THE DEVIL IN THE DETAILS
Chapter Thirty-One — The Headquarters Has Arrived

Ten days later, Zhuo Fan finally returned to Hidden Dragon Pavilion’s private courtyard with Lei Yuting and the old mountain chief.

Their journey out and back had taken more than half a month.

Fortunately, before leaving with Zhuo Fan, Lei Yuting had already arranged for the Black Wind Mountain men hidden throughout Windforest City to stay quiet and avoid acting rashly.

Otherwise, the situation would have exploded long ago.

At the same time, because the bandits never made any moves, Nether Valley also hesitated to proceed further.

The moment they returned to the courtyard, Zhuo Fan noticed that neither Long Kui nor Long Jie were present.

He immediately ordered the guards to arrange a room for the recovering mountain chief before heading off to find Luo Yunchang.

A moment later—

A sharp cry suddenly rang out from one of the side rooms.

“Miss!”

The door burst open as Xiao Cui ran outside with tears already streaming down her face.

She threw herself directly toward Lei Yuting.

Lei Yuting smiled softly and wiped away the girl’s tears.

“Silly girl,” she said gently, pinching her nose. “Did they mistreat you while I was gone?”

Xiao Cui shook her head quickly.

“Everyone in the Luo family treated me well…” Then her face darkened as she pointed accusingly at Zhuo Fan. “Except that evil Steward Zhuo!”

“Cough, cough…”

Zhuo Fan rolled his eyes.

“Little girl, insulting people to their face is dangerous business. Careful before I decide to discipline you.”

Right then, Zhuo Fan entered the room together with Luo Yunchang.

Commander Pang and Luo Yunhai followed behind them.

The moment they heard Xiao Cui’s complaint, all three nearly burst out laughing.

Luo Yunhai, especially, nodded sympathetically.

“You’re finished,” he warned seriously. “Big Brother Zhuo loves spanking people. You offended him, so your butt’s definitely in danger now.”

Xiao Cui immediately shrieked and hid behind Lei Yuting in terror.

Zhuo Fan sighed helplessly.

Was that really his image in these kids’ minds now?

Luo Yunchang and Commander Pang exchanged amused looks.

Warmth quietly filled their eyes.

Zhuo Fan always gave terrible first impressions.

Cold.

Arrogant.

Dangerous.

Most people disliked him immediately upon meeting him.

The two of them had felt exactly the same at first.

But the longer they stayed beside him, the more they realized—

When disaster truly came, Zhuo Fan was the only person they could genuinely rely on.

“You are… Yunchang?”

Suddenly, a trembling voice interrupted the atmosphere.

Everyone turned.

The old mountain chief stood behind Lei Yuting, staring at Luo Yunchang with emotional eyes.

Then his gaze shifted toward Luo Yunhai.

“And you… must be Yunhai…”

His body shook slightly.

“Heaven truly showed mercy…” he whispered hoarsely. “Both of Brother Shennan’s children survived…”

Luo Yunchang frowned slightly.

“Senior… may I ask who you are?”

On the way back, Zhuo Fan had rushed her here too quickly to properly explain the situation.

She only knew this old man was somehow connected to Black Wind Mountain.

Seeing the confusion, Zhuo Fan casually explained:

“This is the chief of Black Wind Mountain.” His eyes narrowed slightly. “The same bandit leader responsible for destroying Cloudreturn Manor.”

The atmosphere instantly froze.

Luo Yunchang’s expression darkened immediately.

For the first time since Zhuo Fan met her—

Genuine killing intent erupted from her body.

Even the spiritual energy around her began trembling violently.

Lei Yuting panicked and immediately stepped protectively in front of the old chief.

She truly feared Luo Yunchang might kill him on the spot.

But the old man slowly pushed her aside.

Then—

Thud.

He dropped heavily to his knees before Luo Yunchang.

“Yunchang…” he said painfully, closing his eyes. “Everything that happened to the Luo family… was my fault.”

“You should kill me.”

