"Barely acceptable."

"So that means... Divine Doctor Ding is willing to join the Rebel Army?"

"Don’t rush, this is just my condition for joining the Rebel Army. The terms for my husband have yet to be discussed."

"Huh?"

Qiu Xiaoping was dumbfounded.

Just one person’s terms?

If it’s two people’s, wouldn’t it really drain the Rebel Army’s resources?

If it indeed requires that much, she must report this further up; as a Minister, she cannot make decisions about this level of allocation.

Fortunately, Ding Hui’s next words immediately relieved her.

"If you want my husband to join the Rebel Army, you need to help us find someone."

Finding someone is good, it’s a relatively easier task.

The Rebel Army’s influence is not what it was initially.

Now it’s basically spread across the entire Thunder City, with a well-established intelligence network, making it not difficult to find people. Most importantly, it avoids draining resources by continuous exploitation...

"As for who exactly to find, we’ll discuss it further later. Now, it’s time for my husband to make his demands."

What?!

Wasn’t it just...

Before Qiu Xiaoping could speak, Ding Hui already slyly winked at her.

"Earlier, I as a wife, unilaterally made the demands for my husband, but I think the Rebel Army shouldn’t ignore his personal interests, right? In Thunder City, individuals as skilled in combat as my husband are quite rare."

Qiu Xiaoping was silent.

Indeed, there aren’t many.

Including four ministers and two commanders, the Rebel Army only has six individuals capable of sparring with Fang Yu.

Beyond that, only those in the Foolish Underworld or the Ten Major Families with high-level powers are eligible to face him.

With such a lineup, it’s truly valuable!

In fact, compared to Divine Doctor Ding’s potential concealed strength, Fang Yu’s immediate combat ability is what the Rebel Army currently needs the most.

Otherwise, Qiu Xiaoping wouldn’t lower her status to personally invite him.

"Young Master Diao..."

Qiu Xiaoping looked at Fang Yu, but before she could finish her sentence...

"I will not join the Rebel Army."

This...

Qiu Xiaoping was a little dumbfounded and looked at Ding Hui. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

The latter had already begun to bombard Fang Yu’s mind with relentless arguments.

Since the voice emerged directly in Fang Yu’s mind, Qiu Xiaoping could only see the two fall into a certain stalemate.

After a long while, Fang Yu reluctantly spoke.

"Fine, I will join the Rebel Army, but I need... a Talisman of Malevolence Dispelling."

A Talisman of Malevolence Dispelling?

Qiu Xiaoping was slightly taken aback, then her expression began to shift into something peculiar.

This item, she hadn’t heard mentioned in a long time.

Mainly because this thing, though rare, is truly hard to find.

Yet, being rare doesn’t mean it’s useful. It’s a typical example of rarity without much value.

The warehouse might... have one or two pieces? After all, the Rebel Army has collected from quite a few old small and medium-sized families, and some factions have also defected to them, acquiring a considerable number of rare items.

"We’ll see about that, even if it’s not in the storeroom, our Rebel Army will help Young Master Diao acquire one!"

But Fang Yu spoke again.

"That’s not enough."

What?

Are you two lions? Both opening your mouths wide, never-ending demands?

Qiu Xiaoping was reaching her limit, suppressing her emotions, she asked.

"And what else does Young Master Diao want?"

"Protection."

"Huh?"

Seeing Qiu Xiaoping somewhat puzzled, Fang Yu pointed at Ding Hui and himself.

"I need the Rebel Army to use their energy to protect my wife and myself, to safeguard our privacy, to cover our tracks and traces, ensuring no one can easily find us."

Ah, it’s that kind of matter.

Qiu Xiaoping breathed a sigh of relief; if the two of them join the Rebel Army, they immediately become high-level members, matters related to privacy and whereabouts will have dedicated handling to obscure and ensure the safety of the upper echelon.

The Rebel Army has been thriving in Thunder City for a long time without being rooted out by the Foolish Underworld; their skill in this domain is, of course, undisputed.

"There’s more." Fang Yu spoke again.

"More?!"

Qiu Xiaoping was genuinely on the brink of collapse; she was somewhat afraid of Fang Yu opening his mouth and spitting out more demands.

"The last demand."

Fang Yu raised a finger and continued, "I need all the intelligence on the demons lurking in Thunder City. The Rebel Army should have gathered quite a bit on this front, right?"

That is inevitable.

As always, being able to maintain the secrecy of their forces under the heavy scrutiny of the Foolish Underworld, the Rebel Army’s reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance capabilities are truly terrifying.

And the demons lurking in Thunder City have been largely uncovered thanks to the Rebel Army’s intelligence.

