Chapter 126: Chapter 122: Rock-Paper-Scissors, a Deal, and Estrangement

Before she could finish, two streams of clear tears rolled down like pearls. ’Senior Sister Ning was right,’ she thought, her heart aching. ’Men are all heartless. They only care about whether you’re useful to them.’

Fang Cheng weighed the pros and cons, finally letting out a long sigh. "I really don’t know what to do with you all!"

With that, he removed the magical artifact that disguised him, returning to his usual appearance.

He then disrobed and stepped into the bath, wrapping his arms around the two women’s slender, smooth waists. He looked at Ye Yan and said sternly, "You must never act so rashly on your own again."

Ye Yan nodded obediently, like a little girl who had done something wrong.

Fang Cheng then turned to Wen Qianqian and said gently, "Why are you talking such nonsense? I’m very happy that you could come. It’s just that I have some difficulties I can’t speak of. You have to understand."

The moment he embraced her, the familiar feeling returned, and the anger in her heart inexplicably vanished. But to save face, she huffed and deliberately turned her head away from him.

Fang Cheng held the beauty tighter and smiled. "Alright, what’s done is done. Let’s not talk about who was right or wrong. In ancient times, a goddess descended to the mortal realm for a secret tryst with a cowherd. We are mere mortals, so how can we let such a beautiful night go to waste?"

Wen Qianqian’s pretty face flushed red. She was both shocked and shy. ’From the sound of it,’ she thought, ’is he suggesting... the four of us?’

Ye Yan teased, "Sister Wen has been deprived for a long time. Why don’t you go first?"

Wen Qianqian said shyly, "You’re the main wife. You go first."

Both women were afraid of putting Fang Cheng in a difficult position, so they began to defer to each other.

Die’Er softly broke the tension, "Why don’t we play rock-paper-scissors..."

At her words, the four of them burst into laughter.

...

Using the excuse that she and Ye Yan had hit it off right away and were now as thick as thieves, Wen Qianqian stayed at Purple Cliff Cave for a full seven or eight days before leaving.

During that time, their days were filled with teasing and laughter, and their nights with amorous delights. It was a joyous time.

The restrictive seals on Zheng Feiyu’s storage bag were finally broken by the Vajra Gu. When Fang Cheng opened it, he was slightly disappointed to find nothing of value inside other than over twenty thousand Spirit Stones.

’To think that a dignified Elder of the Zheng Family is poorer than the Ten Thousand Poison Taoist.’

But on second thought, the Ten Thousand Poison Taoist had operated in Netherworld Valley for many years, his wealth growing daily as he extorted Loose Cultivators.

The Zheng Family, on the other hand, was a large and sprawling clan; it was already a struggle for them just to break even.

How could these small and medium-sized families, who relied on their cultivation-related skills to maintain their livelihood, possibly compare to a power that held a regional monopoly?

Thus, even though both had the backing of the Life Talisman Realm, the Ten Thousand Poison Gang was richer.

The Cao Family, which dominated its own territory, was also stronger than the Zheng Family, which was subordinate to other top-tier families under the Flame God Palace.

But in terms of future prospects and potential, the Zheng Family, with its powerful backer, had the upper hand.

The various pros and cons involved were too complex to be explained in just a few words.

One day, Wang Daqian sent another Flying Sword Communication, inviting Fang Cheng to meet at the Cultivation Association’s headquarters.

What was once the Ten Thousand Poison Gang’s base had since been renovated beyond recognition. When Fang Cheng arrived, he could no longer see any trace of its former occupants.

Wang Daqian met Fang Cheng at the entrance to the Cave Mansion and said in a low voice, "Zheng Feiyu is dead."

Fang Cheng put on a shocked expression. "Who did it?"

Wang Daqian shook his head. "No one knows. The Zheng Family sent another Elder, who supposedly met with the Cao Family Master for half a day before leaving."

He paused for a moment, then smiled. "But the matter with the Jiujiang Alliance is considered resolved for now. The reason I called you here today is for another important matter."

As they spoke, the two entered a lavishly decorated Quiet Chamber.

He Yujing, Monk Po Jie, and Ning Suyun were all present. They each greeted Fang Cheng as he entered.

Monk Po Jie’s left leg had been replaced with a Vajra Pestle. His aura was stable, and he seemed to be in no great distress.

The entire Cultivation Association headquarters was deserted, with no one else around.

Seeing the curious look on Fang Cheng’s face, He Yujing explained in a deep voice, "This matter is of great importance, so I had Mr. Wang ask the other members to leave for the time being. It’s just the few of us here now."

Fang Cheng took a seat. "What important matter might this be?"

He Yujing gestured for Wang Daqian to speak.

Wang Daqian began, "When Brother He got the Monk back from the Cao Family, he had to accept two jobs from them as a condition."

Fang Cheng asked, "Who are the targets?"

