Han Shenwu left with his lackeys in tow.
Bai Zihan didn’t think much about their conversation.
“Young Master, what did you talk about with Han Shenwu?”
Kong Zhanghong asked curiously.
“Just some nonsense. No need to think much about it.”
Kong Zhanghong thought about how Bai Zihan lacked interest and fear of Han Shenwu, despite Han Shenwu being one of the strongest in the Heaven Sword Sect.
Well, though, Kong Zhanghong thought he understood where Bai Zihan’s confidence came from.
He had a genius sister, someone who was said to be even more powerful than Han Shenwu.
So, there shouldn’t be a reason for him to fear Han Shenwu.
“Rather than that, did you find out what I asked you?”
He had asked him yesterday to find how Mei Rulan had escaped, which he believed should have been impossible for her to do on her own.
Well, Mei Rulan had already been taken care of by him. But he needed to know who was trying to ruin his good deeds.
Since Kong Zhanghong was here, Bai Zihan assumed that it should be because he had found out or at least had some clue about it.
“Of course, Young Master. I investigated all night and discovered how she escaped.”
Kong Zhanghong responded with full confidence, handing Bai Zihan a scroll containing all the information related to Mei Rulan’s escape.
Bai Zihan read through it, and indeed, it contained all the information he wanted.
He was once again surprised by Kong Zhanghong’s ability to collect information so quickly.
(Perhaps he’s a genius?)
Bai Zihan thought. Not in terms of cultivation or anything, but in terms of gathering intelligence, which he didn’t know how Kong Zhanghong could do, especially in just one day.
Well, anyway, in short, from the information Kong Zhanghong had collected, Mei Rulan escaped because of Shen Liang.
Since Shen Liang was also kept in the Reflection Cave, it seemed like someone helped him escape, and he took Mei Rulan along with him.
It seemed like Mei Rulan was only a side quest for the people whose main goal was Shen Liang.
And there was no need to think much about who was involved in helping Shen Liang escape.
Those Anti-Sect Leader factions or the Shen Clan should be the ones, or maybe both.
“So, Shen Liang has also escaped?”
He wouldn’t have known if not for Kong Zhanghong.
Of course, with his current strength, he didn’t think much of Shen Liang, whom he had already crippled.
If he tries to do something, he doesn’t mind sending him off to Heaven.
“Yes, it seems he has indeed escaped.”
Kong Zhanghong replied.
Bai Zihan was in deep thought for a few seconds before asking, “Then is the Sect trying to get him back or anything?”
The Heaven Sword Sect seemed to be the same and there wasn’t even a slight discussion about Shen Liang running away.
Perhaps the disciples weren’t even aware that he escaped.
Or maybe they were just too invested in his achievements and the rumors that any news about Shen Liang was drowned out.
“Not really!”
Kong Zhanghong answered.
“If he escaped, he must be back with the Shen Clan. And the Shen Clan isn’t someone even our sect could pressure by demanding their genius. The Sect Leader had already thought about expelling Shen Liang and leaving him in their hands, though now he doesn’t need to.”
Kong Zhanghong explained.
(Indeed! Crippling Shen Liang must have already made the Shen Clan furious. Further trying to punish him is like adding salt to the wound. The Sect Leader wouldn’t really want a blown out war with the Shen Clan just because of Shen Liang.)
Bai Zihan thought.
“Well, that’s that, I guess!”
For now, Bai Zihan wasn’t too interested in pursuing anything with Shen Liang. If he escaped, then good for him—he had no intention of wasting time chasing after him.
Bai Zihan leaned back in his chair, his lips curling into a faint smile as he looked at Kong Zhanghong.
“You’ve done well, Kong Zhanghong,” Bai Zihan said, tossing a small jade bottle toward him.
Kong Zhanghong caught it with trembling hands, and the moment he opened it, his eyes widened.
“Top-tier pills… again?!”
Kong Zhanghong’s voice was a mix of shock and excitement.
Just the last batch had already greatly improved his cultivation, and now he was getting more?
“Keep doing good work, and there will be more where that came from.” Bai Zihan’s tone was casual, but there was a sharpness in his gaze.
“But I have another task for you. This one is even more important.”
Kong Zhanghong’s expression turned serious, and he immediately stood straight, acting like a loyal dog awaiting his master’s command.
“If you can complete this task well, I will give you a very good Profound-Grade Artifact.”
The moment those words left Bai Zihan’s lips, Kong Zhanghong’s eyes practically sparkled with greed and excitement.
He was practically drooling at the thought. A Profound-Grade Artifact?
That was something very precious—something someone like him could never have imagined obtaining.
But he also realized it meant the task Bai Zihan had for him was of great significance. Something that he must do.
“Y-Young Master! Please rest assured! I will not disappoint you!”
Kong Zhanghong declared, his voice trembling with enthusiasm.
Seeing Kong Zhanghong’s dog-like attitude, Bai Zihan almost wanted to laugh.
This guy didn’t even try to hide his greed. Well, it was good that he was greedy and willing to do things for him.
“Good! Then listen carefully.”
Bai Zihan’s tone turned cold, his playful expression replaced with a sharp and serious look. His voice was low, but it carried an unmistakable weight.
“Find out everything you can about Bai Xueqing’s ex-fiancé.”
Bai Zihan’s gaze seemed to pierce right through Kong Zhanghong.
“And when I say everything, I mean everything. His background, his current situation, his strengths, weaknesses, and anything that can be used against him. Understood?”
(Time to find these protagonists!)
Unlike before, Bai Zihan thought he had gained sufficient power and even killed a Heaven’s Chosen.
So, he wasn’t going to wait for those protagonists to come knocking on his door; instead, he was going to knock on theirs.
And at the top of the list was his sister’s ex-fiancé, who Bai Zihan believed was one of the biggest protagonists around.
By this time, if he was a protagonist, he should have stirred up many things and should be on his way to becoming very powerful.
Bai Zihan ideally wanted to ask his father, but his father, who was already feeling guilty about breaking off the engagement with their old ally, probably wouldn’t agree.
So instead, Bai Zihan thought he should find someone himself to investigate—and who could have guessed that Kong Zhanghong would be exactly who he needed?
Kong Zhanghong swallowed nervously, all traces of his previous greed replaced by a sense of dread.
“Understood, Young Master! I will begin immediately!”