“Hu Mei’er, I didn’t feel like joining your inner sect politics, but since you’ve come knocking… you will get just desserts.”
Zhuo Fan grinned and flicked Hu Mei’er away.
She landed hard and watched him with fear.
Zhuo Fan waved her off, “Take a hike, I’ll leave you with a warning. This is far from over, your reckoning is at hand!”
Hu Mei’er chilled and quaked as she stumbled away, far from this monster.
Never had she felt such dread as she did from Zhuo Fan and wished to leave this place at once.
How ironic, she had come to suck him dry only to enter the wolf’s jaws instead.
Kui Lang and Yue Ling wanted to chase but forwent it on account of Zhuo Fan’s icy face.
Being in a demonic sect for so long they knew not to encroach on a strong man’s dignity. With Zhuo Fan here, their opinions were moot. Or dealing with that fox would earn this big shot’s ire.
For now, at least, they let their bitter enemy alone to live another day.
Glancing over, Zhuo Fan said, “Clever, you know how to defer to me, though it’s also what saved you. There’s no point in venting, adding to your crimes and nullifying your return to the inner sect.”
“What?” The two cried out, “Return?”
Zhuo Fan nodded, “I’ve been inquiring around for you. In light of your great achievements in the Labor Office, the elders and Venerables are going to pardon you. Or Hu Mei’er wouldn’t have taunted you after targeting the kids. It’s all smoke and mirrors to hide their true plan.”
[So that’s why!]
Kui Lang and Yue Ling rejoiced at the near miss they just survived. They’d have plenty of time for revenge once they are back in the inner sect, no pressure.
Two lives for one was so not worth it.
“Steward Zhuo, why did you spare her?” Kui Lang wondered, “You’re not in the Labor Office because of punishment, killing her was just a disciple dispute, within your right and rules. It might even get you out of labor duty and straight into inner sect.”
Zhuo Fan shook his head, “I’d be leaving myself open. Killing her here would force her handler to implicate others and your return to the inner sect might even fail. Besides, I have different plans. She’s not worthy of dying at my hand.”
Kui Lang and Yue Ling had puzzled looks.
[Do his words have another meaning?]
Zhuo Fan laughed at their looks since they didn’t know the intricate political schemes the higher ups employed.
“Now why have you come for me?” He eyed the four despite knowing all about it.
With a bow, the gang recalled their objective and said, “Steward Zhuo, we have come for Yue’er…”
“I’ve made up my mind and that won’t change. No amount of begging will help.” Zhuo Fan cut her off, turning away, “Having debated with Elder Yuan on Dao, he understands the most. Ever wondered why he isn’t here as well?”
Yue Ling gasped.
They had asked Elder Yuan to come as well but he knew nothing would change.
[Zhuo Fan is a true man of ambition, never going back on his words, never regretful of his decisions.]
All sighed.
Then Zhuo Fan added, “Although, your timing is perfect. I need you to do something for me.”
“Steward Zhuo has saved my son and I would go through hell or high water for you!” Kui Lang declared.
Yue Ling cupped her hands as well though she wasn’t into it, having lost the jovial mood.
Zhuo Fan knew she wasn’t much keen on doing anything since he stopped helping her baby sister half way.
But Zhuo Fan did it on purpose, all for this moment.
“Not from you, but from the juniors.” Zhuo Fan spoke
The two jerked, [What could he have for them?]
Zhuo Fan grinned, “I need them to deal with someone.”
“Who?” All echoed.
“Hu Mei’er.”
“What?!”
Startled, the four couldn’t believe their ears. He wanted the kids to deal with a 3rd layer of Radiant Stage cultivator?
Besides the fact, this task was impossible, Hu Mei’er’s life was in his hands just now yet he let her go. The hell had he been thinking, sending kids after her?
Expecting this reaction, Zhuo Fan smiled, “Not right now of course, but in three months, when the outer sect promotion ends and the inner promotion begins. I want everyone to see that outer disciples can beat an inner disciple.”
“This can’t be!”
Kui Lang was incredulous, “The inner disciples are all excellent talents showcased in the outer sect competition. They all show promise of reaching Radiant Stage within five years of becoming an inner disciple. And that Hu Mei’er is in the 3rd layer, even more well known, with a high chance of being chosen as an elite. What can two children do against a Radiant Stage expert at their level? Steward Zhuo, if you hate them so much, I would do it in their stead and appease your anger.”
“You’ll do no such thing. I can kill her anytime I want. I’ve only let her go so that she’d attract attention in the inner competition after losing to some juniors. I want her to be disgraced. You and Yue Ling better not do anything the following few months, or you’ll be sorry.” Zhuo Fan snorted.
Kui Lang sighed.
[This Steward Zhuo is a deep mastermind in one moment and a spoiled brat the next.] For the kids to finish that woman on the stage would definitely make her a disgrace but the question was, could they do it?
They were a stage of cultivation below her. Everyone knew the difference between Radiant Stage and Profound Heaven Stage.
But then he turned to the anomaly in front of him and words left him.
[He might be the only monster in the Profound Heaven Stage as strong as a peak Radiant Stage.]
Kui Lang shook his head, “Steward Zhuo, not everyone is as special as you. The only time they might be her match is in ten years.”
“Enough baloney, I am asking them. It’s their choice. I will personally teach them in these three months, guaranteeing their rise.”
“Be that as it may, there’s no way they’d reach the 3rd layer of Radiant Stage in such a short time. They’re going to die.” Kui Lang lamented, “If an outer disciple challenges an inner disciple, they have all the right to kill the former.”
Yue Ling nodded.
Ignoring the two Labor Office bosses, Zhuo Fan turned to his victims, “Well, any complaints? I’m looking at you, Yue’er. To boost you, I’ll have to give you a Heaven Reaching Pill. Better think it over.”
Kui Gang shook his head in the end, offering his apologies while stepping back.
He had just gotten better and his body had grown a level. His future was limitless and he didn’t need to take unnecessary risks.
While Yue’er’s gaze hardened and she nodded, “I agree.”
“Fool, do you want to die?” Yue Ling cried.
Yue’er gave an innocent smile, “Sister, I do not care about my stagnant cultivation but I do know that I will become your weakness. Here is a chance to not only advance but defeat our enemy. I have to try. At worst, you’ll just refuse to see me as your little sister and I won’t drag you down anymore.”
“Oh child, you’ve never burdened me.” Yue Ling rubbed her head, choking with emotion.
Zhuo Fan jumped up and grabbed Yue’er, “Good, you’ll be following me for the next three months!”
And the two blinked away.
Yue Ling panicked, looking everywhere but finding nothing. All she heard was Zhuo Fan’s disembodied shout, “People, I’ll give you the new and improved Yue’er in three months. Look forward to it, ha-ha-ha…”
