THE DEVIL IN THE DETAILS

Chapter Forty-Five — Alliance

The clear melody of a flute echoed softly through the forest. Yet instead of calming anyone’s nerves, it only made their hearts climb higher into their throats.

A Radiant Stage expert.

Someone capable of killing with spiritual intent alone.

Against that kind of monster, even Zhuo Fan’s Blood Infant and Evil Moon Ring meant nothing.

Cold sweat slowly slid down his back.

For the first time since the battle began, genuine caution appeared in Zhuo Fan’s eyes.

Then—

The flute stopped.

Footsteps followed.

Slow.

Steady.

Every breath around the clearing seemed to disappear.

Zhuo Fan, Long Kui, and the fat man all stared toward the direction the sound came from.

Then a figure slowly emerged from the trees.

But the moment the fat man saw him, he froze.

His tiny eyes widened so much they nearly disappeared into the folds of flesh around them.

“Teacher?” he shouted in shock. “Why are you here?”

Long Kui also cried out in surprise.

“Senior Fang?”

Zhuo Fan narrowed his eyes and carefully examined the newcomer.

The man looked around sixty years old. He wore a long green robe, with a narrow goat beard and a green jade flute spinning casually between his fingers. A thin longsword hung diagonally across his back.

Most importantly—

From the moment he appeared, a faint smile never left his face.

The instant Zhuo Fan saw the jade flute, something clicked in his mind.

“You’re one of the Imperial Family’s Five Dragon Guardians…”

His eyes sharpened.

“The Jade Flute Sword God—Fang Qiubai.”

The old man raised an eyebrow slightly and looked at Zhuo Fan with open admiration.

Then laughter echoed through the forest.

“Hahaha… I told you already. This brat’s eyes are sharp as hell.”

Long Jiu slowly walked out from the trees.

“I only mentioned your name once, and he recognized you immediately.”

“Uncle Jiu!”

Long Kui’s face lit up instantly.

“When did you and Senior Fang arrive? Why didn’t you show yourselves earlier?”

“Hahaha…”

Long Jiu laughed loudly.

“We were already here when Brother Zhuo started dueling the Third Prince.”

Then he turned toward Zhuo Fan with clear admiration in his eyes.

“Brother Zhuo, you really are something else. Facing ten Bone Tempering experts alone and still charging straight at them without changing expression…”

He shook his head and sighed.

“Even in my younger days, I didn’t have your courage.”

Long Kui pouted slightly and glanced away without speaking.

This time, after witnessing Zhuo Fan fight personally, even she had no choice but to admit defeat in her heart.

Though she still refused to say it aloud.

“Teacher, since both of you were already here, why didn’t you act sooner?”

The fat man patted his chest heavily and let out a long breath.

“I wasn’t worried about myself. I was worried Sister Kui and the others would get dragged into this.”

“Hahaha…”

Fang Qiubai stroked his beard and laughed.

“If I intervened immediately, wouldn’t I have missed such an entertaining show?”

Then his gaze slowly shifted toward Zhuo Fan.

A deeper meaning hid beneath the smile in his eyes.

“Besides…”

“It’s rare to witness a young monster like this reveal his talents firsthand.”

“You praise me too highly, Senior.”

Zhuo Fan bowed respectfully.

But his expression remained extremely serious.

“Still… I’d like to know why Senior killed that assassin before he could speak. Could it be…”

Fang Qiubai narrowed his eyes slightly.

Though his face still carried a faint smile, his voice turned ice-cold.

“Young man, you are indeed very intelligent.”

“But at your current level…”

“Being too intelligent is not necessarily a good thing.”

Zhuo Fan paused slightly.

Then he smiled calmly and bowed again.

“This junior understands.”

“I’ll forget everything that happened here immediately.”

Of course he understood.

Fang Qiubai was warning him.

This was a power struggle far above his current level.

The assassin had been silenced partly to protect secrets—

And partly to protect Zhuo Fan himself.

Fang Qiubai looked at him deeply once more.

The admiration in his eyes grew even stronger.

“You’re not only smart. You also know when to advance and when to retreat.”

He sighed softly.

“Rare. Truly rare.”

“I never imagined a young man like you existed outside the Seven Houses.”

Then his gaze sharpened slightly.

“It’s a pity you cultivate the Demon Path. Otherwise…”

A trace of regret flashed across his eyes.

“I would have taken you back personally and trained you for several years.”

“With your talent, your future achievements would be immeasurable.”

