The Steward Demonic Emperor-Chapter 849: Things Changed

Proofreader: Papatonks

Zhuo Fan jumped down with Gu Santong in his arms and gently patted Three-headed Crow’s warm plumage, like a good pet he was, “Thanks for dropping me. You can go now.”

Ugh!

Kunpeng’s smile crumbled as his face shook. His cold eyes stared straight at the crow with fury.

Three-headed Crow was Kunpeng’s subordinate, his right hand, obvious by the Chaos Flame he loaned.

As things stood now, even this trusted aide went against him, bringing an outsider without his approval. To top it off, he listened to another’s orders. If that wasn’t betrayal, what was?

Zhuo Fan had done it to undermine his authority, to poach his aide.

As the king of beasts, anger was a given. Alas, Zhuo Fan was a distant guest that had yet to push things too far, not enough to warrant conflict. The same couldn’t be said about the Three-headed Crow…

He directed killing intent towards the crow, releasing bloodlust.

The Three-headed Crow shuddered, tearing up in fear as the three heads looked hurt. 

[Master, it’s not me! He made me!]

Not like Kunpeng would believe him. His mind was set on dealing with the three heads and how he was going to vent.

“Uhm, senior Kunpeng, I’ve come too suddenly and I’m imposing on you. I had forced the Three-headed Crow to take me before informing you. Do forgive me.”

Looking between one angry and one bitter face, Zhuo Fan chuckled inside. Speaking at the perfect moment, whether intentionally or not.

Kunpeng was outraged, not bothering to mask it as he cursed inside. 

[He’s under me and I can do what I want with him. What are you doing helping him out?]

Since he still had use for Zhuo Fan, he had to rein it in. He let out a long breath, pushing the anger down and speaking in a calm tone.

Gu Santong got ahead of him though, “What’s so bad about it? Dad’s one of us. Wherever I am, it’s dad’s home. No point of informing when he’s just coming home anyway. Right, uncle?”

“Uh, yeah, ha-ha-ha…”

Kunpeng turned to Gu Santong with a weird look then let out a dry laugh, “Three-headed Crow, listen here, Zhuo Fan is one of us, so he can come see me anytime. Understood?”

Kunpeng’s smile turned into gnashed teeth at the end, glaring at Three-headed Crow.

Gu Santong was oblivious to the subtleties, taking it at face value. Kunpeng was just teaching his men to look after Zhuo Fan.

Zhuo Fan knew how to read between the lines though. 

[Sour since his own man was listening to another’s orders.]

Zhuo Fan shook his head.

The Three-headed Crow felt victim here, bobbing his heads.

“Don’t just stand there looking dumb, stand aside and wait for Zhuo Fan to leave!” Glaring at him one last time, Kunpeng found Three-headed Crow even more of an eyesore. 

Three-headed Crow didn’t make a peep, it just sat there at the side, like a good subordinate.

Gu Santong asked, “Uncle, you’re looking mighty angry today. What’s up?”

“Nothing, nothing, just a toothache.” Kunpeng waved his hand.

Pff!

Zhuo Fan almost cracked up.

[Toothache?]

[You’re a sacred beast for crying out loud, immune to cold weapons and the world’s elements, yet you’re telling me you got a toothache? Are you alluding to something here, that maybe I pissed you off?]

Gu Santong frowned, even for him this reason was hard to accept, but he didn’t push it. He returned to hugging Zhuo Fan’s neck, “Uncle, you can just have the bird leave. He doesn’t need to send him off because dad said he’ll always be by my side. He ain’t leaving, he-he-he!”

“Oh, rea-, what?”

Kunpeng jerked around at Zhuo Fan and shouted, “Is young Sanzi right? You’re staying as well? What about your affairs? What about mine? Aren’t you sorting them out?”

Staring at his shocked face, Zhuo Fan smiled, “Senior Kunpeng, before I answer, let me tell you my latest exploits. I’ve already completed half of your task. Not long ago, I met with the Decimating Dragon Ancestor.”

Shuddering, Kunpeng looked amazed, “W-what did he say?”

“Everything, including the events ages ago, as well as my situation.” Zhuo Fan smiled and then sighed.

Kunpeng gasped and nodded, looking serious, “Since you know everything, what will you do?”

