“I told you to watch over Bai Ling. Where have you been running off to all this time?”

Ye Qingxuan’s voice cut through the silence of the Violet Heaven Palace, sharp as a glacial wind. To anyone else, it was the interrogation of a Sect Leader demanding accountability. But to Han Lie’s ears, the underlying frequency was unmistakable.

It sounded like a woman left alone in an empty room, stewing in her own jealousy. The very air in the hall seemed heavy, carrying the distinct, phantom scent of vinegar.

Han Lie kept his expression neutral, though he rubbed the bridge of his nose to hide a smirk. “Reporting to the Sect Leader. Captain Zhuo Hongyi of the Law Enforcement Hall had urgent family matters. This old servant merely accompanied her for safety.”

“Oh?” Ye Qingxuan’s eyes narrowed. The temperature in the room plummeted. “Are you two quite close, then?”

She fixed him with a stare that could curdle blood—a true ‘death gaze.’ The jealousy was no longer subtext; it was practically dripping from her aura.

Han Lie cleared his throat, opting for a tactical retreat. “Ahem… one could say we have a rapport. Captain Zhuo has aided this old servant numerous times. When I was trapped in perilous situations, it was often Captain Zhuo who pulled me out of the fire.”

He bowed slightly, adopting the posture of a humble elder. “She had a request for me. By reason and by sentiment, this old servant had no grounds to refuse.”

“Hmph.” Ye Qingxuan flicked her sleeve, her expression cold. “You speak of loyalty and righteousness? In the Heavenly Void Sect, those are the most useless commodities. That Zhuo Hongyi helps you repeatedly… perhaps she merely covets something you possess.”

She stepped closer, her presence suffocating. “You’ve been led into a trap without even knowing it, yet you preen about your own moral code. How foolish.”

Han Lie remained silent, lowering his head. Internally, however, he was torn between annoyance and amusement.

Trap? If anyone was setting traps around here, it was undoubtedly Ye Qingxuan herself. Her lecture reeked of classic deflection—disparaging the competition to secure her own territory.

“Thank you for the reminder, Sect Leader,” Han Lie said smoothly. “This old servant will be more vigilant in the future.”

He knew better than to argue with a woman in this state, especially one who could vaporize him with a thought. She might not kill him, but he had no desire to endure a beatdown born of romantic frustration.

“I will only warn you this once,” Ye Qingxuan said, looking away with a haughty sniff. “If you suffer a loss at a woman’s hands later, do not say I didn’t warn you.”

Her mood shifted as quickly as the wind. Her gaze swept over him, sensing the fluctuations in his aura. “You broke through again? Your cultivation rises quickly.”

“Heh, this old servant has always claimed to be a genius,” Han Lie quipped, half-joking, half-serious. “It was the Sect Leader who refused to believe it.”

In the past, Ye Qingxuan would have scoffed. Now, she remained silent. The Pure Yang Sacred Body was a cheat code of the highest order; regardless of his mediocre spirit roots, the body’s innate attributes forced his cultivation upward with terrifying speed.

“So what?” Ye Qingxuan finally said, her voice regaining its imperious edge. “In my eyes, a genius who hasn’t grown up is not a genius.”

She pinned him with a look. “At best, they are merely a corpse with potential.”

Han Lie didn’t respond. Yes, yes, you’re always right.

“There is one more matter that might interest you,” she continued.

“Please enlighten me, Sect Leader.”

“A new disciple arrived at the sect recently. His name is Han Feng.” Ye Qingxuan paused, a playful, dangerous smile touching her vermilion lips. “According to Elder Chi Lian, he is Han Zhentian’s youngest son. Which makes him…”

“…Your younger brother.”

Han Lie blinked. “No…”

He was momentarily stunned. Why would Han Zhentian send that waste of space, Han Feng, to the Heavenly Void Sect?

“Hah… You are displeased?” Ye Qingxuan noted the shift in his expression instantly. “It matters not. If you wish, I will have Chi Lian expel him immediately.”

“It’s not that I’m displeased,” Han Lie replied slowly, his mind racing. “This old servant is merely worried. Given his temperament, he will likely be a constant source of annoyance.”

“See him first, then decide,” Ye Qingxuan dismissed the issue casually. “If you want him gone, tell Chi Lian.”

She flicked her wrist, and a storage ring traced a silver arc through the air, landing in Han Lie’s hand.

“There are two hundred thousand Spirit Stones in there. One hundred and fifty thousand are for the Hell Nine-Tailed Cat’s dietary needs. The remaining fifty thousand is your fee for your hard work.”

She gave him a pointed look. “Do not think it is too little. Reflect on whether you have truly fulfilled your duty in feeding it.”

“It is plenty, plenty,” Han Lie said, forcing an awkward smile.

She had a point. The last time she gave him a three-year budget, he had promptly absconded to the Great Qin Dynasty with Zhuo Hongyi.

“Hmph. At least you have some self-awareness.” Ye Qingxuan turned, her figure beginning to fade into mist. “Continue cleaning. And next time you plan to travel, you will inform me.”

Before Han Lie could reply, she vanished, leaving only the faint scent of orchids and ozone.

Han Lie exhaled, turning his gaze to the floor. Xiao Zi was squatting there, looking up at him with wide, innocent eyes.

A wicked idea sprouted in Han Lie’s mind. He crouched down, smiling with the harmless warmth of a wolf offering a sheep a blanket.

