Chapter 1127: Aged Birthday
Proofreader: Papatonks
Qiao’er and Gu Santong shared a look. Bald Demon was looking stumped as well.
[Why… so all that spying was so he could join hands with the Palace Lord?]
[But aren’t I from the Devil Palace already? What joining?]
He always felt that he had been a double agent, only to find out he was just a simple one since both sides wanted to work together.
[What was the point of even doing all that then? So the two could mediate?]
Zhuo Fan paused for a long time, before shaking his head, “I appreciate the Zither Sword King’s thoughts, but the time isn’t ripe. Seeing sir so anxious, it will make our cooperation stifled. Fighting alone would be preferred.”
“Why the hesitation, Palace Lord?”
“Many reasons, starting with the empire still holding strong and would only prolong a war. Or in the case of a win, my palace will come into the light and draw the eyes of the other lands, putting us in danger. As for the most crucial reason, the odds are slim at best…”
“Why do you say that?” Zither Sword King shook.
Zhuo Fan said, “The Invincible Sword.”
“Him?”
Zither Sword King scoffed, “Palace Lord, the old guy hasn’t been around for a century. If not dead, then on his deathbed, frail and weak…”
“Have you seen him?”
“Uh…” Zither Sword King paused at the question, hesitating, “Baili Jingwei and the emperor are the only ones who know his condition.”
The Zither Sword King nodded, “True, he’s not about to let it spread, especially when there’s so much danger lurking about. Zither Sword King, they say you’re quite casual, but now you’re acting against this info. Is it on purpose or made so? Filled with nothing but hatred, you’ll be prone to anxiety and rash decisions. We shall not be cooperating, goodbye.”
Zhuo Fan stood and walked out with Qiao’er and Gu Santong at his sides.
The Zither Sword King rushed, “Hold on, Palace Lord! That’s not an issue. I’ve waited for so long and can still wait for a few more years.”
“Sword King, you might say that, but that is your nature. To be frank, I don’t want dead weights. A man that has no control over himself and only seeks revenge, can never achieve anything.”
“Then how can we cooperate?” Zither Sword King’s eyes shook.
Zhuo Fan paused, “Sword King, you’re a smart man and should know that cooperation isn’t limited to joining hands. Being on the same page will suffice. While our aims differ, our target is the same. Knowing this, you can tell how we can work together, ha-ha-ha…”
Zither Sword King was silent.
“About that rhyme of yours, make another when you have the time.” Zhuo Fan waved and left with his children.
Zither Sword King winced and sighed, “Dark Demon Lord is so peculiar. Baili Jingwei has met his match again.”
“Sword King, so you…”
Bald Demon stuck to his side. But then his body turned into a bloody mist, drifting away.
The Zither Sword King relaxed his hand, no shift in features at all.
“You know too much…”
“Father, how should we deal with that traitor, Bald Demon?”
The trio walked among a busy street, with Gu Santong feeling annoyed as he looked back.
Zhuo Fan dismissed his worry, “That’s no traitor, but a spy, one that hid for decades in my palace. Liu Mubai owns him and he isn’t about to worsen our relationship over one small trifle. Liu Mubai is bound to clean up. Let others take care of their dogs and not undermine their authority.”
“Wha…”
“He knows too much. Would you have left him around to leak the private meeting with the Devil Palace Lord if you were in his shoes? Ha-ha-ha, Liu Mubai planned on removing him the minute he was open about his intentions.” Zhuo Fan grinned.
Young Sanzi nodded.
Qiao’er asked, “Father, were you just talking about the rhyme that spread across the lands? It sounds like we’re trying to ruin the empire. Did Liu Mubai spread it?”
“Should be.”
Zhuo Fan nodded, “I picked up from his speech that he is fixated on seeing the Sword Star Empire burn and the rhyme came to me as a borrowed knife tactic. He knows we have the strength to oppose it so he let the rhyme spread and inflame the hatred on both sides. We could’ve had no intentions for the empire for all he cared, because now we’re enemies for sure. He’s only working with us to make sure the Sword Star Empire is done for.
