Chapter 174: Night Talks Translator: Transn Editor: Transn
Shangguan Fei had never been to the South City. He was not interested in that place at all. Its lanes were messy and narrow, and the crowds were boorish. One looked at it was enough. He’d rather stay at Stone Castle. Staying at North City gave him a feeling of abandonment.
The rivalry with his sister left him exceedingly embarra.s.sed. If he were to win, people might say that since the Ninth Young Master a boy, it was natural for him to win. If he were to lose though, people might start to question his masculinity or make some other humiliating remark.
In short, no one respected him. In the eyes of his father, mother, brothers, sisters, and even the servants; there was only the Tenth Young Master.
Midnight has pa.s.sed. Shangguan Fei had not entered the house to sleep. He stayed in the courtyard trading blows with two killers with wooden sabers. Seeing the scene of ma.s.sacre upstairs earlier caused him a great deal of alarm. His sister’s laughter, light and unenc.u.mbered, left him feeling even greater jealousy and hatred.
He poured out his feelings on the wooden saber, waving it forcefully. The two killers on the receiving end stepped backwards. Suddenly, he grew dejected again and the killers pretended to be unable to resist.
Shangguan Fei threw the wooden saber away. Feelings of frustration grew in his chest. He wanted to raise his head to the skies and let off a long shout, but was afraid that others would laugh at him.
The two killers maintained their vigilance. Before their master had sensed any danger, the two had rushed before him with wooden sabers aimed at him. The killers could kill with any weapon.
Shangguan Fei turned his head and saw a masked man dressed fully in black.
The uninvited guest kneeled on the floor, not speaking.
“You two, retreat.”
Shangguan Fei coldly gave the order. The killer nodded his head slightly and retreated out of the courtyard. They were responsible for protecting their master but would not interfere in their master’s personal affairs.
“The killer Yang Huan pays his respects to the Ninth Young Master.”
“The Tenth Young Master made you come? Is there anything that she can’t say in person? Why did she send you to throw a glance at me?”
Shangguan Fei had been waiting for the slave for a long time. In reality, he was looking forward to meeting Slave Huan. Slave Huan held a trump card that could kill anyone in this conspiracy that was Shangguan Fei’s very first. Moreover, he was someone important; seeing an unsuspecting prey, he trembled with excitement.
“Your servant’s visit has nothing to do with the Tenth Young Master.”
“Ha, you’re a killer, not a slave. You’re not allowed to call yourself a slave.” Shangguan Fei was enjoying issuing orders from a position of authority, especially to his sister’s servant who once belonged to him. She had s.n.a.t.c.hed him away.
“Yes, sir.”
“Well, are you here of your own accord?”
“Yes, it’s for myself. It’s also for the Ninth Young Master’s safety.”
Shangguan Fei could hardly stifle his laughter. This slave sure has a way with words. This must be how he won his sister over in the past. “What does the Tenth Young Master want to steal from me? The last few betting arenas? Or are her killers are not enough for her?”
When Gu Shenwei was signaling his goodwill to Shangguan Fei from upstairs, he had not thought of how to gain the Ninth Young Master’s trust. Shangguan Ru’s words gave him an idea, even if that would implicate another person. “No, it has nothing to do with the Tenth Young Master. Someone wants to kill the Ninth Young Master, and this plan is underway.”
Shangguan Fei was shaken. Slave Huan might be Ja.n.u.s-faced, but he wouldn’t dare to lie. “Go on.”
“Great Young Master left some machetemen. The leader is named Tuo Nengya. This person has plans for revenge with his target being you, Ninth Young Master.”
“Haha.” Shangguan Fei laughed wryly. “You say a macheteman? Impossible. Machetemen kill for money. You must have seen for yourself. They are not loyal. Killings happen all the time in Stone Castle and I’ve never heard of any macheteman killing someone to avenge their master. Rus.h.i.+ng to support a new master is more like it.”
This was another of Gu Shenwei’s weaknesses. He had only speculation and no evidence. But he believed that persuading the Ninth Young Master shouldn’t be too difficult. “I received verifiable intelligence that the machetemen led by Tuo Nengya will attack in the second negotiation. Once Ninth Young Master appears at South City, you will be at risk.”
“They are not afraid of death?” Shangguan Fei seemed to be convinced. Slave Huan’s serious tone made him treat this matter seriously. The machetemen trained by Tuo Nengya was also a force to be reckoned with, which struck fear in Shangguan Ru’s heart.
“There would always be a few machetemen who are different from the rest.”
Someone who killed the son of the Supreme King will be driven to the ends of the Earth. Tuo Nengya naturally understood this but Gu Shenwei had once seen the helplessness in the eyes of the old macheteman.
“So you say that my sister’s macheteman wants to a.s.sa.s.sinate me?” Shangguan Fei found it hard to believe.
“This has nothing to do with the Tenth Young Master. Tuo Nengya was only using the Tenth Young Master for shelter, and to get closer to the Ninth Young Master.”
Shangguan Fei hung his head in silence. He was expecting the slave to shower him with praises. But he had not expected to hear such an important news. Later, he thought of something. “That Tuo Nengya and machetemen, aren’t they employed personally by you?”
