A lonely and lazy figure was approaching the water exit in Beast King Mountain. From the empty right sleeve it was clear he only had one arm.
“Zhuo Fan!”
The people beyond the National Elemental Stone had been waiting for him to show up for twenty days. After the fight back at the earth exit, Zhuo Fan had vanished, only appearing before another exit now.
Zhuo Fan’s coming had them gasping. [He’s still alive!]
But the pale face and the wobbling gait let them know he was far from healed.
Being in such a damaged state, it would’ve been common sense to look for a quiet corner somewhere to lay low and lick his wounds. Yet here he was, walking around. It made no sense.
Luo Yunchang’s eyes moistened, “Why… must you…”
Uncaring of the audience commenting on his appearance, Zhuo Fan walked forth. When he was a hundred meters off of the water exit, he stopped. He looked down at the empty ground and sighed.
Everyone was startled, [What’s he doing?]
Only Chu Qingcheng and Luo Yunchang knew. Zhuo Fan paid homage to Xue Ningxiang. This was where she died twenty days ago.
Taking a deep and long breath, Zhuo Fan forced back his sadness and grief, “Ning’er, don’t worry. Big brother Zhuo will soon make everyone follow you for what they did to you. May it bring you peace.”
“Ha-ha-ha, bold words! How are you going to get revenge with that weak and crippled body? Are you a comedian now?” A whistle reached his ears.
Four people now stood before Zhuo Fan, Huangpu Qingtian and his allies. Then a dozen people walked out of the woods to surround him, Yan Fu and the surviving vassals.
What was truly shocking was Huangpu Qingtian’s group had entered the Radiant Stage in preparation to deal with Zhuo Fan.
Everyone knew they got the Brimming Sacred Pill and that they had a good chance of advancing, but seeing it was another matter entirely.
Seeing the four practically reborn, bolstered in power and speed, the people feared for the worse.
In the long history of Tianyu, there had never been anyone entering the Radiant Stage before the age of thirty. But now there were four of them, shocking the masses.
Huangpu Tianyuan was the one suffering the most. If his son had brought just one Brimming Sacred Pill home, the house lord would have achieved his lifelong dream of entering the Radiant Stage as well.
[But this wretched son of mine would rather leave his old man to die. Damn you!]
It was because of this he knew that when the four would return, their Radiant Stage cultivation would be a threat to every house lord, ultimately to be replaced.
The four house lords looked at each other crestfallen.
Chu Qingcheng was worried sick, choked with emotion. How was Zhuo Fan going to survive being wounded like that and up against four Radiant Stage experts?
Fang Qiubai and Dugu Zhantian shook their heads, “Fate has caught up to the kid. He has nowhere else to go.”
Leng Wuchang was the only one with a smile on his face, like everything went according to plan…
Zhuo Fan looked at the four, yet people found it odd how laid back he was about this whole trap thing. All he did was mutter, “Ning’er, do you see? Everyone who hurt you is here. Big brother Zhuo will avenge you!”
You Yushan looked puzzled.
“Zhuo Fan, have you lost it? There are four Radiant Stage experts here while you aren’t even healed. There is a huge gulf between us and yet you dare spout things like revenge? Humph, you have lost in all aspects!” Lin Xuanfeng shouted.
Frowning, Zhuo Fan glanced at him then showed a vague smile, “Ha-ha-ha, no, it’s you who has lost everything.”
“Cut the crap you lunatic! Even the blind can see we four are invincible. Wake up and smell the roses!” Lin Xuanfeng’s eyes narrowed as he cursed, but Zhuo Fan’s odd mirthless smile unnerved him.
Huangpu Qingtian felt the same.
[With how sly he is, what did he plan to remain so calm in front of us?]
Huangpu Qingtian looked around for clues. But nothing was picked up when he released his soul and his worry only grew.
[Is he bluffing?]
