Chapter 1015: Striving For to Be the Best

Proofreader : Papatonks

Ugh!

The atmosphere plunged, with the air freezing in place. The others watched with gaping mouths while Zhuo Fan was rooted in place with his mind blown away.

Shangguan Qingyan noticed the awkward vibes from their looks and blushed hard at her impulsive action, choosing to run away at once.

[How mortifying!]

Zhuo Fan gasped at long last, getting some life back in him, instantly treating it like it never happened. He gently closed the door and asked, "You heard Miss Shangguan, right?"

"Uh, yeah, yep, ha-ha-ha..."

They all gave silly laughs, with the guards even bowing, "We never knew sir's name but now we know how to address you, Sir Zhuo."

"The crux is, Zhuo Fan is real or just another fake name?" Bali Yuyu smirked.

Zhuo Fan rolled his eyes then shouted, "That's besides the point! What I'm getting at is that Miss Shangguan gave us three important pieces of news. Sect Leader Ling and the Murong siblings doubt us, that they are now working to unseal the Soaring Sword, and that even the best in northern lands, Ouyang Lingtian was called over. What do you guys think?"

"We await sir's orders!"

Everyone bowed and deferred to him.

Zhuo Fan sighed, "This information allows us to understand the situation. We're on a timer now, in extreme danger, with escape nigh impossible once Sea Bright Sect and the Murong siblings find out about us. And that this is our chance. With Soaring Sword sealed, every expert around ought to be busy with it, leaving the Heaven Sealing Sword..."

"Unguarded!"

One guard exclaimed, "Sir wants to steal the Heaven Sealing Sword then break the barrier? But isn't it too hasty?"

"We're in a race against time, with not a moment to spare." Zhuo Fan spoke heavily, "Waiting until they unseal the Soaring Sword we'll soon be trapped with no chance of reprisal. Hesitation will only get us killed. That's why we must act now while we can. Yuyu, you're stealing the sword!"

Bali Yuyu jerked, "Aren't you afraid I'll run off with it?"

"Run to your heart's content!"

Zhuo Fan gave an impatient wave, "I don't want it anyway, just need to lower the barrier and slip into the North Sea. What I need from you is to flee with it and distract everyone. Also, only a Sword King like you has the highest chance of stealing it."

Bali Yuyu nodded, "I like this deal. I agree!"

"Everyone else get ready to flee. Once Yuyu snatches the sword, break the barrier and make yourself scarce. May fortune be with you!"

Zhuo Fan was blunt. Bali Yuyu would be in no danger once the chaos started, while the rest would be made scapegoats.

At least these men are Serene Shores Trading die-hards, willing to die to make their company great again.

Cupping their hands, the men spoke with resolve, "We shall obey! But when do we act, sir?"

"The sooner the better. Tonight!" Zhuo Fan declared.

Everyone mentally prepared for what was to come.

Bang~

There was a sudden loud knock on the door, too forceful to be from Shangguan Qingyan.

[It must be Ouyang Changqing to check on us!]

Zhuo Fan gave a slight nod and said, "Who is it and what brings you here?"

"I am Sea Bright Sect's disciple Ouyang Changqing. I learned that you have traveled a long way to bring us supplies and must be weary from your journey, so I came to pay a visit. I hope I'm not bothering you."

A clear voice came from beyond the door, filled with respect, though the tone hinted at his superior airs.

Bali Yuyu sneered and whispered, "A pompous fool."

Zhuo Fan shook his head and opened the door, to find Ouyang Changqing straightening his clothes, and putting on a dry smile, "Ha-ha-ha, young master Ouyang, welcome, welcome. You give our minor merchant caravan much honor with your presence."

"Greetings. Do you know me, perchance?"

Ouyang Changqing's eyes lit up with joy, "It's only natural. My dad is the best in the northern lands, Ouyang Lingtian, and I am the best disciple in the northern lands, my name spread far and wide to every ear in the world. You must be filled with boundless gratitude and honor to have me paying you visit, he-he-he..."

