The Steward Demonic Emperor

Chapter 856: Interrogation

Proofreader: Papatonks

The girl skipped over, bringing with her a fresh breeze. She stopped behind Zhuo Fan with a bashful look, like an innocent girl. The guards were dumbstruck by her behavior, looking lost. 

It only made the girl feel self-conscious and hide behind Zhuo Fan, like a baby sister oblivious to the world’s evil protected by her big brother. 

The gentle nature instilled in the people a sense of protection.

Zhuo Fan was stunned.

[Hell, this lass is versed in the world and an even better actor than me.] 

He could still remember her outburst from before.

He wouldn’t tease her for this, since they were in the same boat. He just forced a smile and calmed himself.

Moments later, the guards woke up and pointed at her, “Is she staying here?”

“Yes.” The girl’s gentle voice echoed, soothing the guards.

The guard had to take a moment to recover and pointed at Zhuo Fan, “Who are you two? Why have both of you come from the western lands?”

“Uhm, she…” Zhuo Fan’s eyes focused, thinking of a good name for her, but the girl got ahead of him, “He’s my husband. We came from western lands together.”

[Oh… wait, what?]

The men nodded but then froze, looking from one to the other in disbelief, “He’s your husband?”

“Why, what’s wrong with that?” The girl nodded with a smile, then dragged a stumped Gu Santong next to her, “Look, our child is all grown up.”

The inspection team was shocked, with Zhuo Fan looking lost.

[Hey, chickie, moments ago you were trying to stab me and now you say I’m your man?]

[What are you looking at? You’re already getting the best of it by being my husband. What are you crying about? Keep staring and see if I don’t poke your eyes out!]

Glaring at Zhuo Fan, the girl warned as her hand gripped Gu Santong, clearly using him as hostage to force Zhuo Fan.

[Fall in line or your son will fall first.]

Zhuo Fan shook his head inside and sighed. He didn’t worry about Gu Santong. 

[Not like the lass could do anything to young Sanzi.]

Zhuo Fan found this trap difficult. He could not admit just any random girl as his wife. Though it was fake, given the circumstances, he had to agree if he wanted to get over this mess.

Regardless, he could not say it so easily since there was only one person in his heart. He wouldn’t want to sully her image even if it was fake…

Eying the odd couple, a guard asked, “Uhm, miss, the man is only in the 5th layer Radiant Stage, while you are in the 8th layer Ethereal Stage.”

They just couldn’t get it. The world had many cultivating couples of different levels, but it was also a world where the man was the head. His power represented his status. There was no woman willing to lower herself to a weaker guy.

The odd thing here was not their gap in strength, but the reversed roles of this couple. This could’ve happened only if the girl was just too damn strong, so that she wore the pants in this relationship. Such a woman couldn’t have just one guy either.

“Miss, with your strength, you must be someone important in western lands. Can it be you started a harem to replenish your yin and dual cultivate?” The guard asked.

The girl blushed hard as she flared, “Y-you’re making a harem! We’re just a family with a child. How can I do something as vile as replenish yin…”

“With how the world is ruled by strength, people would resort to anything for power, even women.” The guard had a nasty smile, “Brothers, search the place. If she has a harem, they must be many. There’s no way there’s just the three of them. Humph…”

“Yes, sir!”

The men shouted and shot inside, already on it. The girl’s face looked conflicted and depressed. Zhuo Fan glanced over and sighed.

[Even I wouldn’t believe you, let alone others, since we’re too different in cultivation…]

Whoosh~

An hour later, the guards returned with shaking heads and the main speaker frowned.

He refused to believe such a strong woman only had one guy.

Zhuo Fan smiled and stepped forward with a bow, “Senior, please don’t listen to her nonsense. She’s not my wife.”

“No?” The guard shook and grew grave. The girl tensed, sweat trickling down.

[Is he selling me out?]

“Then who is she? Why is she staying here?”

Zhuo Fan sighed, “Senior, the truth is, she is my cousin. Our clan is hunting us so we had to run here.”

“Your cousin? Then why did she say she’s your wife?” The guard shouted.

Turning to the girl, she looked nervous. Zhuo Fan pondered, “Actually, she does want to be my wife, but… my heart belongs to someone else. No other girl can have it. She was only playing a joke before, please don’t mind it, senior.”

“Tell me exactly what is going on here, or I will have her arrested.” The guard barked.

Zhuo Fan smiled and nodded, “Yes, of course, senior. Allow me to tell you everything. My cousin and I grew up together, inseparable. I know she loves me, but I could not accept it. Seniors can see that her talent is better than mine, cultivating much faster. That’s why I could not accept her love, finding myself undeserving of her.”

“Oh, we can tell that much. You aren’t a fit for her at all.” The others nodded.

Zhuo Fan continued, “Then I met a lady at the Ultimate Clarity Sect, got married and had a child. But this earned the sect’s rage and we were hunted down. I could only take my son and flee all the way to the central area. Fortune was with me for having my cousin along as well to look after me, or we would’ve died a long time ago. I could never return her feelings, and…”

Zhuo Fan turned to the girl, “Cousin, I already have someone I love. Your love….”

Zhuo Fan sighed, looking elsewhere as he was unable to accept her feelings.

The men exclaimed.

[Oh, so a love triangle! With this girl being love-stricken!]

“Ha, what a waste of good seed. An 8th layer Ethereal Stage expert with pretty looks going after a waste leagues behind her. How can we, experts, find fault in that?” The leader sighed.

Another one nodded, “Yeah, it makes too much sense, actually. Why did they have to be childhood friends? Brother, the place is clean, or at least the thief would’ve used some flat excuse, not go for such a convoluted melodrama. Just look at how conflicted they are.”

They all turned to the two to see Zhuo Fan’s guilty look. The girl’s gaze never left him, her eyes glazed over.

[Fools blinded by love, crashing marriages!]

The guards shrugged then the leader coughed, “We understand, then we’ll write that. This place belonged to a fellow guard of ours. Since you bought it, it’s yours. Now, there’s only the three of you here? What are your names?”

“Oh, senior, I’m Gu Yifan!”

Cupping his hands, Zhuo Fan spoke, “My son is Gu Santong, and my cousin…”

Zhuo Fan hinted at her.

Feeling sour for some odd reason, the girl spoke, “I’m Gu Qingyan.”

“Noted.”

After writing down on a jade slip, the guard nodded, “From now on, you are the owners of this place. If there’s anyone suspicious hanging around, report to the Flying Cloud manor at once. You can also shout and make some noise. Our patrols will respond swiftly!”

Zhuo Fan bowed, “Thank you, senior, only… what suspicious people?”

“You don’t know?”

The guard mocked, “Homeless, wandering, shifty, repulsive and guilty-looking people. If you see anyone that fits that description, give us a signal. Got it?”

“Yes, yes…”

Zhuo Fan nodded. The guard smiled then waved his hand, “Brothers, the next house. Ha-ha-ha, let’s see how those thieves can hide as we search every place! Ha-ha-ha…”