Proofreader: Papatonks

“Senior aunt Mei, kill him already!”

“Shut up! Are you an idiot to not see I can’t?”

Fang Min rushed her, but Mei Sangu took out her anger on her instead.

[Dumb girl, you think I don’t want to?]

Zhuo Fan watched the play with an even smugger grin of disdain.

Whoosh~

A new figure came before them and Zhuo Fan cried in joy, “Qingcheng?”

“Senior aunt Mei, master invited them into the hall.” Chu Qingcheng was icy, only bowing to Master and leaving right after.

Zhuo Fan figured out why and shook his head.

[Using that stained paper must’ve angered her.]

Bali Yuyu shoved his shoulder to express, “Aren’t you going to explain?”

“Don’t have to, since anything said at this point won’t reach her.” Zhuo Fan smiled broadly as he walked under the girls’ guidance into the sect.

They reached a quaint hall with a mature woman sitting on a high chair. Zhuo Fan knew her to be the Enchanting Empress of the Eight Emperors.

[It’s been a while, old crone.]

The Enchanting Empress sized him up as he entered, smiling, “Steward Zhuo? Please sit.”

“Senior Enchanting Empress.” Zhuo Fan cupped his hands, sitting in a bamboo chair, with Bali Yuyu sitting next to him.

Mei Sangu and the disciples stood on the Enchanting Empress’s side, never leaving the two out of their sights.

“Steward Zhuo is from Joy Town? Your name is bringing me unpleasant memories.”

Sipping her tea, Enchanting Empress pointed out, “He was authoritarian like you. Looking at Steward Zhuo is like seeing him. I wonder if there’s a connection.”

Zhuo Fan smiled, “The Demonic Emperor said the same thing when he saw me, but I was born and raised in the Luo clan. I’m sorry to disappoint you, but the name was bestowed by Clan Head himself.”

“Oh, it’s fine. Just recalling an old friend of days long passed.”

“Old friend? Of yours and the Demonic Emperor?”

Zhuo Fan said, “I’m quite curious if he’s so alike me. Why would both seniors have the same reaction? Maybe your old friend must be quite amazing. I would like to hear more, ha-ha-ha…”

The Enchanting Empress stared hard and shook her head, “The same yet different, only the first impression is similar. Our friend never joked, was brooding and dark like ice, like a viper. Steward Zhuo is calm by comparison, amiable.”

“Really? The Demonic Emperor said the same, ha-ha-ha…” Zhuo Fan sipped his own tea, his eyes flashing.

[Similar yet not, but actually also the same because I was reborn!]

Zhuo Fan came from the Demonic Emperor Zhuo Yifan but that man had long ago died.

[The one before you is just Zhuo Fan, who experienced so much in the mortal domain.]

[The Enchanting Empress, you will never see my past image no matter how much you scrutinize me.]

Zhuo Fan smirked and placed down the cup, “Good tea, hibiscus and fresh water, soothing the heart and calming hte mind. It’s just like Ruby Cloud Sect, fragrant and filled with a woman’s energy.”

“Steward Zhuo knows his tea. Ruby Cloud Sect’s mountain tea is gathered by our maidens with the tip of their tongue in early spring, when they’re still pure. No other place has such quality.”

“Tip of the tongue, you say?”

Zhuo Fan rose an eyebrow, looking on the tea tray, “Which is Qingcheng’s? I’ll have ten kilos of it, thanks.”

The girls turned from him to Chu Qingcheng, giggling. The Enchanting Empress smiled as well.

Chu Qingcheng blushed, glaring at him and warning him not to be frivolous. Zhuo Fan was still looking through the teacups, ignoring her fiery stare.

“Steward Zhuo is so funny. You’re nothing like him, ha-ha-ha…”

The Enchanting Empress turned serious, having enough pleasantries, “We’ve talked for so long yet I’ve yet to know what the Demonic Emperor’s representative is doing here.”

Unsuccessful in his noble pursuit, Zhuo Fan place the tea at the side and smiled, “Nothing much, just a bargain to discuss with the Enchanting Empress.”

