Chapter 47: War Of Words

Chapter 47: Chapter 47: War Of Words

As soon as Sui Sui heared that name, Sui Sui’s gaze instinctively shifted toward Yizhou.

Sure enough, the faint smile that had been hanging on Yizhou’s face had suddenly turned for the worst.

His expression hadn’t changed much. He still looked as calm as before, but the temperature in his eyes seemed to have dropped several degrees.

Sui Sui’s heart felt a little cold.

Actually, since this person had never appeared in front of him during his time in the Wenjian Sect, Sui Sui had almost forgotten that such a person even existed. He had been too focused on everything else happening around him.

He had expected them to meet eventually, but he hadn’t expected it to happen this soon.

After his rebirth, Yizhou’s disgust toward Lin Fan had already reached its limit. Unlike with how he treated other people with his fake kind senior brother personality, he didn’t even bother pretending to be friendly around him.

Anyway, without Yizhou’s influence as his childhood friend, Lin Fan’s position in the sect would gradually change. Under Yizhou’s hidden schemes, he would slowly become ostracized by the people around him.

In the novel, Yizhou didn’t even need to openly target Lin Fan. He simply ignored him and stopped giving him the protection and influence he had once enjoyed as his childhood friend.

With Yizhou’s identity and the people who surrounded him, there were naturally others willing to make things difficult for Lin Fan. However, this method wasn’t particularly effective.

Lin Fan was far too good at ingratiating himself with others. Even when some people deliberately targeted or looked down on him, he was quick to flatter those with influence and find ways to maintain their goodwill.

As a result, although Lin Fan’s position in the sect gradually became more difficult, he was never completely ostracized by everyone.

It turned out that even before his betrayal to Yizhou, Lin Fan had already done plenty of questionable things.

For example, he was the type of person who liked taking credit for other people’s achievements, making himself look more capable while letting others’ efforts become his own.

In Yizhou’s first life, he had never once questioned Lin Fan’s actions. After all, Lin Fan had been his childhood friend and the brother he trusted most.

But after his rebirth, things were different, since Yizhou had already seen the truth behind everything, then naturally, he would never let Lin Fan get away with it again.

In order to toy with Lin Fan, Yizhou had already prepared a perfect scheme.

During the secret realm, he would deliberately fake his own death and disappear from the sect. Before that, he would even make sure that Lin Fan obtained his mother’s token, allowing him to claim the identity of a young master and enjoy the status that came with it.

Then, while everyone believed Yizhou was dead and Lin Fan was happily enjoying everything he had gained, Yizhou would secretly disappear into the Demon Realm and begin building his own power.

He wouldn’t expose Lin Fan immediately.

Instead, he would let him climb.

He would let Lin Fan become accustomed to his newfound status, let him enjoy the admiration and glory, and let him believe that he had finally obtained everything he had always wanted.

Then, once he had climbed high enough, Yizhou would slowly bring him back down.

Step by step.

The higher Lin Fan climbed, the harder he would fall.

Everything Yizhou had suffered in his past life, Lin Fan would pay for tenfold.

For someone who valued fame, status, and glory above everything else, this was perhaps the cruelest punishment Yizhou could give him.

While Sui Sui was still recalling everything he knew about Lin Fan, the man himself remained completely unaware of his thoughts.

Lin Fan looked toward the two of them with the same approachable smile.

"Since the two fellow cultivators intend to investigate on your own, I hope you don’t mind if I say a few words." Lin Fan paused briefly before continuing. "This case is rather complicated. The City Lord’s Mansion has spent several days investigating it, yet they still haven’t been able to find the culprit. Even with the information provided today, there are still many unanswered questions."

His tone remained gentle, as though he were merely offering some friendly advice.

"Of course, there is nothing wrong with wanting to investigate independently. However, with several major sects participating in the investigation, working together would undoubtedly save everyone some trouble, wouldn’t you agree."

Everything he said sounded reasonable.

Yet Sui Sui couldn’t help but narrow his eyes slightly.

