Chapter 51: Showing You How to Fly in Style

Having figured out the crux of the matter, Zhang Fang slowly walked up to A'zi and spoke calmly once again: "Two questions. First, knowing full well that the Seven-Heart Begonia is a deadly poison, why didn't you test it in the Reincarnation Space training grounds, choosing instead to take such a reckless risk in the instance world?"

The Reincarnation Space training ground was an absolute safe zone. Even if a reincarnator were killed in battle against simulated plot characters, they could be instantly resurrected right on the spot.

If Zhang Fang were in her shoes, he would definitely test something as dangerous as a new poison within the safety of the training grounds rather than taking risks in a perilous instance world teeming with danger.

Upon hearing this, A'zi wore a wronged expression and said, "Please! The method I used to enhance the toxicity of the Seven-Heart Begonia required the Divine Wood Wang Ding. Do you have any idea how many points are needed to exchange that thing into a personal item?"

To this, Zhang Fang neither knew nor cared to know.

He only needed this to confirm that A'zi was not lying.

Judging by the circumstances so far, Zhang Fang had not found any obvious loopholes in her words.

That being the case, his previous deduction was basically established.

Nodding, a sudden idea formed in Zhang Fang's mind. In this instance world, he wanted to keep this reincarnator who had become A'zi by his side for the time being.

Keeping her around offered two major benefits.

First, the things this girl had overheard at the Ma residence were quite interesting. If utilized properly, they would definitely yield unexpected results.

Second, because of her special identity, if he were to deliver this A'zi safe and sound into the hands of Qiao Feng and Azhu, wouldn't that trade for a massive wave of favorable impressions and goodwill?

However, this proposal could not come from Zhang Fang.

It had to be proposed by A'zi of her own accord, begged for sincerely, and even accompanied by some material sacrifices for the best chance of success.

Of course, Zhang Fang didn't care about the meager benefits she could offer. Rather, only through such a hard-won opportunity would the other party truly cherish it, instead of running amok after establishing a cooperative relationship.

This matter already fell into the realm of psychology. While Zhang Fang couldn't explain the exact mechanics in detail, he understood the underlying principles to some extent.

To achieve this, he needed to guide her step by step...

With this thought, Zhang Fang finally spoke again: "Second, since the Reincarnation Tower has issued a main quest for you to find your family, there must be something on your body related to your ancestry, like a token or a birthmark, right?"

Since her life was still in Zhang Fang's hands, A'zi naturally dared not hide anything: "There is the character 'Duan' tattooed on my shoulder, and I also carry a golden lock. According to A'zi's memories, she has carried this golden lock with her since childhood."

Zhang Fang nodded slightly, then spoke casually as if it were an afterthought: "On that golden lock of yours, are there twelve characters engraved? Namely: Stars in the sky, bright and clear, shining forever, peace in Chang'an?"

The answer to this question was, of course, negative. Because those twelve characters were on Azhu's golden lock. By intentionally giving the wrong answer, Zhang Fang wanted to reveal two signals to A'zi.

First, I know about the golden lock you use to verify your identity.

Second, I also know of another golden lock very similar to it, and the engraved content on it echoes yours from afar.

Sure enough, upon hearing Zhang Fang's words, A'zi immediately pressed on: "You've also seen a golden lock similar to the one I have? Where did you see it? Could it be that you know who A'zi's family is?"

Zhang Fang raised a single finger and shook it gently. "Watch your attitude. I am the one interrogating you right now. Therefore, I ask, and you answer. Understand?"

A'zi nodded with a wronged expression, thinking to herself: *You just know how to bully people!*

Having successfully piqued A'zi's interest, Zhang Fang immediately shifted his tone, asking in a relatively gentle manner: "In fact, after Elder Chen captured you, he didn't notify anyone else; instead, he handed you directly over to me. In other words, even if I let you go, it's really no big deal."

At this, A'zi's pretty eyes lit up, but then she heard Zhang Fang continue: "However, Elder Chen did this entirely because I am on the verge of competing for the position of gang leader, and right now is the time I most need to perform meritorious deeds for the Beggar Sect. If I let you go, not only will it disappoint Elder Chen, but the favors I previously promised him cannot be reduced by even a fraction. Taking everything into account, I would take a huge loss!"

"Although both you and I are reincarnators, we are strangers after all. Isn't it unreasonable to ask me to sacrifice so much to save you?"

A'zi hurriedly shook her head and said, "Unreasonable, completely unreasonable."

Zhang Fang nodded slightly and continued to ask: "Yet you didn't genuinely mean to harm anyone; to lose your life just like that for nothing wouldn't be right either, would it?"

A'zi shook her head again: "That's even more unreasonable!"

"Therefore!" Zhang Fang made his final conclusion: "I can give you two choices. Either you return to the Beggar Sect with me, and I will intercede with Elder Baishijing of the Law Enforcement Elder. Even if I can't guarantee your life, I can at least give you a chance to clarify the facts, play the pity card, and strive for leniency."

