The Steward Demonic Emperor

Chapter 883: Closing the Net

Proofreader: Papatonks

“To think the fake Pill King Convention ended up helping Baili Jingwei draw in another talent.”

From afar, Shangguan Feiyun clicked his tongue, “This grandmaster’s skill is truly out of this world, and so young too. He has such ability with alchemy despite his poor cultivation. Even I can’t help but cherish such a gem. In a couple of centuries, this man will become the best in the world. We definitely struck gold, roping him in. What do you think, old man?”

Danqing Shen merely nodded, no longer concerning himself as to what drove Zhuo Fan to come here.

“C-cousin, do you think there’s someone else who’ll pass?”

Shangguan Qingyan stood next to Zhuo Fan on stage and glanced at Shangguan Yulin.

To bring up the main who he planned on using for his own plans, but that was way too obvious and hinted at their connection.

Zhuo Fan thus played deaf.

Though not out of fear of being found out, since it was all part of his plan, but out of worry that his value would drop to Baili Jingwei.

[Coming out to recommend now is truly idiotic.]

Though Zhuo Fan was not so keen on doing it, Shangguan Qingyan was all for it.

Shangguan Qingyan glared at his silence and pointed at Shangguan Yulin, faking wisdom, “Cousin, don’t you think that person is quite good?”

“Nah, just plain average.” Zhuo Fan didn’t bother even looking.

Shangguan Qingyan was annoyed, giving him the stink eye. Zhuo Fan tried playing it cool, but Baili Jingwei’s interest was spiked at her words.

Baili Jingwei looked over with sharp eyes and grinned, “Ha-ha-ha, Grandmaster Gu must have such high standards. That man’s refining is good, quite good…”

Baili Jingwei sounded off.

But the sounds of alarm didn’t sound in Shangguan Qingyan then, still thinking he took the bait and went on, “See, sir saw right. His alchemy must be great!” 

“Ha-ha-ha, miss is too kind. It’s not that I have good eyesight, it’s Grandmaster Gu’s high standards. To the two of us, he may be great, but Grandmaster Gu has a different worldview.”

“Can he pass?” Unable to contain her need to know the result, Shangguan Qingyan asked.

Baili Jingwei squinted, then beamed, “Does miss know him?”

“Uhm, no. How could I know him? Ha-ha… ha…”

“Ha-ha-ha, it’s fine either way. Since miss finds him great, I’ll keep my eye on him.”

“Really?” Shangguan Qingyan was giddy.

Baili Jingwei nodded with a most vague smile, “Sure, miss is Grandmaster Gu’s cousin and must have good eyes. I’ll keep miss’ thought in mind.”

“Thank you, he-he-he…” Shangguan Qingyan had a bright smile, then raised a taunting and smug eyebrow at Zhuo Fan. 

[See that, I got cousin in as well. Humph, you just don’t know how to use your new status now that the host thinks so highly of you.] 

Zhuo Fan shook his head, sighing inside.

[Dumb girl, he has a sharp mind filled with suspicions. Since you’re so open in your recommendation, of course he’s going to eye him. Only not for the same reasons. He’s looking at him like a spy and you just served your cousin on a silver platter.]

[Not like it changes anything. It’s all part of the plan. At least I didn’t do it and drop my value. If I did it, once Shangguan Yulin is found out, the host will think my mind is lacking and will see me with different eyes than now.]

[Thanks for taking the blame for me, girl, ha-ha-ha…]

Snickering inside, Zhuo Fan avoided Shangguan Qingyan’s gaze on purpose. 

[Why are you looking away? You don’t find my act helpful…]

Three hours slowly passed like grains of sand in an hourglass. Baili Jingwei saw most had finished their pills and called for the guards to take them, especially Shangguan Yulin’s.

He had no clue what was between Zhuo Fan and Shangguan Qingyan, but just like Zhuo Fan reckoned, Shangguan Qingyan leaked her intentions. This had him pay attention to this recommendation, all so he didn’t miss anything.

