Chapter 343 - 340: Hostility
Chapter 343: Chapter 340: Hostility
"Young Master, you are brilliant. While this plan won’t cause him any real harm, it will unsettle him and tarnish his reputation. No matter how famous he becomes later, a stain like this will be nearly impossible to erase."
"Gossip can melt gold, and slander can break bones. Once a man’s reputation is ruined, many things become far less convenient for him."
Wanfu said flatteringly.
"Was it a clean job? Will the Qingxuan Sect be able to trace it back to you?"
Wan Yuntian took a sip of wine, his gaze flicking to Wanfu.
"Rest assured, Young Master."
Wanfu bowed even lower, his voice dropping to a hush.
"I used a clandestine network with no overt ties to the Ten Thousand Treasures Building. The order passed through three sets of hands. The ones who actually spread the rumors only know that someone paid them for the job; they have no idea who their employer is."
"The rumors themselves are a mix of truth and lies, blended in with all the other gossip on the streets. It’s like a drop of water in the ocean, making the source nearly impossible to trace. Even if the Qingxuan Sect suspects something is amiss, getting to the bottom of it will be anything but easy."
"Mm."
Wan Yuntian nodded in satisfaction, a flicker of malicious glee in his eyes.
Just imagining Fang Han’s frustrated and helpless expression when he discovered he’d suddenly gained a reputation for ’robbing people by force,’ all while being unable to find out who was pulling the strings, put Wan Yuntian in an excellent mood.
The bitter resentment festering in his heart from Fang Han’s interference, which allowed Lan Yuexin to escape, finally began to dissipate.
"Any news from Lan Yuexin’s side recently?"
Wan Yuntian asked.
"To answer the Young Master, since the last attack, Lan Yuexin has become more cautious and has increased the number of her guards."
"Furthermore, it seems she’s been in frequent contact with Fang Han. He has visited the Hundred Treasures Pavilion’s branch in Jinhuang City multiple times."
Wanfu replied.
"Hmph. She certainly knows how to ride coattails. Fang Han is the man of the hour, so of course she’s sticking close to him."
Wan Yuntian snorted coldly, the sinister look in his eyes deepening.
"It doesn’t matter. We’ll take our time. Once Fang Han’s reputation is in tatters, it won’t be a good look for her Hundred Treasures Pavilion to associate too closely with a ’disreputable’ prodigy. Sooner or later, I’ll make them both pay."
He drained the remaining wine in his cup and waved his hand.
Wanfu understood, bowed, and quietly retreated.
In the Quiet Chamber, only Wan Yuntian remained. He stared at the flickering candlelight, the cold smile on his face lingering for a long time.
...
「The next day.」
Fang Han slept until noon before waking naturally.
He lay still for a moment, feeling the abundant energy in his body and a long-overdue sense of being refreshed and clear-headed.
The fatigue from five straight days of rushing through the wilderness under intense stress was finally swept away after a deep sleep that lasted nearly a full day.
He rose and stretched his limbs. The Inner Qi within his body flowed naturally, smoothly and full of vitality.
His Cultivation at the Middle Stage of Fourth Grade had stabilized. In fact, due to the pressure of several days of combat and flight, it had even faintly improved.
After washing up, he changed into a clean green robe and packed his belongings. Fang Han went downstairs for a meal, then settled his bill and left the inn, heading back toward the Qingxuan Sect.
「Two days later.」
He was passing through Jinhuang City.
’The trouble I caused in Cuihua City might implicate the Hundred Treasures Pavilion!’
Fang Han’s steps faltered slightly as he remembered the trouble he had caused in Cuihua City.
He had caused quite a stir in Cuihua City, killing dozens of people, including seven Fourth-Grade Martial Artists.
Although he had successfully escaped in the end, there was no guarantee that someone wouldn’t trace it back to the origin of that invitation and implicate the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.
He was indebted to Lan Yuexin. She had not only warned him of the initial danger but had also found information on the Howling Moon Spirit Deer Antlers, providing him with the crucial invitation and map.
