Proofreader: Papatonks
With dusk approaching, the judge declared todayâs fight over, âThe middle three sects challenge round had been going on for a long time, with each stage taking six hours each. The next challenge stage shall be held tomorrow.â
The judge ended with a bitter look in Zhuo Fanâs direction.
As if to say, [Itâs all your fault, you punk, for wasting our time.]
A whole day was wasted with just six single matches and one team battle in this yet unfinished middle three sects challenge round.
[Now you need two days for just three rounds? Why do you take your sweet time with it every time youâre involved? First was the lower three sects round now the middle three sects challenge round. Do you enjoy playing that much? Canât you go on a bit faster so I can lay to rest these weary bones a bit earlier?]
Zhuo Fan chuckled as if he knew what he was thinking. But then he turned his head away and rolled his eyes like it was not his problem.
The judge sighed and shook his head.
[Just how on earth did such an obnoxious freak come from the tiny Demon Scheming Sect, a lower three sect?]
After everyone dispersed, Zhuo Fan handed Han Yunfeng over to Demon Soul Sect with the promise that he would also heal his injuries before leaving.
The Demon Soul Sect still doubted that such a heavy injury could even be healed.
[The guy isnât trying to dupe us, is he?]
Then again, tricking them wouldnât earn him anything. Their elder brotherâs wound was self-inflicted as he insisted on going on with the challenge.
The Double Dragon Gathering used to be a cruel and bloody event.
[The fact they didnât wipe us out is already fortunate. What more could we ask?]
Therefore, Demon Soul Sectâs team looked at the frail Han Yunfeng, thinking of his future bumpy path ahead of him, and sighed.
[The best talent in our sect, ruined just like thatâ¦]
âMiddle three sects, middle three sectsâ¦â
Meanwhile, Fiend Yang took his team back, shouting all the time, filled with joy and bliss from the achievement.
Fiend Yang then felt like crying, âCurses, it was freakinâ hard too. Thinking back on our team in the last Double Dragon Gathering, of the ten of us, only four returned home. I never thought this time our disciples would come back in one piece and even earn us a middle three sect position. It feels like Iâm still dreaming. Iâm so damn happy!â
âHumph, how can it ever compare to now?â
Fiend Yin sneered, âDouble Dragon Gathering requires a team of ten to participate. Back then, most of those candidates were just replacements for the elders, and venerables stuck their candidates in to earn them some merits. They werenât worth a damn on the stage. Unlike this time, where we only had ten, each is an elite by himself. Especially Zhuo Fan, who is worth a hundred. Thinking of the team battle, he alone could finish them all off, ha-ha-haâ¦â
Slapping Zhuo Fanâs shoulder hard, Fiend Yin laughed, but Zhuo Fan kept frowning and cursing on the inside.
[Hey, watch the hand, my rightâs still healing!]
Though he didnât say it, putting on a twitching smile and nodding.
Fiend Gui praised as well. âHear hear, on this Double Dragon Gathering, Zhuo Fan had earned the biggest credit. Without him, the disciples wouldnât have the strength to even fight. They wouldnât have what it takes to raise our sectâs name. We even have the middle three sects and superior three sects coming to watch us. So when we return, the first thing we do is to reward Zhuo Fan. He is the future pillar of our Demon Scheming Sect, ha-ha-ha⦠â
âYouâre talking nonsense. Isnât it obvious by now?â
Fiend Yang sneered, âOur position in the middle three sects is secured, and we even challenged two middle three sects. Even if itâs just team battles, it will certainly not drag us back when it comes to the final score. Speaking of drag, Iâm still annoyed that damn Mystical Heaven Sect played us⦠â
âAlright, alright, itâs all in the past now. Our objective is how to keep challenging!â Fiend Yin interrupted him.
Fiend Yang gave a heavy nod, turning serious, âThe previous challenges were nothing to speak of, just small fries, while the next four sects are the real deal. Especially the top of middle three sects, the Sword God Sect. Their strength is very close to a superior three sectâs. We must tread carefullyâ¦â
âUh, Venerable sirs, sorry to interrupt.â
However, just as they were getting to the crux of it, a faint voice broke their focus. âBefore we discuss the fighting tomorrow, could you perhaps heal me first? I feel my body is failing meâ¦â
Whoosh!
Startled, the fiends turned around and saw Lu Xieâs weary look, lying on the ground with a miserable face like he was on his deathbed.
