PATH OF THE STAR HUNTER

295 Chapter 295 A Man of Terrifying Thoughts

“That is an interesting fruit, even by my standards; Am I to assume that my daughter’s recent increase in strength is related to this fruit? ” Showing a very brief hint of surprise in his eyes, Miao Taolong expressed a fairly accurate conjecture with the same flat tone of voice that he had used since they started the conversation.

Likewise, Desmond responded with the same serious and slightly playful tone that was so characteristic of his part: “A rather acute observation, I assumed that even someone of your status would find this little treasure quite satisfactory.”

“And you are not wrong, it is enough of a reason for your life to stop being at stake for the death of Feng Sho” Miao Taolong replied still trying to establish dominance and control over the conversation through fear while the pressure emanating from his body strengthened for an instant before fading.

Of course, Desmond’s expression didn’t change one bit even then, it couldn’t be helped, as powerful as Miao Taolong was; he was still far less powerful than the archangel Desmond observed on his journey to the forest of Serefia.

“We can leave the matter of Feng Sho’s death for later, after all, I still don’t know if you will continue to be upset by the matter for when this conversation is over” Desmond expressed with a playful smile on his lips growing with a slight hint of bloodthirst.

Noticing the lack of expression on Desmond’s face, Miao Taolong couldn’t help but recognize the young man’s mettle causing his interest to grow by a margin when he asked, “In that case why don’t you declare your intentions?”

Feeling that perhaps it was time to stop mulling it over, Desmond shrugged out of habit and declared, “In that case, I come here to discuss your daughter’s marriage.”

Simple and direct was Desmond’s answer but the unknowns left behind were significant especially considering that he had said not long ago that he was not interested in being Miao Xiauyue’s suitor but now he was talking about marriage.

Perhaps having the same doubts Miao Taolong did not hesitate to comment: “I thought you were not interested in marrying her”

.....

At that moment it was not only Miao Taolong who was waiting for Desmond’s answer but it was also Mei Fei Long and Miao Xiauyue who gave the young hunter an inquiring look.

Helpless Desmond had to give an honest answer despite how much he would like to stay out of this particular issue: “I am interested, of course, I am interested, I would not be a man if it were not like that, your daughter is one of the more beautiful women than I have seen in my life with more talents to appreciate than those that stand out to the sight ”

Hearing this far, Miao Xiauyue couldn’t help but blush with some shyness in her expression, something her father noticed quickly even if he didn’t show any change in his expression. Mei Fei Long on her part only nodded acknowledging that everything Desmond said was true.

Ignoring the expression on the faces of everyone around him, Desmond continued: “But I don’t come here as a suitor to his daughter... I come here as his friend.”

“Oh, that’s interesting because you still want to talk about marriage” Miao Xiauyue’s father interrupted with a slightly mocking tone not believing much of what Desmond had said.

But Desmond did not care about the man’s tone and simply continued with his part: “As a friend of Miao Xiauyue, her marriage is something that interests me. Especially when her family plans to hand her over as a cheap trophy for anyone who wins in the small tournament that they are organizing in conjunction with the other sects.”

Even Miao Taolong couldn’t help but be a bit annoyed when Desmond touched his sore spot so directly but showing the attitude a leader should have, he managed to control his anger and replied: “And I guess you have something to say.”

“Of course, I do so, as a friend of both ladies here I could not sit idly by ... that’s why I came to make marriage arrangements for both of them” Desmond replied with his playful smile, stepping back, giving way to a more serious expression as he gave a meaningful look to Miao Xiauyue’s father.

But it was not Miao Taolong who was the first to respond to Desmond’s outrageous statement but it was Xiauyue who stepped forward with an alarmed expression as she yelled, “Desmond, what do you think you are doing?”

Only to be silenced by the pressure exerted on her by her father while the ever-steady voice of the man only exclaimed: “Silence”

Xiauyue didn′t dare to disobey her father who had never treated her that way so she took a step back only to feel a warm hand from her taking hers firmly.

