The Steward Demonic Emperor

one’s deliberations, when seeking to determine the conditions obtaining in the field.
These are: The Moral Law, Heaven, Earth…”

(Starreader: excerpt from Sun Tzu’s Art of War.)

 

A bright voice read.

 

Dugu Zhantian’s faltered his steps, “That’s the Art of War.
Who is reading?”

 

“Oh, I almost forgot.
Young master had been training for twenty hours.
He needs some rest!” Zhuo Fan slapped his forehead and rushed in another direction.
He was unconcerned about the others following him, though.

 

Dugu Zhantian’s group followed either way.

 

They arrived at a small yard where a youth held a bowl on his head and in horse stance.
His knees and hands also held a bowl, but the surface of the water was unperturbed.

 

What laid under his butt was a shining dagger.
If his legs slacked for even a second, he’d tear himself a new one.
Despite the danger, he was still reciting the Art of War.

 

Dugu Zhantian was puzzled, “Steward Zhuo, he…”

 

“Ha-ha-ha, Luo clan’s young master, Luo Yunhai!”

 

Zhuo Fan chuckled, “From young to old, all of Luo clan admires Marshal Dugu.
All of us adhere to military doctrine.
Especially the young master, who is training while studying, hoping to one day to serve under the Marshal!”

 

Dugu Zhantian blinked, [Why is the Clan Head of this Luo clan with his impressive soldiers wish to be under me? Everything about this clan is mysterious.
Just what are they after?]

 

Zhuo Fan probed with a smile, “Marshal, will you accept our young master?”

 

“Uh, of course.
If the youth wishes to serve his nation, to enter the battlefield…”

 

“Perfect!”

 

Zhuo Fan’s yell cut him off.
He then pulled Luo Yunhai up, “Yunhai, don’t just stand there, Marshal Dugu wants to take you in.
Go and pour him tea!”

 

“Right away!”

 

Luo Yunhai ran like the wind, like a bird out of its cage.
[Finally out of that damn position.
I almost couldn’t take it!]

 

Dugu Zhantian felt dizzy, [Wait, you’re going to make me accept him here?]

 

“Uh, Steward Zhuo, that was…”

 

“Marshal Dugu needn’t say anything.
My Clan Head would be immensely pleased to know you showed such care for young master.
He will be grateful for all his life.
You may not know it, but this was our Clan Head’s cherished dream…”

 

Zhuo Fan held Dugu Zhantian’s large hand, with tears in his eyes.
Dugu Zhantian wanted to refuse, but now he didn’t have the heart to go through with it.

 

[Isn’t it just a soldier? He isn’t half bad either.
Perhaps he’ll earn some merits in the future.
It’s just taking one extra recruit anyway.] Sighing, he nodded in the end.

 

Then a screech came, “Marshal Dugu, it’s actually you?”

 

Luo Yunchang appeared who knew when and was shaking from excitement.

 

Zhuo Fan’s face was twitching.
[Tone it down on the boasting!]

 

“Steward Zhuo, she…”

 

“Uh, let me introduce you.
She is our young miss, Luo Yunchang!” Zhuo Fan brought her before Dugu Zhantian and explained what happened.

 

Luo Yunchang’s eyes lit up, jumping in joy, completely out of her modest and virtuous character.

 

Zhuo Fan’s mouth twitched as he whispered, “Alright now, don’t push it!”

 

Luo Yunchang reigned in her excitement then apologized to Dugu Zhantian, who didn’t seem to mind.

 

But the four generals looked particularly close at Luo Yunchang.
Especially the third brother, whose eyes were practically burning.

 

Zhuo Fan laughed inside.

 

[Yep, she is no less than Diaochan.
And Luo Yunchang is also a rare beauty.]

(Starreader: Fictional character in Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
Diaochan is one of the four beauties of ancient China.
She is a maid of Dong Zhuo who charmed Lu Bu into assassinating him in 192.
)

 

Zhuo Fan turned to Dugu Zhantian, “Marshal Dugu, taking young master in is the greatest joy that ever graced the Luo clan.
Why not make it even better by becoming kin?”

 

Kin?!

 

Stunned by those words, the four generals looked at Luo Yunchang with blushes.
Dugu Zhantian rubbed his beard and looked expectantly at her, “I don’t know if Clan Head will agree…”

 

“No worries, dad would definitely agree.
It is his cherished wish!” Luo Yunchang rushed a reply.

 

Dugu Zhantian saw his godsons bashful but hardly refusing.
Dugu Huo had it worse, like a volcano ready to blow.

 

Dugu Zhantian recalled how his godsons had fought by his side for decades and thought it was time for them to start a family.
So he nodded, “Since Clan Head agrees, then I’m more than happy to do it!”

 

The four generals clenched their fists, so excited they were trembling.
But who was the one to marry this young miss?

 

Zhuo Fan’s eyes flashed and showed a sly smile.

 

Luo Yunhai now came with the tea and saw Zhuo Fan nodding.
He kneeled as he offered the teacup to Dugu Zhantian.

 

Dugu Zhantian’s mind was filled with the joy of a wedding, taking the cup in passing.

 

But at that moment, Luo Yunhai’s voice slammed into their ears, “Luo Yunhai greets godfather!”

 

Pff!

 

Dugu Zhantian staggered, as he spat out the tea he just drank…