THE DEVIL IN THE DETAILS

Chapter Forty-Seven — The Thousand-Year Secret Decree

About a kilometer outside Windforest City, hidden deep within the mountains, stood a quiet secluded estate.

It was not particularly large, but the atmosphere was elegant and peaceful.

Four guards stood outside the entrance.

Every one of them was at the Bone Tempering Stage or higher.

Under the escort of the imperial messenger, Zhuo Fan and Luo Yunchang arrived alongside Luo Yunhai and Commander Pang.

“Steward Zhuo, Miss Luo, please enter.”

The messenger bowed respectfully and stepped aside to clear the path for them.

The guards at the entrance frowned immediately.

Their eyes filled with confusion—

And contempt.

They were imperial guards.

Everywhere they went, people bowed their heads respectfully.

Yet this bastard was bending so low before a few small-city clan members that his spine nearly snapped in half.

Completely humiliating.

But the messenger did not care at all.

Idiots.

What did these fools know?

Steward Zhuo was the Third Prince’s friend.

More importantly—

He was someone personally favored by the Jade Flute Sword God Fang Qiubai.

The moment Zhuo Fan agreed, he could become Fang Qiubai’s direct disciple instantly.

At that point, even the emperor himself would show him respect.

Compared to that—

What were mere imperial guards?

Thinking this, the messenger became even more respectful as he led them inside.

Soon, the group arrived outside a garden.

From a distance, they could already see a pavilion inside.

At the center sat the fat man himself in the main seat.

Behind him stood Fang Qiubai calmly with his jade flute in hand.

Beside the Third Prince sat Lei Clan Head Lei Yuntian, with Lei Yuting and Xiao Cui standing behind him.

On the opposite side sat Tai Clan Head Tai Rong, accompanied by his son Tai Xiaoting.

Two seats remained empty beside the stone table.

Clearly reserved for the Luo Clan.

Zhuo Fan rubbed his nose lightly and suddenly stepped backward.

Then he shoved Luo Yunhai forward instead.

“Big Brother Zhuo?”

Luo Yunhai looked back at him blankly.

Zhuo Fan smiled faintly.

“In a moment, carry yourself like a real clan head.”

“Don’t let them look down on you.”

Luo Yunhai froze slightly before finally understanding.

Meanwhile, Luo Yunchang looked at Zhuo Fan with gratitude in her eyes.

It was obvious this meeting involved the imperial family and the three clan heads.

But after everything that happened recently, everyone in Windforest City knew the Luo Clan’s true decision-maker was Zhuo Fan.

The imperial family probably believed the same.

By pushing Luo Yunhai forward now, Zhuo Fan was making a statement.

The Luo Clan still belonged to the Luo family.

Not him.

“Four honored guests, please.”

The imperial messenger bowed once again.

This time, he bent almost ninety degrees.

The Third Prince blinked slightly in surprise.

Since when were imperial guards this polite?

Tai Rong and Lei Yuntian were equally stunned.

When the same messenger visited their clans earlier, he acted overbearing and arrogant the entire time, completely disregarding them.

Yet now he was practically worshipping the Luo Clan.

The difference in treatment was absurd.

For a moment, both clan heads felt strangely sour inside.

They were all Windforest City clans.

So why was the gap this huge?

Only Fang Qiubai remained smiling silently.

He already guessed what happened.

Zhuo Fan had obviously scared this poor messenger half to death yesterday.

But strangely enough—

That only made Fang Qiubai admire him more.

Under the messenger’s enthusiastic guidance, the four entered the pavilion.

Luo Yunchang immediately bowed politely.

“This commoner greets Third Prince Yuwen Tong.”

On the way here, the messenger had already informed them of the fat man’s true identity.

The others followed suit and bowed respectfully.

Only Zhuo Fan remained standing casually with his hands behind his back.

The Third Prince did not mind at all.

He simply waved his hand.

“Please, sit.”