Ugh!

Zhuo Fan gave a bitter smile, noticing Bali Yuyu's smirk.

[The best disciple is indeed a true pompous fool alright, the worst of them all in fact.]

"Ha-ha-ha, sure sure, young master Ouyang's grand name has us all in awe."

"You're too kind, even if it's true, ha-ha-ha..."

Ouyang Changqing puffed up and laughed as he entered, "You're all merchants here, and not just pretending, right?"

Zhuo Fan knew where he was going but also knew his unstable character so he smiled without fear, "Young master Ouyang, that's a good one, ha-ha-ha..."

"She must be the madam, but what about the child? Did you throw her away since she isn't yours? Ha-ha-ha..."

Getting no rise out of Zhuo Fan, Ouyang Changching ramped up his questioning, bordering provocation.

Everyone's faces fell and turned to Zhuo Fan.

This was an attempt to provoke their emotions. Any parent would be outraged, with even a flatterer would be offended.

While a suspicious person would try and remain calm. It was this difference in reactions that determined whether there was something off or not about the target.

Being overly angry wouldn't do since they were merchants and shouldn't offend some big sect's disciple. While too calm was also out of the question, as it showed everything was a mere act.

While Ouyang Changqing was scanning their faces for any clue that gave them away, he heard a cursing coming from another room, "You damn brat, you're the fake son here! You came here to talk rubbish, is that it? Well my dad is going to kick you out!"

Qiao'er burst out and snapped at Ouyang Changqing in anger.

"Hey, where are her manners? Didn't your parents teach you anything?"

"Please don't get angry. I've always spoiled her. Children speak all kinds of crazy things, ha-ha-ha..."

Ouyang Changqing's face twitched, being talked back to by a child. Zhuo Fan apologized then shouted at Qiao'er, "What are you doing here? Get back inside!"

Qiao'er huffed and stormed inside, with Bali Yuyu slipping a sneaky thumb's up.

Ouyang Changqing took a deep breath, annoyed still. He came here to check them and barely got any words out as a damn brat started cursing at him.

[Is the child suspicious too? Was all that an act?]

[Nah, what does a brat know?]

Ignoring all that, having gone through that disturbing event, Ouyang Changqing chose to give up on testing the married couple, now taking a different approach.

But then a familiar shout called to him from outside, "Ouyang Changqing, get out here this instant! We're not done with yesterday's fight!"

[That sounds awfully familiar.]

Zhuo Fan frowned, while Ouyang Changqing rolled his eyes and walked outside, "Yan Mo, among western lands' juniors, you're among the best, so you should at least act like it. Yesterday I sparred with you but you still want more? Have you no shame coming after me again?"

"Can it! We've fought just once and you're already calling yourself the best disciple in the five lands? That you stomped on the western lands? Where's your dignity?"

Another shout came from outside, this time filled with rage.

Zhuo Fan jerked.

[Yan Mo? People from western lands are here as well? Oh crap, I can't let them see me!]

Zhuo Fan gave the others a grave look and pointed at his face then outside with a shake of his head.

They shrugged, stuck as well.

Ouyang Changqing, close by, had yet to notice Zhuo Fan's reaction, still nagging with Yan Mo outside, "Now you're saying that defeating you isn't defeating western lands? When I asked if you represented western lands in our fight yesterday, you were pretty smug calling yourself the strongest in western lands. Now that you lost you no longer represent your home?"

"And?"

Yan Mo sneered, "Always striving to be the best. I finally got a good fight so how can I just let it pass me? Anyway, since I know that I'll be the best in western lands sooner or later, that's enough. But then you, the son of the best in northern lands, had to go around all smug as you declared yourself winner over western lands after one fight. Have you no shame?"

"You're the shameless one, bragging to my face like that!" Ouyang Changqing's face twitched, lost for words...