Chapter 303: Who Is Scheming Against Me?

While Han Xuhan rejoiced upon the fact that he had hooked another fish to Kong Ye’s bait, the fish, Xiao Wu, felt a deep sense of camaraderie.

In this sect, so far away from home, where people he was supposed to trust had backstabbed him, how lucky he had been to make a friend as sincere and generous as brother Xuhan!

"Martial Brother, since you’re doing me a favor so huge, I won’t be stingy with you," he said as he took out a fancy-looking pocketbook from inside his robe.

"This book contains some basic information and an introduction to the techniques common among the young disciples of all the famous sects in this continent, as well as the top sects from other continents.

"As this tournament is held every few years, powerful families and sects that participate in it can easily compile some general knowledge for the guidance of their future disciples. Among such compilations, this version in my hand is considered the best!

"I smuggled this book out of the Xiao Clan’s library back when I used to study in their private academy. The information recorded in it can’t be found in our sect, that’s for sure!"

Han Xuhan’s eyes widened. What a wonderful business opportunity! He could-

"Don’t even think about trying to start another business with this. I can see that greedy light in your eyes, martial brother. I’ve already made arrangements with the Archives Pavilion to make copies of this book to sell them to the entire outer court."

"...."

Feeling a bit threatened by the possibility of another business tycoon appearing on the same mountain as his, Han Xuhan took a mental note. In matters of business, he had to operate sneakily around this guy.

"Since you’ve promised to help me become Elder Kong Ye’s apprentice, I’ll give this copy to you for free. It’ll surely be of some help to you once the tournament starts!"

His good mood returning immediately, Han Xuhan accepted the book and bid Xiao Wu goodbye.

* * * *

Sect Master Xuan Zi was busy experimenting with a Mystic Art when he sensed someone’s arrival outside his cultivation chamber. Abruptly hiding all traces of the spell, he unlocked the seal on the door with a mental command, letting the youth outside know that he was welcome to enter.

"Greetings, Sect Master," he said as he entered. "The weekly report has been compiled. And here are the documents from the archives that you requested..."

Xuan Zi took the documents and habitually ordered the servant to read the weekly report out loud while he examined them.

"Only three noteworthy changes took place this week, sect master. Elder Shen from the treasury has sent us a severely worded complaint about a disciple abusing one of your ’Monetary Authorization Medallions’.

"Apparently, this disciple has used the medallion to purchase resources worth 12,380.5 spirit stones in the last two weeks... and he plans to continue doing so."

A vein on Xuan Zi’s temple twitched at the mention of the number of spirit stones. As for who the culprit was, it was no mystery to anyone in the sect.

"Mm, it’s fine. Continue," Xuan Zi told the servant after a resigned sigh, who, upon hearing his order, noted something down before moving on.

"Secondly, the internal preparations for the first round of the tournament are about to be completed by tonight. All the calculations have been synchronized. The Elders are awaiting your permission to make the public announcement."

Xuan Zi nodded to himself and took out a tiny hourglass from a nearby table. After a moment of observation, he put it back.

"By tonight, we’ll have the clearance to announce it to the disciples, alongside every half-decent sect on this planet. Tell the Elders to get ready to hold the recruitment ceremony. Of course, those who don’t want to choose apprentices this year can skip the ceremony." A scornful look flashed across his face as he added the last part.

"As you wish, master ." The servant said as he noted the orders down speedily.

"The third and final issue this week is a bit complicated. I’m not sure if sect master is aware of this, but a rather unusual mission was issued to the task administration panel a couple of days ago.

What’s noteworthy about it is that the reward is handsome enough to move even the Elders. But nobody has been able to make any progress with it, and Elder Kong Ye has sent this sealed letter to you alongside the details of the mission for some reason. Please have a look."

Xuan Zi curiously took the letter and a rolled-up parchment from the servant. Even someone like Kong Ye failed to solve a mission issued for outer court disciples? This seemed quite interesting!

Undoing the seal on the letter first, Xuan Zi found only two sentences written on it. Both were questions.

’Is that Plane Inspector Fang Xie? Should I be concerned?’

Brows crinkled in confusion, Xuan Zi proceeded to open the parchment accompanying the letter. The sketch of a man was displayed on it, eerily life-like. His heart nearly skipped a beat as he gazed at those familiar, unsettling eyes in the sketch.

At the bottom of the parchment, some details about the man were written. His clothing style, his accent, his height, an estimation of his cultivation, and even the description of a Mystic Art he knew. That description...

Xuan Zi nearly cursed aloud. Exposing the Plane Inspector’s cultivation so boldly? Was this real? Which one of his enemies was trying to set him up like this? If this matter was exposed outside, he might not be able to control the backlash!

Wait a minute! It wouldn’t be disciple Xuhan who issued this mission in secret, would it?

He recalled Elder Zuo’s report from a while back. In Green Curtain City, Han Xuhan had encountered a strange cultivator most likely to be that madman Fang Xie. The descriptions provided in the parchment in his hands matched the details of that story as well!

’Oh no!’

Regret welled up in his heart at that moment. He should have warned the brat not to make a move of his own. By now, the rebellious faction of Elders in the sect had probably learned of this mission from the Task Pavilion.

If they realized that Fang Xie could be found in Green Curtain City, they’d definitely try to contact him in secret!

So there was a good possibility that disciple Han Xuhan had unsuspectingly led the wolf to his own doors. But there was also a possibility that another hidden opponent was taking advantage of the murky situation to trick everyone.

This matter seemed like a sinkhole of troubles. He would have to deal with the mess himself or risk being outmaneuvered...

Xuan Zi’s gaze fell on the parchment again. At the very end of it, the task issuer clearly expressed that he wanted concrete information on Fang Xie, and even a way to meet him in person.

An idea slowly took shape in his mind. With this move, not only would many of his doubts about the situation be resolved, perhaps the foundation of a surprising move could also be laid in advance.

The situation wasn’t out of hand yet! It could be salvaged!

In fact, if executed well, this move would be worth bragging about for a lifetime, heh...

"Go tell Kong Ye that he will receive an explanation from me," he told the servant.

"And take this mission down from the task administration pavilion. Ask the workers in charge to contact whoever it was that issued this task. I’ll complete this mission myself."