Luo Yunchang and Luo Yunhai sat down separately while Zhuo Fan and Commander Pang stood quietly behind them.

The Third Prince looked deeply at Zhuo Fan and nodded internally.

A man with great merit who still understood his place.

Rare.

Fang Qiubai also smiled slightly with approval.

Zhuo Fan’s actions perfectly matched the kind of minister the imperial family valued most.

Strong enough to protect his lord.

Wise enough to preserve his lord’s dignity.

Once everyone settled down, the Third Prince inhaled deeply before finally speaking:

“The reason I invited the three clan heads here today…”

“…is to reveal the thousand-year bond shared between your families.”

Everyone immediately looked toward him.

“When each of your clans inherited leadership,” the Third Prince said slowly, “you should have received an ancestral decree.”

“The decree states that your three clans must never become enemies.”

“And no matter what happens…”

“You must aid each other through hardship.”

He stood slowly.

His voice grew heavier.

“Furthermore, your clans were forbidden from expanding beyond Windforest City…”

“…until the day the pearl finally shines.”

The expressions of Tai Rong and Lei Yuntian changed immediately.

Even Luo Yunchang looked toward Luo Yunhai questioningly.

After seeing him nod slightly, confusion filled her eyes as well.

The Third Prince smiled faintly.

“Everything originates from a secret agreement formed a thousand years ago between the imperial family and your ancestors.”

“It was called…”

“…the Pearl Decree.”

Then his eyes sharpened.

“Luo Clan.”

“Tai Clan.”

“Lei Clan.”

“All three of your families…”

“…were founding heroes of the empire.”

Boom.

The words exploded through the pavilion like thunder.

Everyone stared at the Third Prince in complete disbelief.

Founding heroes?

Their clans?

How was that possible?

If their ancestors truly stood beside the empire’s founders—

Why were they now reduced to weak little clans trapped inside a remote city?

The Third Prince sighed softly.

A trace of guilt appeared in his eyes.

“To be honest…”

“Our Yuwen Imperial Family owes your clans greatly.”

Then he slowly began explaining.

“When the Heavenly Yu Empire was first established, the nation remained unstable. Chaos spread everywhere.”

“So the founding emperor divided authority among seven great families and granted them tremendous autonomy to stabilize the empire.”

“These became the Seven Houses.”

“At first, the arrangement worked perfectly.”

“But twenty years later…”

“The Seven Houses grew too powerful.”

“They began fighting each other for territory, resources, and influence.”

“The imperial family could no longer control them.”

“So the throne resorted to manipulating conflicts between them to weaken their overall strength.”

His expression darkened.

“But eventually, the Seven Houses realized continued war would destroy everyone.”

“So they stopped.”

“Unfortunately, by then the empire had already suffered catastrophic damage.”

“Countless civilians died.”

“The nation nearly collapsed.”

“But what does that have to do with our three clans?” Zhuo Fan suddenly asked calmly.

The Third Prince inhaled deeply.

Then he stood and bowed respectfully toward the three families.

“To prevent another disaster like that…”

“The founding emperor secretly prepared a hidden counterbalance.”

He raised his eyes slowly.

“Your ancestors.”

Everyone’s pupils contracted.

“The Pearl Decree was created specifically for your clans.”

“Your ancestors were deliberately demoted and relocated to Windforest City under various excuses.”

“Outwardly, you became ordinary small clans.”

“But secretly…”

“The imperial family intended to nurture you into an Eighth House capable of balancing the Seven Houses.”

The pavilion fell silent instantly.

Even Commander Pang and Luo Yunhai looked completely stunned.

The Third Prince continued:

“If another great war ever erupted among the Seven Houses…”

“…the Eighth House would restore balance before the empire collapsed again.”

Luo Yunchang frowned slightly.

“But even if an Eighth House appeared…”

“How could that stop the Seven Houses?”

Before the Third Prince could answer, Zhuo Fan suddenly laughed softly.

