Chapter 603: Encroachment
Hu~
A strong wind blew just then, scattering the shadows from creeping any deeper into the three’s souls.
And it kept going still.
Forcing Third Young Master Han on the defensive.
Boom!
The crushing force pushed him dozens of meters back, leaving cracked tiles in his wake.
When he did stop, his feet were knee-deep in the floor.
“Who did that?” Third Young Master Han broke into a cold sweat, lowering his trembling arms to see.
Second Young Master Han and Elder Mo frowned, their gazes fixed on the thin youth coming in bearing a cold face and a broom.
And by the feel of him, he was just a fresh Radiant Stage disciple.
Third Young Master Han was in shock, turning to his brother, “S-Second Brother, that’s him!”
“You got nerve kid, coming here again. Was last time not enough for you?”
Zhuo Fan spared him a single glance before tending the trio, “You aren’t dead yet, now scram. A laborer’s only job is to sweep, not be a pain in the ass seeking the limelight. What’s their challenge on the elite area got to do with us?”
Zhuo Fan had no restraint, but at least the trio was saved.
They rubbed their aching heads and gave Zhuo Fan a nod and a look of dread to Third Young Master Han before leaving without complaint.
They knew all too well they were just too weak, even in a three-on-one exchange.
Venerable Qi and Bai breathed easier.
Zhuo Fan spun on his heel and was already walking away.
“You think you can just come in here and leave after interfering?”
“And who are you, an elder or venerable of the Demon Scheming Sect?” Zhuo Fan threw over his shoulder at the youth resembling Third Young Master Han.
Second Young Master Han mocked, “I am Demon Soul Sect’s Second Young Master Han. I heard the Demon Scheming Sect had a presentable disciple and came to be enlightened. May I be honored to know your name?”
“Demon Scheming Sect’s Labor Office’s honcho, Zhuo Fan. But everyone calls me Steward Zhuo.”
Swishing the broom, Zhuo Fan scoffed, “Since you’re no elder of mine, I don’t have time to waste on you. I got work to do, bye.”
“Hold it right there. Is this how you treat an honored guest?” Second Young Master Han shouted again at the gross lack of disrespect.
Zhuo Fan’s mouth worked as he walked, “An honored guest needs honored elders and venerables to look after. What are you doing, going after this little old laborer for? We’re here to sweep the floors, not tend to guests. It’s not in our job description.”
“Sect Leader Xie, didn’t you say I can challenge anyone in the sect?” Second Young Master Han turned to Xie Wuyue seeing he was talking to a wall.
Xie Wuyue gave a mocking nod, “As long as you want to, second young master.”
“Oh, I will!”
With red eyes and a sneer, Second Young Master Han jumped, ready to strike with his two fingers, “Zhuo Fan, let’s see you get away now, pseudo earth ranked martial art, Underworld Blade!”
Whoosh!
An eerie energy shot from those fingers for Zhuo Fan’s head. The air shimmered as it passed, releasing creepy howls and sucking the warmth out of the hall.
Venerable Shi cried, “Demon Soul Sect’s patron art, the mystical soul art, Underworld Blade!”
“I hear low Ethereal Stage experts will die all the same from a peak Radiant Stage cultivator using this art. It’s an art focused on killing.”
Xie Wuyue frowned and sighed, “The Han clan’s three young masters are all true talents. A shame the second one had to meet such a monster.”
All the oldies snickered alongside.
Elder Mo had full confidence in Second Young Master Han. But soon found the Demon Scheming Sect’s higher-ups were sporting grins.
[You’re telling me an attack to kill an Ethereal Stage expert isn’t enough to crush a Radiant Stage cultivator?]
Not like anyone told him Zhuo Fan just a few days back killed two elders like nothing.
Second Young Master Han could only kill early ones too, making the whole of Demon Scheming Sect’s echelon find him sorely lacking.
As the blade came for Zhuo Fan’s head, he brushed with his broom behind him.
Roar!
The draconic roar crushed the blade like a hammer smashing a needle and then went for Second Young Master Han himself.
The young master got flung way up high and left a trail of blood in his wake.
Though he gnashed his teeth to bear through the pain as his body shook all over.
“Second young master…” Elder Mo started. Second Young Master Han signaled him back, watching the smug sweeper with shock and fear.
Third Young Master Han got his trembling feet under him and sported the same look of dread as his brother.
[Is he even human? How can a fresh Radiant Stage cultivator take down Second Brother in a single strike?]
[Body strength aside, is his soul that freakish too?]
[How are we supposed to compete with such perfection?]
The added mockery of Zhuo Fan only amplified the fear.
Zhuo Fan snickered, “Now the hall is clean. Don’t make it dirty.”
Second Young Master Han was outraged, but he was choking on blood and couldn’t retort.
Zhuo Fan sported the same condescending smile as he left with a snort.
Xie Wuyue was overjoyed, never had he been made to look so good, “Elder Mo, sorry, he’s just too rude. That’s why I left him in the Labor Office. I hope you can forgive the offense.”
“Oh, so Sect Leader Xie is in the hobby of demoting strong disciples.” Elder Mo snorted, “Are you going to have them join the Double Dragon Gathering?”
“What do you think?” Xie Wuyue smirked.
Elder Mo nodded with a small bow, “Then we shall disturb you no further and we’ll meet again at Double Dragon Gathering. Farewell.”
“Farewell.” Xie Wuyue showed him the door.
Elder Mo flicked his sleeve and took his disciples. The oldies cracked up when they were gone.
“Ha-ha-ha, look at them. They’re in the middle three sects yet never saw them so wretched.”
“Don’t get too happy. They’re still no pushovers.”
Xie Wuyue sneered, “They came to probe us. Zhuo Fan must’ve messed with Third Young Master Han and they came to assess the threat. They just accomplished their objective.”
“Won’t that mean we’re exposed?” Venerable Bai frowned.
Xie Wuyue waved his hand, “Such a flimsy cover wouldn’t have lasted anyway. It’s best to reveal it spectacularly like today. To tell them my sect aims for a middle three sect position!”
“Brilliant, Sect Leader!” The elders bowed.
A disciple burst in shouting, “Beast Taming Sect’s elders and disciples request an audience!”
“Beast Taming Sect now?” The elders looked baffled, “What is with today, sect encroachment?”
Xie Wuyue mocked, “Just another scouting party. Last time we took three of their elders in Tianyu, so they want to do us in at the Double Dragon Gathering.”
“What’s there to fear of another lower three sect like us?”
One elder cursed, “Just sic Zhuo Fan on them and that’s that. “
“Fool!” Xie Wuyue showed a nasty smile, “We need to show off to the middle three sects so that they don’t kick us around, but for the lower three sects, the secret weapon, Zhuo Fan, is not to be divulged. They’ll bite more than they can chew when he shows himself in the Double Dragon Gathering.”
They all exclaimed and admired him, [Brilliant!]