Chapter 928: Leading

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With the fragrant tea safely in his belly, Zhuo Fan casually held the cup with a relishing sigh as he smiled and gestured at Shangguan Yulin, "In a damp and dark hole such as this, some hot tea feels like heaven. Ain't that so, guys? Ha-ha-ha..."

"Yeah, yeah..."

"Mister Gu knows how to enjoy life, ha-ha-ha..."

The elders went into a constant praising spree, all while sporting wide smiles. Zhuo Fan could pretty much say anything and they'd still accept it.

Shangguan Yulin's face twitched from anguish, it cut so deep that death was starting to look oddly inviting. Then it dawned on him. Zhuo Fan was putting this overblown display after all those days spent under the knife and now actually turned out to be the worst torture of his life.

In the words of Confucius, "With socialism, fear not scarcity but inequality, not poverty but instability."

The reverse applied just as well. In these two's case, the pain was amplified greatly when one was having the time of his life. While if the other had suffered, then no matter the torture received, it would never strip away the joy he felt if he got to see the other suffer.

This was divergence, this was human nature.

But to a most ambitious young man that had struggled all his life, he could never bear to watch another enjoying the dreams he yearned for. Zhuo Fan was basking in the elders' attention and praises, wallowing in more respect than a Clan Head would receive.

What made it worse, it was none other than Zhuo Fan who was reaping the rewards, the one guy he despised with all his being. It translated into more than just bruised ego for the young lad, it was crushed, along with his heart.

[Why? We're both spies for Shangguan Feiyun so why do you hail him and not me? I'm still a young master of Shangguan Feiyun! He's just an outsider! Why are you treating him so?]

Shangguan Yulin's heart was consumed with jealousy, tinting his suffering in a harsher light.

Zhuo Fan's eyes shone.

[That ought to do for foreplay.]

He regarded the elders, "Seniors, please give us the room. I wish to have a private word with my disciple. Would it be possible?"

"Sure, sure, we're here to fulfill all of Mister Gu's requests, ha-ha-ha..."

The venerables saluted and led the men out, "Then we'll be taking our leave. Mister Gu, if there's anything at all, just ask."

The heavy stone door rumbled and shut this dark cave.

Shangguan Yulin felt numb.

[How are they the great elders of Shangguan Yulin? All I see is lap dogs with no dignity! ]

The minute the door was shut, the elders' beaming smiles turned upside down, grief taking hold.

Sixth elder taunted, "Brothers, big and small, who knew you had such nasty sides to you, Ha-ha-ha..."

"Just don't. The punk wanted us to play along, that's the only reason we'd gone through such indignity!" The elder who asked for a chair and table rolled his eyes, certain he'd never hear the end of this from his brothers since he hated this disgraceful crap the most.

The others' teasing glances proved it.

One venerable waved and became serious, "That's enough banter. This is a crucial matter. Using an already compromised spy to send a message is dangerous enough and might lead to unforeseen mistakes. Understanding this is the most important. The boy is adept in mind games, and the faster we get our pawn, Shangguan Yulin, to fall in line the better. We'll lose everything if he unravels on his way there."

"Gu Yifan is shrewd and daring, never leaving anything to chance. We've seen it for ourselves. How can he fail when he played Baili Jingwei as well? Although, he did that from the shadows and held the advantage of being overlooked. Now that he's going against Baili Jingwei in the open, with his son on the line, he's bound to be doubly careful. What's so bad about using some of our integrity in exchange for the Soaring Sword?" Another venerable spoke up.

The men nodded, no longer depressed by the demeaning act they were forced to perform...

After the elders left, Zhuo Fan was left alone with Shangguan Yulin in the dark 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?"