After all, it’s my family’s property; if I want to waive rent for someone, it’s my business, not yours.

So this must be an excuse or a pretext; there must be some unspeakable interests involved.

Seeing Zhao Ya’s expression, Shen Yunshen knew he must have guessed something, and couldn’t help feeling a bit impressed.

As expected, he’s someone even the Grand Elder praises; this keen insight is extraordinary.

It seems I really found the right person this time.

"If this were all, it would be fine, but recently I’ve heard that the property initially exempted from rent is also suspicious. Those unfortunate people, the disabled, and widows and orphans are just a cover. Someone is manipulating them in the dark to seek huge profits."

"This has already crossed Azure Dragon Temple’s line, which is why the Grand Elder personally issued this sect task."

After speaking, Shen Yunshen looked at Zhao Ya, "But unlike previous tasks, this one cannot be solved with force alone. It requires courage, carefulness, and adaptability."

"So I think you’re the best fit for the job."

Zhao Ya immediately wanted to refuse.

Ridiculous.

A thankless task like this—I have no interest in doing it.

Wouldn’t it be better to spend the time training at home or enjoying the leisure of the New Year?

Moreover, on the surface, this task is to solve the rent issue at Azure Dragon Temple, but the waters run deep. It might even relate to the temple’s internal power struggles.

Zhao Ya had no desire to get involved in such a mire.

After all, he hadn’t even reached the stage of Meridian Opening yet. Even if his skills weren’t weak, recklessly entering this level of conflict could bring disaster upon himself.

Shen Yunshen seemed to notice Zhao Ya’s concerns and straightforwardly said, "I know what you’re worried about, but you don’t need to do anything else. Just solve the rent issue, and I promise nothing else will involve you. This is a promise from both the Grand Elder and me."

Zhao Ya felt a slight tremor in his heart, finally realizing Shen Yunshen wasn’t acting on his own but had the backing of Grand Elder Guan Xuejiang.

But the problem is, Zhao Ya had only met Grand Elder Guan Xuejiang once; how could he understand him so well?

Zhao Ya didn’t know about the relationship between Guan Xuejiang and Guo Luming, which caused some confusion for him.

"Once the task is completed, besides the five hundred sect contribution points, there will be additional gratitude. But that’s not the most important thing. The most important is..."

Shen Yunshen looked at Zhao Ya and said in a calm voice, "From the moment you risked offending Xia Jiye, you’ve already been caught in a whirlpool. Do you think you can stay uninvolved now?"

Zhao Ya listened and then smiled bitterly, picking up a bowl and downing the wine inside.

"So you knew all along."

"Heh heh, your little tricks and thoughts might fool others, but it’s a joke to the Grand Elder. Moreover, you probably didn’t know this: Elder Guo, who taught you martial arts, is the Grand Elder’s direct junior brother. Your entry into his tutelage is due to the Grand Elder’s constant recommendation."

Actually, Zhao Ya had suspected before; it wasn’t until Shen Yunshen revealed it that he understood.

Then he gave a cheerful smile, "I see. It seems I really have no choice but to do this."

When Zhao Ya tried to apprentice himself to Guo Luming, he thought it might become an opportunity.

And indeed, it was as he expected, though it came sooner than anticipated.

The so-called investigation and collection of rent was just a decoy. The Grand Elder intended to use the situation to challenge internal interest groups in Azure Dragon Temple.

Of course, both the Grand Elder and Zhao Ya understood that this matter alone wouldn’t shake these entrenched interest groups.

But it’s like prying open a shell; once a crack is opened, the rest becomes manageable.

And right now, Zhao Ya was that crowbar.

Seeing Zhao Ya agree, Shen Yunshen was also delighted.

"Come, let’s drink together."

The drinking session lasted until late at night.

After seeing Shen Yunshen off, Gui Xuanqing, who had been holding back, finally couldn’t resist asking a question.

