Chapter 1218: Inconsistent

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Wearing a decorated black robe, Zhao Chen took his twenty Demon Guards to welcome them, with Zhuo Fan in their lead, of course, “Sword Emperor, Enchanting Empress, it’s been a long time. I’m thrilled to have both of your support in this matter, ha-ha-ha…” 

“Demonic Emperor, please, we came to do our part and receive our just reward, ha-ha-ha…” The two replied back with respect. Sword Emperor went right to it, “Isn’t it time to show us what you promised? We’ve gone to great lengths to bring experts to appraise it.”

The Sword Emperor made way as he pointed at a fatty behind. 

Zhao Chen cried, “Gambling Emperor, you’re here too?”

“Sure I am. In such a crucial situation, Sword Emperor insisted that I validate the items. I was also free at the moment, so I tagged along to enjoy the bustle. I’m curious if there’s been any clues to unraveling the Nether Sea map after taking it from me.” The Gambling Emperor smirked. 

Zhao Chen shook his head, “Gambling Emperor, you jest. Known for your sharp mind, if you, who had it for decades and couldn’t crack it, how could I do so in only a few days? Then there’s the recent trouble that came up, taking more of my time. You’re overthinking things.”

“You don’t have to remind me. The answer to the riddle is like gambling, up to luck, coincidence and a whole lot of wisdom. I’m just a bit brighter, but not wiser, for true wisdom is unassuming and simple. Maybe your little friend managed to do it in a couple of days?” 

“Hey, hey, are you two done? This is not the time to show off when we haven’t even seen the map.” 

The Sword Emperor cut the two’s idle chatter, “Since this is a discussion among three parties, it will only be carried out on the premise of the map’s validity.”

The Demonic Emperor and Gambling Emperor laughed, the former bringing them into the main hall.

A three meter long table lay in the center. Zhao Chen took out three boxes and placed them on it, opening each one to reveal three scrolls.

The middle one had everyone’s focus, confirming it to be the real Nether Sea map. The other two looked newer, obviously the copies.

Unfolding them, they all looked the same, covered in black dots and circles. The lines at the top were also copied to the tiniest detail.

“This is the real Nether Sea map. Unlike that…”

Mei Sangu had come as well and her eyes shone as she sighed. Then she glared at Zhuo Fan recalling the indignity he put her through with his sick joke. 

Zhuo Fan bowed towards Gambling Emperor, “Senior, please inspect the copies and see if there are any discrepancies so we may correct.”

“There’s nothing to inspect about the original. It just can’t be faked.”

The Gambling Emperor nodded, “The genuine map is made of ancient Nether paper, filled with yin energy, making it impervious and eternal, the craftsmanship lost with time. Everything’s about the drawing, whether it’s done accurately. It’s only a matter of matching the copies to the original.” 

The Gambling Emperor leaned over to look closer.

After many hours, he still said nothing. A day in and he still found them to be identical to the real map.

The others didn’t disturb him in the process, since it involved the other three’s basis for cooperation. 

Only after the second day did the Gambling Emperor put them down and sighed, “Yes, the copies are the same.”

The rest nodded, smiling.

“Now we shall help the Demonic Emperor in talking those two old guys into withdrawing so peace can be restored.” The Sword Emperor turned lively knowing that the map was within reach.

The Enchanting Empress nodded as well, in full agreement. The sooner they were done, the sooner she got what she wanted.

Zhao Chen shouted, “Hold on, I changed my mind.”

“You don’t want to trade?” The Sword Emperor reacted.

Zhao Chen shook his head, “Hardly, I just wish to add another condition. Don’t you think it’s too easy to get a copy by only talking?”

“What do you propose?” The two frowned, having a bad feeling.

Zhao Chen snickered, cupping his hands, “I ask that you promise me something. We all know the value of the Nether Sea map and I wish to ask a favor of you two in exchange for a copy.”  

“What is it?”

“That all three of us act, help me to take all of the lands owned by the Wraith Emperor and Falcon Emperor.”

