Shang Yan Fei recovered rapidly, the mask quickly slipping back onto his face. "All right, Lord Fang Yuan. If that is your request, then I will have a Purple Crystal Relic Gu given to you."
The others at the table were speechless. They knew the value of such a gu worm and the price that their Clan Head would have to pay to get it. Without a doubt, the story of what had happened here would spread throughout the city. More likely than not, though, it would have the intended effect.
Shang Yan Fei did not want any of these Shang Clan Young Masters to be put in a position where they would hesitate to help. With this, though, it was clear that Fang Yuan was adequately- if anything, more than adequately- rewarded. The people gathered there, of course, did not know the full truth. The fact that Shang Xin Ci had been a mortal- even if they dug into the matter, they would not have imagined that Fang Yuan was the one behind turning her into a Gu Master, assuming that it would be her father instead.
If that were kept in mind in the equation, Fang Yuan still had not been fully paid back the favor he had done Shang Xin Ci. Even she was unaware of how precious and rare the gu worm that Fang Yuan had used on her was. It would not be until many years in the future where she would fully realize the value of this gift.
"Additionally, how can I let your companion go unrewarded?" Shang Yan Fei said. "To you, Lady Ling Ding Ching, I will gift one Golden Yellow Relic Gu."
Bai Ning Bing had been so off-put by what had happened until now that she forgot that her name was Ling Ding Ching for a moment before she remembered and then said, "I thank Shang Clan Head for his generosity."
Shang Yan Fei found this Ling Ding Ching to be somewhat more enigmatic than Fang Yuan. Although he could find information on Fang Yuan starting from his birth, Ling Ding Ching had only appeared on Qing Mao Mountain a while ago. Her past before that was accounted for, but not through any independent source other than herself. Such as the name of the place she had grown up in.
For whatever reason, both Fang Yuan and Ling Ding Ching trusted each other and always seemed to be seen traveling together.
"Additionally, I think that I will compensate the two of you with two million primeval stones."
'Isn't Lord Father going too far?' many of those seated around the table thought. Even Wei Yang, who was somewhat fond of the two of them after having spent some time and also aware of how Shang Yan Fei tended to act, did not anticipate this level of generosity.
Several final toasts were given as the event wrapped up and Fang Yuan and Bai Ning Bing returned to the room they were renting.
"Fang Yuan, how did you manage to find out that Shang Xin Ci was who she was?" Bai Ning Bing asked.
"What are you talking about? All I saw was a helpless girl in need of aide, which greatly moved my gentleman's heart. Nothing more," Fang Yuan said.
Bai Ning Bing: ...
Fang Yuan: ...
"It's almost impressive how shamelessly you can say that with a straight face," Bai Ning Bing said.
Fang Yuan's impressive acting did nothing to fool his "wife." Speaking of, Fang Yuan was considering 'divorcing' her as soon as possible to be freed of Poison Vow Gu. But that was hardly time-sensitive.
"What are you planning to do next?" Bai Ning Bing asked.
"Once we get our respective relic gu, I plan to return to Bei Gu Mountain."
"Return? For what?"
"There are many things I need to take care of there, after all, we can't just abandon our clans, now then can we?" Fang Yuan said. "And we can also pick up things that will help us as well. Like primeval stones. We should take the White Form Immortal Snake, the whole trip should only take about a week."
He spent some time in the market buying certain gu worms that he was after. The two of them had split Shang Yan Fei's reward as per their agreement.
Fang Yuan was in no rush - there was still time to put his own plans into motion. The Three King's Inheritance would open in roughly two years. He had things to find within Shang Clan City, but they were not urgent.
Wei Yang delivered the two relic gu the next day personally. Naturally, he noticed their preparations.
"Lord Fang Yuan, the two of you are leaving so soon?"
"Well, only for a short trip," Fang Yuan said. "We'll be back soon enough."
These words were hardly reassuring to Wei Yang. Naturally Shang Yan Fei wished for the two of them to remain in the city for as long as possible. And so what if Fang Yuan said that he would be back? What if something happened which made it difficult for him to return?
Now that they had the relic gu in question, it was easy enough for them to bade the city farewell. Fang Yuan could always find either the Wu or Tie Clan to exchange goods with as a Rank 5 Gu Master. As for Ling Ding Ching, if she really wanted to test out the arena there was one within the Wu Clan as well.
"Are you sure you have to leave?"
"I have left my younger brother in charge, but he's still new to this and needs my guidance. Not to mention it's good for the stability of my clan if I show my face here and there," Fang Yuan said. "My presence could easily deter the movements of other Gu Masters and also beasts - saving countless lives in the process."
Wei Yang realized that there was little further that he could say.
He could not openly restrict Fang Yuan and Bai Ning Bing from leaving - after all, guests who could not leave were just prisoners.
His mind worked rapidly until he came upon a solution, which he presented the two of them that evening.
It was a bit of a gamble, but there was also little further that he could do. However, if he had gotten the measure of Fang Yuan's character, this should work.
"Before you leave, Lord Fang Yuan, I have a request from Lady Shang Xin Ci," Wang Yei said, approaching them as they had finished with their preparations.
"Oh? What is that?" Fang Yuan asked.
"She told me that she greatly appreciated the time spent with you - and the care with which you taught her how to cultivate. If possible, she would like to continue taking lessons from you within the Shang Clan," Wang Yei said. "If you would agree to be her private tutor."
Bai Ning Bing snorted inwardly. To ask for a Rank 5 Gu Master to be her personal tutor? Even if she was the Shang Clan Head's daughter, this was far too much! If she wanted to be taught by a Rank 5 Gu Master, she should've asked her dearest daddy rather than running to Fang Yuan!
"Of course, this will not go without appropriate compensation," Wei Yang added. "If you agree, I can provide the two of you with this as initial payment." He took out two blank tokens. An experienced eye like Fang Yuan's could tell what they were at a glance, even if they lacked their characteristic violet color.
Purple Thorn Tokens!
"Why, I would be delighted to spend some more time teaching Shang Xin Ci," Fang Yuan said. "She was a brilliant student - the kind that any teacher would love to have!"