Leng Wuchang was also frowning. Zhuo Fan was becoming more and more of an enigma.
With a mocking smile on his lips, Zhuo Fan sighed, “Leng Wuchang sure is something, able to guess I’ll stop by to pay my respects to Ning’er before leaving Beast King Mountain. He even had you set up an ambush. Truly a feat only Unwonted Contriver can pull.”
“What, how can you know everything?” Huangpu Qingtian cried.
Leng Wuchang’s eyes tightened and his aged hand clutched his beard.
Shaking his head, Zhuo Fan said, “I know nothing really. But one thing I do know, every move we make is part of Leng Wuchang’s grand design in some way or another. He’d been watching me for too long and I must say, he knows me better than I do myself. Since nothing I do will escape his plans, why not let nature run its course.”
Huangpu Qingtian looked hard at him then sighed as he probed, “Are you giving up?”
“No, didn’t I tell you already? I came for all your lives.” Zhuo Fan’s lips broke out into his trademark evil grin.
Seizing up, the four were totally oblivious to Zhuo Fan’s meaning.
[He knows he can’t escape Leng Wuchang’s predictions so why is he playing the winner? Does he have a way to turn it all around?]
It was easy for Zhuo Fan to guess what was on their minds, “Ha-ha-ha, I have indeed fallen for Leng Wuchang’s ploys, but to be fair, Huangpu Qingtian, haven’t you fallen for mine as well? With Leng Wuchang in the background, when it comes to you and me, I come out on top.”
Huangpu Qingtian shuddered, not knowing whether to believe him or not.
[Is this mere grandstanding, a bluff?]
Leng Wuchang shot to his feet, his face changing color in seconds. His eyes swirled around, his mind fast at work.
Then he looked up and cried, “Did the punk know he can’t escape my plans so he went on the offensive to lay a trap for eldest young master? But when did he…”
Leng Wuchang’s mind had guessed it, just that he didn’t know the specifics and his face paled.
Zhuge Changfeng eyed this Unwonted Contriver and grinned, “Avoid a ready enemy and only fight when he is weary. The kid sure is sharp. He knows he can’t beat you in this mind game so he chose to accept everything you did to him and fight your eldest young master. Sir Leng, you are not there by your lord. His scheming mind pales in comparison. Zhuo Fan’s eyes sure are vicious, ha-ha-ha…”
Words failed Leng Wuchang. All he could do was stew in his anger. [What did this punk do to Huangpu Qingtian to act so confident before four Radiant Stage experts?]
Not even Zhuge Changfeng could figure it out, least of all him. [Is this young pup able to turn the tables?]
He didn’t believe it, he didn’t want to believe it.
Zhuge Changfeng was looking at the National Elemental Stone in anticipation. This Prime Minister wanted to see what godly scheme could he pull off to turn all of it around…
Huangpu Qingtian stared hatefully at him, “Zhuo Fan, stop lying. I don’t believe you. With your weak body, what can your meager attempts possibly do against four Radiant Stage experts to reverse this situation?”
“Ha-ha-ha, you’re wrong. To be honest, it’s not me who will do it, you will. You will give me victory. In fact, I won the instant you guys entered the Radiant Stage!” Zhuo Fan snickered,
Huangpu Qingtian roared, “Cut the bull! You’re clearly faking it. I will personally turn you to ash and see you mock me then!”
Huangpu Qingtian pounced, aiming for Zhuo Fan’s head.
With how weak Zhuo Fan was, his head would crack like an overripe tomato.
Luo Yunchang cried out and turned away. Chu Qingcheng was deeply troubled by what was coming, while only Zhuo Fan’s smile never faltered. Like the incoming fist wasn’t even there.
When the fist was about to touch him, he made a sign.
Rumble!
For no apparent reason, Huangpu Qingtian found his body stopping dead in its tracks. He couldn’t control his body.
Looking up at Zhuo Fan, he found the man’s grin spitting on his face…
