Chapter 654: Have Been Around

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: Papatonks

Three days, that was how long Zhuo Fan was cooped up in his room, with one leg over the other and not moving a muscle.

He had been at this ever since he saw Xie Tianshang coming out of that courtyard, showing that the antidote was effective and Chu Qingcheng had recovered.

Today was when the middle three sects stage began, yet, he did not feel like inspecting his enemies, letting Fiend Yang take the disciples to watch the fight.

Zhuo Fan frowned deeply. His mind was uncertain, filled with Danqing Shens words. How did one remove love when it wasnt even there? This was one question he had never thought about.

Maybe he had been on this lonely road of demonic cultivation for so long that he had gotten used to being alone and everything going his way. But heaven played a sick joke on him, bringing him back and tying him down again and again.

He could no longer go back to just being a demonic cultivator.

Was it heavens way of taunting him, or maybe a trial?

[Maybe Yun Xuanji was right. This is my chance to restart my demonic path.]

It was just that this path was too foreign that he did not know how to proceed. Unlike the breezy demonic path he trod in his previous life, he didnt know if this new path would bring him to the pinnacle of Dao.

[Just what am I to do?]

Demonic cultivation emphasized a dead heart. Once emotions sprouted, they would drag him back. But how was one supposed to remove them when one had yet to experience them?

[This is so messed up.]

If one took those emotions to train in the demonic path, would these emotions remain pure? Could they be called the feelings one had at first? They were nothing more than a means to an end.

But if one fell to emotion, how could one just up and cut them off? If they could be removed so easily, why then still call it true love?

[Holy s.h.i.+t! If I see it as a trial, that means no path is the right one!]

Zhuo Fan facepalmed, hesitating if he should insist on going down this road.

[Better go with the flow and trust where my heart takes me.]

If it were so, would he ever return to his demonic path?

[Im only getting further and further away]

Feeling powerless, Zhuo Fan just did not know what to do. He had been in his man cave for these three days, struggling with his greatest problem yet.

[It just goes to show my previous path was too plain!]

Zhuo Fan, another dark horse showed up! I dont think well even get to pa.s.s the middle three sects fight now! A shout came from outside the courtyard.

Zhuo Fan rolled his eyes at Fiend Yangs distraught voice, turning over and resuming his conflicting thoughts.

Bam!

He was in for a rude awakening as Fiend Yang just would not let him, smas.h.i.+ng the door open, rus.h.i.+ng over, and shaking every bone in his body, d.a.m.n brat, dont you know anything besides sleeping? Youll get all the sleep you want when youre dead. We have more important things to worry about right now!

Whats the hurry? Arent we challenging the middle three sects tomorrow? Just leave it.

Leave your a.s.s!

Zhuo Fans lazy att.i.tude ticked Fiend Yang off, d.a.m.n brat, you did not come to see the middle three sects stage. Do you know how it ended?

Dont wanna.

Why you

Fiend Yangs face twitched in rage. He worked hard to keep it bottled up and prevent it from leaking into his voice, You wouldnt be so relaxed if you had seen what happened at the middle three sects stage. I bet youd freak out more than me. Sword G.o.d Sect is a freak of nature, all ten of its disciples are in the Ethereal Stage, even your old friend.

Zhuo Fan recalled his old friend, then nodded, Oh, right. I never paid him much attention when he came. But now that you mention it, his aura did place him in the Ethereal Stage. Hes always been a martial fanatic, a genius cultivator, but for him to enter the Ethereal Stage so fast is beyond my expectations. The middle three sects sure are rich. Well, congrats to him.

Congrats your sister! You still have the free time to care about someone else? He is our greatest threat!

Fiend Yang was itching to smack some sense into this sloppy Zhuo Fan, but he reined it in, Dude, youre our leader. Cant you show some interest? Sword G.o.d Sects lineup is as strong as a superior three sects. Do you know how they fared in the matches? They won all of them, both singles and teams. Demon Soul Sect and Heaven Trailing Sect havent won once!

Zhuo Fan looked at him curiously, That amazing?

Yes, that amazing.

Fiend Yang sighed, Sword G.o.d Sect has always been the top middle three sects, but the other two sects werent this far behind. Even with the superior three sects dominance over the middle three sects, none of the superior three sects could guarantee such a complete victory

Fiend Yangs worry grew as he sighed, And then theres that Gentle Sword, he showed great power, but I am sure he didnt go all out. The entire Sword G.o.d Sect came prepared, then they even gave us taunting looks. They clearly arent afraid of us, or more particularly, you. They must have something ready for you. Thats what worries me the most!

