Chapter 343: Fertilizing and Watering the New Sprout

Chapter 343: Chapter 343: Fertilizing and Watering the New Sprout

Rumors spread like the wind, no matter where they began.

"The Pearl of the Lindi Clan is as beautiful as the rarest sandalwood flower on the grasslands. The direct descendants of the Cage Race and the Hanmo Clan came to blows over Li Haiqin, and I hear a Guard in the Divine Separation Realm even died."

However, as the rumors were passed from one gossip to the next, they grew more and more exaggerated, until they bore little resemblance to the truth.

"Li Haiqin, the Pearl of the Lindi Clan, is a child of destiny blessed by the phoenix! Whoever marries her is guaranteed to help their clan soar to new heights. Young Prince Moqish of the Cage Race and Young Prince Jisierk of the Hanmo Clan came to blows to win her favor. Several people died at Tayun Building, and the Cage prince had all his limbs broken!"

"Because of Li Haiqin, Moqish and Jisierk are now sworn enemies."

"It’s not just the two of them. The Cage Race and the Hanmo Clan will probably harbor a grudge over this now."

"One woman, inciting a feud between two Golden Clans."

That was one version of the story. Another painted Li Haiqin as incredibly arrogant and domineering.

"Li Haiqin is the Pearl of the Lindi Clan and has a bewitching face. She causes men to squabble wherever she goes. And since she’s been spoiled rotten her whole life, she’s arrogant and tyrannical. Just because Mo Sang glanced at her for a second too long, her guards beat his face until it was swollen like a pig’s. His older brother, Moqish, was nearly killed by her guards!"

"..."

Regardless of the rumors swirling outside, Chu Fan was currently being waited on by one of Li Haiqin’s maids. It was safe to say he’d never received this kind of treatment in his life.

He was being dressed and fed without lifting a finger.

When it was time to eat, he truly only needed to open his mouth. If not for the fact that most women in the Northern Domain had such coarse skin, being doted on like this by a woman would have been quite enjoyable.

Li Haiqin came to visit a full eight times that morning.

But because Chu Fan looked so weak, Li Haiqin would stop by, seem on the verge of saying something, then stop herself. In the end, she would just tell the maid, "Take good care of him," and leave.

Lying in bed with nothing to do, Chu Fan focused his mind on the Yin Yang Diagram from the Meditation Scroll.

No matter what, his Cultivation could not stop. Raising his Spiritual Power to Level 40 was the only way to undo the fourth seal on the Juntian Mirror.

If he could break that seal, the reward would be enough to increase his Combat Power more than tenfold.

In this unfamiliar place, every bit of extra Combat Power gave him more freedom to act.

At dusk, the old Patriarch, Yilode, returned from the Palace City. To Chu Fan’s surprise, the first thing Yilode did upon returning to the mansion was to visit him in the side room just outside the courtyard’s Moon Gate.

"What happened last night is over. You’ve received your punishment. From this day forward, you are Li Haiqin’s Guard Captain. Even when she marries into the Hanmo Clan in a few months, you will go with her. Remember what you said last night: loyal to one master for life, even unto death!"

"Rest assured, Patriarch. A man of the Kovot Family’s word is his bond. I will not break my promise," Chu Fan vowed.

"As long as you keep your promise, I will give orders to have your parents and your family well taken care of."

"My parents passed away long ago. My father died in battle a few years ago while protecting the Third Young Master," Chu Fan said.

This was a piece of information he had extracted from Kemoqi.

’To impersonate someone, you have to know their basic history.’

"Focus on your recovery. In one month, we return to the clan lands to prepare for Li Haiqin’s wedding." With that, Yilode stood and walked straight out.

That night, Chu Fan left a Spiritual Body behind in the side room, swapped his Celestial Dragon Armor for a set of Night Clothes, and slipped out of the courtyard.

’Since I’ve already stirred up conflict between two of the Golden Clans, I might as well find a way to deepen it.’

’It’s just as I told Li Haiqin. Once you’ve planted the seeds of hatred, you have to fertilize and water them.’

