Chapter 10: Such Grand Authority! Who Is the Cat and Who Is the Mouse?

Knock! Knock! Knock!

The next morning, a rapid, heavy pounding on the door forcibly pulled Han Lie out of his cultivation state.

Who else could it be but Jia Tong, the manager of the Servant Department?

“Manager Jia, it’s been a long time. You seem to be getting younger by the day, hehe.”

As the door opened, Han Lie was met with Jia Tong’s familiar face, currently twisted into a mask of displeasure. Han Lie offered his greeting with the usual practiced air.

“How did you know I broke through to the Foundation Establishment Stage five years ago and extended my lifespan by two hundred years?”

“…”

Han Lie maintained a polite, if slightly awkward, smile.

Who the hell actually asked you that?

After finishing his pretentious display, Jia Tong got straight to the point, his tone condescending. “Han Lie, why aren’t you kneeling when you see me? Are your bones itching for a beating?”

“Hehe.” Han Lie smiled calmly. “You want this senior to kneel to you right at the Sect Leader’s front door? Manager Jia, you certainly have grand authority.”

Now that the initial greetings were over, Han Lie had no intention of coddling the man.

He had already submitted the report. Whether Ye Qingxuan acted on it or not, there was no longer any reason to act like a spineless coward.

Either Jia Tong would be dragged away by the Law Enforcement Hall, or Han Lie would die.

In his estimation, the former was much more likely.

Back when Han Lie first arrived at the Heavenly Void Sect, Jia Tong had bullied and suppressed him relentlessly. At that time, Jia Tong was just a seasoned servant disciple who had been around long enough to know how to abuse the system.

A century had passed, and the petty bully of the past had somehow managed to become the manager of the entire department.

Faced with the mention of Ye Qingxuan’s name, Jia Tong found himself unable to argue.

He decided to ignore the lack of a kneel and barked, “Hmph. Your courage has certainly grown after being away. Is it because you know your time is up?”

“Don’t expect any pity from me just because you’re dying.”

“I shouldn’t need to repeat why I’m here.”

“From now on, someone else will handle the chores at the Violet Heaven Palace. You’re coming back to the Servant Department to ‘enjoy’ your final days properly!”

Seeing Han Lie standing still, Jia Tong sneered, “What? You don’t want to leave? Or do you need me to have you carried out?”

Jia Tong waved his hand.

Several servant disciples stepped forward, intending to seize Han Lie.

“No need to trouble yourselves, Manager Jia. This senior can walk.”

Han Lie brushed past the group and led the way out of the hut.

Under the “escort” of Jia Tong and his goons, Han Lie was brought back to the Servant Department.

As soon as he entered the grounds, countless gazes fell upon him—some curious, some mocking, others just looking for entertainment.

There were even a few star-struck looks from the female servants.

Much like with Bai Ling earlier, even though Han Lie appeared aged and fragile, he exuded an aura of “elderly charm” that the women found inexplicably captivating.

Han Lie was no longer a newcomer. He remained unmoved by the eyes tracking his every step.

They reached a secluded, dilapidated room. Jia Tong pointed inside. “Get in. From this moment on, you are not to leave this room without my command!”

“Even if you’re going to die, you’ll die inside!”

Han Lie didn’t bother wasting his breath.

He knew Jia Tong too well; the man hadn’t changed a bit in a hundred years. The only difference was that as a manager, he was now even more unrestrained.

Back at the Servant Department, Jia Tong didn’t need to wear a mask.

To a giant like the Heavenly Void Sect, a servant like Han Lie was a literal “nobody.”

If a young servant died mysteriously, Jia Tong might have to give the Law Enforcement Hall an explanation.

But Han Lie was different.

He was a dying man at the end of his natural lifespan. If he passed away one night, no one would look into it. This gave Jia Tong plenty of room to maneuver.

Clang!

As soon as Han Lie stepped inside, two servants slammed the door shut and bolted it from the outside.

“Watch him. If he escapes, I’ll hold you personally responsible.”

“Yes, Manager Jia!”

Inside the room.

Han Lie sat cross-legged, his weathered eyes as calm as a stagnant pond.

Based on Ye Qingxuan’s recent attitude toward him, if she truly wanted him to live and had received the report he sent through Bai Ling, she would use this opportunity to intervene.

Han Lie had been at the sect for a long time, but he lacked any real connections.

His only card was the unpredictable Ye Qingxuan.

Everything rested on her now.

Taking advantage of the silence, Han Lie didn’t waste time and began to cultivate.

His cultivation was still too weak.

Whether in the Heavenly Void Sect or anywhere else on the Abyssal Continent, strength was the only truth.

Now that his Pure Yang Sacred Body was activated, he had no reason to slack off like he used to.

That night.

The sound of the door opening and a flurry of footsteps jolted Han Lie.

He exited his meditation and opened his eyes.

Jia Tong had entered with a crowd, including a very familiar face: Zhao Donghai, the supervisor of the Hall of Rebirth.

Zhao Donghai stepped toward Han Lie, a mocking grin on his face. “Do you know what this situation is called, you old piece of trash?”

“I certainly do.”

Han Lie lifted his eyelids slightly, his expression flat. “The final celebration.”

“Celebration? I don’t see anything for you to celebrate.”

Zhao Donghai corrected him, “You’re like a rat that fell into a trap. Whether we kill you or not depends entirely on our mood!”

The surrounding servants erupted into a chorus of mocking laughter.

Han Lie let out a soft chuckle. “Hehe. Manager Jia, Supervisor Zhao… do you know something? In this world, the good don’t die, and the bad don’t die. Only one kind of person dies. Do you know who?”

Han Lie’s confident gaze locked onto Jia Tong and Zhao Donghai.

After a long pause, he revealed the answer: “The stupid ones.”

“Being stupid isn’t the scary part. What’s scary is when death is at your door and you don’t even realize it.”

At this, Zhao Donghai and the others laughed even louder.

Even Jia Tong was amused by Han Lie’s words.

It was like watching a surrounded prey tell the hunters they were doomed—utterly ridiculous.

After his laughter subsided, Zhao Donghai sneered, “And here I was yesterday, praising you for having a good head on your shoulders. I see I was wrong.”

“Your brain isn’t good; you’ve clearly lost your mind. You have absolutely no idea what kind of trouble you’re in.”