Chapter 412: The Meeting of Two Masters of Pretension

Five years later!

Morning.

"Master, something amusing happened yesterday. Zhang Si fell into the latrine."

The maidservants busied themselves, helping their beloved master wash and dress. Over the past five years, they had gradually relaxed, no longer behaving so cautiously, and instead bore smiles. Reflecting on the past, they had no desire to return to those times, feeling that their current master was truly the one they most loved and respected.

Now, they could share amusing anecdotes, sometimes even playfully tease him, and always confide in him when facing difficult situations, knowing he'd do his utmost to help them. They no longer addressed him as "Master" in the formal sense but rather as "Sir" — a request from Lin Fan himself.

"He's alright, isn't he?" Lin Fan inquired with concern, curious about how exactly Zhang Si had fallen in and what that must have felt like.

The maid smiled and said, "I heard he even took a few mouthfuls!"

Lin Fan laughed. "That's what you'd call a flavorful mistake."

The maids burst into laughter. In the past, such conversations would have been unthinkable. Yet over these years of shared experiences, the servants had come to see that their master was genuinely good-natured. What had once been a figure of fear and reverence had transformed into someone loved by all. They even reconsidered his past actions, believing that those who had died had likely done something wrong to deserve it.

Though they were just servants and only saw the surface, they could sense he'd once carried heavy burdens — pains that they now empathized with.

Dining room.

Han Yan and Han Xiaoxiao came to dine.

Xiaoxiao had grown into a graceful young lady with beauty almost surpassing her sister's, even at thirteen or fourteen. Given a few more years, she might become a true enchantress.

Han Yan, however, grew increasingly wary of Lin Fan. He was dangerous, especially as her younger sister blossomed. She felt the pressure mount as Lin Fan's smile at her sister seemed laden with intent. To her, it was a chilling smile — a calculated smile.

Over the years, she had recognized Lin Fan's skill in manipulation. Just looking at the maidservants, who now trusted him completely, she could see how they'd been deceived, believing him to be kind-hearted. Yet they didn't realize it was merely a facade.

When Han Xiaoxiao thought her sister wasn't looking, she would flash a bright, admiring smile at Lin Fan. Lin Fan never looked away, meeting her gaze with a smile of his own, which only deepened Han Yan's conviction that he was finally revealing his true self without hesitation.

Han Yan shot him a furious glare, as if to warn him that if he ever dared to lay a finger on her sister, she would not forgive him. Over the years, she had taught Xiaoxiao how to protect herself, hoping her sister would never be taken advantage of.

Lin Fan met Han Yan's glare with a smile.

For Xiaoxiao, that smile was warm and comforting, yet for Han Yan, it was terrifying, a demon's sinister grin. She looked down, unable to keep meeting his gaze.

Night.

"Xiaoxiao, do you listen to what I say?"

Han Yan found her sister seated by the oil lamp, embroidering a sachet, and asked.

Xiaoxiao didn't look up. "Of course, Sister. Why? Do you have something to tell me?"

Han Yan knew her sister's heart was clouded. Lin Fan had charmed her, making it impossible to convince her otherwise. Once someone saw him as a good person, they wouldn't change their view unless he revealed his true nature to them.

"I plan to take you away from here, to a place where no one can find us," she said firmly.

She couldn't let her sister stay here any longer.

She had once believed she could protect her sister, but her self-assurance had been naive. Not only had she failed to protect her, but she had let her become entangled in something far deeper.

"Where are we going?" Xiaoxiao asked, visibly nervous. She didn't want to leave.

"Away from here. Anywhere will do."

Over the years, Lin Fan often wondered if perhaps he'd been misunderstood by Han Yan. Sometimes he'd reflect, asking himself if he'd missed something. But he saw himself as gentle, kind, clearly a good person who had no trace of malice.

Xiaoxiao thought of every excuse. She didn't want to leave.

