Chapter 122: Mother and Son Confrontation

Tang Mubai was taken aback. "Everything is fine here. Why would she want to leave?"

"It’s all because of that 'Big-Head' Fang!"

The little girl, filled with righteous indignation, raised her small fists and gestured. "That wretched Big-Head Fang said it’s not safe here and that Auntie will only be in danger staying behind. He’s already bought a house in Changhe City, and Auntie can move in as soon as she gets there. He says there won't be any danger at his place, and he’s capable of protecting Auntie, blah, blah, blah..."

The little girl’s mouth moved at lightning speed as she continued to rattle off a list of "Big-Head" Fang’s "crimes."

After listening for a while, Tang Mubai finally realized that it was Auntie Fang’s son, Fang Lin, who had returned.

Because his head was larger than average, Fang Lin had been nicknamed "Big-Head" since childhood. He was a year older than Tang Mubai and possessed decent martial talent, having been admitted to Canghe Martial Arts University last year.

The "Changhe City" the little cousin referred to was actually Canghe City. As the center of the 38th Territory, it was home to the best martial arts university in the region. When Fang Lin was admitted last year, Fang Shuixian had been so overjoyed that she invited the entire mercenary group to a lavish feast at the Miracle Building.

Tang Mubai, who had been a poor student, only had a lukewarm relationship with the "top scholar" Fang Lin. However, due to their connection through Fang Shuixian, they got along reasonably well.

Fang Lin had likely rushed back upon hearing the news of the demi-human uprising in Red Leaf City, hoping to whisk Fang Shuixian away to the safety of Canghe City. With innate-level masters guarding it, Canghe City was indeed a level safer than Red Leaf City.

Yet, Tang Mubai doubted that Fang Lin could afford to buy a house in Canghe City on his own. Perhaps the university provided housing for top-tier students, but given Fang Lin’s talent—which made him a standout in Red Leaf City but likely an average student in a place like Canghe—the odds of him being among the elite were slim. Most likely, Fang Lin was pressuring Fang Shuixian to use her life savings to afford a small apartment there.

Although property prices in the New World were not astronomical, they were far from cheap. Land was scarce, and new buildings were constructed by renovating existing sites. For instance, the complex where Yang Kai lived would eventually be demolished and rebuilt once it reached a certain age. The government strictly controlled prices, and for an ordinary person to buy a home, it often took three generations of savings.

The Miracle Mercenary Group’s headquarters—the four buildings and the central courtyard—had taken Tang Mubai’s father decades of life-risking hunts beyond the frontier to afford just two years ago.

Tang Mubai could understand why Fang Lin wanted to take his mother away, but he didn't think Fang Shuixian would agree. The little girl must have misunderstood.

Just then, two figures walked through the door: Fang Shuixian and Fang Lin.

"Mom, I’ve already found the place. The complex is only five miles from the university; I can just jog to class every day. And once you move there, you can spend time with retired professors and tutors, watch plays, go sightseeing, and play cards. I promise your retirement will be colorful!" Fang Lin said, gesturing with his hands as he followed behind her, trying to persuade her.

"Hmph!" The little cousin let out a sharp cry and turned away, refusing to look at him.

"Xiao Bai, you’re back! I bought some fruit; come have some. Zhenzhen, you too," Fang Shuixian said, busy greeting them as she noticed Tang Mubai.

"Thank you, Auntie Fang." Tang Mubai smiled, walked over, and grabbed two oranges. He tossed one to the little girl, peeled the other for himself, and greeted the newcomer, "Welcome back, Fang Lin."

"Yeah." Fang Lin responded without looking up, continuing his pitch to his mother. "Mom, I’m not lying to you. I won third prize in the university’s grand tournament. With the prize money and your savings, we can definitely afford the place. If you don't believe me..."

"I believe you," Fang Shuixian interrupted with a smile. "My son is the best! You took third place this time, next time it’ll be first! Here, have an apple as a reward!" She shoved an apple into Fang Lin’s mouth.

Fang Lin mumbled, took a bite, chewed, and sighed helplessly. "If you believe me, why won't you go? Canghe is so much better..."

"Red Leaf City is quite nice, too," Fang Shuixian replied casually as she began preparing dinner.

"Red Leaf City is nice?" Fang Lin raised his voice, laughing. "If it were so nice, would there have been a demi-human uprising? So many demi-humans appeared in the city, and the Governor’s Office and the Martial Security Bureau were like blind men—totally oblivious until the attack started, and only then did they scramble to help. Even so, tens of thousands died the night before last!"

"That’s not dozens or hundreds; it’s tens of thousands! Mom, I can tell you for sure that the Canghe Governor’s Office is furious about this! The Governor of Red Leaf City will definitely be stepping down!"

"That’s normal, isn't it?" Tang Mubai couldn't help but interject. "Forget tens of thousands; even if only a few hundred died, the Governor would have to take responsibility and resign. As for the demi-human uprising, who could have predicted that? If I recall correctly, didn't Canghe City have a 'pestilence' five years ago that killed thousands?"

Fang Lin fell silent.

"Haha, Xiao Bai is right. No matter where you are, total safety is unrealistic. No one can predict those unknown dangers."

Fang Shuixian smiled. "I think I’ll stay in Red Leaf City. After all, I’m more familiar with the people here."

"Really?" The little cousin stuffed her entire orange into her mouth, scrambled over to hug Fang Shuixian, and looked up, muffled, "Auntie, you aren't leaving?"

"Did I ever say I was leaving?" Fang Shuixian tapped the little girl’s nose, amused. "It was you, you little girl, who kept worrying for nothing!"

"Yay!" The little girl cheered.

Beside them, Fang Lin looked dejected. "But Mom, I’m worried about you! If something happens while you're here, who will protect you?"

"Ahem, on that note, I think Auntie Fang is quite capable of protecting herself," Tang Mubai said with a light cough.

"What do you mean?" Fang Lin frowned.

Fang Shuixian’s eyes lit up. She set down her work, wiped her hands, and walked toward the door. "Son, come outside with me."

"What for?" Fang Lin asked, puzzled, following her out.

The mother and son stood in the corridor. Tang Mubai held the little girl’s hand and stood at the doorway to watch.

"You’re afraid I have no one to protect me, right?" Fang Shuixian stood five meters away from Fang Lin and smiled. "I’ll show you right now whether I need protection."

"What? Mom, are you going to spar with me?" Fang Lin laughed.

*Roar!*

An explosive tiger’s roar was his only answer. Accompanied by a surge of internal energy, Fang Shuixian unleashed a punch as swift as lightning, lunging toward Fang Lin in a single stride...