Chapter 324, Every Trick in the Book
[The future is ours!]
Those simple words had their ambition grow unchecked.
You Yushan’s trio looked at Huangpu Qingtian’s smile and felt the Br.i.m.m.i.n.g Sacred Pill in their hand heavy as Mt. Tai.
The pill and those words were the perfect sales pitch.
He said the same thing to all Six Dragons and One Phoenix before the wood exit, that they held the future in their grasp. They would soon surpa.s.s their own house lords and their glory.
And now that they took his offered pill, they agreed to be wholly on Huangpu Qingtian’s side. They would follow him blindly from now on, and the houses’ structure and interests would change as a result.
This implied that when they became house lords, they would still align with Huangpu Qingtian and listen to his orders.
This single Br.i.m.m.i.n.g Sacred Pill represented not just their allegiance but their houses’ as well, and everything that came along with it; their forces, their wealth, their souls.
Huangpu Qingtian’s plan of roping in the three future house lords was far more ingenious than how Huangpu Tianyuan earned the current house lords’ favor.
As long as the three held him in the highest regard, so too would the future three houses. Whether or not the three current house lords would object by writing them off as inheritors, Huangpu Qingtian wasn’t the least bit worried.
Once these three became his men, they would have Regent Estate behind them. And Regent Estate would do all in its power to get them the house lord position. If those geezer were tired of living, they were most welcome to refuse.
You Yushan’s trio looked at each other in sorrow, feeling the weight of the pill growing by the second.
They were over the moon having gotten the Br.i.m.m.i.n.g Sacred Pill, albeit at the price of betraying their own house. But if they refused, how would Huangpu Qingtian react?
The three were pulled from two directions but soon came to a decision and bowed, “We thank the eldest young master for his generosity!”
Today’s decision had sealed the fate and future of their houses in one direction, as va.s.sals. But refusing it would most likely end with them buried on this mountain.
Tallying up both choices’ ups and downs, the three favored satisfying their own interests.
So what if they defected their clans in front of everyone? As long as the Regent Estate had their backs, their own house lords and elders wouldn’t even touch them. Not to mention their house lord position was guaranteed.
It was just about being Huangpu Qingtian’s loyal dog. How bad could it be? Then again, they’d be below one man, but lords over the ma.s.ses. At that time, a mere hint of accusing them for this decision would earn the offender a quick trip six feet under…
That worked to calm their worries and they showed pure respect. Huangpu Qingtian nodded and laughed…
“Ha-ha-ha…”
Twitching, Huangpu Tianyuan watched the wise and powerful son of his, while cackling with a mask of rage.
Looking at the three house lords, he saw the glum hanging heavy on their faces.
Huangpu Qingtian not only carried out the Regent Estate’s plan to unify the houses, but spurred the juniors to fight for their elders’ power.
Even a blind man could see Huangpu Qingtian was strengthening his position for when the time came to take his father’s place.
Be that as it may, Regent Estate’s plan to unite the houses without conflict was of far greater benefit. Regent Estate’s elders were totally for it, evident by their prideful looks.
Regent Estate’s house lord status was reserved for the most capable. The father and son could fight all they wanted, as long as the future lord worked for the better of Regent Estate.
And watching Huangpu Qingtian employ hidden schemes and tricks along with the power invested in him, just like a true emperor, the elders loved him even more. Who would blame him now for calling them geezers?
[As long as you can make the Regent Estate thrive for thousands of years, you can even call us a bag of bones!]
Huangpu Tianyuan eyed the prideful elders behind him and sighed dejected.
[If this keeps up, the brat will soon come back with Zhuo Fan’s head and earn great merit. Higher than anyone.]
[And what will become of me then?]
Squinting, Huangpu Tianyuan could no longer bear the stress and frustration and said, “Sir Leng, how sure are you of your plan to finish Zhuo Fan off?”
“If it were anyone else, I’d guarantee it right away. But with how crafty he is, I can only go as far as ninety percent.” Leng Wuchang spoke lightly.
