บท 42: Northern Plains Identity

Sorry for the long delay but I'm having my mid-term exams.

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After three days.

Fang Yuan stood outside a seemingly ordinary valley, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "It was really easy to find you here in the Northern Plains," he thought, his eyes scanning the area before him.

After leaving Lang Ya Blessed Land, Fang Yuan knew that the time wasn't right to approach Fei Cai, nor could he directly seek out Hei Lou Lan. His plans required a more delicate touch, and for that, he needed a suitable "ticket" to move freely in the Northern Plains. A trusted identity was crucial for entering the complex game of the Northern Plains' political landscape.

"Tai Bai Yun Sheng... it's you," Fang Yuan mused, his smile widening. "I have great plans for you, but first, you will be my ticket to the Northern Plains and one of my tools like all people in the shadow sect"

Tai Bai Yun Sheng was far from ordinary. He was one of the extremely rare Time Path Gu Masters, a path revered for its powerful and mysterious abilities. Moreover, he was also a renowned healing Gu Master.

His reputation in the Northern Plains was akin to the blazing sun at midday—bright and untouchable. His influence spread across the entire region, making him a living legend among the Northern Plains people.

A loner by nature, Tai Bai Yun Sheng was widely regarded as a great, righteous path Gu Master. Known for his kindness and unwavering sense of justice, he was conscientious and always repaid favors. His benevolent nature had earned him the respect of common folk and elites alike. His reputation went far deeper than individuals like Chang Shan Yin, Hei Lou Lan, or Liu Wen Wu.

In terms of prestige and merit, Tai Bai Yun Sheng could rightfully be called the first in northern plains.

Fang Yuan understood Tai Bai Yun Sheng's character well. His life was dedicated to traveling the Northern Plains, helping the common people. This creed of assisting others was not just a duty—it had become his very essence. Fang Yuan had long been keeping track of him, aware that his location could be easily predicted due to his famous habit of moving from village to village, healing the needy.

"With Tai Bai Yun Sheng's identity, I can freely move in the Northern Plains. And with my plans for him, he'll soon serve an even greater purpose," Fang Yuan thought, his mind calculating several steps ahead.

---

"Thank you, Lord Tai Bai Yun Sheng!"

"Thank you, Old Sir! If there's anything I can do for you, please just ask!"

"Old Sir Tai Bai, we owe you our lives!"

Gratitude flowed from the villagers, many of them crying in relief and thankfulness. Tai Bai Yun Sheng offered them a gentle smile, his heart warmed by their words, but after a short while, he left alone, as was his custom, heading in the direction of his next destination.

Unbeknownst to him, Fang Yuan observed the scene from a distance, waiting patiently for the right moment. When Tai Bai Yun Sheng ventured into a more isolated part of the landscape, Fang Yuan made his move. Once sure there were no onlookers, he activated his Familiar Face killer move.

All this time, his AI Chip had been tirelessly analyzing and modifying this move, refining it to perfection. Now, it worked seamlessly, allowing him to take on the appearance of an elderly man with a long white beard—the same appearance he had used when infiltrating the Fei Tribe.

He only used Attitude Gu as the core for the interaction since he was only dealing with mortals for now, making it unnecessary to waste any immortal essence.

"Tai Bai Yun Sheng, right?" The disguised Fang Yuan spoke with a calm, steady tone.

Tai Bai Yun Sheng turned, startled by the unexpected voice. He saw an elderly man with an overwhelming aura, and immediately grew wary. "Respected Sir, what do you need of me?" he asked cautiously.

Fang Yuan didn't respond. Instead, he released his immortal aura for a moment, sending a wave of terror through Tai Bai Yun Sheng's body. "You... Sir... I'm sorry if I was rude," Tai Bai Yun Sheng stammered, his legs almost giving out as he prepared to kneel.

But Fang Yuan quickly stopped him, gently grabbing his arm to prevent him from bowing.

"There's no need for kneeling, and you don't have to call me 'Sir.' You can call me Senior Brother—we're fellow disciples after all." Fang Yuan spoke with a smile that was both friendly and disarming.

Tai Bai Yun Sheng was taken aback. "Fellow disciple? What do you mean?" he asked, confused.

"Do you not remember our master—the one who gave you your Immortal inheritance?"

At these words, a vivid image flashed in Tai Bai Yun Sheng's mind: an old beggar with disheveled purple-red hair. Sometimes he was insane, other times silent and in a stupor. But when lucid, his gaze revealed a deep wisdom and an awe-inspiring aura.

Years ago, a young Tai Bai Yun Sheng had offered the old beggar a bowl of water. In return, the beggar had given him the choice of three Gu Immortal inheritances. Tai Bai Yun Sheng had chosen the third, a Time Path inheritance. This was a pivotal moment in his life—one that he had never forgotten. The old beggar had saved him, pulling him from the lowest point in his life.

