Why Are You So Smart

"What's the matter?"

"You brought so many people with you."

"Are you here to settle a score with me?" Chen Chang'an asked.

"Originally, that was the plan."

"After all, teaching you a lesson isn’t easy. Now that you’ve reincarnated, this seems like the perfect opportunity."

"However, we’re not fools. Given your combat prowess, we probably aren’t your match."

"Picking a fight with you? That’d just be asking for trouble."

"But… this little preference of yours for men—now that’s something worth spreading far and wide across Liuyun Domain."

"No, no, no. You’re about to make it onto the Heavenly Pride Rankings, and soon your name will shake the Ancient Immortal Realm."

"I think we should spread the word beyond our borders too, let everyone get to know the real you."

"Who knows? It might even land you a splendid marriage. Don’t you agree?"

As the saying goes, fight fire with fire. Simply teaching Chen Chang'an a lesson no longer satisfied their thirst for revenge.

Besides, they didn’t believe they had the ability to do so—this bastard was just too monstrous.

But his alleged preference for men? Now that was something they could exploit.

"Aren’t you afraid I’ll fly into a rage?" Chen Chang'an asked coldly.

"You said it yourself—your moral character is impeccable."

"We trust in your integrity. You wouldn’t do something like that."

Damn!

This time, they’ve actually met their match?

"What’s true can’t be false, and what’s false can’t be true."

"That may hold some truth, but you know just how terrifying rumors can be."

"People won’t care about the truth. They’ll just see it as juicy gossip."

"A prodigy on the Heavenly Pride Rankings with such… tastes? Don’t you think everyone will be thrilled?"

"Chen Chang'an, if you apologize to us, maybe we’ll reconsider."

Apologize?

Like hell!

He didn’t even do anything wrong, and now they want him to back down?

No way!

Absolutely no way!

"At this point, there’s no other choice."

"Though it’s not what I want, it seems this is the only way."

Chen Chang'an sighed, then cast a frosty gaze at the crowd.

Seeing that icy look, everyone stiffened. Damn, is this guy planning to silence them permanently?

Isn’t that just poor sportsmanship?

"Wait!"

"Hold on a second!"

"What’s wrong with you?"

"Since when are you so bloodthirsty?"

"Everything’s negotiable. Let’s talk this out."

Even the elders of the Wuji Sect looked exasperated. They hadn’t expected him to flip the table like this.

"So, can we negotiate?"

"Yes, absolutely! No need for violence."

"Let’s keep things harmonious."

Admittedly, Liuyun Domain excelled at maintaining harmony. Minor conflicts between factions were allowed—to motivate disciples—but major disputes were strictly forbidden. The elders had long established rules to ensure steady development, and any serious conflicts were nipped in the bud.

Naturally, they didn’t want a full-blown confrontation with Chen Chang'an.

"Can’t you just debunk the rumor?"

"Wasn’t it your own people who started it? Don’t blame us."

"You didn’t fan the flames?"

"Well… cough Not exactly. We just gave it a little push. No need to thank us."

Thank them?

Oh, he’d thank them alright—with a punch to the face.

"How about we—"

"No bets! Absolutely no bets!"

Before Chen Chang'an could even finish, the others shook their heads vehemently, already guessing his intentions.

Are you kidding? Bet with you? Haven’t you heard the saying "once bitten, twice shy"?

Do we look like complete idiots? Fall for your tricks a second time?

Chen Chang'an glanced at them, feeling somewhat helpless.

No cooperation at all.

These people weren’t playing along.

Had they been traumatized by past losses?

"You won’t do this, you won’t do that."

"Then why did you even come to the Prodigy City?"

"Just to spectate?" Chen Chang'an said, exasperated.

"We came to enjoy the show, and it’s been quite entertaining."

"Definitely worth the trip."

"Exactly! Otherwise, how would we have uncovered your big secret?"

"Oho, don’t give me that look. Let me be clear—I’m not into that."

"And don’t even think about swindling us again. We won’t fall for it."

"Right! We’re not the same as before. You won’t get a single advantage over us."

"Old Qi, what’s with that expression? You feeling unwell?"

Everyone noticed Qi Shiyuan’s grimace and grew puzzled. He’d been all smiles earlier—why did he look like he’d swallowed a lemon now?

They didn’t understand, but Chen Chang'an did. Qi Shiyuan had orchestrated all this to make others suffer alongside him.

But now, no one was biting, leaving him as the sole fool.

If word got out that he’d been duped by Chen Chang'an again, he’d become the laughingstock of Liuyun Domain.

"I think… maybe we should hear Chen Chang'an out?"

"It’s not like he wins every time, right?"

"We’ve lost enough. It’s his turn to take the L," Qi Shiyuan urged.

His words made the others ponder. Making Chen Chang'an suffer a loss—was that even possible?

Meanwhile, Chen Chang'an shot Qi Shiyuan an appreciative glance. Good man. At least someone’s reliable.

Who’d have thought there was a traitor in their midst—a wolf in sheep’s clothing, eager to drag them all down together?

"Old Qi, do you really think we can win?" the Zhang family elder asked.

"I think our chances are good."

"There are so many of us. Surely we’re smarter than one man?"

"We’ll be extra cautious this time. If it sounds fishy, we just say no."

"After all, he’s the one proposing the bet, right?"

"If it seems risky, we can always refuse," Qi Shiyuan coaxed.

The others found his reasoning somewhat convincing, though they still felt uneasy.

"But why should we even bet with him?"

"What’s in it for us?"

The elder of the Blazing Flame Sect’s question stunned everyone. Right—why bother betting at all?

There’s no need!

Chen Chang'an hadn’t expected them to be so stubborn. Couldn’t they just act on impulse for once?

Chen Chang'an was anxious, but Qi Shiyuan was even more desperate. Otherwise, he’d be the only one left holding the bag.

"Of course there’s a benefit."

"Think about it—Chen Chang'an’s age, his potential."

"Impressive, no?"

"If he loses, he owes each of us a favor."

"That’s… something we can all use in the future."

"What do you think?"