"I understand."
Chen An nodded, then said seriously, "In that case, I am willing to participate and will not disappoint Miss's expectations."
"Good."
Song Lao smiled and nodded repeatedly at Chen An.
He seemed to just come to pass on a message, and after asking, he hurriedly left, indicating that there were still many urgent matters.
Chen An stood in place, looking a bit helpless as he watched Song Lao's departing figure.
Things like a big competition didn't interest him at all.
It would just delay his money-making activities.
But since Bai Qing had someone convey the message, could he refuse?
Now he could only hope that the rewards for the big competition would be generous enough.
With that, he would have some motivation.
Chen An thought to himself, then walked into the courtyard.
Having not returned for a few days, the courtyard still looked clean and tidy, with no hint of dirt or chaos.
Because there were dedicated servants responsible for cleaning, even if the master was not around, it wouldn't affect anything.
"Has anyone visited in the past few days?"
In the room, Chen An called a servant over to ask.
"Young Master Changren from the second house, Miss Zhilan from the fourth house, and a gentleman named Bai Changyue have all visited."
The servant explained in detail, listing all the visitors who had come in recent times.
Most of them were familiar faces.
Chen An nodded, understanding, then dismissed the servant.
Sitting quietly in the room, refining his internal energy, after a while someone came to visit.
It was Bai Changren.
He still had the same appearance as before, wearing loose robes and standing upright. However, his previously calm demeanor now showed a hint of bitterness.
"This time is really tough."
Entering the hall and looking at Chen An, whom he hadn't seen for some time, he sighed and said, "My father insisted on forcing me to participate in this competition."
"This will be troublesome."
His face showed a hint of bitterness.
Although the Bai family was a prestigious clan, not every member had outstanding aptitude.
Although Bai Changren was from the main branch of the Bai family, his aptitude was only ordinary, and his attitude towards martial arts practice was just average. Despite having access to numerous resources, his current cultivation level was only at the Body Tempering Stage.
While the Body Tempering Stage may seem decent, considering he was three years older than Chen An and had been practicing martial arts since childhood with abundant resources, his cultivation level was actually quite poor.
The upcoming competition was an opportunity for others, but for him, it was undoubtedly a calamity.
If he embarrassed himself, who knew what consequences he would face, but his father would definitely not let him off easily.
"Brother Chen, please help me!"
Grabbing Chen An's hand, Bai Changren earnestly implored, looking sincere.
Chen An withdrew his hand calmly and said, "You want me to fight for you?"
Fighting on behalf of others, Chen An didn't mind. After all, knowing Bai Changren's personality, he would definitely reward Chen An generously in the end.
However, the issue was whether others would agree to it.
In clan competitions, the focus was on the actual fight. If one could pay someone to replace them, then it would no longer be a test of strength but rather a test of financial capability.
It was unlikely to pay someone to play on their behalf.
"I don't need you to fight for me."
Bai Changren waved his hand and said, "The elders and the patriarch are all watching. Something like that will not happen."
"Moreover, even if it were possible, Miss Qing probably wouldn't agree."
This was true.
Even if a substitution was allowed, Bai Qing would never allow Chen An to replace Bai Changren.
Being the second house's heir, Bai Changren was basically Bai Qing's rival.
Unless Bai Qing had gone insane, he would never allow Chen An to fight on behalf of Bai Changren.
"Although I can't fight in your place, I can arrange for us to be in the same match."
"Do you want me to deliberately lose?"
Chen An looked hesitant, "This... deliberately losing, isn't that a fake match?"
Well, he didn't have much professional ethics anyway. As long as the benefits were enough, a fake match could be considered.
But losing in the Internal Energy Realm to someone in the Body Tempering Realm, wouldn't that be unbelievable for anyone with common sense?
Not to mention, Bai Qing probably wouldn't agree to that.
"Brother Chen, you misunderstood."
Hearing Chen An's words, Bai Changren quickly smiled, "If I ask you to lose to me on purpose, others might not say anything, but my father will definitely take action."
Indeed, having a fake match within the clan in front of the patriarch and elders would be highly embarrassing.
"I just hope that when the time comes, you can go easy on me, let me lose decently, not too disgraceful, that's all."
Bai Changren said with a wry smile.
Chen An was taken aback.
You are quite self-aware.
In Bai Changren's situation, he was destined to lose no matter what. Plus, he wouldn't be able to use his financial resources in the clan competition.
In this situation, the only thing he could do was to lose with some dignity.
Even if he lost, being defeated in one move would be different from a prolonged battle where he eventually ran out of energy.
That way, Bai Changren would have an easier time.
"Brother Chen, rest assured, as long as you are willing to help me, after it's done, you will definitely benefit from it."
Seeing Chen An's expression change, Bai Changren quickly spoke.
"Brother Bai is being too polite."
Chen An nodded, "We are brothers, just a small favor, nothing to worry about."
"I agree to this."
Bai Changren was overjoyed, "In that case, thank you very much, Brother Chen."
They chatted for a while before Bai Changren hurriedly left.
It seemed like he was off to make arrangements with others.
Chen An watched his hasty departure and couldn't help shaking his head.
Returning to the hall, his mood was still good.
Bai Changren was the heir of the second branch and had always been generous. This time, helping him would probably earn Chen An a few hundred taels of silver.
Equivalent to the reward of an Intermediate Internal Energy Cultivator.
Not bad.
Just as he sat down, there was another visitor announced. A sturdy man with ordinary features walked in.
"Brother Chen!"
Bai Changyue entered the room, greeting Chen An warmly.
Chen An paused for a moment.
For some reason, he felt that the Bai Changyue today seemed more enthusiastic than usual.
Could it be that good news was coming again?