The moment those words fell—

Long Kui and the fat man both froze in shock.

No one understood Fang Qiubai’s personality better than the Seven Houses.

Countless clan leaders wanted to send their descendants under his tutelage.

None succeeded.

Even the emperor personally asked Fang Qiubai to teach several princes.

He still refused.

The fat man himself had only earned a few pointers after kneeling outside Fang Qiubai’s residence for three years straight.

That was why he called him “teacher” instead of “master.”

Yet now—

Fang Qiubai had personally expressed interest in taking Zhuo Fan as a disciple.

If not for the difference in cultivation paths, Zhuo Fan might have become the first true successor of the Jade Flute Sword God.

Long Jiu merely shook his head helplessly.

These younger people still did not understand what it meant for a supreme expert to encounter a worthy successor.

The stronger the cultivator—

The greater the obsession with inheritance.

To pass down their lifetime of skill.

Their legacy.

Their path.

That desire only grew stronger with age.

But Zhuo Fan simply smiled faintly.

Forget Fang Qiubai refusing him because of the Demon Path.

Even if the old man truly wanted to accept him—

Zhuo Fan still could not kneel.

After all, in his previous life as the Demon Emperor, the only people qualified to teach him were Emperor-level beings.

Fang Qiubai looked at him one last time.

Regret still lingered in his eyes.

Then he shook his head firmly and turned away.

“Long Jiu, the Third Prince still has duties to attend to. I’ll take him first.”

The next second—

Fang Qiubai and the fat man vanished instantly.

Only a blurred afterimage remained behind.

“Wait—”

The fat man barely had time to turn around and shout toward Long Kui and Zhuo Fan before he disappeared completely.

“What terrifying speed…”

Zhuo Fan inhaled sharply.

“As expected of a Radiant Stage expert.”

At that moment, he silently made another decision.

He needed to reach the Radiant Stage as quickly as possible.

Only then would he truly possess the qualifications to walk this continent safely.

“Brother Zhuo.”

Long Jiu suddenly stepped forward with a serious expression.

“Come with me to Hidden Dragon Pavilion. I have something for you.”

The corner of Zhuo Fan’s mouth lifted slightly.

He had already guessed what it was.

A few minutes later, the two entered the meeting hall inside Hidden Dragon Pavilion. After Long Kui was unwillingly kicked outside to stand guard, Long Jiu finally removed a beast-hide scroll from his ring.

Four dragon seals marked its corners.

“This is…”

Zhuo Fan slowly opened the scroll.

At the very top—

Two massive words appeared.

Alliance Contract.

After reading the contents once, Zhuo Fan slowly rolled the contract back up.

A satisfied smile appeared on his face.

This was exactly what he had wanted from the beginning.

An official alliance between Hidden Dragon Pavilion and the Luo Clan.

With this contract, Hidden Dragon Pavilion would not merely protect the Luo Clan—

They would fully support them.

That changed everything.

As long as this alliance existed, no one would dare move openly against the Luo Clan in the near future.

And Zhuo Fan could finally begin developing the family properly.

Long Jiu studied his expression carefully.

Then he frowned slightly.

“Why do I get the feeling…”

“You expected this already?”

Zhuo Fan only smiled mysteriously.

The truth was—

Everything he had done until now had been for this exact contract.

From the very beginning, he used the ancient formation diagram to attract Long Jiu’s attention and force Hidden Dragon Pavilion to support him.

But protection was not enough.

Protection could be abandoned.

Once danger became inconvenient, Hidden Dragon Pavilion could simply discard the Luo Clan like a chess piece.

That was not what Zhuo Fan wanted.

So afterward, he fought alongside them openly.

Killed two Heaven Profound elders.

Risked offending Nether Valley directly.

Displayed the Luo Clan’s value.

Its potential.

Its future.

What he wanted—

Was equality.

A true alliance.

Otherwise, if it were only for himself, Zhuo Fan never would have exposed two Heaven Profound corpses so openly.

This entire gamble depended on one thing:

Whether the Pavilion Lord possessed enough vision.

Enough ambition.

Enough courage.

Would he dare form an alliance with an insignificant clan nobody cared about?

Now—

The answer was clear.

Zhuo Fan had won the bet.

And if he had lost?

Then Hidden Dragon Pavilion would have been permanently erased from his future plans.

Because a leader without courage could never stand at the top.

Zhuo Fan smiled faintly and tucked the contract away.

