Chapter 103: Identity Revealed

What he feared most came true.

Compared to the other gifts, the jade bottle appeared rather crudely made. Moreover, Wang Chengjian had deliberately placed it in a prominent position, ensuring it was noticed immediately. Liu Qingxian's heart was in turmoil.

Liu Wenchen's attention was also drawn to the jade bottle Gong Caiyi had picked up. His eyelids twitched fiercely. It looked like something discarded; how could it be presented as a welcome gift? Wasn't this deliberately meant to embarrass Gong Caiyi? "Whose is this?" he demanded angrily.

Wang Chengjian smiled. Everything was going exactly as he had planned. In fact, the effect was even better than he had anticipated. This time, Jiang Fan would face consequences far more severe than just a minor reprimand. He cupped his hands and said, "Master, Sect Leader Gong, this is a welcome gift presented by our junior disciple from the Sect Leader Peak, Jiang Fan."

"Jiang Fan?" Liu Wenchen's eyebrows immediately bristled with anger. His sharp gaze swept across the disciples, finding no trace of Jiang Fan, before he roared, "Jiang Fan! Get over here! You're truly useless, always causing trouble! Either don't give anything at all, or at least present something decent. Bringing a broken bottle, are you deliberately trying to insult someone?"

Hidden in the corner, Jiang Fan sighed, realizing there was no escaping this. He emerged from the corner, scanned the crowd, and his gaze was immediately drawn to a woman in flowing, colorful robes. He was instantly stunned. Wasn't that the woman who had sampled his beauty cream for free by the roadside? She had introduced herself as Gong something-or-other. He had even refused to sell her the beauty cream. And she turned out to be the Sect Leader of the Spirit Beast Sect?

Jiang Fan's mouth went dry. Had he offended the god of misfortune lately? Why was he so unlucky? One moment he offended a big shot, and the next, they were at his doorstep. He couldn't let her recognize his face. Jiang Fan covered his face with his sleeve, carefully stepped forward, and said in a strained voice, "Master, Sect Leader Gong."

"Uh..." Liu Wenchen frowned, "Why are you covering your face with your sleeve?"

Jiang Fan replied, "I just had a fall, and my face is injured. I didn't want to startle Sect Leader Gong, so please forgive me, Master and Sect Leader Gong."

"And what's wrong with your voice?" Liu Wenchen pressed.

"I've caught a slight cold," Jiang Fan answered.

From a distance, Liu Qingxian didn't know whether to cry or laugh. Jiang Fan was truly in a predicament. Liu Wenchen, feeling that Jiang Fan was an utter disgrace to the Sect Leader Peak today, furiously demanded, "Do you even realize what foolish thing you've done?"

Jiang Fan managed a bitter smile. Can this really be blamed on me? If anyone's to blame, it's your wonderful daughter and your eldest disciple. I am truly wronged.

Wang Chengjian sneered, quietly anticipating the show. The exciting part was surely about to begin, wasn't it? To his surprise, however, his expression stiffened when Gong Caiyi interjected, "Sect Leader Liu, you've misunderstood! I truly like this bottle of beauty cream."

This seemingly cheap item — could the dignified Sect Leader of the Spirit Beast Sect truly like it? Liu Wenchen paused, then said, "Sect Leader Gong, I know you're trying to shield this boy. Don't bother; if a disciple this tactless isn't taught a lesson, they'll cause problems sooner or later. Come, hand him to me..."

Gong Caiyi quickly raised her hand to stop him, stating earnestly, "Sect Leader Liu, you genuinely misunderstand! This bottle of beauty cream is the most effective I've ever encountered. It's strange, don't any of you recognize it? Why would you consider such a good product worthless?"

The entire assembly was stunned into silence. Everyone stared at the bottle of beauty cream, unblinking. How could such an unremarkable item receive such high praise from Gong Caiyi, who was known for her discerning taste?

Wang Chengjian was momentarily taken aback. His intention had been to humiliate Jiang Fan. So he stepped forward and said, "Sect Leader Gong, could you be mistaken? This is merely an item unfit for public display. Please don't demean your status."

Gong Caiyi's delicate brows furrowed slightly. She glanced at him and said, "I have my own judgment about things I've used personally. Who are you to lecture me?"

Wang Chengjian flinched. He then realized he had been too eager, and quickly bowed in apology before retreating.

Liu Wenchen also became certain that Gong Caiyi genuinely liked the welcome gift. Relieved, he smiled and patted Jiang Fan's shoulder. "Jiang Fan, your welcome gift was the most thoughtful this time. You'll receive an extra hundred crystal stones this month as a reward."

Having narrowly escaped, Jiang Fan said, "Thank you, Master." Liu Qingxian also let out a long breath of relief, happy for Jiang Fan. It seemed he was finally out of trouble.

Gong Caiyi, however, asked curiously, "Jiang Fan, was it? Could you tell me where you acquired this bottle of beauty cream?" One bottle was far from enough. After Jiang Fan had left, she discovered that the cream's effects were still persisting. The skin on the web of her hand felt even more moisturized, appearing as if she were in her early twenties. The difference in skin texture compared to the rest of her hand was stark. Such an excellent product surely deserved to be applied all over the body! So, how could one bottle possibly suffice? She needed to buy at least a hundred bottles!

Jiang Fan's words were evasive. "I... I also just happened to see a disciple selling it in the square," he stammered. "Curiosity led me to buy a bottle. If Sect Leader Gong desires more, you could ask some disciples to check the square; perhaps they'll encounter the seller."

"I see." Gong Caiyi nodded slightly.

Seeing that the situation had calmed, Liu Wenchen said opportunely, "Sect Leader Gong, please come inside." Gong Caiyi nodded and followed him towards the main hall.

Only then did Jiang Fan truly breathe a sigh of relief. That was a close call; he almost gave himself away. He couldn't even imagine what Gong Caiyi's reaction would be if she discovered he was the young man who had dared to refuse her. In any case, it certainly wouldn't be good. From a distance, Liu Qingxian waved him over. He quickly ran to her, and the two of them stealthily made their way into the distance.

But after only a few steps, a sudden suspicion arose in Gong Caiyi's mind. Why would a man buy beauty cream? Furthermore, how could he have been so sure that this bottle of beauty cream would please her, rather than displease her? She suddenly turned around and saw Jiang Fan nearing the corner. Without suspicion moments ago, she hadn't thought much of it. But now, seeing Jiang Fan's retreating figure, she immediately felt a sense of familiarity. It seemed that this Jiang Fan had a very similar build to the young man who had been selling the cream. With this thought, she immediately called out, "Disciple Jiang Fan, come back!"

Jiang Fan was just about to slip away. Being called back so suddenly, his face turned green. Oh no, not again? Was he really this unlucky? Since she had called him by name, he couldn't feign ignorance and had no choice but to return, still covering his face with his sleeve. In his strained voice, he asked, "Sect Leader Gong, how may I help you?"

Seeing his furtive demeanor at that moment, Gong Caiyi's suspicions were completely confirmed. The Jiang Fan before her was indeed the young man who had been selling the cream. She recalled how she had revealed her prominent identity, yet this fellow had shown her no respect at all. She felt both annoyed and amused. With a playful glint in her eye, she said with a half-smile, "Oh? Your voice sounds different again now, doesn't it?"

Jiang Fan's heart sank. Had he overdone the voice disguise? He quickly covered it with a cough and said, "It's due to the cold; I can't control it."

Sect Leader Gong secretly chuckled, covering her mouth, finding it quite amusing. "Is that so? Why do I feel like I've seen you before? Have we met somewhere before?"

Hearing this, he finally understood. He had been recognized.