“Father!”

“Mountain Chief!”

Lei Yuting and Xiao Cui cried out together.

But the old man only waved them silent.

“This debt belongs to me,” he said hoarsely. “None of you interfere.”

Luo Yunchang froze.

Looking at the crippled old man kneeling before her, her anger suddenly became difficult to release.

Zhuo Fan stepped forward and tapped her shoulder lightly.

“This old man got manipulated by Yang Ming long ago,” he said flatly. “Back then he couldn’t even move or speak. He only recently recovered enough to function.” Zhuo Fan shrugged. “The attack on the Luo family had very little to do with him directly.”

Luo Yunchang immediately turned and glared at him.

“Then why didn’t you explain that sooner?”

Her tone carried obvious resentment.

Zhuo Fan rubbed his chin casually.

“Because he still deserves some blame.” His eyes darkened slightly. “Blindly trusting the wrong person led wolves into the house and destroyed your family.” He shrugged again. “So even if you killed him for revenge, it would still make sense.”

Luo Yunchang rolled her eyes helplessly.

Zhuo Fan’s logic always felt impossible to deal with.

Annoyingly reasonable.

Yet somehow still outrageous.

She quickly bent down and helped the old man stand.

“Senior, you were a victim too,” she said gently. “You shouldn’t blame yourself entirely.”

“No.”

The old mountain chief’s eyes filled with tears again.

“I swore brotherhood with your father.” His voice trembled violently. “Yet because of me… the Luo family was destroyed.” He clenched his fists painfully. “I have no face left to meet Brother Shennan in the afterlife.”

Luo Yunchang froze.

She exchanged confused looks with Luo Yunhai.

Neither of them had ever heard of this man before.

“Senior,” she asked carefully, “why did Father never mention you?”

The old man took a long breath and slowly calmed himself.

“The Luo family was a respected noble house,” he said quietly. “I was only a bandit chief. We became sworn brothers because we understood each other immediately… but afterward, to protect the Luo family’s reputation, we kept our relationship secret.”

Then his eyes softened slightly.

“Besides…” he murmured, “the Lei family has an ancestral rule.”

“We are never permitted to become enemies of the Luo or Cai families.”

“Huh?”

Luo Yunhai suddenly shouted in surprise.

“Father told me something similar once!” He scratched his head. “He said no matter what happened, the Luo family must stand together with the Lei and Cai families.” He blinked. “I already knew the Cai family… but the Lei family was yours?”

Luo Yunchang turned toward him in shock.

“Why did Father never tell me this?”

Luo Yunhai puffed out his chest proudly.

“Father said it was a man’s secret,” he declared smugly. “Women and outsiders weren’t allowed to know.”

Zhuo Fan narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.

“So that’s it…”

Then realization flashed through him.

“The ancestral rule was probably passed down only between family heads.”

The old chief nodded slowly.

“That’s correct.” He sighed heavily. “Unfortunately, I never had a son. The tradition ended with me.”

Then grief crossed his face again.

“And after becoming sworn brothers with your father… how could I possibly harm the Luo family willingly?”

Thinking about how the Luo family ultimately perished because of him still filled him with unbearable shame.

Suddenly, Zhuo Fan asked:

“Old man, does the Lei family possess an inherited martial art?”

The old chief nodded.

“A low-grade Spirit Rank martial art,” he replied. “Shocking Thunder Finger.” His expression darkened. “Since I had no sons, I passed it to Yuting instead.”

Then murderous hatred surfaced in his eyes.

“But Yang Ming stole the jade slip containing the technique.”

Smack.

Zhuo Fan suddenly clapped his hands loudly.

Now everything connected.

“That explains it,” he muttered. “So that’s what they were after.”

Without another word, he immediately turned toward the exit.

“Stay here,” he ordered. “I’ll return shortly.”

Everyone stared at him in confusion.

No one understood what he had realized.

Meanwhile—

At Hidden Dragon Pavilion’s Windforest City branch, the massive gates stood as imposing as ever.

