Chapter 1017: Her

Proofreader : Papatonks

"Senior brother!"

"Senior brother!"

On that sunny afternoon, what should've held a measly ten thousand disciples, the stage on Beneath Heaven Island was packed with over five times that. There were fervent faces anywhere one looked, holding out two spiritual weapons and clanging them together in an unhealthy cheer for the one and only Ouyang Changqing.

Zhuo Fan wore an eagle mask as he looked around the literal mob shouting in one voice bursting his eardrums, and his only reaction was his twitching face, "The fool is the master of the stage. Just the mood alone is enough to bore down on the western lands' group."

"Ha-ha-ha, with this being the Sun Sea Bright Sect's home, Ouyang Changqing is like the big bad boss." A guard next to him nodded.

Zhuo Fan mocked, "While true, this is clearly overdoing it. Sometimes, the more you hype it the more it makes you look like a thug who's overcompensating for something. Even if he wins now, it'll have the vibe of having gotten his way and not that of the modest man striving to do better. In the end, youth is impulsive."

"Sir, you sound like a droning senile." Another guard teased.

Zhuo Fan sighed, "It's called experience that ages the mind and reins in the raging hormones of youth. But this is how youth should be, rash and crazy. To stand out, one must copy Ouyang Changqing here, to grow wings, to pave their future, and to be oblivious to the dangers of the world. He only wants to excel disregarding anyone and anything, making him very susceptible to a crooked and deceptive path.

"As for the old, they have too many things and take measured steps forward lest they lose it all. This brings about a tranquility to them. While youth is easy prey to deception due to their ignorance, the shrewd seniors have their cautious possess them. Being afraid to lose anything, taking hold of just a bit will gain control of them."

"Thank you sir for these words of wisdom." The guard bowed, "I see sir acting with force and also making leaps forward. I wonder in which category sir falls?"

Zhuo Fan chuckled, "Old, ha-ha-ha, I'm an old demon through and through."

"If so, sir, I see nothing that could make you relinquish control."

"That's because I'm hiding it well, out of sight of any prying eyes. Showing my weakness will be no different than presenting my neck. Many oldies notice, but I do it particularly well. Ha-ha-ha, are you guys planning something for me?"

"No, never, we only listen to the second young master's words. Sir is wise beyond your years and we're lucky to hear your guidance." The guard bowed again.

Zhuo Fan shook his head, "Wu Randong had gone through a hard time and wants revenge, which means he doesn't trust anyone. He had you follow me to find out about me, didn't he? Though I don't mind. If I can't even hide my secrets from you guys, an oldie like me is better off retiring while he's ahead."

"Sir, we would never." Everyone bowed.

Zhuo Fan didn't mind it, his eyes flashing.

Ouyang Changqing finally appeared before them, looking startled at Zhuo Fan's mask, "Steward Qian, what's with the new look?"

"Ha-ha-ha, young master Ouyang, I'm just playing with my daughter and lost. Now she made me wear this ugly mask for the day." Zhuo Fan pointed at Qiao'er as he said.

Ouyang Changqing gave him a long look then mocked, "Why take any game with a child seriously? Having come to my grand performance, you ought to cheer for me. You're only making others laugh with that childish mask. You better take it off."

Ouyang Changqing reached for it.

"Hands off! Father promised me! If you don't like it, shoo!" Qiao'er shouted, stepping between them. Zhuo Fan dodged as well with a smile, "Forgive me young master, I have given my word. I am a father that needs to set an example for my child."

"Oh, Steward Qian is a great father, putting parenting first."

Ouyang Changqing gave a nod of admiration, "It takes me back to my own father, who also used to coax me in my childhood, saying he'd let me ride his shoulders."

"And later?"

"There is no later. He lied to me, never holding his word all these years." Ouyang Changqing gave a long sigh, "That's why I hate liars the most. Last night Yan Mo lied to me and today I'm going to give western lands a lesson they won't soon forget!"

Zhuo Fan looked stunned then nodded, "Oh, young master Ouynag had such a sad childhood. It pains me to hear it."

"Yeah, I never told anyone about this. You're the first." Patting Zhuo Fan's shoulders, Ouyang Changqing glanced at Qiao'er then at him with seriousness, "Promise me you will never lie to her!"

"Uh, I will!" Zhuo Fan gave a bitter smile.

After giving him one last hopeful look, Ouyang Changqing left.

Zhuo Fan found his attitude quite funny from where he was standing, commenting, "Every little devil has a painful past. No wonder Ouyang Changqing grew up parading himself. His father failed his promise in giving him a ride. How sad to be lied to by your dad all these years."

Everyone lowered their heads.

[This pompous fool has yet to experience real pain...]

"Ouyang Changqing has such style!"

A shout reached them that sounded familiar. Yan Mo and every elite disciple from western lands made their appearance onto stage. There was also one particular person Zhuo Fan could not take his eyes off.

Zhuo Fan shook all over and caught himself, his eyes laced with pain as he balled his fists and clenched his teeth.

Everyone was taken aback by his reaction, "What's wrong, sir?"

Zhuo Fan's eyes began to tear up.

None of them had ever seen the ever wise Zhuo Fan lose his cool. They looked ahead at the fluttering white veil and at the delicate figure hiding behind, shivering even from a light breeze.

She only looked to be holding on thanks to the two girls attending to her.

Ouyang Changqing puffed his chest and strutted before western lands group among the deafening roars, "Can't I invite some of my fellow disciples to watch my fight?"

"Of course you can."

Wu Qingqiu cut off Yan Mo's attempt to speak, "It is your sect and it's in your right to have the fight between the strongest disciples of our lands witnessed. It's just that we have someone ill among us that the sudden excitement would be detrimental. Could I ask for your disciples to be a bit quieter?"

[Ill?]

Ouyang Changqing glanced at the white veil and smirked, "Her? Just why have you brought her anyway? Is this how you're helping our northern lands? Three days ago, Sect Leader ordered me to go to your land and greet you, where I learned that you are bringing an ill person, frail and of vacant mind. Why is she even here? And now you're telling me a bit of noise will disturb her?"

"Forgive us, her husband passed away five years ago and her mind has been lost since from the pain. We've tried everything, even pills, but it is out of our hands."

Wu Qingqiu sighed and looked at the white veil in sadness, "Her husband died in a huge explosion and now she can't stand loud noises, scaring her. But her husband was also a rare genius, his most notable battle being against the current best disciple in western lands, Ye Lin. We hoped that by recreating that image would help her recover. Alas, few are those that can be on par with junior brother Ye Lin. Maybe young master Ouyang might just be the one. So we brought her along with this hope in mind."

Ouyang Changqing roared in anger, "So you're taking this fight as medicine for a dumb woman? Do you have any idea how important this fight is to me? Yet you're just trying to use me, is that it?"

"Of course not, I want you to fight the best disciple in western lands, to establish yourself as the best disciple in the lands. We're only using this chance to save our junior sister. What is wrong with that?" Wu Qingqiu stared Ouyang Changqing in the eye.