The Steward Demonic Emperor

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…

Everyone voiced their agreement with joy.

A shout came as a man barged in and bowed, “Clan Head, Baili Jingwei’s procession is fifty miles out with no sign of turning back.
They’re almost out of sight and gone for good.
They’re also looking to be in a rush, with nothing flashy to denote Prime Minister is among them…”

“That explains why Baili Jingwei came to Flying Cloud City without notice.
He’s truly worried about the Crown Prince’s situation.”

Shangguan Feixiong nodded, “Now all doubts have been lifted, knowing Baili Jingwei has only been a guest here and nothing more.
Now that they left, we don’t need to bother with them.”

They all nodded, with a venerable’s eyes shining as his voice rose, “The Shangguan clan won’t miss this chance providence laid before us.
In three days, we strike! “

“Yes, sir!”

They all cheered, as if victory was in sight.
Only Shangguan Yulin, in his little dark corner, sported a creepy smile…

While the Shangguan clan got fired up and ready for the big raid, Baili Jingwei’s group was now a day away when he stopped.

Zhuo Fan faked obliviousness as he asked, “Prime Minister, do you need rest?”

“Ha-ha-ha, I may not be much of an expert, but I am an 8th layer Ethereal Stage cultivator.
A day of walking isn’t enough to tire me.”

Baili Jingwei grinned.

Zhuo Fan gave him a long look, “Then…”

“Return!”

Baili Jingwei casually pointed at the Soul Harmony experts, “You, you and you, are to escort the thirty alchemists to the imperial capital.
The rest of you will follow me back to Flying Cloud City!”

Zhuo Fan shuddered and showed a bright and clueless smile, “Prime Minister, what do you mean?”

“Ha-ha-ha, Grandmaster Gu, you’ll know soon enough.”

Baili Jingwei showed a vague smile and waved for two Soul Harmony experts to flank Zhuo Fan and grab his shoulders, taking him away.

Zhuo Fan started, “Prime Minister Baili, what are you doing?”

“Taking Grandmaster Gu back to the city.”

“But we just got a day away from Flying Cloud City and had those other alchemists escorted to the imperial capital.
I should go with them.
If you have a pressing matter, you can return by yourself, why take me as well?”

Paling and panicking, Zhuo Fan forced himself to sweat to make the act even more believable.

Baili Jingwei gave a mocking smile, taunting, “Grandmaster Gu, I’m bringing you along to enjoy the show.”

“A show?”

“Quite.”

Baili Jingwei’s eyes shone, “This act shall be known as ‘Blindsided’!”

Zhuo Fan shook harder, overwhelmed

Baili Jingwei signaled the guards to hold Zhuo Fan as they flew to Flying Cloud City.
Prime Minister’s many powerful guards were gone in a blink, gone back to the city in secret.

All that remained were three Soul Harmony experts and the stumped alchemist looking at each other like a cow looking at a new gate.

[What just happened?]

[Are you taking us to the imperial capital, to enjoy riches and live glorious lives? Why are there just two guards left and the others up and ran off? Do we mean so little?]

[We’re future imperial alchemists here!]

“Step it up!”

As they were trying to make sense of it and failing, the Soul Harmony experts barked at them.

The prideful alchemists were annoyed, with someone having the bright idea to voice his discontent, “What’s the rush? Don’t you know I’m to be an imperial alchemist? Who the hell are you to order me…”

Bam!

His ranting came to an abrupt stop, only a bloody mist remaining of his trace in this cruel world.

A guard wiped his hand, glancing at the others with disdain, “Prime Minister ordered us to escort you to the imperial capital, and kill any who refuse!”

That was the cruel truth.
Baili Jingwei never gave a hoot about them.
All he cared about was not letting them flee, to plug any leak, though only for these three days…

The alchemist watched the blood soak the earth with empty eyes, their minds out of commission. 

[Weren’t we imperial alchemists? How can a mere guard treat us like cattle?]

[Just what jobs awaits us in the imperial capital anyway?]

They were wrecked with fear, doubt and terror.
They were sensible enough not to speak any more, the hope in their eyes now turned into despair…

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