The guards saw Zhuo Fan approaching but didn’t dare stop him.

“Brother Ninth!”

Zhuo Fan walked straight inside while shouting.

Soon, he noticed a tightly sealed chamber guarded personally by Long Kui and Long Jie.

That alone told him Long Jiu was definitely inside.

“Brother Ninth!” Zhuo Fan shouted again as he approached.

“Shut up!”

Long Kui immediately blocked him and glared furiously.

“Uncle Ninth isn’t seeing anyone today. Get lost.”

“Hmph.”

Zhuo Fan waved dismissively.

“I’m not a guest.” His expression sharpened slightly. “I have urgent business.”

Then he tried forcing his way inside.

But Long Kui and Long Jie blocked him together.

“You?” Long Kui sneered. “What urgent business could you possibly have?” She crossed her arms. “Don’t think Uncle Ninth favoring you means you can act however you want. This is Hidden Dragon Pavilion.”

Long Jie sighed helplessly.

“Brother Zhuo,” he said firmly, “Uncle Ninth truly cannot see you today.”

Zhuo Fan suddenly smiled strangely.

“Little girl,” he said casually to Long Kui, “do you know where I went these past few days?”

Long Kui rolled her eyes.

“Hmph. Where else would shameless men go? Last time you came back carrying two women. This time you were probably buried in some brothel somewhere.”

Zhuo Fan laughed softly.

“Honestly, I wish I were that relaxed.”

Then his tone darkened.

“I was investigating Nether Valley.”

His eyes narrowed sharply.

“They’re about to attack Hidden Dragon Pavilion.”

Long Kui immediately snorted.

“Ridiculous.” She waved dismissively. “If even you know Nether Valley’s movements, pigs might as well fly.”

Zhuo Fan sighed helplessly and turned away.

“Fine.” He waved lazily without looking back. “Then pass a message to Brother Ninth for me.”

He started walking off casually.

“I’ll be taking the Luo family away to hide elsewhere.” His voice echoed behind him. “Wouldn’t want us getting dragged down after Nether Valley wipes this place out completely.”

Long Kui instantly exploded.

“What did you just say?!”

But before she could continue—

Creak.

The tightly sealed doors slowly opened.

Long Jiu’s aged voice echoed calmly from within.

“Invite Brother Zhuo inside.”

Long Kui and Long Jie both froze.

Then they quickly bowed.

“Yes, Uncle Ninth.”

But before they could even stand fully upright—

Whoosh.

Zhuo Fan had already slipped between them and darted inside like a gust of wind.

“No need to invite me,” he laughed smugly. “I can walk in myself.”

Long Kui nearly exploded from rage.

“What’s so special about him anyway?” she muttered bitterly. “He’s just a fifth-grade array master.”

Long Jie only smiled bitterly.

That was exactly why he was special.

Inside the chamber—

Zhuo Fan walked down a massive corridor that stretched for several minutes before finally reaching the central hall.

Long Jiu sat calmly upon a high chair, smiling faintly at him.

But behind him stood two even taller chairs.

And those chairs were turned away.

Only the backs were visible.

“Brother Zhuo,” Long Jiu said pleasantly, “what urgent matter brings you here today?”

Then suddenly—

His expression darkened.

“But let me warn you first.” His eyes narrowed dangerously. “If this turns out to be some trivial nonsense…”

“I won’t forgive you.”

Zhuo Fan rubbed his nose lightly.

Then smiled.

“What if I told you Nether Valley’s experts have already arrived and are preparing to strike Hidden Dragon Pavilion tonight?”

Silence filled the hall.

Then—

Another voice spoke.

Older.

Heavier.

Far more terrifying than Long Jiu’s.

“If that’s true…”

The voice echoed slowly through the chamber.

“Then it certainly qualifies as important.”

Creak.

The two chairs behind Long Jiu slowly rotated around.

And in that instant—

Two monstrous auras crashed directly toward Zhuo Fan like collapsing mountains.