“I’ll bring this back to the young miss so she can sign it immediately.”

“Wait.”

Long Jiu grabbed his arm instantly.

“Sign it here. Right now.”

Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow slightly.

“I’m only the Luo Clan steward. I’m not the clan head. My signature may not hold legal authority.”

Long Jiu smiled slowly.

A crafty smile.

“The Pavilion Lord’s exact words were this…”

“This alliance is not with the Luo Clan.”

“It is with you, Zhuo Fan.”

Zhuo Fan went silent.

Long Jiu looked directly into his eyes.

“Wherever Zhuo Fan stands…”

“…is where Hidden Dragon Pavilion stands.”

For a brief moment, Zhuo Fan simply stared at him.

Then he suddenly laughed.

A genuine laugh.

“Your Pavilion Lord…”

His eyes gleamed sharply.

“…really is a hero.”

Late that night, Zhuo Fan returned to the small courtyard.

The moment Commander Pang saw him, he immediately walked over.

“Steward Zhuo… the young miss…”

“What about her?” Zhuo Fan asked casually.

Commander Pang sighed deeply.

“She’s in the kitchen.”

Zhuo Fan frowned slightly and followed him there.

A moment later, the two arrived outside the kitchen.

Zhuo Fan glanced inside—

And froze.

The entire kitchen looked like a battlefield after an earthquake.

Pots overturned everywhere.

Ash scattered across the floor.

Burnt smoke still drifted through the room.

Meanwhile, beside the stove—

Luo Yunchang had already fallen asleep against the wall.

Her face was stained black with soot.

Commander Pang sighed heavily.

“The young miss spent all day learning from the cooks.”

“She’s been practicing from morning until night for an entire month.”

His voice carried visible resentment.

“She just wanted to cook one proper meal for you after you came out of seclusion.”

“But after all that effort…”

“You crushed her with a few words.”

Commander Pang shook his head.

“Forget the young miss. Any girl would break after hearing that.”

Zhuo Fan said nothing.

He simply walked toward the stove.

Several freshly cooked dishes still sat there.

Compared to the morning—

They were still mostly burnt black.

Zhuo Fan picked up a piece calmly and placed it into his mouth.

He chewed slowly.

Then shook his head.

“She really has no talent for this.”

Commander Pang sighed helplessly.

“Even if that’s true, couldn’t you preserve a little of the young miss’s dignity?”

Then he grabbed a handful himself and shoved it into his mouth.

“Look. Isn’t it easy to just force yourself to swa—”

Pfft!

He instantly spat everything out.

His entire face twisted violently.

“…Fine.”

Commander Pang wiped his mouth awkwardly.

“Steward Zhuo… I wronged you.”

But Zhuo Fan ignored him completely.

Commander Pang turned back—

Only to discover Zhuo Fan still eating quietly beside the stove.

One bite after another.

As though carefully tasting every flavor.

“Steward Zhuo…” Commander Pang said awkwardly. “You really don’t have to force yourself this much. Just pretend I never said anything earlier. Honestly, after eating this stuff myself, I finally understa—”

“It’s fine.”

Zhuo Fan smiled faintly.

“I was hungry anyway.”

Then he continued eating quietly.

One bite at a time.

Until every last dish was gone.

[End of Chapter Forty-Five]

Chapter Forty-Six — The Imperial Invitation

Early the next morning, quiet sunlight streamed through the kitchen windows of the small courtyard.

Luo Yunchang’s eyelashes trembled slightly before she slowly opened her sleepy eyes.

She glanced around blankly.

Only then did she realize she was still in the kitchen.

A bitter smile appeared on her lips.

Yesterday, she had exhausted herself so badly trying to cook that she actually fell asleep here for the entire night.

If word got out, nobody would believe it.

A Qi Gathering cultivator collapsing from cooking?

Ridiculous.

But compared to cooking…

She would rather fight enemies or cultivate for ten straight days.

Just as she prepared to stand—

She suddenly froze.

A plain outer robe was draped gently over her shoulders.

And beneath her…

Something felt soft.

Not hard like the kitchen floor.

Luo Yunchang bit her lower lip lightly and slowly turned her head.

Then her eyes widened instantly.

Zhuo Fan sat beside her quietly, leaning against the wall with his eyes closed.

And the thing beneath her—

Was his arm.

“Aah—”

She nearly screamed aloud before hurriedly covering her own mouth.

Her face flushed red instantly.

She never imagined Zhuo Fan had stayed here beside her all night.

