Chapter 1217: Three-way Talk

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A deadly bloodthirst enveloped them, like a sea of needles aimed at their heart. Bali Yuyu was frozen in place by now, while Zhuo Fan took a casual step forward, We came to give you the Nether Sea map.

The Sword Emperor immediately stopped his relentless pursuit for vengeance, staring hard at Zhuo Fan, W-what was that?

Sword Emperor, we came to give you the Nether Sea map. Kill me and youll never get the chance again.

Humph, you think itll save you? Think again!

The Sword Emperor flicked his hand, but then he went back to his throne, barking, What the h.e.l.l are you up to? Talk already before I lose the little patience I have left!

Zhuo Fan cupped his hands, Sword Emperor, its like this. You mustve heard by now how the Falcon Emperor and Wraith Emperor are moving. The Demonic Emperor doesnt fear them and only wants to spare the people the needless destruction and pain. Thus he is asking the Sword Emperor to mediate

You cant beat them so you came crawling to me. Dont you think offering a copy instead of the original is a little insincere?

My hands are tied. This is as far as the Demonic Emperor will bargain.

Zhuo Fan sighed, Seeing as the Sword Emperor rejected the proposal, we shall leave.

The two bowed.

Wait!

The Sword Emperor shouted. Zhuo Fan looked back, Anything else I can do for you, Sword Emperor?

Use it to cut off your legs and you may leave with your life. The Sword Emperor pointed at the sword Bali Yuyu threw on the ground.

Bali Yuyu grimaced, awaiting Zhuo Fans signal.

Zhuo Fan smiled and sighed. He stared at the sword, Sword Emperor, cant I make amends instead? I would rather not go without my legs for the rest of my days.

This is what you get for cutting my junior brothers legs. Im not as gracious as you might think.

Sword Emperor, I told you that I can make amends. Just tell me what I have to do, short of cutting my legs.

What do you have thats worth my junior brothers legs?

At Gambling Town, senior Liu cut his two toes for the Nether Sea map. I figured using the same map in exchange for his legs should be worth it. Im sure senior Liu wouldve gladly given up his legs then just to earn the map.

The old man eyed the Sword Emperor with a grave look, nodding. The Sword Emperor said, Then hand it over, but can you take it from the Demonic Emperor?

Not the original, only a copy, if you dont mind

Copy?

Sword Emperor glanced at elder Liu to see him frowning then nodding.

[Anythings better than nothing.]

It shouldnt be fake either, right?

Of course not. I have a way to prove it to sir and you can even take it up with the Gambling Emperor to validate it.

Thats settled then. The girl will stay here as insurance. Sword Emperor clapped, his decision final.

Zhuo Fan snickered, bowing, Sword Emperor, you dont need a hostage. All sir has to do is mediate the war and the Demonic Emperor will gladly offer the copy.

What?

Sword Emperor glared at him, Youre toying with me!

Sword Emperor, I would never.

Outrageous! I deigned letting you make amends by exchanging the Nether Sea map copy for your legs, but in the end, youre still dragging the Demonic Emperor into this. How is that making amends?

Sword Emperor, please, Im really doing what I said.

Zhuo Fan bowed in panic, To be honest, the Demonic Emperor already found an ally, the Ruby Cloud Sects Enchanting Empress. Two against two would be enough to force the enemy Emperors to withdraw. The matter with Elder Liu that day weighed heavy on my mind that I insisted on making another copy and having the Sword Emperor for an ally. The Sword Emperor is the head of the Eight Emperors, lofty and respected. Your mere presence will smooth things over.

However, the Demonic Emperor was disinclined towards this proposal. More copies meant ha-ha, you understand. So I worked three days and three nights to get the Demonic Emperor to accept the Sword Emperor as an ally. Its just a matter of mediating and sir will get the copy. Its hardly any different from doing nothing, isnt it? Isnt this ample proof of my sincere actions?

[Uh]

The Sword Emperor paused, looking at Zhuo Fans smile and said, I can see now how you got a name for yourself in Gambling Town, thanks to that insidiousness and guile. With you by the Demonic Emperors side, its like having a hundred more Spirit Kings!

Sword Emperor, you flatter me.

Thats no compliment, but reality!

The Sword Emperor waved, Fine, you can go. Ill agree with the Demonic Emperors request. Well now wait to meet and settle the rest. By the way, bring the Gambling Emperor as well to inspect the map.

Zhuo Fan bowed, Thank you so much Sword Emperor. Farewell!

Zhuo Fan and Bali Yuyu left.

The Sword Emperors face fell, Rotten brat, so cunning that it makes me want to flay him alive but I cant do nothing to him. Humph, just a Bone Tempering cultivator yet

Bam!

The Sword Emperor slammed the table beside him to pieces.

Xu Zhensheng started, Master, were just going to let him go? Elder Lius legs

Didnt he say it himself? He made up for it with the Nether Sea copy Elder Liu looked downcast.

But isnt that just a simple trade?

It is, but in his view, its making amends so thats what it is. He also brought up the Ruby Cloud Sect to corner us. We could forgo the deal, but all we need to do is mediate and well get a copy of the Nether Sea map. We cant let this easy win pa.s.s us by.

But we couldve still cut his legs. He made no amends, just speaking on behalf of the Demonic Emperor. A deal is one thing while retribution is another! Xu Zhenshengs eyes flashed with cruelty.

The Sword Emperor and elder Liu shook their heads.

AhSheng, when you meet him again, strike him then and there. Dont ever give him the chance to speak.

Why?

The moment he does, youd have lost all reasons to do so.

The Sword Emperor sighed, I couldve done it at first, but lost my chance as he skirted around the Nether Sea map, the reason for the deal. With it in play, I lost all reason to deal with him. He represents the Demonic Emperor. Killing him means no deal, when we truly want it to go through. The kid is bad news, able to save his skin and accomplish the Demonic Emperors task

Xu Zhensheng started and elder Liu sighed.

The debt for his legs would remain on hold for a long time

A month later, Zhuo Fan returned to Devil Mountain. Zhao Chen could hardly wait, questioning the minute he stepped in the hall, Well, how did it go? Those two geezers have been growing restless these past months. Theyve taken three towns already. I havent joined the fight since Ive been waiting for you to give me a reply.

Demonic Emperor sir can rest easy knowing everything went as planned.

Zhuo Fan smirked, The Enchanting Empress and Sword Emperor will be stepping in, all for just one copy of the map and nothing more. Now its up to sir, to use them against each other. The Wraith Emperor and Falcon Emperor will come out heavily wounded at the least.

Zhao Chen laughed, Steward Zhuo, youre amazing to get two helpers so quickly. Lucks on my side, ha-ha-ha. Ill send letters to them right away to have a talk and settle those geezers.

Brilliant, sir!

Zhuo Fan bowed, his smirk obvious.

Three days later, Devil Mountain sent two jade slips. After two more months, the Sword Emperor and Enchanting Empress arrived with their forces, along with a fat man in fancy clothes