His breathing stopped immediately.

Cold sweat streamed down his face.

And before he realized it—

He had already staggered backward more than ten steps.

[End of Chapter Thirty-One]

Chapter Thirty-Two — Four Sides Move

The two chairs turned slowly.

Their wooden frames creaked sharply through the hall, the sound thin and unpleasant in the heavy silence.

When they finally faced forward, Zhuo Fan saw two old men seated upon them.

One had golden hair, bulging eyes, and dry, skeletal hands. Every slight movement of his fingers produced a crisp crack of bone. Golden light flashed occasionally through his pupils, and even his casual glance felt like a pair of blades sliding beneath the skin.

The other had a head full of red hair and a ruddy face. His breathing was deep and long, each exhale so hot it seemed to warp the air in front of him, as if flames burned somewhere inside his chest.

One glance was enough.

Both men were far stronger than Long Jiu.

One had clearly refined a body like forged metal. The other cultivated a fire-attribute method to an extraordinary degree.

Zhuo Fan still could not determine their exact cultivation, but he could sense they were not far from the Profound Heaven Stage.

In the mortal realm, anyone who reached that level was already among the true peak experts of the continent.

As expected of Hidden Dragon Pavilion.

They actually had monsters like this stationed behind the curtain.

The golden-haired old man glanced at Zhuo Fan and spoke first.

“So you’re the young junior Old Ninth keeps praising. Zhuo Fan?”

“Yes.”

Zhuo Fan bowed respectfully.

“I heard you’re a fifth-grade formation master.”

Zhuo Fan nodded.

“I know a little about fifth-grade formations,” he said carefully. “But I doubt such small skill is enough to enter the eyes of two seniors.”

Before understanding these two old men’s temperaments, he had no intention of acting too freely.

The golden-haired elder chuckled.

“A fifth-grade formation master would receive Worshiper treatment even in Hidden Dragon Pavilion. The two of us are only elders. If you joined us, we might have to treat you with even more courtesy.”

His expression was warmer than his fierce appearance suggested.

Then the red-haired old man burst into loud laughter.

“Boy, Old Ninth said you were arrogant. I believed him when I heard you calling him Brother Ninth just now. Not many people have the guts for that.” His grin widened. “But now that you’re facing us, why did you suddenly become so polite?”

Zhuo Fan smiled faintly.

“Because I’ve dealt with Brother Ninth several times. I know where his bottom line is.” His gaze shifted calmly between the two elders. “This is our first meeting.”

The three elders froze for a beat.

Then a strange look flashed through their eyes.

Long Jiu’s face twitched.

“You little bastard,” he snapped. “So you pick your targets. I really thought you were arrogant toward everyone. Turns out you only act wild in front of me and shrink the moment stronger people appear?”

Zhuo Fan laughed.

“Brother Ninth misunderstands me. I act casually with you because I consider you one of my own, and because you are broad-minded enough not to fuss over a junior’s manners.”

His smile turned slightly sharper.

“If I met someone petty and still acted arrogantly, that wouldn’t be courage. That would be stupidity.”

The three elders exchanged glances.

Then all of them laughed.

The golden-haired elder and the red-haired elder both nodded with appreciation.

This boy really was exactly as Old Ninth said.

He understood people too well.

Even flattery from him left no trace. After those words, even if Long Jiu still felt irritated, he could no longer lower himself to argue with a junior.

“I like this brat,” the red-haired elder said, laughing openly.

The golden-haired elder nodded as well.

“If I didn’t already know you had no intention of joining Hidden Dragon Pavilion, I might have taken you as a disciple myself.”

Zhuo Fan cupped his hands with a polite smile.

Inside, however, he almost sneered.

He was the Demon Emperor fallen into the mortal realm. No matter how low he had fallen, he would never become the disciple of someone who had not even reached the Profound Heaven Stage.

If anything, if these old men had problems in cultivation, he might be generous enough to give them a few pointers.

