Plans for the Future: Only One Word-Fight!

It was the eighth day after Qin Wangchuan returned to Willow Creek Town.

Fan Yuan finally figured out the inside of Soaring Tower.

Clean up what needs to be cleaned up, collect what needs to be collected, and establish rules where necessary.

In just a few days.

The entire atmosphere of the Soaring Tower has changed.

On this same day, Fan Yuan returned to Willow Creek Town from Soaring Tower, travel-worn and weary.

Carrying a thick stack of account books, he personally went to Qin Wangchuan's door to report back.

As I approached the alleyway where the Qin Clan Courtyard was located, my steps unconsciously became lighter.

Each step landed almost silently.

I recall my previous visits here.

He had clearly suppressed his breathing and deliberately concealed the sound of his footsteps.

But before he could even knock, the man's words, "Come in," reached his ears first.

I always felt a chill in my heart back then.

Now that his cultivation has improved several times over, even ordinary ninth-level Cultivator would find it difficult to detect his true strength.

Fan Yuan composed himself and quietly walked to the door.

Raise your hand.

'This time... I hope no one noticed.'

The idea had barely formed in my mind.

The door wasn't closed.

Come in.

A faint voice came from inside the courtyard, causing Fan Yuan's hand, which was raised halfway in the air, to freeze in place.

A long time.

He gave a self-deprecating laugh.

I was overthinking it after all.

What good is progress in cultivation?

In front of the gentleman, he was still like a little animal that had just learned to walk, unable to escape the gaze of those Golden Eyes even when he was breathing.

"... yes."

Fan Yuan responded in a low voice and pushed open the door to enter.

In the Qin Clan Courtyard, Qin Wangchuan was still sitting on the same old stone bench.

He was flipping through a medical book, and a faint scent of herbs and wood wafted from the mortar and pestle beside him.

The afternoon sun slanted down onto one of his shoulders, bringing a sense of peace, yet also making people inexplicably hesitant to act rashly.

Fan Yuan stepped into the courtyard, his footsteps becoming even lighter.

Walking to the stone table, he first respectfully put down the stack of account books, then took half a step back and bowed.

"Gentlemen."

"The situation at Soaring Tower has been stabilized."

Qin Wangchuan didn't look up, but simply gave a faint "hmm".

Fan Yuan gently pushed the stack of account books aside and opened the top one.

"This is the current state of Soaring Tower's assets."

"The treasures, spiritual materials, elixirs, Jade Slip, array plates... all of them are listed here."

"There is still a considerable amount of gold and silver in the accounts, as well as some scattered properties."

He paused, carefully considered his words, and his expression became even more humble.

"I have an idea that I'd like to share with you, sir."

"After much thought, I still feel that your courtyard... is a bit too small."

"How about we transfer some gold from the Soaring Tower?"

"Find a suitable place in town, or outside of town."

"Buy a house for the gentleman, renovate this small courtyard, and add some everyday necessities."

"Sir, do you think this is appropriate?"

Qin Wangchuan had already put down the medical book and started flipping through the account books.

His slender fingers flipped through the pages casually, one after another, at a slow pace, yet he didn't linger on any page for even a moment longer.

The courtyard fell silent.

Only the soft sound of pages turning remained.

Fan Yuan stood by the table, gradually losing his composure.

He dared not utter a sound, even his breathing became slightly softer.

I don't know how much time passed.

"Smack."

The ledger was casually closed.

Qin Wangchuan gently placed the ledger back on the table.

His fingertips didn't move, but his eyes lifted up.

"Fan Yuan."

He addressed him by his first name.

His gaze came over indifferently.

There was no anger, nor any sign of emotion.

"I'm putting you in charge of the Soaring Tower."

"I'm not asking you to use the money from the building to buy me a residential property."

Just one short sentence.

But this caused a cold sweat to instantly seep down Fan Yuan's back.

He instinctively opened his mouth to explain.

