Chapter 82 - Shocking Fame (2/2)
Among the melodious chirping of the garden birds, the chess pieces being moved made for a calming rhythm.
Suddenly, a wail broke the blissful peace, “Lord Father, something big just happened…”
A two hundred kilo round ball of flesh rolled next to the emperor. He shook the very earth he stepped on and threw the chess match into a mess.
Rubbing his forehead, the emperor smiled dejectedly at the other man, who only smiled understandingly.
“Cong’er, didn’t I tell you to face all events with calm? And haven’t you noticed that I am playing chess with Mr. Sima?”
“Y-yes, I know my wrongs.” Yuwen Cong rushed a bow to the emperor and the elderly, then wiped the sweat from his forehead.
“Speak, what is the matter?”
The emperor held on to another chess piece, not minding his son.
Yuwen Cong forced his excitement down and said in a grave tone, “Reporting to Lord Father, Hell Valley’s Seventh elder was killed a month ago!”
The chess piece in the emperor’s hand clanked on the board and he looked at the frowning Mr. Sima.
“Who did it?” The emperor then turned his hardened face towards Yuwen Cong.
Seeing no one around, Yuwen Cong whispered, “It is someone from the clan we are currently endorsing, Luo clan’s steward, Zhuo Fan. A month ago, something got into him that he killed the seventh elder of Hell Valley in Blue Expanse City under everyone’s eyes. It was also revealed that he was the one who killed Hell Valley’s two other elders in Windgaze City and used Veiled Dragon Pavilion as a patsy.”
“What? A brat killed Hell Valley’s three elders, their precious You Guiqi included? What guts!” Mr. Sima said to the emperor, “Your Majesty, how should we handle it?”
The emperor evoked a faint smile and kept playing chess, “If it only involved the seven houses, it would’ve posed a headache. But as matters stand, You Wanshan won’t have the cheek to complain to me. Don’t let them snuff out the Luo clan. This pearl of mine is about to reveal it’s splendor, ha-ha-ha…”
Bam!
The emperor slammed the chess piece with delight.
Yuwen Cong looked long at the emperor then bowed and left.
***
Prime minister’s residence in the Imperial Capital.
Prime Minister Zhuge Changfeng laid on a rocking chair with half-closed eyes, swaying gently. Suddenly, a black shadow whispered in his ear.
“What?”
Zhuge Changfeng flashed his eyes open in shock, then sighed, “The balance between the seven houses is now askew. I will need to make ample preparations for the aftermath.”
And he resumed his previous state, gently swaying on the rocking chair.
***
High Priest’s residence in Imperial Capital.
A white-haired elder was reading through some information delivered by one of his men. As he read through, a frown appeared on his forehead and he signaled his men to withdraw.
With shaking steps deigning his old appearance, the elder walked into the observatory and looked up towards the sea of stars, “The star of war is near and turmoil is on our doorsteps. A spark is enough to light this powder keg! The ruler is about to change, I only hope the people can weather the storm.”
***
Veiled Dragon Pavilion’s headquarters.
Pavilion Lord Long Yifey and some elders were in a meeting, but two young people were also present, Long Jie and Long Kui. Because of their efforts and brilliant conduct, seven days ago, Long Yifey officially allowed them to participate in the elder council, pleasing the two to no end.
“Recently, Xiao Kui and Xiao Jie have displayed impeccable conduct. I propose to send them to cultivate under the Grand Elder and learn the house’s profound ranked martial art.”
Long Yifey smiled looking at the two and spoke with pride.
Third elder commented with a hardened look, “These two kids progressed well, however, they are only average by contrast with the other houses’ genius disciples.”
“How? Third elder, don’t underestimate us. We are on the verge of breaking through to the Bone Tempering Stage.” Long Kui protested while Long Jie was in accord, “Third elder is right. I heard rumors that Sword Marquise Abode’s Xie Tianyang became a Bone Tempering expert three years prior. We are still far behind him.”
“Xiao Jie is so modest! You will do great deeds in the future!”
Godeye Long Jiu nodded with satisfaction, a black crow perched on his shoulder; the Soul Devouring Crow he got from Zhuo Fan. Looking at the bird, Long Jiu couldn’t help his expression softening.
“If you two brats were half a man my brother Zhuo is, you’d be training our passed down profound ranked martial art by now.”
“Humph, Uncle Jiu, why bring him into this?” Long Kui always became irritated whenever she heard Zhuo Fan’s name, “He is cocky, brash, and doesn’t want to join Veiled Dragon Pavilion. Even if he has a smidgen of talent, that doesn’t make his rise guaranteed. We will undoubtedly surpass him.”
A man suddenly barged in while shouting, “Urgent report, Pavilion Lord!”
Third elder waved him away after taking the report and read it. The next moment, his hand froze and the paper drifted to the floor.
“What’s wrong, third elder?”
Long Jiu picked up the paper in worry, never having seen third elder so spooked. But the contents left his sole eye in tears.
“Good brother, I owe you again.”
“What is all this about?” Long Yifey was inquisitive like the rest of the people present and took the paper.
His brows shook and his voice betrayed his excitement, “Hell Valley’s You Guiqi was killed by Zhuo Fan in Blue Expanse City!”
“What?!”
Everyone was dumbstruck.
Who hadn’t heard of You Guiqi? He was the greatest headache of everyone, especially for Long Jiu, who had his eye stolen in You Guiqi’s ploy.
Yet this dreadful man was killed by Zhuo Fan. Their shock was understandable. Even Long Jie and Long Kui had heard of You Guiqi’s infamy, after all, he was a man feared by all elders of the Veiled Dragon Pavilion.
They instantly felt how far behind Zhuo Fan had left them.
“Ha-ha-ha, well done!” Long Yifey burst in laughter, “I was right in my decision. This kid is a dragon among men. Increase our support to the Luo clan and send some men to safeguard their clan. I’m sure we all can agree on that.”
It was a unanimous decision. Not even the elders who were against Long Yifey proposing an alliance with Zhuo Fan showed any complaint.
After all, none of them here could do what Zhuo Fan did, sending that You Guiqi to his grave.
And the Veiled Dragon Pavilion was just the beginning. The continent’s clans soon came to know of this affair. Among the shocks and cries of joy, Zhuo Fan’s name was etched in the minds of many clan leaders.