The Steward Demonic Emperor

Chapter 1081: Unfit

Proofreader: Papatonks

“What, fight?!”

Seeing Zhuo Fan stop, the rest halted as well, looking grave, “Brother Zhuo, are you absolutely sure Qiao’er can’t hold it?”

Zhuo Fan gave a curt nod, “In the last two explosions, the lightning always prevailed over the inferno, it’s proof that Qiao’er can’t handle Invincible Sword. I wager they’ll soon catch up and escaping with our speed is pointless. That’s why, fight!”

Brows shook all over as faces sank in despair, balling their fists as fear creeped into their hearts.

Besides the fact that all here were stragglers, not even at their best would they ever hoped to stand a chance against that monster. 

Ouyang Lingtian was the most clear on that. He and the other two divine sword wielders’ only hope was in Qiao’er’s godlike talent. This, however, turned out to be a bust as well, with the old freak coming to finish them off.

Everyone shivered.

“Big brother Zhuo, what are our chances?” Ouyang Changqing, gazed at him with blinding hope. 

Everyone turned as well with burning gazes, including the three oldies here, all eager to know the answer to that question, having lost their backbone and awaited his instructions.

Back when he was the Grand Marshal, they could still make use of that noggin on their shoulders, considering the three orders. Now though, they relinquished their cognition in favor of following Zhuo Fan’s orders. 

They were at the end of the rope and the only way out was with help. Any that fell in such dire straits would stoop to any low, would take any deal. They would forgo using their own minds in overcoming to earn another’s help. The help might come from a volatile person, but no matter how wretched the character or unreliable, his words were law to them. 

Not to mention Zhuo Fan’s intellect had been put to the test and prevailed. Their trust in him was blinding at this point.

None had such complete faith in Zhuo Fan until now, especially the ever belligerent Murong Xue. Even she found herself with her fate in his hands.

Despair was among the best ways to get people to listen and obey. How else would you explain the many plebeian revolts throughout history?

Zhuo Fan met their gaze with a knowing smile, “Rest easy, with me here, nothing will happen.”

“Big brother knows a way? You can overcome Invincible Sword?” Ouyang Changqing gasped, discovering another side of him.

[The boss is so tough he only used his pinkie before, when he has the power to fight the best in the lands?]

[R-really? But we’re peers, there’s a limit to how strong you can get…]

His suspicion soon waned right after, recalling Qiao’er pushing back three Sword Kings and she was even younger. 

[As her father, there’s nothing big brother Zhuo can’t do!]

[The Zhuo clan is a hidden den of monsters.]

Ouyang Changqing cupped his hands in admiration, “Big brother Zhuo is unfathomable, having not shown your talent for us to see. Now I get to see big brother’s style and I bet big brother and Invincible Sword’s fight shall be the greatest and most glorious battle since the world came to be. It shall be our utmost honor to witness history being made!”

The rest looked at Zhuo Fan with astonishment. 

[He can handle Invincible Sword, really?]

[That’s insane!]

Invincible Sword had trained for ages, but what about him? If he could meet the old monster head on, these observers would be ashamed for the old coot.

[You cultivated for millenia yet can’t even compare to a guy being around for just a few decades? What have you been doing all these years, lounging?] 

Those from the western lands were even more incredulous since the last time they saw him was barely ten years ago, when they knew his strength. There was just no way one could jump ranks so much and so fast. Not just Invincible Sword would be depressed if he could, but even them, feeling like they wasted their years. 

[We’ve been hard at work training, so why are we still so far behind?]

Everyone had tense looks, waiting for Zhuo Fan’s answer. There was hope and denial on their faces. While it was a great boon for them if Zhuo Fan had such heft, the same couldn’t be said for their pride and self-confidence. 

[What the hell have you been doing these years? How did you get so far ahead? We’re not even in your shadow anymore!]

Gulping, Ouyang Lingtian and the other two were stressed out as they waited with fixed gazes on him, their thoughts and wishes in deep conflict.