The interaction of both girls of course didn′t escape Miao Taolong’s eyes but he did not comment on it and took the pressure off the room.

“It seems you knew about your daughter’s inclinations” Desmond commented slightly surprised by Miao Taolong’s lack of reaction.

“What kind of father would I be if I didn’t know?” The man in question replied.

To which Desmond replied, “What kind of man lets his daughter’s marriage be decided by his enemies?”

“I will not be judged by a child.” Unable to tolerate Desmond’s constant provocations, Miao Taolong exclaimed aloud as the pressure in the room reached an alarming level where the wood on the floor began to creak.

Noticing that perhaps he had pushed his luck too far, Desmond did not hesitate to change the subject: “Then would you let a child help you?”

“How?” Miao Taolong replied annoyed but intrigued.

To which Desmond responded with a dangerous smile, “How about I give you a pretext, a scapegoat, an insurance, and we arrange a wedding?”

Now with his curiosity stimulated Miao Taolong only replied: “Explain”

“Well, let’s say we have a pretext, something like the death of an important sect member like an experienced blacksmith,” Desmond began to explain as he brought back Feng Sho’s head.

“And suppose we have a scapegoat, it could be one of the sects that suffered the greatest losses during this harvest festival, a sect that already has a bad reputation and happens to be currently residing in the confines of our sect due to the marriage event of Xiauyue, “Desmond continued as he produced a pair of bloody emblems with the image of a black scorpion.

Just hearing this far was enough for Miao Taolong’s pupils to dilate, even if he didn’t know where Desmond was going with his plan, what he had heard so far was already significant enough.

Ignoring Miao Taolong’s expression, Desmond produced a second set of bloody emblems that are quite familiar to Miao Xiauyue and her father; although Mei also remembered seeing that emblem somewhere recently

Pointing to the emblems Desmond explained: “And let’s say someone helped these assassins, someone with the influence and resources as well as the motives to weaken the sect masters faction during an event that person organized.”

At that point Miao Taolong had to swallow hard as he looked apprehensively at the man in front of him, it was not about Desmond’s plan being infallible or anything like that but rather that the plan was extremely treacherous and sinister.

“Ignoring whether or not these tests are sufficient to deal with my second brother and his faction, the bloody scorpion sect will not remain silent and even if it does, the other sects still will not let go of the issue of my daughter’s marriage, there are too many benefits involved “Miao Taolong argued finding some vulnerabilities in Desmond’s plan.

To his surprise, Desmond did not seem annoyed as someone pointed out the shortcomings in his plan, and instead, he only replied while pointing to the ancient book on the table from where he pulled out an additional sheet that didn′t appear to belong to the book: “This is why we need an insurance”

Regarding the book, Miao Xiauyue and Mei Fei Long recognized it, it was that ancient alchemy book that they got in the forest of a thousand beasts, it’s just that none of them expected Desmond to take it out now as part of their bargaining chips.

Giving a second glance at the objects on the table, Miao Taolong replied, “And this is it?”

“Perks, good enough to make the other sects forget the subject of the wedding,” Desmond replied with a slightly mocking tone.

“Don’t be offended but I doubt you have something like that” Miao Taolong replied, unable to believe that someone as young as Desmond would have something that would cause the sects to withdraw from the wedding topic.

“How about an old, unowned alchemy manual that happens to contain a plethora of recipes that none of your alchemists know about? Would the prospect of being able to train as many alchemists as their resources allow enough for those sects? Imagine it, not having to worship those selfish and arrogant alchemists who refuse to share their knowledge and instead train their loyal alchemists to the sect; any sect would greatly benefit from this book “Desmond explained as he watched Miao Talong’s calm countenance change as the explanation progressed until all traces of calm in the man disappeared as he gazed in amazement at the ancient book on the table.