âI told you, when we fought the head of the nine sects, Ultimate Clarity Sect, there were many dangers. Besides the best talent in western lands, Wu Qingqiu, there was also that freak Ye Lin. Tch, that power was really scary. Even Zhuo Fan was tense. At that time I was the most in danger as I told them how to face such a monsterâŠâ
In the main hall, all the elders and venerables attended. Wine flowed freely in these three days and everyone had red faces and hazy looks. Except for the disciples who went on this trip, who were standing at the same table as them, the other disciples were feasting outside the main hall.
Fiend Yang finally got to make use of his winding and drawn-out silver tongue as he retold the events of Double Dragon Gathering. The others were amazed, âHold on, Fiend Yang, youâve said it five times already. But didnât you always say that Steward Zhuo earned the greatest credit. Why does it sound like he didnât do anything while all the glory was thanks to your brilliant leadership? Is that how you got to the top middle-three sect? And did Steward Zhuo really beat Ye Lin according to your plan?â
âUhm⊠yep! Steward Zhuo has the greatest credit, but that is one of a fighter, while I paved their way to success outside the ring with my plans and cunning, ha-ha-ha⊠â Fiend Yangâs eyes darted all over, still talking big.
The disciples snickered, but remained silent.
[Fiend Yang sure likes to brag. I must admit, he even got them all looking amazed by his speech.]
Among the avid listeners, some were highly skeptical.
[How come we never noticed Fiend Yang likes to blow his horn?]
So they looked to another, âSteward Zhuo, is what the fatso said true?â
Ugh!
Zhuo Fan turned to see Fiend Yang giving him signals galore while pleading and shaking his head. Zhuo Fan ignored his nonsense, âSure is. Under Fiend Yangâs bright leadership, we finally earned our spot as top middle-three sect. We wouldnât have made it half as far without him!â
The rest gave the fatty an incredulous look.
[This guyâs actually that good.]
[He actually got to conduct all the fights.]
Fiend Yang stuck out his chin in pride.
[Iâm the real hero here!]
Only the disciples shook their heads and sighed. While the two girls sitting across from Zhuo Fan, were giggling to themselves.
Theyâve seen shameless, but not to this level, showing off before the whole crowd.
But since Zhuo Fan didnât care, the girls, outsiders, didnât poke holes in the fattyâs theatricsâŠ
âDid Elder Yuan return yet?â Zhuo Fan asked Kui Lang.
Ever since he came back three days ago, he couldnât wait to find Elder Yuan to talk to him about the heart. He really needed an answer to his questions, because Chu Qingcheng was waiting for his response in the Mystical Heaven Sect.
Yet there was no sign of Elder Yuan around. Some laborers said heâs out on sect business. Heâd be back in months or maybe years.
Zhuo Fan shook his head.
[Years?]
He could only wait for a couple of months. If he didnât get an answer, he couldnât give her a reply.
He didnât know if Elder Yuan would even answer him, but he was the only one he knew that could.
Cupping his hands, Kui Lang spoke, âSteward Zhuo, I just heard that Elder Yuan still isnât back.â
âItâs fine. While I wait for Elder Yuan, Iâll have a talk with Xie Wuyue.â Zhuo Fan sighed and walked out.
Seeing him leave, they knew he was going to the Sect Leader for his freedom.
They all sighed.
Only the girls were cheerful, eager to have Zhuo Fan back. Yongning was crafty in this, now she would take the credit before Luo Yunchang that she got Zhuo Fan home.
[Weâll see if Miss Luo will be able to compete with me, he-he-heâŠ]
Knock~
Zhuo Fan went to Sect Leaderâs home and saw Xie Wuyue smiling. He looked at the green storage ring with a lost gaze, sometimes chuckling. He woke up when he heard the knocking.
Xie Wuyue was startled to see Zhuo Fan outside his door and frowned, âZhuo Fan, youâve done great in the Double Dragon Gathering. What are you doing here instead of celebrating?â
âVisiting a miser.â
He took a seat before him like he owned the place and Zhuo Fan pointed at the ring, âTen thousand sacred stones has you looking so dumb?â
Xie Wuyue was ticked off, âJust ten thousand? Ha-ha-ha, youâre talking as if you got more, just two thousand!â
âYou heard that?â
âFiend Yang likes to talk too much so I had Fiend Yin report instead.â Xie Wuyue sighed and nodded, âYouâre really something kid, to get even the Exalted to look at you, even making a special rank just for you and getting two thousand sacred stones. Even if I donât officially make you the next Sect Leader successor, the entire sect would not sit still until they know itâs you who will be sitting in my chair!â
Xie Wuyue stared hard at Zhuo Fan, but he had no reaction. âXie Wuyue, we talked about this. After the Double Dragon Gathering, our deal is done.â
âGoing home?â
Xie Wuyueâs brow shook, his heart unsettled as he showed a sneaky smile, âTo what, the Luo clan? You mean to tell me Demon Scheming Sect canât compare to a measly mortal clan? Ha-ha-ha, having come back with so much merit, you will be the next Sect Leader after me. With the sacred stones, in a century, weâll become a true middle-three sect.
âA tiny mortal clan would mean even less then. You will be king here. Now youâre telling me being stuck as a butler for the Luo clan is way better?â
Zhuo Fan gave him a long look, âWhere I like to go, is my business. No one can change that. You better not break your word, Sect Leader Xie!â
Xie Wuyue said nothing, but his sharp eyes stabbed into him like daggers.
But then he shrugged, âActually, letting you stay was thinking of your future. After being on Double Dragon Manorâs list, youâd be going even higher. You might even be at the top of the western lands. But since youâre set on leaving, I wonât stop you.â
Xie Wuyue waved him off, looking disappointed as he sighed, âPeople always work to better themselves. Yet I never saw someone so complacent like you. Zhuo Fan, youâll be sure to regret it.â
âThatâs none of your concern.â Zhuo Fan rolled his eyes and walked out.
Just as he left, Xie Wuyue muttered to himself, âHa-ha-ha, he left at last. The sect isnât big enough for the both of us. Sigh, Zhuo Fan if you had shown the slightest interest in my position, IâŠâ
Xie Wuyueâs eyes flashed with bloodthirstâŠ
Back at the feast, Zhuo Fan looked at the girls, âGet ready, weâll leave right after the feast.â
âSo soon?â Kui Lang and the others were stunned.
Zhuo Fan nodded. Xie Wuyue was good at covering up his intent, but he was more than familiar with that kind of baiting.
He was paying attention to every last word Xie Wuyue said and every meaning they had told him to leave, to not aim for the Sect Leaderâs position.
He believed that if he showed the slightest interest in the chair, Xie Wuyue wouldâve went for the kill.
He didnât know Xie Wuyueâs cultivation and since this was the Demon Scheming Sect, Xie Wuyue ruled. Once a fight broke out, Zhuo Fan was at a disadvantage.
So he honored his own word and left. As for Elder YuanâŠ
Zhuo Fan frowned, âKui Lang, though Iâm leaving and no longer of the Demon Scheming Sect, I hope you can do something for me.â
âJust say the word, Steward Zhuo!â Kui Lang cupped his hands.
âWhen Elder Yuan returns, stall him then send me a jade slip. Iâll be here before you know it.â
âNo problem, Steward Zhuo!â Kui Lang nodded.
Zhuo Fan stood up and left with the girls. But just then, a laborer rushed into the main hall.
âHalt, this is the eldersâ feast. Disciples canât enter!â One attendant barred his way.
The guy shouted, âIâve come to give a message to Steward Zhuo. Elder Yuan is back.â
Zhuo Fan shook and frowned, then he brightened up.