Chapter 8 - Baiting the Enemy

“H-how can you…”

“Forget about how for now, and do what I said. This is a bewildering array which can affect the perceptions of others inside. And this is also a killing array, controlling wraiths to kill your enemies.”

Luo Yunchang copied stiffly as Zhuo Fan performed the gestures. However, he was too fast. She could only watch him do it as she fumbled to a stop. Unable to remember the movements as he carried on, stuck on the last sign she did.

“Sigh, how are you so slow? This is the simplest method!” Zhuo Fan got angry and cursed, “If you keep going like this, Steward Sun will be upon us. We might as well just serve ourselves on a silver platter. You’re as slow as a pig.”

All her life, Luo Yunchang was handled with finesse and attention a pearl would need. She received others love and respect. Never has she been mistreated like this, degraded to such a degree.

Glittering tears started welling in her eyes as she lowered her head. Yet, she persevered.

Seeing his sister humiliated, he found courage and shouted at Zhuo Fan, “Stinky slave, don’t mock my sister.”

Zhuo Fan just shook his head, not having the time to bicker with the brat.

He found his Yuan Qi was only enough to start the array, failing to control it.

If one were to speak of a complete Wraith Array, even if none of them controlled it, a trash like Steward Sun would end up beaten to a pulp either way. However, he only had around a thousand spirit stones. If not for being a natural array, he wouldn’t have been able to set even a damaged one.

It was now in the hands of 3rd layer Qi Condensation young miss to control the array.

But for her, the method was long and complicated. It was hard to grasp. Worse, they were on the clock.

Helpless, Zhuo Fan embraced her from behind and took hold of her hands.

“What are you doing?” Luo Yunchang froze up as her cheek blossomed with red.

“Don’t move and let me guide you.” Zhuo Fan led her hands and taught her the signs.

Despite catching his intent, being embraced by an unfamiliar man threw her heart in chaos and cheeks burned hotter, since this was the first time it ever happened to her.

Each time her mind drifted, a voice would ring in her ear, “Pay attention.”

She peeked at him and saw how serious Zhuo Fan was, that his actions were not aimed to take advantage of her.

[Humph, he knows when to be a gentleman!]

Luo Yunchang calmed down and her body drew nearer to his. Feeling the strong arm behind her, this was the first time in the last three days she felt safe.

“Steward Sun. they went towards the Misty Forest.” Ten miles outside the Misty Forest, a lanky bandit checked for tracks and reported to him.

With cold laughter, Steward Sun straightened his white moustache, “Quite a good hiding place. We know the mountain area but not that eerie place. However…”

Steward Sun looked at the bound captain and his eyes flash with an evil glint.

“Captain Pang, you’re up soon. With how kind young miss is, she won’t ignore your pleas.”

“Ptooey, don’t think you can use me to threaten young miss.” His eyes were bloodshot as he glared at Steward Sun.

“You’d better kill me, or I will murder you and avenge my fellow guards.”

“Ha-ha-ha, when I get the martial skill, I’ll be happy to fulfill your wish.” Squinting his eyes, Steward Sun let out a creepy laughter. “Let’s go.”

It took an hour for their group of twenty to reach Misty Forest.

Yet before they could get any closer, snoring came from a man sleeping against a tree. A careful look identified him as Zhuo Fan.

“Steward Sun, it’s the one who killed the fatty.”

Woken up by the voice, Zhuo Fan yawned and opened his weary eyes. Seeing Steward Sun and co., he showed no fear, no anxiety. Instead, a smile.

“Steward Sun, I’ve waited so long to see you.”

Frowning, Steward Sun watched him. He eyed him with utmost care yet nothing seemed to tell him anything. He was just calm.

“What a deep-rooted schemer you are. I underestimated you,” thought Steward Sun.

If it were any other time, he would’ve never paid attention to a servant.

But ever since Steward Sun witnessed Zhuo Fan kill so brutally, Steward Sun’s image of him turned upside-down. [This punk not only hid deeply, but he’s also ruthless. If he matures, only suffering awaits.]

“Zhuo Fan, you’ve quite the nerve to show off before me,” squinted Steward Sun at him.

Zhuo Fan cut to the chase instead of replying, “Steward Sun, want to make a deal?”

“What deal?”

“I’ll give you the Luo clan’s young master and mistress. So, secure my career in Blackwind Mountain.”

[What?]

Not only was Steward Sun shocked, but even the guard captain was also dumbfounded.

He rested his hopes on Zhuo Fan to take the siblings far away. Who’d have thought Zhuo Fan would defect and use them as bargaining chips.

“Why are you doing this? Luo clan hasn’t scorn you,” doubts arose in Steward Sun’s heart.

“Ha-ha-ha, then why do you? Luo clan treated you even better.”

Steward Sun reddened at this and felt his rage boiling.

As he calmed himself, Zhuo Fan continued,”Every man for himself. With how much the Luo clan has fallen, reviving it isn’t something one man can do. Why should I walk towards my death? Using them to secure my life is but human nature.”

He picked the red rope from the ground who followed into the mist.

“Young miss is at one of the ends of the rope. I left a few forks on the rope along the way that only I know about.”

Steward Sun nodded as he grabbed it, “Good plan, to use a rope to mark your way. And you even included forks to safeguard the right trail for yourself. A true double-crosser, ha-ha-ha…”

He gave the rope back, “Deal, lead the way. But don’t even think of playing tricks.”

“Steward Sun, I am an honest man!” smiled Zhuo Fan.

Steward Sun sneered, “I would’ve believed you before but now… who would!?”

The two locked their eyes, each laughing as their looks hid devious thoughts.

The captain’s hair stood on end. He kept cursing Steward Sun as a rotten and vile human, while he barked at Zhuo Fan as one who betrayed their master. Though everyone ignored him as he was escorted by other men as they ventured into the thick mist.