“Miss, the Eighth House was never meant to stop them.”

Everyone turned toward him.

Zhuo Fan leaned casually against a pillar.

“It exists to maintain balance.”

“Most wars only happen when one side believes victory is guaranteed.”

“But if two sides possess equal strength…”

“…neither wants mutual destruction.”

His eyes narrowed slightly.

“When all sides can destroy one another…”

“…peace becomes much easier to maintain.”

Luo Yunchang nodded slowly in realization.

The Third Prince stared at Zhuo Fan deeply.

Then he sighed in admiration.

“Steward Zhuo truly deserves his reputation.”

“No wonder the Luo Clan rose so quickly under your leadership.”

Tai Rong’s expression became complicated instantly.

The regret in his heart deepened again.

If he had not offended Zhuo Fan back then…

Perhaps the Tai Clan could have pulled him to their side.

This boy was terrifying.

“Third Prince.”

Zhuo Fan suddenly spoke again.

His gaze locked directly onto Yuwen Tong.

“The history is interesting.”

“But what I really want to know is this…”

“How exactly does the imperial family plan to help us become the Eighth House…”

“…without the Seven Houses noticing first?”

The pavilion immediately fell silent.

Tai Rong and Lei Yuntian froze.

Cold sweat appeared on their foreheads instantly.

Only now did they realize the true danger.

The imperial family wanted balance.

But the Seven Houses would never tolerate another force rising to threaten them.

The moment the Seven Houses discovered the truth—

The three clans would be annihilated immediately.

Earlier, they had only focused on the excitement of becoming a future Eighth House.

But Zhuo Fan’s single question snapped them back to reality instantly.

The imperial family wanted balance.

The three clans simply wanted survival.

At that moment, both Tai Rong and Lei Yuntian looked toward Zhuo Fan with genuine gratitude.

Without his reminder, they might have happily walked straight into their own graves.

Meanwhile, the Third Prince’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Then slowly—

He smiled.

“Steward Zhuo…”

“You truly are difficult to deceive.”

[End of Chapter Forty-Seven]

Chapter Forty-Eight — Three Houses Become One

The Third Prince fell silent for a long moment before finally speaking calmly.

“This issue was already considered when the Pearl Decree was created.”

He slowly looked around at everyone present.

“What is the most important foundation of a powerful family?”

“Spirit stones? Pills? Wealth?”

He shook his head.

“No.”

“Those are merely external resources.”

His gaze sharpened.

“Strong experts…”

“…are the true foundation of a great family.”

“Hidden Dragon Pavilion possesses Nine Elders, each terrifying in strength. Nether Valley has Twelve Elders overseeing the sect. Every one of the Seven Houses possesses its own core battle force.”

“As for the guest experts they secretly recruit…”

The Third Prince narrowed his eyes.

“Those are the true hidden weapons.”

“Even the imperial family does not provoke them lightly.”

As he spoke, a fiery light slowly appeared in his eyes.

“When the founding emperor first suppressed your three clans, he confiscated nearly all your resources.”

“Right now, none of your families even possess a proper high-level cultivation art or martial technique.”

“That weakness successfully convinced the Seven Houses your clans no longer posed any threat.”

“They stopped monitoring you over five hundred years ago.”

Then the Third Prince suddenly smiled mysteriously.

“However…”

“There is one thing they never discovered.”

“You still possess a low-grade Profound-tier martial art.”

Boom.

Everyone froze.

A Profound-tier martial art?

Their clans?

Impossible.

If they truly possessed such a treasure, their families would have risen long ago.

Why wait until now?

Only Zhuo Fan narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.

As though he had already guessed something.

The Third Prince waved his hand lightly.

A green jade slip appeared on the table instantly.

“This is a low-grade Mortal-tier cultivation art called Fusion Technique.”

“On its own, it’s worthless.”

“But if cultivated together with the inherited Spirit-tier martial arts of your three clans…”

“…those techniques can merge into one.”