Fiend Yangâs face twitched as he cursed, âYou have the cheek to ask for help? What kind of brain do you have crammed in there to do what you did? You went as far as pushing the hardheaded Han Yunfeng to risk his life! Just look at Kui Lang and the others. They know a hero when they see one. Their actions have spurred the publicâs respect for us and given Demon Scheming Sect a new look!â
âWhile all you managed to do is get both of you on the deathbed, no one spares a look to you. You were seriously asking for it. Let me tell you, even if you did manage to beat him, it wouldnât have been of any worth. Youâd only be reviled. Thanks to Zhuo Fanâs final intervention, he patched up your mess. By the way, why would you even go so hard in blocking him anyway? Did you think he could have beaten Zhuo Fan?â
âItâs fine. He just couldnât help it and got his punishment.â
Fiend Yang still wanted to go on, but Zhuo Fan stopped him with a smile, âKui Lang and the other are the same as Han Yunfeng. They have potential, which resonated with him, unlike the petty Lu Xie, who squabbles over petty affairs and can never understand such bravery. Just leave him be. At the end of it all, heâs one of ours and shouldnât bother him.â
Fiend Yang huffed and shook his head, âZhuo Fan, Iâm not talking about his character, but his brains. Originally, the demonic path wasnât popular, but now that weâre a middle three sect, we may even get an entire empire for ourselves. The Double Dragon Gathering is the best chance to show off our mettle. But with his behavior, wonât he scare off our potential funders? We may be a demonic sect, but we still have principles, unlike those rogue demonic cultivators.â
âHear, hear. We collect protection fees while those rogues only know to rob homes, ha-ha-haâ¦â Zhuo Fan chuckled.
Lu Xie didnât like what he heard, âThen back with Heaven Trailing Sect, Steward Zhuo asking us to toy with them isnât just as vile?â
âFor godâs sake, here I am, taking your side, and you just had to make me look bad?â
He emphasized it with two kicks and grumbling. âI did it on purpose. Everything was for power and grace. Since we wanted people to see us have virtues, we had to also show them weâre no pushovers. This will help future deals go much easier in our favor. Itâs called preemptive strike, got it?â
âHear that? Steward Zhuo is a brilliant man, not something a pigheaded guy like you could ever measure up to. Youâll only make a fool of yourself.â Fiend Yang cursed at the side, then turned to Zhuo Fan, âSigh, we better teach this kid well, or who knows what trouble he might stir.â
âNo worries, Iâll first heal him then teach him, he-he-heâ¦â Zhuo Fan snickered as he dragged Lu Xie into his room.
The rest looked on and chuckled.
Bam!
In the room, Zhuo Fan threw Lu Xie on the bed, closed the door shut, then his face fell, âLu Xie, what was that just now? Were you about to spill the beans about Han Yunfeng as well?â
âS-Steward Zhuo, I just donât understand why you suddenly sent me a message to stall Han Yunfeng as much as I could. Why then do you nowâ¦â Lu Xie spoke fearfully.
Zhuo Fan squinted and held his right hand, âYou did well when you stalled him, but if you dare say any word of this⦠â
âIâd never!â Lu Xie waved frantically.
âYouâd better. Now stop asking questions.â
Zhuo Fan huffed and presented a vial in a flash of light. He threw it over. âTake this. Donât come out in three days; youâll be back in shape. You donât have to join tomorrowâs challenge. Just heal up.â
Zhuo Fan then walked out and slammed the door closed behind him.
Lu Xie bobbed his head. But when Zhuo Fan was gone, he gnashed his teeth. He stared at the door with bitter resentment.
[Damn you, Zhuo Fan! Youâre the one working from the shadows, and while I take the fall, you take the glory. You get the merit, and I get the can. Just you wait. This is far from over!]
Lu Xie turned to the vial Zhuo Fan threw and opened it after a moment of thought.
[This is just the interest of what you owe meâ¦]
Zhuo Fan just left Lu Xieâs room and then looked around. He returned to his room and took off his shirt. Looking at his right hand, still bleeding, he gritted his teeth and frowned, âDamn that Fiend Yin, heâs like a bull. But whatâs with this healing rate? Just a little touch, and itâs already opened up again. Itâs all thanks to Lu Xieâs stalling, or my wound would have been exposed the minute I fought.â
Squinting, Zhuo Fan snickered to himself like a little weasel after his plan worked perfectlyâ¦