Shameless humiliation!
The faces of the four were aflame, wishing they could go out fighting, and yet they kneeled there without a peep.
Why were they here anyway? Did they come here only to get humiliated?
Luo Yunchang sighed and glanced at Zhuo Fan.
Zhuo Fan looked crazed in his enjoyment, shouting, “Why are you still here? Get lost already!”
Cai Rong’s group shook their heads and left, but not before they heard Zhuo Fan sinking one last insult, “Do it like dogs! What are you standing around for when you’re not even humans?”
Shuddering, the four bit their lips fiercely. Zhuo Fan was towering over them with his mighty air and arrogance yet all they could do was suffer.
He was just that strong!
Cai Rong wept as he crawled away with the other three. Their image in the evening sun struck the picture of degradation, of stray dogs begging for mercy.
Zhuo Fan barked on and on, trying to dispel that queer rage completely.
People watched Zhuo Fan being thorough in humiliating these four, leaving them without a shred of dignity. The more they saw, the greater their fear of Zhuo Fan became.
They said a warrior could be killed but not shamed. And yet when these Clan Heads watched such naked display of abuse and mockery, they felt it was even worse than having their entire clan wiped out.
Because visiting the Underworld may be cruel and sad, but all clansmen would meet again in the afterlife. While the shamed would have to live on with this disgrace, in this nightmare built by harsh and cruel words, a fate worse than death.
While Zhuo Fan was raining curses, his every word stung Xue and Dong clan like daggers.
[Are we dogs or warriors?]
[The Luo clan had Zhuo Fan as their pillar that even the seven houses regarded with importance and thus they could maintain their integrity.] While to the average clan in this word, not being dogs would end up becoming their destruction. How could one have integrity when his entire existence was threatened?
Oftentimes they never wished to rise above their station, simply to survive. That was why they had integrity on the surface, while acting like dogs through their actions.
Just that these two clans were lucky enough to get a good master, Drifting Flowers Edifices and Sword Marquise Abode. Unlike how the cruel Hell Valley treated their vassals.
So they may be dogs, but could venture in calling themselves dogs with pedigree.
Taking deep breaths, Xue Clan Head and Dong Clan Head glanced at each other then shook their heads. Zhuo Fan and Luo clan were worlds apart from them…
“Steward Zhuo, calm down. Why are you so angry? It’s not worth stressing yourself over this.” Captain Pang came to Zhuo Fan with a smile.
Zhuo Fan shrugged, his face calm, “I’m fine. I am not one to get angry over the likes of them. They are not worth it. I only abused them since it worked to show off my pretentious style.”
Captain Pang reeled and laughed dryly. [What a reason to curse someone. How freakish!]
Only Luo Yunchang bit her lip watching Zhuo Fan.
“Oh, sorry everyone, there are matters that I need to deal with. I shall take my leave.” Zhuo Fan cupped his hands and left with Luo Yunchang and company.
The others replied in kind.
Only Dong Xiaowan watched him grumbling, “He never even looked at me…”
Dong Clan Head patted her shoulder and shook his head, “Wan’er, you and him are of different worlds. It’s impossible.”
Dong Xiaowan closed her teary eyes…
In Luo clan’s residence, the ever quiet Luo Yunchang spoke up, “Zhuo Fan, miss Ning’er and you…”
“What’s wrong?” Zhuo Fan asked puzzled.
Luo Yunchang looked at him long, then shook her head, “Nothing.”
Zhuo Fan blinked obliviously.
Luo clan stayed in a small courtyard in Dragon Cloud City. After coming here, Zhuo Fan called for Lei Yuntian and the twenty Profound Heaven fakes.
“With Steward Zhuo as our bulwark, we will always achieve absolute victory!” Lei Yuntian cupped his hands and laughed.
Zhuo Fan merely barked at the fakers, “Elder Lei, cane these things a hundred times each, personally!”
Lei Yuntian was startled. [Why is Steward Zhuo angry? Did he lose?]
[No way!] Whenever Zhuo Fan entered the fray, he only came out winning, not to mention this was an easy matter. The twenty fakers were stumped as well, [What did we do?]
They’ve been well behaved as of late. [We never showed off either.]