"Sir, I..."

"Ouch--!"

He hadn't finished speaking.

A bright red date landed right on his forehead, rolled down his nose, and spun twice on the table.

Fan Yuan touched his forehead and looked up in a daze.

The Jujube Tree in the courtyard remained motionless, its leaves still, and the wind did not stir it.

But the branches were laden with green fruit.

Only this one.

It was a bright red.

It landed squarely on his head.

Animals have spirits.

Does this mean that trees also have spirits?

Even this Jujube Tree seems to think he misspoke?

Once the thought crossed his mind, Fan Yuan dared not hesitate for a moment longer.

He bent down, held the red date in both hands, and bowed deeply to Qin Wangchuan.

"Please forgive me, sir."

"This matter was due to Fan Yuan consideration."

The matter of buying a house.

The reason for this was simply that Fan Yuan was too afraid.

Having witnessed Qin Wangchuan's strength, they became even more cautious and eager to do something for him.

This is only natural.

Qin Wangchuan didn't take it to heart; a reminder was enough.

Then, Fan Yuan talked about the future of Soaring Tower.

"Gentlemen."

"The sudden change of leadership at Soaring Tower can't be kept secret for long."

"Mystic Capital Prefecture and Mountain-Quelling Palace will find out sooner or later."

"If this were in the past, the three families would have stood side by side for many years, with none of them able to swallow the others, so there wouldn't be this panicked."

But now Jiang Xuan is dead.

"Most of the key figures at Soaring Tower who could truly hold their own have perished."

"I thought about it for a long time before coming."

There are essentially two paths now.

"One approach is to first approach those two families, soften our stance, concede what we should, and give what we should, then take it back later."

"The other rule is to be absolutely firm in our stance; if they dare to make a move, I will strike."

"But the risk is too great; one wrong step and there's no turning back."

"Please give your instructions, sir."

Qin Wangchuan did not hesitate.

"Beat."

A single word landed on the table.

"The only way to gain a foothold is through fighting."

"If you give in once, you'll have to give in countless times afterward."

Once you've bowed your head, you'll never be able to raise it again.

Fan Yuan hesitated.

But Qin Wangchuan's gaze had already fallen calmly upon them first.

"But."

"You just said that Soaring Tower lost most of its fighting strength."

That's not right.

As he spoke, he casually flicked the account book on the table with his fingertip.

"The Soaring Tower, does it really rely on just a few people?"

"As far as I know, the number of disciples under the Soaring Tower far exceeds that of Mystic Capital Prefecture and Mountain-Quelling Palace."

"Keep your eyes on those elders."

"But they forgot that those who truly supported this building were never them."

"But the current situation has become an opportunity."

"Opportunity?" Fan Yuan was stunned, and subconsciously repeated the question.

Qin Wangchuan nodded.

"If they attack, there will definitely be casualties at Soaring Tower."

"Once someone dies, hatred arises."

"The word 'hatred' has always been derogatory, instilling hatred and driving people mad. But from another perspective, it can also be the most useful tool."

"Borrowing fire from outside to heat our own stove."

You don't need to bother winning people's hearts.

"Just follow that hatred."

"The more people who hate them, the more united everyone in Soaring Tower will be."

"That energy will twist itself into a rope and be firmly grasped in your palm."

After hearing this, Fan Yuan stood there stunned for a long time.

A gentle breeze was blowing.

He had lived for a hundred years and considered himself quite knowledgeable, yet at this moment, a chill couldn't help but rise in his heart.

The same thing.

What I saw was death and injury, risk, and a catastrophic disaster lurking in the shadows.

What the gentleman saw, however, was an opportunity, a chance to leverage momentum, and a spark to unite people's hearts.

This is the difference in perspective.

Only after the gust of wind had completely swept through the courtyard and scattered beyond the eaves did Fan Yuan slowly raise his head.

His expression was even more serious than before.

"Fan Yuan... understands."