The Steward Demonic Emperor

Proofreader: Papatonks

“You want me to join the Flying Cloud manor’s alchemy screening and sneak in?”

At the crack of dawn, Shangguan Feixiong was seeing Zhuo Fan and Shangguan Qingyan in the parlor with a bright smile. Zhuo Fan was stunned, then nodded.

It fit his plan of wanting to test the waters as well after hearing this announcement.

Putting it off until Flying Cloud manor and Shangguan clan faced off would leave too much room for error, something he wished to avoid.

And this proved to be his best chance to do it while also entering Shangguan clan’s good graces.

Zhuo Fan cupped his hands without delay, agreeing with a smile, “Doing my part for the Shangguan clan, after the clan took us both in, is an utmost honor. Thank you, uncle, for giving us this chance.”

“As long as you know.”

Shangguan Feixiong smiled, “I’m sure you know that my decision of taking you in hasn’t been met well by other members. But if you do this well, you’ll prove yourself in front of everyone. No one will question you again. “

Zhuo Fan’s eyes shone.

Shangguan Qingyan giggled, “Sir Gu, work hard. Whether you stand with Shangguan clan will depend on this task. Maybe you’ll even earn everyone’s approval and become a true young master of our clan. You might even get the chance to get back your wife. It won’t matter who you offended in western lands when the Shangguan clan has your back. You’ll finally be together!”

Zhuo Fan gave him a long look, but seeing her clear eyes, he returned a smile.

[Oh, I see. I was wondering why this missie cared so much for me and my son. I wrote it off as being my immense charm’s fault.]

[Who knew she wanted to get me and my wife together again. How kind. A shame it’s not that simple…]

With a dimmed gaze, Zhuo Fan shook his head.

“Even if you become one of us, you can’t go on a rampage.”

Shangguan Feixiong glared at his daughter. But then he smiled at Zhuo Fan, “Don’t worry, Shangguan clan is no pushover. Do this well and I will definitely help you out. Even if Double Dragon Manor is involved, I’ll give you justice!”

“Thank you so much, uncle!” Zhuo Fan bowed.

[Double Dragon Manor… if it were that easy, I’d have done it myself…]

“Yan’er, we planned on sending Yulin with Yifan at the competition.”

Shangguan Qingyan continued, “Yulin is a steady man and can take charge. Yifan’s cultivation is low so you will have to assist him in making sure he’s selected. Got it?”

Shangguan Qingyan gave a firm nod with a happy look, “Yes, father.”

“He-he-he, Sir Gu, you better listen to me now.” She gave Zhuo Fan a teasing smile.

Zhuo Fan chuckled as well, but he saw through Shangguan Feixiong’s plan on having her spy on him.

[Yesterday’s play wasn’t enough to remove all doubts of the clan.]

Which was normal, especially with such an important task. Caution was paramount.

Zhuo Fan and Shangguan Feixiong exchanged a few more words before he left with a bow. Shangguan Qingyan skipped behind him.

The next few days, Shangguan Yulin and Zhuo Fan went through a personal hell.

Shangguan Yulin, being the most promising seed, was instructed personally by the three venerables in the intricate arts of cooking herbs into pills. Day in, day out, he was found hovering over the cauldron, soaked in its fumes, instructed in the fine arts the elders were hardly familiar with. That was because Shangguan Yulin had the cultivation but not the skills. Thus the elders went harder on him, in hope his skill improved faster.

On the other hand, Zhuo Fan’s days were paradise by comparison.

Everyone knew him as an alchemist, so that was that. That was why he was left to his own devices.

All he had to make up for was cultivation.

But cultivation wasn’t to be rushed either. Which made this backup, Shangguan Yulin’s replacement, disregarded in this aspect.

With the confinement ending, Zhuo Fan was out in the world again, with his son. With Clan Head’s daughter leading along, he was the envy of anyone as he enjoyed himself.

Shangguan Qingyan’s role was the observer, but young Sanzi’s infectious playful nature got the best of her, making her grow closer and closer to the pair.

It went as far as going in the back of the house to have a blast with them. This only worked to sour Shangguan Yulin’s mood, being wiped like a donkey over the cauldron by the elders.

