"Good work, Kong Zhanhong! You have done a great job!"
"Thank you, Young Master!"
"I had promised a Profound-grade artifact to you, but it seems to be lacking for what you did. Instead, take this!"
Saying this, Bai Zihan took out a sword and threw it over to Kong Zhanhong.
Kong Zhanhong received the sword with both hands, his expression respectful yet confused.
He glanced at Bai Zihan, unsure of the deeper meaning behind this sudden gesture.
"Young Master... this is..."
He began, but Bai Zihan gestured for him to open it.
With a slight pause, Kong Zhanhong carefully unsheathed the blade.
A soft shhhk echoed in the air, followed by a radiant gleam of cold light.
The temperature in the room dropped slightly, a faint sword intent emanating from the exposed blade.
Kong Zhanhong’s eyes widened in utter disbelief.
He didn’t even finish his sentence before running a finger along the inscription on the blade’s spine.
"An Earth-Grade Sword!"
His voice shook, barely able to keep calm.
"Young Master, I—I cannot accept such a precious treasure! This sword... it’s worth far more than me. How can I—"
Bai Zihan waved a hand, cutting him off with a small smile.
"It is useless to me."
(How can something so powerful be useless?)
Kong Zhanhong thought.
But of course, he knew that while to him, this artifact might be worth more than anything, to someone like Bai Zihan, it might indeed be nothing.
But still, was there even someone else out there who would call an Earth-Grade Artifact useless?
Perhaps only Bai Zihan!
Bai Zihan looked directly at Kong Zhanhong.
"I have high expectations for you, Kong Zhanhong."
Bai Zihan truly had high expectations for Kong Zhanhong.
Kong Zhanhong immediately dropped to one knee, lowering his head in deep gratitude.
"I... I am unworthy of such trust, Young Master. But since you have given it, I swear I will not fail you."
His hands trembled slightly as he sheathed the blade again, holding it close like a priceless heirloom.
"I will work even harder, Young Master! I swear to repay your faith in me with loyalty and results!"
Bai Zihan gave a small nod of approval.
Beside him, Fang Jinyan couldn’t help but watch everything in jealousy.
The high-quality pills he was happy about now seemed like a drop in the ocean compared to what Kong Zhanhong had gotten.
An Earth-Grade Artifact?
Even a Profound-Grade Artifact would have made him extremely jealous—but Earth-Grade?
That was a whole other level.
You know, even those high-ranking elders of the sect don’t possess one.
Even for top clans and sects, such treasures are highly secured and given only to the most talented or someone who made a great contribution.
But Bai Zihan gave it to Kong Zhanhong. Just like that?
Suppressing his jealousy, he looked at it from another point of view.
Judging by how Bai Zihan considered such a treasure as trash, he knew that Bai Zihan must have many.
And he gives it away easily if one fulfills his mission. So then, next time, he too could get one.
(next time, it will be my turn!)
"And take this as well!"
Bai Zihan tossed a storage ring toward Kong Zhanhong.
Kong Zhanhong caught it swiftly and sent his spiritual sense into the ring. A moment later, his eyes widened again.
"One hundred thousand gold coins..."
Though not as shocking as an Earth-Grade Sword, it was still an immense fortune—enough to fund a small sect or bribe high officials in the Empire.
He looked up, stunned.
"That’s for you to continue doing your job."
Bai Zihan said calmly.
He thought about how Kong Zhanhong had managed to gather so much information without any help from him.
With the help of such funds, he believed the information he gathered would be even more valuable.
"Distribute it among those who work under you, and use it to expand your network."
Kong Zhanhong nodded solemnly, already calculating how to allocate the funds.
"I want you to gather more people, more informants. Of course, don’t let them know that you are working for me. And focus especially on the targets I’ll name. "
Kong Zhanghong listened carefully.
"First, keep a constant eye on Nie Fengzhuo. Learn everything about him—his habits, the people he associates with, and any strange opportunities he may encounter. Pay attention to even the most trivial things."
Kong Zhanhong replied firmly.
"Second, assign people to observe the Verdant Moon Auction Hall. If they do something out of norm, make sure you take note of them."
Bai Zihan’s eyes narrowed slightly.
And the Nie Clan—monitor them closely. If possible, try to find out if there are any notable girls in their clan, whether due to talent or appearance. Perhaps one who is close with Nie Fengzhuo."
(There is a possibility of a lover of Nie Fengzhuo. As a hero, there would definitely be a heroine. Even if not a lover, someone he cares deeply about.)
If things come down to it, he can make use of them to threaten Nie Fengzhuo.
"Lastly, try to find assassination organizations—particularly those capable of mobilizing multiple Soul Formation experts or even Spirit Severing Realm assassins."
Bai Zihan obviously wants to find the person who was sent to kill him.
The One assassin he kept alive wasn’t of any use, and he didn’t get any useful information from him.
So, he can only find the culprit one by one.
As a petty person, how could he possibly let go of someone who tried to kill him?
Kong Zhanhong replied.
Satisfied, Bai Zihan turned to Fang Jinyan.
"You too, Fang Jinyan."
Fang Jinyan immediately straightened.
"Do as you did before. Keep your ears and eyes open for anything related to the Heaven Sword Sect—especially Elder Han’s movement."
He paused, then added, "If possible, gather intelligence on other major sects and clans as well. Use the funds from Kong Zhanghong. You can ask for more from the Bai Clan if you need. And if it isn’t urgent or important, don’t disturb me."
Fang Jinyan blinked, then hesitantly asked, "Young Master... are you going away again?"
Bai Zihan shook his head.
"No. I’ll be in seclusion. It’s time that I get serious about my Cultivation!"