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The Steward Demonic Emperor – Chapter 993, To Each His Own

The cold eyes of Baili Yutian bore into the calm face not far from him, unleashing the rage and power of an undefeated war god, of a being no one could oppose.

Zhuo Fan simply stood in the savage winds with a flat look and eyes so dead one might think nothing held any value to him. It cut this undefeated old man through the fury and to the bone.

[What's this supposed to mean? Is my strength that disparaging to him? Or is it that he doesn't believe that I could deal with him? Is that why there's no fear?]

Baili Yutian's firm resolve began to quiver in hesitation…

"Think it through, Sword Patriarch."

Zhuo Fan's dull tone sounded in his ears, "By order of master, we've come for the sea demon to take it back to the sect and watch the door and not get involved in the secular world's problems, or your nation's affairs. But Sword Patriarch is making it increasingly harder for us to do so."

Baili Yutian's brow shook, his heart a mess.

[You're after the sea demon to watch over the entrance?]

Zhuo Fan boasted even bigger, "If Sword Patriarch still feels the need to go on his course, then we will be forced to wiped you and your team for the sake of our mission."

"Wipe?"

Baili Yutian's ego was once again pricked, sneering, "You talk a big game. Devil Mountain might be filled with experts, but my clan isn't a pushover. Here, before you, are my clan's strongest. How are you going to wipe them?"

Zhuo Fan took a deep breath, then sighed in disappointment, "You poor ignorant mortals, utterly blind to the vastness this world has. I had some hope for you, who stand at the top of the mortal domain, expecting you to at least glimpse into the truth, but you just proved to me how utterly clueless you are of your inferiority, and with such arrogance too.

"Devil Mountain will remove you to the last one, no exceptions, the same way it did with the five sects in western lands. It is hard by myself to get you all so I will just have to use the treasure master left me. It was meant for the North Sea demon and would be a bit of a waste using it on you, but since mortals are so ignorant they insist on damning themselves…"

Zhuo Fan held out his hand and the Thunder Ring flickered, releasing an aura of dread and horror, ready to unleash apocalypse.

Baili Yutian's heart jumped, his brow soaked.

He knew next to nothing about Devil Mountain's power and this unknown made it all the more terrifying to him, further amplified through Zhuo Fan's casual act and the seven-year-old girl's insane strength.

For the first time, this unrestrained Invincible Sword felt utter regret.

He had been too impulsive, letting anger get the best of him because of his wounded pride. The fact that this man before him had something that could deal with the sea demon, then using it on his group couldn't be easier.

Especially since the man said that it could wipe them all out…

Baili Yutian was sweating buckets, with his Sword Kings looking grave and scared as they staggered backward.

They now had another figure to fear besides the Invincible Sword, and he unleashed his power on them…

"Invincible Sword Baili Yutian, it was nice knowing you, while it last…" Zhuo Fan regarded him with dead eyes as his ring shone in a golden curtain of light, unleashing its scorching heat.

Baili Yutian was frantic in stopping him, "Wait, hold on!"

"Why, does Sword Patriarch have any last words?"

"By peak of mortal domain, did you mean there's something beyond the Genesis Stage?" Baili Yutian stared hard at him.

Smiling, Zhuo Fan nodded, "Of course, from mortality through spirituality, imperial, saintly and sovereignty, the five realms of rebirth, reaching the Genesis Stage starting from birth will only comprise the mortal realm or domain. By going beyond this stage can you shed the mortal coil and into the Spirit King Stage, wielding the power of the skies and having endless lifespan, casting away The Five Declines of Heaven and Man. Sickness and aging will no longer plague, only divine tribulation. And this is but the first and meager step on the path of true cultivation. And by stepping into the Sovereign Stage, you shall be immortal, undying and indestructible. Those reaching such fabled profound cultivation have been few and far in between."

