The day of Madame Zhang Hu's visit finally came. Much to Huang Wen's relieve, Zhang Xuan didn't come with her. Although he already made up his mind, it didn't mean that he wanted to discuss the matter of Xia Yue with Zhang Xuan gladly.

It also made him worried and guessed, if there was any reason that Zhang Xuan didn't come with her mother.

Madame Zhang Hu carried the conversation perfectly as usual and melt any awkwardness easily. Which was plenty, there was Huang Wen who kept having thought of his affair with Xia Yue, not to mention that the path he took made him seem colder than the past. There was Xia Yue who couldn't face Zhang Xuan's mother after her affair with Huang Wen. And Chen Yao who felt there was something amiss between them two. Xia Bao had no problem at acting natural, but Chen Fang wasn't a man who could hide his feeling easily. Now, that both of them began to make a preparation, to build a force against Zhang Hu, Chen Fang felt a bit awkward around Madame Zhang Hu.

But Madame Zhang Hu seemed oblivious to all that tense and after a while, everyone began to relax in her presence. After they introduced Madame Zhang Hu to important people in Gutian town, they moved to Xia Bao's home to continue their conversation privately.

There were only Huang Wen, Chen Fang and his family, and Xia Bao and his family. It was then that she dropped the bomb.

"Zhang Hu had been possessed by the fairy's grand elder.", said Madame Zhang Hu as soon as the door closed, without any prior warning.

Everyone froze in their place, even the cold calculating Xia Bao and Madame Zhang Hu quietly waited for them to digest the information.

It took Huang Wen few seconds, before his mind began to work again and his first question was, "Is Zhang Xuan okay?"

Madame Zhang Hu couldn't hid her joy to hear that but nothing could escape from her sharp eyes. She noticed how each people reacted to Huang Wen's question.

From the corner of her eyes, she could see Xia Yue's reaction and inwardly sighed, '... it seems there is something between Huang Wen and Xia Yue after all ... but it's not conflicting our plan. I better prepare Zhang Xuan for this development.'

Outwardly she smiled, "Don't worry, she's fine. I already told her about the current situation in Nanping and I believe, with her ability she can take care herself just fine there. Although it's true that we can say, she serve as a hostage now. But as long as the fairies don't suspect me and us here, then there is nothing to worry about her. For now."

Asides from Huang Wen, Chen Fang and Xia Bao, no one asked any question. They had many questions in their mind, but they knew how grave the situation was and decided to quietly listen.

Chen Fang was the next one who asked, "Sister, can you tell us more about it. How it happened and why you are so sure about it."

Madame Zhang Hu asked in return, "Aren't you two as close as brother with my husband? Don't you feel he's changed man now?"

Chen Fang and Xia Bao were looking at each other before Xia Bao answered, "Well ... , to tell the truth, yes. But... I never thought it was caused by something like being possessed. I thought..."

Madame Zhang Hu quickly continued, "You thought, the power he currently have, got into his mind. Right? Brother Xia, do you forget, who your brother was before he married me? He is a man who knows well all there is about power and choose to leave it to start a family. Will he choose power over his family now, that he already forsake it to start a family in the first place?"

Xia Bao's face grew red, "Well ... "

Madame Zhang Hu spoke before he could explain himself, "I don't blame you though. Because I thought the same. I wonder if my husband finally forget his love for his family and tempted by the great power he had in hand. After all, the idea of having that man possessed by a spirit is kind of absurd. Isn't it?"

Xia Bao cleared his throat before he could answer, "Well..., yes. I never thought such possibility. But how did that happened?"

"Do you remember the day when the grand elder said to give part of his power and knowledge to my husband?", Madame Zhang Hu asked around.

"Yes, we're there at that time.", said Chen Yao and Xia Yue nodded her head.

The other also nodded their heads, they heard that story many times.

In Huang Wen's mind Baihu spoke, 'See... I told you those fairies are nothing good bunch of snobs.'

And Huang Wen mentally nodded his head, this new information matched well with what he learned about demons and fairies from Baihu, Fengsu and Youshe.

"So the grand elder trick Uncle Zhang Hu?", he asked.

Madame Zhang Hu nodded her head, "Yes, it was more than just knowledge and power, it was part of the grand elder's soul, with it's own will and mind. He didn't possessed my husband right away, but sneakily learned all there is about him and strengthen itself. It's hard to say when he began to possess him... but well, once he did... he was completely under his control. A prisoner in his own body."