The guards placed the pills in two piles.

One had low and average qualities, while ranging from 7th to 9th grade. The other had top pills. And from the luster and form, it was easy to tell they were seasoned alchemists. 

Baili Jingwei had not one drop of interest in them, waving it away.

The guards caught his drift, going into the crowd and grabbing the candidates to kick them out.

“Hey, what gives? I made a top 8th grade pill! Why are you throwing me out?”

“Yeah, why is my top 9th grade pill a fail too?”

“What the hell? Why is a 7th grade a pass but my great 8th grade is not enough…”

…

The people were rowdy and annoyed at the judgment. Baili Jingwei didn’t feel like making excuses at this moment, having them taken away before saying, “I said to give your best, so congratulations. You did it, while they did not!”

Roar!

They cheered having won the round. Shangguan Yulin was also clenching his fists, patting himself on the back for a refining well done. Shangguan Qingyan couldn’t help but give Zhuo Fan a look of triumph.

[This way both spies are in.]

Only Zhuo Fan knew the ins and out, his mouth forming a thin smile. After the second round, fifty men were taken away, leaving only thirty four.

Screening these many was far easier…

Watching the ecstatic ‘winners’, Baili Jingwei sighed, finally bringing this charade to an end. 

[Time to close the net, ha-ha-ha…]

“People, come with me. We’ll be holding the final round before Sword King Feiyun.” Baili Jingwei smiled and walked behind the manor.

The others rushed in excitement.

A guard blocked Zhuo Fan from going as well, bowing, “Sir Gu, please wait. You don’t have to join them.”

“Yeah, Sir Gu. Your talent makes you the undisputed Pill King. You don’t have to waste time on more tests.”

Baili Jingwei smiled at his puzzled look, “If sir finds himself bored, I can ask the guard to give you a tour around the premises. I’ll be with you in a moment and enjoy some drinks.”

Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow, feigning ignorance, “But I thought of seeing Sword King Feiyun. I can’t?”

“No no no, Sword King Feiyun will see you in person momentarily, rest assured. Please have a little patience Sir Gu.” Baili Jingwei cupped his hands and led the others.

All the candidates gave him looks of envy. 

[He just got first spot in one pill, even skipping the final round. Sword King himself will be seeing him. He’ll be sure to enjoy all the glory and wealth of the imperial capital, lavishing in the power the new status will bring him.]

It was envy in its most unadulterated form.

This was all due to his strength. If they made an 11th grade pill, they’d be beside him.

While envy was envy, those with hatred were far fewer, though including Shangguan Yulin, of course. In his mind, he was the main of this undercover operation. 

[Me!]

Only to be beset by setbacks the moment he came here. He’d been ignored and thrown into obscurity while Zhuo Fan had an eye-catching performance, getting in the enemy’s good graces, with all the honors in fact.

Shangguan Yulin gave Zhuo Fan a death stare, his teeth crunching.

Zhuo Fan chuckled, pulling Shangguan Qingyan’s soft hand as he said to a guard, “It’s my first time here. May I look around?”

“Of course, Sir Gu. I’ll show sir around.”

As an honored guest of the Prime Minister, the guard knew to show respect. Shangguan Qingyan got dragged away by Zhuo Fan, but she did give Shangguan Yulin one last look and gesture. 

[Do your best!]

Face twitching, he only saw his cousin being taken by another man. His best was the last thing on his mind right now. 

Though he only had this final round to go through before he enjoyed Zhuo Fan’s treatment, in the enemy’s base. He’d have plenty of chances to finish off Zhuo Fan then with none the wiser. 

Shangguan Yulin squinted and walked on with bloodthirst.

Shangguan Feiyun glanced at Danqing Shen, “Come, time to close the net. I’m curious to see if Baili Jingwei caught anything, ha-ha-ha…”