Chapter 1056: Sending Off

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Everyone looked at Zhuo Fan as if he grew a second head. Murong Xue was the one most affected, but then she lashed out, “See that? I knew he’s not dependable, yet you all insisted on trusting him. He used the Heaven Sealing Sword to bait you all this time, only to tell us now that the divine sword is with Invincible Sword. He was playing us all along!”

Zhuo Fan smirked.

The men frowned and hesitated, with Ling Yuntian gathering the courage only to be supplicant, “Sir Zhuo, you promised us that you’ll return the Heaven Sealing Sword, so why…”

“Yes I did and I am. Go see Invincible Sword and ask him to give it back.”

Ling Yuntian was on the verge of tears, “Isn’t that twisting words, Sir Zhuo? The old monster came from it specifically and now that he has it, you think he’ll be a fool to just give it back?”

“Heh, you’re not that far off the mark there, he-he-he…”

Zhuo Fan c.o.c.ked an eyebrow, complementing his evil smile.

The others were bemused.

Zhuo Fan gestured for Ling Yuntian to come on over to lend his ear, “Didn’t you just say he came for Heaven Sealing Sword? When you see him, tell him that it was not him who took it…” 

Zhuo Fan acted like he shared his deepest secrets, showing a confident smile. Ling Yuntian frowned in doubt, “That’s… it?”

“You don’t believe me? Has my plan ever failed?” 

Zhuo Fan gave an insidious smile, acting like he was counting his greatest hits, “When Baili Yuyu couldn’t steal your sword and pa.s.s the barrier, it was my idea that had her succeed. When Baili Jingwei attacked all lands, you were all being hysterical in despair, yet it was I who broke the invasions. Now, the hunt for Baili Yutian, the same thing that is now driving Baili Jingwei insane, is my idea too, no? Has any of them failed? You still doubt me after all this?”

Ling Yuntian pondered and relented a nod, “Yes, Sir Zhuo has shown great success in every aspect, a man of integrity and infallible genius. I’m fortunate you’re on our side, or else our end would’ve come far quicker. Then, when we’ll look for Invincible Sword tomorrow, we’ll just do as Sir Zhuo said. I just hope it’ll prove as effective as all plans.”

“Of course it will work, now go. With the Heaven Sealing Sword back, your three swords will make light work of him.” Zhuo Fan shooed him away, shouting at the rest, 

“The plan can’t be clearer now, so just go grasp victory. If anything happens, I’ll be sure to amend the plan from the back!”

The others nodded and bowed before leaving, “Then we shall take our leave. We are grateful for sir’s overseeing the battlefield.”

Zhuo Fan found himself in the s.p.a.cious hall with his dear Chu Qingcheng, Qiao’er and… Murong Xue?

“What are you still doing here?” Zhuo Fan Zhuo Fan gave her an odd look, “For now all is quiet. With them going away, shouldn’t you do the same?”

“I’m watching you!”

“Watching?”

“Yes!” Murong Xue stared with an icy gaze, “You’re one sick man, backstabbing and traitorous. One moment you’re with Invincible Sword, the next you’re giving advice to us. Nothing about you is trustworthy. I am never going to leave you out of my sight, stopping you from doing something that will plunge the world into h.e.l.l.”

Murong Xue sat in a chair, unmoving. But her eyes bore into Zhuo Fan every second, making her presence most off-putting.

[Don’t you try anything, I got my eye on you!]

[Man, she’s a pain.]

Zhuo Fan smirked and walked to Chu Qingcheng’s side, “Miss Murong is welcome to stay, I won’t tell you to go. But me and my wife have been so long apart that, with these days detained over some trifles, that only makes me antic.i.p.ate our time together. So us two might be doing something inappropriate for public display. Miss Murong is, of course, welcome to stay and gain much knowledge on the subject. I sure don’t mind. Maybe miss will also like some hands-on teaching, ha-ha-ha…”

“Why you…”

Murong Xue blushed hard and grew irate. Her purdy eyes stared daggers at him, unable to come up with any retort. She ended up flicking her hand and leaving, “Humph, all men are rotten to the core!”