Huangpu Tianyuan’s heart froze.
[Such a.s.surance is insane…]
The man was now worried for Zhuo Fan’s fate and for the first time, resenting Leng Wuchang’s sharp mind.
[Just what plan do you have to be so certain? Is there anyone out there able to survive you, an ant perhaps?]
Sighing, Huangpu Tianyuan’s mood sank into the pits of despair.
Leng Wuchang smiled inside. He knew fully well the thoughts this house lord had, but didn’t mind them in the least.
His genius mind was a rarity in this world. No matter what house lord took office in Regent Estate, it wouldn’t change a thing. He would still be their right-hand man or left-hand man, all because of his strength.
This was why he did not care what Huangpu Tianyuan thought. Zhuo Fan was the only one on his mind right now. Zhuo Fan was the first ever to have escaped his foolproof plans.
He found it impossible to gauge Zhuo Fan’s actions and this Unwonted Contriver felt the same threat he felt from Zhuge Changfeng.
In this, Huangpu Qingtian and his interests were aligned, to end Zhuo Fan.
…
“Alright, now that you’ve made your decision, hurry and take it. After you enter the Radiant Stage, we will go hunt that pest down!” Huangpu Qingtian smiled at the trio.
They were all puzzled and You Yushan was the first to inquire, “Eldest young master, we do not know where to start. Do you perhaps know his location? But even so, why don’t we go after him this instant instead of waiting to break through?”
“Ha-ha-ha, Zhuo Fan is bedridden and he’ll make sure to hide where no one can find him. Not even me. But Sir Leng knows he will sooner or later appear at one place and that is where we’ll wait for him. With him licking his wounds, we won’t be disturbed for a while. It is our best chance to bolster our power. When everything is set and we ambush him, he will have no room to escape!” Huangpu Qingtian laughed.
The three nodded amazedly, “If Sir Leng said it, it must be so!”
The three placed a simple defensive array around them and ate the Br.i.m.m.i.n.g Sacred Pill.
Huangpu Qingtian smiled, placing Yan Fu and the others as guards. He placed his own defenses around and ate his own pill.
The four of them were peak Profound Heaven experts, soon to be Radiant Stage experts, courtesy of Br.i.m.m.i.n.g Sacred Pill.
Huangpu Qingtian’s soul’s strength would be multiplied tens of times and not even Zhuo Fan with his Shift would be able to escape his grasp.
Zhuo Fan’s end was nigh…
In another place, a purple lightning bird stood before a dark cave. The crackling lightning was enough deterrence for any approaching spiritual beast.
A man covered in blood laid in the cave, unmoving.
With his wings and arm ripped away, it was the first time Zhuo Fan had been in such a dangerous state.
Qiao’er sometimes looked back in worry. It wanted to get Zhuo Fan some food and water but was worried it would come back to find a spiritual beast gorging on his body.
So he stood watch.
Ten days came and went as man and beast monopolized the cave in complete silence. Only on the 15th day, a groan came from Zhuo Fan as he opened his eyes. The blinding sunlight coming from outside made him squint.
Shriek~
Qiao’er flapped its wings and cheered.
With a smile, Zhuo Fan forced himself up and said, “Don’t worry. As long as Blood Infant is safe, I won’t die.
“How long was I out, Qiao’er?” He asked.
Shriek~
Qiao’er flapped its wings and cried out. Zhuo Fan frowned and smiled, “Half a month? Just in time. Come, it’s time for us to settle a debt!”
Shriek~
Qiao’er barred his way, anxiously flapping its wings. [You’ll die if you go now!]
Smiling, Zhuo Fan patted its head, “Don’t write off your old man just yet. I’ve got more than just a strong arm. A sharp head on my shoulders! Qiao’er, by my reckoning I won’t even have to lift a finger to kill them all, he-he-he… “
Qiao’er c.o.c.ked its head, unable to read between the lines. But seeing the crafty smirk, it dawned on the bird.
“I didn’t lose my right arm for nothing.” Touching the stump, Zhuo Fan’s eyes glinted…