“Now then,” the golden-haired elder said, his expression turning serious. “You said Nether Valley’s people have arrived. Is that true?”

Long Jiu turned toward Zhuo Fan as well, his single eye twitching faintly.

Zhuo Fan nodded.

“More than half a month ago, I discovered two extremely powerful auras at the Sun estate besides Elder Jian.” His tone remained calm. “I was away handling other matters these past few days, so I don’t know whether more have arrived since.”

“Hmph. Let them come.”

Long Jiu slammed a palm onto the table.

“If one comes, I kill one. If two come, I kill two.”

“Old Ninth,” the golden-haired elder said coldly, “do not let emotion control you.”

Long Jiu clenched his jaw, but said nothing.

The golden-haired elder looked back at Zhuo Fan.

“Young friend, how did you learn this?”

“Cats have their paths. Rats have theirs.” Zhuo Fan smiled faintly. “I have my own methods. It isn’t convenient to reveal them.”

The golden-haired elder still looked doubtful.

But Long Jiu spoke firmly.

“Third Brother, Zhuo Fan’s intelligence is trustworthy. When Jian Fan first entered Windforest City, even our own network failed to detect him. Zhuo Fan was the one who warned me. I investigated personally afterward, and he was right.”

“Oh?”

The golden-haired elder raised a brow.

He and the red-haired elder exchanged another look, both now studying Zhuo Fan with deeper interest.

“Young friend,” the golden-haired elder said slowly, “you truly keep surprising us. May I ask who your master is?”

“Nine Serenities Overlord,” Zhuo Fan answered immediately.

The three elders paused.

Nine Serenities Overlord?

The title sounded domineering enough, but none of them had heard of such a person on the continent.

Zhuo Fan smiled inwardly.

If someone from the Sacred Domain heard that name, they might connect it to the Nine Serenities Demon Emperor.

But in the mortal realm?

No one here was qualified to recognize the name of one of the ancient Ten Emperors.

“Your master must be a hidden expert,” the golden-haired elder said after a moment. “Otherwise, he could never have raised such a young fifth-grade formation master.”

Since Zhuo Fan clearly did not wish to elaborate, he did not press further.

“Brother Ninth,” Zhuo Fan suddenly said, turning to Long Jiu, “do you have a Restoration Pill?”

Long Jiu nodded and tossed him a porcelain bottle.

“Someone in the Luo family injured?”

A Restoration Pill was a third-grade medicinal pill. It was not priceless, but it was still far from cheap. Each one could cost hundreds of thousands of spirit stones.

But since Zhuo Fan asked, Long Jiu gave it without hesitation.

Their relationship aside, Hidden Dragon Pavilion still owed Zhuo Fan ten million spirit stones. A single pill meant little.

Zhuo Fan accepted the bottle without answering.

He cupped his hands toward the three elders.

“Many thanks, Brother Ninth, and both seniors. I’ll take my leave.”

Long Jiu stared at him.

Then his face darkened.

“You brat. So this was your real purpose?” He cursed under his breath. “You interrupted an elder meeting just to ask for a pill? If this turns out to be some sesame-sized triviality, this old man really won’t let you off.”

Zhuo Fan grinned.

“Then I’ll add one more piece of information.”

He waved lazily and turned toward the exit.

“Nether Valley should make its move within the next two days. Tighten your defenses.”

With that, he laughed and walked out.

Outside the chamber, Long Kui and Long Jie watched him leave with a bright, satisfied expression.

They didn’t know what had happened inside.

But judging from his face, the conversation had clearly gone well.

That only made Long Kui feel worse.

Meetings between elders were not something even she and Long Jie were qualified to attend. Yet Zhuo Fan had walked in and discussed matters directly with three elders.

The more she thought about it, the more uncomfortable she felt.

Inside the hall, the golden-haired elder stroked his beard while watching Zhuo Fan’s figure disappear.

“Old Ninth. Old Fifth.”

His eyes flickered with thought.

