Chapter 1173: I’m Back

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“P-Patriarch…”

Baili Jingwei slumped to the ground, his feet giving in, with a look of utter despair.

The rest of the Sword Star Empire’s people were numb, while the emperor fainted.

The heart of the empire, their G.o.d, the Patriarch, the Invincible Sword – had died. 

[T-this can’t be happening!]

Everyone shook their heads in disbelief, coming out of the illusion they built around the man. The Invincible Sword’s ashes scattered in the wind, while the divine sword, having been his lifelong partner for thousands of yours, now rested in Zhuo Fan’s hand. 

This reality could not be denied.

Baili Jingwei closed his eyes, tears trailing down his face. The Sword Kings kneeled and slammed to the ground. Only Shangguan Feiyun, just stood there, frozen.

[s.h.i.+t, I made the wrong bet!]

He believed that the Invincible Sword would help him in his goal, only to find this always undefeated man finally meet his match.

Shangguan Feiyun’s heart sank into hatred.

While some wallowed in despair, others rejoiced at a new lease of life. Baili Yutian fell, marking the decline of the Bailis. As for the convicts, they were celebrating.

[The monster Baili Yutian is gone, ha-ha-ha…]

Zither Sword King watched the sky, at the new dawn rising, welcoming it with a smile, “Darkness swallows the stars, bringing about a new dawn. I never dreamed it would come true, ha-ha-ha…”

Liu Mubai was moved to tears.

The weight of the past, the hatred of his clan, had been carried for years and years with no hope of being relieved of such burden. Now it was over, making all his toil as Sword King for a thousand years all the more worth it.

Everyone was engrossed in their own raw emotions, some of joy, some of sorrows. Zhuo Fan held the Sundering Sword and placed it in his ring.

Hum~

The demonic sword shook in request. Zhuo Fan smiled, “I know, but later. You won’t be sorry. Let’s return first.”

Ding!

The demonic sword rang as he slipped into Zhuo Fan’s body.

Zhuo Fan smiled and descended, taking away the barriers and releasing the convicts’ bonds. In an hour, they were all free.

“Palace Lord!” Wu Randong was the first to bow, filled with endless grat.i.tude and reverence. The other Devil Palace disciples followed suit, looking at Zhuo Fan like he was the s.h.i.+niest jewel. But fear remained still, of disturbing this great man, never daring to meet his gaze.

Ignoring their excitement, Zhuo Fan spoke to Wu Randong, “All obstacles are removed now. Finish the imperial capital project within the month!”

“Yes, sir!” Wu Randong bowed.

Ling Yuntian brought the four lands’ captives, with a bow, “Thank you, Sir Zhuo, for your timely rescue. We’d have perished for sure.”

“It’s fine, since I didn’t come for you. It was meant for the empire and I to fight. He stood in my way and I brushed him aside, nothing more, nothing less. It was nothing personal.” Zhuo Fan shook his head.

Ling Yuntian nodded, “Yes, Sir Zhuo has always been walking alone, above the disputes of the lands. You never had anything against the empire. It’s only that our goals aligned, that we faced the same enemy. But, Sir Zhuo, you should’ve told us of your plans against the empire and we would’ve worked together to make it easier. Why did you insist on having us suffer like this?” 

“You have the nerve to ask me that? You had Baili Yutian on the ropes a hundred years ago, so why did you stop?”

“Uh…” Ling Yuntian was lost for words.

Zhuo Fan said, “Sect Leader Ling, it’s not that I don’t trust you. What I don’t trust is human nature. Central area had pushed you into a corner, making me your Grand Marshal. After the lands’ war, what use would my word have? The same applies now. If not for the empire waging war with the lands, you’d have never even thought of listening to my orders. Baili Jingwei’s spy aside, people only ever group up to repel outsiders, right?” 

Ugh!

Ling Yuntian gave a nervous chuckle, then he rushed to change topics, “Uh, Sir Zhuo, speaking of the spies… Curse you, Bu Xingyun, I’ll have your body scattered in the wind…” 

Ling Yuntian rushed to the spies, shouting and cursing, looking smug like he had just earned a hard victory. 

Bu Xingyun’s side panicked and fled, but Ling Yuntian’s group caught them and started laying it on them hard and fast.

Zhuo Fan sneered.

[Those geezers…]

“Big brother Zhuo!”

“Master!”

Luo Yunhai and his wife came with the Luo clan, all excited. Zhuo Fan smiled and cupped his hands, “I ask that you forgive me for the trouble I…”

“Shove it where the sun doesn’t s.h.i.+ne!”

A raging voice echoed as a charming figure stormed over and jabbed a finger in his chest, “You rotten b.a.s.t.a.r.d, where have you been all these years, not so much as sending a h.e.l.lo for a hundred years? You were better off staying dead. You could’ve at least let us know you were safe. Everyone was worried sick…”

Zhuo Fan staggered under the a.s.sault, able to face Invincible Sword’s mighty aura, yet couldn’t take the pokes from a pretty lady. All he could do was shrug, “Young miss, I did want to let you know, but I’ve always been busy and didn’t want to involve you. I feared…” 

“So that makes it fine to blow us off? Didn’t we get dragged into it anyway? Whatever comes, it’ll come, regardless where you are. What doesn’t, won’t, but you still aren’t there either. What’s there to fear…”  

Luo Yunchang kept yelling and taking it up on him for all those years, only to finish in tears and catch him in a strong hug, leaning her head on his chest. Her eyes were red as she sniffed, “Answer me and don’t go. I told you, no matter what it is, we’ll do it together. Please don’t leave, alright?”

Zhuo Fan froze, looking down at her fair face and shook his head as he didn’t know what to do with his hands.

“Uh, young miss…”

“Hand down!”

Luo Yunchang had his hand placed on her waist, then lay happily on his chest, smiling and crying.

Zhuo Fan scratched his nose, looking at the others who were happy staying out of it, looking for an excuse to get away.

“Uh, Palace Lord, I’ll gather the men and start working!”

“What’s the hurry? I just rescued them. Can’t they relax for a few days? Hey…”

Zhuo Fan saw Wu Randong run off. Zhuo Fan looked down at the young miss glued to him and sighed, “Young miss, I need to look for my wife.”

Luo Yunchang shook, but held on still. She spoke after a pause, “It’s fine if you go after miss Qingcheng, I won’t stop you. But you can’t stop my feelings for you either!”

“Young miss…”

“You don’t have to say it.”

Luo Yunchang stood straight and looked him in the eye with a smile, “I told you, I won’t stop you and neither can you stop me. We’re a family. Let’s go back, Steward Zhuo. Your seat has always been saved for you. No matter what you do, we’d do it together, even finding miss Qingcheng. We’ll always be by your side, so long as you don’t throw us away.”

The Luo clan nodded, showing their sincerity.

Zhuo Fan felt warm at their intention and sighed a nod, “If you so wish. The Luo clan’s head steward has returned!”

They all cheered and jumped in joy. But seeing them like this, Zhuo Fan might be smiling, but his eyes showed sadness.

[Meeting only to part. Our days together will be short. The path of ascension is almost done.]

“Stop, don’t touch him! If you have something with him, take it up with me!”

A shout drew Zhuo Fan’s attention. He frowned and looked over with a start. Nodding, he walked over…