The Steward Demonic Emperor

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"I 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 monster…"

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, "Hold on, Fiend Yang, you've said it five times already. But didn't you always say that Steward Zhuo earned the greatest credit. Why does it sound like he didn't 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?"

"Uhm… 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… " Fiend Yang's 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, "Steward Zhuo, is what the fatso said true?"

Ugh!

Zhuo Fan turned to see Fiend Yang giving him signals galore while pleading and shaking his head. Zhuo Fan ignored his nonsense, "Sure is. Under Fiend Yang's bright leadership, we finally earned our spot as top middle-three sect. We wouldn't have made it half as far without him!"

The rest gave the fatty an incredulous look.

[This guy's actually that good.]

[He actually got to conduct all the fights.]

Fiend Yang stuck out his chin in pride.

[I'm 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.

They've seen shameless, but not to this level, showing off before the whole crowd.

But since Zhuo Fan didn't care, the girls, outsiders, didn't poke holes in the fatty's theatrics…

"Did Elder Yuan return yet?" Zhuo Fan asked Kui Lang.

Ever since he came back three days ago, he couldn't 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 he's out on sect business. He'd be back in months or maybe years.

Zhuo Fan shook his head.

[Years?]

He could only wait for a couple of months. If he didn't get an answer, he couldn't give her a reply.

He didn't know if Elder Yuan would even answer him, but he was the only one he knew that could.

Cupping his hands, Kui Lang spoke, "Steward Zhuo, I just heard that Elder Yuan still isn't back."

"It's fine. While I wait for Elder Yuan, I'll have a talk with Xie Wuyue." 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.

[We'll see if Miss Luo will be able to compete with me, he-he-he…]

Knock~

Zhuo Fan went to Sect Leader's 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, "Zhuo Fan, you've done great in the Double Dragon Gathering. What are you doing here instead of celebrating?"

"Visiting a miser."

He took a seat before him like he owned the place and Zhuo Fan pointed at the ring, "Ten thousand sacred stones has you looking so dumb?"

Xie Wuyue was ticked off, "Just ten thousand? Ha-ha-ha, you're talking as if you got more, just two thousand!"

"You heard that?"

"Fiend Yang likes to talk too much so I had Fiend Yin report instead." Xie Wuyue sighed and nodded, "You're 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 don't officially make you the next Sect Leader successor, the entire sect would not sit still until they know it's you who will be sitting in my chair!"

Xie Wuyue stared hard at Zhuo Fan, but he had no reaction. "Xie Wuyue, we talked about this. After the Double Dragon Gathering, our deal is done."

"Going home?"

Xie Wuyue's brow shook, his heart unsettled as he showed a sneaky smile, "To what, the Luo clan? You mean to tell me Demon Scheming Sect can't 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, we'll become a true middle-three sect.

"A tiny mortal clan would mean even less then. You will be king here. Now you're telling me being stuck as a butler for the Luo clan is way better?"

Zhuo Fan gave him a long look, "Where I like to go, is my business. No one can change that. You better not break your word, Sect Leader Xie!"

Xie Wuyue said nothing, but his sharp eyes stabbed into him like daggers.

But then he shrugged, "Actually, letting you stay was thinking of your future. After being on Double Dragon Manor's list, you'd be going even higher. You might even be at the top of the western lands. But since you're set on leaving, I won't stop you."

Xie Wuyue waved him off, looking disappointed as he sighed, "People always work to better themselves. Yet I never saw someone so complacent like you. Zhuo Fan, you'll be sure to regret it."

"That's none of your concern." Zhuo Fan rolled his eyes and walked out.

Just as he left, Xie Wuyue muttered to himself, "Ha-ha-ha, he left at last. The sect isn't big enough for the both of us. Sigh, Zhuo Fan if you had shown the slightest interest in my position, I…"

Xie Wuyue's eyes flashed with bloodthirst…

Back at the feast, Zhuo Fan looked at the girls, "Get ready, we'll leave right after the feast."

"So soon?" 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 Leader's position.

He believed that if he showed the slightest interest in the chair, Xie Wuyue would've went for the kill.

He didn't know Xie Wuyue's 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 Yuan…

Zhuo Fan frowned, "Kui Lang, though I'm leaving and no longer of the Demon Scheming Sect, I hope you can do something for me."

"Just say the word, Steward Zhuo!" Kui Lang cupped his hands.

"When Elder Yuan returns, stall him then send me a jade slip. I'll be here before you know it."

"No problem, Steward Zhuo!" Kui Lang nodded.

Zhuo Fan stood up and left with the girls. But just then, a laborer rushed into the main hall.

"Halt, this is the elders' feast. Disciples can't enter!" One attendant barred his way.

The guy shouted, "I've come to give a message to Steward Zhuo. Elder Yuan is back."

Zhuo Fan shook and frowned, then he brightened up.

[Just in time…]