Oh, then we should be more careful.

Zhuo Fan nodded, finally getting serious. Ill just have to use my foolproof strategy to make losing impossible!

Fiend Yang lit up, You have such a thing? Tell me!

We dont fight them. We cant lose if we dont fight. Zhuo Fan grinned, Or well just have to settle being a middle three sect.

Fiend Yangs face twitched, and his eyes were burning with a newfound rage he could no longer contain, Zhuo Fan, is that how you dont lose? s.h.i.+t! Who was it that said well challenge the superior three sects? It was you who proclaimed such great design! But now that you met the Sword G.o.d Sect blocking your path, you shy away? Youre nothing more than

With an unbridled yawn, Zhuo Fan walked away as Fiend Yang was in the middle of his rant.

He had more pressing things to worry about, like his inner conflict. Other stuff was just extra.

He cared even less about some good of the sect motto. Getting them in the middle three sects was enough to fulfill his end of the bargain with Xie Wuyue.

[Superior three sects? Ha-ha-ha, thats your problem!]

Fiend Yang felt powerless at Zhuo Fans disinterest.

[This young master is so d.a.m.n stubborn, only doing things based on his mood. If he were in good spirits, hed be arrogant and fight everything under the sky. If he were in the dumps, he would rather sit back. What a pain in the a.s.s, and theres no way to deal with him.]

Steward Zhuo, Venerable, people from the Heaven Trailing Sect have come to see you! Kui Lang shouted as he entered. Looking at Fiend Yangs red face and Zhuo Fans laid-back att.i.tude, he knew what had happened. So he bowed and declared.

Fiend Yang glanced at Zhuo Fan, Weve been here for so long already and havent paid each other any visits. So why is it today they come to us?

Punk, this isnt over. Well talk when I get back! Fiend Yang slammed his hand hard on Zhuo Fans shoulder and left in a huff.

Zhuo Fan had a faint smile on his face. Kui Lang did not disturb him and closed the door behind him. Zhuo Fan then recalled something and shouted, Hey, Kui Lang, come back. I want to ask you something.

Steward Zhuo, is there anything you need? Kui Lang bowed.

Zhuo Fan waved his hand, turning dead serious, Kui Lang, you and your one must have a deep love for each other, right? Why else would you forfeit knowing it could kill you?

She keeps me at peace. She chases my fears

Alright, I got it. You dont need to mention it.

Kui Lang looked at the sky sorrowfully, but Zhuo Fan cut him off right as he started, I just wanted to ask. You know demonic cultivation is emotionless, so why do you do this for

Kui Lang gave him a long look, then sighed, Steward Zhuo, I know the sect has a rule not to fraternize. But love is like a torrent, sweeping anything in its path. I have been around and understand this better than most. Both its sweet and bitter sides, with all in between. All I can say is that I have no regrets. Even when I got cast down to being a laborer.

Uh, you misunderstood me. This isnt about the sects rules. Im talking about the demonic path. Now that youve known love so much, its hard to progress. Why did you dive in without hesitating?

Kui Lang had a strange look, Steward Zhuo, I may be a disciple on the demonic path, but I havent once thought about it. I only followed what others did and did not break the sects rules. That is all. When I got close to her, I wasnt thinking about anything, just that we might be exposed and suffer for it.

Zhuo Fan paused for a moment and nodded.

An ordinary cultivator like Kui Lang was still at the start of the demonic path and probably would never traverse it to reach the Dao. So he didnt consider things too much.

Zhuo Fan shook his head, feeling foolish.

[What was I thinking asking him? He doesnt know the difference between a path and a demon. All he does is follow the herd.]

Because of this, Zhuo Fan admired him. Faced with simple-minded choices, one did not have regrets.

You can go. I need some peace and quiet. Zhuo Fan shooed him.

Kui Lang nodded and bowed before leaving. But just as he was at the door, he said, Steward Zhuo, I dont know if its my place to say this. My insight into the demonic path is way shallower than yours and Elder Yuans, but there is one area I know for certain. I chose the demonic path over the righteous because of their many restrictions. While I do not know what is on your mind, I get the feeling you are also restricted by yourself. Why must you do so? I have been around, and when it comes to emotions or love, I wont hesitate.

Why do you suddenly sound so wise?

Zhuo Fan shook, and a realization struck him as he gaped at him.

Kui Lang scratched his head, I can never be wiser than Steward Zhuo, that I know. All I can say is that I know about feelings, ha-ha-ha