“And once merged…”

“They become a low-grade Profound-tier martial art.”

The moment those words fell, realization flashed through Zhuo Fan’s eyes.

“So the Luo Clan’s Returning Dragon Palm…”

“The Tai Clan’s Severing Wind Kick…”

“And the Lei Clan’s Thunder Finger…”

“…were originally parts of the same martial art.”

He smiled faintly.

“The imperial family deliberately separated them and passed them down individually.”

“And only the imperial family possesses the method to fuse them again.”

The Third Prince stared at him in shock again before slowly nodding.

“As expected of Steward Zhuo.”

“There are very few people in this world who understand martial-art separation techniques.”

“Even I only learned about this from Father recently.”

Zhuo Fan simply smiled without explaining further.

Martial-art separation techniques might be rare in the mortal world—

But in the Sacred Domain, nearly every major sect possessed similar methods.

The purpose was simple.

Preventing disciples from leaking complete sect techniques.

Only true core successors could learn the full version.

Thinking this, Zhuo Fan glanced toward the Tai and Lei Clans.

Both families looked pale with regret.

Especially Tai Rong.

The inherited martial arts of both clans had already fallen into Nether Valley’s hands.

The Tai Clan, in particular, had practically handed theirs over personally.

At this point, Tai Rong probably regretted it so badly his intestines had turned green.

“Clan Heads,” the Third Prince said seriously, “please place your inherited martial arts on the table.”

Luo Yunchang immediately produced the Returning Dragon Palm manual without hesitation.

After learning the truth behind Yangming’s betrayal, Lei Yuting had already returned it to the Luo Clan earlier.

But the Tai and Lei Clan Heads merely exchanged awkward looks.

The Third Prince’s brows furrowed instantly.

Lei Yuntian finally stepped forward first and bowed deeply.

“Your Highness…”

“This subordinate failed to protect our ancestral martial art.”

“It was taken by Nether Valley.”

“I failed the imperial family. Please punish me.”

Bang!

The Third Prince slammed the table and stood up violently.

“You lost it?!”

At that moment, Tai Rong also stepped forward trembling.

“Your Highness… our Tai Clan’s martial art…”

“…was also taken.”

The Third Prince’s enormous body shook with rage.

“How are you two even qualified to be clan heads?”

“Did you forget your ancestral teachings?”

“You were supposed to protect those martial arts with your lives!”

The two clan heads immediately fell to their knees.

“Please forgive us, Your Highness!”

The Third Prince grabbed his head in frustration and paced anxiously.

“How am I supposed to explain this to Father?”

“The Pearl Decree…”

“…is completely ruined!”

Tai Rong hesitated slightly before speaking carefully:

“Your Highness… could the imperial family perhaps grant us another Profound-tier martial art?”

“Bullshit!”

The Third Prince exploded instantly.

Spit practically flew across Tai Rong’s face.

“Do you think Profound-tier martial arts are vegetables sold on the street?”

“Even the imperial treasury only possesses three or four of them!”

“And every single one is carefully recorded and monitored.”

“If even one suddenly disappears, the Seven Houses will investigate immediately.”

“At that point, how exactly are your clans supposed to rise in secret?”

Then he smacked Tai Rong’s head angrily.

“Are you trying to get everyone killed?”

Tai Rong shrank down like a frightened turtle and no longer dared speak.

Meanwhile, Zhuo Fan quietly watched the scene unfold.

Then suddenly—

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

The timing was perfect.

With a flash of light, two jade slips appeared in his hand.

“Third Prince.”

“There’s no need to panic.”

He placed both jade slips onto the table calmly.

“I already recovered the two martial arts.”

Everyone froze instantly.

Especially Tai Rong.

He stared at Zhuo Fan in disbelief.

Those techniques had fallen into Nether Valley’s hands.

How could they possibly be recovered so easily?

Lei Yuntian, however, immediately revealed gratitude in his eyes.

