Chapter 868: Entrusted/Charged

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“I see, so eastern lands’ divine weapon, Soaring Sword, was brought to eastern lands by Shangguan Feiyun,”

Zhuo Fan nodded after he finished, “So that’s why Shangguan clan left home. It was all to get the eastern land’s treasure back.”

Looking at the black void around him, Shangguan Yulin found to shadow of Zhuo Fan, “Master, you said you knew everything so does it look like you just found out?”

“You talk too much.”

Zhuo Fan glared, “You only need to answer my question. Try to hide anything and when I’ll find out…”

“I know. I will never lie to you.”

Shangguan Yulin bobbed his head while cussing on the inside. 

[The old coot is so sly. With how he acts, I don’t have any chance of hiding anything.]

[The minute I do, he’ll activate that golden flame he stuck in me and blow me sky high.]

Shangguan Yulin sighed.

[This marks the beginning of my betrayal of the Shangguan clan.]

Zhuo Fan had since known him to be twisted inside. That was why he believed he wasn’t a zealot for the clan, choosing self preservation over glory. That made his words believable, turning him into a usable young master.

Zhuo Fan probed, “What if I wanted you to get me the Soaring Sword? Will you give your life for the Shangguan clan or offer me the sword?”

“Master, why do you even ask? My life is in sir’s hands. Of course I’ll give you the sword for my life.” Shangguan Yulin sighed.

Zhuo Fan had a hard look, but then laughed, “Ha-ha-ha, great, you know when to compromise, kid. It brings me relief knowing this as I charge you with an important task.”

Shangguan Yulin asked, “What task?”

Zhuo Fan shook his head, “I’ll contact you when the time is right. Until then, you are to play your part in the Shangguan clan, to make sure there are no incidents. I’ll notify you when I’m ready. That will be your glorious achievement for your master’s sake!”

“Yes, master!” He’d rather not, but it wasn’t like he had a choice. He bowed and cupped his hands.

The tranquility of the forest was the only reply.

Looking around, Shangguan Yulin tested, “M-master? Are you there?”

The night breeze blew by.

“Curses, did he really leave?” Shangguan Yulin took a deep breath, depression evident on his face. Just what did he do to deserve this fate? Why him? How could he become a turncoat just like that and become some devil’s toy?

All he could do was hang his head and trudge along dejectedly until the devil whispered in his ear. After the cruel ceremony to be the devil’s disciple, he still had no idea what he was. He lost big this time.

He only came to take care of his love rival, yet ended up with him being some sicko’s puppet instead.

Shangguan Yulin teared up again.

With a beaten look, Shangguan Yulin dragged his weary body as the night wind grazed his swollen face. 

As he faded out into the night, Zhuo Fan faded in, at the same spot. 

Looking at the poor sap of a young master, Zhuo Fan smirked, “I finally got myself a usable pawn. I no longer have to be part of the audience, but actually flip the board, ha-ha-ha…”

Zhuo Fan left with one final laugh…

Meanwhile, in the parlor of Gu household, the face of Shangguan Feixiong on the main seat shone in the light of candles. He was frowning, focusing on the entrance with a heavy look.

Shangguan Qingyan paced around the parlor, looking nervous and restless.

A stark contrast to the young child sitting there with a toy in his hands, cheerfully playing.

Thump~

The two’s eyes snapped up to see a Shangguan clan guard rushing in.

“Well? Are they back yet?” Shangguan Qingyan asked first.

The guard bowed with a sigh, “Young miss, Clan Head, young master and Sir Gu have yet to return.”

“You may go.”

A Shangguan Feixiong’s gesture, the man withdrew.

Shangguan Qingyan complained, “Just where did cousin take Sir Gu? What’s taking them so long? Dad, tell me they’re alright!”

Shangguan Feixiong frowned in thought, shaking his head.

“Young Sanzi, aren’t you worried since your dad is late?”

Shangguan Qingyan turned to the carefree child playing with the toy. She knew the father and son were very close, sticking to each other like glue. So why was it the kid showed no care when his dad went missing? It made no sense.

Gu Santong glanced at her, not stopping his playing for her sake, “My dad is too great for something to happen to him. Even if it does, it’s the other side who’ll suffer.”

“What do you mean by that?” Shangguan Qingyan was baffled.

Gu Santong had a vague smile on his face in reply. It only worked to puzzle this young missie to the extreme.

Hurried footsteps were heard as a guard barged in with a cheerful cry, “Clan Head, young miss, young master is back!”

“Truly?”

Shangguan Feixiong shot to his feet and walked for the door, with Shangguan Qingyan right behind him.

They didn’t get far, as Shangguan Yulin’s wretched figure and swollen face entered the parlor with a casual step.

The two were stunned, scanning Shangguan Yulin’s remaining obvious facial features and crying in shock, “W-who are you?”

“See? I told you it’s unclear who had incidents, humph…” Gu Santong was still in his seat and glanced over with a sneer as he played on.

Shangguan Yulin’s mouth quivered, looking at his uncle and cousin with a heavy heart. Seeing them so happy, he was choking on his words, “Uncle, cousin, I’m back.”

“Y-you’re Yulin?” Still incredulous Shangguan Feixiong stammered.

The guard explained, “Clan Head, he is indeed young master. He just came back and had us all jump. But we knew him from his aura.”

Shangguan Feixiong finally took notice of the air around the swollen head, finally putting a name to this strange face. What shocked him wasn’t that though, “What happened? Why are you like this?” 

“What about Sir Gu? Where is he? Wasn’t he with you?” Shangguan Qingyan asked.

Shangguan Yulin’s face fell, his anger spiking.

[Cousin, you’re my kin, yet instead of asking about me you worry about someone else? Am I that insignificant to you?]

Shangguan Yulin felt wronged, remaining silent. This had Shangguan Qingyan growing frantic, “Cousin, where’s Sir Gu? Didn’t I tell you to watch over him? Why are you returning perfectly fine while he’s missing?” 

Shangguan Yulin shook, on the point of spewing blood.

[Fine?]

[Cousin, does anything about me look perfectly fine to you? I just came back from an encounter with a patrol. But seeing me so roughed up, they pitied me and didn’t interrogate me. You call that perfectly fine? Why do you only care about him? What is going on between you two? What are you to each other?]

Shangguan Yulin’s heart was crushed, wanting to howl at the sky. Only his uncle’s presence stopped him…

“Did cousin come back yet?”

Cries were heard from outside and soon, Zhuo Fan’s figure rushed in. He looked drenched and tense as he asked quickly, “Uncle, cousin just left me!”

Shangguan Feixiong’s face twitched, looking from him to the unrecognizable Shangguan Yulin. They shook their heads. 

[What did they do anyway…]

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