"Alternatively, you can offer sufficient compensation to make up for my losses, and I'll let you walk right now."

With that, he spread his hands: "Two paths lie before you. How you choose is entirely up to you."

Faced with the two options presented by Zhang Fang, A'zi said nothing more. From any perspective, for a stranger like Zhang Fang to offer such choices was already the utmost benevolence on his part.

However, after gritting her teeth, A'zi decisively said: "I choose a third option. I can still provide the compensation you want, but I want to stay by your side. Until this instance world ends, I will be your utility person. You tell me to do whatever, and I'll do it. My only request is that you help me complete that main quest of finding my family."

Hearing A'zi say this, a satisfied smile finally appeared on Zhang Fang's face. He casually picked up a half-finished steel saber from beside him, and with a flash of the blade, amidst A'zi's scream, he sliced through the ropes binding her. "Come with me."

A'zi: "Where to?"

"To show you how the elite flex and fly!"

...

Within the Luoyang General Headquarters of the Beggar Sect, inside Yan Shanhe's guest room.

At this moment, three people sat around a round table. Aside from Murong Fu disguised as Yan Shanhe, and Duan Baichuan disguised as Yan Qingyun, there was also a middle-aged man whose height, weight, body proportions, and external temperament were very similar to Murong Fu's.

Yan Qingyun was the first to speak: "That You Tanzhi actually managed to help Wu Changfang and the others endure for six days with his own internal energy before even finding Physician Xue. Even I have to admire him a bit. However, if things stand thus, even if you defeat him, Young Master, it might appear to be winning by taking advantage of someone's vulnerability, tarnishing the reputation of Gusu Murong for no good reason."

Hearing this, Yan Shanhe shook his head slightly: "For the grand plan of restoring the Great Yan, what does a mere reputation matter?"

"Young Master must not be careless!" At this point, the middle-aged man whose back bore a seven or eight-part resemblance to Murong Fu spoke up first: "Judging from your description just now, that You Tanzhi is very likely suspicious of our identities. If that's the case, even if you agree to the match, leaving this person alive poses a hidden threat."

Pausing slightly, a trace of ferocity flashed in the man's eyes: "Instead, taking advantage of his opportunity of going out this time, let this subordinate take the third and fourth brothers to set an ambush along the route he must take to return, and then..." With that, he made a slashing motion across his neck with his right palm, the intent to kill and eliminate witnesses couldn't be more obvious.

Hearing this, Yan Qingyun immediately frowned: "Second Brother. Such a method lacks honor and is not the behavior of a true gentleman..."

The middle-aged man addressed as Second Brother remained unshakable in his stance: "For the Great Yan!"

"Very well!" Yan Qingyun wanted to say more, but Yan Shanhe spoke first, directly finalizing the matter: "For the great cause of restoring the Great Yan, I must trouble Second Brother Gongye."

Pausing slightly, he put on a sincere expression and said: "That You Tanzhi's strength is not weak. You must be extremely careful on this trip!"

...

On a hilltop twenty miles outside Luoyang City, a melodious and crisp flute tune rang out. Coming from a commanding height, the sound naturally carried a very long distance.

Zhang Fang crossed his arms over his chest, his back resting comfortably against a tree trunk, listening quietly. After a moment, when A'zi's flute music stopped, he asked, "Are you certain this flute tune can lure all the pursuers from the Xingshuo Sect who are hunting you right here?"

"Naturally," A'zi casually put her flute back into her personal space and said, "According to the Reincarnation Tower's simulation, after I returned to the Reincarnation Tower, A'zi inherited my persona, fleeing everywhere under the pursuit of Zhexingzi and others without ever getting caught, and along the way of escape, she also mastered a set of counter-reconnaissance skills."

"Earlier, when we returned to the cave where I temporarily stayed while practicing my martial arts, besides myself and Elder Chen's group, there were obvious traces of others having been there. And definitely more than one!"

"Counting the time, from when I was captured until now, it's been just over two hours."

"Unless the other party immediately headed off in the wrong direction and never looked back upon discovering that cave, they will definitely hear my flute."

"And A'zi's flute has unique local characteristics exclusive to the Xingshuo Sea region, which cannot be heard in the Central Plains. Once the enemy hears it, they will definitely track it down."

After listening to A'zi babble on for a long time, Zhang Fang replied, "Facts have proven that your judgment was not wrong." His left index finger casually lifted, pointing in a certain direction: "They are already here."

Hearing this, A'zi was startled, and then she happily said: "You mean our experience pack... ahem, I mean our experience pack has already delivered itself to our doorstep?"

Zhang Fang did not answer, but as A'zi's voice trailed off, a familiar, weird laugh came from the direction Zhang Fang was pointing: "Hehehe... Junior Sister, your senior brothers have searched so hard for you!"