Proofreader: Papatonks
At the center of the stage, the three elders were holding a silk sheet and were constantly writing and calculating the sects’ scores. All were watching with tense faces.
However, that did not apply to the Demon Scheming Sect. They did not care much about those three oldies and swept the crowd.
Zhuo Fan pointed out as he explained, “No one must become fat in one haul, or the consequences would not be worth the gain. In the Double Dragon Gathering, we have earned a good result, enough to support the sect’s future and development for a long time. So, in the end, our ranking doesn’t matter. What we need to focus on is doing that without outside interference. That depends on checks and balances between the major sects present here. That’s where we need to focus.”
“Getting to be an underdog in the Double Dragon Gathering for a huge reward is only a small part of our gain in this competition. The real win is getting friendly with the sects.”
Zhuo Fan’s eyes flashed and pointed at each one, “Among the middle-three sects, Demon Soul Sect owes us a favor and should be friendly. The Sword God Sect became friends through battle and should be a good ally. As for the superior-three sects, although I heavily wounded Ye Lin, Wu Qingqiu is a man of honor and should be easy to get close to. Hellion Flame, by definition we have a little scuffle with them. But I don’t see any hatred in Yan Mo at us so we can consider them neutral…”
Zhuo Fan then frowned as he decided with a sigh, “Hellion Flame can be approached.”
“What?!”
His team cried out, “Zhuo Fan, you almost killed Yan Mo last time. How can we get close when he loathes us?”
Zhuo Fan nodded and said, “That’s called judging a book by its cover. Yes, Hellion Flame can be approached. While last time we fought, meeting Hellion Flame again, Yan Mo and the others did not hate us, fighting us just like everyone else. Although I don’t know why that happened, I am sure there’s no bad blood between us anymore.”
“They say love and hate are both sides of the same coin. If such deep hatred is resolved, we’ll become even closer.”
Clapping, Zhuo Fan came to the last names, “There are four sects we need to befriend, Ultimate Clarity Sect, Hellion Flame, Sword God Sect and Demon Soul Sect. They may very well help us avoid many troubles later on.”
“But we only made friends with four disciples. It’s not their venerables. How can they ask their sects to help us?”
Kui Gang asked hesitatingly.
The others looked at Zhuo Fan for an answer.
Zhuo Fan grinned, his eyes sparkling, “Ever heard of growing into one’s role? That means becoming friends before they become big to help you later. Every participant here is but a disciple, but all are pillars of their sect, especially the ones returning alive. They will become eminent figures. All those old timers back home are just going to offend these future bigshots? As long as the sect’s foundation ain’t threatened, they will listen. Especially with Wu Qingqiu and Ye Lin, they can even decide the sect’s future. That’s why it’s totally worth getting closer to them.”
“But, what trouble could we possibly have?” Yue’er frowned.
Zhuo Fan shook his head and patted her head, “Lass, you really have holes for eyes. In these days of Double Dragon Gathering, haven’t you realized how many toes we crushed? We need to keep our guard up around the Universal Righteous Sect, Heaven Trailing Sect, Mystical Heaven Sect and Beast Taming Sect. As to why they hate us, I’m sure you can tell.”
“Sigh, if I knew this, I wouldn’t have gone against them…” Fiend Yang shook his head. “It’s unclear if those new friends can be of help, but those four we really pissed them off. Nothing good will come of it.”
Zhuo Fan rolled his eyes and mocked, “You must be delusional. Joining the Double Dragon Gathering, you can offend anyone in the deathmatches, it’s the only way to go forward. The question is who to offend and who to get close to. The good thing is the sects we chose are all stronger than our enemies and far more trustworthy. The Universal Righteous Sect, for instance, throws away its own people. Even if we hadn’t messed with them, I still wouldn’t want to get anywhere near them.”
The rest nodded in unison.
“Moreover, there’s no absolute neutrality in this world. There are allies and enemies. Absolute neutrality will only make you a target. That’s why through these battles, I was choosing allies and your future enemies.”
“Us?”
Everyone looked at Zhuo Fan in shock.
Zhuo Fan grinned, “You’re going to know this sooner or later so I might as well tell you now. I’ve had a talk with the Sect Leader before coming here. After Double Dragon Gathering, I will be leaving the sect. What I say now is my last piece of advice for the Labor Office. Although I don’t much care for the Labor Office, but I raised it and don’t want to see it in danger of destruction. You will be the sect’s future bigshots and need to remember your allies and enemies. Otherwise, the Demon Scheming Sect will crumble after it sticks out of the crowd.”
“Wait, why are you leaving? You got all the credit for the Double Dragon Gathering and Sect Leader Ren will name you as the next…” Fiend Yang cried.
The others were anxious and nodded as well.
Zhuo Fan might be a bit harsh, but without him, there wouldn’t be a ‘them’. This made all of them appreciate him more.
Zhuo Fan smiled and waved, “You don’t have to say it. I only came with the Demon Scheming Sect because of a deal. Now that I have finished my part, it’s time to head home.”
[Home?]
They all looked at Zhuo Fan in shock as their hearts were overcome with sadness.
[Steward Zhuo has his own home.]
[He never saw the Demon Scheming Sect as one.]
Fiend Yang sighed and nodded. “Then we won’t force the issue. But remember, from now on, you don’t have just one home. All the disciples, elders and venerables at the Labor Office won’t ever forget you. No matter when you’ll return, you’ll always be Steward Zhuo!”
“The Labor Office never had a steward to begin with but ever since Steward Zhuo came, everyone always called you that. It sounds just like a clan’s. Brothers should be closer, to stand united and repel outsiders…” Yue Ling looked at him with a soft gaze.
The others also cherished Zhuo Fan.
Zhuo Fan’s eyelids shook. He didn’t care much for that place. He only saw it as a base to seize power. But he had to admit that he left something there after all.
From helping Yue’er and Kui Gang recover their cultivation, to establishing Elite Labor Office, laughing at the inner sect, all of it did make the disciples gain self-respect and power.
The Labor Office was a tight group now, no different from a home. But it was not what he yearned for.
Zhuo Fan took a deep breath and smiled, his journey in the Demon Scheming Sect had come to an end.
[And it wasn’t such a bad trip either…]
“The Double Dragon Gathering scores have been set. Please check them, Exalted!”
The elders on the stage had finished and they bowed as the judge declared.
Exalted Hei Ran took the silken sheet and nodded alongside Exalted Bai Mei.
The judge turned around, at the nine sects and shouted, “The nine sects ranks at the Double Dragon Gathering have been set. Disciples, step on the stage to hear Exalted’s words!”
“Yes!”
They all cupped their hands and assembled on the stage with hard looks. Even the heavily wounded Zhuo Fan was helped up.
Who fell, who rose? All was written clearly on that thin silk sheet…
