“Sure! Be ready to serve me like a servant after I win, because that’s what I’m using those promises for!”

Bai Xueqing declared.

“No problem!”

Bai Zihan wasn’t worried.

If Nie Fengzhuo couldn’t even win and fulfill what was meant to be his destiny, then he might as well be called a scam of a Heaven’s Chosen One.

Considering Bai Xueqing is his obstacle, if he can’t overcome it, then perhaps a heart demon and stagnant cultivation are all he’ll end up with.

Just think—if that can happen to a Heaven’s Chosen One, then he’s no Chosen One at all.

Though, if she did win, that would be interesting in itself.

So, Bai Zihan had no problem making the bet—even if it was just to shut Bai Xueqing up.

His gaze lingered on his sister for a moment longer, but when she said nothing else, he gave a slight nod and turned to leave.

Bai Zihan had just left with Kong Zhanghong, but before he could get far, someone blocked his path.

It was a young man in gold and silver robes, flanked by two silent guards.

The emblem on his chest bore the insignia of the Imperial Family.

The youth bowed deeply, cupping his fists.

“Greetings, Young Master Bai Zihan. I come on behalf of His Highness, the First Prince. He wishes to meet with you.”

Bai Zihan didn’t stop walking.

The emissary blinked and quickly stepped in front of him again.

“It’s a personal invitation. The Prince said—”

“If he has something to ask of me,” Bai Zihan interrupted without slowing, “then he should come to me himself.”

The emissary stiffened, caught between fear and confusion.

“You—Young Master Bai, surely you understand that His Highness—”

“Well, everyone should know by now that those who are begging should be the ones going to the giver, rather than the other way around.”

Bai Zihan said.

First Prince?

Merely a title of firstborn—with nothing backing it.

Bai Zihan wasn’t afraid of the First Prince, or the possibility of revenge if he ever became Emperor.

The Emperor was still alive, and it might take quite some time before a new one was chosen.

Not to mention, after becoming Emperor, the First Prince’s first priority would be to eliminate potential rivals and stabilize his position.

By the time he finishes all that, Bai Zihan was certain that he would be powerful enough that the Imperial Family would be just another clan he could deal with.

So, he wasn’t afraid of offending the First Prince.

The emissary opened his mouth to respond—but no words came.

He wanted to curse and let Bai Zihan know the consequences of looking down on His Highness, but he’d received strict orders not to do anything rash or offend Bai Zihan.

Bai Zihan was already walking away without even looking back.

***

Before the First Prince, the emissary knelt, head lowered.

“So… he refused?”

The emissary nodded quickly.

“Y-Yes, Your Highness. He said that… if you have something to ask of him, then you should come to him.”

Silence!

One of the Prince’s advisors shifted nervously but said nothing.

After a long pause, the First Prince let out a soft chuckle.

“Interesting!”

He leaned back, swirling a cup of tea in his hand.

“He really is as the rumors say. Even this position of mine seemed insufficient to order him to come and see me.”

The others in the room looked at one another, unsure whether that was a compliment or something else.

“I assume he won’t come even if we send a more… formal summons?”

One of the advisors asked cautiously.

“He won’t,” the Prince said simply.

He already knew Bai Zihan’s habit—that he never came when called, unless it was by his parents or sister.

And that if one wanted to meet him, they had to visit him personally.

Even so, he’d sent the emissary to test whether Bai Zihan would reject even his invitation.

It seemed he had.

Indeed, Bai Zihan didn’t give face to anyone.

(Would he also reject the Emperor’s order?)

He wondered—but he would have to wait a few more years to find out. When he became Emperor.

“Your Highness, what should we do then?”

Another advisor asked.

He was indirectly asking whether the First Prince would comply with Bai Zihan’s demand and go meet him personally.

“I won’t go. Let’s focus on the other clans instead.”

Yu Zidi knew it would be difficult to win over Bai Zihan, especially since he had no good bargaining chips to offer.

Rather than wasting time with Bai Zihan, he would focus on other powers he might be able to sway.

More than that, his pride wouldn’t allow him to go meet a junior.

***

One day has passed since the first round was over!

Bai Zihan didn’t think much about the First Prince, his invitation, or the fact that he hadn’t come personally to meet him.

He was more interested in spending the next three days doing absolutely nothing. Hard work was good and everything but nothing beats being lazy.

His sword was sheathed. His robe was loose. His body lay stretched on a jade recliner as a warm breeze drifted through the window.

He had just closed his eyes, content in the rare peace—

Knock! knock!

Bai Zihan’s brow twitched.

He didn’t move.

Knock knock knock.

This time, the knock was firmer. A moment passed—and then a voice followed.

“Young Master, it’s urgent.”

Kong Zhanghong said.

Bai Zihan opened one eye and let out a long sigh, as if the heavens themselves had betrayed him.

Well, heaven might have betrayed him a long time ago though.

“Enter!”

The door opened, and Kong Zhanghong stepped inside, his expression more serious than usual. He held a sealed jade slip in one hand.

“I’ve found it,” he said without preamble. “A lead on the assassin’s organization the young master told me to find.”

That made Bai Zihan sit up.

He didn’t expect that Kong Zhanghong could even track down the assassin group which the Bai Clan couldn’t.

He took the jade slip with narrowed eyes.

“Where?”