Chapter 338, Declaration of War
Translator: StarReader
Editor: Elitecoder
On the Luo clan’s way back, Zhuo Fan was the picture of calmness. Li Jingtian stuck to him like glue, creating a stifling atmosphere that no one around dared to break and approach.
Everyone watched them go in shock, even the house lords.
No one had seen it coming. A mere third rate clan had risen to the ranks of a house the instant Li Jingtian showed up next to them.
Nobody present knew a house, except Regent Estate of course, that had someone at the height of power as Li Jingtian had reached, a peak Radiant Stage expert.
Not to mention the said expert could fight Divine Dragon Fang Qiubai to a draw. This fact only gave the Luo Clan even greater importance.
From now on, Luo clan wasn’t merely at the level of a house, but was right below Regent Estate. Any offense would be met with impunity from Li Jingtian, annihilating their entire clan.
Such a thing had never been never achieved in the past because of the delicate balance of power. This also did not push the other clans into a corner.
But now, You Wanshan and the other houses who held a grudge with Zhuo Fan had to reconsider their approach to revenge as the Luo clan had now become the second house under Regent Estate.
Luo clan was strong, but only because of Li Jingtian alone.
Yet that man was strong enough to shock everyone.
Luo clan slowly made their way to their accommodations in Dragon Cloud City. Zhuo Fan had a deathly look on his face that no one disturbed. And in this manner, they walked further and further away…
Suddenly, Zhuo Fan stopped and looked at Leng Wuchang with a sinister smile as he shouted, “Sir Leng, I admit my loss this time. But the games have just begun. Let us have a blast next time, ha-ha-ha…”
Zhuo Fan’s eyes exploded with hatred and coupled with his creepy tone, everyone’s hair stood on end.
Leng Wuchang’s face grew graver than ever. But it only matched Zhuo Fan’s bloodthirsty stare.
It was Zhuge Changfeng who then said, “Sir Leng, you really kicked the hornet’s nest this time, ha-ha-ha…”
Zhuge Changfeng then left with his two elders.
Leng Wuchang’s beard shuddered in rage.
The others around him were too scared to make a peep. It was a tangle between big shots, not something they should butt in.
Messing with the Regent Estate would get one killed, erasing the body and clan. While pissing off Zhuo Fan, who had tormented half of the six dragons, none of the vassals and small clans dared to imagine.
Not to mention they had a peak Radiant Stage expert as cover, bringing them on the same level as the seven houses.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the two houses had sparks flying when their gazes met.
“Ahe-he-hem!”
“Uh, people, in all the Esoteric Debates held over the millennium, the grudges aren’t brought back from the competition. If the two houses wish to resolve their hatred, please wait for the next Esoteric Debate.” Dugu Zhantian took on an imposing stance and said so.
Zhuo Fan only smiled. Leng Wuchang’s killing intent never faltered.
It was clear as day that no one was buying it.
There were no grudges in the past Esoteric Debates because the seven houses kept appearances. While this time, Regent Estate killed the one Zhuo Fan cared about the most, Xue Ningxiang, and the man toppled their future, along with three other dragons.
Who the hell would wait a hundred years to settle that kind of a bloody score?
At least they were wise enough to let the matter slide for now, since Dugu Zhantian said it. Even if there was no verbal confirmation.
But then a brash voice resounded, “Regent Estate, listen up. From this very moment, the Luo clan and you are now mortal enemies!”
The crowd was in complete shock.
Luo clan simply got up and broke all pretenses, falling out with the Regent Estate in the open as well as in the dark. What came next was the worst outcome, war. To a clan having only one Radiant Stage expert, it meant death.
People whipped their heads to see who was the ignorant buffoon spouting such words. What came into view was the face of a dignified youth.
Luo clan’s young master, Luo Yunhai!
Long Yifey, Xie Xiaofeng and Grandmother’s eyes shrank, giving desperate signals to Zhuo Fan with their eyes. Luo clan going to war meant dragging them into it as well since they were allies.
