Chapter 399: Sensitive Talk

Hum~

Zhuo Fan used Discerning Field to scan for any nosy neighbors. Only then did he walk into the teahouse and sat across from the black robe.

"Who knew this day would come when you'd ask me out?" The black robe kept his hood low, hiding his features.

Zhuo Fan smiled, "We're all old friends, in a way. Chatting around a cup of tea after so long is pretty normal."

"Humph, cut the act. You know it well enough that our grudge can't be mitigated. We never had any friendly 'chats'!" The black robe sipped his tea, his words cold.

Zhuo Fan giggled, "Well lookie here, how you've improved~. Think I can't snap your head right here, right now?"

"Yes, I do!" The man shook his head, "You would've long killed me by now, otherwise. I am not your match. But since I've answered your invitation, I'm sure you didn't come here just to finish me off. "

Zhuo Fan grinned, "I see you've done some growing up over the past years. Not just a conniving mentality, but nerves too, just like that old demon back in the day!"

Shuddering, the black robe's grip on the teacup tensed, yet he continued sipping the green tea.

"I'll keep it nice and simple. The report I have from my house's spies puts you in a precarious position, at a crossroad..."

"And have you come to threaten me with it?" The black robe's cold tone cut Zhuo Fan off, "Humph, see how much good will that do. My two employers agree on my choice. You won't be using that on me anytime soon."

"You've pegged me all wrong. I didn't come here to threaten you, instead just to talk. If you're interested..." Zhuo Fan stared hard at him, "How about a three-way crossroad? Mind considering taking a step towards the Luo clan as well?"

Shuddering, the man cried in disbelief, "What did you say?"

"I think I was clear enough."

Zhuo Fan chuckled, "A sly person always has a fallback. Why not get one extra? For you, it comes with no downsides. Don't tell me you haven't been considering it?"

"You're insane. We're enemies!" The black robe roared, slapping the table, "I'll never help you!"

Zhuo Fan mocked, "You're so... outdated. Very. This will probably be the highest you can go."

"What did you say?"

"Nothing, really. Before the Esoteric Debate, I met Zhuge Changfeng and talked. He asked me, 'I and Leng Wuchang scheme for our own personal gains, so why do you stay a mere steward to a rundown third-rate clan?' My answer was simple. My ambitions go beyond his."

Zhuo Fan's eyes flashed with malice, "The way I see it, be it some unwonted contriver or the greatest mind of this empire, I will always be better. As for you, you're not even at their level. Your scope is tiny..."

Shuddering, the black robe dazed out, his mind drifted.

Zhuo Fan just sat there, waiting.

He sighed at one point and stood up, "I see that you still don't understand. Nevermind then, I don't have the time to wait for you to catch up."

"One moment."

The man stopped him and said, "Tianyu is on the brink of anarchy. What promises do I have that your Luo clan will come out on top?"

"If I were to say because yours truly is around, Luo clan will have the last laugh, you probably won't believe me, so...."

Grinning, Zhuo Fan said, "I will let you stay at the three-way crossroad. You will have the luxury to pick the winning side!"

The man replied after a pause, "You don't expect me to burn the other two bridges to take yours, do you?"

"Of course not. You're no fool and won't do it even if I tell you to. Everyone is selfish. If the Luo clan falls, you still have the other two, right?" Zhuo Fan had an uncanny smile, like a nice uncle handing candy to children.

The black robe nodded, "If there are no conflicts of interest, I am open to cooperation."

"Splendid. It can't be simpler. I won't need you to do something hard anyway. Just do this at the right time and you're in..."

Zhuo Fan whispered in his ear.

The black robe froze, then watched him stunned, "Have you lost it? Literally everyone is trying to do anything to not take that wretched and doomed fate. Yet you want to jump right in and be the center of it all? Who do you think you are, Gu Santong?"

Shrugging, Zhuo Fan said, "What else can I do? Everyone is out to get me. Well someone's gotta do it."

The man held his gaze, then nodded, praising, "Now I understand how you've climbed so far. To others you are ruthless, but a savage to yourself. From what you want of me, I can guess this much. Zhuo Fan is Zhuo Fan, specialized in turning the world upside down!"