Wang Daqian replied, "One is an Elder from the Wang Family, and the other is an Elder from the Li Family. Both have a Ninth-Layer Sensing Cultivation..."

Fang Cheng was stunned. "The Cao Family is trying to stir up trouble?"

The Cao, Wang, and Li families were the only three Cultivation Families in the vicinity of Netherworld Valley.

Among them, the Cao Family had the longest history and the most power. The Netherworld Cao Family even had a minor reputation within Yun Country.

The Wang and Li families, however, were sworn enemies!

The two great families had been fighting over a Spirit Vein for more than three hundred years, with no resolution to this day.

Of the three families, the Li Family’s strength had declined sharply in recent years. The two Life Talisman Cultivators in their family had met with successive accidents and perished. If not for a Tier Two Copper Corpse suppressing their clan’s fortune, they would have likely been annihilated by the Wang Family long ago.

Now, it was said that the Li Family’s Tier Two Copper Corpse had been severely wounded by a Wang Family Life Talisman Elder who was nearing the end of his lifespan and had sacrificed his life to do so. This news sent ripples through the region, stirring up turbulent undercurrents.

The Cao Family was clearly using He Yujing to escalate the conflict between the other two families and trigger an all-out war, allowing them to swoop in and reap the benefits like the proverbial fisherman.

However, they cherished their reputation and were unwilling to leave any evidence that could be used against them.

After all, the unique Magic and Divine Techniques that every cultivator develops over long years of arduous training are too distinctive. This was especially true for the Cultivation Techniques of Noble Family Cultivators, which were widely known. If they acted themselves, their identities would be exposed instantly.

Wang Daqian quickly explained the full story.

Ning Suyun asked in her gentle voice, "Won’t the Cao Family just betray us and kill us to tie up loose ends?"

This was the same question Fang Cheng wanted to ask.

’If they’re unwilling to leave any evidence,’ he thought, ’then they’ll definitely kill the hired hands afterward to ensure their silence.’

His recent endeavors as a Tribulation Cultivator had been going smoothly, and he wasn’t particularly interested in taking on such a high-risk contract.

Wang Daqian glanced at He Yujing and nodded. "It’s highly likely."

He Yujing said in a low voice, "The Cao Family offered me a reward I couldn’t refuse."

Monk Po Jie remained silent at the side, having clearly known about this all along.

Fang Cheng’s mind raced, and he immediately guessed the answer. "Is it the last two ingredients for the Celestial Lake Spirit Pill?"

He Yujing nodded. "Cao Kui has already given me one of them. The other is in the Li Family’s spiritual medicine fields. If we can instigate a clan war between the Wang and Li families, we’ll have an opportunity to acquire that Spiritual Medicine."

The Celestial Pool Pill is a Treasure Pill used for forging a Life Talisman. If He Yujing could obtain this pill, he would have a high chance of taking the next step and breaking through to the Life Talisman Realm.

But refining this pill was incredibly complex and difficult, and the required Spiritual Medicines were exceptionally rare.

Now that He Yujing was only two Spiritual Medicines away, how could he possibly give up?

He continued, "If we can all make it out of this alive, when I successfully refine the Celestial Pool Pill in the future, I guarantee everyone present will get a share."

At this, Monk Po Jie looked around at the group and declared, "Boss He saved my life. Forget about the Celestial Pool Pill, I’m in for these two jobs."

Wang Daqian smiled. "For Loose Cultivators like us, forging a Life Talisman is as hard as ascending to the heavens. Now that we have a sliver of a chance, how can we possibly miss it?"

Ning Suyun pondered for a moment before saying, "I may not be confident about breaking through to the Life Talisman Realm myself, but if Fellow Daoist He succeeds in the future, you must owe me a favor."

He Yujing nodded. "But of course."

Finally, all eyes turned to Fang Cheng.

There weren’t many Late-stage Sensing Cultivators in Netherworld Valley to begin with, and the others had long since formed their own cliques. Fang Cheng was a newcomer to their circle, and none of them were sure what choice he would make.

However, they had all witnessed Fang Cheng’s immense strength. If he agreed to help this time, their success would be virtually guaranteed.

Fang Cheng said frankly, "These two jobs require me to kill others while also preventing myself from being killed. I don’t believe my strength is sufficient, so for now, I won’t be joining you."

His words were met with a variety of expressions from the others.

He Yujing smiled. "No matter. Fellow Daoist Fang has a boundless future ahead of him. There’s no need to take such a great risk."

Fang Cheng smiled and clasped his hands in a gesture of apology.

Wang Daqian sighed. "In that case, could Fellow Daoist Fang please give us some privacy? We need to discuss the details of what comes next."

Fang Cheng rose gracefully. "In that case, I’ll wish you all a swift and decisive victory."

Everyone nodded in acknowledgment, but a subtle rift had formed between them.

Fang Cheng turned, walked out of the Cave Mansion, and returned to Brocade Cloud Stream.

...