"Senior brother, I didn’t quite understand. If this matter is so difficult, why did you agree to take it on?"

Zhao Ya smiled and shook his head, "You don’t get it. Some things, you can’t avoid just because you want to. They say in Jianghu, you’re not in control of your own fate, and that’s exactly how it is."

After saying this, Zhao Ya went back inside the house.

Gui Xuanqing was left standing there, softly mumbling, "In Jianghu, you’re not in control of your own fate... Such wisdom."

Gui Xuanqing increasingly felt that Zhao Ya was a genius—otherwise, how could his words be so full of insight?

Upon returning indoors, Zhao Ya washed his face and then sat on a prayer mat to contemplate this matter.

Having accepted it, he was determined to do well.

In fact, today, the only phrase that truly moved Zhao Ya was when Shen Yunshen said, "Do you think you can stay uninvolved?"

At that moment, Zhao Ya understood that his prior thoughts had been too naive.

He had initially planned to keep a low profile for a while, biding his time until he achieved Meridian Opening, accumulating enough strength to confront Xia Jiye and the others.

But Shen Yunshen’s words reminded Zhao Ya that the opposition was not foolish either. Now, since he hadn’t shown any threat, they hadn’t made a move yet.

However, as he grew stronger and posed a threat, they would undoubtedly act instead of sitting idly by.

So what he should do is to act decisively when the opportunity arises, which is the best strategy for self-defense.

And with the Grand Elder and Shen Yunshen backing him, this seemed like the perfect opportunity.

Zhao Ya unfolded the task list and began to study it carefully.

To do a job well, you must first understand it deeply.

Know yourself and know your enemy, and you’ll never lose.

Meanwhile, in a secret room at the top of the Library, Shen Yunshen met with Guan Xuejiang and Guo Luming and recounted the conversation he had with Zhao Ya during their drinking.

After hearing this, Guan Xuejiang chuckled, "This kid is really sly."

Guo Luming furrowed his brows slightly, "Junior Brother, are you really planning to tackle the deep-rooted problems with this matter?"

"Of course, I’ve thought about it for a long time, and it’s the best plan. What’s wrong, Senior Brother, do you have a different opinion?"

"Not exactly, just wondering if we’re using Zhao Ya as a pawn too much," Guo Luming said.

"Yes." Guan Xuejiang didn’t hide it, candidly admitting.

Not only that, he added, "In fact, not only do we know, but even Zhao Ya himself understands this."

"But because he has ambitions and insisted on training under you, he knows that to gain something, you have to pay the corresponding price—he understands that clearly, which is why he agreed so readily."

"I just worry, because Zhao Ya has talent I’ve seldom seen in my lifetime. If anything happens to him, it would be a big loss for Azure Dragon Temple."

"Don’t worry. With Yun Shen and me here, his safety is absolutely guaranteed. And as you mentioned before, although this kid hasn’t achieved Meridian Opening yet, with his current skills, escaping if he can’t win shouldn’t be an issue," Guan Xuejiang replied.

"Then why not wait until after the New Year to act?" Guo Luming questioned.

Understanding his senior brother’s reluctance, Guan Xuejiang smiled.

"Because it’s normal to chase debts by the end of the year, those guys won’t be suspicious. Moreover, this is when their guard is lowest, making it a perfect time to strike heavily."

"Once we secure the rent rights, I can begin planning for the outer sect."

Zhao Ya worked hard into the night and only slept for an hour before getting up again.

Even so, after a simple wash, Zhao Ya was still full of energy.

Upon stepping outside, the sky was heavily overcast with gusting cold winds, and it seemed it might snow soon.

In such weather, who wouldn’t prefer to stay under the covers and sleep in?

But Zhao Ya didn’t have the luxury of time. With only four or five days left until the New Year, he had to complete the task before then.

Just as Zhao Ya packed up and was about to head down the mountain, Gui Xuanqing arrived.

"Senior Brother, let me go with you."