"But if Brother Zhang Hu possessed by the fairy at such state, how could Sister Zhang learned of this situation?", Xia Bao quickly found the hole in Madame Zhang Hu's explanation.

"I couldn't. I would never know of his situation, unless the grand elder gave him some freedom. And that's exactly what happened after the battle in Fuzhou.", Madame Zhang Hu answered, she already expected such question from Xia Bao.

Then Madame Zhang Hu told them about the battle at Fuzhou, how the demon lord proved to be stronger than anyone expectation, including the grand elder himself. It was in order to gain Zhang Hu's full cooperation that he gave Zhang Hu some degree of freedom. Zhang Hu carefully tested the water and after he learned the limits, he began to tell his wife of his current situation.

Secretly both husband and wife used the little moments, when the grand elder gave them privacy to discuss their situation.

Both of them finally agreed that their best chance to save their family from the fairies, was in the hands of Huang Wen, Chen Fang and Xia Bao, who were now stationed far from the fairy's eyes. At the same time, Zhang Hu would try to cooperate as best as he could with the fairies. After all, at this moment they had the same enemy.

But since the fairies didn't see them as an equal, they needed to have a second plan, in case the fairies changed their mind.

Huang Wen, Chen Fang and Xia Bao, and the rest, listened attentively.

"What Brother Zhang want us to do?", Chen Fang asked.

From his tone, Madame Zhang Hu could tell that she already won his heart. From the beginning, Zhang Hu and her, knew Chen Fang would be the easiest to convince. Just like Chen Fang, Xia Bao was a loyal sworn brother and once he was convinced, they could rely on him. While Huang Wen was still growing and she shouldn't judge him, based on what she knew of him in the past.

Madame Zhang Hu answered, "He expect you all to strengthen yourself. In an excuse to balance the power, he will suggest to the grand elder, to ask Brother Xia and Brother Chen, to win other cities. Meanwhile, Huang Wen, you also make it appear like you're competing with them. The stronger you are, the more reason for Brother Chen and Brother Xia to expand their territory as well. Of course the fairies won't stay quietly, they will also expand their territories without confront you openly."

Xia Bao then said, "In the surface, it will seem like the fairies who possess Brother Zhang, are three times stronger than Huang Wen, but since I and Brother Chen are in his side, the truth is we're three times stronger than them."

Madame Zhang Hu nodded, "Yes, that's the plan."

Chen Fang frowned and asked, "But how that would help you and Brother Zhang? No matter how strong we are, the fairy grand elder still possess Brother Zhang. You and your children still live under them."

Madame Zhang Hu turned to Huang Wen and spoke carefully, "My husband believe, that among us, Huang Wen is the one who have the ability. Or at least the closest one to have that ability, to free him from the grand elder. Until that day come, the least we can do is to make him and his family, mine, valuable."

Xia Bao patted Chen Fang in the back, "The stronger we are, the more valuable is Brother Zhang's life for the fairies. They surely will try to expand their own influence. Be it through some cult that worship them. Or by possessing more important people. But as long as there are strong people who follow Brother Zhang's loyally, they will think twice before do any harm to him or his family."

In the mean time, Madame Zhang Hu's eyes were fixed on Huang Wen. And it took some moment before everyone's attention turned to him.

Xia Bao and Chen Fang knew more than anyone else, that this young man had changed more than anyone else in the span of few months. But Madame Zhang Hu's keen eyes, noticed it too. Huang Wen could feel their eyes on him, but with a little effort he could put it aside, out of his concern. He carefully searched within his heart, how he felt of this matter.

There was part of him who still held a grudge against Zhang Hu. The moment he realized how he was used, he found his father died as the result. But he wouldn't let himself threw all the responsibilities to Zhang Hu. He admitted that he was part of the problem. He already decided to bear his mistakes in the past, rather than blame other for his mistakes. In that sense, despite some of his feeling, he decided not to hold any grudge over Zhang Hu.

But now, he was faced with similar situation. Would he allowed himself to be used once again?

Huang Wen took his time to mule over the situation, without being burdened by all the eyes that fixed on him right now.

http://astoimm.blogspot.com/2016/05/chapter-103.html Next : Chapter 103.