“Young miss, young master, good work!”
The people began commending the shocking power of the Luo clan’s 12 with a round of applause as they left the stage. Captain Pang rushed over and expressed his thanks as well for the two’s work, watching them with great regret.
If only he was younger, he would be joining and fighting alongside them as well.
Luo Yunchang nodded, not able to speak from how weary she was.
Captain Pang didn’t dally any more and led them to a bench to rest. He then turned to the ten guards with praise, “You’ve done well today. I will surely remember it!”
The ten youths nodded, but their faces showed not a twitch, as if they were frozen in time.
Luo Yunhai panted and sighed as well, “Captain Pang, just how did you train them? These young guards are even more dauntless than most people I’ve seen in the army.”
“He-he-he, young master, there are some things you don’t know. These guys are trained by me according to Steward Zhuo’s training regimen. He said that great soldiers are good when fighting back, but these fellows are men willing to lay down their lives for the Luo clan when it matters the most.”
Captain Pang sputtered with great pride the feats of these kids. But then he froze and looked at the silent Luo Yunchang in distress.
Luo Yunchang’s hand tightened and her eyes glistened in tears.
Luo Yunhai glared at Captain Pang, “We asked about their training, so why are you talking about sacrifice…”
Captain Pang slapped himself till he was red, then cursed, “It’s my rotten mouth to blame for making young miss feel such sorrow again.”
“Captain Pang, I don’t blame you.”
Luo Yunchang stopped him from blaming himself, “Five years without so much as a word. Elder Li did say that he is definitely alive, but from the look on his face, not even he believed those words. If he were still alive, there was bound to be some news at this point, not total silence.”
Tears started trailing down her cheeks.
Luo Yunhai felt her pain as Captain Pang sighed, not knowing how to reply. The Luo clan didn’t want to accept Zhuo Fan’s death, but they had no choice in the matter.
At that time, the entire clan was in mourning.
How did that saying go? Misery loves company. Their so called allies had changed their stance, and their support was waning.
They were abandoned when the clan needed the most help.
Many times Luo Yunchang wished to show the world their Radiant Stage experts. Zhuo Fan was gone, but the clan still held strong.
Luo clan had the power to face the seven houses!
But Luo Yunchang was reminded every single time of Zhuo Fan’s decisive stance, of keeping their cards hidden even from one’s allies. This made her snuff out that reckless thought.
She thus burned with even more desire, to prove to them who Luo clan was, in the Esoteric Debate. Especially to their allies, that they are worthy of their constant support.
No matter what, she had to lead the Luo clan into the final battle.
Taking a deep breath, Luo Yunchang wiped her tears and steeled her will. She stood up, “Come, Grand Elder is waiting for us!”
Luo Yunhai and Captain Pang looked startled at the leaving delicate figure.
With Zhuo Fan gone the past half a decade, and Luo Yunhai in the army, all the weight of the clan rested on the young miss’ shoulders. And the talks with their allies were the most taxing.
She didn’t have Zhuo Fan’s cunning, nor his brashness. But on this path, her weak and fearful self slowly rose to the challenge, meeting the houses head on. Within the fake civility, with all that back and forth, she grew to be an imposing figure.
But only she knew the taunts, mocking, and misery she had to endure.
Sighing, Captain Pang and Luo Yunhai followed after her. The three soon arrived with the ten guards at the exit of the fighting stage.
Lei Yuntian was there waiting for them, along with the Profound Heaven fakes.
“Yunhai, Yunchang, congratulations! You won 28 times in a row!” Lei Yuntian cupped his hands.
Luo Yunchang raised an eyebrow, “Uncle Lei, you knew we’d won even when you were outside?”
“Of course. With such a resounding applause, how could I not know? I’ve heard it so many times these days that my ears have swollen. Ha-ha-ha…” Lei Yuntian was cheerful.
Luo Yunchang chuckled as well as they walked with him to their accommodations.
“Uncle Lei, how about we make a different sound tomorrow, since your ears are swollen?”
“No need. I like this one very much, ha-ha-ha…”
They talked with the setting sun behind them, cheerful about tomorrow’s victory. Among the ten young guards behind them there were also the Profound Heaven fakers.
Their power wasn’t much to talk about. Even one of the young guards could finish them off. But that swag and pose had their intended purpose, to shock and awe the bystanders.
[Holy hell, the Luo clan is truly an underdog. They raised 20 Profound Heaven experts! They are as strong as the seven houses.]
Though none realized, looks could be deceiving. These elders were paper tigers, mere toys to scare children. But just as Fang Qiubai said before, showing them off was their strongest suit…
Whoosh~
Suddenly, a breeze passed by Luo Yunchang’s charming figure. She felt her ear and her face changed!
