Fang Yuan and Bai Ning Bing were wanted, and Shang Xin Ci was also well aware of this.
"Why didn't I think of that? Getting Black Earth brother's arrest warrant revoked is undoubtedly what he needs most," Shang Xin Ci thought, deeply agreeing with this plan.
The Shang family was the hegemon of the Southern Border, while the Bai family was just an ordinary clan fortress, and its primeval spring was slowly drying up, making it outwardly strong but inwardly weak. Naturally, the Bai family would listen to Shang Yan Fei's "explanation."
But Fang Yuan shook his head.
This plan seemed enticing, but he had his own calculations. If the Shang family stepped in, he would undoubtedly be branded as one of their men. This would be a huge obstacle to his future plans of approaching the demonic path and aligning with Yi Tian Mountain. It was beneficial in the short term, but harmful in the long run.
This arrest warrant seemed troublesome, but in reality, it posed little threat to Fang Yuan.
What demon didn't have a dozen or so warrants on his head? In his previous life, Fang Yuan had over a hundred!
But what did it matter how many there were?
Ironically, after he founded the Blood Wing Demon Sect in his previous life and dominated his region, many families voluntarily revoked their warrants against him.
Such was the nature of this world. In the end, everything was decided by strength!
According to Fang Yuan's plan, he was already going to stay in Shang Family City for two or three years. During this time, the Bai family couldn't possibly capture them here.
In two or three years, Fang Yuan would have gathered a full set of Gu Insects, his strength would skyrocket, and he would fear the Bai family's warrant even less.
In truth, the Bai family's own situation was precarious and they couldn't even take care of themselves. How could they spare the effort for Fang Yuan and Bai Ning Bing!
Therefore, Shang Yan Fei's thank-you gift plan. In Shang Xin Ci's eyes, it was probably what was needed most. But in Fang Yuan's heart, it had the least value.
So he directly shook his head and refused. "The conflict between us and the Bai family originated from an inheritance. To be honest, we snatched the inheritance and killed two of the Bai family's young masters, and we have never regretted it. The injuries on my body were all inflicted by the Bai family. One day, I will settle the score with the Bai family. I am a man who repays kindness and enmity. I repay a drop of water with a gushing spring, and a spark of enmity with a wildfire that spreads across the plain!"
Saying this, Fang Yuan did not hide his ferocious killing intent.
For a moment, it made the young masters and ladies in the courtyard look at him with surprise and disdain.
"This is the true temperament of the demonic path..." someone said with disgust.
"One person wanting revenge against an entire family? He doesn't know his place," someone said disdainfully.
"Hehehe, to speak so frankly in front of Father. Is this man a fool, or incredibly bold?" someone found it interesting.
The Shang family was the hegemon of the righteous path, yet Fang Yuan dared to admit in front of Shang Yan Fei that he wanted to deal with the Bai family.
He was overbearing and arrogant. It shocked Shang Xin Ci inwardly, but she wasn't surprised. This was Black Earth brother's true nature, wasn't it?
Shang Yan Fei was not offended in the slightest. In his view, Fang Yuan was very open and straightforward. Wei Yang's assessment was indeed accurate. A person like this could be seen through at a glance. Compared to the silent Bai Ning Bing beside him, he undoubtedly liked Fang Yuan more.
"There is no need for you, Clan Leader, to cancel the warrant for us. I need this warrant to constantly spur and push myself to become stronger. I thank you for your kindness, Lord Yan Fei," Fang Yuan said, clasping his fists.
"Since that is the case, the two of you can tell me what reward you want. Don't mention anything about debts being settled. If the Shang family wants to thank someone, they will thank them. This is my rule of conduct, Shang Yan Fei's rule. Even if you throw the gifts away afterward, that is your business," Shang Yan Fei said, frowning, pretending to be displeased.
Instantly, the relaxed atmosphere in the courtyard turned somewhat serious.
The movements of the young masters and ladies raising their cups became cautious.
This was the domineering manner of a Rank 5 Gu Master, the clan leader of the Shang family, Shang Yan Fei.
I want to thank you, even if you don't want it, you have to accept it! Even if you don't want it, you must take it!
Fang Yuan swept his gaze around and laughed heartily. "What if I really don't want it?"
Shang Yan Fei said calmly, his gaze resolute. "That is not for you to decide."
The young masters and ladies saw the two butting heads. On one hand, they inwardly cursed Fang Yuan for being a blockhead, lacking a brain, pushing away the thanks of the Shang family clan leader, something so many outside begged for but couldn't get. On the other hand, they couldn't help but admire his courage.
Shang Xin Ci's palms were sweating from worry for Fang Yuan.
Wei Yang laughed heartily to smooth things over. "I just thought of something. Brother Fang Zheng is injured, his appearance ruined. Clan Leader, why not send for a physician to restore his original appearance?"
"Mn, that is a good idea. Wei Yang, go and summon the Plain Maid Doctor," Shang Yan Fei nodded.
Fang Yuan remained silent as Wei Yang turned into a beam of light and departed.
Shortly after, Wei Yang returned to report: "The Plain Maid Doctor has been invited into the room. Please come in, Brother Fang Zheng."
Fang Yuan had never really cared about his appearance, but now was not the time to be stubborn.
He looked at Bai Ning Bing sitting nearby. "Come along too. We can get your body checked as well."
Bai Ning Bing was about to snort in disdain. Didn't she know her own injuries? But on second thought, she immediately sensed Fang Yuan seemed to have some ulterior motive, and so she agreed.
The two temporarily left the small courtyard and entered the room.
This room was also familiar to them. Back then, they had waited here for Shang Yan Fei for a full three hours without seeing him.
