Translator: StarReader
“You know you’re wasting time, so why are you still here? If you run late and the young master isn’t satisfied, I for one can’t suffer the consequences and you sure as hell can’t either!”
Flicking his sleeve, Zhuo Fan strutted forth. He might as well go with the flow and take the play as far as it took him.
The Quanrong grew tense. [This outrageous thing is afraid of his young master? This clan must have harsh rules, with experts in droves!]
[So much so that the steward who has such godlike power isn’t of high status in the clan and has to cater to the young lord’s whims?]
Everyone knew the strong ones in the clan were revered and even the Clan Head watched his tone around them, let alone the young master.
[From the sound of it, he isn’t much in the clan. But what does that make his clan, an abomination?]
Pff!
Yongning and Yun Shuang shared a sneaky smile and the people hid their joy.
All of Tianyu knew of Zhuo Fan by now, a steward in name yet the de-facto leader of the Luo clan in the Clan Head’s absence. Only gooks would actually fall for his antics.
And the Quanrong were shaking in their boots.
With the intel and their numbers, they figured they’d boss Tianyu around, with no house or clan messing with them.
Reality proved otherwise, however. They’d just met a servant who was a Profound Heaven expert while their steward was a godlike freak capable of doing anything.
Case in point, didn’t the steward wipe the floor with their general’s mount?
It was by this clan’s grace that they weren’t dead already.
The Quanrong slumped, losing their haughty air. A handsome youth even cupped his hands, “My subordinate was too impulsive and I apologize for the trauma he caused!”
[Thugs on the outside yet pushovers at heart.]
His attitude earned the contempt of everyone. Be that as it may, having the delegation apologize for its transgressions was enough, no?
Tell that to Zhuo Fan. He never once looked at them, treating them like air as he turned to Yun Shuang, “What are you standing around for? Back to shopping!”
[Ridiculous!]
Zha Lahan’s eyes spat fire, his fists tight.
The princess snickered inside, yet not quite content with how subdued the drama was. She wanted it blown sky high and pointed at the Quanrong, “Steward Zhuo, how are we to do that when they’re blocking the road?”
Zhuo Fan eyed her for a second, picking up on the glint in her look.
[Perfect timing. Let’s get those guys to act and get a feel of the situation, shall we?]
“Hold on while I deal with this!”
Turning a cold look to the Quanrong, he walked over, “The imperial capital’s main street is for walking, not parading your pets. Anything on all four, out!”
“What did you say?”
Zha Lahan snapped, his muscles tightening like steel, his body primed to explode any minute.
The youth next to him turned glum. Zhuo Fan was treading on thin ice.
The Quanrong were beast-rearing people, they’d lived all their lives among them. Asking them to throw their beasts out was like demanding them to give up their advantage and pride. The answer was an obvious no.
The eight houses’ people on the second floor snorted.
Most of them had first hand knowledge of Zhuo Fan’s style. He’d even steal candy from a baby. No low was beneath him. He’d wrung them off of all dignity and still act like the sore loser.
Per Zhuo Fan’s m.o., he’d first taunt his victim so he’d act in self defense leading them to strike first. The result? [Of course beating the crap out of you, all while standing on the moral high ground. Let’s see if anyone can top that!]
How many innocent victims had fallen under Zhuo Fan’s malignant thumb, with nowhere to vent their loss and were forced to suffer in silence?
Everyone knew that. Zhuo Fan’s infamy was practically built on it. Exceptions being the Quanrong, the new guys, the fresh meat; falling for it hook, line and sinker.
There wasn’t a soul out here who wasn’t snickering inside, waiting for the show to start.
[That’s what you get for being obnoxious. Clueless as you are, you should keep your head down anywhere near Zhuo Fan…]
The Quanrong youth walked up to Zhuo Fan, his heart unsettled. A deep breath helped a bit before he began, “We are Quanrong warriors, our beasts never leave our side. We only know how to advance and never retreat. If you are capable, then you can make the spiritual beasts fall back!”
The people cried [Holy moly!] inside.
Zhuo Fan blinked once, then stared back, an evil grin playing at the corner of his mouth.
“That kid sure is something.” Long Xingyun sighed. The rest agreed.
