Proofreader: Papatonks

“Why do you say that, Steward Zhuo?” Zhao Chen frowned.

Zhuo Fan smiled as he stood, taking a couple of steps, “When two fight, the third reaps the reward. Demonic Emperor sir is heroic, but against two others the odds aren’t looking favorable. You may even win, but the losses will be devastating and turn into a loss in the end. While the other Emperors will use this chance to seize sir’s lands. In short, war will only bring downsides. Like in the war between the Falcon Emperor and the Wraith Emperor, what did sir do?”

“You think I don’t know that?”

Zhao Chen sighed, “It’s not I who started this fight, but the other two geezers coming at me. Not defending will be the same as handing over the land, losing not only territory but my name too. With the world seeing me weak, no one would turn to me for protection.”

Zhuo Fan nodded, “Yes, by not fighting the losses will be greater, making the war a must. However, it shouldn’t be sir who fights.”

“Who else then? They came especially to fight me!”

“Let those lurking from the sidelines fight. That’s the best tactic!”

Zhuo Fan wore a sneaky smile, “Any that joins it has to suffer. Why doesn’t sir just have those spectators hop into the fray while you take their place instead, as the third party?”

Zhao Chen started, “You want me to look for allies? But who would aid me at such a time? There’s two Emperors coming as well. Any allies I find, if I do find any, would at most give a lofty speech only to be a no show when the war starts.”

“Demonic Emperor sir, it’s not seeking allies, but adversaries. You fight alongside allies, unlike with adversaries. They do the work while we watch without lifting a finger.”

“Uh, Steward Zhuo, are you in your right mind?”

Zhao Chen stared hard then cracked up, “Ha-ha-ha, Steward Zhuo, where are we supposed to find such nimrods? I don’t know of any among the Eight Emperors who’d be that stupid to waste his strength.”

Zhuo Fan smiled, “Of course there aren’t any foolish enough to do it, and recruiting adversaries comes with a price, even the Eight Emperors.”

“What price would that be?” Zhao Chen asked.

Zhuo Fan’s grin widened, stressing every word, “Demonic Emperor sir, have you managed to decipher the Nether Sea map by any chance?”

“You want to give the map? Not happening!”

Zhuo Fan shook his head, denying such an idea, “The Nether Sea map is the only clue to the Nether Sovereign’s seat of enlightenment. It’s invaluable. Why should I just hand it over? What if they decipher it?”

“The map is too abstruse for common eyes to unravel. The Gambling Emperor wouldn’t have bet it otherwise. We’re not going to use the real map either, but a copy. The real thing will stay with sir.”

“No, what if they can still crack it?”

“We can just tamper with it, making it impossible.”

“Tampering it and they still won’t notice?”

“Demonic Emperor sir, please take out the map and allow me a look.” Zhuo Fan bowed.

Squinting, Zhao Chen finally relented and took out the map after a long pause. Zhuo Fan approached casually and pointed, “Sir, the map has countless black circles. All we have to do is just add more here while taking there, when we make a copy. No one will figure it out, not even the Gambling Emperor. The right and left corners are similar as well so we can just switch them with none the wiser. Even put side by side with the original, who would notice? You could stare at it till you go blind and still won’t figure it out.”

Zhao Chen nodded and exclaimed, “Steward Zhuo’s tactic is ingenious. With a few subtle changes on the already abstruse map, no one will notice. Now we have a bargaining chip, getting something for nothing, ha-ha-ha. Only, who should we make a deal with?”

“With who yearns for the map the most.”

Zhuo Fan pace, “In Gambling Town, the Gambling Emperor threw the map into a bet so he won’t value it, or maybe he already owns a copy. The other representatives might want the map, only two yearn for it. The Ruby Cloud Sect tried using a honey trap on me to give them a copy. The Sword Emperor’s representative even cut off his own toes in the betting. Talking with them would be far more successful.”

Zhao Chen gave an approving nod, “Sir is truly sharp. I’m fortunate to have you. I’ll contact the two right away.”

