CHAPTER 288: CHAPTER 5 WATER_3

Just as I’ve told you all before, I don’t want any devious schemes complicating our relationship. Even though I’m a manga artist, in this role here, it feels as though I’m being roasted over hot coals.

"Sometimes, I wish I were a manga character, just like you, a part of your group. That way, I might not have so many other worries on my mind.

"Apologies, I’m not feeling too well tonight. I didn’t want to come out, but I knew you were waiting for me. My thoughts are a little messy, and so is my speech; please bear with me."

The Demon Kings’ eyes wandered, their gazes meeting. The more they listened, the more confused they became. However, they could increasingly sense My lord’s sincerity at this moment. It was a contradiction, wasn’t it? Indeed, it was a profound contradiction.

Maybe My lord really has caught a cold...

It felt as though I had returned to my studio from my past life. The waste bin was filled with tissues from blowing my nose, and next to it sat a cold remedy I was afraid to drink because it would make me drowsy. All the while, I endured the dizziness as I rushed to finish the manga drafts. Manuscripts produced under such conditions would naturally be a bit messy. Yet, it’s often at times like these that one can forget excessive techniques and presentation styles, simply and purely expressing one’s own thoughts.

Blind Bei had been listening silently. Initially, he was trying to discern if My lord’s behavior and words today were some kind of act.

Then, Blind Bei no longer dwelled on this question. If My lord’s display was an act, it proved this pack leader had already grown his fangs. If it wasn’t, then there was no need to dwell on it further.

"I want to play. Although I don’t have a goal, I feel I should find one. However, I’m well aware that without strength or power, we won’t even have the freedom to search for the meaning of survival in this world.

"At the same time, I also want to try being a cut above the rest, just for the simple, willful desire to be so. I don’t want to live as hard a life as they do.

"I think, for us to live more freely and have more fun in the future, I should first truly speak my mind to you all.

"I didn’t dare say these things before because I was afraid of you, or perhaps I hadn’t thought about them so deeply then.

"Now, it’s not that I have the confidence or qualification to say them, but rather, I genuinely want to treat you as family.

"I only drew Mo Wan; the rest of you were my partners’ creations. But please believe me, when I continued your stories, my feelings were genuine. Most of our studio’s works were banned then, so we couldn’t make money from you anymore.

"Things done for money aren’t always driven by passion, but things done for no money usually are.

"Let’s not be suspicious of each other anymore, and stop overthinking things with all sorts of complicated intentions. You don’t have to try and figure out my intentions, and I won’t try to figure out yours.

"If you have any questions, just ask. If you have anything to say, just say it.

"Let’s all strive to live a little more happily and comfortably in this world.

"It’s a dog-eat-dog world. We can go out and prey on others, but at home... no, I mean, I want a real home.

"Just like in Hutou City and here in Green Willow Fortress, every time I return from a long trip, I feel like I’m coming home.

"You can continue to call me ’My lord,’ but you don’t have to truly regard me as your lord.

"Sorry.

"My head really isn’t feeling well. Damn it, does this Eighth Rank Martial Cultivator not even have resistance to a common cold?"

Zheng Fan cleared his throat, pointed to the tea placed before him, and said, "Siniang, pour a cup of tea for everyone."

Siniang nodded, rose, and walked to the front, beginning to pour tea for each person.

Zheng Fan raised his teacup. The tea was long cold.

"I’m not one for formalities, but the older I get, the more I understand a certain truth: some formalities simply can’t be skipped. Oh, right, Blind Bei?"

"I’m here, My Lord."

"Is there also a possibility that if I die, you all might die too?"

Blind Bei nodded and said, "Yes, that’s highly probable."

"Heh, that’s good. It’s a shame I only have one life, so I can’t let you test it out. However, Blind Bei, I still believe that even without this possibility, that day at the post station outside Yin City, you and San’er wouldn’t have abandoned me to save yourselves. Doing so would have been utterly dull and uninteresting."

Blind Bei thought for a moment, then said, "That’s true."

"Right, San’er?" Zheng Fan looked at Xue Three.

Xue Three sighed and said, "My Lord, we all came to this world together. If you died there and we just snuck off, that would be truly underhanded and utterly pointless."

"Exactly, that’s how it is. Today, let’s embrace a bit of formalism. Let this tea be wine. Bottoms up."

The seven people present raised their teacups together and drained them.

"Alright. Starting tomorrow, let’s face the new day, face this world, and face our new lives with all our hearts. My speech is over. Thank you, everyone."

Everyone began to clap. The applause wasn’t very enthusiastic, nor was it particularly heartfelt. It wasn’t deliberately done to play along either; they simply felt that applause was called for at this moment.

Zheng Fan placed his hand on his left chest and said, "Actually, there’s one thing where I think I’m more fortunate than them. For Lord Jingnan, the Earl of North Border, and our Emperor to be able to stand together is truly no easy feat—it’s practically a miracle in political history.

"I don’t know how they affirm this trust with one another, nor do I know if they’ve ever been startled awake in their beds at night by doubts. But I can prove it. I can prove that what I’ve said tonight comes from the heart, and I can also prove that I truly believe in you.

"And I must say, I’ve actually grown rather fond of this bond."

Zheng Fan closed his eyes, his left hand still resting on his chest.

The next moment, six powerful auras erupted!

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PS: Dragon has a cold, plus he was rushing home today, so he’s feeling a bit sluggish. There will be another Chapter before 1 a.m., no worries.