15: Chapter 15 Schemes

"Yes, Eldest Senior Brother." The maidservant bowed and turned to walk toward the Inner Hall.

Before long, the maidservant who had received the order returned from the Inner Hall, holding an exquisite red sandalwood box and a string-bound book in both hands.

"Eldest Senior Brother, the talisman pen and the book are ready."

Lin Hao raised his hand, signaling the maid to hand the items to Zhang Yuan, his tone carrying a hint of casual extravagance: "Open it and see."

Zhang Yuan stepped forward as instructed and took the red sandalwood box with both hands.

The box was lined with snow-white brocade, and a wolf-hair pen lay quietly upon it. Its barrel was carved from Deep Sea Spirit Wood and emitted a faint, eerie glow; one look was enough to tell it was no ordinary item.

"This High Grade wolf-hair talisman pen is made from the tail hair of a Tier 3 Spirit Beast, the Profound Wolf, paired with a Deep Sea Spirit Wood barrel. It can smoothly conduct Spiritual Qi, increasing both the success rate and power of talisman crafting. In the market, it's worth at least one hundred and twenty Low-Grade Spirit Stones."

Lin Hao introduced it in a flat tone, his words full of indifference toward the reward. In truth, he was deliberately flaunting his strength and wealth, intending to completely win over Zhang Yuan.

Zhang Yuan quickly bowed: "Junior Brother thanks Eldest Senior Brother for the generous gift!"

Lin Hao nodded in satisfaction and pointed to the string-bound book the maid had handed over: "This 'Essentials of the Outer Sect Junior Brother Assessment', take it back and study it well."

"Thank you, Eldest Senior Brother!" Zhang Yuan took the book.

Seeing Zhang Yuan's submissive manner, Lin Hao felt even more pleased. He waved his hand and said, "Alright, you may leave now!"

"Junior Brother takes his leave!" Zhang Yuan bowed to Lin Hao before withdrawing.

Wu Feng stepped forward and asked, "Eldest Senior Brother, I have something I don't understand and would like to ask you."

Lin Hao looked up at him, his tone indifferent: "Speak."

"That Zhang Yuan is just a Utility Disciple with an unknown background. Why is Eldest Senior Brother treating him so well? And without even verifying anything, you gave him a High Grade wolf-hair talisman pen worth one hundred and twenty Spirit Stones?" Wu Feng asked.

Hearing this, Lin Hao suddenly laughed.

He raised his hand to signal the maidservant at his side to withdraw. Once only he and Wu Feng remained in the hall, he slowly explained, "You have followed me for many years and are reliable in your work, but you lack a bit of long-term scheming!"

"Regardless of whether Zhang Yuan is a Talisman Master or if he can draw talismans!"

"As long as he can produce Fireball Talismans, he is a Talisman Master!"

"A single wolf-hair pen is only one hundred and twenty Spirit Stones. Compared to a steady stream of Talismanic Incantations, it's nothing at all!"

Wu Feng frowned slightly, still puzzled: "What if this Zhang Yuan runs away?"

"Run? Where could he run?" Lin Hao's tone was full of certainty. "I have eyes and ears throughout the Heavenly Sword Sect's Servant Peak and the market!"

"If he truly serves me, I will give him some benefits in the future and let him earn money for me;"

"But if he dares to have ulterior motives, I will eliminate him immediately and seize his talisman-making methods to end any future trouble."

These words revealed both Lin Hao's regard for Zhang Yuan and his inherent ruthlessness and calculation.

In his eyes, Zhang Yuan was just a usable pawn—to be kept if useful and discarded if not. The so-called generous treatment was merely a means to win over a pawn.

Furthermore, the wolf-hair pen worth over one hundred and twenty Spirit Stones was only temporarily with Zhang Yuan.

If Zhang Yuan ever became disobedient, he would eliminate him and take the wolf-hair pen back.

Wu Feng suddenly understood and hurriedly bowed: "I see. Eldest Senior Brother is far-sighted; I am ashamed to be so inferior."

Lin Hao nodded in satisfaction and waved his hand: "Alright, go and monitor Zhang Yuan. Report any unusual movement immediately."

"Yes, Eldest Senior Brother!" Wu Feng bowed and turned to walk quickly out of the hall.