“What’s wrong, Yunchang?’ Lei Yuntian asked.
Luo Yunchang was confused, “M-my earring’s gone!”
“Sister, did you lose it?” Luo Yunhai looked around and shouted, “Everyone, my sister lost her earring. Please help us find it!”
They all started looking around for the young miss’ earring.
Just then, a funny laughter reached them, “Ha-ha-ha, idiots, here it is!”
Ding~
A sharp ringing sound was heard and they all looked in the direction of a creepy man in robes holding an earring.
Luo Yunchang cried, “T-that’s mine!”
“Merry Woods’s Forest Fleeting Dragon, Lin Xuanfeng!” Luo Yunchang was quite shocked.
All eyes were now on that man. Was this one of the strongest disciples in Tianyu, one of Six Dragons and One Phoenix, Forest Fleeting Dragon?
The cheerful mood had long been replaced with heavy silence. Even those twenty Profound Heaven fakes felt their scalps go numb. These guys were no match for the Six Dragons and One Phoenix. Even if they weren’t fakes.
Even among Profound Heaven experts, the Six Dragons and One Phoenix were the best.
Why was this Lin Xuanfeng suddenly approaching them? Was he picking a fight? [What are you doing picking a fight with us? Aren’t you from the seven houses, aren’t you afraid of shaming yourself?]
This was on everyone’s mind.
Lin Xuanfeng looked at Luo Yunhai in provocation, “Such a remarkable godson that old guy Dugu Zhantian has gained. You recognized me with just one look?”
“Of course. We may be soldiers, but the godfather has told us about the renowned figures in Tianyu.” Luo Yunhai straightened his back and shouted, “And you? What do you think you’re doing? This is Dragon Cloud City and it is time for the Esoteric Debate. The houses and clans are forbidden from making a ruckus. Are you challenging Marshal Dugu’s order and is that why you’re blocking our way?”
“He-he-he, stop scaring people with that old guy’s name. I’m not everyone!” Lin Xuanfeng mocked, “Kid, do you know why the old man told you about Tianyu’s strongest? It was to warn you that even he can’t offend some people. It was something for you to watch out for. That order is for the average clans only, not for us, the seven houses.”
Luo Yunhai seethed from anger, “You dare to openly go against his order? See when I report to Marshal and he puts you in your place!”
“Ha-ha-ha, you gullible pup. I just told you, that old man won’t interfere!”
Laughing, Lin Xuanfeng flashed right in front of Luo Yunchang in the next blink. He took in her perfume, shook her other earring, and snickered, “Gorgeous, mind spending the night with me?”
Blushing, Luo Yunchang’s face was a mask of anger as she sent a slap, “Pervert!”
Whoosh~
Lin Xuanfeng was back to his original place before the slap made contact, “Ha-ha-ha, this is all Luo clan amounts to? You could not even find someone good enough to touch my clothes, but you dare showing off in Dragon Cloud City?”
“Men, together!” Lei Yuntian snapped.
His cultivation was now in the 5th layer of the Profound Heaven Stage, reaching Lin Xuanfeng in a blink and striking with his finger.
As for those Profound Heaven fakes, they had no choice but to join as well.
In the face of the incoming finger, Lin Xuanfeng only grinned. Then the oddest thing happened.
He vanished into thin air and the 20 Profound Heaven fakes behind Lei Yuntian were knocked out one at a time.
Lin Xuanfeng then returned to his spot, but Lin Xuanfeng’s finger still hadn’t arrived. He let out a bored yawn and with a light grip, snuffed out the lightning on the finger, “Too slow, I’ve already finished fighting!”
Lin Xuanfeng’s kick sent Lei Yuntian flying.
Spurting blood, Lei Yuntian fell before the siblings. Only now did the 20 Profound Heaven fakes collapsed, actually lasting a second more than Lei Yuntian.
They had long been knocked out!
Such speed!
Gasping, Luo Yunhai’s face turned solemn. He knew Lin Xuanfeng was fast, but even he didn’t think it’d be to this extent. It was as if he defied the laws of time and space.
He didn’t catch any of Lin Xuanfeng’s movements, and it looked as if he had always been standing there. But he knew that Lin Xuanfeng had put everyone out of commission in a flash.
Without a second thought, Luo Yunhai jumped in front of his sister. Luo Yunchang was solemn as well, glancing at Captain Pang and getting ready to face their great enemy.
The power of the six dragons wasn’t something they could contend with. They were all wishing from the bottom of their hearts that that person would come. Ironically, this was where the both side’s thoughts aligned, with Lin Xuanfeng hoping for the same thing.