“One moment!”

Zhuo Fan intervened, “Demonic Emperor sir, no need to be hasty. All know our circumstances, and are sure to make heavy demands if we just go to them with the map. Heed my advice, sir, and they would be more than willing to work for us.”

Zhao Chen’s face twitched, staring long at Zhuo Fan, “Having sir with me is like gaining a gem. Then I’ll leave the overwhelming alliance to sir!”

“Just doing my duty, sir.”

Zhuo Fan bowed, exchanged a couple more words and left with Bali Yuyu. His first goal was the Ruby Cloud Sect, where Chu Qingcheng was. The failed deal in the Gambling Town would be finished this time.

Whoosh~

Arriving before the Ruby Cloud Sect’s territory, a dozen girls blocked their way, with Fang zmin in the lead.

Zhuo Fan snickered, shouting, “Girlie, go tell them that I represent the Demonic Emperor and have come to see the Enchanting Empress on important business!”

“Humph, rotten punk, like we haven’t had enough of your tricks last time. Now you have the nerve to come to the Ruby Cloud Sect? You’re looking to die!” Fang Min huffed, preparing to attack Zhuo Fan, “Sisters, rip this arrogant bastard to shreds!”

“Yes!”

The girls went on the offensive, aiming for Zhuo Fan. The heavy pressure befell Zhuo Fan, a Bone Tempering cultivator, bound to flatten him.

Whoosh~

Bali Yuyu flashed in front, sending a casual ice sword wave at them.

Bam!

The dozen girls coughed blood and were flung away like flies.

They should thank their lucky stars that Bali Yuyu went easy, or there would’ve been nothing left of them.

Bali Yuyu sneered and Zhuo Fan stepped forward, “I represent the Demonic Emperor. Attacking me is attacking sir. Does Ruby Cloud Sect want a war with Devil Mountain?”

“Humph, the Demonic Emperor is cornered, can he spare energy against another enemy?”

A mocking tone came, followed by a familiar figure, Zhuo Fan perked up, “If it isn’t senior aunt Mei, how’ve you been.”

“You dare call me that?”

“Just like Qingcheng does.” Zhuo Fan beamed without a trace of shame.

Mei Sangu recalled Zhuo Fan giving her that foul handiwork and cursed, “Damn cretin, I have a score to settle with you for last time!”

“Tch, so you found out, eh? Here I thought the biddy would take ages.” Bali Yuyu mocked.

Mei Sangu’s ears twitched, clenching her fists. She knew the girl was more than she looked and winning would not be easy. She couldn’t put her in her place.

Zhuo Fan laughed, “I’ll give you all the explanations you want for last time. The real issue is now. I represent the Demonic Emperor but you’re just keeping me at the door?”

“Huh, and what of it? Devil Mountain’s newest servant only knows how to abuse his status.”

“Ha-ha-ha, Mei Sangu, how is it any different from you?”

Zhuo Fan was grave, “Being the Demonic Emperor’s representative isn’t anything great, but that’s not for you to say, since you’re not worthy. I’m the Demonic Emperor’s representative, here to see the Ruby Cloud Sect Leader for a deal. Only your Sect Leader can send me away, for she is the Ruby Cloud Sect. Senior aunt Mei, are you perhaps that representative? Isn’t this a power play? Did the Enchanting Empress die?”

[Why you…]

Mei Sangu’s face twitched in anger, ready to explode. She wanted nothing more than to flatten him under her heel, but the only option she had was to bottle up her fury.

Not only was Bali Yuyu an unknown guard that she had no confidence winning against, Zhuo Fan was, unfortunately, right. He was the Demonic Emperor’s representative and this involved the relations between Devil Mountain and the Ruby Cloud Sect. She had no right to take charge here.

What a darn shame, a Bone Tempering bug had such power, but not her.

Mei Sangu’s anger flared once more. Dealing with Zhuo Fan was like losing five thousand years of her lifespan…