The Steward Demonic Emperor

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After a good deal of walking, Zhuo Fan looked back to see no one on their tail and stammered to console Shangguan Qingyan, “I-it’s fine, they don’t seem to doubt us…”

“B-but I’m still so nervous.” Looking behind as well, Shangguan Qingyan’s face was stiff and unnatural.

Zhuo Fan rolled his eyes.

[Hey, Shangguan Feiyun is your uncle, so what’s so scary about him? Not even I, an outsider, am scared of him!]

Though seeing her anxious demeanor, Zhuo Fan shook his head, bringing her into a hug and slowly giving her pats on the back, “Feeling better now? We still need to hurry back to uncle. You can’t be seeing him like this or he won’t give us any heavy missions!”

When he was worried Shangguan Qingyan’s naive nature would give them away to Shangguan Feixiong.

Raising doubts in Baili Jingwei’s presence with their acting was faked to gain their trust since they already had another spy spilling the beans and wanted them to give their report. It was the only way for him to get the two sides to duke it out so he come out as the sole winner.

However…

[Once Shangguan Feixiong sees this chick like this, he’ll seriously doubt us. We even deceived them with such obvious signs.]

Who knew what this might lead to? Maybe the factions would fight only ages later.

He didn’t do it out of compassion for this wee girl, but to fit Baili Jingwei’s plan by drawing the enemy under their roof, while also gaining the Shangguan clan’s trust.

He was the glue tying the two fuses together and it was his job to get rid of any reason that might split them apart.

[All to enact my flawless plan!]

The poor girl had no idea of the devious plan in the man’s mind. Being hugged all of a sudden like a child and rubbing her back, made her feel warm and she started to blush.

She did not hate it though, her hands sliding around Zhuo Fan’s waist in time with his rubbing.

Startled, Zhuo Fan froze with a weird look on his face, stopping his hand on her back.

[What’s this chick up to? Is she making use of me in this situation? I’m consoling her but she’s out to get more out of this. How selfish!]

Luck had it Shangguan Qingyan did not read minds or she’d spew blood.

[Who’s using who here, when you started it?]

Feeling Zhuo Fan get stiffer than her, Shangguan Qingyan showed a bitter smile. She took back her hands and left his embrace, “Thank you, I’m much better now.”

“Great, I’m used to doing this to young Sanzi to get him to relax. It looks to be working, ha-ha-ha…” Zhuo Fan gave a dry chuckle and nodded at her recovered state, resuming their walk.

Shangguan Qingyan peeked at him and muttered, “You looked quite calm in front of those great people. You even smiled, like you’re of the same cloth. Why then now…”

“Was I scared?”

Zhuo Fan smiled as she finished her question, “Ha-ha-ha, I had to force myself through it or they’d found me out. My life doesn’t matter, but what about young Sanzi? Like my master once said, all living things have their own path. Even the tiniest creature lives in its own mundane way. I am weak as an ant and no royalty, but to secure my life, I have to keep a straighter face than anyone. You don’t believe me, touch it!”

Zhuo Fan stuck his face closer to Shangguan Qingyan and made her giggle, pushing him away in fake anger.

Shangguan Qingyan then found Zhuo Fan much closer to her heart, “Actually, you’re not that insignificant, you’re a rare 11th grade alchemist. If not for the Pill King Convention, I’d never know your good side!”

“What’s the use?”

Zhuo Fan shook his head, “In a world where only power matters, a great alchemical skill would only make you a strong faction’s supporter. As a Radiant Stage cultivator with average talent, I’ve gotten used to being shooed and giving me orders. While I’m not a bug in the truest sense, I do have the strength of one.”

Shangguan Qingyan stared into Zhuo Fan’s bitter look and felt sad, and something peculiar that made her heart throb.

Zhuo Fan looked vulnerable, but she saw behind it the drive to push through the suffering, to go against his own destiny, which filled her vision.

Unlike her kind, who were born with a silver spoon in their mouths, Zhuo Fan had to work his way up. This fortitude was very attractive.

Zhuo Fan liked to toy around or suck up to someone like a lowlife, all was done with a purpose in mind, to live on with his child.

That was why he was so much calmer than her in front of the central area’s Nine Sword Kings.

Seeing him braving through hardship had moved her.

Of course, that was just Shangguan Qingyan’s misconception. Zhuo Fan was just a fallen angel upon this mortal world, of the noblest ilk, with total disregard to all so-called experts. Why would he care about some Genesis Stage cultivators?

Though she was right about one thing. Be it in the former or current life, Zhuo Fan was used to staying low and working his way up. That was why struggle was at the core of his being.

Especially since he had once seen what the top offered, making fame and fortune look dull to him. All he wanted was to return to his peak!

Taking a casual stroll, the lovely couple arrived home. Shangguan Qingyan grew nervous seeing the door, feeling sad their walk was so short.

She never felt like this when the three of them went out having fun, making this trek all the more valuable.

Zhuo Fan sensed nothing, going up to the door. Shangguan Qingyan stopped him from knocking, “Wait.”

“What is it?” Zhuo Fan asked.

Shangguan Qingyan gnashed her teeth, “Uhm, is young Sanzi’s mother still alive?”

Zhuo Fan frowned, then nodded.

“Do you… love her?”

Zhuo Fan’s eyes shook and gave a firm nod.

Shangguan Qingyan took the lead and knocked on the door.

Zhuo Fan was startled.

[What’s with this chick and her questions?]

Shangguan Qingyan never looked at him and kept her head low.

Gu Santong opened the door with a bored look, “What took you so long? That rotten guy has returned ages ago!”

“He-he-he, you mean cousin, right? He’ll soon become your uncle, my brother. You should show him some respect and not call him names.”

Gu Santong’s appearance washed away all of Shangguan Qingyan’s troubles, hugging the pouting child and pecking him, “Come, young Sanzi, let me kiss you!”

She put him down then went on cheerfully.

Gu Santong eyed Zhuo Fan oddly, “Dad, what’s up with auntie?”

“How should I know?”

Rolling his eyes, Zhuo Fan paused, then started, “Young Sanzi, what did you call her?”

Ugh!

Gu Santong blushed, “Auntie.”

“Humph, you little brat, you’re truly getting into your role, I see.” Rubbing his little head, Zhuo Fan chuckled and went in, unaware of Gu Santong’s earnest face.

In the parlor, Zhuo Fan looked around to find it empty.

[What’s going on? Did the Shangguan clan get scared of being ambushed and left?]

Noises came from around as Shangguan Feixiong came in with three elders.

The other experts of Shangguan clan streamed in, a few hundreds, clapping hard and looking happy at him.

Zhuo Fan felt awkward, “Uncle, what…”

“No need to say anything, we know!”

Shangguan Feiyun laughed, “We know you’re a hero that gained Shangguan Feiyun and Baili Jingwei’s trust and became their guest. Yifan, I knew you were going to pull it off, slipping into the Flying Cloud manor. And you’ve been hiding yourself well, 11th grade alchemist. If I knew, I’d only be sending you, ha-ha-ha… “

Slapping Zhuo Fan’s chest hard, Shangguan Feixiong was greatly relieved by his success, “Yifan, you’re truly a hero to our Shangguan clan!”