After the terms were settled, the four did not separate immediately.
Shang Xin Ci's young master test had already begun. One hundred thousand primeval stones sounded like a large sum, but in Shang clan city, it could disappear quickly. Rent, manpower, shop fronts, goods, information, bribes, transport, and daily expenses could all swallow money. If she moved carefully, she would be too slow. If she moved recklessly, the money would vanish before she gained anything.
Fang Yuan sat calmly and said: "The information business can be done, but it is too slow by itself."
Shang Xin Ci looked at him. "Brother Hei Tu has another plan?"
"We only need twenty days to triple your capital."
Xiao Die's eyes widened. "Triple?"
Bai Ning Bing looked at Fang Yuan with a cold smile. "Who are you planning to harm this time?"
Fang Yuan ignored her.
Shang Xin Ci did not agree immediately. She looked towards Fang Ming.
"Young Master Fang Ming, what do you think?"
Fang Ming did not answer at once. He knew what Fang Yuan was aiming at. Dog Enslavement Gu, Paper Crane Gu, and Exploding Egg Gu. These Gu looked ordinary now, but after the Three Kings Inheritance opened, their value would change. Fang Yuan had future knowledge, so his purchases were not random.
But Fang Ming could not say that.
So he only said: "I do not understand the exact reason behind his purchase plan."
Shang Xin Ci became slightly hesitant.
Fang Ming continued: "But I understand Fang Yuan."
Fang Yuan glanced at him.
Fang Ming's tone stayed calm. "He is not someone who does losing business. He is also not helping you out of kindness. Right now, your victory benefits him. If you win the young master position, he gains a future channel to sell loot, Gu, recipes, and inheritance gains. If you lose, he loses that channel."
He paused.
"You do not need to trust his kindness. Trust his greed."
Bai Ning Bing laughed lightly.
"Since when were you two on such good terms?"
Fang Ming looked at her. "We are not."
Fang Yuan smiled. "Good terms are unnecessary. Benefits are enough."
Shang Xin Ci lowered her eyes and thought for a while. Then she nodded.
"Then I will follow Brother Hei Tu's plan."
Fang Yuan's smile deepened slightly.
The next few days, Shang Xin Ci's newly formed group began purchasing according to Fang Yuan's instructions. Dog Enslavement Gu, Paper Crane Gu, and Exploding Egg Gu were bought carefully, spread through different shops and different people. Fang Yuan did not want to attract attention too early. Fang Ming also followed along, using some of his own channels and the Purple Thorn Token when needed.
On the surface, it looked like preparation for several small businesses.
In truth, it was waiting for one event.
That event arrived faster than most expected.
San Cha Mountain shook.
Three light pillars rose into the sky. Yellow, blue, and red. They pierced through the clouds and could be seen from far away.
A voice spread across the mountain.
"Three Kings Inheritance opens today. Righteous or demonic, only fate matters."
News reached Shang clan city three days later.
The city stirred immediately.
Three Rank five inheritances appearing together was not a small matter. Righteous Gu Masters, demonic Gu Masters, small clans, lone cultivators, merchants, informants — everyone began moving. Information spread through restaurants, auction houses, battle stages, tea houses, gambling dens, and hidden markets. Some people prepared to leave at once. Some people began gathering supplies. Some people waited for others to move first.
The Gu Fang Yuan had purchased started rising in price.
Dog Enslavement Gu was especially obvious.
Some people still did not understand the reason, but merchants did not need to understand everything. Once demand rose, prices followed. The same Gu that had been ignored yesterday could become wanted today. The same stock that had sat quietly in a warehouse could suddenly become a weapon for profit.
Shang Xin Ci's capital began to grow.
Xiao Die was stunned.
"So Brother Hei Tu really knew?"
Fang Ming said: "He knew enough."
Shang Xin Ci looked at the account book, then at Fang Yuan. Fang Yuan only drank tea.
Bai Ning Bing stared at the rising numbers and sneered. "No wonder. So this was the scheme."
Fang Yuan replied lightly: "This is business."
Fang Ming did not speak.
His attention had already moved beyond the account book.
Three Kings Inheritance had opened.
There was no need to rush there immediately. The inheritance was dangerous, and the early stages would be filled with probing, death, and confusion. Let others test the danger first. Fang Yuan knew this. Fang Ming knew it too.
But time had begun to tighten.
The inheritance would not wait forever.
Fang Ming estimated that there were roughly six months before the decisive period. His copy system gave him one chance each month. He had one available now, but that chance was already reserved for another plan.
That meant he only had four or five more copy chances before he had to leave Shang clan city.
Four or five.
Not many.
And he still had not copied enough suitable Rank five Gu. Shang Yan Fei's blood-path set remained tempting. Other Rank five Gu in Shang clan city were rare, expensive, and not easy to approach. Even with the Purple Thorn Token, some doors only opened halfway.
Fang Ming closed the account book and pushed it back towards Shang Xin Ci.
"The first step worked."
Shang Xin Ci looked at him. "Then what comes next?"
"Earn faster." Fang Ming said. "Before others react."
Fang Yuan nodded faintly.
For now, their goals aligned.
Shang Xin Ci needed victory.
Fang Yuan needed profit and future access.
Fang Ming needed time, resources, and a reason to remain close to both sides before leaving for San Cha Mountain.
No one here was helping for the same reason.
But for the moment, they could still walk in the same direction.