“The Nie Clan’s reputation took a major blow as a result. From a promising future to fallen disgrace, the Nie Clan nearly collapsed under ridicule and lost multiple alliances, thinking that Nie Fengzhuo had made enemies with the Bai Clan with his last declaration.”

It was understandable considering Nie Fengzhuo was picking a fight with the strongest clan of the Empire.

Moreover, there must have been many in alliance with the Nie Clan due to their connection with the Bai Clan.

With that connection gone, they thought there was no need to maintain friendship with the Nie Clan.

Nie Fengzhuo also shouldn’t have picked a fight just because of the annulment of the engagement, because even if the engagement was gone, the relationship was still there.

But that too was destroyed by his declaration though Bai Xueqing played an equal part.

But that is what the protagonist does!

“So, could it be that the Nie Clan is still struggling?”

Bai Zihan asked.

If so, perhaps he could use that to try to salvage the situation.

Well, not like the enmity would be gone—but at least soften the blow.

Although he was confident that he could take care of Nie Fengzhuo, if he was indeed a protagonist, there was no saying what kind of opportunity he might have gotten.

In many novels, the protagonist might be weak and could easily be killed—but then he would have something like a one-time-use trump card to kill even a supreme being.

He didn’t want to become that sacrificial lamb.

Unfortunately, Kong Zhanhong shook his head.

“Today, it’s a different story. After the engagement was cancelled, Nie Fengzhuo seemed to have undergone a significant change.”

Bai Zihan’s gaze sharpened.

“He reached the Core Formation Stage just a month from his Qi Gathering Stage. Not only that, he defeated the rival clan’s greatest genius, who was in the Core Condensation Realm.”

“Oh ho!”

Bai Zihan raised an eyebrow, a touch of amusement flashing in his eyes.

He genuinely pitied the poor soul who’d been used as a stepping stone by Nie Fengzhuo.

“But that was only the beginning, Young Master.”

“Go on!”

“After that duel, the Nie Clan—once on the verge of being replaced in Cloudcrane City—unexpectedly gained a powerful ally.”

Kong Zhanhong paused for a moment, then continued, “The ally in question was the Verdant Moon Auction Hall—an organization known throughout the Empire for its strict neutrality. Yet, for reasons still unclear, they openly sided with the Nie Clan.”

“They provided resources and commercial leverage, tipping the balance just as the rival clans were making their move to take over the city’s power structure.”

“Not wanting to see the Nie Clan rise again, the rival clans made hasty moves. Street skirmishes. Clan properties attacked in the night. Ranging from juniors to elders, the conflict kept rising between Nie and other clans.”

“In the end, there was an all-out conflict. It didn’t escalate to a full war, but it was bad enough to be called one. And the surprising part?”

Bai Zihan raised an eyebrow in question.

“The Nie Clan came out on top. Not only did they repel the rival clans, they took over several key businesses and properties.”

Kong Zhanhong handed over a marked map, showing clear areas now under the Nie Clan’s control.

“From near-collapse to dominance… they’ve made a full comeback. All within a year. And the city now refers to Nie Fengzhuo as the one who turned the tide.”

Bai Zihan slowly leaned back, fingers tapping his chair.

(Nie Fengzhuo must have a powerful ally!)

Bai Zihan instantly recognized this from how Kong Zhanhong lacked information about how certain things came to be.

Verdant Moon Auction Hall must have aligned with the Nie Clan because they knew the Nie Clan would come out victorious.

How did they know?

They must have known—or perhaps Nie Fengzhuo went himself and showed that he had that powerful friend.

In that all-out battle, that powerful ally must have helped the Nie Clan, and that is how they came out victorious.

“What cultivation level is he now?”

Bai Zihan asked.

Kong Zhanhong hesitated briefly, then said, “From what I gathered, he should currently be… at the very least, Late Golden Core, and likely close to Nascent Soul Realm.”

“Not Soul Formation?”

Bai Zihan asked calmly.

Kong shook his head.

“Unlikely! At least, not yet. But with his rapid cultivation, there’s no telling how fast he’s advancing.”

Bai Zihan leaned back slightly, thoughtful.

“And where is he now?”

“That’s the strange part. After conquering Cloudcrane City, he left again. He traveled for a while—appearing in multiple cities, defeating rising talents one after another. His reputation has also grown—from that of trash to a genius again.”

Kong Zhanhong’s voice dropped slightly.

“But recently, he’s vanished again. No sightings, no reports, nothing. It’s as if he’s gone into hiding.”

Bai Zihan tapped the armrest of his chair.

“Either preparing for something… or waiting for something.”

Kong nodded.

“If I were to guess, then he is likely preparing for the Dragon and Phoenix Competition.”

“Oh ho!”

Bai Zihan didn’t expect that Kong Zhanhong would come to such a conclusion.

“Elaborate!”

“Ahem! Young Master, this is just my guess—but I believe that it is true.”

Kong Zhanhong began.

“Although many didn’t believe it or thought it was impossible, I think his target is Miss Bai Xueqing as he declared. He wants to challenge her and erase the humiliation that he and his clan received.”

Bai Zihan nodded.

“Then there is only one way for him to challenge Miss Bai Xueqing and have this news spread far and wide. That opportunity is in the Dragon and Phoenix Competition!”

“If he manages to defeat Miss Bai Xueqing in Dragon and Phoenix Competition, his past humiliation would be erased, and his and his clan’s reputation would rise. So, I believe he must have gone into seclusion to cultivate hard for that day to come.”

Kong Zhanhong finished his speculation.

Bai Zihan nodded, and his admiration for Kong Zhanhong grew again.

To be able to reach such a conclusion, Bai Zihan knew that Kong Zhanhong was an intelligent and open-minded person.

Otherwise, if it had been someone else, even if they had thought of such a possibility, they wouldn’t have believed it.

Nie Fengzhuo challenging Bai Xueqing? Such things they wouldn’t believe at all.

Rather, they might say something like: Nie Clan was prospering, so Nie Fengzhuo must have returned to the Nie Clan or something.

That just shows how Kong Zhanghong didn’t let even the smallest possibility slip through his fingers.

And indeed, trying to predict the actions of a protagonist using common sense alone would be foolish.

It requires someone like Kong Zhanghong—someone who considers even the tiniest chances and possibilities.

(Indeed, he is a very useful person!)