(Why did Father call for me?)
Bai Zihan wondered.
(Is it because of the Heaven Sword Sect disciple?)
That was the most recent problem he had caused, but he didn’t think it could be that—it had already been mostly resolved.
Resolved in the sense that the Heaven Sword Sect couldn’t do anything to him.
(Could it be something I did before that?)
If all the trouble he had caused were listed down, it probably wouldn’t fit on a single sheet of paper.
“Well, we’ll find out.”
Whatever it was, he figured he could handle it.
When Bai Zihan arrived at the main hall, he found his father seated on the clan leader’s throne, his usual serious expression in place.
Bai Zihan stepped forward lazily, his hands behind his head.
“You called for me, Father?”
Bai Tianheng looked at his son, his eyes unreadable.
For a moment, he said nothing.
Then—
Bai Tianheng tapped his fingers against the armrest of his chair.
“You are aware of the political situation within the clan, correct?”
Bai Zihan’s eyes sharpened slightly.
(Here we go. This is about my position as heir, isn’t it?)
He leaned slightly to the side.
“More or less!”
Bai Zihan was well aware that the clan didn’t want him as heir and sought to replace him.
Of course, he ignored those concerns and instead focused on bullying the other geniuses, including Bai Jian—the one most likely to take his place.
Bai Tianheng had warned Bai Zihan multiple times about his behavior and how it made his position as heir vulnerable though he didn’t care.
Bai Tianheng leaned forward slightly, his piercing gaze locking onto his son.
“Then let me get straight to the point. You are to be engaged to Chu Ziyan of the Chu Clan.”
Silence!
Bai Zihan’s smirk froze.
“What?”
Bai Tianheng sat back, completely calm.
“The engagement will be officially announced in a few days. The Bai Clan and the Chu Clan have reached an agreement.”
Bai Tianheng stated as if everything had already been decided.
Bai Zihan stared at him, his mind slowly processing the words.
He opened his mouth, then closed it again.
Then—
“…Pft—Hahaha!”
He burst out laughing.
Bai Tianheng remained expressionless.
Bai Zihan wiped a tear from the corner of his eye, shaking his head.
“You’re joking, right?”
Silence!
Bai Zihan’s laughter faded.
“… You’re serious?”
Bai Tianheng nodded.
Bai Zihan’s smirk disappeared entirely.
Chu Ziyan—the genius of the Chu Clan and one of the top beauties in the entire Desolate Heaven Empire.
Others might see her as kind, talented, and fairy-like, but to Bai Zihan, she was nothing more than a bigger bully than himself.
With Chu Ziyan being Bai Xueqing’s senior sister and close friend, there was no way he didn’t meet her.
Bai Xueqing had brought Chu Ziyan home after getting a vacation from the Heaven Sword Sect, a year after she had entered the sect.
At the time, Bai Zihan was just nine years old, while Chu Ziyan was eleven.
Without Bai Xueqing around, Bai Zihan had been causing trouble left and right—there was no one to stop him.
So, when Bai Xueqing brought Chu Ziyan home, he thought she would be another easy target.
People in the Bai Clan couldn’t go against him, and that was especially true for guests who feared the Bai Clan’s power.
At the time, Bai Zihan was nine years old—a proud troublemaker without equal in the Bai Clan.
He ruled over the servants, bullied the younger generation, and even dared to play pranks on the elders.
No one could stop him, and even if they wanted to, they didn’t dare.
Why?
Because he was the young master of the Bai Clan—the direct heir to one of the three most powerful clans in the Desolate Heaven Empire.
Even if someone had the guts to punish him, his mother would protect him, while his father was too busy managing clan affairs to personally interfere unless things got out of hand.
With no one to discipline him, Bai Zihan did whatever he pleased.
And then… Chu Ziyan arrived.
It was one afternoon when Bai Zihan first laid eyes on her.
His sister, Bai Xueqing, had finally returned from the Heaven Sword Sect after a full year of training.
Normally, Bai Zihan would avoid his sister like the plague.
However, this time, she had brought someone with her.
She carried a wooden practice sword on her back, her posture firm and upright like a proper martial artist.
Even though she was young, her presence carried an air of confidence and authority that most people lacked.
This was Chu Ziyan—Bai Xueqing’s close friend and fellow genius of the Heaven Sword Sect.
Bai Zihan watched them from afar, his interest piqued.
At that time, he had no idea who she was, nor did he care.
To him, she was just another guest, and guests were perfect targets for his pranks.
With a mischievous grin, Bai Zihan quickly formulated a plan.
Bai Zihan waited for the perfect moment.
That evening, Bai Xueqing and Chu Ziyan were in the courtyard, training together while a few Bai Clan servants watched from the sidelines.
Seeing his sister occupied, Bai Zihan made his move.
He sneaked into Bai Xueqing’s room and found her personal tea set—a gift from their father.
He carefully added a strange powder—a harmless but incredibly spicy herb that would set the drinker’s mouth on fire.
(Heh! Let’s see if that girl can handle it!)
