Chapter 165: The Insidious BASHAN MO

"Yang Fan, requesting an audience with Patriarch Bashan..." Standing before the gate of the Patriarch's mansion, Yang Fan said to the gatekeeper.

The gatekeeper recognized Yang Fan. Just a few days ago, Elder Bashan Hong had personally brought this young man over, and the Patriarch had received him in person. Although the gatekeeper did not know Yang Fan's true identity, he still nodded hastily and walked inside to announce him.

Standing at the entrance, Yang Fan appeared calm, but inwardly he felt somewhat nervous.

Last night, Bashan Hong had come to find him again, accompanied by Bashan Gui, the father of Bashan Dao.

The three of them talked for half the night, and ultimately decided that Yang Fan should request an audience with Bashan Mo today.

Yang Fan could not forget how Bashan Hong and the other treated him like nothing last night; that attitude made Yang Fan feel deeply uncomfortable. It felt as though he were merely a chess piece, and wherever the chess player wanted him to go, he had no choice but to go.

This feeling had actually been with Yang Fan constantly ever since he arrived at the Kunlun Secret Realm. Yang Fan had originally thought he was getting used to it. After all, facing these powerhouses who were casually at the ninth or tenth grade, he truly had no right to speak!

However, even a clay figurine had a three-percent temper, and a gentleman taking revenge ten years later is not too late. Yang Fan had made up his mind last night: the moment he got out, he would definitely retaliate! Who was he? He was a student of the Modu Cultivation Academy in the ancient country of Huaxia on Earth, and moreover, the top freshman. His teacher was Li Tian, an eleventh-grade powerhouse capable of slaying opponents of the same rank!

If his true identity were ever exposed, it would definitely be much more impressive than this Patriarch of the Bashan Tribe!

Yet there was no other way; living under someone else's roof, one had to bow their head. His teacher was not here right now, and he had to protect himself, even if it meant being a bit cowardly...

Before long, the gatekeeper returned, and Yang Fan followed the respectful gatekeeper into the presence of Bashan Mo.

At that moment, Bashan Mo was standing in front of his desk, writing furiously!

After entering, Yang Fan did not speak immediately.

After waiting for a long time, Bashan Mo finished writing a piece of calligraphy, smiled warmly, and said to Yang Fan, "Little friend, what brings you to see me?"

Yang Fan quickly said, "This junior has come to Patriarch Bashan for two reasons. First, to thank the Patriarch for his care during these past days. Yang Fan has been able to move through the Bashan Tribe unhindered and witnessed many things we do not have back home. All of this is due to Patriarch Bashan's kindness, and Yang Fan has specially come here to express his gratitude!"

After hearing this, Bashan Mo nodded and said, "As long as the little friend is satisfied, that is good! Once the passage stabilizes and the alien beasts are cleared out, this old man will still need to trouble the little friend to put in a good word for me before your teachers and elders!"

Yang Fan replied, "Most certainly, most certainly."

"Then what is the second reason?" Bashan Mo asked.

Yang Fan's expression shifted slightly, and he said with some hesitation and embarrassment, "The medicinal pills the Patriarch bestowed upon Yang Fan a few days ago truly possess miraculous effects. Yang Fan's cultivation speed has increased tremendously these past few days, so I am emboldened to ask the Patriarch for some more!"

Hearing Yang Fan's words, Bashan Mo's original smile turned into a loud laugh. He said, "Hahahaha, look at what the little friend is saying. They are merely external possessions; how can there be any question of begging or not begging? If the little friend wants them, take this token from me and simply find any of the four elders to have them lead you to the treasury to choose what you like. Take a bit more this time, don't be polite... Hahahaha!"

Yang Fan was stunned for a moment, then repeatedly expressed his thanks.

Afterward, Yang Fan engaged in some pleasantries with Bashan Mo and took his leave shortly thereafter.

