Zhang Yan, of course, understood his intentions clearly. With a faint smile, he said, "Naturally, I cannot compare to the closeness between Brother Bian and Senior Brother Hu."
Bian Qiao's face changed. This comment implicitly mocked him as a servant, and he detested anyone mentioning his humble origins. His heart burned with anger, and the smile on his face turned stiff.
Though he appeared refined, his arrogance was habitual. His tone immediately turned hostile as he cast a cold glance at Zhang Yan and said, "I ask you this: I've heard you've been interpreting the Erosion Text for disciples of our De Xiu Temple. Is this true?"
Zhang Yan answered calmly, "It is true."
Bian Qiao sneered, "I've also heard that you've been on the mountain for three years. How could you not know the rules set for the Three Daoist Temples? Only designated personnel are authorized to interpret Daoist Books. Very well, I won't make things difficult for you today. Swear here and now that from today onward, you will cease interpreting Daoist Books for the disciples of the Three Daoist Temples. Do this, and I will let the matter drop on behalf of our senior brothers. What do you say?"
Zhang Yan smiled and said, "Since Manager Bian has spoken, I shall no longer interpret Daoist Books for the disciples of De Xiu Temple."
Bian Qiao narrowed his eyes at Zhang Yan and said coldly, "Are you truly so naive, Junior Brother, or are you just playing games with me? I was speaking of all disciples of the Three Daoist Temples. Do you understand now?"
Although the Lower Court is divided into three temples, they frequently interact. If someone obtained a Daoist Book from De Xiu Temple and then, under the name of a disciple from Taian Temple or Shanyuan Temple, sought your interpretation of the Erosion Text, could I possibly stop it? Wouldn't that render this agreement meaningless?
Zhang Yan clasped his hands and said blandly, "If that's the case, I must refuse."
How could he not understand the intricacies of this matter? He chose his words deliberately, employing a strategy of retreating to advance. This made it seem that the refusal was not because he was unwilling but because Bian Qiao's demands were unreasonable and oppressive.
Bian Qiao, initially wary of Zhang Yan's potential backing, had intended for both parties to take a step back to avoid confrontation. But Zhang Yan's attitude was unyielding, leaving no room for compromise.
On second thought, despite Zhang Yan appearing to have some foundation, he had broken "the rules" first. If this issue was brought to the senior brothers, it would naturally seem like Bian Qiao had the moral high ground. So why should he fear him?
Since courteous words failed, Zhang Yan could not blame him for resorting to harsher measures. Did Zhang Yan truly think he had no way of dealing with him?
With these thoughts in mind, Bian Qiao, who had long prepared for such an eventuality, decided now was the time to escalate matters.
Suddenly, Bian Qiao burst into loud laughter. "No matter, no matter. Since Junior Brother is so skilled in the Erosion Text, why don't you enlighten us? I happen to have three Daoist Books here. Please, kindly demonstrate!"
He gestured, and a servant behind him stepped forward, placing a Daoist Book on the table. Bian Qiao tapped on its cover with his knuckles, his smile hollow. "I know your rules, Junior Brother Zhang. Food and money won't be lacking for you as a reward. Please, share your guidance."
With an opportunity for business knocking, Zhang Yan naturally would not decline. He stepped forward and extended his hand toward the Daoist Book.
Bian Qiao placed his hand on the book, staring at Zhang Yan intently. "I am sincerely requesting your guidance. But if you misinterpret it or fail to decipher it, what then?"
Zhang Yan's expression remained indifferent. "Senior Brother can tarnish my reputation. From this day forward, I will never again speak of the Erosion Text."
Bian Qiao sneered and shook his head. "That's not enough, not enough."
Zhang Yan chuckled as well, pulling his hand back and straightening his posture. "Then, Senior Brother, what do you propose?"
Bian Qiao narrowed his eyes. "You must disperse your cultivation, leave the mountain, and never set foot in Mingcang Sect's territory again!"
The surrounding crowd, which comprised disciples from the Three Temples, had grown larger by now. Gasps rippled through them upon hearing this. Severing Zhang Yan's cultivation path entirely—this was ruthless!
Zhang Yan was mildly taken aback. He hadn't expected Bian Qiao, who had been holding back earlier, to suddenly grow so aggressive.
What he didn't realize was that this aggression stemmed from Bian Qiao's nature as a petty tyrant who bullied the weak and feared the strong. Unable to ascertain Zhang Yan's true background, he had refrained from acting impulsively.
If Zhang Yan failed here and no one intervened on his behalf, Bian Qiao would show no mercy. However, if someone powerful stepped in to plead for him, Bian Qiao could spin it to save face and even gain favor from the intercessor. In any case, as long as Zhang Yan made an error in interpreting the Daoist Book, he would be at Bian Qiao's mercy.
"Senior Brother's terms are acceptable, but..." Zhang Yan maintained an unperturbed demeanor. "In that case, the price cannot be something as trivial as food and money."
Bian Qiao chuckled darkly. After fumbling in his sleeve for a moment, he produced a white jade porcelain bottle and placed it on the stone table. "Junior Brother, you appear to have reached Foundation Establishment Cultivation. This here is a Harmony Elixir, containing twenty-three pills in total. Each one is worth a fortune. Does this satisfy you?"
The surrounding disciples of the Three Temples broke into hushed discussions. Their eyes burned with desire as they gazed at the bottle, though they knew such treasures were beyond their reach. Many silently cursed Bian Qiao—he was merely a Manager with no noteworthy cultivation yet had access to such fine elixirs. It was akin to letting a Bright Pearl sink into the dirt, a complete waste.
Zhang Yan, well-versed in miscellaneous texts and records, naturally understood the value of these pills. Not only could they sustain a fasting cultivator, purify impurities, and strengthen one's foundation, but they could also ensure the flow of vital energy and blood—an invaluable aid for cultivators who often meditated in unmoving silence for days. The key point was that such elixirs were priceless and typically reserved for entry-level disciples.
Without hesitation, he replied, "Agreed."
Among the crowd, Zhao Ying sneered upon hearing Zhang Yan's response. This fool, did he not see that Bian Qiao had set a trap for him?
Bian Qiao cupped his hands toward the onlookers. "Good. With so many senior and junior brothers here as witnesses, no one can say I, Bian Qiao, bullied another unfairly." His calculated words preemptively cut off Zhang Yan's potential avenues for recourse.
Zhang Yan, expression icy, paid no mind to Bian Qiao's ploys. Sitting down at the stone bench as if utterly unperturbed, he picked up the Daoist Book and began to flip through it.
The disciples gathering around, emboldened by Bian Qiao's words, moved in closer. Many were eager to see what skills Zhang Yan possessed that gave him the courage to stand against Bian Qiao. Disciples from Taian Temple and Shanyuan Temple merely seemed curious, but those from De Xiu Temple had varying emotions. Over the years, Bian Qiao had lorded over the mountain, unchecked. Seeing someone challenge his authority filled them with excitement. Some even sent their Daoist boys running off to alert friends, ensuring no one missed this spectacle.