Chapter 211: Picking Lotuses
Translator: Transn Editor: Transn
Wei Lingmiao had been thoroughly washed, but it was unclear if he was cleaner than before.
Tied to a log, and floating down the river. His eyes covered, and mouth stuffed; unable to see nor call out for help. He didn’t know where he was, and could only to feel water all around him. It seemed as if he would be washed off the cliff at any moment. The guards finally discovered the Governor’s son in the river and anxiously jumped in to save him.
Wei Lingmiao had suffered quite an ordeal and luckily returned to North City safe and sound. After calming his nerves, he declared the adventure to be a mere lovers’ quarrel. “‘The falling flowers are yearning for love, but the heartless brook ripples on.’ This old line isn’t untrue at all.”
Those who wanted to laugh at him were thoroughly impressed. They thought that Young Master Wei was indeed one of a kind, and Stone Castle’s Tenth Young Master was merely spoiling the fun.
Even if Young Master Wei never saw the real abductors with his own eyes, and also as Xiao Fenchai claimed she had no relations with the culprits that broke into her home, every resident of Jade City knew the truth full well.
Wei Lingmiao forgave the Tenth Young Master, but he severely punished his guards. For dozens of guards to not notice their master abducted was of the highest negligence of their duties.
Now he had a new plan: to protect his own safety and to get closer to the Tenth Young Master, Wei Lingmiao used his deep connections and influence within the Roc Fort to put in a request for a killer to join his security detail–precisely the killer, Yang Huan.
Of course, Shangguan Ru refused the request. “He knows that you partic.i.p.ated in his abduction, he must be using this ploy to exact his revenge.”
“Before the one million or so taels of silver arrive, he wouldn’t do anything to me.” Gu Shenwei was willing to accept the request because he knew that there was some valuable information he could get out of Young Master Wei.
The first thing Wei Lingmiao said after seeing the killer was, “Who else better to protect me from killers than a killer?”
“One’s status is more useful than a killer,” Gu Shenwei replied indifferently. If Wei Lingmiao were not the son of the Governor, his corpse would have sunk to the bottom of that river by now.
Wei Lingmiao did not mind the killer’s retort, for he had a purpose of his own: “With the Tenth Young Master’s most trusted killer by my side, the little lady would not dare to play any more tricks on me,” he thought.
Gu Shenwei became Wei Lingmiao’s temporary personal bodyguard. His first task was to escort Young Master Wei to pay a visit to all the big shots all over North City. During the day, Young Master Wei was refined and courteous with an elegant demeanor; while in the evening, he went to South City to fool around–charging through the brothels and forcing himself on the prost.i.tutes, even those who were already entertaining other guests. Furthermore, he persistently brought gifts to the Leviathan Society every day to woo the Ten Young Master.
Gu Shenwei only understood one thing: Wei Lingmiao didn’t have any specific preferences in women. He was merely an enthusiastic collector, in search of all the unique treasures he could find; ranging from their height to their sizes, even from their beauty to their wealth. He wanted to explore them all.
Gu Shenwei’s hatred grew deeper and deeper for this person who had almost become his brother-in-law.
Although he never had a chance to bring up the past, he never thought that Wei Lingmiao would take the initiative to do so.
After not being able to see the Tenth Young Master for a while, a few days before deciding to leave Jade City, Wei Lingmiao decided to pay a visit to the Four Truths Temple; to burn incense and pray to Buddha for a spiritual wish. He disappeared for the entire day; he did not drink alcohol, or sleep with any women. After bathing in several incense baths, his whole temperament had gone through a transformation; seemingly spiritless, gaining solemnity, and even had a trace of extraordinary refinement.
That evening in the Bodhi Garden, Wei Lingmiao sat quietly under the pavilion admiring the moon. The only person with him was the killer, Yang Huan. He had not spoken for a while, but as soon as he opened his mouth, he asked a very unexpected question, “Rumor has it that you have a sword, and on its hilt is engraved a woman’s name.”