His words were impeccable. Neither an outright refusal nor taking it lying down, but he had shifted the issue onto Zhuo Fan. To have him deal with it.
Everyone knew the youth probably had no clue what Zhuo Fan was made of, thus he chose the middle ground to neither sound threatening nor a coward, thinking that Zhuo Fan was a man of importance. It was a perfect blend of tone and words to defend his self-respect.
And thus he had dumped the issue on Zhuo Fan’s head.
Failing to scare the beasts back would put Zhuo Fan on the spot; two birds with one stone.
He had avoided the taunt and forced the other person to take action.
Now it begged the question, who on earth could push back a thousand spiritual beasts? Not even Quanrong’s best beastmaster could do it.
The Quanrong watched the youth with gratitude and gave Zhuo Fan a wide grin.
Long Xingyun gasped, inspecting the youth, “Who is he? So young yet versed in politics and strength.”
Luo Yunhai nodded, “He is leader material, with an air about him that could’ve only been gained in battle.”
“Ha-ha-ha, brother, your eyes are getting sharper.”
Four people stepped on the second floor, the Four Tigers of Tianyu. Looking at the stand-off outside, Dugu Feng laughed, “We’ve been waiting for the delegation to reach the Imperial Palace’s gates yet they just wouldn’t show. Turns out the scamp cut them off.
“I just can’t make sense of him. He’s picking a fight with anyone! He isn’t called Tianyu’s number one thorn for nothing, ha-ha-ha…”
“Big brother, could you please not talk like that. It wasn’t Zhuo Fan who started it this time!” Luo Yunchang tried to salvage the situation.
Dugu Feng smiled, “Brother is so jumpy, but I didn’t mean it as Steward Zhuo’s responsibility. We had figured there’ll be some hostilities with the Quanrong. That’s what happens when we battle each other for years and years. Their delegation is only here to showcase their superiority, something we planned for. Yet here they are, dead in their tracks, and saving us plenty of trouble too!”
The others understood.
[Their march to the Imperial Palace was to set up their powerful position, cut short by Zhuo Fan’s interference.]
[Sigh, it’s a darn shame too.]
It was one thing to raise your tone against the Four Tigers of Tianyu, and a whole nother against Zhuo Fan.
“By the way, brother, do you know that youth?” Luo Yunhai asked.
Dugu Feng sighed, “Not just know him, but he is an old rival. He is the Quanrong Empire’s commander Tuoba Tieshan’s only son, Tuoba Liufeng!”
“He’s a young commander?” Luo Yunhai exclaimed, “I was wondering why I got a general’s vibe from him.”
Dugu Feng nodded, his eyes fixed on the youth, “Tuoba Liufeng is shrewd, brave and adept in leading his men. A bit on the young side, but he has earned his place in the army. We four have tangled with him more times than I can count, and always came at a disadvantage. They say he will take his father’s place, a prime candidate to be the next commander!”
Luo Yunhai’s eyes trembled and he ingrained the youth’s image in his mind.
The next Quanrong Empire’s commander meant their future enemy.
“Elder brother, what about the others?” Luo Yunhai asked.
Dugu Feng said, “There are Eight Wolf Wardens under Quanrong Empire’s commander, of great mettle and are unstoppable. Three of them are currently present!”
Dugu Feng pointed at the tough guy stirring trouble, “He is second among the Eight Wolf Wardens, Savage Wolf Zha Lahan. His innate power and unmatched bravery paint him as someone able to tear apart a 5th-level spiritual beast. A fierce opponent.
“That one there is Obscure Wolf, Hu Lianchai. In charge of intelligence and scouting; a hidden danger.” Dugu Feng pointed at the thin figure, “He isn’t much to look at, but he is sure to be watching you. His operatives are sharp and capable.” “
Luo Yunhai nodded. Dugu Feng turned to a masked man with only half his face visible, “That is Quanrong Empire’s most famous archer, ranked third in the Eight Wolf Wardens, the Sky-piercing Wolf, Zhe Bie. His Heaven-shaking Bow and Cloud-nailing Arrow are 6th-grade spiritual weapons. His shots are deadly, taking out the enemy generals. Even the Marshal suffered at his hands. He is one opponent you can hardly guard against.”
