Chapter 361 - Emperor’s Invite (2/2)

Even the emperor was taken aback. Didn’t Zhuo Fan waste him? What’s he doing as Luo clan’s elder?

The emperor gave Zhuo Fan a deep look, “Steward Zhuo, you’ve fooled the entire world for eight years with your devious schemes. Just how many secrets are you hiding?”

“Ha-ha-ha, please don’t kid Your Majesty. With Your Majesty’s astute mind, how could I possibly hide anything.” Zhuo Fan bowed.

The emperor shook his head.

He wouldn’t be the emperor if he believed every outright lie. [This kid’s tricks are so twisted even I am getting a headache.]

With inconceivable matters cropping up one after another, fear crept within the emperor’s heart. Without even realizing it, this pawn he nurtured for so long had outgrown his control.

[I hope this game will still play out.]

The emperor sighed inwardly…

After four to six hours of dishing awards and titles, the ceremony came to a close. The emperor had the clans leave the Imperial Palace, but not without a bow from them and a deep respect towards the Luo clan.

This new house was budding, yet it was very much capable. It had both experts and alchemists, at the top of their fields.

Even their steward had surpassed the wisest steward of all, Unwonted Contriver, and became known as The Best Steward Beneath Heavens.

A team such as this, excelling in power and management, was bound to hit it big. There were quite a number of clans entertaining the thought of bending a knee for the Luo clan after the ceremony.

That went double after seeing their ranks. Of the Luo clan’s elders, Lei Yuntian was the weakest, yet a Grand Elder. Second elder Yan Song was even in front of those Radiant Stage experts. These two were a complete discrepancy for the powerhouses around them.

That line-up was like a flare to the people. This told everyone that the Luo clan was an honorable clan. First come, first served. Then again, one would always pick a true helper in favor of a poser.

This had the clans competing to get into the Luo clan’s graces rather than see it played out first. Luo clan had it made, no doubt about it.

Luo clan was also the only one who made such strong elders work.

All made possible by the grace and power of their steward, Zhuo Fan. Was there anyone among the elders who dared show discontent for their positions? To another clan, such a huge discrepancy in power would’ve ended up in infightings.

Didn’t might always make right?

Yet in the Luo clan, that right was worth shit. Any and all that dared preach such an outdated philosophy were served a huge piece of humble pie on a silver platter…

“Zhuo Fan, walk with me!”

Zhuo Fan was leaving with the Luo clan when an aged voice called him. He turned to meet the emperor’s steel gaze.

With a deep breath and a nod, as if expecting it, he went with the old man.

The two arrived at a pavilion in the imperial gardens. The emperor took a seat on a stone chair and invited him to do the same, “This is where I and Mr. Sima play chess. Here, we’re simple people, without rank. Please, make yourself at home.”

With a raised eyebrow, Zhuo Fan plopped his butt on the chair, then took a casual bite out of a fruit he picked from the platter. He really was at home.

The servant at the side almost blew a gasket.

[That was His Majesty’s courtesy, not for you to take it literally! Not even Mr. Sima, being friends with His Majesty for ages, would be so crass!]

Not that the emperor cared, smiling as a grandpa did for his dotted grandson.

“Zhuo Fan, I’ve heard so much about you but this is our first meeting.” The emperor smiled.

Zhuo Fan just nodded.

The emperor laughed, “I first heard of you from my third son. He said that Luo clan has a clever steward helping them and that I needn’t worry. Thus I supported this new clan. As for your ability, I never gave it a second thought. How strong can a third-rate broken-up clan’s clever steward become? I mean, the scope was just so limited, it was impossible for it to grow. Wouldn’t you agree?”

The emperor chatted as he looked at Zhuo Fan with a smile.

Zhuo Fan gave a curt nod again.

Sure enough, before meeting face to face, all information was about the clan itself. How one’s view changed depended on one’s position. Since no clan had ever come out of a border town like Windgaze City, what scope, what ambition could this one have?

Even he would jump to the same conclusion given the chance. He’d have the same disinterest in Luo clan and himself upon hearing of them.

It was this lack of vigilance that made people like him be the ones in control. Or if Hell Valley or any other house focused on his clan, death was certain, unable to grow into what it was today.

There was no one to blame here. Hell Valley was not some fool to let the Luo clan slip through its fingers, it was Zhuo Fan’s uncanny mind to come up with some of the most insane and mystifying plans…