"Ha-ha-ha, please, I'm blushing. Then, to our healthy relationship!" Zhuo Fan put his hand out with a smile.

The black robe grabbed it with a clap and left into the night.

Zhuo Fan grinned before leaving as well.

Meanwhile, in a refined pavilion, Leng Wuchang was enjoying some fine wine in peace and quiet.

A pop sounded and there came Zhuo Fan, out of the blue.

Leng Wuchang wasn't phased in the least. He even offered him a drink and a smile, "Steward Zhuo, it's been a while. What could have brought upon this invitation?"

"Ha-ha-ha, a scheming mastermind like Sir Leng can't take a gander?" Zhuo Fan giggled.

Leng Wuchang shook his head, enjoying the wine, "Ha-ha-ha, I may venture one on the rest of the masses, but when it comes to Steward Zhuo's treachery, since the Esoteric Debate, I have stopped taking wild guesses. I ask that you be plain."

"I shall be terse then. I have invited sir for a simple question."

"Go on." Leng Wuchang waved casually.

"Sir Leng, what do you wish to accomplish by staying in the Regent Estate for all these years? Did you grasp it?" Zhuo Fan asked.

Leng Wuchang's cup shook, his reply bitter, "Steward Zhuo, don't patronize me, please. I was on the brink of taking it for myself but then you came along and all my plans went up in smoke."

"Can you blame me? If it weren't me, then Prime Minister Zhuge. If not Prime Minister Zhuge, the still tough emperor..."

"Fine, fine, just say your piece." Leng Wuchang grew impatient.

Zhuo Fan turned serious, "Sir Leng, you have toiled in the Regent Estate for decades with the prize nowhere in sight. Perhaps you may have an easier time down at the Luo clan?"

"What?!" Leng Wuchang jumped, then cracked up, "Steward Zhuo, you've now come to steal 'me' away? Sorry to disappoint but what I want is something you can't understand. Moreover, the Luo clan has you. Won't adding me make it crowded?"

"And if I'm not in the Luo clan?" Squinted Zhuo Fan.

Leng Wuchang cried, "There's no way that can happen!"

Following with a shake of his head, "If Steward Zhuo is out of the Luo clan, that house will fall apart. There'll be no point."

"Ha-ha-ha, since I plan on leaving, I will make sure to get everything ready and not let it scatter in the wind. To complete my project, I need the help of someone."

Zhuo Fan spoke heavily, "Sir Leng, Prime Minister Zhuge once said that you and him are the right hand of leaders, but each with their own agenda. I do not know what Prime Minister Zhuge's aim is, but I do have a theory about your's.

"Do you remember telling me how with the three of us together, nothing can stop us? It got me thinking. You may appear conceited, but you wish to prove yourself, to stand out. I am giving you the chance, now, to take all the credit."

Zhuo Fan whispered in Leng Wuchang's ear.

Leng Wuchang's calm slowly gave way to shock, and then his eyes became bugged-out.

"Steward Zhuo, that's a huge undertaking. You plan on uniting the continent?" Leng Wuchang asked, still in shock.

Zhuo Fan smiled, "Never dreamed of it. I am not a schemer at heart, but a cultivator yearning for the Dao. While Sir Leng is more than eager to have such a grand achievement."

Leng Wuchang nodded with a frown, "Yes, this is the greatest achievement of all times. But with Regent Estate's legacy, it's no problem grasping it. Why then do you insist on having me turn to the Luo clan?"

"Because that's where I am. And there are some things only I can provide!"

Zhuo Fan put on a mysterious smile, "I won't force Sir Leng to make a decision now. All you have to do is a nudge from you at the right moment and you'll be on board. As for the future, you can help the Regent Estate as its steward in any way you wish. And if the Luo clan falls, you won't be feeling any repercussions."

Leng Wuchang gave a nod.

Zhuo Fan smiled, whispering sensitive matters in his ears.

All the pieces were in play and all that was left was to wait for him, a fate-changer and an anomaly, to unleash anarchy.