Chapter 339: Ning'er's Hope
The sun fell and rose and yet people stood still outside Zhuo Fan's door. Listening to the howling growing hoarse into the night, when they finally stopped.
Luo Yunchang stood with red eyes before the door, with salty tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Young Miss, Pavilion Lord Long and the others have come!" Captain Pang bowed.
Luo Yunchang frowned. They would usually send someone over, not come in person. [Why at this time...]
Luo Yunchang merely glanced at Elder Li who had his eyes closed next to her and she knew, "Humph, what noble houses? They're all clinging to another's power!"
Because Li Jingtian's display of power yesterday shocked them all, Veiled Dragon Pavilion, Sword Marquise Abode and Drifting Flowers Edifices found the Luo clan to be on the same footing as them, if not higher.
That demanded a certain amount of respect. So they lowered themselves by coming in person.
Otherwise they wouldn't be caught dead going to a third rate clan even at Zhuo Fan's urging.
"Captain Pang, show them in." Luo Yunchang held her head high, benefiting from their newfound status.
Captain Pang bowed, "Understood."
Captain Pang soon arrived with the three house lords and their entourage.
Luo Yunchang bent her waist slightly in greeting, "House lords, please forgive me for not welcoming you in person."
"No need, no need. How is Steward Zhuo?" Grandmother didn't care at all, only eager to know about his situation.
Luo Yunchang sighed as she glanced at the sealed door, "This bothers me as well. He's been cooped up for an entire day while I am here by myself with worry."
The three house lords were startled. But then saw Mad Dipper guarding the door with closed eyes.
The three greeted, "Hello, Elder Li."
But Li Jingtian was quite the stuck up, not even sparing them a wink.
The house lords shook their heads, while the ones behind them gasped.
[Now that's a damn expert right there! He's so cool to act all self-important and rude to even the noble house lords.]
Yesterday's event was yet to fully sink in. A man of such power was willing to listen to Zhuo Fan's every word.
Long Jiu, Long Kui and the rest knew Zhuo Fan fairly well, and saw his potential before anyone else. Watching him take decisive steps till today, when he could contest with the powers of Tianyu, left them sighing.
Xie Tianshang's eyes were blazing, thirsting for something.
As a martial fanatic no less driven than Li Jingtian, he understood that to make someone like them listen to orders, required only one thing - power.
The fiendish Mad Dipper following Zhuo Fan's every word showed Zhuo Fan had the power to make him submit.
Xie Tianshang's respect for the steward shot through the roof then and there, bordering on worship!
The house lords looked at each other, but only Grandmother spoke, "Young miss Luo, would it be possible to see Steward Zhuo? We have matters to discuss. "
"I'm afraid not. It's best that we wait for him to calm down and rest. I will relay your message when he comes out." Luo Yunchang glanced at the door with a shake of her head.
The three frowned.
When Zhuo Fan was off doing god knows what, they had no choice but to discuss things with this lass. Now that the man of the house was back, of course they'd only want to see him. Now more than ever, when it concerns the safety of their houses. How could they simply leave it in the hands of a girl?
But looking at Mad Dipper, they didn't say anything.
With that fiend watching the door, they won't even get to touch it.
As the three house lords were internally debating, a white figure walked out from behind, Chu Qingcheng.
"Edifice Lord Chu, what are you doing?" Luo Yunchang frowned seeing her going for the door.
Chu Qingcheng rested her dainty hand on it and said, "This is between me and him. I ask that young miss Luo does not interfere."
And then she continued walking, to Luo Yunchang's distress.
Luo Yunchang couldn't stop her, but a thick arm blocked her advance.
Li Jingtian's eyes were still closed, but his voice was firm, "Steward Zhuo needs rest. Without his explicit approval, you can't go in. Or would you like me to stop you even if I have to pick on the weak?"
Everyone shivered.
None saw it coming. That the great Mad Dipper Li Jingtian would be so heavy handed with a junior. He was just like a guard to a vault, leaving no room for negotiation.
This also proved his loyalty towards Zhuo Fan and earned the other's envy.
[Just what did Zhuo Fan do to get this fiend on his side? And such a devoted one too!]
Chu Qingcheng didn't push the issue, knowing she was beaten and shouted instead, "Zhuo Fan, I need to talk to you! Get out and stop hiding like a coward!"
Sss~
Gasps all around.
Zhuo Fan wasn't the same person from yesterday, he had an invincible bodyguard. Not to mention he was currently unstable. Getting him pissed off was the last thing on anyone's mind.
It was just yesterday when after getting consumed by rage, he had declared war with the Regent Estate. He might even attack them if he was angry enough.
And none of them could fight off Li Jingtian. If Zhuo Fan gave into his demonic side, there was quite a high possibility of suffering untold cruelty they just bore witness to last month. Nobody wished to be the spark that lit that keg.
They were all tense, watching the door nervously.
But what they received was total silence.
Only fifteen minutes later, a hoarse voice came, "Elder Li, let them in."
"Alright."
Li Jingtian nodded and withdrew his hand. The people followed Chu Qingcheng in to see a shocking situation.
Chu Qingcheng and Luo Yunchang's eyes went red.
A white-haired man sat leaning on the bed, his clothes a mess, his hair thatched, and his eyes red and lifeless.
His hand held a censer releasing a pure light.
He was and wasn't Zhuo Fan. How did he end up like this though?
"Brother Zhuo..." Luo Yunhai cried.
But Zhuo Fan didn't reply, his dead eyes stared at the floor. After a long time, his muttering came, "Sorry everyone, if you came because of the declaration of war, you can return. Yunhai is young, but he is our future Clan Head. His words are law. The Luo clan will be fighting Regent Estate. But it's up to you if you wish to join."
Stammering, the house lords knew Zhuo Fan had received a devastating blow to have a mental breakdown. He looked anything but capable of taking decisions.
He was like those fanatic people hellbent on revenge, willing to be torn apart as long as they could bite into the enemy's flesh.
[That's too rash!]
They saw Zhuo Fan dead and cold like a block of ice. He was a pragmatic and cunning monster devoid of emotion, but look at him now.
Now that he was lost to his emotions, he had sacrificed everything and was reduced to this weak state.
Intense emotions were cruel, they cut like a sharp blade and reduced even the strongest to an empty husk.
Sighing, they shook their heads with regret. But some girls were overwhelmed with affection and pity.
This was a true man, one that would risk his all for a woman. But because of the cold demeanor he usually displayed, no one saw what lay buried in his heart...
"Steward Zhuo, don't be so down. You can't let emotions cloud your judgment in dealing with the Regent Estate." Grandmother said in all sincerity.
Zhuo Fan merely gave a mocking laughter.
Chu Qingcheng went to him and pulled his hand, "Come with me!"
No one understood what was happening. Zhuo Fan was the same, but had no mind to care, following her like a walking corpse.
They were soon gone from everyone's sight.
An hour later, Chu Qingcheng brought him to Drifting Flowers Edifices' location in Dragon Cloud City, to her room.
Zhuo Fan snorted, "Edifice Lord Chu, why have you brought me here? You don't intend to deepen our feelings, are you? I am not in... "
His voice trailed off as he noticed the girl on the bed.
She was fair, young and naive looking. Xue Ningxiang.
But she didn't look dead at all, merely sleeping.
"Ning'er's body. How..."
Zhuo Fan watched closely and she looked just like a sleeping, living person. Frowning, Zhuo Fan noticed the shining jewel in her mouth.
"Anchoring Soul Bead!"
Zhuo Fan cried out in joy, "This... Ning'er can be saved..."