Once out of the Patriarch's mansion, Yang Fan felt somewhat dazed. It was simply too easy! Last night, Bashan Gui had told him how cunning and scheming Bashan Mo was, and had even prepared a whole set of talking points for him. Yet today, before he even had a chance to speak them, Bashan Mo had agreed!

The more Yang Fan thought about it, the more wrong it felt. Those medicinal pills were indeed, as Bashan Mo had said, merely external things, and Bashan Mo had long since had no use for them anyway. With Bashan Mo suppressing his own people within the Bashan Tribe, the supply of these top-grade pills had been cut off for a long time.

Yang Fan did not believe that Bashan Mo had not the slightest suspicion. For him to suddenly want to go to the treasury—regardless of his motive—Bashan Mo should have at least asked a couple of questions. Yet now, Bashan Mo had agreed without saying anything at all.

After a brief moment, Yang Fan stopped worrying about it. Let Bashan Mo think whatever he wanted; whether he had guessed the truth or not, he himself was merely a chess piece. What he needed to do was ensure that, no matter which side won or lost, he would simply guarantee his own survival!

...

Watching Yang Fan disappear from his courtyard, Bashan Mo's previously smiling face turned gloomy.

Who was he? He was Bashan Mo, the once-in-a-millennium genius of the Bashan Tribe, who by his own strength had firmly established the Bashan Tribe among the top twenty great clans!

How could he fail to see through the plans of Bashan Hong and the others?

No one throughout the entire Bashan Tribe could understand just how powerful he truly was. For so many years, unable to advance his cultivation realm, Bashan Mo had forged a new path and long since practiced his spiritual power to the point of mastery!

Almost all of the four great elders had been under his surveillance these past years!

A few days ago, when those four gathered and projected their spiritual power outward, although he could not force his way in, he could easily guess what they were up to, which was why he went to find Bashan Hua that very day.

By now, Bashan Mo no longer cared about the Bashan Tribe. The outside world was about to be connected; how could this tiny Kunlun Secret Realm be the ultimate destination for Bashan Mo?

Sure enough, last night Bashan Hong and Bashan Gui went to find Yang Fan again, and today Yang Fan came to ask for access to the treasury!

The meaning was obvious...

When Yang Fan returned to his residence, Bashan Hong and the other three arrived shortly afterward.

Upon learning that Bashan Mo had agreed to let Yang Fan enter the treasury once more, they were all extremely excited. Even the wise Bashan Gui could not hide his agitation!

During the time he spent waiting for Bashan Hong and the others, Yang Fan had also figured it out!

That old bastard Bashan Mo was planning to catch turtles in a jar. No wonder the old man's expression had been so subtle and he had agreed so readily, without any of the caution Bashan Gui had described!

Looking at the four people before him, Yang Fan suddenly felt a trace of sorrow. He even hesitated inwardly whether he should tell the four of them...

Just as Yang Fan was agonizing over this, Bashan Cangmang, who had been laughing heartily, suddenly grabbed Yang Fan's arm and dragged him along as he moved. Not only was Yang Fan dumbfounded, but the remaining three elders were also completely bewildered.

What was this reckless brute trying to do?

They watched as Bashan Cangmang dragged the bewildered Yang Fan out of the room and soared straight up into the sky!

Only after Bashan Cangmang flew away did Bashan Gui and the others react. This fellow was actually taking Yang Fan to the treasury!

For a moment, they all felt a splitting headache. They hadn't even asked how Bashan Mo had agreed, nor had they properly formulated a plan... What a reckless fool!

Up in the air, Yang Fan finally snapped out of his daze. The violent gale pressed against him so hard he couldn't speak, and Bashan Cangmang showed not the slightest intention of protecting him, charging forward with sheer, brute recklessness!

When they finally reached the gates of the treasury, Yang Fan made up his mind: come what may, he wouldn't say a word. Even if they questioned him upon their return, he would rather make up stories than tell these bastards the truth.

They didn't take him seriously at all. Even if he was a chess piece, his path wasn't finished yet. If they treated him like this before it was finished, would he even survive once it was?