Clan Building System: I'm not the Protagonist?!

"Thank you," Fang Joshua said, wiping the sweat from his forehead as he finally stood.

Fang Yuan chuckled lightly. "Tell me—how did you come across this game? It's my first time seeing this game."

Fang Joshua stiffened inside. The Clan Head must be joking, right? He handled the board like a real master. There's no way this is his first time. Is he perhaps… testing my honesty?

With a careful smile, he replied, "I came across it a few years back in Phungrei City. At the time, there was this certain courtesan who played this strange and unknown game. Everyone was curious what it was when she came."

"Oh?" Fang Yuan smirked. "Curious about the game, or curious about her?"

Fang Joshua coughed, ears reddening. "Well… both. She was… stunning—the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen. Naturally, everyone wanted to sit at her table."

Fang Yuan's eyes glinted. "She must be quiet the beauty then, especially when even our great elder Joshua himself is interested."

"Exactly. And she also promised herself to anyone who could defeat her in this game." Joshua sighed, scratching his cheek awkwardly.

"Ah, if I'd known the Clan Head was this skilled at the warfare board, I would've begged you to come along."

"Hm." Fang Yuan leaned back, smiling faintly. "Too late now, I suppose?"

"Yes…" Joshua's tone deflated. "After what befell Phungrei City, the courtesan and the pavilion itself vanished. No one knows where."

Fang Yuan gave a low chuckle, then gestured at the board. "Another round? This time I'll take black."

Joshua's eyes brightened. "Gladly."

Fang Yuan nodded, reaching for the pieces.

But just as he was about to place the first pawn, his expression twitched as he felt something stir his divine sense.

The very next instant, his figure blurred and vanished from the cave leaving elder Joshua stunned before appearing above the Fang family estate.

His voice rolled out as he stared at the open space in front of him.

"Show yourself."

Fang Yuan stood motionless in the sky, waiting.

For a long breath, nothing stirred in the space in front.

Then, without a second delay, he lifted his hand and made a slashing motion through the air with a single slash.

The space shuddered and an old man and a youth got flung out of the space, their bodies tumbling helplessly through the air.

The elder spat a mouthful of blood, his face paling as his wary eyes locked onto Fang Yuan.

Beside him, the younger man trembled, terror etched across his features.

Fang Yuan slowly raised his hand again, his voice calm yet edged with steel.

"I gave you a chance. You should have cherished it."

Fang Yuan's fingers flicked once more, a blade of force tearing through the air.

He aimed just below their vital points.

The old man managed to twist aside, but he couldn't make it in time as his leg split open under the strike, blood trailing as he staggered midair.

Fang Yuan raised his hand once again and his voice rang once more.

"I'll give you one more chance. Are you willing to comply?"

The old man's face hardened. He cast a quick glance at the youth, then moved to shield him with his own body.

"Esteemed master, forgive me. But I will not hand over the young master. If you wish to take him, it will be over my dead body."

Fang Yuan's eyes narrowed, his tone unflinching.

"I've no interest in your young master… nor in you, for that matter."

The old man faltered. "…Then, may I request you grant us safe passage through the lands under your rule?"

Inwardly, Fang Yuan frowned. His instincts screamed that something was amiss, but his outward expression remained perfectly calm.

"I demand compensation," he said evenly. "Surely, you aren't foolish enough to deny me that, when you both know I could kill you easily here and now?"

The old man's throat bobbed as he swallowed hard, uncertainty flickering in his eyes.

But before he could answer, the youth stepped forward.

"I accept your request," he said firmly. "My name is Wei Yichen."

"Young Master!" the old man blurted in alarm.

Wei Yichen silenced him with a glance. "What's there to hide? He is going to be our benefactor. Should we not show our willingness to trust him?"

Fang Yuan's lips curved into a faint smirk.

Earlier, the boy had looked terrified, trembling like an insect. Now, his bearing was calm and composed perhaps even calculating.

Was that fear earlier an act? Fang Yuan wondered. If so, he hides his edge really well.

"You're an interesting young man," Fang Yuan said at last, his tone intrigued.

"I'll be direct. I want the thing you two used just now, the method that allowed you to traverse the void."

"Outrageous!" the old man snapped, his voice shaking with both pain and fury. "Do you even know what you're asking? To demand such a thing, you're clearly toying with us!"

Even Wei Yichen's composed expression faltered, his brow tightening at Fang Yuan's demand.

Fang Yuan's gaze flickered. Did I push too far?

He was starting to consider whether to offer an alternative when the youth suddenly straightened.

"I accept the request," Wei Yichen declared, his voice clear and unwavering.

"Young Master!" the old man cried out, aghast.

"But in return, I ask that you at least drop us in the deepest part of the Dark Forest, in the northern regions," Wei Yichen said with a respectful bow.

Fang Yuan gave a slight nod. With a casual wave of his hand, his divine sense swept across the entire city like a tidal wave.

"Brace yourselves."

The words had barely left his mouth before the world shifted.

The two barely had time to react when the scenery vanished, and suddenly everything was swallowed in pitch-black darkness.

A calm voice echoed in their minds.

"Use your Qi to sense your surroundings, not just your eyes."

Obeying, they spread their Qi and then shapes and outlines flickered into their view, the darkness parting just enough to give them sight.

"I've done my part of the deal," Fang Yuan's voice cut through, cold and steady. "Now it's your turn to fulfill yours."

The two froze, confused and stunned.

That fast? Wei Yichen's mind reeled. What just happened?

The old man, however, muttered under his breath, "Perhaps… perhaps you could drop us at the Wei Empire instead, in the wester—"

His words were cut short as Wei Yichen quickly silenced him.

"He's spouting nonsense, please pay him no heed!"

Turning back, Wei Yichen clasped his fists and bowed deeply.

"Benefactor, thank you for your aid. This favor—I will remember it for the rest of my life."

Then, glancing at the old man, his tone grew firm.

"Senior Ming, please… hand it over."