Chapter 26, Invitation
The Steward Demonic Emperor
Translator: StarReader
Editor: Silavin
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Whoosh!
With a sudden boom, a figure appeared before the two, it was Long Jiu. His eyes were filled with excitement.
âWho set up the array just now?â
âUh, itâs...â
The two looked long at each other before Long Jie replied, âLuo clanâs steward, Zhuo Fan!â
âWhat, him?â
Long Jiu turned to the array and the more he examined it, the more shocked he got, âAn array master needs to know each array as the back of his hand and pours years and years into understanding heaven and earth. At my age, I can only set up 3rd grade arrays, so how can a pup set up a 5th grade array so quickly?â
Long Jiu seemed to be asking Long Kui and Long Jie, but it also seemed to be asking himself. The two only shook their heads.
It was unknown what kind of man Zhuo Fan was as he kept doing extraordinary and shocking things again and again. Even the two of them, born in a powerful clan, no longer dared to underestimate Zhuo Fan. They even felt inferior.
âGo and call the kid over. Uh, no, invite him. I want to speak to him.â Taking a look around, Long Jiu grinned.
The two cupped their hands and followed his order. Soon, in a pavilion in the garden behind the courtyard, Long Jiu served tea at a stone table. It didnât take long before Zhuo Fan came in, followed by Long Jie and Long Kui.
âHa-ha-ha, brother Zhuo Fan, sit.â Long Jiu laughed as he invited him.
Long Jie and Long Kui were shocked.
Brother Zhuo Fan?
Long Jiu had a high position in the clan, as such, the two of them called him uncle. Yet a proud man like Long Jiu only respected a handful of people in the Tianyu Empire.
But to call this kid âbrotherâ left the two stumped.
Zhuo Fan took it in stride however, sitting without hesitation. In his eyes, this was a world where the strong were respected. With enough strength, even this old manâs grandpa would call him brother.
âWhy has bro Jiu called for me?â Zhuo Fan wasnât a stickler for rules and poured himself some tea. He didnât seem to know the meaning of shame as he called Long Jiu bro without so much as a blush.
Long Kui couldnât even react. Long Jie rolled his eyes, cursing him for being shameless and taking advantage of circumstances.
But Long Jiu was overjoyed. Their relationship was now tighter and that was a good thing for him.
âBrother Zhuo Fan, since you called me bro Jiu, I wonât mince words. Iâll be honest with you, brother. For a 5th grade array master to stay in a fallen clan like the Luo clan is a sin. Itâs best if you join the Veiled Dragon Pavilion. We will even treat you as a Venerable. Even the Clan Head will have to show you respect.â
Long Kui and Long Jie never imagined Long Jiu wanted to invite Zhuo Fan as Veiled Dragon Pavilionâs Venerable.
That was the highest status in the Veiled Dragon Pavilion, even higher than an elder. How could a kid, still wet behind his ears, receive such honor?
Then again, Zhuo Fan was a 5th grade array master only in the Qi Condensation Stage. Any of the seven houses would invite such a person to be a Venerable.
Asking him to join the Veiled Dragon Pavilion was for the clanâs future.
Zhuo Fan sipped tea with a smile.
He knew of Long Jiuâs intention even before he came. Who wouldnât fight and seize a 5th grade array master in such an empire? Even the emperor would have to show him courtesy.
He foresaw this even as he set up the array.
âBrother Zhuo Fan, what do you say?â Long Jiu asked again.
Zhuo Fan grinned, âI have one condition.â
âIf itâs in Veiled Dragon Pavilionâs power, you can ask for anything.â Long Jiu expressed his consent.
âEven making her serve me tea, rub my feet, and warm my bed?â Zhuo Fan pointed at Long Kui.
Long Kuiâs cheeks flared red with anger, âKeep dreaming.â
Long Jiu had to shake his head in embarrassment, âItâs impossible with little Kui.â
âHa-ha-ha, itâs just a joke. I already have a young miss so why would I look for another?â Zhuo Fanâs eyes were radiant as he turned serious, âI want the Luo siblings... forever safe.â
Zhuo Fan paused after each word.
Long Jiu showed his admiration. He never expected for Zhuo Fanâs condition to be just this. Such devotion inspired respect from the three around him.
Even the always angry Long Kui looked at him longer.