There was no hope for victory at this point.
It was understandable for Luo Yunhai to be overcome by rage and make such a declaration. He may be the young master, but Zhuo Fan handled everything in the clan. His words represented the Luo clan’s stance.
So these three pleaded with Zhuo Fan to think of the bigger picture.
The man in question took a long look at Luo Yunhai, then smirked at the rest, “What’s with those faces? Is there a problem with what our young master said? Humph, the Luo clan has that name for a reason. Young master may not be the official Clan Head yet, but he represents the Luo clan with every word. From now on, we and the Regent Estate are at war!”
As the people went through endless shock, Long Yifey and company were lamenting.
No one took Luo Yunhai’s words seriously, but all of that changed when Zhuo Fan nailed the matter in.
[But what’s going on with Zhuo Fan? Did he really lose his mind in revenge over a girl?]
Huangpu Tianyuan was overjoyed. He feared the imperial family would stick its nose in again and stop them from making moves against the Luo clan.
But now with the Luo clan declaring war by itself, the imperial family had no grounds to interfere. Windgaze City could no longer save the Luo clan.
“Ha-ha-ha, something must be wrong with todays’ kids, they are so brash and cocky. You think that a single peak Radiant Stage expert is enough to protect the Luo clan? Hilarious!”
Huangpu Tianyuan laughed, “You may be able to cower the other houses, but you have another thing coming now that you’ve set yourself against us. Just ask the geezer next to you how strong we are if you don’t believe me. You can’t match our thousand year old legacy!”
Zhuo Fan smiled, “Are you sure? We’ll just have to wait and see.”
Spinning on his heel, he kept on walking. While Li Jingtian left them with some final words, “As a former Venerable of yours, let me give you some friendly advice. Think long and hard before touching the Luo clan.”
Then he turned around and followed after the others.
But his words had the intended effect, to stun Huangpu Tianyuan and his elders.
As an ex Regent Estate Venerable, Li Jingtian knew all about its power. Yet even so, he still judged the Luo clan to be a tougher enemy.
[Does that mean Luo clan is on par with the Regent Estate?]
[Impossible! How can our thousand year legacy be surmounted just like that?]
Turning to Leng Wuchang, Huangpu Tianyuan found him silent.
Luo clan was now wrapped in a thick fog, with no one able to pierce it. This effect had even Regent Estate feel their previous confidence fading.
The swift rise of this clan had left more and more people unable to comprehend them…
Dugu Zhantian watched Luo Yunhai’s back bitterly. He treated Luo Yunhai as his own son, and the kid always listened to him.
But he had just spoken and the first one to reproach him was his own godson.
For the sake of the clan, the godfather and godson had to break ties. He never wished for this to happen, but could never stop it.
[Why must we serve a different master…]
…
Six hours later, the Luo clan returned to Dragon Cloud City and Zhuo Fan slammed the door to his room, “Don’t bother me!”
Luo Yunchang saw Zhuo Fan acting odd and was afraid for his sake. She wanted to go to him but Li Jingtian stopped her.
Luo Yunchang turned to him puzzled.
Li Jingtian shook his head, “Young miss, sometimes men need to be alone. Let him be.”
Her pure eyes shook as Luo Yunchang watched the door and bit her lip before leaving.
But then a bestial roar came from beyond Zhuo Fan’s door before she managed to leave.
“Ahhhh!”
Covering her mouth, Luo Yunchang couldn’t fight the tears.
She saw Zhuo vent his rage for what was done to Ning’er, but only now could he release some of the pain scarring his heart.
The wail of agony made her heart bleed. She wanted to comfort him and mend his heart, but Zhuo Fan would rather face it alone.
He was never one to open up to anyone, choosing to bear the pain by himself, becoming forever a solitary steward.
The pain in Luo Yunchang only grew as her mind wandered. The others sighed, watching over Zhuo Fan’s door along with their young miss…