Chapter 207 - The Velvet Glove and the Iron Hand (1/2)

Sensing Zhuo Fan’s unnatural disposition, Luo Yunchang smiled widely as she cajoled, “Zhuo Fan, Yunhai is still just a child. He can’t be…”

A light flick of his hand cut her off. Zhuo Fan had his eyes fixed on Luo Yunhai, cold as ice, “Kid, is this your final decision?”

Even a Profound Heaven expert would feel his knees soften and scalp going numb when Zhuo Fan stared at him like a viper. Luo Yunhai was still wet behind his ears and the effect was even worse.

Despite hesitating, Luo Yunhai’s nod was firm, “Big bro Zhuo can kill them if he wants. But I do not believe they should die by our hands!”

[Humph, naive!]

Li Jingtian and Yan Song chuckled.

Zhuo Fan squinted and turned to the traitors. His gaze sent shivers down their spines and made their hearts feel as if it would explode in their chests.

In the end, Zhuo Fan had the final say. The only good thing about the wimp Luo Yunhai was his title as future Clan Head – emphasis on the ‘future’.

But out of everyone’s expectations, Zhuo Fan nodded a sigh, “No choice then. I really wanted to waste them, but since Clan Head spoke, we shall do it as he decided. Elder Yan, release them!”

“En-, come again?”

Yan Song was dumbfounded, “Steward Zhuo, are you sure?”

Getting a nod, Yan Song removed their restrictions and the traitor found themselves free to move.

They cautiously watched Zhuo Fan while gazing at Luo Yunhai baffled. They were in denial, never believing the ruthless Zhuo Fan would defer to a wimpy kid.

Their hearts were in chaos, not knowing what to do. So they began kowtowing in thanks for having their lives spared, but no clue as to who to thank!

They were still baffled. Should they be thanking Zhuo Fan or the kid?

“Now that Clan Head spared you, take a hike! But Elder Cai, I still feel the need to stress something…” Zhuo Fan’s eyes flashed as his tone dropped, “You will never get the chance to use the Luo clan to rise!”

Shuddering, Cai Rong understood his hidden meaning. He sighed, taking his son and the other two through the door.

Zhuo Fan’s meaning was simple. The Luo clan was strong enough to fend off the seven houses. The Cai clan also had a stake in this powerful clan but, unfortunately, he was blinded by the seven houses’ exaggerated renown and jumped aboard the wrong boat.

The Luo clan’s future was going to be one of constant development and the seven houses could no longer look down on them. But this no longer concerned this father and son pair. They brought this on themselves!

Once the four were gone, all eyes were on Zhuo Fan, finding him unlike his usual self today. This was the very first time he relented the decision in favor of another.

To a kid no less!

Luo Yunhai was baffled as well. He recalled how every time he ever talked back when they were fleeing for their lives, Zhuo Fan would hit him good.

Zhuo Fan, a servant, took advantage of his master’s plight and vented. But this time…

“Big brother Zhuo, you aren’t yelling at me for going against your decision?” Luo Yunhai blinked.

Zhuo Fan smiled, “Kid, you are Luo Clan Head and I the steward. Any advice is just that, advice. It is up to you to follow it. There’s no disobedience here at all. Moreover, I said you have to deal with them, not kill them outright. Letting go of a few ants would hardly matter!”

The others exclaimed in realization, while also admiring Zhuo Fan.

Zhuo Fan may be cunning and deceitful, but he always held the benefit of the Luo clan above all else. He could have easily taken control of everything, but he instead worked tirelessly to raise Luo Yunhai into handling the clan’s affairs. This was a clear cut sign he was willing to relinquish his power.

What man in a powerful position would ever think of giving it all away?

What the others didn’t know was that Zhuo Fan prepped everything ever since the clan’s misfortune. He didn’t want a puppet but a truly strong clan.

Otherwise, he would’ve been better off if he had made his own faction instead!

“Sigh, I am both assured and sad by your decision!” Zhuo Fan shook his head and sighed.

Luo Yunhai asked curiously, “Big brother Zhuo, how can you be both?”

“You may not realize, but I am assured since you gathered up the nerve to stand up to me. As for sadness, that is because you are walking a completely opposite path from mine. All my time teaching you had gone down the drain!”

Luo Yunhai looked to her sister for an answer, but everyone was a s clueless as he was.

Smiling wryly, Zhuo Fan elaborated, “Every single ruler, be it a king, sect leader, or a mere Clan Head, rises to their position through their own way. There are of course thousands, tens of thousands of ways, but they all can be narrowed down to two. One is ruling the people with a velvet glove, and the other with an iron hand! When I do things, I don’t need a reason. While you, kid, started preaching about righteousness and loyalty. Sigh, our paths are indeed opposite! “

They all started smiling wryly, with Luo Yunchang teasing, “With the Luo clan always having Steward Zhuo around, everyone started shaking in fear every day. Fearing they’d slip up and get a tongue lashing from you. If Yunhai ends up like you, the clan would be done for!”

They all burst out laughing.