"Master..." Tai Bai Yun Sheng mumbled, emotions stirring within him.

"Listen closely," Fang Yuan said, his tone calm yet commanding. "Master's name is Purple Mountain True Monarch. He has always kept you in his thoughts. I'm here because he instructed me to seek you out."

"Purple Mountain True Monarch...?" Tai Bai Yun Sheng repeated the name, his mind flashing back to the beggar's tangled purple hair. Could this be true?

Fang Yuan continued, inwardly thinking, "Little Purple, I've given you a grand name. It's fine to borrow this fool from you."

"Master doesn't care about appearances. He wanders the world, exploring the unknown. When I came to the Northern Plains, he told me about you—how he gave you three choices, and how you chose the Time Path inheritance. The one without attack power," Fang Yuan said, his tone imbued with subtle emotion, as though he had witnessed it all firsthand.

Tai Bai Yun Sheng's doubts faded. Fang Yuan had accurately described the moment that only he and the old beggar could know. It was impossible for anyone else to know these details. "So... you're my senior brother..." Tai Bai Yun Sheng said in awe, fully convinced.

Fang Yuan looked at him like he was stupid, but said nothing.

Tai Bai Yun Sheng chuckled nervously and cupped his fists in respect. "Senior brother, please tell me what I must do for our master."

Fang Yuan dispelled his disguise, reverting to his true appearance. "Listen carefully. Master has a grand plan for the Imperial Court Blessed Land, and we are part of it," Fang Yuan said, his tone growing more serious.

Tai Bai Yun Sheng was shocked by how quickly everything was unfolding. "Senior brother, your appearance...?" he stammered.

"Hmph, this is my real appearance. My name is Fang Yuan, and I'm not from the Northern Plains, as you can see. I came here because of our master's plan. Do you understand, or are you going to be shocked again?" Fang Yuan replied, clearly annoyed.

"Yes, senior brother, I understand!" Tai Bai Yun Sheng said, still embarrassed by how overwhelmed he had felt. Inside, however, he justified his reaction. After all, who could remain calm with everything happening so fast and unexpectedly? It was only natural to be stunned by such revelations.

"I need an identity to enter the Imperial Court Blessed Land," Fang Yuan explained. "From now on, I'll take the form of that old man you saw earlier—a Rank 5 peak Gu Master. You will vouch for me."

Tai Bai Yun Sheng nodded, agreeing. Fang Yuan then explained the details of the plan and handed over a few Gu as additional help.

"Remember, I'm your senior brother—a Rank 5 peak refinement Gu Master."

"Of course, senior brother... but, um, what should I call you?"

Fang Yuan smirked. "Just call me Black Shadow. No need for anything else."

"Black Shadow?" Tai Bai Yun Sheng raised an eyebrow. "Shouldn't it be White Shadow, considering the old man appearance?"

Fang Yuan remained unfazed. "It's just a name. Black Shadow."

"Oh, alright then."

Fang Yuan turned to leave. "I've given you the means to contact me. Once everything is organized, let me know and I'll come to you."

"Take care, senior brother," Tai Bai Yun Sheng said gratefully.

Fang Yuan paused before vanishing. "...Take care, junior brother."

As Fang Yuan disappeared into the distance, Tai Bai Yun Sheng's heart swelled with joy. "I have a family now," he whispered, feeling warmth spread through him for the first time in years.

---

Fang Yuan didn't leave immediately; instead, he watched from afar, a sharp glint in his eyes. "I've read his mind, and he believed it all," he muttered with a slight smirk.

Fang Yuan wasn't one to trust in the plot blindly. He made sure that Tai Bai Yun Sheng had the determination to follow his instructions.

"I have even shown him my true identity and appearance," Fang Yuan mused with a cold smile. "Tai Bai, you are useful now, and even more so after becoming an immortal. I will make sure to squeeze every bit of worth from you until your last breath."

His gaze turned sharper as he thought about the future. Manipulating people was an art, and Fang Yuan was a master. Tai Bai Yun Sheng was just another tool—valuable for now, but disposable when the time came.

Everything seemed to be falling into place for him. His meticulous planning was taking shape, and Tai Bai Yun Sheng would serve as a crucial pawn in the game.

"Everything is going well," Fang Yuan thought, satisfied. "With this, I'll be able to enter the Imperial Court Game and make all the necessary preparations to claim the entire Eighty-Eight True Yang Building for myself."

A surge of ambition filled Fang Yuan's heart. "Soon, I will soar in the sky," he thought, already calculating his next steps and organizing his intricate plans.

But just as his thoughts were aligning and his future seemed clear, a sudden sensation jolted him. A Gu inside his aperture was destroyed!