(StarReader: it refers to a concept from Buddhist philosophy, the five realms of existence in the cycle of rebirth or samsara. Each realm is associated with a particular type of existence and level of consciousness; the realm of gods(heaven), realm of humans, realm of animals, realm of hungry ghosts and the realm of hell.)

"There's a stage that high?" Baili Yutian shuddered at the news, while the other Sword Kings were left speechless.

Zhuo Fan chuckled, "Sword Patriarch, anything else you'd like to ask? No? Let's continue."

"Hold on!"

Baili Yutian waved his hands around once again. Having heard such a huge secret, his usually dead heart throbbed in his chest, his eyes eager, "What is Devil Mountain? Does it have people that have overcome the mortal domain?"

Zhuo Fan shook his head, "That's a secret and can't tell you. But since you're about to die it won't make a difference…"

Zhuo Fan mocked.

Baili Yutian hesitated before withdrawing his aura with a shake of his head.

"I see that Sword Patriarch wishes to live long enough to find his own answer."

Zhuo Fan nodded and put down his arm, the ring's glow fading, "Though let me give you a piece of advice. When you're probing for answers, tread lightly, as some things are better left alone. Just like the sea demon, needing power beyond the mortal domain to be reined in. You're best avoiding him."

Baili Yutian sighed and bowed, "Thank you sir for the advice. I shall. I only came here for the Heaven Sealing Sword and have no intention of offending the demon. When the day comes that I understand the sword path enough to overcome the mortal domain, I hope to pay Devil Mountain a visit. May I have the honor of seeing your Overlord?"

"Fate will decide."

Zhuo Fan smiled, "Devil Mountain's disciples roam the world to train, before returning to the mountain and inheriting master's legacy. If Sword Patriarch comes across another disciple the next time, you may have the chance of peering into the sect!"

Baili Yutian looked downcast but nodded with cupped hands, "Devil Mountain's disciples go into the world to learn and don't meddle in the mortals' affairs. Not to mention sir said to have come for the sea demon. To each his own, right?"

Baili Yulei's heart sank as he looked at Baili Yutian, but lowered his head.

While it looked like an agreement, it was more of a request, one coming from the lands' strongest Invincible Sword. This would have never happened ever.

Baili Yutian was a man of immense pride.

However, here and now, the Devil Mountain proved to be of such uncanny might and had people that have gone beyond the realm of mortals. It came at no surprise for Baili Yutian to take the initiative to go for such an agreement.

"Absolutely!"

Zhuo Fan grinned from ear to ear, "Devil Mountain's disciple are always inconspicuous as they travel the mortal world and don't meddle in anyone's problems. With the northern lands under such tight guard, we don't wish to draw any attention either. Devil Mountain is a hidden sect and we wish to keep it that way. So long as sir does not bother us, neither will we mind the lands' affairs."

Baili Yutian eased a breath, finally at ease.

"Sword Patriarch, may I leave now?"

"Uh, please, go right ahead."

Zhuo Fan smiled, having reached his goal. Baili Yutian bowed as he gestured with respect.

Everyone else was dumbstruck. Since when was their Patriarch so respectful to anyone?

Whoosh~

A white figure suddenly flashed over, Frigid Rain Sword King Bali Yuyu.

Clueless as to what transpired, she sneered and threatened Zhuo Fan, "Rotten punk, you think that useless Sun Sea Sect could save you? Humph, in your dreams! Now I'll make sure to send you all to oblivion!"

"Stop!"

She turned back to see who shouted at her and saw her Patriarch standing there.

Startled, Bali Yuyu immediately bowed, "Patriarch, he is that sneaky brat calling himself Devil Mountain's disciple. He must've earned your ire, Patriarch, but you don't have to lower to his level. I will handle him myself!"

Bali Yuyu pointed again, ready to strike and exact revenge.

A bam resounded just then and she was thrown into the air like a ragdoll. She was forced to cough blood, mixing with the snowflakes and turning them red…

To be continued