Chapter 857: One Step Back Two Steps Forward

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: Papatonks

As the laughter grew faint in the distance, the auras of the guards faded as well. The trio watched them go with a sigh of relief.

Now, close the door and see her out.

Zhuo Fan clapped and said. Young Sanzi woke up and pulled the girl posing as his mom outside.

Gu Santong didnt use force, just playing the role of a child. Anything else and hed be throwing her out.

The girl was stunned, What are you doing?

What, you ask? Humph

Zhuo Fan glared at her, Didnt you hear senior? Meeting any homeless

Wandering Gu Santong added.

s.h.i.+fty

Repulsive

Guilty-looking people The father and son finished together as they stared at the girl, Anyone suspicious is to be reported to the Flying Cloud manor! You should be thankful were only kicking you out!

The two threw her out like nothing then shut the door behind her.

She only woke up from her daze when she was outside. But seeing the door shut, anger burned in her gaze and she kicked the door open.

The two held the door and pretended to be shaken from the impact by staggering back. They looked at her in panic, W-what are you doing? The guards are just around the corner!

What of it? Thats more than enough time to end your lives! The girl glared.

Zhuo Fan shuddered in fake fear, then wailed, Big sister, we dont know each other. Us two have been drifters for years before finally coming to the central area, avoiding western lands pursuit, and starting a new life. We dont want any trouble. I dont know if youre related to the guards search, but for our safety, please leave! Take it as a returned favor for saving your life. Please dont drag us into this.

The girl looked hard at the two, biting her lip.

But then she asked, Hey, was what you said true?

What did I say?

About you and your wife. Did the sect break you up? What about your wife?

Startled, Zhuo Fan didnt think shed be hung up on that in this critical situation. But it was also related to Zhuo Fans pain.

Zhuo Fan mocked all of a sudden, As if! To get them to ignore you, I made that on the spot. While I cast out my wife for better things and a brighter future. Shes just a hindrance, thats all. She should be having the time of her life

Pa!

The girl gave him a heavy slap in anger.

You rotten b.a.s.t.a.r.d, Ill kill you for your wifes sake!

Her sword was once again pointing at Zhuo Fans throat.

Zhuo Fan waved his hands frantically, Wait, wait, attack now and the guards will hear you. And Im your savior. Attacking me is being ungrateful!

Humph, Ill spare you for now, but pray we never meet again!

The sword shook and the girl roared as she sped away, Ill never stay a second in a b.a.s.t.a.r.ds place, or Ill end up as vile as you!

Seeing her vanish in the nights sky, her curses growing faint, the duo shared a crafty smile.

Dad, are you just going to let her leave after all the trouble of saving her?

Leave? Where would she go?

Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow, Did you forget why the guards came? They are combing through the city. The Flying Cloud manor wants to have eyes on every corner in the city, on every citizen. The taverns are the most conspicuous, with no way of hiding under such heavy monitoring.

Leaving, her? Ha-ha-ha, as long as shes in Flying Cloud City, shell soon come back here. Shes got no choice.

Gu Santong nodded but wanted more details, But even so, why did we drive her out? Isnt it over the top?

Not at all, this is psychological warfare. One step back, two steps forward.

Zhuo Fans eyes glinted, We didnt kick her out because of her, but the people behind her. Think about it. Since we saved her, but by also hiding her, then well become suspicious about having our own designs. Maybe her people will think that were on the guards side, baiting them to come out. That will make gaining their trust harder.

Now though, we kicked her out, like scared average cultivators avoiding trouble, making saving her just a coincidence. As time pa.s.ses, those people will be pushed into a corner by the guards monitoring and would think of using us. When in fact were using them. The roles reverse as the schemes become twisted from every little detail, giving us the perfect win.

Gu Santong nodded inside, I see it now. You know she cant go anywhere so might as well kick her out. All so the people behind her would come, right?

Ha-ha-ha, exactly. Nows just a matter of time. Zhuo Fan closed the heavy door and took Gu Santong behind the house, Young Sanzi, where have you gone the last three days? I didnt see you at all.

Around town, but since they took me for a child, they didnt let me enter many places. You said I couldnt force my way in so

Ill take you there tomorrow, what do you say?

Truly?

Of course, were waiting for news now so we can afford some leisure, ha-ha-ha Zhuo Fan smiled at the child.

Gu Santong was overjoyed.

On the second day, Zhuo Fan took Gu Santong to every known place in Flying Cloud City. They played around, had fun, not thinking about anything, not bothering with anyone.

On the third day, Zhuo Fan and Gu Santong went to enjoy the local cuisine and the fine dishes, relis.h.i.+ng in these rare father-son moments. They put their plan behind them.

So it went for ten days, carefree and relaxed. Only that night, when Gu Santong was skipping towards home with Zhuo Fan smiling behind, the sudden sight stunned them.

The same girl ten days ago was now back, only this time she looked far more downcast.

She hesitated upon seeing them.

Zhuo Fans face twitched, faking shock, Big sister, what are you doing here?

Dont just shout!

Her jade sword was out and pointing at Zhuo Fan, though looking awkward as she had to shout with hatred, Listen here, Ill be staying here from now on. You cant kick me out nor report me. Try anything of sorts and Ill kill you!

[The la.s.s was forced for sure to come back against her will.]

The father and son mocked her inwardly.

[Where can an Ethereal Stage cultivator hide in a city with Soul Harmony patrols? Instead of acting nice to get a place to stay, youre like a thug stealing it.]

[Would you have been so tough when you left back then if you knew? Would you have still burnt your bridges, ha-ha?]

Zhuo Fan sighed, Miss, I get youre back, but can you not shout at us? Im not one to look for trouble, but since our lives are in your hands, I dont have a choice. But where did that gentle and kind miss from ten days ago go? How did you become a shrew stooping so low as to steal someones home?

Shuddering, the girl looked hurt at his words, feeling like the victim instead.

You dare say that when you kicked me out?

The girl raged, Do you know what I did these ten days? Skulking like a rat in the streets, scared that every person I met would call the guards. I couldnt go to a tavern, I couldnt stay in another place from fear of being found. Flying Cloud City is so huge yet there is no place that can have me. All Ive done is run and run, in constant fear. If I hadnt come back, theyd have found me. Yet you call me a shrew

The girl broke down crying.

Zhuo Fan sighed inside.

[She kicked herself out. But only by encountering despair on the streets would she be willing to come back here]