The Steward Demonic Emperor

Chapter 1130: Shock and Awe

Proofreader: Papatonks

Qin Hao looked at everyone’s shocked faces with a vile smirk, cupping his hands to drive in his disdain, “Everyone, I’ve picked out Pyrocloud with nothing but care to give the Alliance Leader. I couldn’t just bring something random, not at such an important event as a grand birthday.”

[Curses, there’s hardly any 12th grade spiritual weapons in the world and you say you’re careful? Like you own piles of them, damn show-off!]

The people grumbled inside, but the glittering spiritual sword pulled their heartstrings harder.

Qin Hao was acting like he just came into new money, though it did come with perks. Upstarts were blinded by money and would guarantee to get all his buddies stuff too. No one was a saint, so in times when one needed help, they would be more than happy to squander money, which went double for upstarts. 

“Alliance Leader Luo and I have our differences, but I know to look past them. I give nothing but respect by offering this 12th grade spiritual weapon.” 

Qin Hao knew those looks and grinned, gesturing to offer the scarlet weapon to Luo Yunhai with his eerie gaze.

Luo Yunhai’s eye twitched, hesitating as he watched that insufferable and gloating smirk.

Taking it means losing this bout. Qin Hao was no guest here and barged in just to give him a gift. All signs told to refuse it, since accepting meant greed. 

[The Luo Alliance yearns for Qin Society’s stuff and this will strike at their reputation once word spreads to every corner.] 

While refusing, let Qin Hao win. The guy had qualms about throwing such a beauty away, with how rare they were. But since it was all an act and made the Luo Alliance look bad, the sword had lost its value with all his goals checked out.

Accepting it meant a stain on the Luo Alliance’s name. Not taking it was playing into his hand, having robbed the limelight while also keeping his precious.

The Luo Alliance was going to lose some, without a doubt.

Luo Yunhai’s face twitched, sighing as he spoke, “Society Head, I appreciate your generosity, but it’s too precious of a gift to accept.”

“It is? Then I’ll be sure to bring a cheaper one next time, ha-ha-ha…” Qin Hao went for the kill, putting away the sword without a qualm while sending scornful looks at the people behind Luo Yunhai. Luo Yunhai glared at him hard. 

Qin Hao cupped his hands to the other guests and laughed, “I have one more great news to bring on Alliance Leader’s auspicious day. On the 10th of May next year I shall hold my 260th birthday. Everyone is invited. You’d give me much honor with your presence there. And Alliance Leader Luo, I know you did not give me an invite to yours, but I am most willing to give one to you. Please accept it once Qin Society presents it with utmost respect. I’m getting excited just thinking what your gift might be, especially how much bigger the Luo Alliance is compared to Qin Society, ha-ha-ha…”

“Let’s go!”

Qin Hao strutted out of the hall, like a winner. He finally one-upped the Luo Alliance and crushed their name. 

Luo Yunhai’s group had dark looks, fists clenched, jaws set. The guests blinked between the sides.

[No one likes being dissed by an underdog.]

Whoosh~

Three youths blocked Qin Hao, shouting, “Hold up, old man!”

“Who dares to block the path of the Qin Society Head?”

The rugged man’s first reaction was to shout and attack, but Qin Hao raised his hand to hold him back. He looked closer and sneered, “Look who it is, if it isn’t the Luo Alliance’s young miss and the two noble sons. What can I do for you?” 

Luo Sifan, Long Jianshan and Xie Nianyang had been rushing for three months to make it to the Alliance Leader’s celebration on time.

But seeing this old guy crashing the party, they were furious.

Luo Sifan beamed, “Uncle Qin, did you come to congratulate father? Why are you leaving with your gift then? Is it normal to bring it then take it away?”

“Ha-ha-ha, dear child, it’s your dad who thought little of it so I can only take it back. I wish not to darken the Luo Alliance Leader’s day so I chose to leave sooner, ha-ha-ha…”

“Really, dad didn’t like it? Can I take a look?” 

