Chapter 399 - Sensitive Talk (1/2)

January 1, 2022

Translator: StarReader

Editor: Elitecoder

Hum~

Zhuo Fan used Discerning Field to scan for any nosy neighbors. Only then did he walk into the teahouse and sat across from the black robe.

“Who knew this day would come when you’d ask me out?” The black robe kept his hood low, hiding his features.

Zhuo Fan smiled, “We’re all old friends, in a way. Chatting around a cup of tea after so long is pretty normal.”

“Humph, cut the act. You know it well enough that our grudge can’t be mitigated. We never had any friendly ‘chats’!” The black robe sipped his tea, his words cold.

Zhuo Fan giggled, “Well lookie here, how you’ve improved~. Think I can’t snap your head right here, right now?”

“Yes, I do!” The man shook his head, “You would’ve long killed me by now, otherwise. I am not your match. But since I’ve answered your invitation, I’m sure you didn’t come here just to finish me off. “

Zhuo Fan grinned, “I see you’ve done some growing up over the past years. Not just a conniving mentality, but nerves too, just like that old demon back in the day!”

Shuddering, the black robe’s grip on the teacup tensed, yet he continued sipping the green tea.

“I’ll keep it nice and simple. The report I have from my house’s spies puts you in a precarious position, at a crossroad…”

“And have you come to threaten me with it?” The black robe’s cold tone cut Zhuo Fan off, “Humph, see how much good will that do. My two employers agree on my choice. You won’t be using that on me anytime soon.”

“You’ve pegged me all wrong. I didn’t come here to threaten you, instead just to talk. If you’re interested…” Zhuo Fan stared hard at him, “How about a three-way crossroad? Mind considering taking a step towards the Luo clan as well?”

Shuddering, the man cried in disbelief, “What did you say?”

“I think I was clear enough.”

Zhuo Fan chuckled, “A sly person always has a fallback. Why not get one extra? For you, it comes with no downsides. Don’t tell me you haven’t been considering it?”

“You’re insane. We’re enemies!” The black robe roared, slapping the table, “I’ll never help you!”

Zhuo Fan mocked, “You’re so… outdated. Very. This will probably be the highest you can go.”

“What did you say?”

“Nothing, really. Before the Esoteric Debate, I met Zhuge Changfeng and talked. He asked me, ‘I and Leng Wuchang scheme for our own personal gains, so why do you stay a mere steward to a rundown third-rate clan?’ My answer was simple. My ambitions go beyond his.”

Zhuo Fan’s eyes flashed with malice, “The way I see it, be it some unwonted contriver or the greatest mind of this empire, I will always be better. As for you, you’re not even at their level. Your scope is tiny…”

Shuddering, the black robe dazed out, his mind drifted.

Zhuo Fan just sat there, waiting.

He sighed at one point and stood up, “I see that you still don’t understand. Nevermind then, I don’t have the time to wait for you to catch up.”

“One moment.”

The man stopped him and said, “Tianyu is on the brink of anarchy. What promises do I have that your Luo clan will come out on top?”

“If I were to say because yours truly is around, Luo clan will have the last laugh, you probably won’t believe me, so….”

Grinning, Zhuo Fan said, “I will let you stay at the three-way crossroad. You will have the luxury to pick the winning side!”

The man replied after a pause, “You don’t expect me to burn the other two bridges to take yours, do you?”

“Of course not. You’re no fool and won’t do it even if I tell you to. Everyone is selfish. If the Luo clan falls, you still have the other two, right?” Zhuo Fan had an uncanny smile, like a nice uncle handing candy to children.

The black robe nodded, “If there are no conflicts of interest, I am open to cooperation.”

“Splendid. It can’t be simpler. I won’t need you to do something hard anyway. Just do this at the right time and you’re in…”

Zhuo Fan whispered in his ear.