The Steward Demonic Emperor
chapter-992

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“Devil Mountain has some harsh requirements, I see. Your daughter’s attack was excellent, but sir is still so harsh.”

Baili Yutian gave Zhuo Fan a long look, assessing him, before speaking with a smile.

Zhuo Fan gave a dismissive wave, “Sword Patriarch, you don’t have to joke. A child only cares about making it passable, regardless of flaws. Education starts from a young age if one wants to straighten her character. This is the only way to remove any laziness and make sure she overtakes her peers.”

[A little devil like that has tons of peers in Devil Mountain?]

Baili Yutian’s mouth twitched, his heart sinking. The others’ brows shook as well, their eyes widening.

[Just how huge is this sect? Do these little monsters come in bulk, or what?]

Everyone there felt a chill down their spines, even Baili Yutian and his Sword Kings. It was a downright miracle for a clan or sect to have a monster, but to come out in droves? That was a disaster! The world would come to an end!

There was only one Invincible Sword in the five lands, but in Devil Mountain, it seemed to be countless invincible figures. And the more there were of one thing, the lower the title’s value…

Invincible Sword frowned as he became more distraught the further he talked with Zhuo Fan. But his curiosity to know everything was still there, forcing himself to smile to look as casual as he could muster.

His stance, however, was no longer as dominating as usual, but amiable and chatty.

“I’m truly amazed with how many talents Devil Mountain has!”

Baili Yutian gave a firm salute, this time, as he cupped his hands, watching Zhuo Fan with a sharp glint, “How may I address sir? What matters have brought sir here, to northern lands’ outback?”

Glancing over as he returned the salute, Zhuo Fan’s tone showed no inflection, “Sword Patriarch is too kind. I’ve already stated my name the last time I bumped into your nation’s Frigid Rain Sword King. It’s merely Qian Fan. I’m sure you’ve heard of it by now. As for why I’m in northern lands, ha-ha-ha, it has nothing to do with you whatsoever. Patriarch can relax.”

“I find it hard to believe sir’s name to be real, not after becoming Qian’s steward right after coming out of Devil Mountain.”

Baili Yutian squinted, “I won’t be able to sleep well either, not knowing sir’s real reason for coming here. You might be against my people for all I know. As Devil Mountain has shown itself in western lands, I have to be on guard.”

Baili Yutian gave Zhuo Fan a firm salute, holding as much courtesy as demand, “Sir, I ask that you help in easing my worries and not lead to any friction to happen between us two.”

“Isn’t Devil Mountain’s age-long absence from the five lands’ matters proof enough?”

Zhuo Fan gave off an ineffable feeling with his casual demeanor, “Sword Patriarch need only worry about his matters. So long as you don’t disturb us, each will go their own way. Farewell!”

Zhuo Fan nodded and pulled Qiao’er back to the carriage.

Baili Yutian wasn’t finished, cupping his fist so hard he unleashed a tremendous aura upon the world, ringing the ears of the Soul Harmony guards and making their hearts race. As for the 3rd level spiritual beasts, they were so scared they collapsed on the spot and shivered like leaves.

Pausing, Zhuo Fan’s eyes grew cold as he spoke, “What’s this about, Sword Patriarch?”

“Nothing much, I just feel awful that by not knowing your great sect’s goal here it will cause a misunderstanding between our factions from which neither can recover. I just want to be clear on this, in consideration to everyone’s situation.”

Baili Yutian stared at Zhuo Fan’s back, waiting for his reaction.

He needed to know Devil Mountain’s aim, and wouldn’t have no for an answer. It was imperative to know whether they were with, against them, or just passing by. It just didn’t sit right knowing there was such a strong force out there that might just step in when their situation was dire and make them lose everything they worked for.

Invincible Sword’s grand unification plan had simmered for so long now and this time there was a high chance of success in one fell swoop. The slightest discrepancy from his goal had to be thoroughly removed.

Not to mention, he needed to figure Zhuo Fan out. The kid was incredible so the father couldn’t be far behind either, but it still paid to know the details. For the next time he would have to deal with Devil Mountain, he wouldn’t be plagued with so many unknowns.

His clasping hands were done harshly on the surface, to crush stones and the earth, but hid a softness within that didn’t even hurt a fly, a calculative and subtle intent.