On the surface, Lin Fan was simply suggesting that they cooperate with the other sects. But beneath those polite words was another meaning.

Wasn’t he implying that their rejection of Luo Qingya was a foolish, ungrateful choice—and that, as rogue cultivators investigating on their own, they likely weren’t capable of solving the case?

Sui Sui could already sense the subtle provocation hidden behind his words.

Beside him, however, Yizhou remained completely calm, his expression showing no hint of emotion.

"What this cultivator said makes sense."

Yizhou finally spoke, his tone calm as if carefully considering the suggestion.

At those words, Lin Fan’s smile deepened slightly.

"Then—"

"But I don’t think efficiency is the only reason we came here."

Yizhou interrupted him before he could continue, his gaze remained calm as he looked at Lin Fan.

"We came here to investigate the case, but we also came here to earn merit for ourselves."

Lin Fan’s smile paused for the briefest moment.

Yizhou continued before he could respond.

"If we join someone else’s group from the beginning, then even if we contribute to solving the case, it would be difficult to say how much of the achievement would truly belong to us."

His voice remained perfectly reasonable, almost as though he were simply explaining his decision.

"After all, if everything is handed over to someone else’s group from the start, then what would be the point of participating?"

The surrounding cultivators gradually fell silent, no one had expected Yizhou to answer so directly.

Sui Sui almost wanted to clap.

As expected of the protagonist’s sharp tongue. He hadn’t directly rejected Lin Fan’s suggestion, but the meaning behind his words was obvious enough. If they joined another group, then no matter how much they contributed, the merit would ultimately be shared with the group—and the leader would naturally receive the most credit.

In other words, why should they help someone else earn merit when they could earn it themselves?

Lin Fan’s smile stiffened for a brief moment, but he quickly concealed it, his expression returning to its usual approachable appearance.

"Fellow Cultivator certainly has a great deal of confidence in your abilities."

"Confidence is naturally necessary." Yizhou met his gaze without the slightest hesitation. "Otherwise, why would we have come here if we didn’t believe we could accomplish the task?"

The two men held each other’s gaze for a moment. Neither of them raised their voice, nor did either show any obvious hostility. Yet the seemingly polite exchange carried an underlying tension that Sui Sui could not miss.

Lin Fan was the first to look away. He let out a light chuckle, once again wearing that easygoing smile. "Of course. Since Fellow Cultivator has such confidence, I naturally won’t interfere."

With that, he stepped back, ending the exchange.

Luo Qingya finally stepped forward, breaking the heavy silence that had settled over the group.

"Senior Brother Lin, I appreciate your invitation." She spoke politely in response to Lin Fan’s earlier offer, her tone calm and measured, her expression as gentle and composed as ever. "But I think what Fellow Cultivator Aotian said also makes sense."

Lin Fan turned his attention toward her, clearly a bit surprised that Luo Qingya sided with Yizhou.

"After considering what Fellow Cultivator Yizhou said, I also feel that since we came here to investigate and gain experience, it would be better to try solving the case ourselves first. If we encounter something beyond our ability, we can always cooperate later."

Luo Qingya’s words were gentle, but there was no hesitation in them. She had clearly made up her mind. Rather than immediately relying on another sect, she wanted to see what they could accomplish on their own first.

Lin Fan fell silent for a brief moment, then as if nothing happened, his familiar smile returned.

"Since Miss Qingya has already made her decision, I naturally won’t force you."

Lin Fan’s smile remained warm and measured as he spoke. He raised his hands in a practiced, courteous salute, sleeves falling neatly as he cupped his fists toward her in a refined bow.

"Then I wish all of you good luck with the investigation."

"Thank you, Cultivator Lin."

Luo Qingya mirrored his gesture with equal grace, inclining her head slightly as her sleeves shifted softly with the motion.

Lin Fan gave a final nod before turning around and leaving with the other Wenjian Sect disciples.

Sui Sui watched his retreating figure, his eyes following the group until they were several steps away.

For some reason, he couldn’t shake off the feeling that this wouldn’t be the last time they crossed paths.