Fooling Oneself

Dylan's first move was subtle and careful. He approached a probation disciple named Qiu Fan, someone who was ambitious but gullible. Qiu Fan had always been eager to rise in the ranks, and Jo Yuan sensed that Qiu Fan could be the perfect pawn for his plan. Jo Yuan didn't need to use force—he only needed to use words, mixing truth with bluff to create the illusion he wanted.

One afternoon, Jo Yuan casually mentioned to Qiu Fan that he had overheard some interesting rumors about the outer disciples. "You've noticed how they've been acting strange lately, haven't you?" Jo Yuan said, his tone curious but cautious as if he was revealing something he wasn't sure about.

Qiu Fan's eyes lit up with interest. "Strange? What do you mean?"

Jo Yuan leaned in, lowering his voice. "I'm not sure, but I've heard whispers… They might be involved in something dangerous. Maybe something they shouldn't be." He paused for effect, watching Qiu Fan's reaction. "But who knows? It could just be rumors."

By mixing a hint of truth (the outer disciples were acting suspiciously) with a carefully placed bluff (the vague mention of danger), Jo Yuan planted the seed of curiosity in Qiu Fan's mind. Qiu Fan, eager to prove himself and gain favor, took the bait without hesitation. "Maybe I could find out more," Qiu Fan suggested, almost as if it were his own idea.

Jo Yuan smiled inwardly but kept his expression neutral. "That might be dangerous, but if you think you can handle it…"

Qiu Fan puffed out his chest. "Of course, I can handle it."

And just like that, Jo Yuan had set things in motion. Qiu Fan would now poke around, test the waters, and unknowingly stir up trouble for the outer disciples, all without realizing he was being used. Jo Yuan had mixed enough truth with the bluff that even he almost believed it. The more he played the part of the cautious, innocent probation disciple, the more he felt like he was actually becoming that person. It was a strange feeling, fooling even himself, but it helped him maintain the act perfectly. He became so absorbed in his role that his emotions lined up with his performance. The fear he showed, the uncertainty—it was all so convincing that for a brief moment, even his mind started to doubt which part of him was real.

But Jo Yuan knew he had to stay focused. His next challenge was keeping all of this hidden from his two friends, Shen Liang and Wu Fei. They were sharp, especially Shen, who always seemed to sense when something was off. Jo Yuan had to maintain the balance of friendship while keeping his plot a secret.

He used the most powerful tool in his arsenal—time. He kept up his daily routine with Shen and Wu, training and talking as usual, showing no signs of stress or nervousness. He made sure to stay close to them during key moments, so no one could suspect him of being involved in any schemes. If he was always with them, there would be no way to tie him to whatever trouble Qiu Fan or the outer disciples got into.

This was his perfect alibi. By blending his actions with his normal life, Jo Yuan made it look like he was just another probation disciple, focused on his training and his friends. He didn't push too hard, didn't act too innocent—just the right amount of normal, so no one would look at him twice.

As Qiu Fan began investigating, things started to escalate quickly. The outer disciples noticed him snooping around, asking questions he shouldn't be asking. They became paranoid, and their behavior grew more erratic. Tension rose, and soon, Qiu Fan got caught in the crossfire. The outer disciples thought he was trying to expose them, though they didn't know exactly why. The more they tried to silence Qiu Fan, the more suspicious they looked to the other disciples in the sect.

Jo Yuan watched from the sidelines, letting the situation unfold. He didn't need to interfere—he had already played his part, and now, the outer disciples were doing the work for him. They became so desperate to cover up whatever they were hiding that they started making mistakes, drawing the attention of the higher-ranking members of the sect.

When the sect leader himself, Elder Zhou, got wind of the situation, he personally investigated the matter. Jo Yuan made sure he and his friends were nowhere near the trouble, keeping their names clean. As Elder Zhou dug deeper, he found evidence that the outer disciples had been involved in illicit dealings.

'So that's the business they're talking about? How did I even get in their way?' Although Jo Yuan was confused, it didn't matter now anyway, they're done for.

The outer disciples, now caught in a web of suspicion, couldn't defend themselves. The sect leader didn't care whether they were truly guilty or not. In the world of cultivation, appearances mattered as much as actions, and they had made too many wrong moves. Their cultivation realms were crippled, their reputations ruined, and they were banished from the sect in disgrace.

Jo Yuan had checkmated them without ever lifting a sword or casting a spell. And in the process, he had solidified his position within the sect. His manipulation had been so smooth, so perfectly timed, that no one even thought to look his way.

As the outer disciples were led away, Wu Fei sighed. "Strange how things turned out," she said. "They must have been hiding something big."

Shen nodded thoughtfully. "But we're better off not getting involved."

Jo Yuan smiled faintly, his heart calm. "Yes. Sometimes, it's best to stay out of trouble."

And just like that, Jo Yuan had pulled off the perfect scheme—one that left him free of suspicion, with his two closest friends none the wiser, and his enemies destroyed.