Dugu Zhantian had some soldiers take the wounded to the marshal's residence for immediate treatment. Yet none of them noticed a spindly figure further away, watching them.
Upon closer look, one would identify him as Unwonted Contriver Leng Wuchang, Regent Estate's steward!
Leng Wuchang twirled his mustache as he kept watching, Zhuo Fan in particular, "This kid is not as heartless as I thought…"
It had been six hours since they arrived at the marshal's temporary residence in Dragon Cloud City. Time in which the wounded were placed in a side wing and administered pills.
Luo Yunchang and Ning'er, the only ones who came out unharmed from this ordeal were the caretakers. As for Zhuo Fan, he was there as well, expressing his heartfelt thanks to his three paralyzed allies.
"Thank you all for such hard work. If it weren't for your help, our clan's line would've been severed!" Zhuo Fan held each of their hands.
Long Jie and Long Kui felt odd seeing the kind and gentle smile on his face.
They had been arduous in cultivating these past five years, just so they could bridge the gap between them and this monster. And yet he just showed up and instead of getting closer, they had only fallen farther behind.
Even though this guy was still a shameless Bone Tempering cultivator, how could his power be classified as one?
As this was Long Xingyun's first time seeing this freak in the flesh and in action, he was quite moved, "Brother Zhuo, now I see what my father was thinking. Only after seeing you have I realized how much time I've been wasting."
"Sigh, youth is wasted on the young. But even so, you should live your life to the fullest and take some time off to enjoy it. Ha-ha-ha, don't take it to heart!" Zhuo Fan patted his shoulder.
But the more he paid attention the more Long Xingyun felt it was fake. [Is this your way of consoling me?]
Xie Tianshang's eyes were filled with fighting spirit, wishing nothing more than to jump on his legs and have a go with the man, "Zhuo Fan, once I'm healed, how about we have a match?"
Zhuo Fan blinked, completely not getting what he was going for, "We just met and never have I gotten on your bad side, so why do you want to fight me?"
"Ignore him. My elder brother is a martial fanatic. He wants to fight any expert that catches his eye!" Xie Tianyang jabbed. Having known Zhuo Fan for so long, he had no qualms whatsoever.
Zhuo Fan nodded, [Ah, another one. I see, I see. Just like Elder Li. It's best that I keep my distance.] He wasn't so idle as to waste time sparring with a martial fanatic every day.
So Zhuo Fan gave him a wide berth, going over Xie Tianyang.
"Hey, wait, you didn't answer me…"
Xie Tianshang watched Zhuo Fan with a fervent gaze. He was sorely wishing right now that he could just jump and exchange hundreds of moves with Zhuo Fan. But would Zhuo Fan listen? He treated martial fanatics as basket cases.
Tangling with him would only net Zhuo Fan a huge waste of time.
And so, Xie Tianshang's grumblings were firmly and undoubtedly ignored. Zhuo Fan walked next to his little brother instead, and knocked his head a few times, "Brother Xie, you did a good job today. I must say, you sure gave your all for Ning'er."
"Zip it. My life belongs to Ning'er!" Rolling his eyes, Xie Tianyang was quite frank, making the nearby Xue Ningxiang blush and glare back. She was clearly signaling not to spout such things around Zhuo Fan.
Zhuo Fan laughed carefree.
Xie Tianyang's eyes turned serious, his voice tinted with worry, "Zhuo Fan, do you always stand out wherever you go? You've got my Ning'er to swoon over you every time she sees you. Can't you tone it down a little so I can have a shot?"
Shuddering, Zhuo Fan remained silent.
Xie Tianyang seemed to be joking, but how could Zhuo Fan not sense the worry within. If this went on, the three's relationship would become more complicated or, worse, break apart!
Zhuo Fan sighed after a moment, "Sorry, that's how heavens made me. If I don't show off, who else will? Just focus on getting better!"
Patting his shoulder, Zhuo Fan left with a stiff smile.
Xie Tianyang laughed dejectedly. He knew Zhuo Fan had yet to make a decision on this and was making a tactical retreat. Or was it an attack? Although he made himself seem ruthless, who could guard against feelings creeping up on oneself?
He went around spreading thanks to all the clan's helpers, including but not limited to the four tigers. But the tigers saw him as an enemy, something he couldn't wrap his head around as to why.
[I stole no wife of yours, so what the hell is with the glares?]
But when he reached the final patient, he spun on his leg and walked away.