The Plain Maid Doctor was a woman with a graceful figure, wearing a white veil and a long white dress, sitting in her seat sipping tea.
Her relationship with Shang Yan Fei was complicated, full of debts of gratitude and grudges. Her status in Shang Family City was very special. She was a Rank 5 healing Gu Master.
"I'm in a rare good mood today." She gently put down the cup in her hand and looked at Fang Yuan. "You want to heal your injuries? Go and bathe first."
She then extended a slender jade finger, pointing at Bai Ning Bing. "Especially you, little girl. What is that stuff you have smeared on your face? It's dirty and ugly. Go and wash yourself clean before coming back."
Bai Ning Bing was used to concealing her appearance along the way, and she continued to do so even in Shang Family City. A large patch of cinnabar was painted on her face to serve as a birthmark. She also applied special black oil to it, with her hair covering her eyebrows, making her look quite unattractive.
Hearing this, Bai Ning Bing couldn't help but be surprised.
Fang Yuan also showed a surprised expression.
Wei Yang quickly explained. "This is the rule of the Plain Maid Doctor. Everyone who comes to see her must first bathe, clean their bodies, use perfume, and change into a white robe, or else she will not treat them. But rest assured, you two, I have prepared everything. The hot water is ready in the inner room. Please, both of you."
The two entered the inner room, and sure enough, two large wooden barrels had been prepared inside.
Beside each wooden barrel stood two mortal maidservants, clearly there to attend to their bathing.
Bai Ning Bing immediately frowned and said displeasedly: "All of you, get out. I will wash myself."
"This..." Wei Yang's tone was hesitant. These four were the Plain Maid Doctor's subordinates. The Plain Maid Doctor was obsessive about cleanliness in her life. If the maidservants were sent away, she would be worried that Bai Ning Bing might cut corners and not wash properly. If not clean, she usually wouldn't treat.
"Mine don't have to leave. Brother Wei, you go out first. If she doesn't know how to enjoy it, forget it," Fang Yuan smiled.
Wei Yang expressed his concern, but Bai Ning Bing insisted. Wei Yang didn't persist and exited the inner room, closing the door behind him. After all, the one here for treatment was mainly Fang Yuan.
Fang Yuan quickly stripped off his clothes and entered the wooden barrel.
The water temperature in the barrel was just right. One of the two maids sprinkled perfume, while the other scrubbed Fang Yuan's body. Their movements were skilled, showing they were old hands.
Bai Ning Bing stood in front of the wooden barrel, but didn't move, hesitating.
Fang Yuan lay comfortably in the barrel, his arms resting on its edge. He chuckled lightly and said: "Bai Ning Bing. Our identities are already exposed. There's no need to hide and cover up in Shang Family City. Are you afraid to show your true face to others, or what?"
Bai Ning Bing immediately let out a cold snort.
Fang Yuan continued. "I asked you to come along because I'm doing it for your own good. I've long heard of this Plain Maid Doctor's fame. In the Southern Border, she is known alongside the Nine-Fingered Wandering Doctor, the Sacred Hand Doctor, and the Killing Doctor as one of the Four Great Physicians. You can ask her about the Yin-Yang Reversal Gu later."
Yin-Yang Reversal Gu!
Bai Ning Bing's eyes immediately narrowed into slits, a sharp gleam flickering in her gaze.
This was Bai Ning Bing's greatest pain, the main method Fang Yuan used to control her. And Fang Yuan was speaking of it so openly. What was he trying to do? What sinister scheme was he plotting? What was his true purpose?
Countless questions flooded Bai Ning Bing's mind.
The impact Shang Xin Ci had on her mind still lingered, making Bai Ning Bing jumpy and paranoid.
This Fang Yuan guy was simply unfathomable!
Even Shang Xin Ci didn't know her identity, but he did, otherwise he wouldn't have deliberately approached her along the way.
How did he manage this?
Bai Ning Bing couldn't guess the Spring Autumn Cicada; that was a Rank 6 Gu, too distant for her. But she thought of another answer: a Gu with precognitive abilities.
"Fang Yuan must have a precognitive Gu, one that can see the future. I originally thought he was familiar with White Bone Mountain because he had learned from the experiences of his predecessors, but now it seems it must be the effect of this Gu. I just don't know which precognitive Gu he possesses, and which rank it is."
Without a doubt, Bai Ning Bing was under immense pressure at this moment.
Although she understood that all precognitive Gu had their own serious drawbacks. Sometimes, the results of the predictions were even chaotic and erroneous.
But whenever she wanted to deal with Fang Yuan now, she couldn't help but think: Would this method of mine be foreseen by Fang Yuan? Would he turn my plan against me if I used this method?
An enemy who could predict the future was truly terrifying.
In the inner room, the steam gradually filled the air.
Bai Ning Bing stood rooted to the spot, but felt her hands and feet turn cold.
Dimly, she saw Fang Yuan lying in the barrel, with the maidservants bathing him beside him.
She felt Fang Yuan looking at her, with those pitch-black, ink-like eyes, calm and undisturbed like a deep pool, quietly staring at her.
She seemed to hear Fang Yuan's whisper in her heart: What are you going to do, Bai Ning Bing? That's right, this is my trump card, a precognitive Gu. You still want to go against me? Then come! I have already seen the future. You have no chance of winning...
But in reality, Fang Yuan had long since closed his eyes to rest.
Whether Bai Ning Bing washed or not was all a test to kill two birds with one stone for him. It tested both Bai Ning Bing and Shang Yan Fei.
The two maidservants' techniques were very experienced. As soon as the water cooled slightly, they would immediately add more hot.