Shang Yanfei saw that Fang Yuan refused the Yuan Stone, so he proposed another solution: "The two of you are currently wanted by the Bai Family. This is clearly a misunderstanding. I can step forward and explain the situation, getting the warrant revoked. What do you think?"
Shang Xinci was well aware that Fang Bai were both wanted.
"Why didn't I think of that? Getting Brother Heitu's warrant revoked — that's undoubtedly what he needs most." Shang Xinci wholeheartedly approved of this plan in her heart.
The Shang Family were the overlords of the Southern Border, while the Bai Family were merely an ordinary family stronghold. Moreover, the Yuan Spring was gradually drying up, leaving them outwardly strong but inwardly weak. Shang Yanfei's "explanation" would naturally be heeded by the Bai Family.
But Fang Yuan shook his head.
This proposal seemed tempting, but he had his own calculations.
If the Shang Family stepped forward on his behalf, it would essentially brand him with the Shang Family's label. This would be a massive obstacle to his future plans of approaching Demonic Path cultivators and getting close to Yitian Mountain. Beneficial in the short term, harmful in the long run.
This warrant seemed troublesome, but it actually posed little real harm to Fang Yuan.
Which demon lord didn't have a dozen or several dozen warrants on their head? In his previous life, Fang Yuan had over a hundred warrants!
But what did it matter, no matter how many warrants there were?
Ironically, after he founded the Blood Wing Demonic Sect in his previous life and dominated his own territory, many families had voluntarily revoked their warrants against him.
The world was fundamentally like this — in the end, everything came down to strength!
In Fang Yuan's plan, he had already intended to stay in Shang Family City for two or three years. During this time, the Bai Family couldn't possibly come here to capture them.
In two or three years, Fang Yuan would have assembled a full set of Gu Insects, his strength would have increased enormously, and he would be even less afraid of the Bai Family's warrant.
In truth, the Bai Family's own situation was precarious — they could barely look after themselves, let alone concern themselves with Fang and Bai!
So while Shang Yanfei's thank-you offer seemed like exactly what Shang Xinci needed most, in Fang Yuan's heart, it held the least value.
He directly shook his head and refused: "The conflict between us and the Bai Family stems from a certain inheritance. To speak honestly, we seized the inheritance and killed two young masters of the Bai Family, and I have never regretted it for a single moment. The wounds on my body were dealt by the Bai Family's hand. Sooner or later, I will settle the score with the Bai Family. I am someone who repays kindness with kindness, and vengeance with vengeance. A drop of grace repaid with a surging spring, a spark of enmity repaid with a prairie fire!"
As he spoke, Fang Yuan made no effort to conceal his murderous intent.
For a moment, the young masters in the courtyard all turned to look, surprise written on their faces.
"That's a thoroughly Demonic Path temperament..." some said with distaste.
"One person wants to take revenge against an entire family — he simply doesn't know the heights of heaven or the depths of the earth," others scoffed.
"Heh heh, to speak so frankly in front of Father. Is this man a fool, or is he just supremely confident?" some found it amusing.
The Shang Family were the righteous overlords, yet Fang Yuan, right in front of Shang Yanfei, openly declared his intent to deal with the Bai Family.
His arrogance made Shang Xinci's heart skip a beat, though she wasn't surprised. This was the real Brother Heitu, wasn't it?
Shang Yanfei was not the least bit offended. In his eyes, Fang Yuan was straightforward and candid. Wei Yang's evaluation had truly been accurate. This kind of person was easy to see through. Compared to the silent Bai Ningbing beside him, he undoubtedly preferred Fang Yuan.
"There's no need for the Patriarch to intervene on our behalf to revoke the warrant. I actually need this warrant to constantly spur myself on, to whip myself into becoming stronger and stronger. Thank you for your good intentions, Lord Yanfei." Fang Yuan cupped his fists.
