Chapter 869: Shadow Emperor

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Sighing, Shangguan Feixiong pointed at the youth with a warped face, “Yulin is already back. He’s standing right here.”

“That’s cousin?”

Looking shocked at Shangguan Yulin next to him, Zhuo Fan’s eyes shook in disbelief, but then he changed tunes to, “While there’s no resemblance to speak of, I can vaguely sense cousin’s valor and grandeur, the imposing posture…”

Pff!

Shangguan Qingyan rolled her eyes and giggled. Shangguan Yulin was fuming. 

[Is he toying with me or praising me?] 

Shangguan Feixiong glared at his daughter, making her smile fade but she stuck out her tongue. He sighed and frowned at the two, “What have you been doing all this time? Why do you look like that?” 

“Uncle, actually…”

Zhuo Fan began his report, making Shangguan Feixiong look stern and focused. But Zhuo Fan’s next words had this mild Clan Head actually ticked off, “I have no clue whatsoever.”

Pff!

Shangguan Feixiong was so close to popping in anger, barking, “Why are you talking then? And weren’t you two together, how can you not know anything?”

“Uncle, while I and cousin were out searching, I was struck unconscious out of nowhere. By the time I woke up, there was no one there, not even cousin. I searched for him, fearing the guards might have found him. But despite all the searching, I found no sign of him and rushed back, only to see cousin wasn’t home either. I truly don’t know anything about what happened when I was out cold.”

Zhuo Fan muttered, playing the victim, “Uncle, at your question, I of course responded swiftly as a sign of respect. Yet you do not appreciate me, but shout at me. A-aren’t you from a righteous clan…”

Ugh!

Shangguan Feixiong was stumped, feeling ashamed seeing Zhuo Fan’s look. But he was also gratified.

While Zhuo Fan was a flippant rogue, he could still tell from that recounting he forwent his safety in danger, worrying for his friend and searching all day through the city to find him. 

Such loyalty was just the kind Shangguan clan preached.

Clueless that all of it was merely an elaborate excuse for his late arrival. All of it was to get closer to the clan. Loyalty was the farthest thing from his mind. 

With Zhuo Fan’s vile character, what the hell kind of loyalty would he have after meeting you guys for just a day?

But since the old man wanted to believe it, Zhuo Fan was happy to play along, all to get more out of it later…

Shangguan Feixiong took a deep breath and patted his shoulder, “Yifan, I was wrong. Don’t mind it.”

“With no parents in this world, you are my only elder. I have no right to complain.” Zhuo Fan beamed and bowed.

Shangguan Feixiong was even more gratified, “You’re looking more and more like a true Shangguan clansman. I haven’t made a mistake taking you in, ha-ha-ha…”

Shangguan Yulin shook, a feeling of dread drowning him.

[What the hell? The kid only knew how to run his mouth, forcing uncle to take him in with a reluctant heart. So why is it that now the punk got uncle’s approval?]

[Won’t that make it harder to touch him later?]

“Yulin, Yifan doesn’t know what happened. You tell us!”

Shangguan Yulin was thinking about his next plan when Shangguan Feixiong’s shout brought him back to the present. “Uncle, is right, brother Gu truly is like a Shangguan clansman, only difference is his surname…”

Shangguan Feixiong eyed him, “Yulin, what are you spouting? I’m asking here where have you been all this time? And how did Yifan get attacked?”

“Oh, that.”

Wiping the cold sweat off his brow, Shangguan Yulin had a dry smile as he made excuses, “Uncle, I and brother Gu had followed a patrol in the forest since they were being suspicious in their actions. I never thought they had a sentry post hidden as well, ambushing us. I panicked and blocked in reflex, not even realizing the shockwave would catch brother Gu by surprise and knock him out. Six people then showed up, forcing me to flee upon facing such strong opposition.” 

Zhuo Fan’s brow rose, sparing him an approving glance.

[He’s a genius alright, making perfect lies on the spot that encompasses all doubts. He’s one crafty guy. Even I would’ve believed him if I wasn’t there.]

Shangguan Feixiong frowned, “So, you abandoned Yifan?”

“Uh, no no no, Uncle, please hear me out.”

Shangguan Yulin rushed to come up with another lie, “With so many enemies after us, if I had taken brother Gu as well, it didn’t matter if escape was impossible, but that brother Gu would’ve been caught up in our fight and die. Brother Gu’s cultivation is also low and I feared the enemy would have no remorse for him. That’s why drew them away as we fought, hoping to give brother Gu the time to flee. Once I threw off their pursuit I came back to find brother Gu wasn’t there. That’s why I rushed back home, hoping to find him safe. If he hadn’t returned, then I would’ve gone back, risking my life to save brother Gu!”

Shangguan Yulin’s vehement speech coupled with his sorry state made for a tragic impression.

Everyone admired him. Zhuo Fan might have even thought him heroic if he didn’t know the truth.

[For crying out loud, is all Shangguan clan filled with high class actors? Then again, I’m not lacking in that department either.]

Zhuo Fan grabbed his hands firmly, touched to the core, “Cousin, I am unable to bear such loyalty from you.”

“Aren’t we brothers?” While Shangguan Yulin was revolted of Zhuo Fan, in front of uncle he had to show his big brother side.

In this case, Zhuo Fan milked it for all its worth, tearing up, “Cousin, I’m just a nobody. How could I be worthy of cousin’s glorious sacrifice and friendship? I can feel my heart beating out of my chest every time I think about it. If cousin had died because of me, I’d deserve death…”

Zhuo Fan looked particularly mournful right about now, driving his point with his snot and tears dripping on Shangguan Yulin’s hands.

Filled with disgust and loathing that could not be expressed with Shangguan Feixiong around, he revealed instead a brilliant smile, “Brother Gu, we are true brothers under oath!”

“Cousin!”

“Brother Gu!”

“Cousin…”

“Brother Gu…”

The two sighed at the touching words, with the father and daughter of Shangguan clan admiring their camaraderie.

Gu Santong, who kept on playing felt his mouth twitch constantly.

[Lookie here, dad got some more simps falling for his act. Then again, this ‘cousin’s shamelessness can challenge dad’s. They’re both shadow emperors.]

He might be a child but had more than three centuries of experience. Then there were the years spent along with Zhuo Fan on top, and Gu Santong could see through any of his acts. He held the play in disdain, though he never said a word, playing on with his toy.

“I’m grateful to know you brothers are so close. But no matter how close you are, you should let go of your hands now. How do you think it’ll look seeing two grown men hold each other and sniveling?”

Shangguan Feixiong found the two’s friendship too strong for his eyes, teasing them about it.

The two beamed and let go.

Shangguan Yulin wanted to let go ages ago. Zhuo Fan had been dripping snot all over them and left him with disgust.

But he was forced to smile through the ordeal.

Shangguan Feixiong nodded, “All that matters is that you’re both safe and sound. Yulin, were you followed when coming back?”

“Don’t worry, uncle, I was careful not to pick a tail.” Shangguan Yulin’s eyes flashed.

Shangguan Feixiong nodded, “I think so too. Yulin, there’s an important job I have to entrust you with.”

[Another one?]

Shangguan Yulin’s eyes looked lost.

First was the devil and now his uncle. 

[What’s the world coming to, dumping all its troubles on my head?]

[I’m just too amazing, too strong and too responsible.]

The delusions of grandeur were strong with this one… 

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