Traitor Within the Family!!

[You've been eavesdropping on them all this time?! When did you use your puppet?!]

'Ssh! I'm trying to focus! Who told you to listen to that guy's rambling all this time? Even a deaf man would get tired from listening to him!'

Normally, Yang Huo wouldn't mind indulging in the System's antics. However, the present situation demanded a high level of concentration. It seemed the news brought by the servant was very important, to the extent that it warranted a sound barrier to safeguard their discussion.

Fortunately, Yang Huo knew lip-reading skills, else figuring out their conversation would have been impossible.

Immediately, the System fell silent as it join in the fun of 'eavesdropping' while leaving the unfortunate young man, Su Zhiyuan, talking to himself.

"What?! The secret realm had opened?!" Elder Su Zhenhua couldn't believe the news he had just heard. No wonder they had to move to an isolated place and use a sound barrier to cover their conversation. No matter what, they couldn't afford to have this news leaked.

"No sir, not yet. But we detected massive energies radiating from the secret realm. Currently, the patriarch and the other elders are investigating it, but we anticipate it will open in a few days, or possibly even tomorrow."

With a contemplative expression, Elder Su Zhenhua gently stroked his long beard. Their ancestors had discovered the secret realm long ago. However, due to the unstable nature of the space connecting the real world to the realm, all they could do was conceal it and await the opportune moment.

Years of dedicated resources and calculations had led them to predict that this would be the year the secret realm finally opened.

"After so many years of waiting... what unfortunate timing."

Observing Elder Su Zhenhua pacing back and forth, the servant assumed an even more solemn demeanor. Unfortunately, even the news of the secret realm wasn't the primary concern.

"We... also suspect that there's a traitor."

Elder Su Zhenhua halted in his tracks, fixing the servant with a chilling gaze.

"A traitor? Already?"

"Yes, when the Patriarch and the others arrived at the scene, our spies also detected movement from the other families."

Su Zhenhua's frown deepened.

In anticipation of this moment, their ancestors had established a formation to block any energies emanating from the secret realm. However, even if there were leaks in the formation, the idea that the other families would respond almost as swiftly as the Su Family to a small amount of energy was simply incredulous.1

As anger surged within Elder Su Zhenhua, he took a deep breath to regain his composure. However, a profound sense of disappointment soon overcame him.

Elder Su Zhenhua shook his head. "We have truly disappointed our ancestors."

Observing the unfolding situation, the System, as a mere bystander, sensed something peculiar in the elder's reaction. Which was why the System turned to Yang Huo for an explanation.

Feeling a little pity at the naïve System, Yang Huo explained reluctantly.

'Think about it, if the Su Family could plant spies on the other families, what's stopping the other families from doing the same?'

A moment of enlightenment flashed in the black owl's eyes, but it quickly disappeared and replaced by a deeper sense of confusion.

[Then why did the elder still appear surprised?]

Yang Huo let out a sigh.

'Yes, it wouldn't be surprising if the other families were aware of the secret realm's existence. But who cares? What matter is who got the first taste of it.'

'And assuming the Su Family knew this as well, their primary goal is to limit the flow of information to the bare minimum. At the very least, enough for them to reap most of the important rewards from the secret realm.'

'So, the issue isn't that the information got leaked, the problem is the speed at which it got leak.'

Instantly, the System connected all the dots.

In order to block information from reaching the spy, the Su Family needed to minimize the number of individuals involved in the operation. This meant that only the most trusted members of the Su Family were privy to the secret realm's current situation. So for it to still get leaked...

Elder Su Zhenhua massaged his temples wearily.

"How about the meeting? Did the patriarch say anything about it?"

"Yes, even though the Patriarch and the other elders won't be able to attend, the patriarch instructed us to proceed with the plan."

Elder Su Zhenhua released a tired sigh, waving his hand dismissively.

"Alright, alright. If that's all, then I need to go. If I linger any longer, who knows what that brat Yang Huo might get up to."

Observing the servant cupping his hand in a polite gesture and beginning to depart, Yang Huo swiftly cut his shared vision and directed the spider puppet to a secluded spot.

Meanwhile, the System, eager to share its thoughts, was about to say something before Yang Huo interrupted and spoke first.

'I know what you're thinking, but no, I see no reason to enter the secret realm.'

The System was taken aback.

[What?! Why not?!]

'What do you mean, why not? Let's set aside the fact that the Su Family and other families wouldn't let an outsider from entering the secret realm.'

'Not only do I not lack resources with my core disciple position. I also have limited combat experience, so why should I risk my second life on something so unreliable and dangerous?'

Yang Huo's words rendered the System speechless. Why was its Host not following the script? Had it chosen the wrong Host? But why did Yang Huo's rationale sounded undeniably sensible?

....N-No! The System couldn't let this go! If it didn't intervene now and allowed its Host to remain spineless like this, then the System might really change job into those sign-in System that only wanted to become a shut-in!

This won't do!

All of a sudden, a screen popped up into Yang Huo's vision.

[Mission

Description: To demonstrate your prowess as a master manipulator, engineer a fortuitous moment and obtain yourself treasures of the secret realm from the clutches of the esteemed Su Family, Golden Lotus Pavilion, and Wang Family!

Reward: Yet to be determined]

When Yang Huo saw the mission, he grinned secretly while calmly enjoying his tea. He didn't think fooling the System was so eas–

DING!

[Congratulation! You've successfully manipulated the System into assigning you a mission for additional rewards! You've earned 100 System Points!]

At that very moment, Yang Huo was caught off guard and accidentally choked on his tea. He instantly spat out everything in his mouth to the person smiling in front of him, Su Zhiyuan.

And as Yang Huo quickly wiped his mouth, his eyes still widened in disbelief at the screen in front of him.

"This is possible?!"