The dense fog that had settled over the Jiang Estate thickened with the coming of dusk.
A chilling wind whispered through the courtyard, rattling the branches of ancient trees.
Jiang Chen stood by the window, staring out at the darkening horizon as his mind raced with new plans.
The rumblings of Lin Fan's struggles in the wild were exactly as expected. His fight with the demonic beasts, while a trial, was nothing more than a stepping stone in the grand scheme.
Yet, Jiang Chen couldn't ignore the growing importance of Luo Qing'er. Her unwavering loyalty, although not yet fully tested, was a potential threat if left unchecked.
He thought back to the conversation earlier that day.
The hidden forces within the Holy Sect were stirring—Lin Zhen's influence had begun to wane, but a new challenge had emerged.
And now, the time had come to ensure that the protagonists would be pushed further down the path of chaos.
The Jiang Estate
In the quiet study, Jiang Chen's shadow guards gathered around him.
These loyal figures had been conditioned through years of training to carry out his will without hesitation.
Their obedience was a direct reflection of the control Jiang Chen held over the network of alliances he had woven throughout the sect and beyond.
"Lord Jiang, the movement within the sect has escalated," one of the guards, Zhang Huo, spoke quietly.
His face was hidden beneath the shadow of his hood, but his voice betrayed the urgency of his words.
Jiang Chen turned slowly, his eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and calculation.
"Speak, Zhang Huo."
"The inner circle is beginning to doubt Lin Fan's resilience. Some believe he might not be fit to clear his father's name.
It seems the rumor of the demonic herb field is spreading faster than expected."
Jiang Chen leaned forward, his fingers steepling in thought.
"Good. Let them doubt. The more doubt they have, the more they will turn on him when the time is right.
But I need more. We need to escalate his downfall."
The other shadow guards nodded in unison, understanding their task.
However, Jiang Chen's thoughts soon turned to Luo Qing'er. She was too much of a wildcard. Her quiet surveillance of Lin Fan was an inconvenience he couldn't afford to ignore.
"Luo Qing'er," Jiang Chen murmured, more to himself than to anyone else in the room.
Zhang Huo raised an eyebrow. "Shall we remove her from the equation, my lord?"
"No," Jiang Chen replied quickly.
"For now, we let her stay in the shadows. But we must ensure that she remains divided.
Her loyalty to Lin Fan is her weakness. If we can play on that weakness, we will have her in the palm of our hands."
The Holy Sect - Inner Sanctum
Meanwhile, deep within the Holy Sect, Lin Fan had barely managed to return from his harrowing battle with the demonic beasts.
His clothes were torn, his body battered and bruised, yet the fire of determination burned brightly in his eyes.
As he entered the sect's medical wing, Luo Qing'er was already waiting for him.
"Lin Fan," she greeted him softly, her expression unreadable.
"Senior Sister Qing'er, you shouldn't have come."
Lin Fan's voice was hoarse, exhaustion weighing heavily on him. Yet there was no time for rest. The path to redeem his father's name was treacherous, and every second counted.
Luo Qing'er stepped forward, her gaze scanning his injuries with concern.
"You're reckless. You almost died out there. If I hadn't followed, who knows what would've happened."
Lin Fan sighed, his shoulders slumping as he dropped into a nearby chair.
"I had to. The sect is turning against my father. If I can't uncover the truth about this herb field, all of our lives will be destroyed."
Luo Qing'er sat next to him, her brow furrowing.
"There's something you should know. I overheard a conversation between some elders.
They believe that Jiang Chen has been manipulating the sect's resources.
Some even suspect that he has a hidden agenda in this whole affair with the herb field."
Lin Fan's gaze hardened.
"Jiang Chen…"
He knew of him—a rising star in the sect who was rumored to have vast influence. But this was the first time he had heard such accusations.
"I don't trust him, Lin Fan," Luo Qing'er added, her voice firm.
"He's playing a dangerous game, and I fear you're being dragged into it."
Lin Fan's jaw tightened. "Then I'll deal with him. I won't let anyone tarnish my family's name, not even Jiang Chen."
Back at the Jiang Estate, Jiang Chen had already anticipated Lin Fan's next move.
His spies had informed him of Lin Fan's recovery, and Jiang Chen was not one to sit idly by while his plans were being jeopardized.
He was well aware of the risks posed by Lin Fan's dogged pursuit of the truth, but he had woven a tapestry of influence and manipulation so intricate that even the slightest shift could bring Lin Fan to his knees.
Jiang Chen's shadow guards gathered once more.
"Send word to Elder Mo," he instructed.
"Tell him that Lin Fan's group is planning to head toward the inner sanctum tomorrow. Let's arrange for them to be… intercepted."
"Should we make the assault obvious?" one of the guards asked.
"No," Jiang Chen said with a cold smile.
"Let them believe they are safe, but every step they take will lead them closer to a trap. The best bait is the one that doesn't seem like bait at all."
The next morning, Lin Fan, despite his injuries, set out once again to search for the demonic herb field.
With him were his loyal companions, as well as Luo Qing'er, who had agreed to accompany him in case of further danger.
As they made their way through the dense forest toward the field, the tension in the air was palpable.
At the same time, Jiang Chen's shadow guards moved with calculated precision.
They had set up a series of illusions, carefully placed traps that would test Lin Fan's resolve.
Jiang Chen, watching from the comfort of his estate, couldn't help but savor the unfolding spectacle.
As Lin Fan and his companions ventured deeper into the forest, they encountered strange disturbances.
The ground shifted beneath their feet, and strange, ethereal lights flickered in the distance.
Luo Qing'er, who had been quietly observing, suddenly froze.
"Lin Fan," she whispered urgently.
"There's something wrong here. These are no ordinary illusions. Someone is guiding us into a trap."
Lin Fan's eyes widened. "Jiang Chen!" he hissed under his breath.
Before he could react, the ground erupted beneath their feet. They were surrounded.
A group of masked assailants emerged from the shadows, led by a familiar figure—Zhang Huo.
"This is your final warning, Lin Fan," Zhang Huo sneered.
"Stay out of Jiang Chen's way."
Back at the Jiang Estate, Jiang Chen sat in his study, watching the scene unfold through a hidden mirror.
He felt a deep sense of satisfaction as Lin Fan struggled to escape the traps he had set.
"Let them think they have a chance," Jiang Chen mused, sipping his tea.
"The more they struggle, the more they will fall into despair."
He had just begun to play his hand, and already, the wheels of fate were turning in his favor.
Jiang Chen knew that the game was far from over.
And in the end, Lin Fan would be nothing more than a pawn in his grand design.