The Steward Demonic Emperor

Chapter 668: Hand in the Shadow

Proofreader: Papatonks

With dusk approaching, the judge declared today’s fight over, “The 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.”

The judge ended with a bitter look in Zhuo Fan’s direction. 

As if to say, [It’s 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 you’re involved? First was the lower three sects round now the middle three sects challenge round. Do you enjoy playing that much? Can’t 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 isn’t trying to dupe us, is he?]

Then again, tricking them wouldn’t earn him anything. Their elder brother’s 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 didn’t wipe us out is already fortunate. What more could we ask?]

Therefore, Demon Soul Sect’s 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 that…]

“Middle three sects, middle three sects…”

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, “Curses, it was freakin’ 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 I’m still dreaming. I’m so damn happy!”

“Humph, how can it ever compare to now?”

Fiend Yin sneered, “Double 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 weren’t 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-ha…”

Slapping Zhuo Fan’s shoulder hard, Fiend Yin laughed, but Zhuo Fan kept frowning and cursing on the inside.

[Hey, watch the hand, my right’s still healing!]

Though he didn’t say it, putting on a twitching smile and nodding. 

Fiend Gui praised as well. “Hear hear, on this Double Dragon Gathering, Zhuo Fan had earned the biggest credit. Without him, the disciples wouldn’t have the strength to even fight. They wouldn’t have what it takes to raise our sect’s 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… “

“You’re talking nonsense. Isn’t it obvious by now?”

Fiend Yang sneered, “Our position in the middle three sects is secured, and we even challenged two middle three sects. Even if it’s just team battles, it will certainly not drag us back when it comes to the final score. Speaking of drag, I’m still annoyed that damn Mystical Heaven Sect played us… “

“Alright, alright, it’s all in the past now. Our objective is how to keep challenging!” Fiend Yin interrupted him.

Fiend Yang gave a heavy nod, turning serious, “The 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 sect’s. We must tread carefully…”

“Uh, Venerable sirs, sorry to interrupt.”

However, just as they were getting to the crux of it, a faint voice broke their focus. “Before we discuss the fighting tomorrow, could you perhaps heal me first? I feel my body is failing me…”

Whoosh!

Startled, the fiends turned around and saw Lu Xie’s weary look, lying on the ground with a miserable face like he was on his deathbed.

Fiend Yang’s face twitched as he cursed, “You 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 public’s respect for us and given Demon Scheming Sect a new look!”

“While 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 wouldn’t have been of any worth. You’d only be reviled. Thanks to Zhuo Fan’s 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?”

“It’s fine. He just couldn’t help it and got his punishment.”

Fiend Yang still wanted to go on, but Zhuo Fan stopped him with a smile, “Kui 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, he’s one of ours and shouldn’t bother him.”

Fiend Yang huffed and shook his head, “Zhuo Fan, I’m not talking about his character, but his brains. Originally, the demonic path wasn’t popular, but now that we’re 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, won’t he scare off our potential funders? We may be a demonic sect, but we still have principles, unlike those rogue demonic cultivators.”

“Hear, hear. We collect protection fees while those rogues only know to rob homes, ha-ha-ha…” Zhuo Fan chuckled.

Lu Xie didn’t like what he heard, “Then back with Heaven Trailing Sect, Steward Zhuo asking us to toy with them isn’t just as vile?”

“For god’s sake, here I am, taking your side, and you just had to make me look bad?”

He emphasized it with two kicks and grumbling. “I 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 we’re no pushovers. This will help future deals go much easier in our favor. It’s called preemptive strike, got it?”

“Hear that? Steward Zhuo is a brilliant man, not something a pigheaded guy like you could ever measure up to. You’ll only make a fool of yourself.” Fiend Yang cursed at the side, then turned to Zhuo Fan, “Sigh, we better teach this kid well, or who knows what trouble he might stir.”

“No worries, I’ll first heal him then teach him, he-he-he…” 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, “Lu Xie, what was that just now? Were you about to spill the beans about Han Yunfeng as well?”

“S-Steward Zhuo, I just don’t understand why you suddenly sent me a message to stall Han Yunfeng as much as I could. Why then do you now…” Lu Xie spoke fearfully.

Zhuo Fan squinted and held his right hand, “You did well when you stalled him, but if you dare say any word of this… “

“I’d never!” Lu Xie waved frantically.

“You’d better. Now stop asking questions.”

Zhuo Fan huffed and presented a vial in a flash of light. He threw it over. “Take this. Don’t come out in three days; you’ll be back in shape. You don’t have to join tomorrow’s challenge. Just heal up.”

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! You’re 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 me…]

Zhuo Fan just left Lu Xie’s 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, “Damn that Fiend Yin, he’s like a bull. But what’s with this healing rate? Just a little touch, and it’s already opened up again. It’s all thanks to Lu Xie’s stalling, or my wound would have been exposed the minute I fought.” 

Squinting, Zhuo Fan snickered to himself like a little weasel after his plan worked perfectly…