Chapter 288 - A Hero’s Return (1/2)
Translator: StarReader
Editor: Elitecoder
Whoosh!
With a crack of thunder, Zhuo Fan made his entrance before Chu Qingcheng.
They all whipped their heads towards him, their eyes glinting. Their entire morale rested on whether or not Zhuo Fan could bring back the stolen Brimming Sacred Pill.
Jitteriness rose as all eyes took in his prideful stance, keeping them in suspense.
And the audience beyond the wood National Elemental Stone was no different.
This was the first contact between Zhuo Fan and Huangpu Qingtian, the strongest duo in this battle. Losing it would plunge their morale to rock bottom and the only sensible choice would be going home.
But it didn’t stop there. Their vassals’ trust in the three houses would splinter, weakening their image in the populace’s eye. It was the worst outcome as it affected their growth, especially now when an all out war with the Regent Estate’s faction was just around the corner.
A trickle of sweat fell down Grandmother, Long Yifey and Xie Xiaofeng’s cheeks as the tension spiked.
Zhuo Fan took a deep breath before grinning. He juggled the two storage rings and snickered, “Now which ring holds the Brimming Sacred Pill, you reckon?”
The words still hadn’t sunk in, from their momentary daze. But the next reaction was explosive. Everyone cheered.
Zhuo Fan obviously got the pill!
Everyone was moved at that point.
Thinking back a few days ago, Huangpu Qingtian’s overpowering might had plunged them into despair. How were they supposed to even face such a monster?
But Zhuo Fan came back victorious, recovering the pill from the clutches of that monster. Such a feat worked wonders for their battered hearts from fear and shame, surging in them the will to fight.
Even the ever composed Grandmother showed a rare trace of joy on her features. She turned to her two allies and burst out laughing.
Dugu Zhantian eased a breath, nodding at the figure beyond the National Elemental Stone, “The kid is a loose cannon, but he always comes through when it counts. If it were a war, the act of recovering the pill would instill our army greater morale than any won skirmish could ever do.”
Fang Qiubai smiled thinly. This only confirmed he made the right choice when he braved in picking him to face Huangpu Qingtian. He was the only one of the younger generation who could achieve it.
But then Fang Qiubai caught onto something and brought it to Dugu Zhantian’s attention, “Old Marshal, what is that?”
Dugu Zhantian squinted and cursed inside. [That punk isn’t a pushover in the least. He even dares to go against my orders!]
In a remote corner, among the three allied houses’ group, Liu Yizhen was seen on and off, cheering.
Esoteric Debate only allowed those below the age of thirty to participate, the old geezer was clearly out of the question. Dugu Zhantian, himself, even stated he was going to cut down with impunity, any and all cheaters. But wasn’t that guy a man of the Luo clan?
“Uh, Sir Fang, my eyes must’ve failed me. I can’t see anything amiss.” Dugu Zhantian played the fool.
Fang Qiubai laughed. In any case, both of their priorities were skewed in Luo clan’s favor. But who’d have thought the old marshal, the one immovable and strict man, would cover for Luo clan!
[Since when did a friggin’ Radiant Stage expert’s eyesight go bad?]
He must really like that fifth godson of his to be this biased. He’d never do this otherwise, not with how righteous the man was.
That was for the best, since it was all for His Majesty’s sake. In protecting Luo clan, one had to be flexible and ignore ‘minor’ hiccups.
Fang Qiubai was worried this would’ve ruffled Dugu Zhantian’s feathers.
“Ha-ha-ha, it’s fine. I just saw an interesting spiritual beast that caught my attention. But since Marshal’s eyesight is poor, nevermind.”
Fang Qiubai rubbed his beard. Dugu Zhantian blushed, knowing fully well he was teased, so he chose to turn a blind eye.
Plus, he vowed this would be the first and last time he’d ever cross his own word.
Zhuge Changfeng kept a close eye on Zhuo Fan as a smile played on his lips. Then he gave a long look at Huangpu Tianyuan before chuckling, “Ha-ha-ha, Estate Lord Huangpu, it seems in this skirmish, the young master came out at the bottom!”
“Victory and defeat are common in war!”
It was the steward, Unwonted Contriver Leng who deigned a response to Zhuge Changfeng’s provocation.
The way it came at no surprise to the Regent Estate, he seemed to have foreseen a long time ago that Huangpu Qingtian would lose.
Zhuge Changfeng squinted, “Oh? Sir Leng was expecting this, I see. I take it you’ve taken ample preparation as well.”