"Pack your things. We're leaving now," Han Yan ordered, having little to take herself.

Han Yan turned back, seeing her sister still seated, and demanded, "Why haven't you packed yet?"

"I don't want to leave," Xiaoxiao replied, mustering the courage to finally express her own wishes. She didn't want to live her life following her sister's expectations.

Han Yan knew the worst had happened.

"Do you know what you're saying?"

"Yes, I know. I have my own thoughts and choices now. You say Lin-ge is bad, but I don't see it. He's good to me, willing to spend time with me doing things you say are a waste of time."

"You…" Han Yan was shocked, gripping her sister's shoulders, staring directly into her eyes. "Do you understand you're caught in his schemes?"

In the past, Xiaoxiao would have looked away, intimidated. But now she met her sister's gaze defiantly.

"That's just what you think. We've been here six years now. If things were as you say, why are we unharmed?"

"He's waiting," Han Yan snapped.

"Waiting for what?"

"Waiting for you to grow up! Can't you see he's always had his eye on you?" Han Yan felt the enormity of her sister's delusion, that Lin Fan had somehow earned her absolute trust.

"If that's so, I'm willing," Xiaoxiao replied.

Hearing this, Han Yan's head nearly exploded with disbelief. She couldn't fathom how her sister could say such shameless things.

Xiaoxiao stood firm, her head held high, braced for her sister's slap.

But Han Yan only embraced her sister, whispering, "Sister only wants to protect you from harm. Why don't you trust me?"

She deeply regretted bringing her here. Perhaps life outside, even with its dangers, would have been better than this.

Though they still lived, the mental anguish weighed heavier than physical pain.

"Sister, I know you mean well. But some things aren't what you think. I'm sure Lin-ge is a good person, and he's kind to me," Xiaoxiao said gently.

Han Yan's voice lowered. "But he was a devil."

Xiaoxiao laughed. "Even devils have emotions, friends, and moments of kindness. No matter what others say, I feel that Lin-ge is genuinely good to me. I love living here with him."

Han Yan looked at her sister, finally sighing. She realized her sister was grown, with thoughts and choices that couldn't be changed by others.

In the end, Han Yan abandoned her plan to leave. She understood what kind of man Lin Fan was. Over the years, she'd seen how he continuously won her sister's affection.

Yes, he had succeeded. Her sister now even defied her own kin for him.

Very impressive.

After all these years, Lin Fan's hobbies hadn't changed. At night, he still enjoyed reading his little illustrated books before falling asleep, living a peaceful life.

Ping Sha Town, at the Wind and Wave Pavilion.

Two figures approached from opposite directions, meeting in the pavilion. Lighting an oil lamp, they laid out wine, their robes sweeping over the stone table as they set down two cups.

"It's been a while."

"Yes, indeed."

Both men were calm, exuding an air of tranquility that indicated mastery. They spoke with a quiet yet intense charisma.

"I've crossed the North, to no avail."

"I traveled south, only to return here. It seems we've circled back to where we started."

They raised their cups, drinking, then burst out laughing.

"Years ago, we set off from here, only to reunite in the same place. It seems we've truly traveled in circles."

Neither questioned the strange reunion. Had they cared, they might have discovered that their world was indeed a round sphere.

"These years, my journey north has brought me great progress. I encountered the infamous Six-Fingered Demon and fought him for three days and nights, ultimately slaying him atop the mountain. He was hardly the legend everyone feared — just exaggerated tales."

The man spoke with indifference, suggesting his opponent hadn't been worth his concern.

Across from him, the other man smiled.

"Heading south, I met an old monk. He turned out to be none other than the Blood Sky Buddha, who terrorized the martial world for decades. We fought atop a snowy peak for a day and night, and I slew him as well. Truly, the tales exaggerated his prowess."

These two seemed like masters of pretension, catching up only to exchange exaggerated tales of victory.

After all, it was nighttime — no fear of lightning striking them.