“Xiao Zi, my dear… do you still want to eat Thousand Flower Pills?”

“I want to eat, meow!” Xiao Zi’s ears perked up, her eyes glowing.

“Tell you what. You help me clean the Violet Heaven Palace, and I will go down to the market and buy you some right now.”

“???”

Xiao Zi tilted her head, her expression souring. “Do not think I am stupid! I don’t want to, meow!”

“Oh?” Han Lie shrugged, standing up. “Then from now on, you can exist solely on a diet of raw Spirit Stones. Don’t even think about pills or spiritual herbs.”

“Awoo—!” Xiao Zi hissed, arching her back.

“Useless, useless.” Han Lie waved a finger, his attitude unyielding. “I’ll give you one last chance. You clean, I buy pills. Deal or no deal?”

“You… villain!” Xiao Zi whined, her tail drooping pitifully. “I’m going to complain to the Sect Leader, meow!”

“Go ahead,” Han Lie said ruthlessly, playing his trump card. “If you do, not only will you get zero pills, but I’ll reduce your daily Spirit Stone ration to fifty.”

“Meow-wu—no, no! I’ll do it! I’ll clean!”

Xiao Zi collapsed in defeat, ears flattened against her skull.

“That’s the spirit. Make it spotless.” Han Lie grinned, turned on his heel, and walked out.

Behind him, Xiao Zi pushed a rag across the floor with her paws, muttering curses. “Meow… to make a cat do manual labor… I might not be human, but you are truly a dog!”

Han Lie arrived at the Alchemy Hall’s market square and quickly purchased five Thousand Flower Pills. He was just turning to leave when he collided with a familiar stranger.

Han Feng.

The two brothers locked eyes. The air grew awkward instantly. Han Feng clearly hadn’t expected to run into his estranged brother here.

Han Lie didn’t bother with pleasantries. He stepped sideways, intending to walk right past him.

“Wait!” Han Feng called out.

“Business?” Han Lie asked without turning his head.

Han Feng hurried forward, blocking his path. “Brother Lie… Father told me to come learn from you.”

“?”

Han Lie stared at him, a visible question mark hovering over his head. “I never thought I’d hear such words come out of your mouth,” he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Did the sun rise in the west today?”

His memory of Han Feng was frozen in time: a spoiled, arrogant silk-pants terrified of hardship. Humility was not in his vocabulary.

“I… it’s hard to explain, Brother.” Han Feng scratched his head, looking genuinely embarrassed. “After that day, Father and Mother lectured me for a long time. They told me to stop being so arrogant.”

He looked up, his eyes earnest. “They told me about what you’ve done. Brother Lie, I think you are the true genius of our family. If I had been the one sold to the Heavenly Void Sect back then… I wouldn’t have survived, let alone achieved what you have.”

Han Lie studied him coldly. “If you truly think that, then perhaps you aren’t completely hopeless.”

A leopard doesn’t change its spots, Han Lie thought. But if a beatdown from reality actually changed his nature, that would be rare indeed.

He just had to be sure this wasn’t an act.

Hearing the validation, Han Feng beamed. “So, Brother Lie, please guide me in the future. I’m begging you!”

“…” Han Lie pondered for a moment. “Which department are you in?”

“The Alchemy Hall!”

“Oh? You know alchemy?” Han Lie raised an eyebrow.

“A little. I’m currently a personal disciple of the Hall Master,” Han Feng said excitedly. “My aptitude isn’t actually good enough, but Elder Chi Lian said that out of respect for you, the Hall Master should take me in.”

Han Feng looked at Han Lie with hero-worship. “Brother, I had no idea you were such a big shot here! Even the Great Elder gives you face!”

Han Lie face-palmed internally.

Respect for me? No. He had been set up by Ye Qingxuan and Chi Lian. They were using his ‘face’ to shackle his brother to the sect, and by extension, shackle Han Lie.

“Fine,” Han Lie sighed. “Can you refine Thousand Flower Pills?”

“I can, Brother!” Han Feng nodded vigorously. “The grade isn’t high. I saw the market sells them for a thousand Spirit Stones apiece. If I buy the materials and refine them myself, it only costs about three hundred!”

“What?!” Han Lie’s eyes widened.

Alchemy is that profitable? That was robbery!

“Can I… return these?” Han Lie looked at the five pills in his hand.

“Give them here!” Han Feng grabbed the pills and sprinted back to the vendor. Moments later, he returned, breathless, handing over five thousand Spirit Stones.

“Here, Brother.”

Han Lie waved his hand dismissively. “Take it. Buy materials and refine some for me. Keep the spare change.”

“No need, Brother!” Han Feng said with surprising sincerity. “The materials are cheap, I have my own money. I’ll refine thirty for you first. Consider it my tuition fee!”

Han Lie looked at him with renewed interest. The kid actually learned how to be human? He knew how to build a relationship.

Han Lie didn’t stand on ceremony. He took back the five thousand stones. “No need for thirty. Twenty will do for now.”

“Done. Leave it to me. If you need them urgently, I can rush a few out in the next two days.”

“No rush. Take your time. Bring them when you’re done.”

“Okay! Uh, where do I find you?”

“Violet Heaven Palace. There’s a small wooden hut by the entrance. That’s where I live.”

“Huh?” Han Feng looked dumbfounded. “Brother… you live in a place like that?”

“You know nothing!” Han Lie scolded. “I’m teaching you…”