Chapter 398 - Exposed (1/2)
Translator: StarReader
Editor: Elitecoder
“Steward Zhuo, please stop!”
An anxious shout came as Zhuo Fan’s bloodthirst grew and grew. Zhuge Changfeng rushed over with some men.
“They’re the Quanrong delegation. No matter what they are accused of, charging them isn’t so simple!”
Zhuo Fan eyed him, “Prime Minister Zhuge, by the looks of things, you know what they’re up to. Then you must also realize that they came here to kill me…”
“Steward Zhuo, please listen. They have come to solve their private matters. It has nothing to do with politics. You know what will happen if you kill them. That is not something you’d want.”
Zhuge Changfeng knew from a mile away that Zhuo Fan was no saint, willing to forgive and forget. So instead of appealing to his non-existing humanity, Zhuge Changfeng baited him with cold hard benefits, “If you let them go, I promise they will be of use to Steward Zhuo one day. You are an intelligent man. I needn’t say more.”
Zhuo Fan was pondering.
Zhuge Changfeng pointed out that the delegation were all in close relation with Commander Tuoba Tieshan at the border. If they died in Tianyu, the old man would march his army down south.
That would mean two things.
First, the doer would be the culprit. With Zhuo Fan killing them, his head would be the only thing that could appease him. But would Zhuo Fan just hand it over like that? No way in hell, and the Quanrong would take advantage of the chaos in Tianyu and invade.
The emperor definitely didn’t want that so he’d choose the second option. One that would let the emperor sleep with peace of mind.
[If Quanrong invaded, the whole of Tianyu shall resist it, the eight houses and the Four Pillars included. As for you, Zhuo Fan, the culprit behind it all, I’ll let this go, but go out there and fight. Fight till your last breath and bleed out on the battlefield!]
The emperor would not only have all the other factions weakened in the name of Tianyu’s safety, he’d also showcase Tianyu’s power and give the Quanrong a lesson they will not soon forget.
It would end up with everyone being the loser except the emperor.
Now that right there was a classic case of the fisherman!
Zhuo Fan clenched his fists, then relaxed his killing intent. Zhuge Changfeng eased a breath, knowing Zhuo Fan still cared about the big picture.
[It’s so nice to talk to smart people.]
Before he finished though, Zhuo Fan’s snicker had something to say, “Right, Prime Minister, sir, this time you owe me. I’ll be sure to collect it in due time!”
Zhuge Changfeng let out a strained laughter.
[The kid sure knows how to take advantage. He knows letting them live is in his best interest yet he is saying that he only did it for me.]
Then again, with how close he was to the Quanrong, Zhuo Fan’s words weren’t that far off, “Alright, I owe you one. I will do my all when you need me!”
Zhuo Fan nodded, his eyes flashing.
Zhuo Fan dumped his hostages in Zhuge Changfeng’s care, walking away like the average bystander.
The Four Scheming Demons had heard the commotion and scampered over on the double. But seeing that the party was a bust they slumped into depression.
[Ah, we were late for the fun!]
Zhuo Fan glanced over at them and thought, [Perfect timing.] Dumping the trio of babes in their hands, he went to take care of his own matters.
With the Lantern Festival ruined – buildings in shambles, people running scared – and nothing else to see here, the girls went home.
Zhuo Fan watched Zhuge Changfeng’s Quanrong with a twisted smile. His right eye flashed golden and he was gone.
Whoosh~
Two shadows popped up the next second in Zhuo Fan’s place, looking all over, “God damn it! The rotten brat moves around without logic with his twisted skill. Just how are we supposed to follow?”
“Let’s just report back to the captain. We’ve just been given the damn slip.” The other shadow was gone.
The first one left just as quickly.