Chapter 241 - I’ll Be Your Father! (2/2)
[But, that’s fine as well. How else could I’ve had such leeway if this kid was immoral?]
Zhuo Fan felt like extending that Gu scholar a gesture of gratitude. [Thanks for having misled this mighty kid onto the path of a bookworm and off my kill list!]
Zhuo Fan rejoiced and showed a sneaky grin, “You must always listen to your godfather. He was right!”
Gu Santong nodded, falling for Zhuo Fan’s ploy like a baby.
“By the way, what did you mean when you said I reminded you of your dad?” Zhuo Fan’s eyes beamed.
Gu Santong blushed, turning meek as he mumbled, “When you held me as we charged in here and protected me from lightning, remind me of the time when dad protected me and told me to escape…”
“Oh, I see!”
Zhuo Fan exclaimed, [The kid took my act as fatherly love.] The difference here though was while that Gu guy loved kids, Zhuo Fan loved himself.
His ‘selfless’ act in protecting Gu Santong was all so he could have him under him, that his death would be such a pity. If the scenario was instead a one guaranteed survivor, Zhuo Fan wouldn’t hesitate to throw the kid to the wolves.
Who knew this act would lead to a huge misunderstanding instead?
So Zhuo Fan showed a queer smile, “Uh, Santong, how about I’ll be your dad?”
This rotten and shameless punk even had the balls to call the kid by his name to get closer.
Gu Santong seemed opposed to the idea, feeling quite awkward as well, “Why would I do that? I’m three hundred years old. And how old are you? That’s too queer…”
“What’s so queer about it? You may have three centuries over me, but you’re a child at heart and need looking after!” Zhuo Fan shouted his righteousness, his tone growing soft, “And we are also here by fate. I was fond of you the moment I saw you!”
“Really?” Gu Santong was expectant.
Zhuo Fan nodded. [Damn right I am. Particularly of your insane power. I like that the best! So hurry up and work under me like a good little soldier!]
Gu Santong rubbed his chin and lifted his head, “What’s in it for me?”
[Why you little prick!]
Zhuo Fan cursed inside, but he soon accepted the fact, since all kids were pricks, “I can protect you!”
“Do I even need your protection?”
“What was that just now then if not protection?” Zhuo Fan said, “Also, you may be unreasonably strong, but far too gullible and easy to dupe. Just think, if you hadn’t readily believed that guy’s lie ending up protecting the imperial family for a millenia, wouldn’t you be exacting revenge on the seven houses by now?”
“Accept me as your godfather and I will safeguard you, as well as show the world who they really are! Bloody bastards, dare to cheat my son? You must be tired of living!”
Zhuo Fan sputtered, talking big words that made Gu Santong laugh, but still couldn’t stop from making the kid feel warm inside, “We, father and son, are the strongest and smartest combination! Did you see that old guy and the four little shits listening to every word I say? They are all stronger than me but aren’t they still hanging on my every word? That is wisdom. The wise controls and so do the powerful…”
Gu Santong bobbed his head.
Zhuo Fan finished off with his biggest sales pitch, “Join me and with my power, no one will pick on you. Above all, you will never have to eat that garbage ingredients again. If I can find an 8th grade, I won’t ever give you a 7th grade!”
Zhuo Fan then showed him 20 7th grade ingredients, “As a token of my sincerity, these are all the 7th grade ingredients from my ring. I also admit all those other ingredients I’ve given you were already in my storage ring. Only the 8th grade ingredient had to be found. I truly had to enter the lightning array and suffer untold hardships for it!”
Zhuo Fan’s speech was impeccable, mixing truth and lies flawlessly and hiding his greatest offense in order to gain trust. He knew Gu Santong cared most about other’s intent to hurt him. It was a shadow left in his heart a long time ago. Zhuo Fan must never ever admit to having set the lightning array himself, ever.
“I know!”
Gu Santong took the ingredient, [He’s hooked!] as he drooled, “I still had my doubts about you trying to harm me, but now I trust you. Since you are forthcoming with the ingredients from your ring, I’m sure there is nothing else hidden.”
Zhuo Fan nodded and sighed inside. [How can I feel at ease leaving this gullible child all alone in the world? Most of all, letting others use him would be poor judgment from my part. That’ll cause me endless trouble! He’s far more fitting in the care of my adequate and fatherly hands, he-he-he…. ]
“As for you hiding ingredients, I knew it already!”
“You did?” Zhuo Fan was shocked. If the kid did know and with his temper, he’d have stolen them by now from Zhuo Fan. But why didn’t he?
Gu Santong smiled, “To be honest, eating ingredients isn’t important. It’s the wait for them that I find most appealing. Godfather usually went out for weeks even a month sometimes to find me ingredients to eat. He always returned with 1st or 2nd grade ones but the image of him appearing filled with hope at sunset gave me peace…”
“Oh, I see. Then give them back and I will return one every one or two weeks!” Zhuo Fan licked his lips, still hoping to not waste them like this.
But Gu Santong held them close, and turned around, “How can you ask back something you’ve already given? What kinda dad are you?”
Zhuo Fan’s eyes shined and laughed, “Does that mean you will take me as a godfather?”
Gu Santong meekly nodded.
Zhuo Fan burst out laughing at the heavens!
[Ha-ha-ha, with this monstrous son, what seven houses, what Regent Estate would ever dare mess with me…]