âWhat happened to the two from the Demon Scheming Sect? Are they dead yet?â Feeling restless for some reason, Xuan Shaoyu grabbed the discipleâs shoulder as he asked.
The disciple was slightly scared, holding in the pain coming from his shoulder as he faltered, âThey and Sect Leader were at odds at first. Sect Leader gave the order to kill them, but thenâŠâ
âThen what?â Xuan Shaoyu stared fixedly at him.
Gulping, the guy hesitated, âThen Sect Leader had us leave. They talked some more, seemingly reaching a conclusion, then Sect Leader had me bring the ladiesâŠâ
âBeat it!â
Xuan Shaoyu roared, pushing him. His cheek twitched, his eyes exploding with fury, âReaching a conclusion? What the hell is that old coot doing? Didnât I tell him Zhuo Fan must be killed? Why are they just chatting?â
The disciple slowly got back to his feet, not even looking the angry young master in the eye, âYoung master, if that is all. I have to pass the orderâŠâ
âHold it!â
Xuan Shaoyu barked and the guy almost cried in fear. He didnât know how he was supposed to face such a crazed young master. He feared the young master would explode and kill him.
Ever since Double Dragon Gathering, the young master was unnatural, his mood volatile. Many junior brothers were killed at the slightest whim.
It would not be much if this was a demonic sect.
[But weâre a righteous sect here! How can you kill left and right?]
But since he was Sect Leaderâs son, everyone had no choice but to bear it.
The guy spoke on the verge of crying, âYoung master, how may I help you?â
âIâm coming with you. I want to see what game Zhuo Fan is playing to unsettle the old man.â Xuan Shaoyu clenched his fists as his face twisted in rage.
Fifteen minutes later, the heavy iron door opened with a creak. Xuan Shaoyu and the disciple were back inside.
Chu Qingcheng mocked, âBack already?â
Xuan Shaoyu was vexed. He didnât answer. The disciple walked up, âBy Sect Leaderâs order, senior sisters Qingcheng and Qianying, please come to the Main Hall.â
âWhy should we?â Chu Qingcheng asked back.
The disciple shook his head. âI donât know. After Sect Leader talked with the two disciples from Demon Scheming Sect, he told me to getâŠâ
Pa!
Before he finished, the disciple was met with disaster in the form of a hard slap. It hit his cheek with so much force, he was bleeding from the mouth and collapsed.
âYouâre supposed to relay the order, not run your mouth!â Xuan Shaoyu glared.
The disciple was overcome with injustice, but did not voice a word. The girls were overjoyed. Zhuo Fan got Sect Leader Xuan to get them out.
Han Qianying was startled as she muttered in disbelief. âThe crude Kui Lang knows how to negotiate? It has to be Zhuo Fan. Qingcheng, your man is really something to make Sect Leader yield.â
Chu Qingcheng smiled, her pride in Zhuo Fan could not be explained with mere words.
Xuan Shaoyu was annoyed at their faces and was about to blow a gasket.
âDonât get too happy. You might be going to Main Hall just to see Zhuo Fan begging on his knees for my dadâs mercy. Give it up!â
Xuan Shaoyu snapped, âMen, take them!â
âYes!â
Someone came over to escort them. âWait!â
They turned to Shui Ruohua.
âCan I come to the Main Hall to see as well?â Shui Ruohua spoke.
Xuan Shaoyu squinted then nodded with a mocking smile, âSure, senior sister Ruohua, youâve always looked after me before, but since the punk showed up, youâve changed. Were you entranced by him as well? Then Iâll bring you along as well, to see who the real winner is between us.â
Xuan Shaoyu flicked his hand and another person came to Shui Ruohua to take her.
Flushing red, Shui Ruohua glanced at Chu Qingcheng, but what she got in reply was a curious look. She had to lower her beet red face, unable to look straight at her.
Xuan Shaoyu and the three girls strutted over to the Main Hall.
âQianying!â
Seeing the girls, the restless Kui Lang rushed to his feet and went to the girl he hadnât seen in twenty years to grab her soft face.
Han Qianying shook, her own hands gently tracing the aged face as she spoke tenderly, âItâs been so long, Kui Lang.â
âYeah, yeah, the child is all grown upâŠâ Kui Lang nodded, choked with emotion.
Zhuo Fan smiled, then he looked at Chu Qingcheng yet in no rush to go to her. He just gracefully put down the teacup and simply walked to her. âIâve come to take you.â
âHold on.â
Zhuo Fan didnât get to reach her as Chu Qingcheng stopped him, âYou came to take me? Thatâs it? Why?â
Everyone started, not understanding her. Shui Ruohua was the most confused.
[Didnât she always want to see Zhuo Fan? Why refuse now?]
Zhuo Fan chuckled, âYeah, I didnât come just to take you. I want to give you a ten years late answer.â
Chu Qingchengâs eyes shook as she smiled. âDo you still remember the question?â
âOf course I do.â
Zhuo Fan took a deep breath as he began, âI remember you asking me in Drifting Flowers City, whether I had any reason to stay for longer.â
Chu Qingcheng nodded, âAnd I recall you telling me no.â
âI lied and for that I even coughed blood, the reason for the blood you saw.â
Zhuo Fanâs eyes glistened with tears, as if recalling that feeling. âNow I want to answer you once more. In the Drifting Flowers City, the only reason I had for wanting to stay was to spend my life in that run-down house. Because there I lived with the person I never wanted to leave.â
Chu Qingchengâs mouth shook then widened in a mesmerizing smile, âIs this just another lie?â
âWho knows? Youâll have the rest of your life to see.â Zhuo Fan smiled as he opened his arms. âAre you willing to live your life by this demonâs side, to verify this answer?â
Chu Qingcheng giggled, âBrazen demon, I will watch you all my life to see if you lied. If I find out you did, humphâŠâ
Chu Qingcheng stomped her feet then rushed for Zhuo Fan to hold him in a fierce hug. She closed her eyes and listened to his heart as she muttered, âFrom now on, I will always listen to this sound, to know you.â
âI couldnât be happier.â He wrapped his hands around her waist as tenderness was evoked on his features. He took a deep breath, feeling like the whole world was at peace.
Or maybe that he possessed the entire world.
Shui Ruohua watched stunned and sighed in disappointment, yet wished them well.
Kui Lang was also smiling, happy for him.
Only Xuan Shaoyu was fuming mad, ready to spew fire like a volcano, âVile demon, Iâm not giving junior sister Qingcheng to you!â
âFather, what is this? Why are you giving them to these demons? If word got out, who would respect Mystical Heaven Sect again? What about me and my illnessâŠâ
Xuan Shaoyu turned to Sect Leader Xuan, who started pointing out the reasons to not do this.
[By giving Chu Qingcheng to Zhuo Fan, how am I supposed to repair my elemental imbalance? I still need her virginity! She can only be my woman!]
Sect Leader Xuan knew all of this but remained undeterred. Because he wanted both his son alive and those stones.
Sect Leader Xuan spoke, âZhuo Fan, you already have what you wanted. Are you going to honor your promise?â
âWhat promise? When did I promise you anything?â Zhuo Fan mocked, going back on his word on the spot.
Sect Leader Xuan roared, âZhuo Fan, you dare toy with me? Donât forget, youâre in Mystical Heaven Sect now!â
âAnd? I got what I wanted anyway, ha-ha-haâŠâ Zhuo Fanâs eyes glinted, his smile devilishâŠ