Library of Heaven’s Path 2: Eternal Destiny

Vol 2 Ch 73: Breakthrough

"Vice Hall Master Ling, now that Elder Mo Qing has been killed, leaving no competitors, what should we do about these three geniuses?"

Yue Longxiao, having understood the situation, lost interest in further discussions and turned his attention to the scene, curiosity in his eyes.

"Dog eats dog," he thought with disdain. Whether the Mo Dao Sect or the Hanyuan Royal Family survived, it wouldn't shake his status as the Sect Master of the Wanchang Sect.

What caught his interest, however, were the three prodigies. If he could successfully bring them into the headquarters, he would earn significant merit and countless rewards.

"This..."

Before Zhang Xuan could respond, Sun Qiang approached again. "Young Master, someone is requesting to see you outside!"

Noticing that Zhang Xuan had something to say, Yue Longxiao gave a slight bow with his fists clasped. "Sect Master Yue, I have a personal matter to handle. Please wait in the room. Once I’m done, I’ll come to discuss further matters."

"Alright." Yue Longxiao nodded and turned to leave.

Once Yue Longxiao was out of earshot, Sun Qiang lowered his voice. "Young Master, one of Sect Master Yue's attendants has come to find him."

Zhang Xuan frowned. "Did you ask what it’s about?"

Sun Qiang explained, "I probed a little. It seems Han Qianchou is looking for Sect Master Yue for something urgent. The attendant didn’t know the details but blurted out everything they were told."

A flash of insight appeared in Zhang Xuan's eyes.

"As I suspected, Han Qianchou isn't completely foolish. Knowing Elder Mo Qing died here, a situation he can’t explain away, he's trying to implicate the Wanchang Sect instead. The simplest way to achieve this is to expose his identity as a 'Chaotic Fate Practitioner.' With such a revelation, Wanchang Sect would undoubtedly pay a high price for the information.

"Still... as a lord of a world, would I leave such an obvious flaw for others to exploit?"

Zhang Xuan's lips curved into a subtle smile.

"If I handle this right, not only can I resolve today’s crisis, but I’ll also secure my safety moving forward."

After mentally reviewing his plan once more, Zhang Xuan decided. "Lead the way."

He strode confidently outside, his appearance shifting along the way until he looked identical to Yue Longxiao.

In the side hall near the main entrance, a middle-aged man stood up anxiously the moment Zhang Xuan entered.

"Sect Master Yue..."

Zhang Xuan waved dismissively, his tone tinged with impatience. "Don’t you know I’m handling important matters? What’s so urgent that you came running here?" Ȓ

The middle-aged man quickly responded, "Your servant reports that His Majesty Han Qianchou has urgent business to discuss and requests your immediate presence. He says the matter is critical, and any delay could cause significant trouble."

"Trouble?" Zhang Xuan hesitated before nodding. "Very well, lead the way."

Turning to Sun Qiang, he clasped his fists. "Steward Sun, please inform Vice Hall Master Ling that I have an urgent matter to attend to and will return later to continue our discussions."

"Understood!" Sun Qiang replied and left swiftly.

Maintaining Yue Longxiao’s disguise, Zhang Xuan followed the middle-aged man out the door, boarding a carriage that took them to a spacious teahouse.

Inside a private room, the rich aroma of tea filled the air as Han Qianchou sat by a tea table laden with fine teaware. Relief washed over his face when Zhang Xuan arrived.

"Sect Master Yue..."

"May I ask what brings Your Majesty to seek me out?" Zhang Xuan asked with a slight frown, maintaining the guise of cluelessness.

With a wave of his hand, Han Qianchou dismissed the Golden Guards and the middle-aged man. Once they were alone, his expression turned serious. "I have news regarding a Chaotic Fate Practitioner and wish to sell this information to your Wanchang Sect. Is Sect Master Yue interested?"

"News about Chaotic Fate Practitioners is everywhere," Zhang Xuan replied indifferently. "I’ve grown tired of hearing about it. What makes Your Majesty’s information unique?"

"It’s indeed unique!" Han Qianchou smiled confidently.

"Oh?" Zhang Xuan sat opposite Han Qianchou, poured himself a cup of tea, and sipped it leisurely. "Let’s hear it."