He couldn’t let his own affairs bring trouble to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.
’I have to go see Lan Yuexin!’
After a moment of thought, Fang Han turned and headed toward the Hundred Treasures Pavilion’s branch in the city.
After announcing his name, he was once again led to that elegant sitting room in the rear courtyard. Before long, Lan Yuexin arrived.
Today she wore a pale yellow dress with a light turquoise gauze robe draped over it. Her dark hair was simply swept up and held in place by a single, slanted Jade Hairpin, giving her a bright and captivating air.
A look of delight appeared in her eyes upon seeing Fang Han, and she quickened her pace to greet him.
"Young Master Fang Han, you’re back? Did everything go smoothly?"
Her voice was gentle, showing genuine concern.
"I ran into some trouble, but fortunately, I got the Howling Moon Spirit Deer Antlers."
Fang Han clasped his hands and smiled.
The two sat down. A Maid served fragrant tea and then withdrew.
"Miss Yuexin, I came this time to tell you something that might cause you some trouble."
Fang Han got straight to the point, briefly recounting how he had attended the auction in Cuihua City, was ambushed twice after winning the Howling Moon Spirit Deer Antlers, and ended up killing dozens of people before fleeing the city overnight.
"I used the invitation provided by your esteemed Pavilion. I’m worried that the powers in Donglu County might trace the invitation’s origin and implicate the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. If that happens, I would feel terribly sorry."
Fang Han’s tone was sincere.
Lan Yuexin listened quietly, a flash of surprise in her bright eyes that quickly turned to calm composure.
She shook her head gently and said softly:
"Young Master Fang Han, you are being too hard on yourself. How can this be your fault? In an auction, the highest bidder wins. That is the natural order of things."
"Those people were driven by greed to kill and steal treasures. It was their own wicked deeds that brought about their doom. You were only acting in self-defense, forced to fight back. What fault is there in that?"
She paused for a moment before continuing.
"As for the trouble the invitation might cause, you need not worry too much. Even if someone does trace it back, my Hundred Treasures Pavilion is no pushover."
"We can handle a few waves. It is a great blessing that you were able to return safely, Young Master."
Hearing this, Fang Han’s heart warmed slightly.
Lan Yuexin’s words were both reasonable and showed a sense of responsibility; she didn’t show the slightest bit of displeasure at the possibility of trouble.
"I’ve caused trouble for you and the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, Miss Yuexin."
He clasped his hands again.
"You are too kind, Young Master."
Lan Yuexin smiled faintly. Then, a trace of hesitation flickered in her bright eyes as she asked softly.
"Young Master, on your way back, did you happen to... hear any rumors about yourself?"
Fang Han’s gaze sharpened, and he nodded.
"I did. In a tavern in Pinggu City, I overheard people saying that I use my status as a Celestial Pride of the Qingxuan Sect to take what I want by force, wiping out entire families on a whim. They even used the Gong and Lin Families as examples."
Lan Yuexin sighed softly:
"So it really has spread. I’ve heard about it as well and even sent people to investigate secretly, hoping to find the source."
"Unfortunately, they acted with great secrecy. The trail went cold after a few twists and turns, and we couldn’t find out which power was behind it."
She looked up at Fang Han, her eyes filled with apology and gravity.
"However, I do have someone in mind."
"Oh? And who might that be?"
Fang Han asked quickly.
"Wan Yuntian, the Young Master of the Ten Thousand Treasures Building."
Lan Yuexin’s bright eyes narrowed slightly. Her fingertips gently traced the rim of the delicate white teacup as her voice dropped even lower, tinged with a distinct coldness.
"Wan Yuntian?"
Fang Han raised an eyebrow slightly. He had, of course, heard the name before.
The Ten Thousand Treasures Building, along with the Hundred Treasures Pavilion and the Treasure House, were the three great merchant guilds of Qingyang County. As the son of the master of the Ten Thousand Treasures Building, Wan Yuntian had a reputation as a business prodigy and was quite famous among the younger generation in the county.