“That boy looks clever and sharp on the surface, but underneath, every word he speaks is designed to read the heart. He is far more calculating than most old men.”

The elder’s voice lowered.

“Young age. Strange skills. Unknown master. We must maintain good relations with him.”

Long Jiu and the red-haired elder both nodded deeply.

Meanwhile, Zhuo Fan left Hidden Dragon Pavilion and headed straight back toward the courtyard.

On the road, he clearly sensed several suspicious figures lingering near the estate.

The war was close.

Very close.

His pace quickened.

When Zhuo Fan returned, Luo Yunchang had already heard the entire truth from the old mountain chief.

The Luo family and Black Wind Mountain had both been deceived.

Both had suffered.

Both now had a common enemy.

That shared hatred forged a temporary alliance stronger than words.

Zhuo Fan felt a little more at ease seeing it.

He tossed the porcelain bottle to the mountain chief.

“Eat this. I hope it helps you recover faster.”

“What is it?” Lei Yuting asked.

“Restoration Pill.”

Lei Yuting’s eyes widened.

She knew what Restoration Pills were.

Third-grade pills.

Worth hundreds of thousands of spirit stones each.

Even if Black Wind Mountain robbed travelers for an entire year, they might not gather more than a few thousand spirit stones. Yet the Luo family had casually tossed out a pill worth more than anything her people had ever owned.

Were the Luo family always this rich?

Seeing through her thoughts, Luo Yunchang smiled and patted her hand.

“Sister Yuting, don’t worry. Hidden Dragon Pavilion still owes us ten million spirit stones. Consider this pill a little interest.”

Lei Yuting’s jaw nearly dropped.

Ten million?

Hidden Dragon Pavilion owed the Luo family that much?

No wonder they were protecting them so seriously.

Wait.

Had Cloudreturn Manor always been this wealthy?

How did they become richer after being robbed?

Only Zhuo Fan rolled his eyes helplessly.

Women.

Even now, they still found ways to compare.

At the same time—

Inside a dim secret chamber within the Sun estate, four figures sat in silence.

One was Bald Eagle Jian Fan, Eighth Elder among Nether Valley’s Ten Elders.

The other three were wrapped entirely in black cloaks. Their faces could not be seen, but each radiated a powerful and sinister aura.

Before them stood a handsome young man with a faint, wicked smile.

Yang Ming.

Or rather—

You Ming.

“You Ming,” Elder Jian said slowly. “You have hidden inside Black Wind Mountain for more than ten years. You’ve done well.”

Then his cloudy eyes sharpened.

“But this operation was not supposed to be handed over to some little girl.”

“There were temporary complications,” You Ming replied with a calm smile. “Nothing that affects the overall plan.”

Swish.

A streak of green light sliced across You Ming’s face.

Blood slowly welled from the cut and slid down his cheek.

You Ming froze, then looked toward Elder Jian in shock.

Elder Jian stared at him coldly.

“The Dark Moon Plan has been arranged by the family for more than ten years.” His voice became quiet and lethal. “If your arrogance causes us to fail at the final step, I promise you—”

His eyes darkened.

“You will beg for death.”

You Ming bowed immediately, cold sweat forming along his forehead.

“Yes, Elder.”

“Leave.”

Elder Jian waved a hand.

“We move in three days.”

You Ming bowed again and prepared to withdraw.

But just as he reached the door, Elder Jian’s voice sounded behind him once more.

“Also…”

You Ming stopped.

“No one from the Luo family is to be spared.”

Elder Jian’s killing intent filled the chamber.

“Especially…”

“Zhuo Fan,” You Ming said, each syllable slow and clear.

Elder Jian nodded.

“Hidden Dragon Pavilion may have used his hand to kill You Quan, but that does not change the fact that his hands are stained with Nether Valley blood.”

His voice became ice.

“And anyone stained with Nether Valley blood does not get to remain alive.”

You Ming lowered his head.

Then smiled.

A bloodthirsty smile.

“Yes, Elder.”

[End of Chapter Thirty-Two]