“Steward Zhuo, you must be wondering why I was looking for you.” Zhuge Changfeng’s beard trembled.
Zhuo Fan nodded, but his only reply was a fixed stare.
Zhuge Changfeng held him in greater admiration.
In fact, just by answering, Zhuo Fan would’ve fallen in his trap. Regardless of the content, Zhuo Fan’s reply would’ve given him the rights to lead the conversation and, ultimately, Zhuo Fan by the nose.
But Zhuo Fan kept silent, thus keeping his right to speak.
It may be some minor detail, but to a leader of Zhuge Changfeng’s stature, it was very important. Right of speech translated into power. If one’s right to speak was taken away, then that person was at a disadvantage.
On this aspect, Zhuge Changfeng was an expert, and he admired Zhuo Fan’s response greatly, “Steward Zhuo, your rumors do not do you justice. I am in awe after meeting you!”
“Prime-minister Zhuge is exaggerating. Your illustrious name has given me far more shock!” Zhuo Fan laughed.
Zhuge Changfeng sighed, “Wise men speak plainly. Let us dispense with the tricks. Or we’ll be at it for three days and still not finish.”
“Ha-ha-ha, Prime-minister Zhuge is quite open so I shall do the same!” Zhuo Fan nodded cheerfully.
Zhuge Changfeng went straight to the point, “Steward Zhuo, I fear that someone may have instigated the Luo clan’s participation in the Esoteric Debate.”
“Oh, what makes you say that?” Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow.
Zhuge Changfeng replied, “We are both men who look at things from all perspectives. I am certain that with you as its steward, Luo clan’s rise beyond the seven houses would only be a matter of time. But your coming out in the open has been far too soon. With Steward Zhuo’s cunning, I believe you are not a man looking for short term gain. I surmise that you’ve been forced, or perhaps, lured into a choice that you could not refuse!”
Zhuo Fan was impressed.
[Zhuge Changfeng is amazing, able to understand everything.] Indeed, Luo clan jumping into the Esoteric Debate and starting a fight with the seven houses was far too soon.
Earlier he was quite pleased with Luo clan’s power, but even he couldn’t be as bold as to declare that this fight was a sure win!
He chose this situation so he wouldn’t lose the imperial family’s support, or worse, offend them instead.
Saying that he was lured was accurate. Forced? Also correct. These assumptions were both correct. Above all, Luo clan’s power coming out in the open at this moment allowed Zhuge Changfeng, possibly the only person in the empire, to surmise that Luo clan would one day surpass the seven houses.
This guess couldn’t be called brazen, but calamitous!
And Zhuo Fan was hoping to see the day when Luo clan would reach such a level. But now, no one out there would ever believe it, except Zhuge Changfeng.
Even Zhuo Fan had to admire his foresight. If it were anywhere else, even he wouldn’t make such an absurd guess!
“Head of the Four Pillars, Prime-minister Zhuge is truly wise. I admire you!” Zhuo Fan’s flattery was sincere.
Zhuge Changfeng chuckled, “Steward Zhuo is too kind. This old bag of bones has been soaked in this world for far too many years, thus gaining some thoughts about its revolutions. I fall utterly short to young Steward Zhuo wisdom. Carrying on your shoulders, the honor of the entire clan, you’ve earned my respect, ha-ha-ha…”
“Then Prime Minister Zhuge is saying…”
“To watch your back!” Zhuge Changfeng’s eyes shined, his voice solemn.
Raising an eyebrow, Zhuo Fan looked a little lost.
Clearly knowing his heart, Zhuge Changfeng chuckled, “I can tell what Steward Zhuo is thinking. Yes, my words are full of suspicion. Who on earth would be so selfless, so caring for their fellow neighbor? And yes, I have a reason. But rest assured, Steward Zhuo, you are not my enemy. In fact, he may very well be yours too!”
“Oh, care to elaborate?” Zhuo Fan started.
Zhuge Changfeng twirled his white mustache, his eyes shining, “I am sure Steward Zhuo is more than familiar with the saying, when two fight the third wins. So will you be among the first two, or the third?”
Zhuge Changfeng shook his head, “I’m sure the wise Steward Zhuo has caught on my meaning by now!”
Scratching his nose, Zhuo Fan looked him in the eye and showed a broad smile.
Zhuge Changfeng read his intent, and only smiled in reply.
The two shared a smile full of countless implications, and nodded.