“Sometimes, rumors are worse, especially one like this that gets on the nerves of a ruler. The two of us are now fire and water, on a collision course. I don’t mind him doing this, but I hate being used. That’s why I mentioned the rhyme at the end to gauge his reaction, whether he was behind it or not. But also to warn him that I know and not to get smart with me. I have the final say and I’m not about to play his game.”
Young Sanzi and Qiao’er nodded.
“Hey, did you hear? Dragon Cleaving Sword King is going after the Luo Alliance Leader in western lands. Do you think he has any chance?”
“A Sword King targeting the Luo Alliance Leader? Isn’t that so low of him? He has his status to think about.”
“How is that low? They say the Dragon Cleaving Sword King’s decision has nothing to do with the two lands. It’s to fulfill a thousand year-old promise. Someone brought him the lost painting and asked for revenge for the imperial family a century ago. This is their world. The four lands could know about it as well, but I don’t think they’ll intervene since it’s not about the two lands.”
“But he’s the pillar of western lands. With him gone…”
“And? He’s part of their world too and no one can run from resentments.”
“With the Sword King stepping in, even with millions of soldiers, the Luo Alliance Leader will die. It’ll be child’s play for a Sword King to get their head, go for him and not waste time on the soldiers…”
“Right?”
A particular gossip pierced Zhuo Fan’s thoughts.
Zhuo Fan shuddered and his brow tense, “Danqing Shen is going after Yunhai?”
“Father, should I go stop him?” Young Sanzi offered.
Zhuo Fan raised his hand, “Something’s not right. Why does the whole world know of Danqing Shen’s plan to kill him?”
“Father, what do you mean?”
“Suspicion comes from trickery. Danqing Shen has always been quiet, while the one asking the favor wouldn’t have let it leak to warn them. Celebrate after the job is done. Or is he so sure Danqing Shen can do it?”
Zhuo Fan mulled it over and then said, “Qiao’er, young Sanzi, find out the five lands’ reaction to this. I’ll stop old Dan myself. I fear this was a trick all along.”
The two bowed, “Yes, father.”
In Blackwind Mountain, the base of the Luo Alliance, the main hall was decorated for a special occasion, Alliance Leader Luo Yunhai’s grand birthday, oblivious to the imminent danger.
Experts and renowned guests came from all over, with every figure in the western lands present here. Even the nine sects were here to offer respects.
“Luo Alliance Leader, may you live long and happy!”
“Sect Leader Li, come, sit!”
“Luo Alliance Leader, you give me much favor welcoming me yourself.”
“Clan Head Zhang, it’s only proper. Sir coming to my birthday is the real honor, ha-ha-ha…”
Luo Yunhai and Yue’er were in front of the hall, greeting the many guests with a stiff smile.
He sometimes glanced at Yue’er, giving a bitter smile, “Yue’er, is 150 years old worthy of an grand birthday? I said not to hold it but you insisted and now look how much a pain it is.”
“Whose fault is it if not yours?”
Yue’er rolled her eyes, giving him a sharp look, “You wanted to wrest for power since a century ago. For that purpose, we need to make connections, and a grand birthday is the best occasion. Steward Zhuge said it himself, a small celebration every five years with a large one every decade. Making sure to invite all with renown in the western lands, increasing from one event to another while using the upright conduct of the Luo Alliance to sway the people. Sure, a grand birthday is a hassle, but you can’t deny its effects.
“These decades, not only has the Luo Alliance been growing swiftly, but dear’s voice has gained more and more weight in the western lands. Better than the Double Dragon Manor who stays closed up for years on end. I believe that the nine sects trust dear far more than the Double Dragon Manor. Steward Zhuge’s plan worked like a charm.”
Luo Yunhai’s smile fell and nodded, “Yeah, their work has excellent results. Luo Alliance has gained more and more friends. I’m just sad that you have to go through the toil with me.”
“Dear, it’s my job.” Yue’er blushed with a sweet smile.
Luo Yunhai looked around oddly, “Now where did that girl run off to now?”