Chapter 1181: Hunter, Hunted

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“Come right up! Top spirit ores, black crystals, and other top goods…”

“12th grade pills…”

…

The peddlers were shouting their wears in the market of a small town, having put them on a dazzling display for all interested parties, making this place buzz with activity. 

In front of the town there was a towering guard post, with the word on it spelling Joy Town. 

A girl led her twelve imposing Genesis Stage guards up to the entrance. She also had one thin youth right next her.

The bustling little town fell utterly silent. Everyone turned their heads at the unfamiliar faces, each pair of eyes glimmering with hidden intentions. It lasted merely moments, as they all resumed the chatter and activity like the previous unnerving pause never occurred. 

Luo Yunchang found it strange, giving Zhuo Fan a look, but the latter smiled as he signaled them all to enter the town.

The market was just as busy as before, yet it now had a strange vibe to it. The eyes of all the people found themselves resting on the newcomers at one point or another.

Luo Yunchang was unnerved, her face grave as she clutched Zhuo Fan’s hand.

“Zhuo Fan, this town is creepy.”

“We wouldn’t be here otherwise, ha-ha-ha…”

Zhuo Fan snickered, his eyes taking in every last face around, showing the same hunting gaze as the townfolks.

Zhuo Fan took Luo Yunchang and the others to a tavern and bowed, “Young miss, it’s getting late. Could we rest here?”

Luo Yunchang nodded, following his intention of going inside after him.

“Whence you came and where you’re hailing, travelers? Will you be stopping by or resting?” A dolled up middle-aged woman smiled the minute they entered, asking and scanning them like a hawk. 

Zhuo Fan said, “Have five of your best rooms ready. Young miss will take one and the rest are for us, thirteen.” 

“Oh, five rooms…” The host looked troubled, “Forgive me, but my meager establishment does not have so many empty rooms.”

“How many are there then?”

“One.”

“One isn’t enough!” Zhuo Fan shook his head, “We can’t have young miss take it and have no one watch over her. Young miss, let’s just find another tavern.”

Luo Yunchang gave him a look and nodded, “We’ll do as Steward Zhuo says.”

“This is the only tavern in Joy Town. Going out to find more and you’ll be left sleeping with the stars overhead.” A shout came. 

They all jumped, looking to find a middle-aged man covered in fine attire and glittering decorations. The hostess lit up and bowed, “Steward Fang!”

“Owner, this doesn’t concern you. I’ll take care of our new friends.”

Steward Fang smiled and sent the hostess away before he cupped his hands towards the group, “I am Fang Ding, the steward of Liao clan. How may I address you?”

Zhuo Fan gave a curt nod, smiling back with cupped hands, “I am Zhuo Fan, Luo clan’s steward. Here is my young miss Luo Yunchang and her guards. Trading brought us through this area and we thought of resting after noticing the darkened sky.”

“Oh, you’re a steward?”

Fang Ding’s eyes shone with suspicion, “Brother Zhuo, if I may be so bold, your cultivation is a little…”

Zhuo Fan caught his meaning and looked crestfallen as he sighed, not willing to talk about it.

Luo Yunchang intervened, “To be honest, Steward Zhuo was born with incomplete meridians, unable to compare with other fellow cultivators. But his intellect is beyond reproach. My father especially had him take over our affairs. A steward isn’t a fighting role, so what’s the point of a high cultivation, wouldn’t you say? Ha-ha-ha…”

Luo Yunchang held Zhuo Fan’s hand, giving him a compassionate pat on the hand. 

[Well I’ll be, the pretty boy is mooching off her!]

Fang Ding reached an instant conclusion.

[A twenty-something year old guy in the Bone Tempering Stage is worse than a toddler! Might as well spare him from a crippled life. No matter how sharp he is up there, there’s no way to become a steward. While a steward is no fighter, he is, after all, the face of a clan!]

[He clearly curried  favor to reach his position. ]

[Humph, the kid is garbage.]

Fang Ding was smart enough not to speak his mind though.

“Brother Zhuo, there’s a master in every walk of life. Now you’re a steward and tomorrow a leader.” Fang Ding patted his shoulder as he laughed, “Since I find you so close and you all have nowhere to stay, why not spend the night at the Liao manor?”

Luo Yunchang perked up, but was looking immensely gratified as she bowed, “What a great idea, but we wouldn’t want to impose on your Clan Head.”

“Young miss Luo, my master is a most hospitable person. Everyone in a hundred miles knows him for his generosity. My master would help any in times of need when they knock on his door, be it stranger or fellow townsmen.” 

Fang Ding smiled, “Why else would this town be called Joy Town? I’m sure you’ve noticed our people’s cheerful nature. This place is under my master’s supervision. He is sure to go wild with joy having you staying over at his place.”

The hostess then giggled, coming over and complaining, “Master Liao is a man of honor and integrity. He stole so many of my guests, I’m scraping a living here, ha-ha-ha.”

Fang Ding smiled.

Luo Yunchang and Zhuo Fan shared a look then said with respect, “Then thank you so much, Steward Fang. Excuse us for imposing.”

“Young miss Luo is too kind.” Fang Ding returned their gesture. Fang Ding lead them out of the tavern. The hostess’ face went dark just then, showing a cruel smile as bloodlust boiled in her eyes… 

Fang Ding brought Zhuo Fan’s group minutes later to a large manor. He greeted the guards and walked in. The guards beamed and bowed, unlike any guards from the usual lording clans. 

Luo Yunchang felt her hair stand on end noticing the disdain hidden behind the facade, gripping Zhuo Fan’s hand tighter.

“Young miss Luo, please wait a moment while I fetch master.”

In the large hall, Fang Ding bowed as he made his escape.

Zhuo Fan smiled back, looking around the place.

Taking a deep breath, Luo Yunchang whispered, “Zhuo Fan, something definitely not right about this place.”

“Of course there isn’t. Who in their right mind set up a town at the edge of Scarlet Lightning Valley without a good reason? From what I know, there’s been a large war here once, turning it into a wasteland, with no people or resources. Who would ever want to stay here?”

Zhuo Fan’s eyes shone, looking at the manor with a smirk, “The ones coming here can only be those with checkered past no one wants. They only know how to live by harming others, through means no one would speak of in the open. Not even demonic cultivators dare to step in here. For all they know, that bright and cheerful smile could be hiding a bloodthirsty monster.” 

Luo Yunchang shuddered, “What the hell are we doing here then? Let’s run before…”

“Run? We came here to scout and check their limits so as to choose the best way to make our move.” 

Zhuo Fan mocked, “In a lawless corner like this, just how bad could it get? He wants to be the hunter, but time will tell who the real prey is, humph.”

Luo Yunchang nodded, “Zhuo Fan, are we really going to steal another’s turf?”

“Of course!”

Zhuo Fan nodded, “The Sacred Domain has long since been split up and the borders are not about to change overnight. For outsiders like us who want to keep low, we can only do that by assuming another’s place. There’s nothing remotely honorable about Joy Town, but someone still knows it. That gives us the certified identity we desperately need.”  

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