Chapter 269 - The Most Enticing Reward (1/2)

The seven houses turned their heads but the calm look on their faces said it all. They were expecting this. That only fueled the crowd’s uproar. [The seven houses are accepting the Luo clan’s rise?]

But how could they allow anyone to stand at their level? The Luo clan did have Soaring Demonic Dragon Zhuo Fan, that insane monster, but the rest of the clan was a whole another matter entirely.

Huangpu Tianyuan snickered at the narrow minded clans around him. Were they so blind to see it coming ever since Zhuo Fan started having a field day with the seven houses’ elders?

So even though Luo clan was overstepping its bounds, per usual, none of the houses found it worthy of a reaction.

“Oh, your ambition for power and status sure is commendable. Ha-ha-ha, in the end you still abided by his wishes and showed up.” An aged voice echoed.

The crowd turned around in shock.

They found three old men coming over. The leader being the head of Four Pillars, Prime Minister Zhuge Changfeng flanked by his Yin Yang elders. Even from afar, the people could sense the hidden and thick power they exuded, enough to crush this entire area.

[Why is this geezer here?]

Dugu Zhantian held his beard with a stern face. Huangpu Tianyuan’s side was put off by the presence of Tianyu’s number one mind.

This old bean had extended You Wanshan and company a hand in wrestling out of the emperor’s grip one time, but it was a known fact that no one could truly unravel the real reason behind his ‘kindness’.

His mind was unreadable! Yesterday’s friend could very well turn into today’s enemy. But the worse was the constant anxiety one was in not knowing when that would happen.

Leng Wuchang eyed the hunched figure then shook his head and sighed. Not even he could read the old man.

Hailed as Unwonted Contriver, with everyone an open book before his scrutiny, he had no confidence when it came to reading Zhuge Changfeng!

Zhuge Changfeng sported a vague smile as he walked next to Zhuo Fan, “Have you thought it through? Or are you going to be swept away by the storm?”

Gasps of shock resounded everywhere, [What is the Luo clan and Zhuge Changfeng’s connection?]

They now understood why Luo clan had risen to challenge the seven houses.

[Blast it! With two pillars behind you, the young master under a Marshal and the Prime Minister cheering you on, not even the seven houses would dare slight such a clan!]

[So this… is Luo clan’s true backing!]

People’s faces twitched and their hearts sank. [Why does this never happen to me? Just what tricks did this Luo clan pull to grab hold of two pillars?]

Huangpu Tianyuan’s side was also stunned. They never saw it coming. Zhuge Changfeng came for Zhuo Fan! With even Zhuge Changfeng helping them, they had no chance to finish off the Luo clan. Ever!

Huangpu Tianyuan’s face sank as his knuckles went white.

Leng Wuchang dismissed his worries, “Estate Lord, Zhuge Changfeng is different from Dugu Zhantian, a pragmatic. Even if he intended to get close to Luo clan, it will only be because of Zhuo Fan’s skills. Once Zhuo Fan is out of the picture, they will fall like a ton of bricks!”

“It only makes this time’s Esoteric Debate of paramount importance, to stomp that punk dead!” Huangpu Tianyuan’s eyes flashed with bloodthirst.

Leng Wuchang nodded, turning to the only one who could achieve this feat, Heaven-shaking Dragon Lord Huangpu Qingtian.

Yet the man in question was oblivious to their conversation. His eyes showed he was raring to go turn the entire battlefield upside down.

[Perfect.]

Leng Wuchang chuckled, finding everyone dancing his tune.

Going back to Zhuo Fan, the man smiled, “Prime Minister, how do you know if the Luo clan isn’t in the eye of the storm already?”

Zhuge Changfeng raised an eyebrow, “I trust your judgment. It’s fine as long as you aren’t forced into it. I am eager to see the day Steward Zhuo achieves his ambitions.”

Zhuo Fan nodded and Zhuge Changfeng laughed. He took his Yin Yang elders to Dugu Zhantian, “Old Marshal, please don’t take it hard on me for dropping unannounced.”

“I would never. You are the honorable Prime Minister of our empire. It is only natural to come see the grand Esoteric Debate,” Dugu Zhantian’s beard trembled, his tone cold.

Zhuge Changfeng laughed, “Old Marshal, don’t be so stiff. I’m here by myself out of boredom. Don’t think too much of it.”

[Humph, as if.]

The crowd cursed inside as well. Since when was Zhuge Changfeng that bored to come here without rime or reason. The game was most definitely afoot.

The old fox’s schemes aside, Dugu Zhantian had no time to mind him. His orders were to make sure Esoteric Debate ran smoothly.

Recalling the emperor’s explicit and repeated warnings, a caution the emperor never showed before, led this old general to believe the Esoteric Debate of today had national ramifications.

Dugu Zhantian barked, “By His Majesty’s grace, the Esoteric Debate will allow clansmen below the age of thirty to participate. No one older is allowed entry or I will personally cut them down! The rules will be explained to you shortly by one of Divine Dragons, Jade Flute Divine Sword Fang Qiubai!”

Whoosh!

A whistle of white clothes signified the entrance of an old man holding a jade flute and exuding a dominating air, Fang Qiubai.