Chapter 100: No Tears Until the Coffin Is Seen

Liu Qingxian approached Jiang Fan, an apologetic expression on her face. Lowering her voice, she said, "Jiang Fan, just admit defeat."

Jiang Fan blinked. Why would he admit defeat when everything was fine?

He shook his head and replied, "Senior Sister, my task hasn't even been checked yet. Why should I admit defeat?"

Liu Qingxian's face flushed. She whispered, "My father knows everything. There's no need to pretend anymore."

Jiang Fan was a little confused. What had he done for Liu Wenchen to find out?

At that moment, Wang Chengjian also spoke in a teasing tone, "Jiang Fan, your senior brother is giving you a chance. Don't ruin it for yourself. If you're caught faking it, you'll be dragged to the square and publicly humiliated, which would also tarnish the reputation of our sect's main peak. You'd be better off just honestly sweeping the latrines."

This was completely baffling. Jiang Fan looked at Wang Chengjian and Liu Qingxian with a strange expression. "I don't understand what you two are talking about," he said. "You should check my task first, then we can talk about other things."

Liu Qingxian felt anxious for him. She had said it so clearly, told him there was no need to pretend, yet Jiang Fan still didn't understand? How could he be so dim-witted?

Wang Chengjian narrowed his eyes and scoffed, "You won't shed a tear until you see the coffin. Since I tried to save you face, but you insist on holding out, then I, your senior brother, will grant your wish."

With that, he abruptly pulled back the cloth covering the basket. Beneath it lay only dry grass. On top of the grass was a piece of honey with fresh honeycomb.

Liu Qingxian didn't even dare to look, sighing repeatedly in despair. "It's over, completely over." She felt utterly helpless. She had hoped Jiang Fan could show off his skills during his first task in front of her father, so he would stop looking down on him. Things had turned out quite the opposite. Not only did he fail to impress, but he also suffered great humiliation.

Wang Chengjian also looked at the honey, his heart filled with disdain. This person truly wouldn't give up until hitting a brick wall. This was the very piece of honey he had sold. The moment Liu Qingxian spoke yesterday, he recognized her voice and immediately guessed her purpose in buying it. Now, seeing the honey he had sold appear among Jiang Fan's task items, he couldn't help but find it amusing.

After a closer look, however, his brows furrowed. Its shape was slightly different from the piece he had sold. But after a moment's thought, he guessed the reason and chuckled, "You're not that stupid, are you? You knew to trim its shape to prevent it from being recognized at a glance. However, you were being too clever for your own good! This piece of honey you bought has special fluorescent powder on it that becomes visible in the shade."

Jiang Fan finally understood what he was talking about. So, they knew about the honey Liu Qingxian had given him. They mistakenly believed the entire basket of honey was from Liu Qingxian.

"You're overthinking it," Jiang Fan said, pursing his lips. "This was harvested by me. And beneath the basket there's still..."

He didn't get to finish his sentence. Wang Chengjian scoffed, "Still stubborn when facing your demise! Then I'll expose you completely! Bring me an umbrella!"

A disciple immediately handed him a thick, large oiled-paper umbrella. As it opened, a large shadow enveloped the honey.

"All junior brothers and sisters, you can bear witness with me. See if there's any fluorescence on this honey! If there is, then Jiang Fan bought this from the night market to pass off as a task item! If that's the case, I, your senior brother, will set an example by turning him over to the Hall of Rewards and Punishments myself. There will be no leniency!"

The numerous disciples exchanged glances. Was there even a need to look? The Senior Brother had spoken to this extent; he must be absolutely confident. Otherwise, he would be humiliating himself. Reluctantly, due to his words, everyone looked over.

Liu Qingxian was secretly furious, realizing Wang Chengjian had set her up. Now, there was no way to deny it. Jiang Fan was just waiting to be sent to the Hall of Rewards and Punishments.

Wang Chengjian, meanwhile, watched Jiang Fan's expression, anticipating the moment his fear would be revealed when he was exposed.

However, he suddenly noticed that everyone's gazes had changed. Their reluctance turned into bewilderment. Wang Chengjian subconsciously looked at the honey under the shadow. It showed no trace of the supposed fluorescence. Not even a speck.

"How can this be?" Wang Chengjian, refusing to believe it, flipped the piece over. The result was the same. Everyone looked stunned. Where was the promised fluorescence?

Liu Qingxian was also taken aback for a moment, then excitedly exclaimed, "Who said Jiang Fan bought this? You can't slander someone without proof. This was clearly collected by Jiang Fan himself! Isn't that right, Wang Chengjian?"

She was secretly delighted. Although she didn't know what had happened, Jiang Fan seemed to have been blessed by heaven, narrowly escaping disaster.

Wang Chengjian was utterly unwilling to accept this. He had clearly sprinkled fluorescent powder on it, so how could it all be gone? Could Jiang Fan have noticed it and cleaned it off in time? Remembering that the honeycomb had been trimmed, he became even more convinced.

His face darkened, and he huffed, "Consider yourself lucky! Jiang Fan, one catty of honey collected. Task complete. Rating: Pass..."

Inside the main hall, Liu Wenchen snorted, finding Jiang Fan even more irritating. "All his minor cleverness is used on dishonest tricks. He'll never amount to anything in the future!"

Liu Qingxian, however, was secretly pleased. Although his passing was not glorious, at least he wouldn't have the humiliation of sweeping latrines.

Just then, Jiang Fan said, "Why are you in such a hurry? Didn't I just say there's more underneath?" He had painstakingly carried ten catties of honey up here; was he really only going to get a "pass" rating?

Liu Qingxian froze. Wang Chengjian was also dumbfounded. Even Liu Wenchen stepped out of the main hall in surprise and approached the basket. He pulled aside the dry grass and indeed found another layer beneath, also containing one catty of honey.

He exclaimed in surprise, "Jiang Fan, wasn't your honey given to you by Liu Qingxian?" According to Wang Chengjian's report, he had only sold one piece to Liu Qingxian. How did Jiang Fan have two pieces?

Liu Qingxian also looked surprised. "Junior Brother Jiang, where did you get your honey?"

Jiang Fan replied, speechless, "Senior Sister, the piece of honey you gave me is still at home. I appreciate your kindness, Senior Sister, but I've already completed the task."

Everyone suddenly realized! No wonder no fluorescence could be detected on it. It turned out that Jiang Fan had brought his own harvested task items. They had all misunderstood Jiang Fan.

Liu Qingxian let out a long breath of relief, then immediately felt proud of Jiang Fan. She shot a glance at Liu Wenchen and said, "Junior Brother Jiang, you wouldn't believe how much some people underestimate you!"

Liu Wenchen cleared his throat and patted Jiang Fan's shoulder. "You completed the task well. Others didn't dare to go down, but you collected two catties without a scratch. Giving you an excellent rating wouldn't be excessive. As a reward for an excellent rating, you won't have to accept any tasks for the next month."

Jiang Fan felt relieved. Great, he wouldn't have to see Wang Chengjian's face anymore.

However, Wang Chengjian objected. "Master, the rating should be based on task completion, not arbitrarily assigned. Two catties can only be considered 'pass'."

He wasn't wrong. Regardless of whether the task had suddenly become difficult, the previously established rules couldn't be changed arbitrarily.

Liu Wenchen thought for a moment, finding it difficult to argue. "Alright, then let's go by the standard," he said.

Jiang Fan frowned. "Wait," he said, "I still have more honey underneath."