“What?”

The two flinched, with the Enchanting Empress shouting, “Steward Zhuo clearly said it’s only mediating. There was no mention of attacking. How can you just…”

“Yeah!”

Zhuo Fan also intervened, “Demonic Emperor sir, when I asked sirs for cooperation, fighting wasn’t part of it. Going back on it isn’t… right.” 

“What’s so bad about it? And you have no right to talk here! Back off!” Zhao Chen glared at him.

Zhuo Fan sighed and stepped down.

Zhao Chen turned to the other two, “When I sent Steward Zhuo to ask for your help, the war hadn’t started. With you acting as mediators, it wouldn’t matter then since no harm’s been done. Now, those bastards took ten of my cities. I’m not about to take this lying down! You may still be after brokering peace, but I’ve grown out of it, humph!”

The two darkened, looking at the copies now and then. Getting them to attack over the copy was…

“Demonic Emperor, I’m sorry to say this, but you’re asking for too much!”

Zhuo Fan was grave, stepping in with a bow, “The Nether Sea map is valuable, but it is merely a faint hope. Deciphering it is still uncertain. Asking the Sword Emperor and Enchanting Empress to get involved in the war will bring them losses, and they have to receive adequate compensation. I propose that after their lands are taken over, the Demonic Emperor would split them with the two sirs, making it a common ground to act together. Adding the two copies as well, and it sounds worthwhile.” 

“Outrageous!”

Zhao Chen snapped, “You want to split my gains? Isn’t that asking for much? Zhuo Fan, on which side are you on?”

“Sir, I’m always on your side, but in business, both sides need to be satisfied. How else are they to help you?”

“No, the most I can offer is twenty cities, since I’m still throwing in the two maps…” 

“Demonic Emperor!”

“I believe Steward Zhuo’s proposal to be reasonable. We will divide everything evenly among us three. That’s the only way for us to involve our own forces.”

“Enchanting Empress, don’t haggle with me! I’m even giving you the map!” Zhao Chen roared.

The Enchanting Empress said with a cold smile, “Right now, you’re surrounded on all sides. What good will a piece of paper do when you’re burning to the ground? In any case, if you want us to fight, we can, but we’re not about to suffer for nothing. Sword Emperor, are you up for some charity?” 

“Ha-ha-ha, I’m no fool to accept such dumb demands!”

“Y-you all…”

Demonic Emperor gnashed his teeth, flinging his hand in the air, “Fine, have it your way! We’ll split it three ways, that’s our agreement. As for the maps…”

“We’ll have them, of course.”

“Why the hell would you?”

“Because those two came for you. It wouldn’t bother us at all if we just stayed back, while you needed us.” Sword Emperor sneered, “The map is the reward for our cooperation.” 

The Demonic Emperor was huffing and puffing in anger, but finally turned away, “Fine, do what you want, making me lose so much!”

“And you… you talk too much!”

Zhao Chen pointed at Zhuo Fan, barking before going to his chambers.

Zhuo Fan sighed, while the two Emperors were smug. The Gambling Emperor gave Zhuo Fan a long look, sporting a crafty grin.

[The kid sure is something else…]

“Steward Zhuo, we would like to make a copy ourselves. Could we?”

Zhao Chen was gone now and the Enchanting Empress asked Zhuo Fan.

Zhuo Fan frowned, giving her a dark look, “We had the copies prepared already. Why would you bother for more? Do you doubt…”

“No no no, we just wish to feel for ourselves the fascination of the Nether Sea map.”

Zhuo Fan smiled after some difficulty, “As you wish, but please give your copy to the Gambling Emperor for keeping. The Gambling Emperor is fair, always neutral. Once the deal is done, each of you can take your copy from him.”

“We understand.”

The Enchanting Empress and Sword Emperor took out paper and started copying the Nether Sea map. 

Zhuo Fan sneered inside.

[These geezers are the same, cautious to the extreme, ha-ha-ha…]

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