If not for Zhuo Fan—

Forget reviving the Lei Clan.

The Third Prince might have exterminated them on the spot out of rage.

“Hahahaha!”

The Third Prince burst into loud laughter and rushed forward immediately, nearly crushing Zhuo Fan in another bear hug.

“Steward Zhuo, you really are incredible!”

“If not for you, I would’ve completely failed Father’s mission this time.”

“I owe you a huge favor.”

Zhuo Fan smiled faintly.

“I did it for the Luo Clan.”

“Yes, yes!”

The Third Prince laughed even harder.

“For the Luo Clan means for me too!”

Then he carefully placed all four jade slips together.

“Now that the martial arts issue is resolved…”

“…we move on to the next step.”

“According to the Pearl Decree…”

“When the decree is activated…”

“…the other two clans must merge into the strongest family.”

“The fused Profound-tier martial art will then be controlled by the new clan head.”

His eyes slowly swept across the three families.

“So now…”

“Your Highness!”

Suddenly, Tai Rong jumped up immediately.

He puffed out his chest proudly.

“At present, the Luo Clan has only four people left. The Lei Clan has already collapsed. Only my Tai Clan remains prosperous and powerful.”

He raised his chin arrogantly.

“Therefore, this old man naturally bears the responsibility of leading the new unified family.”

“From this day forward, my Tai Clan will treat the Luo and Lei Clans as our own blood relatives and assist the imperial family in completing the Pearl Decree.”

As he spoke, his hand immediately reached toward the jade slips.

But suddenly—

Smack!

Another rough hand slammed down over his wrist heavily.

Lei Yuntian stared at him coldly.

“Tai Rong…”

“With your pathetic Bone Tempering cultivation, you think you’re qualified to become clan head?”

“Hmph. So what?”

Tai Rong sneered.

“My Tai Clan currently possesses the strongest overall force.”

“Is that so?”

Lei Yuntian smiled coldly and looked toward Lei Yuting.

Lei Yuting stepped forward proudly.

“Within the last month, I’ve already regrouped the remaining Blackwind Mountain forces.”

“At minimum, we now control five to six hundred people.”

“More than half are Qi Gathering cultivators.”

She smiled arrogantly.

“If we compare military strength…”

“Your Tai Clan isn’t even close.”

“Hahaha…”

Before Lei Yuting finished speaking, Tai Xiaoting burst into mocking laughter.

“So what if your numbers are higher?”

“You’re still just mountain bandits.”

His eyes dripped with contempt.

“If the Lei Clan becomes the core family, the Seven Houses will laugh themselves to death.”

“How could a bunch of bandits possibly stand among noble houses?”

The moment those words fell, Lei Yuting’s eyes exploded with fury.

“Who the hell are you calling bandits?”

“And who the hell are you calling a spoiled rich brat?”

In an instant, both families erupted into chaos.

The Lei and Tai Clans immediately descended into a screaming match over leadership of the future Eighth House.

Zhuo Fan watched quietly from the side.

A cold sneer appeared internally.

The new family had not even officially formed yet.

Whether they could survive inside the empire remained uncertain.

Yet these idiots were already fantasizing about standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Seven Houses and worrying about reputation.

Worthless.

Absolutely worthless.

The Third Prince and Fang Qiubai also watched silently.

Disdain filled their eyes as well.

Meanwhile, Luo Yunchang’s face turned red with anger.

The two families argued fiercely with each other—

Yet completely ignored the Luo Clan.

As though they no longer mattered at all.

Yes, the Luo Clan only had four people left.

But they were still one of the three founding families.

And yet these people never once bothered asking their opinion.

The disrespect was blatant.

Bang!

Suddenly—

A deafening slam echoed through the pavilion.

The entire argument stopped instantly.

Everyone turned toward the source of the sound in shock.

Then they froze.

The one who slammed the table…

…was Luo Yunhai.