âI agree. As long as the Veiled Dragon Pavilion exists, the Luo clan, not only this generation but its descendants will also live in peace.â
Smiling, Zhuo Fan sipped his tea again.
âThen from now on, you are Veiled Dragon Pavilionâs Venerable. I will report it to the clan and three days later, I will ask Ah Jie to escort you to the clan estate.â
âWait!â
Zhuo Fan raised his hand, âI didnât agree.â
âWhat? But just now...â Long Jiu stood in panic then glared at Zhuo Fan, âBrother Zhuo, were you messing around?â
Zhuo Fan turned serious, âIf it were 15 minutes ago, I wouldâve agreed without hesitation. But now...â
âWhat about ânowâ?â Long Jiuâs beard trembled.
Shaking his head, Zhuo Fan let out a mysterious smile as his voice turned cold, âYoung miss Long Kui, do you remember what you said?â
Zhuo Fan extended his fist, âWithin ten years, I will make the Luo clan stand above the seven houses!â
He down the tea in one gulp and smacked the cup on the table as he left.
Long Kui had a strange feeling watching his back.
It was impossible for a small clan to rise above the Seven Noble Houses in ten years, even if he was a 5th grade array master. The Seven Noble Housesâ reserves werenât something he alone could overcome.
But Zhuo Fanâs confidence left her without retort.
âLittle Kui, what did you say?â Long Jiu turned to the two. From Zhuo Fanâs expression, he knew Zhuo Fan was not lying. So, something must have happened earlier.
Long Kui only stared at Zhuo Fanâs back as Long Jie spoke after hesitating.
Long Jiu shook his head after hearing the story, âIâve said already not to insult people and cut at their shortcomings. Youâve insulted the Luo clan and they are sure to not take it lying down.â
âBut... what he said canât be achieved.â Long Jie muttered.
Long Jiu stroked his beard, âLuo clan has a 5th grade array master. Even if it wonât rise above the seven houses, it will still be well known in the land. Itâs best to get closer to it.
âWe were so close to having him as Venerable...â Long Jiu sighed as he fixed his eye on Long Kui.
Regarding Zhuo Fan, he went to Luo Yunchang, his mind going a mile a minute.
He could have completely put his heart demon to rest but chose not to because of Long Kuiâs words.
[Pipe dream? If we canât even dream, our only choice is to leave it up to fate.]
Demonic cultivators walked in defiance of heaven, fighting for their own fates. Zhuo Fan thus hated when someone told him that any goals he had was a pipe dream, that he should feel grateful for his fate.
He had to prove to everyone that even a fallen clan could reach the top one day. He no longer helped the Luo clan just for the sake of his heart demon, but also for his path as a demonic cultivator.
[Nothing in this world is impossible! If Heaven stands in my way, I will kill it. My fate is my own and not Heavenâs.]
The day shall come when he would rebuild this ruined clan to the best the world had ever seen! As long as Demonic Emperor Zhuo Yifan was here, nothing was impossible.
Bam!
Zhuo Fan slammed the door open full of anger.
Luo Yunhai, Luo Yunchang, and Captain Pang were startled. Luo Yunchang hesitated before building up the courage to speak to him, âZhuo Fan, what did grandfather Jiu want?â
âHe invited me to join Veiled Dragon Pavilion.â
The threeâs faces saddened. Despite being downhearted inside, Luo Yunchang strained a smile, âCongratulations, Veiled Dragon Pavilion will offer you a far more glorious future than Luo clan.â
She had a guess Zhuo Fanâs talent as a 5th grade array master would attract the seven housesâ invitation. The Luo clan would find it impossible to hold onto such a man.
Zhuo Fan snorted, âWhat are you sad about? I declined.â
âWhat?â
Shock was seen but happiness was the most obvious emotion, âWhy?â
âJust because. Iâll be in my room!â Zhuo Fan left without answering. But just before he was gone, he said coldly, âYoung miss, donât interfere in any future matters of the Luo clan, be it big or small.â
Luo Yunchang nodded absentminded. Wasnât it like this so far? Why did he bring this up?
Zhuo Fan then seemed to talk to her but also to himself.
âFrom now on, I am Luo clanâs steward. In ten years, I will raise the Luo clan above the Veiled Dragon Pavilion!â
His figure left with the last word, leaving the three in shock...