Mission Accomplished

As soon as Fang Wen spoke those words, everyone present could not help but exchange bewildered looks. Those who had seen him make a move earlier were somewhat prepared, but Feixue City's Liu Qi and the four experts—three men and one woman—were completely dumbfounded, staring at Fang Wen in sheer disbelief. Facing the Book Immortal, Murong Qingchen, who among them was not treating him as a formidable enemy? Seeing tensions at the breaking point and Murong Qingchen poised to strike at any moment... how did this boy dare to step out and interrupt? And for some escort agency business, of all things? Was this lad not afraid that Murong Qingchen would lose his temper and strike him down on the spot? Questions surged in the leader's mind. He frowned at Fang Wen, intending to tell him to back away so he wouldn't bring disaster upon himself. Yet in front of Murong Qingchen, he dared not let his attention waver in the slightest. Just then, Murong Qingchen nodded. "Very well. Since you are in a hurry, you go first." "..." The people of Feixue City exchanged stunned looks. When had Murong Qingchen ever been so easy to reason with? Xiao Yanyu and the others, however, had witnessed Fang Wen's skill—a single resounding slap that sent Senior Gu spinning across the floor. Fang Wen did not know who Senior Gu was, but Xiao Yanyu and her companions knew full well. The man was named Gu Yuxian, known in the jianghu as the Eccentric of the Mortal World. Neither wholly righteous nor evil, mercurial in temperament, he possessed exceptionally formidable martial arts. Furthermore, he was advanced in years and held a venerable generational standing in the jianghu. Ordinary people were reluctant to cross him, and most were no match for him anyway. Thus, roaming the jianghu to this day, he had only grown more difficult and troublesome to deal with. Yet such a man had been slapped by Fang Wen into utter silence, not daring to utter another peep. From this alone, one could see just how profound Fang Wen's martial arts were. Murong Qingchen respected his skill, so naturally he did not mind granting him this small favor. Fang Wen had no idea what they were thinking. He merely waved toward Liu Qi. "Chief Steward Liu, hurry on over." Liu Qi glanced bewilderedly at the situation before briskly walking over to Fang Wen. "This... young brother, how should I address you?" Fang Wen smiled. "I am merely a nobody, not worth mentioning. Let our Young Chief Escort speak with you." Liu Qi's mouth twitched. What a 'nobody not worth mentioning'... A nobody to whom even Murong Qingchen had to show courtesy? Still, with Fang Wen putting it that way, Liu Qi could only turn expectantly to Lu Guiyan. Lu Guiyan dared not delay. Cupping her fists, she said, "Chief Steward Liu, I am Lu Guiyan, Young Chief Escort of the Lu'an Escort Agency in Julu City. Several months ago, entrusted by Julu City Lord Wang Shouyan, I was tasked with delivering two client escorts to Feixue City... The journey was fraught with hardship, but now we have finally fulfilled our mission without failing the trust placed in us. Please inspect this escort manifest, Chief Steward Liu. If there are no issues, please sign and stamp it so I may report back." Hearing this, Liu Qi nodded. He inspected the manifest, then glanced at the two client escorts. He immediately ordered his men to fetch brush, ink, paper, inkstone, and the steward's seal. While waiting, the leader of the Feixue City guards suddenly asked, "Young Chief Escort Lu, forgive my meddling question... Who are these two?" At this question, a strange feeling arose in Lu Guiyan's heart. When Wang Shouyan handed them over to her, he had merely said they were guests of Feixue City. Their true identity had only been uncovered later by Fang Wen. Thinking it better to avoid unnecessary trouble, she intended to repeat Wang Shouyan's explanation. Yet before she could speak, the man between the master-servant pair spoke up: "I am a physician from the Hall of Miraculous Medicine of Jinghua Pavilion. I have come at City Lord Wu Lingxiao's request to treat his injuries and illness." At these words, everyone's expression shifted slightly. The leader's breathing grew ragged. "You are a healer from Jinghua Pavilion?! Do you have proof?" The maidservant immediately took the Lingxiao Token from her bosom and held it high. "Commander, please look." The leader stepped forward at once, took the token in hand, and examined it carefully before letting out a long breath, unable to conceal his joy. "So it is true. Our Feixue City has been remiss in our hospitality, unaware that distinguished guests from Jinghua Pavilion had arrived. Please forgive us." Gu Yuxian, the burly monk, and the others exchanged glances. Exactly as Xiao Yanyu had said, they had come because Wu Lingxiao was gravely injured, taking the risk to search for the Seven-String Ancient Chapter. But if these two healers from Jinghua Pavilion cured Wu Lingxiao, what the hell would be left for them to find? At this point, two paths lay before them. The first was to withdraw immediately, having made the trip for nothing. The second... was to take a gamble and kill them! From the leader's expression earlier, it was evident that Wu Lingxiao was indeed critically injured and might not live long. As long as they killed these two doctors, Wu Lingxiao would be beyond saving. When that time came, everything could still proceed according to their original plan. Of course, if this move failed, Wu Lingxiao would surely settle scores with them afterward... Yet as the saying went, fortune favored the bold. The Seven-String Ancient Chapter held an immense opportunity. Rumor had it that the first City Lord of Feixue City had established the city and founded this century-old foundation by relying on the secrets within the Seven-String Ancient Chapter. Risking a desperate gamble now, perhaps one of them could establish the next Feixue City! Even without building such a massive faction, possessing transcendent martial arts would be enough to stand proud across the jianghu. For a time, dark thoughts raced through their minds. Fang Wen observed coldly from the side, taking in every shift in their expressions, before casting a thoughtful glance toward the master and servant. Right at that moment, someone returned with brush, ink, paper, inkstone, and a steward's seal. Flustered, Liu Qi dipped the brush in ink and signed his name onto the escort manifest. Finally, he picked up the seal, pressed it into the vermilion pad, and stamped it squarely onto the paper. As the seal came down, the system prompt Fang Wen had awaited for so long finally chimed. [Ding! Assist the Lu'an Escort Agency and protect the personal safety of the client escorts until the escort mission is successfully completed: Completed! Calculating rewards...] [Ding! Reward calculation successful!] [Congratulations to the Host on obtaining the Heavenly Will Four Symbols Art at Great Perfection!] [Claim immediately?] *The Heavenly Will Four Symbols Art...* Fang Wen felt a flash of joy. His hard work along the way had not been in vain; the reward was quite decent. This martial art was said to evoke atmospheric phenomena, condensing a massive dharma idol behind the user... When unleashed, its momentum was truly astonishing. He pondered for a moment, but was in no rush to claim it. After all, each time he accepted a reward, it required time to assimilate and master. He could hardly sit cross-legged and meditate in front of so many people, could he? Taking the escort manifest from Liu Qi, he handed it to Lu Guiyan. Only then did Fang Wen speak: "Well, our business here is done. We shall take our leave. Everyone, please carry on." With that, he prepared to lead Lu Guiyan and the others away. "Young hero, please wait!"