He crept through the darkness, sticking to the shadows along the stone walls until he found the Hanmo Clan’s Mansion. With his Void Realm Cultivation and Spiritual Power that far surpassed others of the same Realm, slipping into the mansion undetected was child’s play.

The mansions of the Eight Golden Families in Han City all shared a similar layout. They served as residences for the Patriarchs or members of the Direct Lineage whenever they came to Han City on business.

Once inside the estate, Chu Fan didn’t allow his Spiritual Power to spread too far, cautiously extending it only about fifty or sixty feet around him.

After all, this was Han City, and the mansion of one of the Eight Golden Families. He had no way of knowing if there were any High Tier Martial Artists in the compound.

After a good deal of searching and dodging five or six patrolling guard squads, he finally located Jisierk in a side courtyard.

Jisierk was in high spirits. Lying in bed beside him were two gorgeous women.

Judging by the breathing of the three people inside, they had clearly just finished an intimate encounter.

"Young Prince, we hear that Little Princess Li Haiqin is quite the tyrant. Once you marry her, you won’t just cast us aside, will you?"

The woman’s voice was soft and sweet.

"She is her, and you are you. How could I mix the two of you up? A man gets tired of eating the same dish all the time, no matter how exquisite it is."

"As long as our Young Prince doesn’t forget about us. You have to make sure to spread your favors around evenly!"

"You naughty things. When I return to the clan lands next month, you’ll both come with me. As long as you two serve me well, I’ll be sure to grant you proper status."

"But Young Prince, I’m still a little worried."

"Worried about what?" Jisierk’s tone was curt; he was clearly getting annoyed.

"I’m not worried you’ll abandon us, Young Prince. I’m worried Moqish will try to harm you in secret. I grew up here in Han City, so I’ve heard a lot about him over the years. They say he’s extremely petty and loves to stab people in the back."

"Oh, him? I’m pleased that you’re thinking of my well-being, but you needn’t worry. No matter how bold or petty Moqish is, he wouldn’t dare try anything against me."

"Young Prince, it’s easy to dodge a spear thrust in the open, but hard to defend against a hidden arrow. You should still be careful."

Chu Fan overheard every word of their conversation. ’This Jisierk really is arrogant,’ he thought.

When a patrolling squad of guards drew near, Chu Fan deliberately made a noise.

"Who’s there?"

Hearing the sound, the squad of guards immediately drew their blades and charged.

Chu Fan turned to flee but was quickly surrounded by the guards, and a fight ensued.

Chu Fan only used the power of the Divine Separation Realm, taking the time it takes to drink a cup of tea to dispose of the guards.

Just then, a Void Realm Martial Artist appeared in the courtyard. With his hands clasped behind his back, he looked down imperiously at the black-clad Chu Fan.

"You’ve got some nerve, breaking into Hanmo Mansion in the dead of night. State your name and purpose, and I might leave your corpse intact."

"You think the likes of you can stop me?" Chu Fan said defiantly, his voice altered.

As soon as he finished speaking, he took the offensive, thrusting his sword at the man.

The man was clearly prepared. Despite the suddenness of Chu Fan’s attack, he drew his own sword and blocked it in a single, fluid motion.

But ultimately, he had still underestimated Chu Fan.

Fortunately for him, Chu Fan had no intention of actually killing him. If he had, Chu Fan could have taken his head in a single strike for underestimating his foe so carelessly.

Of course, Chu Fan stood to gain far more by leaving the man alive than by killing him.

Chu Fan feigned being his equal, drawing him into a long, drawn-out battle.

It wasn’t until two more Void Realm Martial Artists appeared that Chu Fan flicked his sword across the man’s arm, leaving a gash deep enough to show bone.

He then made to escape, but the two newcomers from the Void Realm quickly moved to block his path.

Chu Fan fought as he fell back, then executed one final feint before turning and making a swift escape.

The two Void Realm experts started to give chase but were halted by a shout: "Don’t pursue a cornered foe!"