For a moment, Luo Yunchang simply stared at his sleeping face silently.

Calm.

Cold.

Completely defenseless.

Without realizing it, she slowly leaned closer.

Her soft lips gradually moved toward his face.

Closer.

Closer—

“Steward Zhuo! Young miss!”

Suddenly, Commander Pang’s loud voice exploded through the courtyard.

Zhuo Fan’s brows twitched immediately.

His eyelids moved slightly.

Luo Yunchang panicked.

Without hesitation, she collapsed against Zhuo Fan’s shoulder and pretended to remain asleep.

But her trembling eyelashes exposed everything.

Her entire face had already turned crimson.

Zhuo Fan slowly opened his eyes and stretched lightly, completely unaware of what almost happened moments earlier.

Then he frowned toward the doorway.

“Old Pang, why are you shouting this early in the morning?”

Commander Pang froze the instant he saw the two of them together.

“Uh… Steward Zhuo… the young miss…”

He pointed awkwardly toward Luo Yunchang.

Only then did Zhuo Fan notice her flushed face and trembling body.

He reached out instinctively and touched her forehead.

“She’s burning up.”

He frowned deeply.

“Did sleeping in the kitchen all night make her sick?”

A trace of self-blame appeared in his eyes.

Last night, he originally wanted to carry Luo Yunchang back to her room.

But he worried moving her would wake her up.

So he simply stayed beside her and guarded her through the night instead.

He never expected her to actually catch a fever.

“Old Pang, whatever it is can wait.”

Zhuo Fan immediately lifted Luo Yunchang into his arms.

“I’ll take this girl back to rest first.”

“Wait, wait!”

Commander Pang panicked instantly.

“Steward Zhuo, someone’s here requesting the young miss personally. We absolutely cannot offend him.”

“What do you mean cannot offend him?”

Zhuo Fan’s eyes turned cold.

“Even if Hidden Dragon Pavilion came personally, they can wait.”

“Can’t you see she’s already collapsed? If things get worse, who’s taking responsibility?”

“If necessary, I’ll meet him myself.”

“Ai-ya, Steward Zhuo…”

Commander Pang nearly cried.

“This isn’t Hidden Dragon Pavilion. The man brought an Imperial Gold Token.”

Zhuo Fan stopped instantly.

An Imperial Gold Token represented the emperor’s authority.

Even the heads of the Seven Houses were expected to obey such summons immediately.

Refusing it could easily become the crime of defying imperial command.

For weaker clans—

That could mean extermination.

Zhuo Fan narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.

Then he spoke coldly:

“Old Pang. Tell him the young miss is unwell today.”

“Tell him to come back tomorrow.”

Commander Pang inhaled sharply.

Refusing an imperial summons like this—

Was practically suicidal.

But Zhuo Fan remained perfectly calm.

After yesterday’s events, he was almost certain the invitation came from the fat man.

And based on what he saw yesterday, that fat man was not the type to abuse imperial authority recklessly.

“Do as I said,” Zhuo Fan barked again.

“Immediately.”

“Wait.”

Suddenly, Luo Yunchang opened her eyes and slipped free from Zhuo Fan’s arms.

“Commander Pang,” she said seriously, “tell him to wait a moment. I’ll wash up and come immediately.”

“Yes, Young Miss!”

Commander Pang practically fled in relief.

If Luo Yunchang had not awakened in time and he actually followed Zhuo Fan’s instructions…

Nobody knew what kind of disaster would have happened.

Their Steward Zhuo truly feared neither heaven nor earth.

But working beside him was enough to shorten anyone’s lifespan.

Commander Pang shook his head helplessly and hurried away.

Meanwhile, Zhuo Fan looked at Luo Yunchang strangely.

Just moments ago she looked completely unconscious.

How was she suddenly perfectly awake now?

Luo Yunchang rolled her eyes at him seductively.

“You really are reckless.”

“Can imperial envoys be offended casually?”

Then, as though afraid Zhuo Fan might notice something strange, she hurried away almost like she was fleeing.

Leaving Zhuo Fan standing there full of confusion.

A short while later, Zhuo Fan arrived at the reception hall.

The imperial messenger was already waiting there.

He wore servant clothing and possessed peak Qi Gathering cultivation.

Zhuo Fan recognized him immediately—

One of the sedan chair bearers from yesterday.

The man stood and cupped his fists politely.

“You must be Steward Zhuo. My master invites you and Miss Luo to visit his residence.”

