C2558
C2558
"Didn't you notice those four people in the dining hall when you came in? The three experts who were tailing us back at the dynasty are here, along with a young guy."
"They're already here?"
With that, he got up and left Jiang Fann's room, heading to the stairs to take a look at the corner of the dining hall. When he saw the young man looking impatient, he quickly turned around and went back upstairs.
Returning to Jiang Fann's room, he said directly, "It's him! I didn't expect them to arrive so quickly. This could be trouble; we're being watched by two groups at once."
Jiang Fann chuckled, "Do you really think they'd dare to make a move here?"
Fang Xiang shook his head. "No, they won't act here, but they'll keep following us until we leave the city. They might find other ways to cause trouble. We're in for a rough time."
"What are you worried about? We'll keep our stall open tomorrow and keep bothering them. Once Brother Wan masters his disguise skills, we'll leave."
Jiang Fann remained relaxed, but Fang Xiang was a bit uneasy. "To be honest, my mentor has already sent someone to find me, suggesting I keep my distance from you for now."
Jiang Fann smiled, "If this really affects the Heaven Pavilion, you should go back. Once this trouble is over, I'll take you on more adventures. But you have to keep an eye out for any news about my people."
"Going back? No way! I'll keep gathering intel for you, but we need to train together too. I'm counting on you to help me reach the Mortal Separating Stage. Otherwise, how could I possibly face going on adventures with Zoe? I can't have her taking me out and then protecting me if things get dangerous, right?"
Fang Xiang didn't hesitate at all, just like when they were at the Heaven Pavilion.
Jiang Fann chuckled, "Don't worry about the hassle. Like I said before, I planned to keep a low profile here, but if they insist on causing trouble, I won't mind showing them what I'm really about."
Hearing this, Fang Xiang asked seriously, "That day at the Fire Qilin's legacy, you blocked my senses. What didn't you want me to see?"
Jiang Fann laughed, "That's a secret!"
Fang Xiang: "..."
The next morning, Jiang Fann and Fang Xiang headed to the trading area. When they reached the dining hall, only three people remained at yesterday's spot; the young man had clearly gone to rest.
Jiang Fann ignored the trio and led Fang Xiang out of the inn. Thanks to Fang Xiang's tips, Jiang Fann quickly identified the presence of several skilled individuals nearby. They were disguised as passersby and vendors, making them hard to spot.
After Jiang Fann and Fang Xiang left, the others gradually dispersed, not making their intentions too obvious.
Arriving at the trading area, Jiang Fann, just as he had done the previous two days, found an empty stall and displayed his elixirs. The only difference today was that his companion was now Fang Xiang instead of Wan Chengfeng.
Everything proceeded as usual, quickly drawing the attention of many cultivators. Word of his actions had spread, and many onlookers were curious about what Jiang Fann would do next. However, not a single cultivator approached him for consultation.
It was clear that these people were wary, fearing they might invite trouble. Jiang Fann simply sat back in his chair, enjoying the leisurely time.
Fang Xiang, on the other hand, was not at ease. Among the crowd, he spotted not only the entourage of the Second Prince from the Sui Dynasty but also cultivators lurking around the inn. These two groups were unaware of each other’s presence, which only added to Fang Xiang's stress.
Soon, a figure approached from a distance. Recognizing this person, Fang Xiang frowned. As a manager at the Heaven Pavilion, he was familiar with some of the prominent figures, and this was none other than the Second Prince, who had been outbid by Jiang Fann at the auction. The prince looked displeased as he walked directly to Jiang Fann's stall, while the other three individuals remained hidden in the crowd, keeping a close watch on the situation.
"Jiang Fann, right? Can you solve any problem?"
Jiang Fann opened his eyes and glanced at the newcomer, immediately recognizing him but keeping his composure. He smiled and said, "Well, that depends on the problem. I'm not a miracle worker."
"Then take a look at me. Figure out what's wrong and help me fix it. If you can really cure me, I'll reward you handsomely!"
Amidst the crowd, whispers began as some recognized the newcomer's identity. They had learned from the Heaven Pavilion's manager yesterday that Jiang Fann had offended this person.
"Who would've thought the real deal would show up? This is the second prince of the Sui Dynasty, a prominent figure in the entire upper realm."
"Why does this Jiang Fann seem like he doesn't recognize him? Does he even know who he offended?"
"Shh! Keep your voices down. Remember what happened yesterday?"
Heeding the warning, the others quickly fell silent, not daring to discuss further.
At the stall, Jiang Fann grasped the man's arm, instinctively applying a bit more force. The man noticed and countered with his own strength, revealing his level at the fifth tier of the Mortal Separating Stage, which was quite formidable.