"I understand."
Chen An nodded, then said seriously, "In that case, I am willing to participate and will not disappoint Miss's expectations."
"Good."
Song Lao smiled and nodded repeatedly at Chen An.
He seemed to just come to pass on a message, and after asking, he hurriedly left, indicating that there were still many urgent matters.
Chen An stood in place, looking a bit helpless as he watched Song Lao's departing figure.
Things like a big competition didn't interest him at all.
It would just delay his money-making activities.
But since Bai Qing had someone convey the message, could he refuse?
Now he could only hope that the rewards for the big competition would be generous enough.
With that, he would have some motivation.
Chen An thought to himself, then walked into the courtyard.
Having not returned for a few days, the courtyard still looked clean and tidy, with no hint of dirt or chaos.
Because there were dedicated servants responsible for cleaning, even if the master was not around, it wouldn't affect anything.
"Has anyone visited in the past few days?"
In the room, Chen An called a servant over to ask.
"Young Master Changren from the second house, Miss Zhilan from the fourth house, and a gentleman named Bai Changyue have all visited."
The servant explained in detail, listing all the visitors who had come in recent times.
Most of them were familiar faces.
Chen An nodded, understanding, then dismissed the servant.
Sitting quietly in the room, refining his internal energy, after a while someone came to visit.
It was Bai Changren.
He still had the same appearance as before, wearing loose robes and standing upright. However, his previously calm demeanor now showed a hint of bitterness.
"This time is really tough."
Entering the hall and looking at Chen An, whom he hadn't seen for some time, he sighed and said, "My father insisted on forcing me to participate in this competition."
"This will be troublesome."
His face showed a hint of bitterness.
Although the Bai family was a prestigious clan, not every member had outstanding aptitude.
Although Bai Changren was from the main branch of the Bai family, his aptitude was only ordinary, and his attitude towards martial arts practice was just average. Despite having access to numerous resources, his current cultivation level was only at the Body Tempering Stage.
While the Body Tempering Stage may seem decent, considering he was three years older than Chen An and had been practicing martial arts since childhood with abundant resources, his cultivation level was actually quite poor.
The upcoming competition was an opportunity for others, but for him, it was undoubtedly a calamity.
If he embarrassed himself, who knew what consequences he would face, but his father would definitely not let him off easily.
"Brother Chen, please help me!"
Grabbing Chen An's hand, Bai Changren earnestly implored, looking sincere.
Chen An withdrew his hand calmly and said, "You want me to fight for you?"
Fighting on behalf of others, Chen An didn't mind. After all, knowing Bai Changren's personality, he would definitely reward Chen An generously in the end.
However, the issue was whether others would agree to it.
In clan competitions, the focus was on the actual fight. If one could pay someone to replace them, then it would no longer be a test of strength but rather a test of financial capability.
It was unlikely to pay someone to play on their behalf.
"I don't need you to fight for me."
Bai Changren waved his hand and said, "The elders and the patriarch are all watching. Something like that will not happen."
"Moreover, even if it were possible, Miss Qing probably wouldn't agree."
This was true.
Even if a substitution was allowed, Bai Qing would never allow Chen An to replace Bai Changren.
Being the second house's heir, Bai Changren was basically Bai Qing's rival.
Unless Bai Qing had gone insane, he would never allow Chen An to fight on behalf of Bai Changren.
"Although I can't fight in your place, I can arrange for us to be in the same match."
"Do you want me to deliberately lose?"
Chen An looked hesitant, "This... deliberately losing, isn't that a fake match?"
Well, he didn't have much professional ethics anyway. As long as the benefits were enough, a fake match could be considered.
But losing in the Internal Energy Realm to someone in the Body Tempering Realm, wouldn't that be unbelievable for anyone with common sense?
Not to mention, Bai Qing probably wouldn't agree to that.
"Brother Chen, you misunderstood."
Hearing Chen An's words, Bai Changren quickly smiled, "If I ask you to lose to me on purpose, others might not say anything, but my father will definitely take action."
Indeed, having a fake match within the clan in front of the patriarch and elders would be highly embarrassing.
"I just hope that when the time comes, you can go easy on me, let me lose decently, not too disgraceful, that's all."
Bai Changren said with a wry smile.
Chen An was taken aback.
You are quite self-aware.
In Bai Changren's situation, he was destined to lose no matter what. Plus, he wouldn't be able to use his financial resources in the clan competition.
In this situation, the only thing he could do was to lose with some dignity.
Even if he lost, being defeated in one move would be different from a prolonged battle where he eventually ran out of energy.
That way, Bai Changren would have an easier time.
"Brother Chen, rest assured, as long as you are willing to help me, after it's done, you will definitely benefit from it."
Seeing Chen An's expression change, Bai Changren quickly spoke.
"Brother Bai is being too polite."
Chen An nodded, "We are brothers, just a small favor, nothing to worry about."
"I agree to this."
Bai Changren was overjoyed, "In that case, thank you very much, Brother Chen."
They chatted for a while before Bai Changren hurriedly left.
It seemed like he was off to make arrangements with others.
Chen An watched his hasty departure and couldn't help shaking his head.
Returning to the hall, his mood was still good.
Bai Changren was the heir of the second branch and had always been generous. This time, helping him would probably earn Chen An a few hundred taels of silver.
Equivalent to the reward of an Intermediate Internal Energy Cultivator.
Not bad.
Just as he sat down, there was another visitor announced. A sturdy man with ordinary features walked in.
"Brother Chen!"
Bai Changyue entered the room, greeting Chen An warmly.
Chen An paused for a moment.
For some reason, he felt that the Bai Changyue today seemed more enthusiastic than usual.
Could it be that good news was coming again?