“Bargain?”

“Exactly!”

Zhuo Fan grew serious, “Enchanting Empress must’ve heard by now that sir is about to fight with the Falcon Emperor and the Wraith Emperor. They’re testing the waters now, with ill intent. The Demonic Emperor thus wishes to ask the Enchanting Empress to step in and mediate. Upon success, a great reward awaits you.”

The Enchanting Empress’s brow shook, “So that’s why you’re here. The Wraith Emperor and Falcon Emperor aren’t easy to deal with either. With their ill tempers, they would hardly give me any attention.”

“The only reason the two started this war is because they have sir outnumbered. But Enchanting Empress, by coming forth and standing with sir, it will be a tie. They would never try anything at that point and everyone would just fall back. The people would be fortunate to be spared from such a calamity.”

“I see, the Demonic Emperor wants my support to intimidate them.”

The Enchanting Empress squinted then refused, “Steward Zhuo can return to the Demonic Emperor, for the Ruby Cloud Sect is not about to join such an ill event.”

“Enchanting Empress, we’ve yet to speak our terms. Maybe they’ll be to your liking?”

“There’s no need. Stepping in can force the two to withdraw, but what about later? Their hatred would be directed at me. I’m not that narrow minded to take such little gain and earn two Emperors’ disfavor.”

The Enchanting Empress waved him off, “Steward Zhuo, you can leave. Send them on their way, girls!”

Disciples came over at once and offered, “After you.”

Looking at her and then at the hesitant Chu Qingcheng, Zhuo Fan sneered. He nodded and stood, “I worked hard to convince the Demonic Emperor to win the Enchanting Empress over, but alas, ma’am is cold. I’ll just have to take it up with the Sword Emperor and let him have the Nether Sea map.”

“Wait!”

Enchanting Empress shouted at his words, “What did you say, the Nether Sea map? That’s your term, the Nether Sea map?”

Zhuo Fan nodded, “It is, but not the original, just a copy.”

“Copy? You have the nerve to say that?”

Mei Sangu flipped at the mere mention of the word, “I still haven’t payed you back for the last copy you gave me and now you bring your dirty rags here again?”

The Enchanting Empress was grave, staring at him.

Zhuo Fan snickered, “I was about to mention that. When I raised the proposal, I said I would risk my life to copy the map if you give me Qingcheng. But what do you do? Return to the sect and leave me hanging. I’m not as gullible as Qingcheng to believe your lies. But she insisted on having it or she would be scolded. I thus promised her and gave her a map.”

Zhuo Fan bent backward, sticking out his waist very suggestively, his tone a mockery, “Ain’t this a map as well? While not Nether Sea map, by any means, but I would rather have you spit fire at me instead of Qingcheng.”

“Zhuo Fan…”

Chu Qingcheng was touched and looked her heart melted.

The Enchanting Empress was grave, “And now? Is the map real this time?”

“Of course, the Demonic Emperor personally offered the deal so it can’t be anything less than genuine.”

Zhuo Fan shouted, “The Demonic Emperor planned to go for the head of the Eight Emperors first, the Sword Emperor. He just had to show up and the other two would easily fall back. But I miss Qingcheng and hope to give the Ruby Cloud Sect some help, thus I persuade the Demonic Emperor to find another worthy ally, recommending the Enchanting Empress. I did all this so that Qingcheng and I could be together. I’m doing this out of personal interest, since the Sword Emperor is enough to force the two back. So why even bother making another map?”

Enchanting Empress nodded, “How can we be sure the map is real?”

“When we give you the copy, we’ll bring the real map as well so that you can see for yourself. You may also ask the Gambling Emperor to inspect it for any flaws.”

“In that case, we agree to the Demonic Emperor’s proposal.”

The Enchanting Empress shouted with resolve.

Since this involved the Sword Emperor, the Falcon Emperor and Wraith Emperor would not direct their anger towards her. The Sword Emperor was there to take the lead and she’d be safe.