"Stop!"
The charming voice came from Chu Qingcheng, who was watching him in reproach, "Y-you aren't going to even talk to me?"
Iris and Peony Overseers were staring daggers. As if accusing him of abandoning his wife!
"Uh, thank you Drifting Flowers Edifices, for helping our clan in our desperate hour…"
"That's not it and you know it!" Chu Qingcheng cut him off, "I just want to know why. Why didn't you see me one last time before leaving Drifting Flowers City?"
Steeling himself, Zhuo Fan said, "I killed and took what I needed. I fulfilled my goal and had no reason to stay."
"No reason at all?" Chu Qingcheng blinked. Her pretty eyes demanded an answer.
Zhuo Fan didn't know how to respond. Then a sudden giggle came, "Steward Zhuo, Marshal is calling you. Leave things here to me!"
Luo Yunchang came over with a smile, faking obliviousness. Saved by the bell, Zhuo Fan grabbed the excuse like his lifeline and bobbed his head, "Then I'll go right now. Young miss, take good care of them!"
And he was gone, despite the doe eyes Chu Qingcheng was giving him.
Luo Yunchang turned a hard stare at Chu Qingcheng, "Edifice Lord Chu, Steward Zhuo is a boor. If he has hurt you with his words or actions, please forgive him. I'll be taking care of you in his place!"
Luo Yunchang's words were full of propriety and good nature, but the true meaning was, [He's mine!]
Chu Qingcheng had taken care of Drifting Flowers Edifices for so many years since an even younger age than Luo Yunchang. How could she not hear the veiled threat? She laughed coldly, "You're far too kind. Zhuo Fan's transgressions are too grave to measure. How could I possibly ask Clan Head to take the blame? I will have Zhuo Fan supply me with the appropriate resolution. But thank you for your offer, young miss."
I.e. [This is between me and Zhuo Fan. You've got no business here, so scram!]
Sparks were flying off between them soon after.
The others looked away from the cat fight and lamented.
[Sigh, this is a woman's war. It's best we don't get caught in between.] But Xue Ningxiang looked on in distress, feeling somewhat excluded…
Going back to the culprit behind all this, Zhuo Fan was speeding towards Marshal's house across from the wounded ward in jubilation. [Perfect timing!] He was truly caught in the trap back there.
Who would have thought facing Chu Qingcheng was more exhausting than fighting Huangpu Qingtian! He'd rather go against a hundred Huangpu Qingtians than see Chu Qingcheng again.
But when he entered Marshal's home, the old guy laughed heartily, putting him on high alert.
"Ha-ha-ha, you came, kid. Sit, I have something to tell you!" Dugu Zhantian laughed and gestured at the chair nearby.
Zhuo Fan was on guard as he eased into the chair. Dugu Zhantian's critical eye from his seat of honor had Zhuo Fan's hair stand on end.
"Uh, Ol' Marshal, you wanted to see me?" Zhuo Fan broke the silence.
Dugu Zhantian grinned, "It's nothing much, just your conscription!"
"Conscription?" Zhuo Fan shook his head vehemently, "No no no. I am not army material. Find someone else!"
Glaring, Dugu Zhantian's beard trembled as he cursed, "Cut the crap! Who on earth is born a soldier? Even that brat Yunhai got trained into shape by me! With your talents, a year tops, and you'll be taking my job!"
"If you're so confident, go find someone else. Why do you want me?" Zhuo Fan shook his head.
Dugu Zhantian sighed and his eyes were glazed with worry, "It's easy to train an army, but it's so hard to find a good array master! In the field of war, there are many array masters using their skills in the form of formations. We are sorely lacking in array masters and that has made our recent losses disastrous!"
"Don't look at me. I'm a meathead. I don't know anything when it comes to arrays or formations!" Zhuo Fan made up a lie.
But Dugu Zhantian wouldn't have it. He had looked into the kid before calling him. Such a flimsy lie wouldn't fly with him, "He-he-he, oh please. I already know everything. Your old Clan Head has long been dead and you are the one running the show. Including the four 5th grade arrays!"
Dugu Zhantian's eyes shined when he reached this point. He was sorely lacking an outstanding array master and wanted to have Zhuo Fan without fail. The latter felt trapped in the old guy's gaze and didn't know how to get away.
He felt like crying.
This was exactly why he wanted to slink through Dragon Cloud City and never cross paths with the Marshal. He already saw this coming and wanted to avoid it for as long as possible…