However, some demons’ disguise as humans makes it tricky to move against them. Some are still in the suspicion stage, making it equally challenging to strike.

Consensus was reached, and all parties were pleased.

"Welcome to you both in joining the big family of the Rebel Army! I will report and process your requests as soon as possible. I believe soon, we’ll all be colleagues!"

Qiu Xiaoping’s happiness was visible to the naked eye.

Although Fang Yu hesitated, he ultimately gained some benefits.

But after seeing off Qiu Xiaoping, and with only him and Ding Hui left in the room, Fang Yu couldn’t help but start complaining.

"Why did you agree to join the Rebel Army without consulting me first! This isn’t what we agreed on before!"

"Situation’s changed, haven’t you forgotten who you killed?"

Who did I kill?

Killed someone profound.

Wait!

"You mean...we’ve already thoroughly offended the Foolish Underworld, so we might as well join the opposition and take some advantages?"

"Of course! Based on my observation, the Rebel Army holds the upper hand in intelligence amidst the tug-of-war with the Foolish Underworld."

Fang Yu frowned.

Joining the Rebel Army feels great at the moment, but...

"If the Foolish Underworld or the Ten Major Families decide to suppress the Rebel Army, what do we do if a complete conflict erupts?"

"Run."

"Huh?"

"What? Do you want to live and die with the Rebel Army?"

"Of course not...but, we took so many advantages, and if the Rebel Army faces trouble, we just turn tail and run, isn’t that a bit...?"

Ding Hui stroked his chin, pretending to think seriously.

"Then let’s stay, live and die with the Rebel Army, then overthrow the wicked Official Office forces, the Foolish Underworld! Overturn the Ten Major Families entrenched in Thunder City for countless years! Crown the Rebel Army as the king of Thunder City, and then lead it towards a bright and happy future! Then, you can become the City Lord, and I’ll be the City Lord’s wife, and together we’ll change Thunder City! How does that sound?"

Fang Yu: ...

Fang Yu imagined that scenario and couldn’t help but look exasperated.

"Are you serious?"

"What do you think!" Ding Hui replied exasperatedly.

"Overthrowing the local tyrants, the idea you have is really bold! Even if we put both of our lives into it, it might not even be enough! Such a thing obviously takes hundreds, even thousands of years, spanning several generations to achieve. Such a humongous endeavor, why do you think we should get involved, what compelling reason is there?"

Fang Yu shook his head.

"None."

"Exactly! Use it when it’s beneficial, run when it’s time to leave. Do you think the Rebel Army sincerely cares about us? They are utilizing our ability and strength, it’s merely a mutually beneficial arrangement. To truly believe in the great aspirations of the Rebel Army as an ideal, now that would be foolish."

Fang Yu understood.

"So, we just temporarily act as enforcers for the Rebel Army, while seeking their protection to avoid being pursued by the Foolish Underworld. In the meantime, we take care of our own business and then slip away?"

"Exactly."

Fang Yu still felt it was a bit unscrupulous.

But what Ding Hui said was correct.

They had no reason to waste years, decades, or even centuries of their lives on the internal strife of Thunder City.

In the ebb and flow of life, there are always those who will forge ahead and are willing to give everything for such matters, but it doesn’t need to be them.

Just when they were discussing this, Fang Yu suddenly sensed something and signaled Ding Hui to silence.

The next second.

Bam!

Fa Hongwen burst through the door.

"Mr. Diao! Something big has happened! I just got news from Master Xing! Fa Xiao, that Forest Snake Gang’s behind-the-scenes Gang Leader, the guy who’s been manipulating my life, is planning a sudden attack on our Forest Snake Gang tonight! Mr. Diao, tonight determines if my life will turn around, I’m counting on you!"

"Where’s Lord Qiu? No matter the cost, I need to ask her to spend the night at the gang to keep us safe, to keep Forest Snake Gang safe!"

"And, and... Damn it! At this crucial moment, Master Zhang Xiangzhi is missing! Oh no, oh no, Master Xing said Master Chang has been secretly detained by that guy! It’s a mess! It’s a mess! Mr. Diao, wait for me a bit, I’ll go find Lord Qiu and talk first, then come back to discuss the big plan with you!"

Fa Hongwen spoke rapidly and chaotically, even leaving in a hurry, but Fang Yu understood a bit.

In simple terms, the behind-the-scenes Gang Leader of the Forest Snake Gang wants to settle accounts with the gang.

But...

Fang Yu’s expression turned a bit subtle.

Really, dude.

Choosing the timing perfectly.

Qiu Xiaoping, and soon Monk Quan Heng, along with me.

Man, are you really planning to take on the three major players simultaneously? Seriously?

...