“It’s of no significance.” Gu Shenwei slightly bowed. There was indeed the character “Yun” carved on the hilt of his sword, and it was the name Maid Lotus had before she became a slave. The two used this method to avert the eyes and ears of others, discreetly.
“Hey, whatever reason it may be, even if you admit to it or not, maybe you haven’t discovered it yet; it’s still significant.” Young Master Wei was seemingly more energetic discussing love and woman. “For example: for the person you think you love; you’re willing to go through innumerable trials and hards.h.i.+ps for them, to lose complete interest after. And the person you’ve been trying your hardest to forget is always showing up in your sights, even in your dreams, and unable to tell if she is there or not.”
Gu Shenwen could not understand Wei Lingmiao’s feelings at all. He felt that he had no such conflicting emotions. Love is love, and hate is hate; they are completely distinct. “The Tenth Young Master is probably not fond of these words.”
“Haha, you’re indeed loyal. I wasn’t talking about her, but thinking how the current The Young Master is quite cute, but also fierce. Maybe like other women after marriage, she’ll be ‘like a little bird that rests on a man."”
Gu Shenwei did not answer and gazed upon the lake.
Wei Lingmiao kept staring at him, “You know, I should hate you.”
“I was only following orders.” Gu Shenwei thought that Young Master Wei was holding a grudge for the abduction.
“No, that was just a harmless joke. Don’t worry about it. Were you born in the Golden Roc Fort?”
“No, I entered the Roc Fort only a few years ago.”
“Then you must know that the Golden Roc Fort killed a family named Gu.”
“Sounds familiar.” Gu Shenwei nearly choked as he answered.
“The Gu family’s daughter was my fiancee, and we were supposed to wed in a few months. I’ve always thought that if she were still alive, I’d be a completely different person than I am now. I’m not saying I wouldn’t like other women anymore, just that I’d be more responsible and know what I want. She was a good girl; dignified and sincere since her youth, and also kind-hearted. I’ve never met anyone like her since.”
Wei Lingmiao confided in an unfamiliar person, who was also a killer, with these words that seemed to have been lying within his heart for a very long time. Seemingly disheartened with a bit of anger, his gaze on the killer sharpened. “Golden Roc Fort killed my woman; not only do I not seek revenge, I cozy up with them. Don’t you think I’m a joke? Must killers take revenge as well?”
“Killers do not take revenge, only kill.” Gu Shenwei forced himself to calm down with an old saying of the Stone Castle . Like any other old saying, you can deceive any layman.
Wei Lingmiao recited the sentence twice, appearing to have yielded sentiment. He then smiled, “Revenge is to have your enemy feel pain, but to be killed without pain, isn’t that right?”
“Yes.” Gu Shenwei’s agitation within the depths of his heart was becoming more and more violent. If not for the many years of suspicion within the Stone Castle, he would’ve confessed everything.
The Wei family had intentions of revenge. Gu Shenwei understood this through Wei Lingmiao’s implications. However, he did not understand the reason why the man had said all of this for him to hear. He was a killer of the Golden Roc Fort and was one of Young Master Wei’s “targets” for revenge.
“You’re a special killer.” Wei Lingmiao seemed to be roping in the killer, and gradually nearing the real topic of interest. “Commander Zhong has said many things of you.”
“Commander Zhong overpraised, I can’t even a.s.semble a ‘Protective Talisman."”
“A trivial matter.” Wei Lingmiao shook his head, “You have your own beliefs, unwilling to be strung along by others. Moreover, you’re always thinking on your feet; this is true ability. A person like you ought to be exercising your talents on a much bigger stage.
Gu Shenwei suddenly realized that Young Master Wei’s whole purpose was not to get close to the Tenth Young Master but to convince and recruit killers to rebel against the Stone Castle. Had the Wei family really been quietly preparing to take revenge for the Gu family? “The Stone Castle is big enough for me, as a killer.”
