Chapter 369 - Holy Maiden Yun Shuang (1/2)
Translator: StarReader
Editor: Elitecoder
Yun Xuanji smiled after persuading Zhuo Fan’s rebuttal into a half-agreement. As for the price, he had that covered, “Steward Zhuo, changing fate benefits the nation. It is the highest form of good you can do. From now on, my clan will follow Steward Zhuo to the ends of the earth. Going against heaven’s plan is the way for the future. We’ll do anything to prevent Steward Zhuo from burning the world and ruining the lives of innocents.”
Zhuo Fan’s face lit up, his heart tickled pink.
The third pillar, Parish, would answer to him alone. It was the best kind of help! With High Priest Yun Xuanji known to all as Demigod, he could peer into heaven’s plan yet not through Zhou Fan.
Regardless, this way he would have accurate information regarding those sneaky devils that wanted to stab him in the back while he was assaulted by beasts from the front.
Caught in his reverie, Yun Xuanji was the one to wake him, “Steward Zhuo, my clan has always been neutral. But for the sake of people, I will make an exception just this once. Last night, I peered into the sky and found the Luo clan to be on a constant rise. The only ones strong enough to crush its advance are four powers!”
“Care to elaborate?” Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow.
“Regent Estate, the earth dragon; imperial family, the crouching dragon; the empire’s Prime Minister, Zhuge Changfeng, the hidden dragon; and…”
Yun Xuanji squinted and sighed, having reached this point and gestured to the north, “My greatest worry and greatest menace upon the people, Quanrong Empire, the vile dragon!”
Eyes squinting, Zhuo Fan cried, “The same Quanrong Empire that the imperial capital’s factions have beaten down thousands of miles away from here? What do they have to do with us? Don’t tell me they’ll take this chance to attack? That still doesn’t involve the Luo clan. That will be right up Dugu Zhantian’s alley!”
“I am unclear since I am not part of the court meetings and do not understand politics shrouded in cloak and dagger. I only read the night sky and these four are the ones most likely to level the Luo clan!” Yun Xuanji sighed.
Wheels turning for a while, Zhuo Fan’s eyes had a lost gaze in them, not seeing the connection.
[If I take Yun Xuanji’s word for it, who’s side is Quanrong on then?]
Zhuo Fan’s mind jumped back to the Esoteric Debate, thinking of the time in Beast King Mountain and the good days he spent with that foreign lass. He found her a little bit queer.
[Is someone within our empire spying for the Quanrong Empire? How else do you explain another country’s interference in times of Tianyu’s civil war?]
He then turned to the first three factions. They all had the minimum power to cooperate with each other and this had him grow extra cautious.
[I was too naive to focus only on the first three factions. Each of them is despicable and vile enough to pull outsiders into this country’s problems.]
[God damn it, are they that thick in the head to not understand the simple truth of keeping it in the family?]
First he cursed them and then rejoiced. He thanked his lucky stars that he came by Yun Xuanji today and found out about this important info or this ace would have remained hidden until it would sting him hard.
With a rushed bow, he spoke, “Thank you elder Yu for your wisdom. I will make arrangements at once. I am not about to let outsiders encroach our lands and put our people in peril!”
“Ha-ha-ha, for Steward Zhuo to realize this truth, I am more than gratified! But before you go, I have a gift for you.”
Chuckling, Yun Xuanji turned to the kneeling child outside the door, “Xiao Dongzi, go bring Shuang’er!”
“Right away!” The child left.
Zhuo Fan put on a puzzled look for the High Priest. [What treasure is he giving me?] But all he could read from the old guy’s vague smile was nothing.
Moments later, the child came back with a brisk ringing of bells and a fragrance that assaulted Zhuo Fan’s nose. It soothed his mind and cleared his heart, and then he heard the sweetest voice, “Grandfather, you called?”
Zhuo Fan flicked his head back to meet the clearest eyes and fairest skin, sending Zhuo Fan down memory lane!
Ning’er!
They were not, in fact, similar at all. She was prettier than Xue Ningxiang by a long shot, but Zhuo Fan found one trait identical.
Both of them had that innocent vibe. Like the highest snow on the tallest peak, unmarred by decadence and evil plaguing this world.
“Shuang’er, come.”
Yun Xuanji had a cooing tone as he gestured her over, “She is my granddaughter, Yun Shuang.”
Zhuo Fan made a curt nod and a silly smile found its way on his face. He felt too similar to when Xue Ningxiang was around and for no particular reason he became chipper, “Hi, I am Luo clan’s steward, Zhuo Fan.”
“Hello.”