"In that case, whatever reward you two want, just name it. Don't give me any talk about debts being settled. The Shang Family wishes to give thanks, and give thanks we shall — that is my, Shang Yanfei's, way of doing things. Even if you throw these gifts away afterwards, that's no longer my concern." Shang Yanfei furrowed his brow, putting on a displeased expression.
Instantly, the relaxed atmosphere in the courtyard shifted to a subtle heaviness.
The gathered young masters all became notably more careful with their drinking motions.
This was the overbearing authority of a Fifth Transformation Gu Master, the Shang Family Patriarch — Shang Yanfei.
I wish to thank you, and whether you want it or not, you will accept it! You must take it whether you like it or not!
Fang Yuan swept his gaze across the room and burst into laughter: "What if I truly don't want it?"
Shang Yanfei spoke calmly, his gaze resolute: "That is not for you to decide."
When the young masters saw the two of them locked in confrontation, some secretly cursed Fang Yuan as a blockhead, a man missing a screw in his head — even the Shang Family Patriarch's gratitude was being pushed away, when countless others outside would beg for such an opportunity. Yet at the same time, they couldn't help but admire his courage.
Shang Xinci's palms were slick with sweat as she worried for Fang Yuan.
Wei Yang laughed heartily and smoothed things over: "I've thought of something! Brother Fang Zheng has been injured, and his appearance is ruined. Why not summon a doctor to restore his original appearance, Patriarch?"
"Mm, that's a good idea. Wei Yang, go fetch Doctor Su Shou." Shang Yanfei nodded.
Fang Yuan remained silent, and Wei Yang departed in a flash of light.
Before long, Wei Yang returned to report: "Doctor Su Shou has been invited inside. Brother Fang Zheng, please make your way in."
Fang Yuan had never cared much about his own appearance, but now he couldn't very well refuse again.
He looked over at Bai Ningbing sitting to the side: "You should come along too. Might as well have yourself checked while we're at it."
Bai Ningbing was about to scoff — what injuries could she possibly have that she didn't already know about? But after a moment's thought, she realized Fang Yuan seemed to have some other purpose, so she agreed.
The two temporarily left the small courtyard and entered the house.
They were familiar with this room. Back then, they had waited here for Shang Yanfei for a full three hours, only to never receive him.
Doctor Su Shou was a woman with a graceful figure. Her face was veiled in white gauze, and she wore a long white dress. She was seated in her chair, sipping tea.
Her relationship with Shang Yanfei was complicated — gratitude, grudges, affection, and enmity all intertwined. She held a very special position in Shang Family City, being a Fifth Transformation healing Gu Master.
"What luck — I'm in a good mood today." She gently set down the teacup in her hand and looked at Fang Yuan. "You want healing? Go bathe first."
She then extended a slender, jade-like finger toward Bai Ningbing: "Especially you, girl. Whatever you've smeared on your face — it's both dirty and ugly. Wash it all off before you come back."
Bai Ningbing had grown accustomed to concealing her appearance during their journey and had continued to do so upon arriving in Shang Family City. She had applied a large patch of cinnabar to her face to serve as a birthmark, along with a special black oil. Her hair hung over her eyebrows, making her look thoroughly plain and unremarkable.
Hearing this, Bai Ningbing was surprised.
Fang Yuan also showed a look of surprise.
Wei Yang quickly explained: "These are Doctor Su Shou's rules. All patients must bathe beforehand, cleaning their bodies thoroughly, applying fragrant oils, and changing into white robes — otherwise, the doctor will not treat them. But rest assured, the two of you, I've already made arrangements. Hot water has been prepared in the inner room. Please, go ahead."
The two entered the inner room, and sure enough, two large wooden tubs had been set up.
Beside each tub stood two mortal servant girls, clearly intended to assist them with their bathing.
Bai Ningbing immediately furrowed her brow and said, displeased: "All of you, get out. I can wash myself."