"Since I intend to sell the information, I must ensure I get a fair price. How much authority does Sect Master Yue have in these matters?" Han Qianchou asked.

Zhang Xuan ran his finger along the rim of his teacup. "That depends on how valuable your information is. If it’s genuine and highly significant, the Wanchang Sect will offer a price that satisfies you. But if it’s false, even as the Emperor of the Hanyuan Dynasty, you’ll face consequences."

"I swear on the honor of the Hanyuan Royal Family that it’s 100% true!" Han Qianchou declared solemnly.

"Your confidence intrigues me. However..." Zhang Xuan shook his head. "If your information is about Vice Hall Master Ling being a Chaotic Fate Practitioner, don’t bother saying more."

"What?" Han Qianchou froze, his body turning cold. "Sect Master Yue knows about Vice Hall Master Ling being a Chaotic Fate Practitioner?"

"You specifically sought me out for this information. Surely it’s not just that?" Zhang Xuan asked with feigned exasperation.

"It... it is," Han Qianchou admitted awkwardly. "I recently discovered that Ling Buyang is actually someone named Zhang Xuan in disguise, and this Zhang Xuan is highly likely to be a Chaotic Fate Practitioner."

"If that’s all, you can keep it to yourself." Zhang Xuan’s expression darkened.

Frustration painted Han Qianchou’s face. He had hoped to use this revelation to gain the Wanchang Sect’s protection, only to find out they already knew.

Clenching his teeth, Han Qianchou pressed on. "Sect Master Yue, I know your sect has excellent sources and may already suspect Zhang Xuan’s identity. But I have details that can confirm it 100%, including eyewitness accounts!"

"Eyewitnesses?" Zhang Xuan raised an eyebrow, genuinely intrigued.

"Indeed!" Han Qianchou clapped his hands, and two figures entered the room, kneeling immediately.

"Your servants greet His Majesty!" came two familiar voices.

Zhang Xuan turned to see Steward Feng and Wu Xiang, both of whom had crossed paths with him before.

Back in White Roc City, after framing him, they were beaten by Mo Yanxue and expelled from the Mo Family. Unexpectedly, they had resurfaced here as Han Qianchou’s confidants.

No wonder Han Qianchou suspected him and traced the incidents to Yu Longqing and Lu Mingrong. It all stemmed from these two traitors.

If he had known earlier, he would have dealt with them himself.

Feigning ignorance, Zhang Xuan furrowed his brow. "And who might these two be?"

Han Qianchou explained, "These two hail from White Roc City and know everything about Zhang Xuan. With their accounts, I can confirm that he’s a Chaotic Fate Practitioner."

Zhang Xuan interrupted him, "Your sources claim Zhang Xuan excels at beast taming, teaching, and medical treatments, yes?"

Han Qianchou stiffened but nodded reluctantly. "Yes."

"In that case, your so-called intelligence doesn’t tell me much more than I already know." Zhang Xuan’s tone grew colder. "Enough. Stop digging into this matter or spreading it around, Your Majesty. I’m saying this for your own good."

"Sect Master Yue, what do you mean by this?" Han Qianchou asked, puzzled.

Zhang Xuan chuckled lightly. "Let me ask you, how many Chaotic Fate Practitioners exist in the Source World?"

"Very few," Han Qianchou admitted. "In the countless years of its history, there has only been one... or rather, two, if we include the one from the Zouyi Dynasty."

"Exactly! If they’re so rare, why would another appear in White Roc City so soon after the one in the Zouyi Dynasty? And why would this one be so weak and careless, exposing their identity so readily? Do you honestly believe someone could go from having no power to reaching the second stage of Heaven’s Fate in just half a month?"

Han Qianchou’s expression changed as realization dawned. "Could it be... Zhang Xuan is a high-ranking agent from the Destiny Hall, pretending to be a Chaotic Fate Practitioner to gather intelligence?"

"That’s your conclusion, not mine. But let me warn you: Zhang Xuan’s identity is not for you to speculate on. If you value your life, keep this matter buried. Otherwise, I doubt you’ll see tomorrow morning. Also..."

Zhang Xuan’s gaze turned to Steward Feng and Wu Xiang, his tone icy. "Loose tongues like these two, who led you astray, are better dealt with swiftly. Otherwise, they’ll cause you endless trouble."

Author's Note