Chapter 52 - Departure (1/2)

“Young miss, come with me.”

Zhuo Fan beckoned Luo Yunchang. She was unclear as to the reason, but she followed nonetheless. She was filled with glee as she saw so many things brought from the Imperial family over the past few days.

Especially with two elders standing watch, Luo clan was becoming stronger day by day. She was so moved that she was lost for words. It got so far that she even let Zhuo Fan’s disappearance for these past three months slide.

“Steward Zhuo, is there something?”

Luo Yunchang smiled as they entered a small room. Zhuo Fan closed the windows and doors without replying. Her thoughts started going in a particular direction and her face flushed.

“Zhuo Fan, w-what are you trying to do?” Luo Yunchang was bashful.

Taking a deep breath, Zhuo Fan began, “I’m leaving!”

“What?”

Luo Yunchang stood there in shock. She had a face of complete disbelief, wondering if she had heard him wrongly. Only when Zhuo Fan repeated was she certain.

“Why, Luo clan is growing and is already the number one clan in Windgaze City. Why do you want to leave?”

“For Luo clan’s safety!”

Zhuo Fan’s tone was grave, “Luo clan is safe, for now. And there’s no other clan around to mess with it. But remember what we had to do in exchange for all this.”

“We accepted the Imperial family’s vague Secret Pearl Order and offended the Seven Noble Houses’ Hell Valley. As for Veiled Dragon Pavilion, if we do not rise to the level of the seven houses, they will change their stance with us!”

“Then we need you even more. What will we do without you?” Luo Yunchang teared up, her heart was unwilling to let him go. In a blink, a glittering tear fell.

Wiping her tears away with a gentle touch, Zhuo Fan said, “Fatty was right about one thing, a clan’s foundation is strength. I am leaving now to bring back experts for the Luo clan, to protect our future.”

“This is the control method of the four arrays around Blackwind Mountain. Only you must use it. If I’m not back in time, you can activate the arrays to deal with any trouble that arises. These are four 5th-grade arrays, plus the Wraith Array in the Misty Forest, it should defend you for a good while.”

Zhuo Fan gave a jade slip to Luo Yunchang, who accepted it in tears. She asked softly, “How long will you be gone?”

Sighing, Zhuo Fan shook his head, “I don’t know. But I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

He wasn’t leaving just to recruit experts, but also to search for the Heavenly Emperor’s remnant Long Jiu talked about, Lightning Canyon. At any given time, raising one’s power was the most basic way to guarantee one’s safety.

“Alright, go now. Send Captain Pang and Yunhai in.”

Nodding, Luo Yunchang left but stopped to kiss Zhuo Fan. He froze for a moment and watched her leave with a deep look.

Luo Yunchang blushed but didn’t turn around as she mumbled, “Come back soon.”

When the words came, she was already gone.

Not a moment later, Captain Pang brought Luo Yunhai over. Even they were shocked that Zhuo Fan was leaving.

“Silly kid, you’re the only man of the Luo clan. Your sister will have to rely on you in the future. You must act like a true Clan Head who bears the Luo clan’s responsibilities.” Zhuo Fan patted Yunhai’s shoulder.

Luo Yunhai nodded while sobbing.

Turning to Captain Pang, Zhuo Fan’s hand flashed and revealed a jade slip. But when Captain Pang was about to take it, Zhuo Fan clenched his fist.

Captain Pang looked at him in doubt.

Zhuo Fan stared hard at him, “Pang Yu, do you remember what Long Kui said? She is right, with your talent, you’ll only be a Qi Condensation cultivator at best.”

Captain Pang’s face darkened, his hand shivered and withdrew a bit.

“But,” Zhuo Fan’s tone turned grave, “Nothing is set in stone. I have on me a way to change your body anew, to gain incredible power. But the terror you will experience would be worse than death and the pain unimaginable. Are you willing?”

Captain Pang was stunned, then he was overjoyed.

“Truly?”

Nodding, Zhuo Fan raised the jade slip, “This is a mid profound ranked demonic method, Wraith Art! It is unlike other cultivation methods. It is a cultivation method for the body, ignoring one’s talent for cultivation or his constitution. Just that cultivating it will make your life a living hell. It’s no different from being boiled alive. And once you start, you can never stop or your soul will perish!”

Captain Pang licked his dry lips, yet he wasn’t afraid, his eyes only held excitement.

“No worries. As long as I can become strong, no torment shall best Old Pang.” Captain Pang snatched the jade slip as he shouted.

Zhuo Fan reminded him, “The horrors you will experience from cultivating it aren’t something you can fathom. Maybe you will be under such a pain that your mind will collapse and die in the end. This is a mid profound ranked cultivation method, matching a high profound ranked cultivation method, but with the process being so excruciating, many great demonic cultivators never even dared to touch it. Choose wisely!”

Waving his hand, Captain Pang’s eyes flickered.

“Brother Zhuo, Old Pang’s only torment in this life was to see Clan Head die before me and unable to stop it. Now, my greatest wish is to protect Young miss and Young master.”

Captain Pang looked gratefully, “Brother Zhuo, thank you for giving me this chance to have no more regrets.”

Zhuo Fan’s heart shivered as he nodded. His eyes held respect.

“The next time we see each other, I hope to see a powerful Old Pang and not a corpse!”