Inkman King
---
After five days.
Hei Lou Lan stood at the Hei Alliance entrance, bidding farewell. "Old Sir Black Shadow, I am entrusting you with this mission. I hope you succeed," she said, projecting her authority as the Alliance Leader.
The Hei tribe's scheduled team battle with the Dong Fang tribe was only days away, yet Hei Lou Lan already considered it her victory.
Confident in her impending success, she prepared to negotiate with tribes like the Ma tribe, offering them enticing benefits to join the Hei Alliance and expedite the end of the Imperial Court Contest. For this delicate mission, she had initially chosen Tai Bai to ensure a smooth alliance.
As the number one healing Gu Master in northern plains, Tai Bai was essential to Hei Lou Lan's plans. Sending him before the team battle showed just how certain she was of her victory as she was sending away the best healing Gu master for the team battle.
But Fang Yuan wouldn't let things go this way.
Fang Yuan had received a message from Lang Ya urging him to visit the blessed land quickly for mutual benefit. This prompted Fang Yuan to rearrange the plan—he would go in Tai Bai's place.
Hei Lou Lan hesitated initially, valuing Tai Bai's reputation, but Fang Yuan showed her a letter, from Tai Bai himself, stating that he would vouch for Fang Yuan with the Ma tribe. Fang Yuan assured her that as Tai Bai's senior brother, he could represent him fully.
Finally, Hei Lou Lan agreed. With Tai Bai's presence vital in the upcoming battle, sending Black Shadow as an envoy seemed the best option.
Besides, Fang Yuan's skills as a refinement Gu Master wouldn't be particularly useful in the upcoming battle, making it more strategic to send him on the diplomatic mission.
With this in mind, Hei Lou Lan concluded that dispatching Black Shadow was the better choice, allowing Tai Bai to remain for the upcoming battle. Then after the battle, she could assign him to more critical tasks with other tribes.
---
As Fang Yuan soared through the sky on his blue cloud, he distanced himself from the Hei Alliance, musing, "I'm sure that the upcoming battle will end in Hei Lou Lan's victory. Dong Fang Yu Liang will only put on a show before withdrawing. Giving him a healing Gu to cure his sister was a good move."
"The Imperial Court Contest will conclude faster than ever with my secret involvement."
"I'm confident in Hou Luo Lan," Fang Yuan muttered, his gaze turning dark, "but even if I were there and she was in a difficult spot, I have no intention of stepping in any battle. Any involvement on my part could draw suspicion from the immortals watching, risking an investigation into my identity." His expression grew even more serious. "If they delve into Tai Bai's memories or uncover anything unusual, everything I've built could fall apart. I need to tread carefully."
Fang Yuan continued until he reached a secluded spot, carefully releasing his investigation killer moves to ensure no one was around. Satisfied, he shifted to his original form.
"Lang Ya asked me to come sooner than I'd planned," he muttered, regaining focus. "AI Chip, what's the status of the recipe?"
[Beep! The immortal recipe completion is at 92%. Estimated time remaining: 5 ~ 12 days.]
"Alright. I can stay with Lang Ya until it's finished," he concluded, activating his fixed travel Gu to transport him directly to Lang Ya Blessed Land.
---
Lang Ya blessed Lad
swish
In the familiar room where he always teleported to, Fang Yuan sensed Lang Ya's welcoming presence just outside.
"Hello, my friend! I appreciate your quick arrival," Lang Ya greeted him warmly.
Fang Yuan returned the smile. "How could I resist? You promised me I'd gain much by coming here."
Lang Ya chuckled, clearly pleased. "Come, there's someone here eager to meet you."
Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow, suspicious. "Someone wants to meet me? Lang Ya, you didn't share my information, did you?"
"Ah...well, perhaps I did, just a little." Lang Ya averted his gaze. "I may have mentioned the prophecy and, in passing, brought up your name."
Fang Yuan sighed. "If we weren't friends, I'd think you were trying to get me into trouble." He shook his head but followed Lang Ya without further protest.
---
At the Tea Table in Lang Ya Blessed Land
"Fang Yuan, I'd like you to meet my friend, the Inkman King, Mo Tan Sang," Lang Ya introduced with pride.
Mo Tan Sang had a middle-aged appearance and had a mighty disposition, his appearance was that of an Inkman, he had black skin and thick white hair.
"Sir Fang Yuan, I've heard incredible things about you. If not for the Land Spirit's truthful nature, I'd find it hard to believe." Mo Tan Sang said with a friendly smile that gave people a feeling of great closeness.
Currently, the five regions were dominated by humans. Variant humans were living while pressured on all sides; many were sold as slaves or raised as pets, their livelihood was rather difficult.
But in northern plains, inkmen had the most favorable status among the variant humans.
Many variant humans had no fixed residence and would have to wander around like vagabonds. But inkmen had established a city in northern plains, which possessed three inkman Gu Immortals.
Mo Tan Sang was the inkman city's king. Under his leadership, the inkmen were able to resist pressure from various forces and withstand the covetous gazes of countless Gu Immortals, defying immense pressures to maintain their independence.
It was not easy to maintain the inkmen's survival, it served to show how talented and skilled this Inkman King was.
---
Fang Yuan muttered inwardly, "I had waited for your invitation ,Mo Tan Sang."
