The Steward Demonic Emperor

cave.
He placed the cup down gently and stood, “Aren’t you curious about how they’re hanging on my every word?”

Shangguan Yulin rolled his eyes. 

[Screw you! Go ahead, you bastard, keep pretending till you get sick of it!]

“You’re a prisoner here, and so am I.
We’re both traitors to the clan, so you shouldn’t hate me.
I’ll be honest, we’re both the same.”

Zhuo Fan sighed, his eyes taking a forlorn tint, “Out of consideration to young Sanzi, I only wanted to take Shangguan Qingyan back to the clan and then leave, but they just grabbed me after being found out.
I’m just as trapped as you are at this point.”

Shangguan Yulin glared and mocked, “Trapped? From this angle you’re more like a king.
All the elders are kissing your feet, almost throwing Yan’er at you and the Clan Head spot.
What’s there not to like about that?”

“Clan Head? Ha-ha-ha, I’m not their kin and have priors.
My track record isn’t exactly spotless.
You think they’ll put someone like me at the helm?”

Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow, “You’re overthinking things.
And besides, the only reason they show respect is so they can get the one thing they want the most.”

Shangguan Yulin gasped, “Soaring Sword!”

“Yes, that thing.”

Zhuo Fan’s eyes shone, “I have possession of the Soaring Sword and they have to play ball, all while attempting to string me to let it slip where the divine sword is at.
Even honey trap is considered…”

“What?!”

“Slow your roll, they haven’t cracked me yet.”

Shangguan Yulin tensed in reflex.
Of the Shangguan clansmen coming to the central area, there was just one girl included. 

[The honey trap could only mean…] 

Shangguan Yulin’s mind did not finish the thought as Zhuo Fan came to reassure him.

Then he snickered, “My nerves are of steel, though I don’t think they’ll last much longer.
You know it too, that Yan’er…”

“Shut your mouth! You can’t call her like that!” Shangguan Yulin cursed.  

Zhuo Fan waved him off, having found his leverage on the punk, and went on the offensive, “It’s not my fault.
Those guys keep getting us together.
They promise that I just have to give them the Soaring Sword and I’ll become their son-in-law, having all the power.
You know I’m stalwart.
The thought of my son in the hands of Shangguan Feiyun is what kept me from refusing for so long.
I still wish to use the sword to get my son back.”

“Off you go, then.
Why the hell are you rambling about Yan’er to me?”

“Don’t you think I’d have done it by now if I could? Dumbass.
Would those bastards outside ever allow me to go through with it?” Zhuo Fan sneered.

The oldies were just outside, ears glued to the door and boiling mad.

[Bastards? He knows we’re here listening yet has the nerve to call us names?]

Shangguan Feixiong and Shangguan Qingyan just came over and listened in.
The minute Zhuo Fan’s words about hooking them up were heard, Shangguan Qingyan went beet red, her eyes furious.
Though for no particular reason, she had a bashful smile as well.

She knew it was all part of Zhuo Fan’s plan…

Shangguan Yulin’s brows shook at the mere mention of Shangguan Qingyan, “Then what do you want?”

“I’m under constant watch, but only kept here.
I am confined to this cave like a prisoner.”

Zhuo Fan’s eyes shone, “That’s why I need someone to send Flying Cloud manor a message, to set up an exchange place.
The minute I get a breather, I’ll rush to get my son back.
As for my trail, I’m sure the people of the manor are more than happy to settle them.
It’s simply borrowing strength.”

Shangguan Yulin stared hard at Zhuo Fan.

[Of course it is, using Flying Cloud manor to help yourself get away.]

This, in turn, let him see Zhuo Fan’s point and smirked, “You mean to have me go?”

“Exactly.
I did say we’re the same, you and I.
We can’t stay with the Shangguan clan and you need a new home, no? That makes you the only one I can trust since our goals align.
Since we both want to leave, you won’t sell me out.”

Grinning, Zhuo Fan said, “Since I have the Soaring Sword, Shangguan clan sees me as precious.
They won’t just let me go but they’re happy to fulfill all my wishes.
I’ll ask them to free you and then you can send my message.
We’ll work together so we’ll both get what we want, right?”

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