Silence returned to the hall. Lin Hao picked up his teacup and took a shallow sip, his eyes filled with a look of absolute determination.

In Lin Hao's view, Zhang Yuan was just a Utility Disciple without a Foundation.

He couldn't cause any waves at all.

...

Servant Peak.

Qin Changsheng's home.

With a thought, Qin Changsheng retrieved the wolf-hair pen rewarded by Lin Hao from his Storage Space.

Qin Changsheng's eyes were filled with unmistakable joy, and the corners of his mouth curled up involuntarily: "A High Grade wolf-hair pen worth one hundred and twenty Spirit Stones? Lin Hao is quite generous; this gift is far more substantial than I expected."

Initially, he only intended to scam some Spirit Sand or an ordinary talisman pen, but he hadn't expected Lin Hao to be willing to give away such a valuable item just to win over a 'talisman Genius'.

At the same time, Qin Changsheng understood why Lin Hao had given this precious wolf-hair pen to Zhang Yuan.

It was because he believed Zhang Yuan could never escape his grasp.

After all, he was the Outer Sect's Eldest Senior Brother.

While Zhang Yuan was merely a Utility Disciple.

"It's time to discard the identity of Zhang Yuan!"

"And Overseer Hu Yuanfu is also a problem!"

Qin Changsheng had made his decision.

This time, he would not only scam Lin Hao but also resolve the trouble that was Overseer Hu Yuanfu.

After all, during this period, Overseer Hu Yuanfu had been frequently loitering around the perimeter of his spirit field.

Clearly, he had already begun to suspect Qin Changsheng.

Soon, a clever plan began to take shape in his mind.

He would have Zhang Yuan give Overseer Hu Yuanfu an ordinary talisman pen and chat with him for a while.

Then, he would jump into Qingyun Lake to commit suicide.

This way, Lin Hao would definitely take out his anger on Overseer Hu Yuanfu.

With Lin Hao's temper, it would be impossible for Overseer Hu Yuanfu to come out alive.

As for Zhang Yuan's suicide, Qin Changsheng didn't care at all.

Zhang Yuan was his External Incarnation; he only needed to spend one Spirit Stone to resurrect him.

When the time came, Qin Changsheng would find a new identity on Servant Peak and have his Incarnation replace it.

...

The next morning.

Zhang Yuan stepped out of his room and headed toward Overseer Hu Yuanfu's house.

Zhang Yuan deliberately made a lot of noise.

Before long, Zhang Yuan arrived at the courtyard where Overseer Hu Yuanfu lived.

Overseer Hu Yuanfu was sitting on a stone stool in the courtyard drinking tea. Seeing Zhang Yuan approach, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes: "Zhang Yuan? Weren't you going to the Eldest Senior Brother's place?"

Overseer Hu Yuanfu's information was very well-informed.

He had known since yesterday when Zhang Yuan was taken away by Lin Hao.

Zhang Yuan stepped forward quickly and bowed as he handed over a cloth bundle: "Overseer Hu, Junior Brother has specifically come to bring you some things. I was able to establish myself on Servant Peak thanks to your care in the past. Now that I am fortunate enough to be appreciated by Eldest Senior Brother Lin, I wouldn't dare forget your kindness."

As he spoke, he opened the cloth bundle, revealing an ordinary talisman pen and a small bag of spirit rice seeds. "This is a talisman pen I saved up to buy, along with some high-quality spirit rice seeds. Please take them."

Overseer Hu glanced at the cloth bundle, and seeing the talisman pen inside, his heart was filled with joy.

Even an ordinary talisman pen would cost twenty Spirit Sand.

"Congratulations!"

"I didn't expect you to have such skill!" Overseer Hu patted Zhang Yuan and said, "Now that you're with the Eldest Senior Brother, please look after me in the future!"

"Overseer Hu, rest assured!" Zhang Yuan bowed accordingly and began chatting with Overseer Hu in the courtyard.

He deliberately picked insignificant topics, talking about Lin Hao's 'regard' for him, his tone respectful yet carrying the awkwardness of a Loose Cultivator trying to cling to the powerful.

During a lull in the conversation, he glanced out of the corner of his eye toward the entrance of the Utility Courtyard and indeed saw Wu Feng's figure.