The Steward Demonic Emperor

Chapter 888: A Turncoat’s Options

Proofreader: Papatonks

Shangguan Feiyun’s eyes bore down on the kneeling Shangguan Yulin with an excited heart, ready for the final test. 

[In case he’s just another frickin’ coward that spews anything to cling to his puny life.]

“You’re saying you’re my nephew, is it? Then you should be aware of the memorial held each year by the Shangguan clan.”

“Absolutely!”

Shangguan Yulin’s eyes flashed, reporting, “Uncle, Shangguan clan’s yearly memorial burns thirty-six incenses, for the thirty-six clan heads before that defended eastern lands, the Shangguan clan and gave their lives for it. Bathing will take twenty-four hours the entire day before one shows respect to his ancestors, with the idea of the thirty-six heavenly cycles in mind to pray for their blessings!”

Shangguan Feiyun shook and laughed, “Ha-ha-ha, well done! Only a Shangguan clansman knows true respect. No outsider will know we hold a memorial for thirty-six ancestors.”

“Does that mean we found our spy?”

Baili Jingwei grinned, while Shangguan Yulin tensed and shrunk.

Baili Jingwei helped him up with a kind smile, “Young master Shangguan, relax, we’ve gone through such trouble to find you so you could guide us. It’s only a matter of time before the Shangguan clan will be under Sword King Feiyun’s rule. To receive his help so early is your fortune. Moreover, you said you’re Sword King Feiyun’s nephew. Being so close is bound to bring splendor in young master’s future.”

“Shangguan Feixiong and the others shunned me, but I’m still part of the Shangguan clan. As long as any member is willing to come to me, I will look after them, especially when it comes to my dear nephew. Is your mother perhaps…” Shangguan Feiyun was more amiable now.

Shangguan Yulin bowed, reporting his entire life to the man. Shangguan Feiyun exclaimed, “Oh, so you’re sister Yuheng’s child. It truly has been ages. We were so close in those days, ha-ha-ha…”

“Mother has talked about how she misses uncle. Ha-ha-ha….” Shangguan Yulin used the perfect moment to grab his lifeline.

Shangguan Feiyun nodded.

Baili Jingwei smiled at the exchange, “Sword King Feiyun, it’s truly a rare occasion for an uncle to rejoin with his nephew, but before we can delve deeper into the memory lane, I will have to ask young master Shangguan if you have any other clansman among these two?”

Glancing at the quivering messes, the two gave begging looks. They knew now this was a chance for Shangguan clansmen. As long as they became one as well, they’d see tomorrow.

So the two made doe eyes at Shangguan Yulin. He was their only hope in this abyss…

“Prime Minister sir, the Shangguan clan doesn’t have filth.” Shangguan Yulin spoke in a cold tone.

The two’s legs gave from under them, falling paralyzed and in despair.

Baili Jingwei nodded and said, “Sword King sir, the previous act was to find young master Yulin. Since he’s the only one, take them away.”

“No, that will mean they’ll leak this event. When Shangguan Feixiong finds out, he’ll hunt me down!”

“Ha-ha-ha, no worries, young master Yulin, I’ll be sure to have men look after you. Take them away and let them go!” Baili Jingwei waved.

The two nodded with hope. Shangguan Yulin frowned, his head shaking anxiously, “You can’t. I can’t have peace as long as they live. Only the dead can hold a secret.”

Shangguan Yulin struck before the other two spoke again, taking their lives.

The two peak Ethereal Stage cultivators were scared to death just moments ago, this gave this fresh Soul Harmony Stage cultivator the chance to kill them easily.

Baili Jingwei squinted.

Shangguan Yulin gave them an awkward look as he bowed, “Uncle, Prime Minister, forgive me for overstepping…”

“Ha-ha-ha, lighten up. It’s I who was too nice. Young master Yulin did well.” Baili Jingwei chuckled and turned serious, “Young master, now that you have Sword King Feiyun’s support, can you tell us your purpose here?”

Shangguan Yulin nodded, completing his betrayal by revealing Shangguan Feixiong’s entire plan.

Baili Jingwei smiled, “Just like I thought, they’re ready for a second assault. That means they’ll all work as one, and not scatter. Then where you’re staying in Flying Cloud City is…”

“Eastern Gate’s Gu household.” Shangguan Yulin’s eyes shone, his voice steady.

Baili Jingwei mumbled, “Gu household? That does sound familiar.”

“Of course it is, Prime Minister, since it is the house of the same guest you honored today, Gu Yifan!”

“What?!”

Baili Jingwei shook, “Grandmaster Gu is one of you? But Sword King Feiyun said your clan isn’t great with alchemy. How can you have someone like him?”

“Him, one of us? As if! Humph, he’s nothing but a frickin’…” Shangguan Yulin gnashed his teeth at his mere mention, spilling everything once again, warning for good measure at the end, “Prime Minister sir, Gu Yifan is also Shangguan clan’s spy, even if my sub. You must erase him before he reports back.”

[Sub? You’re the sub if you ask me.]

Baili Jingwei glanced over and shook his head with a sad gaze. Grandmaster Gu, a truly rare talent, was now an enemy?

[At the very least, he and Shangguan clan aren’t that close, only making use of each other. This gives me room to work with and use him.]

Baili Jingwei came back from his machinations with a smile, “Young master Shangguan, you’ve done your uncle, Sword King Feiyun, a great service and revealed a great weakness to me. I wanted to bring Grandmaster Gu to the imperial capital, having no caution around him at all. Please accept this bow from me, young master, for opening my eyes.”

Baili Jingwei bowed. Shangguan Yulin helped him up at once, though he looked prideful.

[See, the great Baili Jingwei is bowing to me! Ain’t I awesome, or what?]

Shangguan Feiyun snickered…

“Prime Minister, how are you going to kill him? Should I do it?” Shangguan Yulin looked way too eager to dole out violence, but then he thought about it and said, “Just that the miss next to him is my cousin. Allow me to take care of her, Prime Minister. Don’t harm her, I vow that she won’t hinder you.”

Baili Jingwei read him like a book, “Young master must admire that miss.” 

Shangguan Yulin blushed and gave a weak nod.

“Ha-ha-ha, sure, since she’s with young master, I won’t touch her.” Baili Jingwei promised.

Shangguan Feiyun promised, “The hostility between my brother and me won’t spread to a helpless girl, especially one such as my niece.”

Shangguan Yulin eased.

“Then, when will you strike against that Gu punk?”

“We need him to live for a while longer.” Baili Jingwei denied.

[What?!]

Shangguan Yulin panicked, “Why?”

“After the Pill King Convention, his name will reach far and wide. If anything happens to him, it will send alarms.” Baili Jingwei smirked, “Besides, we still need him to report back to the Shangguan clan.” 

“What do you need him to report? I can do it as well!” Slapping his chest, Shangguan Yulin showed that what Zhuo Fan could do, so could he.

Baili Jingwei sized him up then shook his head, “Young master Yulin, this you must not, because you’ve been eliminated out of the competition.”

“I-I have?”

“Yes, how else are you to watch Shangguan Feixiong’s every move?”

Baili Jingwei showed a sly grin, “I thought Shangguan clan would only send one spy and planned on passing you to help Flying Cloud manor. But now, since there’s two of you, it will turn out far better. Besides giving the Shangguan clan the information I want, I’ll also know what they’re doing. Any slight delay will lead to different plans of action. That’s why I decided to have Gu Yifan report back and you watch Shangguan Feixiong and read his doubts. This will make my plan of attack all the more precise. Understand?”