you should be enjoying the comfort of your parents. Why venture outside, disregarding life and death?"

"Mr. Fang Sr." One person stepped forward, cupped his fists, and replied:

"The world is in chaos, presenting us a great opportunity to serve the Imperial Court and seek a promising future. How can we miss this?"

"Heh..." Fang Zheng chuckled and shook his head, yet did not persuade further.

He himself had advanced from an ordinary person and knew how difficult it was for those without inheritance or background to take a step further.

In chaotic times,

for ordinary people, it’s something to avoid.

But for some, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Just like advanced Martial Dao inheritance, in ordinary times, ordinary people wouldn’t even have the chance to come into contact.

Now,

as long as they achieve military exploits, they can receive rewards.

Even if luck is on their side, they could receive guidance from a good mentor, assistance from Elixirs, and have the chance to soar high.

This was something Fang Zheng could do nothing about.

He indeed had wealth, but maintaining thousands of elite soldiers was already stretching things thin. He also had a family to take care of, so he had no extra resources to share with others.

"You!"

His gaze settled on someone among the crowd, Fang Zheng pointed with his hand:

"Your name is Xu Ji, right?"

"Yes." A young man of fifteen or sixteen stepped forward, showing joy and cupping his hands:

"I didn’t expect Mr. Fang Sr. to remember me."

"Hehe..." Fang Zheng laughed and said:

"I remember you stayed by Fang Heng’s side for a while. Is the Xu Family so short of food that they need you to go out and earn it?"

"Well..." Xu Ji looked embarrassed and replied:

"I plan to venture out. A man cannot always rely on his family."

Fang Zheng nodded.

The Xu Family, in Gu’an County, is considered wealthy, and logically, there shouldn’t be a need for their younger generation to venture out on adventures.

It seems,

something must have happened to Xu Ji.

Perhaps a family conflict, or perhaps some other reasons led to his expulsion.

Fang Zheng was uninterested in the specifics but was interested in Xu Ji himself.

"Fortune!"

Early on, when the dozen people entered the great hall, Fang Zheng used the Celestial Secret Compass to deduce their futures.

Most carried an aura of death, bound for disaster.

Only Xu Ji and another young man with a simple face had fortune-telling results that were auspicious.

Xu Ji.

Was especially a sign of great fortune!

With the aspect of a fish leaping over the dragon gate.

"You are willing to be loyal to the country, unafraid of life and death, which is rare and commendable." Fang Zheng thought quietly and then spoke:

"However, this journey is perilous, be extremely careful."

"So..."

He beckoned to Shangguan Duo on the side:

"Give them each ten silver taels, and let them choose a weapon from the warehouse as a gift from me."

"Yes." Shangguan Duo bowed and agreed.

The dozen people below, upon hearing this, were even more delighted and hurriedly thanked him:

"Thank you, Mr. Fang Sr.!"

"Thank you, Mr. Fang Sr.!"

"Father." At this time, Fang Ping’an, who had been standing guard in the hall, spoke softly:

"I also want to go to the Prefecture City."

"Hmm?"

Fang Zheng’s face turned somber:

"Nonsense!"

"Why do you want to go to the Prefecture City? That place is in chaos. Do you also want to make the family worry like your brother?"

"No." Fang Ping’an’s expression changed and said:

"I have a few friends in the Prefecture City, and I don’t intend to engage in combat. I’ll rescue them and leave."

"Friends?"

Fang Zheng frowned. Fang Ping’an’s personality was different from Fang Heng, and he didn’t have many playmates.

For someone he considered a friend, it must be a true friend.

But...

"No!"

He decisively refused:

"Some things are not as simple as you think. Once you leave Gu’an County, even your life and death are hard to control."

"Father!" Fang Ping’an clenched his teeth:

"I really... can’t not go!"

"You!" Fang Zheng burst into anger, his temper rising, only held in check by decades of self-restraint.

"What? Are you disobeying me now too?"

Fang Ping’an lowered his head without a word.

"..."

Fang Zheng turned his head, his face serious.

"Forget it!"

After a long while.

He waved a hand, his will suddenly becoming extraordinarily dispirited:

"Once grown, children won’t stay close!"

"If you must go, take Lu Zhi and the things I prepared for you, and remember, if anything happens, seek out the Little Princess."

Hmm?

Before he finished speaking, the Celestial Secret Compass suddenly trembled, as if indicating something.

"Yes!"

Fang Ping’an was overjoyed:

"Thank you, Father!"

"Once I get to Zhaonan Prefecture, I will report to Princess Shuyi first and will not act rashly."

Fang Zheng shook his head.

The reason he agreed was, first, the Celestial Secret Compass’s deduction that Fang Ping’an’s journey would be safe despite surprises.

Secondly, he knew his son’s personality. Although seemingly steady, he was actually quite stubborn.

If told not to go, he might sneak away anyway, just like Fang Heng, causing unnecessary worry, so he might as well let him go.

In addition,

he had prepared a few life-saving Spirit Talismans, bought at great expense, for Fang Ping’an. Encountering Masters, there would be a chance to escape.

In conclusion.

Since he couldn’t prevent it, he might as well agree.

"Go!"

Fang Zheng sat down in despair, waving his hand weakly:

"Write home often, don’t make the family worry."

"Yes."

Fang Ping’an bowed and agreed, then slowly retreated.

Shortly after.

Shangguan Duo came to report that the young people had received their weapons and silver and were heading towards the Prefecture City.