Nonsensical rumors had begun to spread about Tianzun.
Ugly and Twisted rumors.
Rumors that painted him as the one who had personally served death to the very person who had shown him the most kindness—his savior.
His grandfather.
He didn't know how it started. and the first person who smstarted to spread Rumors.
But one thing—He was absolutely certain of.
Mo Rongyan.
The first daughter. and he speculated she was one the one behind it and the suspect to his name slandering and the causes of it was her beef with him ever since their first meeting.
So it maybe her very own revenge against him.
Rumors didn't have the need for violence, —
They did not need proof.
They did not need witnesses.
They did not even need logic.
They only needed one thing—
A mouth to speak them.
And ears willing to believe.
And once they began…
They spread.
Like wildfire through dry grass.
Like poison seeping into clear water.
Like a whisper carried by the wind—
Growing louder with every retelling.
Within a day—
The name Tianzun had already been stained.
"As the child who had serve death to his old man…"
" he had serve his old man food and the old man died right after…"
"…Isn't that too much of a coincidence?"
At first, they whispered.
Behind corners, hand and closed doors
But soon—
They stopped hiding and accused him right to his face
"He killed him."
"I heard it myself."
"He wanted everything for himself."
Tianzun clearly heard what they said he rolled his eyes and muttered " I heard it myself in a mocking tone his eyes at the sky his mouth bending " stupid people" if you don't know the truth— don't start pointing fingers it so crass and annoying do you understand?
Now get lost!! .
He had harshly reprimanded the spreader of the rumors.
They couldn't retort as they knew his position and what level of power he carried.
A child was betrayed, accussed and condemned.
And the worst part?
No one asked him.
No one wanted the truth.
Because the lie…
Was far more entertaining and pleasing to the ears.
Tch…
Tianzun walked through the corridor that morning, his footsteps light, steady, controlled.
Step… step… step…
His expression—Calm.and unbothered.
But deep inside—
His thoughts were anything but.
So this is your move...
MO RONGYAN!!!.
He called her name stretching it longer than the original pronunciation.
So rumors has become your weapons now.
HOW PATHETIC!!.
His voice full of pride as he cursed.
His voice carried a tinge of coldness.
He didn't need evidence.
He didn't need confirmation.
He already knew.
Using rumors to isolate me…
To push me out…
To make me look like a monster.
Well if I have to give credit then I would say you are quite good.
Hah!!! he sighed.
A faint breath escaped him.
"…Childish."
And yet provened effective.
Still—
He chose silence.
Because reacting now…
Would only make things worse.
That morning—
He was given a task.
Still—
He chose silence.
Because reacting now…
Would only make things worse.
That morning—
He was given a task.
"To clean the outer hall."
Simple an ordinary.
But to him—It was all clear, this was not a test but a humiliation and a message
Tch.
Tianzun didn't argue.
Didn't complain.
"…Okay."
He accepted it.
Just like that.
He knew the real challenge has began and he would have to overcome each hurdle—
So he thought to himself now this job has been handed over to him what expression should he have— cause for some reason he knew he had to have a particular face and expression now given this hurdle.
"He smiled and cracked his neck"
"It looks it is time for grandpa to be an actor. "
The servants nearby exchanged glances.
"…He didn't resist?"
"…Strange…"
Hours passed.
The sun climbed high—
Then slowly began to fall.
Sweat gathered lightly on his forehead.
Dust clung to his hands.
Yet—
His movements remained precise.
Controlled.
Because his mind—
Was elsewhere.
Waiting.
Watching.
Planning waiting for the night to come and finally the time has come.
And when the moment came—
He moved.
Step…
Step…
Step…
Like a shadow slipping through cracks of light.
He left the courtyard unnoticed.
Or so he thought.
From behind a pillar—
A pair of eyes followed him.
Mo Caili.
Her gaze narrowed slightly.
"…Where is he going?"
There was something different about him.
The way he walked.
The direction he chose.
It was full of Purpose and was calculated not random
Before she knew it—
She was already following him.
Quietly and carefully as she stealthily closed in on him being not to close and not too far
Just perfect enough to remain unseen.
Tianzun reached the temple.
The air there felt different.
It was heavy, still and so suffocating
It was not the place but his emotions
But the incident had made it feel
As if the place itself remembered the betrayal and death of his grandpa
And what he want to get now was the evidence to the truth beneath the dark
He pushed the door open.
Creaaaaak…
The sound echoed faintly.
He stepped inside.
Then—
Click.
He closed and locked the door behind him.
He don't want any moment of carelessness to cost him.
Outside—
Mo Caili paused—
"…Locked?"
Her suspicion deepened.
She moved closer.
Quietly.
She tried peeking through a narrow gap but still couldn't get a nice view.
Inside—
Tianzun moved swiftly.
No hesitation.
No confusion.
From behind a hidden panel—
He retrieved something.
A tablet he had placed on recording since the time before his grandpa's death.
Outside trying to see why tianzun's hand are moving but couldn't get a better view.
Her eyes narrowed.
"…What is that…?"
He opened his jacket.
Revealing a hidden inner space.
Carefully crafted.
Almost invisible.
He placed the tablet inside.
Zzzip.
Then turned as he walked toward the exit.
Each of his step—calm and measured.
Until—
He reached the door.
And stopped.
He saw a shadow illuminated by the moonlight
Standing right outside.
Still and silent.
His heart skipped for a moment.
Slowly—
He reached his hand out to the handle.
Creaaaak…
He opened the door.
Boooo!!
Mo caili gave him a jumpscare by spooking him.
Wooooh!!!
He fell straight on his butt.
Ouch! It hurts.
he wallowed in pain and agony.
He felt that and wasn't expecting anyone waiting out there for him giving him a reminder he has to proceed more carefully in this path full of hurdles.
"…You?"
It's you he said.
And she answered Yes it's me.
Did I scare you?
So what bad are you up to at this time of the day?