Proofreader: Papatonks
Murong Xue gave him a long look and a nod, “In other words, anything is allowed, be it good or evil, as long as it follows a good trend?”
“Going by the upright and honorable miss Murong, that is your wish.”
Zhuo Fan smiled, “Just like another tale. A thief entered a rich house to steal, only to find the owner deathly wounded and called for help, leading to his capture. But at the trial, he was released. The verdict read ‘I would rather have thieves saving lives, then our world turned into a living hell, with none lending a hand.’
“This is also a trend. Reason dictates that releasing a thief was against the law, but it gives birth to a trend, making life precious, far more precious than anything in the world. Like so, it would lead to the belief that even if one steals, he would do not harm. Those who harmed would be punished severely while those who didn’t will have lighter sentences. It’s clearly his own evil machination, yet the trend made it honorable by saving lives as result. Thus, evil is evil, stealing is stealing, fighting is fighting, yet there would no longer be harmed people. Not for others, but for oneself.”
Murong Xue nodded numbly, her heart changing as she discovered a new way of looking at things.
Zhuo Fan chuckled, turning to the tide of people, “Returning to Yunhai, he took the blame to secure western lands’ safety, an act both honorable and admirable. But after that, Baili Jingwei’s plan bears fruit.”
“His plan?”
“Making a crack in western lands.”
Zhuo Fan spoke, “Yunhai’s development was too fast this past century, gaining too much attention from the Double Dragon Manor, still holding the last word in the western lands. This is similar to the Luo clan’s beginning. I went for quick growth then because I believed to lord over the rest in quick succession. But the Luo Alliance is going even faster while lacking the ability to overcome others. As it is, it only lacks some heavyweights and it would replace Double Dragon Manor. In short, it only needs time.
“Seizing the boss’ seat has to be done fast, to minimize the danger. When I brought up the Luo clan, I played hard and fast, keeping it in the shadows, out of prying eyes. While the Luo Alliance’s intent had not just been found out, but decades in advance. While other factors played a role, Double Dragon Manor aren’t open with their hostility, but it is there and growing. When Danqing Shen came and in the prince matter, Double Dragon Manor wanted to cut the Luo Alliance down to size, to crack it. A gap Baili Jingwei is sure to use to slip right in.”
Murong Xue squinted, “You mean Baili Jingwei isn’t starting a war with western lands, but wants to drive a wedge?”
“In war, the four lands unite and there’s also Devil Palace hiding in the central area. He’ll never do it.”
Zhuo Fan continued, “So he can only play in skirmishes, making a gap in western lands; the hostility between the Luo Alliance and Double Dragon Manor. This had yet to be nuanced until now, but today it has been cemented and would lead to a huge crack in western lands’ defenses. It’s plain to see what influence the Luo Alliance has in western lands. Yunhai’s fate is bound to raise discontent in the hearts of not just the Luo Alliance, but many other factions in western lands.
“Double Dragon Manor is the big leader of western lands. He can lash out at the little guy all he wants, so long as they are in their house. While outside, he has to protect him; it’s his job. It’s public knowledge the Luo Alliance suffered for nothing and now Yunhai would suffer a fate he could not escape by taking all the blame. In this time of peril, Double Dragon Manor gave not a token of help, throwing the little guy to the wolves. What will the other little guys think? They’ll be disappointed. The Luo Alliance was threatening Double Dragon Manor, but at least play your role, easing the other little guys’ hearts. That’s why I wonder just how these old coots got to lead western lands.”
Murong Xue’s face twitched, “The Exalted had towered over western lands for thousands of years as men of virtue and honor, unlike the devious and twisted guy you are.”
“Even if honorable, they have their own demons and desires, lust for fame and fortune. How could they just forget their duty just because they find Luo Alliance an eyesore?”
“True, the older the senior, the unsteadier the heart.” Murong Xue sighed.
Zhuo Fan nodded then shook his head, “Though this isn’t half bad either. At the very least they talked it out with the other lands and didn’t stone the Luo clan where it stood. This showed they knew good from bad and greed had yet to cloud their judgment, just a mere omission. That’s already kindness from a leader. If it were me…”
“What?”
