Chapter 62: Tag Along
That evening, Fang Ming invited Fang Yuan and Bai Ning Bing to dinner.
The place he chose was quiet, away from the noisy streets of Shang clan city. Wine was served, dishes were placed on the table, and for a while, the three of them only spoke casually. They talked about the battle stage, the young master competition, the movement of Gu prices, and the inheritance that had just appeared at San Cha Mountain. Most of the words sounded ordinary, but none of the three people at the table were ordinary, and ordinary words could not remain ordinary for long.
Fang Yuan placed down his cup.
"Brother Fang Ming did not invite us only to drink."
Bai Ning Bing leaned back slightly. "Say it."
Fang Ming smiled.
"Three Kings Inheritance has opened."
The room became quieter.
Fang Yuan's eyes moved slightly, but his expression did not change. Fang Ming continued: "That inheritance is too valuable. All three of us know this. Since we are going there sooner or later, we might as well avoid wasting strength before it ends."
Fang Yuan smiled faintly. "You want an alliance?"
"A temporary one."
"How temporary?"
"Until the Three Kings Inheritance ends."
Bai Ning Bing's eyes sharpened slightly.
Fang Ming said: "Before the inheritance ends, no attacking each other. No plotting or scheming against each other. No using outside forces to kill or suppress each other. No trying to break the agreement early."
"And after the inheritance ends?" Fang Yuan asked.
"Then the agreement ends." Fang Ming said calmly. "After that, if we want to fight, kill, scheme, or betray each other, that is our own business."
Bai Ning Bing laughed softly.
"Honest."
Fang Yuan looked at Fang Ming. "And how do you plan to bind this?"
"Each side brings the Vow Gu they trust." Fang Ming replied. "Vow Gu can be broken or tricked. Since none of us are fools, each side should prepare their own insurance. We sign the agreement just before leaving Shang clan city."
Fang Yuan tapped the table lightly.
This proposal was not bad. Three Kings Inheritance was dangerous. Righteous and demonic Gu Masters would gather there, and if the three of them wasted effort fighting before the inheritance even ended, it would only benefit outsiders. A temporary agreement did not mean trust. It only meant shared profit.
"I agree." Fang Yuan said.
Bai Ning Bing thought for a moment, then nodded. "I have no objection."
Fang Ming raised his cup.
"Then it is settled for now."
The three continued drinking. They talked about Shang clan city, the battle stage, the young master competition, and the inheritance. Sometimes Bai Ning Bing asked sharp questions. Sometimes Fang Yuan answered with half-truths. Fang Ming listened, spoke when needed, and kept the atmosphere steady.
The dinner lasted four hours.
On the surface, it looked like Fang Ming wanted to build enough understanding before the future alliance.
That was only half true.
The real reason was proximity.
Fang Yuan sat within ten meters of him the entire time.
Fang Ming's system had been working quietly.
Counterfeit Copy.
Target: Spring Autumn Cicada.
A true copy was impossible. Spring Autumn Cicada was an Immortal Gu. It was also a unique time-path Gu with terrifying meaning. Fang Ming had no illusion that he could copy it directly, so he chose counterfeit.
His requirement was simple.
No immortal essence consumption.
The system responded slowly. The difficulty was enormous. Even Counterfeit Copy struggled. But the dinner continued, and time passed little by little. Fang Ming's expression remained calm as he drank, while inside, the counterfeit form gradually took shape.
It could not control time by itself.
It could not drive rebirth.
It could not choose when to activate.
It could not compare to the real Spring Autumn Cicada.
But it followed the same shadow.
Finally, the system completed.
Spring Autumn Tag-Along Gu.
A permanent counterfeit time-path Gu.
It could not activate alone. Its only function was to follow Spring Autumn Cicada. If Fang Yuan activated Spring Autumn Cicada and returned to the past, Spring Autumn Tag-Along Gu would activate with it and pull Fang Ming along.
Fang Ming would return with his memories of that timeline.
He was not the driver.
But he had secured a seat.
That was enough.
When the dinner ended, Fang Ming left first.
Fang Yuan watched his back for a moment.
Bai Ning Bing said: "He is hiding something."
Fang Yuan smiled. "Who here is not?"
Ten days passed.