Maintaining composure, Fang Yuan smiled slightly. "It's an honor to meet the renowned Inkman King, whose presence exudes such majesty."
"Please, there's no need for such high praise," Mo Tan Sang replied humbly.
Fang Yuan chuckled lightly. "I had no idea Lang Ya and the inkmen were such close allies."
Mo Tan Sang took the initiative to explain: "Lang Ya land spirit and I have been very good friends for many years. In truth, inkman city has always had close relations with Lang Ya blessed land. This time, Lang Ya extended an invitation, presenting us with a valuable opportunity."
And without a pause, he continued, "He mentioned he would welcome the inkmen into his Hairy Men Alliance. Then he spoke of the prophecy and told me he would give me the opportunity to join. Naturally, I was skeptical at first, but Lang Ya explained how you were able to predict the details of the coming calamity and the attackers, assuring me that you had made an agreement to speak the truth before giving the prophecy. Since the Land Spirit cannot lie, I had to believe it was real."
"I'm truly amazed by your abilities, Sir Fang Yuan. You are undoubtedly a leader in the wisdom path—a true model for all wisdom Gu Masters."
Fang Yuan's eyes flickered in surprise, his expression stiffening at the lavish praise and even more at Mo Tan Sang's familiar words—'a leader in'—'a model for'.
Beside Fang Yuan, Lang Ya's face flushed red with embarrassment, clearly uncomfortable that everything had been revealed out like this.
"Ahem… I'm not deserving of such high praise," Fang Yuan managed, trying to ease his tension.
Mo Tan Sang's sincerity shone through as he continued, "I genuinely mean it, Sir Fang Yuan. And as the Land Spirit's friend, you're my friend as well. If you ever need assistance, please consider Inkman City your second home. I would be honored to welcome you as a friend."
Fang Yuan was impressed by Mo Tan Sang's tact and warmth. "He truly is the Inkman King, skilled in words and trust-building," he thought, appreciating the Inkman King's natural charisma.
Returning the sentiment, Fang Yuan nodded with a small smile. "I would be pleased to experience the hospitality of Inkman City and am equally glad to have a friend like you."
The three continued their conversation, trading stories and laughter. It was as if they were old friends, reunited after a long journey.
---
After some time of talking, Mo Tan Sang finally shared the real reason he had asked to meet. "I wanted to ask... did you perhaps deduce anything about the future of the inkmen? I would be willing to give anything for any prophecy you might have."
Fang Yuan maintained his calm demeanor. "I have," he replied smoothly, "and I'm willing to share it freely, as we're friends, after all."
Mo Tan Sang's expression softened, yet he insisted. "How could I ask that of a friend? I need to earn this information properly. Please, name your price."
"Of course, he'll insist," Fang Yuan thought with a hint of amusement. "He wants it formalized so an agreement can ensure the prophecy's truth."
Feigning a reluctant sigh, he replied, "Well, there is something I desire greatly— wisdom path inheritances with insights on handling wills, especially those that can counter strong wills." Fang Yuan's mind was set. Wisdom path techniques were essential, especially against the wills of powerful beings like Giant Sun, whose will he would face soon.
Mo Tan Sang agreed, though he clarified, "We inkmen have wisdom path inheritances, but no immortal wisdom Gu can be granted. However, I can provide rare mortal wisdom Gu, recipes and formidable killer moves, effective against various wills."
"That's acceptable," Fang Yuan replied. "I'll share the prophecy first."
After finalizing an agreement similar to the one he made with Lang Ya, Fang Yuan carefully shared a vision of the inkmen's potential future. He painted a picture of prosperity, with the freedom to establish new cities and a brighter future than Mo Tan Sang could imagine.
But he also warned that if he wasn't cautious or if he shared this prophecy too openly, the inkmen might find themselves enslaved by other tribes. It was a subtle, deliberate warning to keep Mo Tan Sang from probing further or disclosing too much.
With the deal complete, Mo Tan Sang left, having promised not to share any of Fang Yuan's information, not even his name. Fang Yuan had even included a veiled threat, hinting that such an action would make him a lasting enemy of the inkmen. Satisfied, Fang Yuan asked Lang Ya to prepare a room, as he planned to stay for some time.
---
In the solitude of his room, Fang Yuan reflected. "That went well, but I need to avoid deals like this in the future. I can't keep revealing future events as prophecies—it's too risky."
There was a purpose behind his actions, despite knowing that hinting at the future could increase the chances of others deducing his coming from future. He needed to grow rapidly, ensuring he wouldn't be a pawn in Heaven's Will or a Venerable's scheme. Preparation was essential, or he would live to regret it.
Fang Yuan also understood that Star Constellation's Will would eventually expose information about his plans, so he resolved to tread carefully to avoid drawing attention or revealing his true intentions. He'd kept his movements subtle so far, and by the time anyone noticed his influence, his preparations would be complete.
Also his intense focus on Wisdom Path served a double purpose—not only advancing his schemes but also building a protective layer against any who might attempt to probe his mind.
As Fang Yuan was about to inspect his newly acquired immortal wisdom inheritances, he felt an unusual fluctuation within his first aperture.
Checking his aperture, Fang Yuan noticed the change and murmured, "My aptitude has risen from 99% to 100%."
His gaze turned intense. "So, my Extreme Physique is ...."
...