Well, to be honest, I didn’t get anything useful out of Fang Jinyan.
Just some lame deal about stirring up trouble for him in exchange for resources.
No clever schemes, no secret plans—just a typical suck-up mission gone wrong.
Now that Shen Liang’s plan had gone up in flames, Bai Zihan figured the guy might try something else soon.
Well that was if he knew that Fang Jinyan failed which he wouldn’t know as he got Fang Jinyan in his hand.
Moreover, although the guy was a total weakling, he was the Head Disciple of Mystic Moon Peak.
That title had some weight to it—might as well use it like it’s his own in future.
Getting Mystic Moon Peak to do his bidding now and then? Yeah, that might come in handy.
“So, you’re going to report to Shen Liang after this, yeah?”
Bai Zihan asked lazily.
Fang Jinyan looked hesitant for a second, but since Bai Zihan already knew, there was no point in lying.
“Yes… Shen Liang asked to meet me once I was done here,” he admitted.
“Hmm… Then you know what to say, and more importantly, what not to say,” Bai Zihan said.
“Just tell him I suffered a bit and escaped with some fancy artifact.”
“Understood!”
“And when we’re in public, act arrogant around me,” Bai Zihan added casually.
After all, if he suddenly started acting all submissive, Shen Liang would sniff something out immediately.
But if he played the tough guy, it would throw them off the scent.
“Go on then—go report.”
Fang Jinyan didn’t need to be told twice.
He bolted out of there, practically tripping over himself in relief.
He wasn’t dead… yet. But with the poison still in his body, if he ever tried anything funny, he’d be coughing blood before he could even regret it.
Now only Kong Zhanhong was left, standing obediently like a little dog.
“You…”
Bai Zihan called.
“Yes, young master! Whatever you need, just say the word.”
Kong Zhanhong said, bowing with a big-ass grin. The guy was practically born to kiss ass.
Bai Zihan didn’t mind. Honestly, he preferred guys like that over clueless idiots who didn’t know their place.
“Go gather all the info you can about the Heaven Sword Sect and its factions,” Bai Zihan ordered.
(I was planning to ask someone from the Bai Clan, but haven’t seen a single one yet.)
“Oh, and another thing—find out where the other Bai Clan disciples are hiding.”
(Hmph. Trying to avoid me?)
“Yes, young master!”
With everything taken care of, Bai Zihan headed back to his courtyard.
As he stepped onto the familiar stone path, the wooden door slid open and a figure came rushing out.
“Young Master, you’re back!”
Lin Xuan said, voice full of respectful enthusiasm.
It was a big change from yesterday. Gone was the cautious tone, the wary glances.
Lin Xuan now stood straight, eyes slightly lowered, voice steady but reverent.
The shift was clear as day—he wasn’t just pretending. He’d already accepted Bai Zihan as his master.
A sharp contrast from yesterday’s edge-of-suspicion attitude.
Bai Zihan gave him a sideways glance.
“Mmm!”
Lin Xuan quickly stepped aside, holding the door open and offering a fresh cup of tea like a proper servant.
“I’ve cleaned the courtyard, lit some calming incense. Would you like to rest?”
All this without even being asked. Bai Zihan raised an eyebrow slightly but said nothing.
(Not bad!)
At least, better than Luo Qing who needs to be given orders for everything.
He walked inside, took the tea, and made himself comfortable.
Meanwhile, the Heaven Sword Sect was buzzing with gossip.
In the inner disciple dorms, down by the riverside training grounds, even in the pill refinement hall—everyone had something to say.
“Yo, you heard? That new Bai Clan guy took in a handyman as his personal servant.”
“You mean Lin Xuan? That quiet dude from the outer quarters?”
“Yeah. Word is Bai Zihan offered him Earth-Grade cultivation techniques and high-level pills.”
“No way. That’s insane!”
“Man, Lin Xuan’s either crazy or just desperate. I bet he’s suffering right now, poor guy.”
But that wasn’t the hottest rumor.
“Oh, oh—and get this: Bai Zihan fought the Head Disciple, Fang Jinyan!”
“No shit? What happened?”
“Apparently, Fang Jinyan kicked his ass. Send him running like a scared little rabbit.”
“Seriously?”
“That’s what people are saying. Some even claim they saw him limping off with his robes torn up.”
“Tsk! Useless guy. Why the hell is he an Inner Disciple while I’m stuck here busting my ass as an Outer?”
This rumor was blowing up fast.
And surprise, surprise—it all traced back to Shen Liang.
He was the one feeding the gossip through his little minions, spicing it up with fake details.
Like Bai Zihan begging for mercy or being dragged away in disgrace. He even had a few lackeys pretending to be “eyewitnesses.”
Shen Liang wanted to chip away at Bai Zihan’s growing mystique—make him look weak, laughable.
He didn’t just want to isolate Bai Zihan. He wanted to make him a joke.
Naturally, it was to make Bai Zihan lose whatever reputation and influence he might have as Bai Clan’s heir.
He also rewarded Fang Jinyan as promised and gave additional tasks with even greater reward.
“So that’s what he’s planning, huh?”
Bai Zihan let out a dry mutter as Fang Jinyan finally stopped talking and bowed, dutifully delivering Shen Liang’s so-called genius plan like it wasn’t complete trash.
Apparently, just having to get Fang Jinyan to beat him up and spreading rumors wasn’t enough for that bastard.
No, Shen Liang wanted the full package—his reputation wrecked, his engagement blown up, and if possible, his entire future in the Heaven Sword Sect torched.
And this latest scheme?
He ordered Fang Jinyan to sneak some female undergarments into Bai Zihan’s room. Make sure they’re placed somewhere obvious.
Then tip off a few girls—ones who’d be willing to play along. And make sure Chu Ziyan’s with them too.
Accuse him of something nasty. Say he’s been peeping, stealing, or maybe even plotting something worse.
The girls would act shocked, kick up a fuss, and start pointing fingers in front of a crowd.
If it all went according to plan, the engagement with Chu Ziyan would be over, and Bai Zihan might even get expelled.
At the very least, his name would be dragged through the mud until he didn’t even have the face to show up in public.
Too bad for Shen Liang—Bai Zihan already knew everything.