“Go right ahead, child, but I’m sure it’s nothing to fuss over. Since you’re the Luo Alliance young miss, you must’ve seen many greater things than this. It won’t look nice, being so overwhelmed over something so little, ha-ha-ha…” 

Qin Hao’s eyes held nothing but contempt, then opened the box with utter glee once more, eager to see Luo Alliance young miss’ dumb look of shock.

Pyrocloud’s glory was once more shed into the world, making everyone’s heart race. The kids stared hard as well.

Pa!

The lid closed shut and the world dimmed just a little. Qin Hao snickered at Luo Sifan, “Young miss Luo, have you seen something like this?”

“You call that great? No wonder dad rejected that junk.”

Luo Sifan slanted her head and smirked, “Your poker is so-so, but it’s natural for dad to shun it. But looking at you and how you’re really getting on in your years, but yet to be met with such cordiality at your thoughtful gift, I’ll take it instead. Just leave it and go.” 

“Sifan!”

Luo Yunhai snapped at her. He could not take the gift no matter what, or the world would think the worst of them. Luo Yunchang and Yue’er were giving her obvious looks to back off.

The girl ignored him, staring into Qin Hao’s eyes with a glimmer in hers. 

Qin Hao laughed and nodded, “Oh my, my treasure is nothing to the Luo Alliance Leader but quite important to the young miss I see. I just can’t tell who’s the blind one here. Luo Alliance Leader, do you really want the gift?”

Qin Hao turned to Luo Yunhai, taunting, but he got no response, only a dark look.

Pa!

Luo Sifan yanked the box and placed it on a table with glee, “Enough yapping about and give it already. I told you I’ll take your little bauble.”

“Sifan, what do you think you’re doing?” Luo Yunhai roared, to which Qin Hao mocked, “So Luo Alliance Leader does care about little old me’s gift. Then what was the point of that noble act just now? Ha-ha-ha…”

Luo Yunhai’s mouth shook, about to spit blood. Qin Hao’s laugh turned into a cackle.

“Old man, why would dad care about some toothpick? I just can’t bear to see you come all this way just to be shot down. That’ll be so unfair to you.” 

Luo Sifan snarked, “We have more than enough junk like that around for the Luo Alliance to care. Even my gift ends up better than yours.”

Luo Sifan’s hand shone and a blue sword dazzled the eyes with its azure aura. They all gasped, even the nine sect leaders. 

[T-that sword…]

“12th grade top…” Yan Mo muttered.

Wen Tao wiped his brow, his heart stirring, “Not just top, but perfect! I’ve never seen a spiritual weapon having such an aura. It’s one with the world. That’s why the girl looked down on Pyrocloud. It’s scrap by comparison…”

Everyone bobbed their heads.

Qin Hao’s winning look got crushed and his body shook all over in disbelief.

[H-how on earth? The Luo Alliance actually has a divine weapon like the unique ones of every land?]

Luo Sifan bowed, her turn to look smug, moving to present the sword to Luo Yunhai, “This is Everblue, 1.88 meters, 4.9 kg, symbolizing the auspicious number nine, the best of its kind. You represent benevolence, enact justice, steer the world, and lead the people. My friends and I looked long and hard before choosing the most fitting sword for father. May you live forever and ever, father. Happy birthday!”

Having it pointed out, the people woke up and noticed the perfect 12th grade spiritual weapon was a best fit for Luo Yunhai’s style, unlike the raw Pyrocloud of before.

[Now this is a thoughtful pick!]

[Does that mean the Luo Alliance has so many of them that they could spare time on these details? Are they filthy rich?]

[Is there no bottom to their wealth?]

All eyes widened in shock, even Qin Hao, looking agape with his heart in pieces.

[Curses, now the Luo Alliance is better than the Double Dragon Manor? Why the hell are we still messing with them…]