At that moment, the childish innocence normally visible on his face had vanished completely.

His expression was cold.

Firm.

A sharp determination shone in his eyes.

Even Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow slightly in surprise.

“What exactly are you all arguing about?”

Luo Yunhai slowly swept his gaze across everyone present.

“Among the three families…”

“…only one is qualified to lead.”

“That family…”

“…is the Luo Clan.”

The words landed heavily.

Tai Xiaoting immediately burst into laughter.

“You little brat, what exactly are you relying on?”

“Your Luo Clan is the weakest among the three. You barely even qualify to participate.”

“What gives you the right to become the core family?”

Luo Yunhai smiled coldly.

That smile instantly stunned everyone present.

Because it looked unbelievably familiar.

Almost identical—

To Zhuo Fan.

Everyone unconsciously turned toward Zhuo Fan at once.

Even Zhuo Fan himself looked slightly speechless.

This kid had clearly learned bad habits from him.

“We have no people.”

“No money.”

“No pills.”

“Our entire clan consists of only four people relying on each other to survive.”

Luo Yunhai’s voice remained calm and steady.

“But among the three families…”

“…we are the strongest.”

His eyes suddenly shone brightly.

“Because we have Steward Zhuo.”

The moment those words fell—

The entire pavilion turned silent.

Everyone looked toward Zhuo Fan simultaneously.

Their expressions became incomparably serious.

Because no one could deny it.

The Luo Clan’s greatest asset was not wealth.

Not manpower.

Not influence.

It was Zhuo Fan.

Everyone present had already witnessed his terrifying talent personally.

Even Hidden Dragon Pavilion firmly believed that with Zhuo Fan around—

The Luo Clan’s rise was only a matter of time.

Looking at Luo Yunhai’s trusting gaze, Zhuo Fan suddenly smiled softly.

Rare.

This little brat had finally placed complete faith in him for once.

In that case—

How could he disappoint him?

“Hmph.”

Tai Xiaoting sneered loudly.

“So what if Zhuo Fan’s talented?”

“He’s still just a servant. A subordinate.”

“You think one steward can compare to the entire Tai Clan—”

Bang!

Before he could finish speaking, Zhuo Fan casually threw a beast-hide contract onto the table.

The words at the center immediately caught everyone’s eyes.

Alliance Agreement.

Everyone froze instantly.

Then Zhuo Fan looked around the pavilion coldly.

“This…”

“…is the alliance contract between the Luo Clan and Hidden Dragon Pavilion.”

Boom.

The entire pavilion exploded into chaos.

The Third Prince nearly fell off his chair.

Even Fang Qiubai’s calm expression finally changed completely.

Hidden Dragon Pavilion was one of the Seven Houses.

Outside of the Seven Houses themselves—

They had never signed an equal alliance agreement with anyone else.

Never.

At most, they accepted subordinate families.

But equality?

Impossible.

Fang Qiubai stared at Zhuo Fan deeply.

“How exactly did you pull this off?”

Zhuo Fan smiled faintly and nodded politely.

“Heroes recognize heroes.”

Then his expression suddenly turned cold again as he looked toward the Tai and Lei Clans.

“Listen carefully.”

“Even without this Pearl Decree nonsense…”

“As long as I, Zhuo Fan, remain alive…”

“The Luo Clan entering the ranks of the Seven Houses is only a matter of time.”

His eyes narrowed dangerously.

“As for you people…”

“You’re not helping us rise at all.”

“You’re burdens.”

Complete silence.

Neither the Tai Clan nor the Lei Clan could say a single word in response.

Luo Yunchang raised her head proudly.

Her face glowed with excitement.

Meanwhile, Luo Yunhai looked at Zhuo Fan with even greater admiration than before.

At that moment—

Everyone understood something clearly.

The true reason the Luo Clan could stand here today…

…was not the Pearl Decree.

It was Zhuo Fan.

[End of Chapter Forty-Eight]