"This..." Wei Yang hesitated. These four were Doctor Su Shou's subordinates. The doctor was meticulous about cleanliness her entire life — if the servant girls were dismissed, she would likely assume they hadn't washed properly and would generally refuse to treat them.
"My two can stay. You go on ahead, Brother Wei. She doesn't know how to enjoy herself — just let her be." Fang Yuan smiled.
Wei Yang relayed his concern, but Bai Ningbing insisted. Wei Yang didn't press the matter and withdrew from the inner room, closing the door behind him. After all, the main patient was Fang Yuan.
Fang Yuan swiftly stripped off his clothes and stepped into the wooden tub.
The water temperature was just right. One servant girl sprinkled fragrant oils while the other scrubbed his body — their movements practiced and skilled, clearly experienced.
Bai Ningbing stood before her own tub but didn't move, hesitating for a moment.
Fang Yuan lounged comfortably in the tub, his arms resting on the rim, and chuckled softly: "Bai Ningbing, our identities have already been exposed. Now that we're in Shang Family City, there's no need to hide anymore. Don't tell me you don't dare face people with your true appearance?"
Bai Ningbing let out a cold snort.
Fang Yuan continued: "I asked you to come along precisely for your own good. I've long heard of Doctor Su Shou's reputation. In the Southern Border, she, along with the Nine-Finger Wandering Doctor, the Divine Hand Doctor, and the Killing Doctor, are known as the Four Great Doctors. Later, you can ask her about the Yin-Yang Rebirth Gu."
Yin-Yang Rebirth Gu!
Bai Ningbing's eyes instantly narrowed into slits, a sharp gleam flickering within.
This was the greatest pain in Bai Ningbing's heart — the primary leverage Fang Yuan used to keep her under control. And here he was, bringing it up so openly and brazenly. What was he planning? What sinister scheme did he have? What was his true purpose?
A flood of questions surged through Bai Ningbing's mind.
The shock that Shang Xinci had dealt to her psyche still lingered, to the point where Bai Ningbing was jumping at shadows.
This fellow Fang Yuan was truly unfathomable!
Even Shang Xinci hadn't known her identity, yet he had figured it out — otherwise, he wouldn't have deliberately gotten close to her along the way.
How had he managed that?
Bai Ningbing couldn't guess the Spring Autumn Cicada — that was a Sixth Transformation Gu, far too remote for her to even imagine. But she arrived at another answer: a precognitive Gu.
"Fang Yuan must possess some kind of precognitive Gu that can show him visions of the future. I originally thought he was familiar with White Bone Mountain because he had borrowed from the experience of predecessors. Now it seems that was also the work of this Gu. I just don't know which precognitive Gu he possesses, or what Transformation level it is."
Without question, the pressure on Bai Ningbing at this moment was immense.
Even though she understood that all precognitive Gu carried their own severe drawbacks — sometimes even the predictions themselves were chaotic and erroneous — whenever she now considered making a move against Fang Yuan, she couldn't help but think: Will this plan of mine be foreseen by Fang Yuan? If I use this method against him, will he turn it against me?
An enemy who could foresee the future was truly terrifying.
In the inner room, steam gradually filled the air.
Bai Ningbing stood rooted in place, yet felt a chill creeping through her hands and feet.
In a haze, she vaguely saw Fang Yuan lying in the tub, servant girls attending to him.
She sensed that Fang Yuan was watching her — with those ink-black eyes, eyes as still and unfathomable as a deep pool — quietly fixed upon her.
She seemed to hear Fang Yuan whispering in her heart: What will you do, Bai Ningbing? That's right — this is my trump card, a precognitive Gu. You still want to go against me? Then bring it on! I've already seen the future, and you don't stand a chance...
But in reality, Fang Yuan had long since closed his eyes to rest.
Whether Bai Ningbing washed or not, it was a move that killed two birds with one stone — testing Bai Ningbing while also testing Shang Yanfei.
The two servant girls' technique was expert and practiced. Whenever the water cooled even slightly, they immediately added more.