Once the trap was set, he ordered a servant to deliver the tea to Chu Ziyan and Bai Xueqing.
Then, he hid nearby, eagerly waiting to witness Chu Ziyan’s suffering.
The moment Chu Ziyan lifted the cup, Bai Zihan felt his excitement rise.
(Here it comes!)
She took a sip.
Then—
Nothing.
Chu Ziyan’s expression didn’t change at all.
(Huh?)
Bai Zihan watched, confused.
Didn’t she taste it?
That spice was supposed to make people scream and cry!
Instead, Chu Ziyan simply placed the cup down calmly and continued speaking with Bai Xueqing.
She didn’t even blink.
Bai Zihan felt something was wrong.
A moment later, Bai Xueqing also took a sip—
“!!!”
Bai Xueqing spat the tea out instantly, coughing violently.
“Who—?! Who put this in my tea?!”
Bai Zihan froze.
(Shit!)
Bai Xueqing immediately turned toward the nearest servant, her eyes burning with rage.
“Who made this tea?”
The terrified servant fell to his knees.
“I—I only delivered it! I don’t know anything else!”
Chu Ziyan slowly turned her head.
Her red eyes locked onto the bushes where Bai Zihan was hiding.
For the first time, Bai Zihan felt a chill crawl up his spine.
“Come out!”
Her voice was calm and steady, but there was no room for argument.
Bai Zihan gulped.
But before he could even think of escaping—
A cold voice interrupted.
“He’s over there.”
It was Chu Ziyan.
Unlike Bai Xueqing, she didn’t sound angry.
She sounded… interested.
Like a hunter that had just found its prey.
Bai Zihan knew that his sister was terrifying when she was mad.
But for some reason, Chu Ziyan’s calm gaze scared him more.
Still, Bai Zihan wasn’t the type to back down.
He stepped out boldly, putting on his most arrogant smirk.
“Tch, so what if I did it? I was just having some fun.”
His tone was casual, but he made sure to look down on Chu Ziyan as he spoke.
After all, he was Bai Zihan—the feared and untouchable young master.
Who did this girl think she was to tattle on his location?
However—
He had made a mistake.
Chu Ziyan tilted her head slightly.
“Oh? Just fun?”
She slowly stood up, dusting off her sleeves.
“Hmph! Ziyan, you can take care of him,” Bai Xueqing said as she left the place.
Bai Zihan suddenly felt danger despite his sister leaving.
But before he could react—
BAM!
Chi ZIyan’s knuckle hit his head, almost breaking it apart.
“GAH!”
Bai Zihan rolled on the ground, his arms clutching his head as pain exploded through his body.
He coughed violently, barely able to process what just happened.
(Did she just… hit me?)
Before he could even stand up—
BAM!
Another hit—this time straight to his back, pinning him face-first into the dirt.
Bai Zihan gritted his teeth, his rage boiling over.
“You—! Do you know who I am?!”
Chu Ziyan gazed down at him.
“Who are you?”
She asked arrogantly.
“Hmph! Ignorant girl. I am the young master of the Bai Clan, destined to lead it one day!”
Bai Zihan boasted and waited for Chu Ziyan to realize her grave mistake and grovel before him.
However, what he expected didn’t happen. She just kept looking at him.
“So?”
She said, her voice carrying zero respect, zero fear.
Chu Ziyan most likely knew who he was before he even introduced himself though she acted ignorant.
BAM!
Another hit on his head.
“Y-YOU! You will regret this!”
BAM!
“Regret, my a**! How dare a 9-year-old think he is invincible? Let this big sister teach you some lessons!”
She had no regard for Bai Zihan at all and continued beating him up.
Bai Zihan wasn’t the one to back down easily and tried to threaten her in various way, only to end up getting more beaten up.
The servants watching the scene froze in horror.
Chu Ziyan had beaten up the Bai Clan’s heir… in broad daylight!
But what can they do?
They were aware of Chu Ziyan’s status, not to mention Bai Xueqing was supportive of Chu ZIyan when she said she would let Chu ZIyan handle Bai Zihan.
Bai Zihan’s hands clenched into fists.
No one had ever spoken to him like this.
No one had ever dared to lay a hand on him.
But this girl—this outsider—had just beaten him to the ground like he was nothing.
Bai Zihan slowly lifted his head, glaring at her with pure hatred.
“You—”
Chu Ziyan leaned down, her eyes boring into his.
“Hehe… It looks like my vacation at the Bai Clan won’t be too boring.”
Her voice was filled with amusement, as if she were looking at her new toy.
And indeed, for the next two weeks, during her entire stay at the Bai Clan, he was treated worse than a servant.
He had to bring tea and follow her orders otherwise more suffering awaited her.
Chu Ziyan treated him worse than his sister, and there was nothing he could do, as he soon found out that Chu Ziyan was the precious daughter of the Chu Clan—a clan the Bai Clan was trying to establish a good relationship with.
Of course, he tried to take revenge but always ended up getting his ass beaten by Chu Ziyan.
And now…
His father wanted him to marry that demon woman?!