Zhuo Fan snorted, “You think I forgot about you since I didn’t pay you any attention last couple of days? Luo clan was attacked yesterday and even our allies and outsiders came out with heavy wounds trying to protect our masters. While you just picked a corner to let this play out. You think you’ll get out of this so easily?”
“B-but they were Six Dragons and One Phoenix! We have no hope of defeating them, would’ve only died for nothing!” One of the twenty said with fear.
Squinting, Zhuo Fan’s flick sent him flying as he roared, “You call that a reason? When you were imperial guards, did you run away as well? You are now the Luo clan’s guards and the least you could do is be our shields. We are never to die before all of you. Didn’t Elder Lei and Captain Pang act just the same? You don’t have the Luo clan’s wellbeing as your priority and must be punished.”
Lei Yuntian nodded after a pause. He was right and these guys had to be put in their place.
“Elder Lei, what are you standing around for? Do it!” Zhuo Fan barked.
The twenty fakers jolted in fear.
Lei Yuntian was about to execute the order when he froze.
[Wait, a hundred canes per faker? Won’t my old body give out after two thousand hits? Steward Zhuo, are you punishing them or taking it out on me?]
But then again, only he was the best person suited for the job since if anyone else did it, it wouldn’t count as punishment.
[But two thousand canes…]
Lei Yuntian looked at Luo Yunchang bitter, “Yunchang, what happened today? Why is Steward Zhuo so irritated?”
Luo Yunchang shook her head, “Never mind, Uncle Lei. Just give them twenty canes each, but a bit harder.”
They all eased a breath in relief.
The fakers rejoiced, as did Lei Yuntian. They were blessed to have this young miss above Demon Archon Zhuo. Two thousand canes turning into four hundred was far more manageable…
Back in his room, Zhuo Fan sat down, and emptied the teacup at the side in one gulp and sighed. He was finally calm.
Luo Yunchang and Captain Pang entered to which Zhuo Fan said, “How is Elder Li and the others? They should be close.”
For Dragon Cloud City to keep the peace, no house was allowed to bring in Radiant Stage experts. So Zhuo Fan guessed Li Jingtian’s group had to be waiting on the outskirts of town.
Captain Pang shook his head, “Young miss Lei and Elder Yan hadn’t come since you had plans for them.”
“Correct. I indeed told them to move around this time. And the others?” Zhuo Fan nodded.
Captain Pang muttered, “Uh, the others didn’t as well.”
“Why?” Zhuo Fan finally had the time to mind Luo clan’s situation and was stunned by what he heard.
“It was my idea.” Luo Yunchang said, “Dragon Cloud City doesn’t allow Radiant Stage experts in and you said not to expose our cards too soon. So I…”
“Fool!” Zhuo Fan snapped, enraged again, “The seven houses didn’t bring Radiant Stage experts because of their power, while you have none. If you and Yunhai die here, the Luo clan is finished. What would be the point of all my plans and my efforts to help the clan? To throw it all away in the end?”
Luo Yunchang bit her lip and tears threatened to fall down her cheeks. But instead of succumbing to them she snapped back, “Yes! I am not so astute and failed to see the big picture! And you? After being gone for five years, you instantly scream at anyone you find an eyesore. It’d have been better if you hadn’t bothered coming!”
Luo Yunchang slammed the door as she left.
Captain Pang was awkward, “Uh, Steward Zhuo, please don’t take it to heart. She didn’t mean it. She missed you day and night…”
“Fine fine, I know. This isn’t the first time she has acted like this anyway.” Zhuo Fan sighed and squinted, “Old Pang, send a messaging jade slip for Elder Li to provide us support. I have a feeling we will have a falling out with Regent Estate.”
Captain Pang nodded.
Zhuo Fan was soon left alone with his thoughts.
He closed his eyes as he considered.
He knew something was off about him today. Irritated by everything and lashing out at anyone. He was this close to trading blows too. This couldn’t go on.
If anger got the best of him, he would force his way forward which was not a good thing. He had to control himself at all costs. Or there was a high chance he would do something he would regret.
But why was he so ticked off all of a sudden?
Taking a deep breath and closing his eyes, he calmed down and started cultivating.
Suddenly, a shout echoed and Zhuo Fan clutched his right eye as he fell to the ground soaked. The golden ring in his eye flashed on and off as a faint second golden ring appeared.
[Am I about to achieve Divine Eye of the Void’s 2nd stage?]
Zhuo Fan was excited…