Shang Xin Ci's starting capital had already tripled. From one hundred thousand primeval stones, it became three hundred thousand. Xiao Die stared at the account book, almost unable to believe what she was seeing.
"Three hundred thousand…"
Xiao Lan also looked surprised.
Shang Xin Ci held the account book, delighted but still cautious. The profit came from Fang Yuan's purchasing plan. Dog Enslavement Gu, Paper Crane Gu, and Exploding Egg Gu had all risen in price after news of Three Kings Inheritance spread. Their timing had been perfect.
Bai Ning Bing sat nearby, her gaze moving between Fang Yuan and Fang Ming.
"How did you know so accurately?"
Fang Yuan drank tea and did not answer.
Fang Ming smiled faintly. "Business is timing."
Bai Ning Bing sneered. "Convenient answer."
She was becoming more certain.
Fang Yuan knew too much.
Fang Ming also knew too much.
One could be coincidence.
Two was not.
Shang Xin Ci did not press. Instead, she looked at Fang Yuan. "Brother Hei Tu, with this money, can we start the battle-stage information business?"
Fang Yuan shook his head.
"Not yet."
Shang Xin Ci became serious.
Fang Yuan said: "The bulk purchase succeeded because others were caught off guard. The information business is different. Once it starts, people will see it. If it earns money, they will copy it. If it threatens someone's interest, they will suppress it."
Fang Ming nodded. "You need manpower, credibility, and management. Information without trust is worthless. A business without people is fragile."
Shang Xin Ci lowered her eyes. "I only have Xiao Die and Xiao Lan."
"That is why you need to recruit." Fang Yuan said.
"Who?"
"Zhou Quan."
Shang Xin Ci was startled. "Zhou Quan?"
Fang Ming looked at Fang Yuan, then understood.
Zhou Quan was a good choice. Formerly a clan leader. Once Rank four. Now Rank three upper stage after injuries. Proud, experienced, and difficult to subdue. Even Shang Ya Zi had failed to win his loyalty. But if Shang Xin Ci could recruit him, she would gain more than a manager.
She would gain foundation.
Fang Yuan said: "He has ability. Your business needs someone like him."
Shang Xin Ci hesitated. "But such a person may not be willing to follow me."
Fang Ming said: "Then show sincerity."
She looked at him.
"Your kindness alone is not enough." Fang Ming continued. "But kindness with position, sincerity, and benefits can move people. Zhou Quan is proud because he once stood high. Do not treat him like a hired shopkeeper. Treat him like someone whose ability you respect."
Fang Yuan smiled slightly. "Exactly."
Shang Xin Ci slowly nodded.
"I will try."
Fang Ming glanced at the account book.
Three hundred thousand was a good start.
But only a start.
Shang Xin Ci needed more than money.
She needed people.
While Shang Xin Ci prepared to meet Zhou Quan, Wei Yang came to Nan Qiu Garden.
He came for Fang Yuan.
Shang Yan Fei was not blind. Fang Yuan had profited too accurately from the Three Kings Inheritance news. Shang clan naturally wanted to know what he knew.
Fang Yuan did not hide everything.
He sold information.
A decaying blessed land.
The Three Kings Inheritance.
Useful dangers.
Useful preparations.
He gave enough to earn trust and profit, but not enough to empty his own advantage.
Fang Ming heard of this later and was not surprised. Fang Yuan never sold information once if he could sell it twice. First, he used it to buy Gu. Then he used it to help Shang Xin Ci profit. Then he sold it to Shang clan. If possible, he would sell it elsewhere too.
This was Fang Yuan.
He squeezed value from knowledge until nothing remained.
Fang Ming returned to his courtyard that night and sat quietly in the stone chamber.
Three Kings Inheritance had opened.
Shang Xin Ci's competition had begun.
Fang Yuan was preparing.
Bai Ning Bing was suspicious.
And Fang Ming now had Spring Autumn Tag-Along Gu.
His copy chance had been spent well. He could not control rebirth, but if Fang Yuan ever used Spring Autumn Cicada again, Fang Ming would not remain outside the river of time.
He would follow.
For now, however, the path ahead was still in the present.
Help Shang Xin Ci win.
Prepare for San Cha Mountain.
Copy what could still be copied.
Then leave before Shang clan city became too small for what came next.