Gu Shenwei decided to feign ignorance, and Wei Lingmiao did not attempt to dig any deeper. Instead, he changed the topic with some miscellaneous small talk, even speaking of the next day’s trip to the Four Truths Temple. “Killer, pick some lotus flowers on my behalf. I want to give them to my late fiancee; her ashes rest within the temple. This is the only thing I can do for her at this time.”
There was a hint of ridicule in Wei Lingmiao’s tone, and Gu Shenwei did not like it. However, hearing the whereabouts of her sister’s ashes caused his heart to skip a beat. “You should bring her back to the Central Plains.”
“Then she wouldn’t be able to see the things I’ll do in Jade City.”
The conversation came to an end. Gu Shenwei no longer inquired, and Wei Lingmiao no longer explained.
Young Master Wei and the killer’s thoughts were not so different from the beginning; this man still loved his sister and had never forgotten in these three years, continuing to plot his revenge.
The influence of the Central Plains was powerful, but it was beyond the reach of Jade City. There were only a hundred garrison troops stationed in the city, symbolically meaningless, and not a single soldier more for thousands of miles. Gu Shenwei understood the difficulties of the Wei’s father and son at the time. Wei Song was the Governor, so he naturally could not act on his personal feelings, just like Gu Shenwei himself, who had to change his name and live in shame before he’s gained any strength to exact revenge.
“What methods will Wei Lingmiao use for revenge? He doesn’t know kung fu, so he could only rely on the Central Plains. If only the Central Plains would send their soldiers.” Gu Shenwei contemplated more and more until he felt waves of emotions surging within; deciding to clear up this matter before Young Master Wei left.
The next day, Wei Lingmiao led an immense force out of the city toward the Fourth Truths Temple, followed by Commandant Zhong Heng. He was probably ordered to purposely approach the killer and strongly suggesting that they have a chat in private.
Gu Shenwei’s suspicions had doused his enthusiasm. Governor Wei Song was retiring from office and Young Master Wei wanted to use this sudden turn of events to try and bribe the killers from Stone Castle. However, this was no easy task. He must be careful with his family’s plans for revenge and not risk any chance of exposing himself.
Only a handful of people could enter the Four Truths Temple. Gu Shenwei took out a four-colored lotus flower he picked and stayed outside the mountain gate with the other guards. He kept thinking of the words that Young Master Wei said over and over.
“Amitabha, benefactor, you have come.”
Gu Shenwei turned around in surprise and saw a lofty monk. He later recognized that this was Monk Lianye, who was highly skilled in kung fu. Usually, he did not separate from his senior, Lianhua, so seeing him alone was a rare occasion.
“Monk, how are you?”
“Not good, not good. Senior brother is bed-ridden, how can I be good?”
“Master Lianhua is sick?” Gu Shenwei had entrusted the great monk to translate the Death Scriptures , however he had forgotten about this matter. He did not expect the monk’s death to near so soon. Unfortunately, there was no one else in this world that could read the scriptures except for him.
“Yes, benefactor, follow me. If you accept senior brother as your master, you can practice the Breaking Obsession and remove your killing desire; fulfilling these two masters’ wishes.
“I’m sorry, I have matters to attend to and cannot leave.”
Lianye roared and frightened all the guards around; causing everyone to think that he was an eminent monk of the temple. No one dared to step forward to calm him.
“He’s almost dead, what else is more important? Follow me.”
Lianye suddenly took action; Gu Shenwei had prepared for it. However, he did not carry his usual saber this time. The saber he borrowed temporarily took a bit of getting used to and was slow. The monk’s kung fu still surpa.s.sed his imagination. With one finger, he successfully blocked his acupoint.
Gu Shenwei’s body slumped and was already on the monk’s shoulders. Lianye pushed the crowd away, and with giant strides, he ran towards the top of the hillside of the temple.
All of the guards were dumbfounded, and no one stepped forward to intervene. Instead, they all whispered to each other and felt that killers of the Golden Rock Fort were nothing more than this.