Though respectful on the surface, arrogance still lingered openly in his eyes.

The Imperial Gold Token at his waist flashed intentionally from time to time, as though afraid others might forget his status.

Zhuo Fan sneered internally.

Showing off before him?

Ridiculous.

Back when he was flaunting power, this brat probably hadn’t even been born yet.

Without even glancing at the man, Zhuo Fan casually sat down and crossed one leg over the other.

The servant’s expression darkened slightly.

Then Zhuo Fan suddenly spoke.

“That fatty’s injuries aren’t serious, right?”

The servant froze.

Fatty?

A moment later, he finally realized Zhuo Fan was referring to his master.

Instantly, cold sweat appeared on his back.

In this world, there were barely ten people who dared openly call the Third Prince “fatty” to his face.

This meant—

Zhuo Fan’s relationship with his master was definitely extraordinary.

The servant’s arrogance vanished immediately.

“Master didn’t mention any injuries after returning yesterday,” he answered respectfully.

“Really?”

Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow.

“Then that fatty’s definitely pretending. Yesterday I punched him more than thirty times and kicked him over a dozen. There’s no way he’s fine.”

He grinned wickedly.

“You know how men are. He’s just trying not to embarrass himself in front of his subordinates.”

The servant’s face twitched violently.

He had no idea how to respond.

“By the way…”

Zhuo Fan suddenly leaned forward carefully.

“Was old man Fang still angry after returning yesterday?”

The servant froze again and subconsciously shook his head.

Now he completely believed Zhuo Fan’s identity.

After all, Fang Qiubai had accompanied the Third Prince back yesterday.

Very few people even knew that.

Yet Zhuo Fan clearly did.

At that moment, the servant silently shoved the Imperial Gold Token deeper into his robes.

Using that thing to intimidate ordinary people was fine.

Showing it off in front of this monster only made him look stupid.

“Hoo…”

Zhuo Fan exhaled dramatically in relief.

“That’s good.”

“You have no idea. Yesterday that old man insisted on taking me as his disciple. If I hadn’t remained loyal and refused him no matter what, he would’ve dragged me away already.”

He sighed helplessly.

“I was worried he’d still be angry and come bother me again later.”

The servant’s legs instantly gave out.

“What?!”

“Senior Fang wanted to accept you as a disciple?”

He collapsed straight onto the floor.

Dear heavens.

Who exactly was this person?

Not only was he friends with the Third Prince—

Even the Jade Flute Sword God himself wanted to accept him as a disciple?

Zhuo Fan blinked innocently.

“Hm? Why’d you suddenly fall over?”

“I’ll help you up.”

Though he said that, he did not move even slightly.

The servant scrambled upright in panic.

“N-No need, Steward Zhuo!”

“How could this lowly servant dare receive such courtesy from you?”

“Hmph. Slave mentality.”

Zhuo Fan curled his lip dismissively.

“Helping someone up counts as courtesy now?”

At that moment, Luo Yunchang finally entered the hall after changing clothes.

The servant immediately bowed deeply the moment he saw her.

“This must be Miss Luo.”

Luo Yunchang smiled politely and returned the greeting slightly.

The servant nearly cried on the spot.

“Please, Miss Luo, don’t bow to this lowly servant! If my master learns I behaved disrespectfully toward his friends, he’ll skin me alive!”

Luo Yunchang froze in confusion and glanced toward Zhuo Fan.

Zhuo Fan simply shrugged casually as though he had no idea what happened.

Commander Pang, who had just entered behind them, nearly stared his eyes out.

Earlier this servant had acted like a tyrant holding the emperor’s authority itself.

Now he was practically kneeling on the floor begging forgiveness.

Commander Pang slowly turned toward Zhuo Fan.

The latter merely smiled mysteriously.

At that moment, Commander Pang understood.

Everything happening here—

Was caused by this terrifying Steward Zhuo again.

He silently raised a thumb in admiration.

Only Zhuo Fan could make an imperial envoy bow before a small clan like theirs.

Zhuo Fan waved dismissively before finally asking:

“So why’s that fatty looking for us?”

The servant answered honestly this time.

“This lowly one doesn’t know the details. I only received orders to invite the Tai Clan, Lei Clan, and Luo Clan to the residence.”

Zhuo Fan narrowed his eyes slightly.

A thought slowly formed in his mind.

Could Nether Valley’s actions against the three families…

Actually be connected to the imperial family as well?

[End of Chapter Forty-Six]