Chapter 376 – Sealed Capital
Translator: StarReader
Editor: Elitecoder
Yun Shuang refused to believe it. She was stiff for a minute and then bolted for Parish.
“Call the elders! We’re going as well!” Zhuo Fan shouted.
Luo Yunchang nodded and called them. Li Jingtian and the power couple arrived. They were around the young miss and princess, protecting them as they went along to Parish.
At the parish, Xiao Dongzi took them to where Yun Xuanji received guests.
But what they saw inside had everyone stunned.
Yun Xuanji was still in his seat, but covered in blood. He was clearly more than a little roughed up. His eyes gouged and his head slumped.
“Grandfather!”
Yun Shuang held the body and cried. Luo Yunchang and the princess were taken in by sadness, going to her to soothe her pain.
Having lost her father as well, Luo Yunchang could relate with Shuang’er’s pain. Her eyes grew red and tears soon fell.
Zhuo Fan watched it all with a critical eye, turning to Li Jingtian, “What do you guys make of this?”
“The Yun clan has stood for a thousand years in Tianyu. Always neutral and respected. Not to mention it is the third pillar. Just who could’ve done this at such a crucial time?” Li Jingtian frowned.
Qiu Yanhai nodded as well, “He’s been reduced to such a state yet everything around him lies undisturbed and clean. That means he was brought here dead. Moreover, were his eyes scooped up because of their ability to see fate?”
“If it were just for the eyes, Yun clan would’ve long since been kidnapped in the past thousand years. The death of Yun Xuanji is for a different reason. And since he died, the killer took his eyes while he was at it to do a little research.”
Gasping, Zhuo Fan spoke with calm, but his mind replayed his encounter with Yun Xuanji. He found Yun Xuanji’s tone odd at the time.
The way he gave his granddaughter away, felt less like gaining a helper rather than fulfilling the old man’s will. [Did he see his end coming?]
Zhuo Fan squinted as his thoughts wandered…
Luo Yunchang said, “You’re all experts. After all this talking, have you found who killed Shuang’er’s grandfather or not?”
Yun Shuang’s sobbing stopped and her ears sharpened. Princess looked interested as well.
“The imperial capital is in troubled waters right now. Who knows who did it?”
Zhuo Fan shrugged, “What matters now is finding a safe place for the Yun clan. Now I know why Yun Xuanji gave me Shuang’er. It was his final wish, having foreseen his own death…”
“It’s all my fault. With grandfather always doing the reading, I never tried doing it on him. If only I’d been more aware…” Yun Shuang’s tears resumed from pain.
The two girls rushed to console her. Zhuo Fan smiled, “Don’t blame yourself. Your grandfather did it with this in mind. For his principles, the High Priest knew he was at his end and chose to go like this. I truly admire his resolve and righteousness. To honor him, I will not only look after you, but your clan as well. Young miss, what do you say?”
“Of course!” Luo Yunchang nodded with resolve.
Yun Shuang wiped her tears, moved by her new sister’s kindness. Then she said to Zhuo Fan, “Forgive me, Steward Zhuo. I always took you for a demon, but you aren’t even a bad man. Thank you…”
“It’s fine. I’m quite the baddie sometimes, you know. Ha-ha-ha…”
Zhuo Fan had a vague smile, “With the imperial capital in unrest and the Yun clan without a leader, it will become the pawn of every player in pursuit for power. I propose that we move the Yun clan to Blackwind Mountain. There, they will be safe. What do you think?”
“It’s great, but… Yun clan has thousands of people. Moving them all will require His Majesty’s approval!” Yun Shuang muttered.
Zhuo Fan gave an evil grin, “Fret not. Have you forgotten who I am? I am the Best Steward Beneath Heavens! Leave it to me.”
He handed Li Jingtian the cape that the emperor gave him, “Elder Li, take this and leave with the Yun clan as quickly as possible. You three will look after them. Once outside the imperial capital, send someone to report what has happened to the Imperial Palace.”
“Understood!”
Li Jingtian nodded and bowed. But used silent transmission when he noticed Zhuo Fan’s look, “Steward Zhuo, when did you become a saint? It’s not your style. Or did you suddenly take a liking to that miss?”