“What else is there but being on your side, hunted as I am as well?” Zhuo Fan looked lonely, “Kunpeng, thanks to sir’s aid, I have gone from nothing, to having everything. Wife, son, friends, family… but it’s also due to you that I had to cast them all out. I just don’t know if I should hate you or thank you…”

Kunpeng eyed him coldly, “When we met, you had nothing, and the same applies now. What changed? Ha-ha-ha… anyway, to have everything, you need to keep your life and be the last victor. I’m not asking you to like me, nor to be grateful, because we’re all in this together.

“Me and the other sacred beasts can’t escape and we’ll need you to do some things for us. So when you said you wanted to find Heavenly Sovereign’s remnant and get his inheritance, I knew you’d be one of us. Ha-ha-ha, just like I thought, you didn’t let me down and survived Lightning Canyon. A true disciple of Nine Serenities. Also, did that old fire dragon have a solution out of this?”

Zhuo Fan sighed and explained.

Kunpeng lit up and nodded, “I see, so the mortal domain has eight large gaps, the World Wind Tunnel. Ha-ha-ha, the old fire dragon’s cell has been thrown around yet still found such a secret to help us escape. Far better than me, stuck here in Allbeast Mountain Range. Oh, since there are gaps in the mortal domain, then Heavenly Sovereign’s Divine Eye of the Void isn’t perfect. If we unite, winning might very well be in sight.

“Boy, live on well. We’ll just might make it in the end, ha-ha-ha…” Patting Zhuo’s shoulder, Kunpeng laughed like he was the winner.

Zhuo Fan wasn’t in the mood to join him. This was a grudge since ancient times, yet now he got dragged into this mess.

He even had to forsake everything…

Zhuo Fan’s heart was in pain. He sighed and left with Gu Santong, “Young Sanzi, you’re coming with me now. We’ll never separate again.”

“Wait, where are you going?” Kunpeng shouted.

Zhuo Fan spoke, “I need young Sanzi’s help to deal with Dragon Ancestor’s task. Since he’s in this mess as well, I don’t need to push him away.”

“The task he gave you should be much easier with just you alone. If in trouble, you can always send me a message for help, so there’s no need to take the child with you. It’s better for him to stay here and learn from me. Maybe Qilin will be needed later, for the five great sacred beasts to unite.” Kunpeng squinted.

Zhuo Fan sneered at his words, “Teach? I know exactly how Sundering Thunder Phoenix died. I don’t want young Sanzi to die without even realizing, just so you could take his power. There’s no way I’ll leave my son in such danger.”

Gu Santong looked lost.

“Young Sanzi, come with me if you believe me. I’ll explain it later.” Zhuo Fan spoke.

Gu Santong looked deep in his eyes then nodded.

Kunpeng’s eyelid twitched and he mocked, “You think you can just leave, Zhuo Fan? Where do you think you are, your backyard?”

“Maybe not before, but now, ha-ha-ha, things have changed.”

Zhuo Fan pointed and a huge golden flame appeared.

Kunpeng gasped, “Old dragon’s Dragon Breath Pill?”

The Three-headed Crow jerked back in fear.

“Humph, you think it can hold me?” Kunpeng sneered, “It may be his strongest attack, but I’m no weakling either. We’ve been fighting for ages with none coming out on top. You think you can scare me?”

“You’re not?”

Zhuo Fan had a vile smirk, “Oh, yeah, you sacred beasts never had a winner amongst yourselves. Dragon Ancestor can’t beat you, so of course Dragon Breath Pill won’t work. Though that was before. Kunpeng, remember why you can’t leave Allbeast Mountain Range!”

Shuddering, Kunpeng’s face fell.

“Yes, you need the aura of the beasts to hide your own. The Dragon Breath Pill can’t take you, but it will destroy Allbeast Mountain Range. I wonder if you’ll manage to survive when Heavenly Sovereign finds you out and comes to kill you.”

The azure flame eyes shook and Kunpeng sighed, “Clever brat, just take young Sanzi. But are you confident you can keep him safe? He’s a sacred beast offspring, but has yet to mature. Many in the mortal domain have the strength to end him.”

“Not before, but now I can!”

He took back the Dragon Breath Pill and Zhuo Fan’s left eye shone with the black thunderflame, “Because I am his father!”

He took Gu Santong’s hand and left.

Kunpeng watched in shock. 

[What was that?]

The Three-headed Crow rushed over, “Master, he did indeed force me to bring him here.”

He looked from the crow to the distant Zhuo Fan. Kunpeng sighed, “I see, so things have indeed changed…”