“Be careful not to include your brother as well. But seriously now, you don’t want to gain early practice? It’s all gonna pay up later.”

“Drop dead!”

Zhuo Fan knew no shame, his voice traveling outside the hall and making her yell even harder.

Zhuo Fan chuckled, then he turned to the dull-eyed Chu Qingcheng with grief, “Qiao’er, call Wu Qingqiu, Shui Ruohua and the others. Don’t let anyone know.”

“Yes, father!”

Qiao’er replied seriously and left. Just a stone’s throw away from the Main Hall, Murong Xue still hadn’t given up on watching him. She then noticed Qiao’er leaving and her heart sank, actually believing Zhuo Fan’s words, “Pervert, your wife is like that and you want… Humph, shameless b.a.s.t.a.r.d!”

Murong Xue huffed and left as well.

Inside the Main Hall, Zhuo Fan and Chu Qingcheng were now alone.

Looking at her gentle face and her white hair, heartbroken like he was with Ning’er, Zhuo Fan’s eyes grew hazy, taking out a comb and started running it through her long silky locks.

“Qingcheng, we may be married, but I’ve never been completely honest with you.”

Zhuo Fan teared up, “I am not from here. In fact, I shouldn’t even be before you. I am a Demonic Emperor, bearing heavy sins, bringing chaos and destruction wherever I go. Maybe the heavens wished for this. Ning’er suffered and now you. I knew pain would be coming and wanted to distance myself from you, but why did you still have to take the same path I treaded? Ha-ha, no, you have far deeper feelings for me than I had for Ning’er back then. I at least did not lose my mind.

“I just can’t fathom what these b.l.o.o.d.y executioner hands did to deserve your love?”

The comb trembled in his hand, his voice heavy, “I have lived two lives, yet never had anyone wis.h.i.+ng to stay with me with all their heart. First was Ning’er, but she no longer remembers me. I felt my heart torn in two, but I was glad for her that she would no longer suffer any longer. The second is you. You forgot me as well, but I feel such a deep pain in my heart. Qingcheng I do wish for you to forget me, but I hope you’d always recall me as well. Qingcheng, tomorrow I’m going to the North Sea and might die. I hope that you’ll remember me before I go. I know that this might cause you pain once more, but I’m selfish and really hope that I am not just a pa.s.sing phase in your heart. I do…” 

The comb stopped and he kneeled before her, resting his head on her knees, choking with emotion and shaking all over.

Whoos.h.!.+

A breeze ran through the white hair as Chu Qingcheng’s eyes teared up as well. Her fair hands trembled and lowered her head, looking at the shaking figure she hadn’t seen for five years with a gentle gaze.

One hand reached and touched Zhuo Fan’s head…

“Brother Zhuo!”

Chu Qingcheng shuddered at the sudden interruption and her hand returned to its position, the light in her eyes fading once more.

Zhuo Fan got up and strained himself to appear casual as Wu Qingqiu, Ye Lin, Shui Ruohua and everyone arrived in the Main Hall. Behind them was Qiao’er.

Wu Qingqiu cupped his hands, “Brother Zhuo is now the Grand Marshal of our lands. We wanted to see you for days but couldn’t. What could have had the Grand Marshal summon us?”

“Ha-ha-ha, brother Wu, what’s this about Grand Marshal? We’re all friends here. I only have a small request. Brother Wu, don’t forget you lost our bet in the dungeon. You owe me a favor.”

“Ha-ha-ha, so that’s what it is. Brother Zhuo wants to cash in so soon?” Wu Qingqiu laughed, “Sure, brother Zhuo, I’ll be sure to do all I can to fulfill a brother’s request.”

The others nodded as well with s.h.i.+ning eyes.

Helping Chu Qingcheng stand, he went to Shui Ruohua and Zhuo Fan said earnestly, “Northern lands is fraught with danger. Help me take Qingcheng back to western lands. The three attacking armies should now be in full retreat so you can use the teleportation array to return to Double Dragon Manor. It’s the safest choice.”