Gale winds reveal the strength of grass; turmoil reveals the heart of a person.
Seeing the expression on Shang Xinci's face, Fang Yuan felt no pride. The most important part was yet to come.
He continued, "There is one thing I must make clear to you."
"Please speak, sir." Shang Xinci extended her jade-like fingers, lightly dabbing at the corner of her eyes to compose herself.
"Bai Yun and I are both members of the Demonic Path," Fang Yuan said.
Shang Xinci nodded without any look of surprise. She had long anticipated this possibility. Before this, Zhang Zhu had also harbored this suspicion and advised her to be wary of the Fang-Bai pair.
So Shang Xinci was already mentally prepared, and she accepted this fact naturally.
She had no cultivation aptitude and had been born as an illegitimate child. Her different life experiences had made her precocious, giving her a deep understanding of the true nature of this world.
Besides, for her at this moment, there were no good options to choose from.
Fang Yuan's voice turned cold. "Those of the Demonic Path have always been ruthless. Bai Yun and I are no exception, and both of us have blood on our hands."
Shang Xinci unconsciously pressed her lips together.
"If you trust me, I will be able to help you. But don't worry—once I feel I have repaid the debt of gratitude I owe you, I will quietly disappear. I won't let you have any entanglements with Demonic Path members. However, before that happens, the two of us will appear under the identity of Gu Masters from the Zhang family. I hope Miss Zhang can help us maintain this cover," Fang Yuan said evenly.
A glint of determination appeared in Shang Xinci's eyes. "Please, Master Heitu, just call me Xinci. Though you walk the Demonic Path, you are an honest man—a man of principles. Xinci is not so pedantic as to think the Righteous Path is free of hypocritical and filthy scum. To have your protection is Xinci's good fortune."
"Heh heh heh." Fang Yuan laughed long and deep, gazing at Shang Xinci with profound meaning. "I hope you won't come to regret this in the future."
Shang Xinci was about to speak when a voice suddenly came from outside the tent.
"Is Zhang Xinci in this tent?" A haughty male voice, not elderly.
"Gu Master, please wait. My young miss is currently discussing important matters inside," Xiao Die said, blocking the way.
"Important matters? Heh. The Zhang family's entire merchant goods have been donated. What important matters could there be to discuss?" The visitor sneered.
"Gu Master… ah!" Xiao Die suddenly let out a shrill cry, followed by the sound of her being kicked to the ground.
"Get out of the way, you lowly maid! How dare you block my, Ou Fei's, path!"
Panic and worry flashed through Shang Xinci's beautiful eyes. She was about to stand and go out, but Fang Yuan held her down.
The tent flap was abruptly thrown open, and a sinister-looking young Gu Master appeared before the two of them.
"Zhang Xinci!" The young Gu Master's gaze immediately locked onto Shang Xinci, making no effort to conceal the desire and greed within it.
"Heh, finding you here certainly took some effort." He curled his lips, raised his chin, and with the commanding air of someone who held all the cards, let his gaze roam freely over Shang Xinci's entire figure.
Shang Xinci wore a green robe, delicate as a lotus blossom, devastatingly beautiful.
This vision had long since taken root in the hearts of many in the merchant caravan. Ou Fei, in particular, had been yearning for her day and night. He had pursued her several times, only to be rejected each time. He had wanted to use force, but with Zhang Zhu around, he had been forced to endure.
Now that the Zhang family's only Gu Master, Zhang Zhu, was dead, and Shang Xinci was nothing more than an ordinary mortal, Ou Fei had long coveted this stunning beauty. Now he finally had his chance.
Ou Fei's gaze, brimming with desire and aggression, made Shang Xinci's heart clench. A wave of desolation rose within her.
She had voluntarily surrendered the merchant goods, yet she still couldn't secure her own safety. Her beauty had become her curse. These Righteous Path Gu Masters usually wore masks of moral superiority, but now their true faces were showing.
Shang Xinci understood clearly that Ou Fei was merely the most impatient one. Behind him lurked many more pairs of wolfish eyes.
"I wonder what business brings Master Ou Fei here?" Shang Xinci rose and offered a bow.
"Ha ha ha!" Ou Fei threw his head back and laughed. "I've come to help you, Xinci. My little sweetheart, your family's Gu Master hasn't returned, has he? He's certainly dead. A weak girl like you can only rely on me to make it out safely. Poor little thing, you don't need to thank me. I'm just this kind-hearted. Now come with me."
As he spoke, he stepped forward and reached for her.
Shang Xinci's face went pale. She was a young girl after all, and she involuntarily took a half-step back.
This delicate, pitiful appearance only stoked the flames of desire in Ou Fei's heart even higher.
"You can't go with him, miss!" Xiao Die rushed in and threw her arms out, standing in Ou Fei's way.
Ou Fei flew into a rage. With a sharp crack, he slapped Xiao Die across the face.
Xiao Die fell instantly to the ground. Her cheek swelled red in an instant, and the slap left her dizzy with her ears ringing.
"Xiao Die!" Shang Xinci quickly crouched down and helped her up.
"Miss, please run! Even if I die, I will never let him take you away!" Xiao Die struggled to her feet, glaring at Ou Fei with a gaze that held fear, fury, and grim resolve.
"Lowly maid, you want to die? I'll oblige!" Ou Fei, humiliated and enraged, raised his hand, ready to strike again.
Suddenly, a large hand seemed to materialize from thin air and seized his arm with a vicious grip.
"Who goes there?!" Ou Fei was startled. He looked closely and saw an ugly man dressed as a household slave, gripping his arm.
"You've got some nerve!" Ou Fei's face twisted with fury.
He tried to pull his arm free, but Fang Yuan's grip was like an iron clamp—completely immovable.
"You dog of a slave, are you going to let go or not?!" Ou Fei was consumed with rage. Killing intent surged within him, and he was about to mobilize his True Essence when Fang Yuan suddenly smiled.
His face was covered in burn scars, and he was missing an ear. The cold smile he wore now gave off a deeply sinister and terrifying aura.
Ou Fei's heart lurched with fear. Fang Yuan released his grip.
Then he raised his foot and slammed it viciously into Ou Fei's stomach.