“Ha-ha-ha, talking with smart guys is so refreshing and easy! Steward Zhuo, I have said my piece and I’ll be leaving. But before I do, please be kind enough to fulfil this selfish request of mine and explain something to me.” Zhuge Changfeng rose to his feet and cupped his hands.
Zhuo Fan smiled, “I don’t see why not.”
“I am the Empire’s Prime Minister, Leng Wuchang is the Regent Estate’s steward, and you sir are Luo clan’s steward. This makes the three of us cut from the same cloth, with each of us scheming and lording over people. Myself and Leng Wuchang are both selfish, and luckily our interests are shared for now, and not set on a colliding path. But considering your talent, why would you pick the Luo clan? I can tell that sir is not doing this out of sympathy, or any kind of feelings. It… escapes my capacity to understand!”
Zhuo Fan’s eyes trembled and he took a deep breath, before showing a crafty smile and emphasizing every word, “Because my ambition is far greater than yours!”
The head of the Four Pillars, for the first time, trembled and his fists clenched.
The Yin Yang elders saw this and for the first time looked at Zhuo Fan with shock and ill intent. The thick bloodthirst they oozed couldn’t be concealed.
But Zhuo Fan was still composed, only his right eye flashing golden.
“Wait!”
On the brink of war, Zhuge Changfeng put a stop to the hostilities. The elders calmed down and Zhuo Fan relaxed.
But Zhuge Changfeng was perplexed and said to Zhuo Fan, “I may not know the extent of sir’s ambition, but I nevertheless look forward to that day, and hope that it won’t all come crashing down instead.”
Zhuge Changfeng signaled the two elders and left.
A good distance from the tavern, one elder snorted, “Prime Minister, why did you stop us? His words were far too rude!”
“No, I don’t think that was mere boasting!” Zhuge Changfeng furrowed his brow, “However, what is his aim? With his ability, it’s only a matter of time before he becomes an overlord. But instead he chooses to be bogged down by that burden, Luo clan. To what end? Sigh, this kid is the first one I cannot see through!”
The Yin Yang elders shared a glance but didn’t say anything, in fear of disturbing him. But for some reason, Zhuge Changfeng was frowning constantly, leaving the elders at a loss.
[When were the rash words of some pup ever of any value?]
In another part of Dragon Cloud City, at the largest fighting stage, thunderous applause resounded!
On the stage, Luo Yunchang’s tall figure breathed heavily. Her lithe and demure figure, wrapped tightly in clothes, painted a fine picture. Every man there was drooling at her curves!
Even more so when those beads of sweat worked to emphasize her enticing body lines!
But her 5th layer of Bone Tempering cultivation cut short any errant and lustful desire. Just now, the young lady had dispatched four 4th layer Bone Tempering experts, while she herself remained unharmed.
Next to her stood a cold youth of about sixteen and in the 3rd layer of Bone Tempering Stage. Despite his young age, he was famed throughout the empire.
Marshal Dugu’s fifth godson, Tianyu’s Five Tiger’s youngest, Swooping Dragonic Tiger, Luo Yunhai. Everyone and their uncles had heard of him. Being at Dugu Zhantian’s side and fighting next to his four brothers for more than two years, he had proven himself in battles becoming a real man of valor.
Circling them were ten people around Luo Yunhai’s age, but their eyes held a far more staunch look. They released constant dark energy and their iron forged bodies glowed.
They were of similar cultivation, but in a true life or death fight, they could render peak Bone Tempering experts heavily wounded, if not outright dead.
They were the Luo clan’s guards that Zhuo Fan entrusted Captain Pang with training.
This was only the tip of the iceberg and even the guards were enough to strike fear in many.
The thought of seeing these monsters fully grown sent chills down the crowd’s spine. And to avoid people acting in fear and envy, the Luo clan chose to only bring these ten youths.
If others had known that Luo clan would raise so many freaks and still hide their cards, they’d have long snuffed it in the cradle.
Regardless of the what ifs, Luo clan had nevertheless caused widespread shock to all who bore witness to this obscure clan.
Just now, these Luo clan’s 12 fought with a renowned second rate clan’s hundred. Yet none of them was injured heavily even when the opposition had peak Bone Tempering experts among them.
This forced people to see Luo clan in a different and frightening light.
Not to mention Luo clan’s strongest had yet to take the stage. That rumored Soaring Demonic Dragon, how outrageous was he?