But he’d never had any dealings with this Young Master Wan of the Tower; they had never even met.
"I have no grudge against him. Why would he target me?"
Fang Han voiced his confusion.
A complex, guilty look flashed across Lan Yuexin’s face. She bit her lip and said in a low voice:
"This... is likely because of me. To be honest with you, Young Master, I suspect Wan Yuntian was the one behind the ambush at the inn."
"He competes fiercely with my Hundred Treasures Pavilion and sees me as a thorn in his side, wanting nothing more than to eliminate me. That night, you saved me and foiled his carefully laid trap. He must have come to resent you for it."
"Given his vindictive and insidious nature, he wouldn’t dare do anything to a Celestial Pride True Inheritance like you openly. Spreading rumors in the shadows to ruin your name, however, is his preferred method."
’The Young Master of the Ten Thousand Treasures Building, Wan Yuntian...’
Fang Han fell silent. What Lan Yuexin said was logical and reasonable.
Wan Yuntian and Lan Yuexin, or rather the Ten Thousand Treasures Building and the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, were business rivals. It was common for them to undermine each other. Hiring assassins, while ruthless, was not unheard of in the struggle for profit.
He had saved Lan Yuexin, ruining the other party’s plans. It was perfectly logical that he would become the target of their displaced anger and resentment.
Using a seemingly harmless but ultimately troublesome method like spreading rumors for revenge, rather than direct confrontation, certainly fit the methods of a young master of a merchant guild—insidious, covert, difficult to trace, yet capable of causing continuous problems.
However, he didn’t believe her completely.
Lan Yuexin and Wan Yuntian were rivals; her words were inevitably biased.
’Perhaps Wan Yuntian really is behind it. But it could also be some other, unknown power. It might even be the Hundred Treasures Pavilion trying to use me to deal with Wan Yuntian.’
These thoughts flashed through Fang Han’s mind, but not a hint of them showed on his face. He simply nodded and said in a grave voice:
"I see. Thank you for telling me, Miss Yuexin. I will keep an eye on this person."
"Please rest assured, Young Master. Since this matter arose because of me, my Hundred Treasures Pavilion will not stand idly by. I have already had people monitor the street rumors and will find a way to guide the narrative and clarify the truth about the Gong and Chu Family incidents."
"While we can’t reverse all the rumors immediately, it should at least counteract some of the negative effects."
Lan Yuexin said apologetically.
"I appreciate your trouble, Miss Yuexin."
Fang Han clasped his hands in thanks. Regardless of whether Lan Yuexin was acting out of sincerity or self-interest, her willingness to help was a good thing.
"You are too kind, Young Master. This is my duty."
Lan Yuexin gave a gentle smile, the serious look on her brow easing slightly.
"Young Master, you must be weary from your journey. Would you like to rest here at the Pavilion for a couple of days before returning to the Sect?"
"That won’t be necessary. I’ve rested enough. I’m preparing to return to the mountain now."
Fang Han stood up.
Now that he had a suspect, he wanted to use the Sect’s intelligence network to investigate the matter as soon as possible.
"Then I will see you out, Young Master."
Lan Yuexin walked Fang Han to the back door of the branch. Before parting, she added softly:
"Young Master, please be careful after you return to the Sect. Wan Yuntian’s methods don’t end here. The rumors may just be the beginning."
"I understand."
Fang Han nodded, his gaze calm.
"A few rumors aren’t enough to trouble my heart. However, if someone really thinks that I, Fang Han, am an easy target, someone to be shot at from the shadows..."
His tone was mild, yet it carried a sharp, chilling edge.
"...then they had better be prepared to face the consequences."
A chill went through Lan Yuexin’s heart. Looking at the calm yet sharp gaze of the green-robed young man before her, she suddenly felt that this time, Wan Yuntian might have provoked an enemy he should have left alone.
Leaving the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, Fang Han didn’t linger. He went straight out of Jinhuang City and, using his Body Technique, sped off in the direction of the Qingxuan Sect.