Bai Zihan stepped out after testing his newfound strength.
Only a day had passed since he had gone into seclusion to refine his body, yet it seemed like major events had unfolded in the Bai Clan during his absence.
Preparations were in full swing for his engagement with Chu Ziyan. However, that wasn’t the biggest surprise awaiting him.
The moment he emerged, Luo Qing approached him in a hurry, an anxious look on her face.
“Young master!”
She called out urgently.
Bai Zihan glanced at her, wondering why she was in such a hurry.
“What happened?”
“Lady Bai Xueqing has been looking for you. She wanted to talk with the young master and instructed me to inform you as soon as possible,” Luo Qing said.
(What? What did I do now?)
Bai Zihan was immediately alerted when Luo Qing mentioned that his sister was looking for him.
Bai Xueqing only looked for him when he caused trouble.
Whenever she did, he knew he was in some kind of predicament—just like the time with the Heaven Sword Sect disciples.
“Did she say why?”
Bai Zihan asked.
“Lady Bai Xueqing hasn’t told me her reason and just instructed me to inform the young master,” Luo Qing replied nervously.
She seemed to have some idea about what it might be but didn’t dare to speculate on Bai Xueqing’s thoughts or intentions.
Bai Zihan also didn’t press for details.
If Bai Xueqing had something important to say, he would find out soon enough.
Without wasting any more time, he made his way toward his sister’s residence.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
“Who is it?”
A cold voice came from the room—it obviously belonged to Bai Xueqing.
“It’s me, sister!”
Bai Zihan answered.
“Come in!”
Bai Zihan immediately entered the room and saw his sister sitting on her chair.
She glanced at him, her sharp gaze assessing him.
There was something different about Bai Zihan, but she couldn’t pinpoint what it was. She didn’t dwell on it either.
“Sister, why did you call for me?”
Bai Zihan asked immediately, not wanting to waste time.
“I won’t waste words with you. First, your engagement with Chu Ziyan has been finalized. This is good for you.”
“…”
Bai Zihan remained silent, though he wanted to complain. How was this good for him?
However, complaining would yield no results. Instead, she might question why he was complaining when he was getting more than he deserved—just like their father.
He was well aware that Bai Xueqing cared more about Chu Ziyan than him. Even if he was dissatisfied, she wouldn’t necessarily care.
Perhaps if it were the other way around and Chu Ziyan wanted to break off the engagement, Bai Xueqing would have supported that decision.
“I don’t need to tell you what will happen if you don’t treat her well,” Bai Xueqing warned.
Knowing Bai Zihan’s past behavior, she was well aware that the chances of him causing trouble were high.
Mistreating Chu Ziyan was also a possibility—perhaps by seeking a mistress or some other nonsense.
So, Bai Xueqing was warning him not to pull any of that and to treat her well.
Though, with Chu Ziyan’s cultivation compared to Bai Zihan’s, she didn’t even need to get involved.
If Bai Zihan dared to mistreat her, Chu Ziyan could deal with him herself.
Still, as Chu Ziyan’s good friend, Bai Xueqing thought she had a responsibility to make sure her brother became a suitable husband.
“More importantly, this engagement secures your status as the Bai Clan’s heir,” Bai Xueqing stated, ensuring that Bai Zihan understood the benefits.
“But don’t let that make you complacent. You’re still far from being worthy of her.”
Hearing that, Bai Zihan’s expression remained unreadable.
(Who wants to be worthy of her? I am indeed unworthy—please cancel the engagement!)
Bai Zihan cursed inwardly.
“Work hard,” Bai Xueqing continued. “If you want to stand beside her, you need to prove yourself.”
Bai Zihan couldn’t help but want to complain that he didn’t want to stand beside her—nor did he want to prove anything.
(Why is my engagement successful when I have trashy talent, while the protagonist’s engagement gets canceled for the same reason?)
Bai Zihan couldn’t help but realize how opposite his life was compared to the protagonist’s.
(Perhaps my sister’s ex-fiancé is relieved to have had his engagement canceled?)
Bai Zihan began to suspect.
If he had to be engaged to someone as fierce as Bai Xueqing, he would be overjoyed to have it canceled.
Of course, he could only think this way because, even if his engagement was broken, it wouldn’t affect him or the Bai Clan too much.
It was different for Bai Xueqing’s ex-fiancé—Bai ZIhan knew that he would definitely return for revenge.
Bai Xueqing let her words settle before delivering the next piece of news.
“Secondly, you have been admitted to the Heaven Sword Sect.”
Bai Zihan’s eyes narrowed slightly.
(What? That’s impossible!)
To be admitted into the Heaven Sword Sect, one had to meet strict requirements—such as reaching the Core Condensation Realm before the age of fifteen.
As a fifteen-year-old who was only in the Core Formation Stage, Bai Zihan didn’t meet any of the requirements.
He lacked both cultivation talent and hard work—two things the Heaven Sword Sect valued.
“Make good use of this opportunity,” Bai Xueqing said.
“Wait… What?”
Bai Zihan interrupted his sister, despite initially planning to just listen and get it over with.
But this unexpected news left him questioning her.
Just what kind of medicine had the Heaven Sword Sect taken to suddenly accept him as a disciple?
“Sister, what do you mean that I have been admitted to the Heaven Sword Sect?”
Bai Zihan asked.
He knew that, with his talent and personality, there was no way the Heaven Sword Sect would accept him.
“It is what it is. After this engagement with Ziyan, you are coming with us to the Heaven Sword Sect. I hope you behave yourself there. Otherwise, even father won’t be able to protect you from punishment.”
Bai Xueqing said.
“How is this possible? I don’t meet any of the Heaven Sword Sect’s requirements.”
Bai Zihan protested.
“Hmph! They made an exception because they know you have a Dao Bone.”
Bai Xueqing replied, looking disgusted. She knew how Bai Zihan had obtained it—and in her opinion, it was utterly disgraceful.
Of course, outsiders didn’t know that. Only a few high-ranking members of the Bai Clan were aware.
“More importantly, being Chu Ziyan’s fiancé helped. The elders of the Heaven Sword Sect are already aware of the engagement and accepted their father’s request for the two of you to be together.”
Of course, that wasn’t all. Bai Tianheng must have sent plenty of bribes to the Heaven Sword Sect as well.
Additionally, being Bai Xueqing’s brother helped—but she wouldn’t admit that.
“…”
Bai Zihan didn’t know how to respond.
It seemed like ever since he learned about his engagement to Chu Ziyan, everything had gone downhill for him.
Of course, he wouldn’t admit that most of it was due to his own behavior. His father was only making decisions he believed were best for his son.
“And lastly, I called you here for this reason.”
(What? There’s more?!)
Bai Zihan groaned internally. He had already heard enough shocking news.
“Ziyan is being approached by other Bai Clan boys. It seems the elders are making their moves.”
Bai Xueqing said.
(Oh?)
Hearing this, instead of getting angry, Bai Zihan felt a glimmer of hope.
He hadn’t expected to have allies within the Bai Clan—though, of course, he understood their intentions.
But as long as they succeeded, he would be free from this engagement.
“You need to stop them!”
Bai Xueqing ordered.
“Huh? Why?”
Bai Zihan asked.
“Why? You’re her fiancé! What? You don’t want to?”
Bai Xueqing glared coldly at him.
It looked like a long lecture was incoming if he said no.
“Of course, of course! I will as you say.”
Bai Zihan quickly agreed, knowing better than to argue with his sister.
“That’s all. You may leave!”