For a ten-thousand-year-old monster, he had gone beyond being a martial fanatic, having gained a shrewder side over the ages.

Zhuo Fan took a deep breath and nodded, “Indeed, Sword Patriarch is undoubtedly right in this point. Devil Mountain doesn’t want anyone to disturb us in this affair either. Ha-ha-ha, Sword Patriarch, you can relax knowing that our aim isn’t the same as yours, you who want to unify the lands and take the five divine weapons. We are only after one thing, North Sea demon!”

“The North Sea demon?!”

Baili Yutian and the four Sword Kings gasped. That same demon had wiped the floor with the best in northern lands, Ouyang Lingtian, on the same level as a Sword King. What made it worse, the demon did it in one blow too. Baili Yutian believed it would be a hard battle even for him.

By having fought with Ouyang Lingtian several times already, he had an idea where to place the sea demon, thus his current judgment. The Nine Sword Kings were nothing to him, but they could hold on for five hits at least, ten for the most promising ones. The fact the sea demon beat up someone of that caliber in one strike showed just how strong it really was.

Sure, five hits or one hit might sound semantics to the average man, but this slight difference belied the outrageous gap in strength.

The five moves for the Nine Sword Kings was the utmost limit to Invincible Sword, one that he strove to improve despite the toil it entailed. Yet that sea demon could do it in one from the start. That was just insane!

This meant the battle was over before it began. Like a three-year-old meeting the demon, finished in one move. And the same applied to Profound Heaven Stage, Radiant Stage as well as the Nine Sword Kings. Maybe even Invincible Sword would be lumped in as well.

The first move was insurmountable by all appearances. Only by overcoming this trial one could finally gauge the sea demon’s strength. While Invincible Sword already felt confident he could do it.

So he had come here with the intent to have a go at the demon, to see where he was, what he was missing and where he could improve.

But now Zhuo Fan just stated the sea demon as his goal, stunning Invincible Sword, asking in haste, “Sir’s aim is the sea demon? What are you going to do?”

“Subdue him!”

Zhuo Fan had no qualms about blurting out this huge lie, since there was no harm in talking big. The fact he said it with a straight face only made it more believable by everyone there, looking at him like he grew a second head.

Invincible Sword gasped, “Subdue? But he is a monster that beat Ouyang Lingtian! Why can you do what he couldn’t?”

“Why?”

Zhuo Fan smirked, “Because we’re Devil Mountain!”

Zhuo Fan held Qiao’er as he walked to his carriage, leaving Invincible Sword dumbstruck.

[Is Devil Mountain that great? Have they reached such a level that they can deal with the savage sea demon like nothing for him to be so casual about it?]

Invincible Sword’s eyes shook, feeling against this outcome, shouting, “Wait!”

Zhuo Fan paused once more, turning his head around, and saw Invincible Sword’s anger on his face, “What is it, Sword Patriarch? Is there something else you need?”

“Everyone knows of the North Sea demon’s savagery and even I have reservations of meeting him.”

Baili Yutian’s eyes shone as his face was cold, releasing his aura to the extent the world dimmed, as purple lightning crackled now and then, “Judging how light sir is taking this endeavor, it must mean it’s just that easy for you. It is hard for me to accept this outcome. Since sir has such ability, why not letting me have a try first?”

The thunder rumbled louder now as the sky took a purple hue with purple sword energy flashing all over. Baili Yutian’s bloodthirst spiked, making the air shimmer and giving the feeling the world was ready to be torn apart.

Baili Yuyu’s ever present silver energy up till now was gone in a blink, swallowed by these devastating purple flashes Invincible Sword finally struck with unspeakable might!

He had dominated the world’s power, giving nothing for even the Nine Sword Kings to grasp.

This was the berserk power of the one called Invincible Sword, the best in the lands.

Everyone gasped, with the Sword Kings falling back to avoid the stray lightning. Their Patriarch was about to fight!

The guards, however, were scared witless, cowering in the corner of the carriage, while the dozen 3rd level spiritual beasts closed their eyes hard, not daring to even look.

Zhuo Fan and his daughter were the only ones unphased by the old man’s show of force, yet their eyes spoke of the chill inside, as if he was a dead man…