The second prince was surprised, as his strength didn't immediately break free from Jiang Fann's grip, which held firm.
However, he didn't show any reaction, considering so many people were watching, and he had just asked Jiang Fann to examine him.
A moment later, Jiang Fann stood up, looked the other person up and down, and then chuckled, "You're so young, how come you're already dealing with kidney issues..."
This remark caused a stir among the onlookers, even leaving Fang Xiang stunned, as he knew Jiang Fann was aware of the other person's identity, yet still dared to say such a thing.
The second prince was about to lose his temper, but Jiang Fann interrupted him directly.
Jiang Fann's demeanor changed, adopting a look of disappointment, and he addressed the prince seriously. "Don't say anything yet. Your body is a bit weak, so you really need to keep a positive attitude. Be more generous in your actions. From my diagnosis, I could clearly feel your blood flow isn't smooth. In simple terms, you're a bit petty..."
Fang Xiang: "..."
The second prince was on the verge of an outburst, but surprisingly, he took a deep breath and held back.
This unexpected reaction caught Jiang Fann off guard, realizing he might have underestimated him.
The second prince spoke, "You got the second part right. I am a bit petty, but the solution is simple—just eliminate what I don't like. Remember, my name is Xing Tianyong. There's plenty of time, so let's see how things unfold."
With that, he stood up and left, refraining from directly confronting Jiang Fann. Given his status, he couldn't disregard the rules of the kingdom, and today was merely about letting Jiang Fann know who he was, ensuring he understood the gravity of the situation.
Jiang Fann chuckled, "No need to rush off, there's still hope for your condition..."
Hearing this, Xing Tianyong quickened his pace. After all, Jiang Fann had gained quite the reputation in town as a miracle worker, and his words carried significant weight.
Jiang Fann smiled and didn't say more. He settled back into his chair as if nothing had happened.
In the crowd, someone couldn't help but whisper, "Jiang Fann is really bold. No wonder he said what he did yesterday; he clearly doesn't care about these princes..."
"Isn't that asking for trouble? Do you think they'll just let him be?"
"With his skills, he could stay in town or join the Alchemy Guild to ensure his safety. Why would he worry about them?"
"But he can't hide here forever, right? And it's not just Xing Tianyong he's crossed; how will he deal with the others?"
Because of Xing Tianyong's appearance, the other cultivators who had been considering seeking treatment were now too intimidated to approach. Jiang Fann seemed to be proving the tavern owner's words from yesterday, and even more boldly.
By the afternoon, dozens of cultivators had watched Jiang Fann nap in the sun all morning. Feeling warm and relaxed, he saw that no one was coming for treatment. He stood up, stretched, and packed away his medicines.
"Time to pack up and head home for a nap!"
Fang Xiang quickly followed him, and they soon disappeared around the corner, with the cultivators who had been tailing them hurrying to keep up.
Back at the inn, Fang Xiang gave Jiang Fann a thumbs-up, showing his admiration.
"I finally get why you always had so much trouble before—it's all self-inflicted..."
"He came looking for trouble with me. I can't just be nice to him, right? Besides, I wanted to provoke him. If he can't handle me, who else would dare to mess with me in the future?"
Fang Xiang chuckled, "But you've already made Xingtian Yong want to take you out. He won't rest until he does."
"Then I'll just have to make him afraid of me. Those two guys with him are no threat to me. I'm curious to see if the Sui Dynasty is willing to send their top fighters to deal with someone like me."
Just then, Wan Chengfeng pushed the door open, clearly in high spirits. He walked right into the barrier Jiang Fann had set up and said, "Brother Jiang, your method is really something. I've already got the hang of it, and even I didn't expect it. I'm pretty much ready on my end. When do we head out?"
Before Jiang Fann could respond, Fang Xiang jumped in, "Brother Wan, are you coming with us? That's great! Let's leave right now." Fang Xiang wasn't as calm and confident as Jiang Fann. Given the current situation, staying in the capital was torture for him, and he just wanted to get out as soon as possible.
Wan Chengfeng, seeing this, was quite curious, "Why the rush? Did this guy get into trouble again?"
Fang Xiang gave a wry smile, "You used 'again' perfectly. Xing Tianyong showed up today and humiliated me right there in the street..."
Wan Chengfeng looked at Jiang Fann and gave him a thumbs-up, "You're the man."
Then he turned to Wan Chengfeng and agreed, "We really should leave as soon as possible. Otherwise, this guy might end up brawling in the street tomorrow, and we'll all end up spending our days in jail!"
Fang Xiang said, "There are eyes everywhere around us. We need to come up with a plan to get out of here. Trying to disguise ourselves now might be too risky, as they probably know exactly how many people are in this inn."