“Stuff it! I’m not that dirty-minded!”
Snorting, Zhuo Fan sent back, “Ignore what happens around you and you’ll soon be knee deep in trouble. Every generation of the Yun clan has had a person that can read fate. With them in dire straits, it is the best chance to use them. You can’t even see something that obvious?”
Li Jingtian got it at last and gave Zhuo Fan a sneaky thumbs up, “Steward Zhuo, you’re stupendous! You’re reaping rewards from the hard work of others…”
“Cut the crapola. They’re here to take the heat, while we reap the fields. If the mastermind knew all his effort was in our favor, he’d probably have blown a gasket, or two, he-he-he…” Zhuo Fan snickered.
Li Jingtian said, “Steward Zhuo, then you know who…”
“Can’t say. But this game… sure is fun.” Zhuo Fan’s eyes shone.
Li Jingtian nodded and obeyed. With Yun Shuang as the Clan Head successor, she was most important. With her explanation, Yun clan accepted the transition, now marching for the Luo clan’s domain.
At the city gates, the guards were about to stop the mass of people, but Li Jingtian unfolded the Best Steward Beneath Heavens cape, shutting them up.
Everyone knew by now that the Luo clan had Zhuo Fan as the Best Steward Beneath Heavens, who was of immense power. He moved the armies and governed the nation’s affairs. A man such as him was not to be stepped on by a bunch of guards.
Hence, under the three elders’ escort, Yun clan left the imperial capital. Ten miles out, they had someone report to the emperor.
“High Priest is dead?!”
The emperor slapped the armrest of his throne, then slumped in it as tears flowed, “High Priest, you’ve helped me and the people so much. How… Now that you left, who will help me? Who will show me the way… “
“Your Majesty, please restrain your grief. The death of the High Priest affects the entire nation. I vow to find the killer and bring him to justice!” Dugu Zhantian cupped his hands.
He was in pain just as well. The High Priest was the one to recommend him to the emperor. But in a time like this, he still kept the attitude of an upright marshal.
Sima Hui advised, “Your Majesty, Marshal Dugu is right. We need to find the culprit. For the third pillar, High Priest, to die in our own backyard, this is a grave insult to our empire. It must be one of those factions. Your Majesty should summon and reprimand them!”
“That’s right. I have put up with those deceitful scoundrels for too long. They’ve gone too far!”
The emperor shouted, “Dugu Zhantian, seal the city! No one gets in or out. Call for the Eight Noble Houses, Zhuge Changfeng, and Yun clan’s survivors. I will question them personally!”
“Understood!”
Dugu Zhantian bowed and rushed outside.
The imperial capital was abuzz. The army moved like lightning in sealing the gates. The small-time merchants were clueless as to the reason and closed up shop as well.
Within minutes, there was not a trace of people on the main street. It had turned into a haunted city!
Zhuo Fan and his people waited in the Yun clan, looking after the body. Hearing the disturbance outside, Zhuo Fan grinned, “Hmm~, music to my ears.”
“Humph, you just want the world to burn!” Yongning scoffed.
Zhuo Fan nodded with a winsome smile, “True, that’s just who I am. How else do you expect me to use my bag full of tricks? And now it’s only rowdy, not a complete stalemate…”
Zhuo Fan’s gaze was sharp and deep….
Meanwhile, on Regent Estate’s side, despite the hubbub outside, Huangpu Tianyuan, Leng Wuchang and the elders sat quite casually in their seats in their hall.
The door burst open and Dugu Lin in heavy armor stomped over. He cupped his hands, “Estate Lord, by His Majesty’s decree, please come to the Imperial Palace!”
“What is it this time? Why all the commotion?” Opening his lazy eyes, Huangpu Tianyuan said.
Dugu Lin’s reply was cold, “High Priest, Yun Xuanji, was killed. His Majesty is tracking down the culprit!”
“The High Priest is dead?!”
All the calm left Huangpu Tianyuan and even Leng Wuchang found it hard to believe.
The news spread like wildfire through the clans, everyone beset with the same reaction.
Among the cries of shock, there were many doubts as well.
[Who in this land dares to strike down the High Priest…]
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