“Ha-ha-ha, young Sanzi, loosen your hand a bit or your kite’s going to fall. Yes, that’s it…”

“Auntie, hold it while I get a fruit.”

“Sure… hey, Gu Yifan, stop being lazy! You should be the one to hold your son’s kite…”

“Young Sanzi gave it to you, so you guys play with it. Now stop messing up my nap, stingy!”

“Hey, whose son is young Sanzi anyway? What kind of father doesn’t care…”

“Then you care instead.”

“Wretched brat…”

Banter and teasing was heard from beyond the walls. Shangguan Yulin sat cross-legged near a cauldron over a scorching fire, his mouth constantly twitching, his eyes burning hotter than the fire before him.

[Damn that accursed punk! I warned him to stay away from her! Now he’s flirting instead? Once I get out of here, I’ll throttle you…]

“Calm your heart and focus. The gestures are the key as you employ the art.”

Noticing Shangguan Yulin’s attention was slipping, a bamboo scroll smacked him over the head, making him wince. He looked at the venerable standing behind him with a cold gaze, “Calm your heart and focus on the gestures…”

[Screw you! My cousin is out there with that degenerate pair and you’re telling me to frickin’ calm down?]

Pa!

Another smack came on point, “Empty your mind, calm your heart. Your thoughts should only be on the gestures.”

Face twitching, Shangguan Yulin’s heart was grumbling as he nodded.

He got himself to blame for this mess.

[I get you wanting me to go into the manor, but why the hell is that bastard coming too?]

[Now look at him! Even before we reach it, I’m in hell, wasting my time with alchemy while you guys are giggling so hard, afraid I won’t hear you.]

[This is torture!]

[Heavens above, mother earth below, what did I ever do to deserve this? Why are you so cruel to me? ]

[Gu Yifan, this isn’t over, not by a long shot. Once we’re done with the manor, I’ll make sure you’re dead!]

Pa!

The smacking came on point, as did the warning, “Calm your heart…”

Flinching, Shangguan Yulin grumbled some more…

A week passed like this, with Zhuo Fan and Shangguan Yulin enjoying their special and contradictory training. What they had in common was the annoyance with it.

What Shangguan Yulin saw as hell in the pungent herbs boiling their noxious fumes in his face, Zhuo Fan saw it as relaxation. He was most happy to switch places.

It should be Zhuo Fan the main with Shangguan Yulin as backup in this scenario.

However, the bitter days finally ran out as Zhuo Fan returned home at noon with Shangguan Qingyan and Gu Santong. But they were far from relaxed.

“Dad, the manor made another announcement. Three days later, it will hold the Pill King Convention to select true alchemists to heal the Crown Prince in the imperial capital.”

Rushing into the parlor, Shangguan Qingyan made her report.

Jumping to his feet, Shangguan Feixiong’s eyes shone, shouting, “Since they mentioned the alchemist selection, the security eased up, the patrols eased, and people swarmed this city. The day finally came. In three days, we move, ha-ha-ha…”

Shangguan Feixiong walked behind the house, “I’ll inform the venerables.”

Shangguan Qingyan beamed and nodded, “Gu Yifan, your moment is near. Don’t mess it up. While a backup…”

“No worries, I won’t.” Zhuo Fan’s eyes flashed.

Shangguan Qingyan nodded, rushing after her dad.

Gu Santong muttered, “Dad, is it a trap.”

“Definitely.” Zhuo Fan grinned.

“But Shangguan clan’s spies in the central area have reported for the last few days that the Crown Prince is indeed hurt badly. Won’t…”

Zhuo Fan patted his head, “It’s too strange of an event. Not about the number of reports confirming it, but the timing is what reveals it being a trap.”

“Yet they’re still going. Don’t they know this?”

“People always believe what they want to believe.”

Zhuo Fan smiled, “Knowing it’s a trap, the fact that they make all kinds of plans around it, they don’t see it as one, but an opportunity. Such is the mentality of men, greedy. There’s no way opportunity lies at every corner, ha-ha-ha. Though this trap is clever, what’s truly ingenious is that it fits the Shangguan clan’s character. Flying Cloud manor has a cunning mind among them.”

Zhuo Fan’s eyes shone coldly, “I’ll have to watch my step in the manor as well…”