If Zhuo Fan declared he could fight Invincible Sword, they were the first to be in utter denial, taking out their sash and just hanging themselves with it.  

[If you’re such an abomination, what does that make us?]

Looking at them all, knowing full well the chaos in their hearts, Zhuo Fan chuckled and shook his head, “Friends, with my strength, even fighting peak Genesis experts is out of question, let alone Invincible Sword. I just happen to have some things on me, like Qiao’er, from my master when times are tough. I can at least escape with my life.”

[Oh, I see.]

They all bobbed their heads, their rearing jealousy and envy curbed on the spot.

[What did I tell you? There’s no way humans could train so fast, that’s simply insane. It turns out to be some special means instead. That explains the lass’ outrageous power, it’s all based on something else.]

[One’s cultivation can only grow through hard work after all!]

Ouyang Lingtian and the other two had this belief ingrained in their hearts, getting testy the minute someone challenged it. If Zhuo Fan and Qiao’er had truly amassed in a few years what took a thousand, their minds would snap and would just curl up and cry in a corner.

They thanked the heavens it wasn’t so. This at least brought value to their bitter struggle to the top for years on end. They got to keep their ego intact, for now.

“Changqing, slow and steady wins the race, tested and proved throughout the ages. Remember that. To be strong you need to train hard and not rely on props. When they fail, and they will, you only have yourself to rely on. Understand?” Ouyang Lingtian used this chance to teach his wisdom to the child, though doing more for himself and washing away this defeat.

It included Zhuo Fan in it as well, though they all understood it. Old timers found their limelight stolen by youth, so they could only hang their seniority over their heads to show off. 

Ouyang Changqing played along by nodding, the picture of an earnest pupil, yet rotten heart of disdain. Youths were pragmatic, looking only at the end and not the means. Sure, his old man’s words held some truth in them, though here and now, they fell on deaf ears.

To make it worse, if it came from Zhuo Fan for instance, he’d have his full attention. 

Whoosh!

Purple flashed and Qiao’er caught up to them. She looked panicked, rushing to Zhuo Fan, “Father, t-that old timer is too strong. Dragon Breath Pill didn’t do anything. He’s on his way right now!” 

“Ha-ha-ha, yes, but not on his way, having already arrived.”

Just as she finished, four whistling sounds were heard as Invincible Sword was upon them with the three Sword Kings in tow. 

Everyone flinched back from shock, even Qiao’er. For the first time, she scampered behind Zhuo Fan, peaking at Baili Yutian with fear.

[The monster is here!]

Zhuo Fan lacked the obvious fear and distress prevalent running rampant in his group, smiling as he cupped his hands, “Sir, we meet again.”

“Indeed, Sir Zhuo, your absence weighed heavy on my heart, ha-ha-ha…” Giving a smirk, Baili Yutian laughed, “Devil Mountain is such a big name, living up to its reputation. I have now come to see it for what it is. Although, I’m afraid leaving without your head and the three divine swords is out of the question. Will sir oblige?”

Zhuo Fan cocked an eyebrow, giving off a smirk of his own, “Sir sure is forgetful, of our deal to stay out of each other’s way. Isn’t it a little too soon to come for my head? Sir might want to go back on his word, but aren’t you too eager, too.. undignified?”

“An agreement is made between equal parties, something I considered you to be then. Not anymore!” He squinted and gave an evil smile, “If you wish the deal to hold, you will have to prove to me you have what it takes for me to honor it still.” 

“You don’t say. Ha-ha-ha, then I guess the deal is off, here and now.”

“Giving up so soon, sir? Ha-ha-ha, with your bluff seen through, you’re sensible.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, sir.”

Zhuo Fan grinned as Baili Yutian laughed, his eyes disdainful, “I found that from how sir defined the deal that you’re the one unfit for me to keep it. You’re just too weak!” 

Baili Yutian shuddered, his manic smile frozen on his face as his expression darkened.

“Humph, Sir Zhuo called me forgetful, when you’re even more so. I take it back, you’re not sensible, but conceited. It might scare everyone else, but not me. You’re only signing your death warrant!”