The Steward Demonic Emperor

Chapter 1053: Drive

Proofreader: Papatonks

“Orders!”

On the border between northern lands and the central area, the forces of the other three lands had transferred, with each taking a region and awaiting orders. Western lands’ experts under Luo Alliance’s leadership were the same, anxiously awaiting at the border for the next radical order. 

The northern wind carried with it a sudden shout. The soldiers landed from up above before each faction, speaking at the top of their lungs. 

Whoosh~

Luo Yunhai and many other generals from western lands were growing impatient in the commanding tent. “Another order’s here! I wonder what’s brother Zhuo’s plan in the face of such a desperate crisis?” 

“We already lost three lands and there’s no place to retreat now. With all having been going according to Steward Zhuo’s plan, then the third order must be fighting back.”

Zhuge Changfeng rubbed his beard, his face solemn, his eyes shining with hope, “The question is, how outrageous and weird is it this time? Ha-ha-ha, I’m eager to see Steward Zhuo in action one more time.”

The others nodded, their brow quivering with excitement.

Whoosh!

One soldier landed in the Luo clan’s camp, bowing, “Grand Marshal of the alliance, Sir Zhuo, orders half of Luo Alliance’s strong to defend northern lands’ borders!”

The man presented a jade slip, one that could only come from Sea Bright Sect.

“That’s it?”

Luo Yunhai was puzzled, “Brother Zhuo had us come here to protect northern lands?”

“If it’s just that, the previous preparations mean nothing. We had been better off waiting for death, and happy with it behind our strong defenses. This is unlike Steward Zhuo’s style.” Leng Wuchang held his chin in doubt.

The soldier cupped his hands with a smile, “Luo Clan Head, this order has only been given to you, while the other forces have different tasks.”

“The rest have other orders? What is it?” They all cried out.

Turning heavy, the soldier scanned their faces and spoke, “Grand Marshal ordered for southern lands and eastern lands, along with western lands’ remaining half troops to march towards Sea Bright Sect. You are to kill Invincible Sword Baili Yutian at all costs!”

[What?!]

Sss~

The jaws of Luo leaders hit the ground the same way it did to the oldies back in the sect.

The order had been relayed at the other camps just then, and shouts of shock came without stop.

The Grand Marshal’s third order was pure insanity. He wanted to focus all their efforts into taking down the strongest monster of the five lands, Invincible Sword.

Zhuge Changfeng, Leng Wuchang and You Ming stood dumbstruck then laughed in realization, “I get it now! Steward Zhuo is a genius! Ha-ha-ha…”

Only they laughed, while the rest were still looking like statues, giving them odd looks. 

[What’s going on? Why…]

They looked at them so wild with joy, letting their laughter free, but also sensing sorrow as tears glistened in their eyes. 

“Steward Zhuge…” Luo Yunhai began in worry.

Zhuge Changfeng shook his hand and the trio gradually calmed down, turning bleak even.

“So many years have gone yet Steward Zhuo is still the same. We just can’t surpass him.”

“Yeah…”

“What’s with you three?” Luo Yunhai was bemused.

Zhuge Changfeng bowed to him and sighed, “Clan Head, you know of us having lost to Steward Zhuo back in the day. We’ve been working these years in assisting Clan Head also to compete with him. What he did back then, we could do it too, but now, we have lost in such a way we finally accept the truth. We will never measure up to Steward Zhuo’s one aspect for as long as we live.”

“What?”

“Drive!”

The trio spoke in unison.

Zhuge Changfeng continued with a heavy heart, “Clan Head, what do you think about a beggar being harassed on the street?”

Luo Yunhai gave him a confused look, but seeing their cryptic smiles, he said, “A beggar is being harassed due to his status. If he rises above his station, he will be free of any harassment.”

“Ha-ha-ha, yes, riches can lessen your attackers.” Zhuge Changfeng continued, “Then, Clan Head, what if a merchant was held down by a politician?”

Luo Yunhai was more confused than ever. But he looked at the other’s smile and spoke firmly, “Money can buy anything. Since some politician is pushing against him, the he just has to find a bigger supporter to fight back!”

“Yes, using one’s assets in exchange for even bigger assets and gaining much more, one step at a time. This is what we three have been doing these years.” 

Zhuge Changfeng sighed, his eyes filled with sadness, “From harassed beggars, we became merchants. From oppressed merchants we entered service. But our every progress was met with more suppression, never able to escape it our entire lives. This is who we are. But Steward Zhuo is different from us in this tiny yet crucial aspect. The Luo clan had defeated in ten years all the other houses and wielded all the power in Tianyu. This is something we could never achieve.”

Luo Yunhai’s heart shook, “How is it different?”

“Clan Head, how can a beggar never be harassed in his life?” Zhuge Changfeng smiled as he asked instead of replying.

Luo Yunhai frowned in confusion.

Zhuge Changfeng saw him unresponsive and shouted, “Clan Head, to never be harassed again, one must stand above everyone else. The beggar must become emperor to feel truly safe!”

“How is that possible?” Luo Yunhai was baffled.

Zhuge Changfeng sighed, “Yes, it’s quite the fairytale, isn’t it? But isn’t our Luo Alliance today also a fairytale to the old Luo clan?”

Luo Yunhai pondered and then turned solemn.

“This is where we are different from Steward Zhuo. His drive is unlike any other!”

Leng Wuchang patted Luo Yunhai’s shoulder, “We never actually accepted when he defeated us back then, since we are no less shrewd than he is. The three sages of Tianyu aren’t just for show. Only now do we understand, that our vision isn’t as broad as his. Our horizon is narrow, and our drive weaker.

“The Invincible Sword is the core of the Sword Star Empire. We knew this, but he’s too strong, deterring us from even considering him. The price to pay is just too great, with little chance to succeed. Steward Zhuo had set his eyes on him from the start, burning bridges and abandoning the lands so that he could face the core issue. He has such drive none of us is capable of. Having now been made aware of his plan, we realize the truth. A land has around thirty million men, with half meaning fifteen. Against such a force, Baili Jingwei had no chance of providing timely assistance no matter how desperate.

“While the two lands and a half of soldiers will make close to a hundred million. Invincible Sword is tough, so much so he can handle a land by himself. But what can even he do against the likes of such a combined attack? Using all those countless lives against just one? Who would have the nerve to do this? Not even we considered this course before hearing the order. This is also why the Sword Star Empire will eventually collapse. Steward Zhuo’s order is a master stroke of the ages. I bet that not even Baili Jingwei would dream that Steward Zhuo would take this action!”

Luo Yunhai’s brow shook, then he looked at the starry sky with a smile, “Yes, you stewards are right. I can still remember the day the clan was made of four people, staying in the Veiled Dragon Pavilion, and brother Zhuo coming out to proclaim that the Luo clan will stand at the top. None of us believed him, but now, ha-ha-ha, brother Zhuo is a man who only saw the very peak. There’s nothing he wouldn’t dare or do. That is my brother Zhuo. Luo clan’s first steward is our patron saint!”

The trio nodded in agreement.

“Brother Zhuo had us stop to…”

“Protect us.” Leng Wuchang bowed, “It’s way easier to fight Baili Jingwei and Dragon Cleaving Sword King’s army than going to war with a madman like the Invincible Sword…”

“Yes, you guys sure got the easiest job this time.” the soldier spoke with reverie, “It’s good to have someone left behind in court. Others, I bet, must be sinking in despair from being stuck with hunting Invincible Sword!”

Right on cue, howls of grief tore at the sky and endless tears soaked the earth..