“The Luo clan would’ve long since been ashes.” Zhuo Fan said.
Murong Xue sighed, “The Luo clan must be thankful that they have you as a steward and not an enemy. By the way, didn’t you say you have a solution? What is it?”
“Oh, mine is a little blunt, something miss Murong is sure to not like.”
“Just say it. It’s just a thought and not truly enacted either. I’m also much more tolerable now…”
“Oh, then my answer is…”
Zhuo Fan showed his evil smile, “Stirring the entire alliance to duke it out regardless of bloodshed. Who do they think I am? I’ve gone through thick and thin and they think they can chop me off like that? Bring it!”
Dong!
Murong Xue blanked out, floored by Zhuo Fan’s thuggish solution, “That’s your answer? It’s like sending everyone to die for you.”
“Ha-ha-ha, I told you that you wouldn’t like it and you said you could take it.”
Zhuo Fan said calmly, “Miss Murong, that was a joke. But my solution can handle it in one move, fighting all the way. Have you ever heard of ‘the bold fear the resolute, and the resolute fear the reckless?’ Sometimes, the scariest people around are the crazies.”
“Nothing beats your crazy. Can the Luo Alliance’s strength do it?”
“There’s no need to. They only have to look like it to scare the other. In fact, it’s no different from Baili Jingwei’s tactic.”
Zhuo Fan grinned, “Miss Murong, do you still remember our talk at the beginning?”
“Trend?”
“Yes, that.”
Zhuo Fan said, “The Luo Alliance isn’t even close to a tenth of the central area’s power, but a spark can trigger a great change. The Luo Alliance with a few allies can hold at least a third of western lands’ power. How would Double Dragon Manor handle such force? Maybe ignore it and let the central area crush it, but then what will be left of western lands? Without the Luo Alliance, even with western lands being Double Dragon Manor’s, they would earn nothing but ire.
“Could the other three lands stand still while western lands goes through a bitter war? The loss of one land means the death of all. The others are sure to disregard any honor or fame then. This is a siege they have to hold out. So my solution is to hold western lands hostage, thus all four lands, and by extension, everyone, to wage bitter war with me for my own benefit.”
“But won’t this lead to a world war like before, with heavy losses?” Murong Xue’s eyes shook, “You’re a lunatic, ignoring the consequences. Luo Yunhai is far more reasonable!”
Zhuo Fan said, “He is indeed reliable, not wanting to let his family suffer. Ha-ha-ha, miss Murong, you must’ve forgotten, that central area is in no position to fight the four lands again. That’s why Baili Jingwei could only glare at my tactic without retaliation. There’s your trend. The five lands would then have useless peace talks and the prince died for nothing.”
“You’re twisted!” Murong Xue huffed, though a smile played on her lips.
[Zhuo Fan’s plan may look insane, but the results go in the right direction. This must be where righteousness and demonic intersect.]
“If you figured it out, can’t the Luo clan as well?”
“It may not be that simple. Leng Wuchang and Zhuge Changfeng aren’t just for show, but they wouldn’t mention it…”
“Why not?”
“They’d never propose something unless absolutely certain!”
Zhuo Fan sighed, “A large deployment needs plenty of pawns. The Luo clan has too few. They don’t know how big Devil Palace is and if they would work together, nor do they know Baili Jingwei’s limit, and if they themselves can sustain such a plan. With so many unknowns, the most important is in the end their apprehension, drawing Double Dragon Manor and other lands’ leader’s fury that would burn the Luo clan to the ground at some point. This strategy would never come for those playing it safe and without resolve. The three are all excellent masterminds, but not rulers, lacking in drive.”
Murong Xue nodded, “Yeah, who else in this world would bet on victory using the entire population as a bargaining chip but a demon like you?”
“In any case, it’s good to be careful. They also lack the foundation to take such risks.” Zhuo Fan took one last look at Luo Yunhai in the distance and then vanished.
Murong Xue followed him…
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