“Yes, sir.”
Shangguan Fei was alert. He regretted sending away his killers. He only had to open his mouth, and the killers would jump out. But he had seen Slave Huan’s kung fu too…
Shangguan Fei squashed thoughts of wanting to flee. He said, “You have seen that the machetemen had plans of their own?”
“Yes, hence I had the thought that instead of letting the enemy hide in the dark, let’s keep them under our nose. That way we can notice them at all times.”
Shangguan Fei opened his eyes wide. He remembered how he’d once heard of something similar. He forgot whether it came from his father or a teacher. “In the end, you discovered that they wanted to kill me?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Just because I planted a knife in my big brother’s back?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then I should kill you too. Many people saw how you added a bit of strength to that knife.”
Gu Shenwei had been looking down. This time he raised his head, looking at a furious Ninth Young Master. “They’ll kill me because I belong to the Ninth Young Master.”
Shangguan Fei wanted to laugh but felt that he should remain calm. In the face of such absurdity, he didn’t know how he should react. Those old killers and the old man had taught much useless knowledge. But they had not taught him how to refute nonsense from a bold slave. “You say you belong to me?”
Shangguan Fei had been asking questions the whole night. This deeply annoyed him, but he still had grave doubts.
“Yes, I’m a slave of the Ninth Young Master. I’ve never forgotten how the Eighth Young Master had first gifted me to you.”
This was something that made Shangguan Fei angry. He didn’t care about a slave. He was angry with his sister’s insolence.
As long as it’s something worthwhile, she would steal it away. Shangguan Fei was almost exploding with anger. He c.o.c.ked his head looking at Slave Huan. He thought of the past. Indeed, that slave had always seemed polite in front of him. Occasionally he would be so bold and full of himself but he had never looked down on him. Who he hated was his sister and Master Yu, especially Master Yu, who with the help of his sister even dared to treat the Supreme King’s son rudely.
Slave Huan had once plunged a saber into the chest of his Big Brother. According to the tradition of Stone Castle, this was a highly symbolic act.
“Why didn’t you come back earlier to serve me?”
Shangguan Fei sounded indignant. Gu Shenwei relaxed. He was reaching his goal.
“Because I’m still on the side of the Tenth Young Master. If it weren’t for something so urgent, I probably wouldn’t be seeing the Ninth Young Master tonight.”
“But you’ll still be with her. Do you dare to leave her? She’ll treat you as a traitor.”
“There’re some things that I shouldn’t say.”
“Say. Since you’re already my man. There’s nothing that you can’t say to me.”
“The Tenth Young Master… She’s a woman.”
Shangguan Fei could just hug Slave Huan this very moment. Why can’t anyone see this simple fact? Be it the Supreme King or the beggar in the streets, everyone treated her as a boy. It was as if she could inherit the throne. But she was a girl nonetheless. “So what if she’s a woman? Now women have authority in the Stone Castle.”
Shangguan Fei was even angry with his own mother.
“But women will eventually remarry and leave Stone Castle. And I’m a killer of Golden Fort. I’ll never leave Stone Castle.”
Shangguan Fei suddenly realized that this slave was only trying to plan for himself. He’s smart. The Ninth Young Master’s anger dissipated a little. “True, just wait for a few more years. Many like Slave Huan will see the situation as it is between the twins, and recognize who the real son of Supreme King is.”
“I see. Keep quiet and leave now.” Shangguan Fei said stridently. He thought of erroneous political ways. He could not let the slave see through the master’s true thoughts. Let them guess among themselves, and use such torture to mold their loyalty.
“Yes, sir.”
Gu Shenwei rose and walked slowly towards the end of the wall. His heart beat wildly. He did not come here to pledge his allegiance.
“Wait.” Shangguan Fei called out. He had important things that he hadn’t told this new loyal slave.
Shangguan Fei would only leave the Ninth Young Master four days later. Without waiting for the gate to open, he climbed over the boundary wall, crossed the river and entered the South City. He found Maid Lotus, a.s.signed tasks to her and later left the gate to return to North City. He took leave from Shangguan Ru and prepared to partic.i.p.ate in the negotiations.
The Kun Society was filled with a happy atmosphere. The machetemen were all elated. They had earned their victories; The war was going to be over. The living will have a chance to enjoy a rich reward.
In the great war the last night, the Horned Dragon Society had killed close to 200 people. Kun Society had only lost 30 men. The victory was considered perfect. Shangguan Yu could hardly conceal her elation. She was even kinder to Slave Huan. When he said he wanted to take most of the machetemen, she wasn’t even against it.
Gu Shenwei summoned Tuo Nengya to let him organize the machetemen and prepare to partic.i.p.ate in the talks.
Tuo Nengya was effective as usual. He was the only person who seemed indifferent to the victory of last night. Gu Shenwei carefully scrutinized his behavior, hoping to add a little more evidence to his speculations.
Tuo Nengya had no flaws. Only something arrested the teen killer’s attention. He realized that the over 20 machetemen led by Tuo Nengya in Rouge Forest had been through many cruel blood battles. Not a single one died and no one had ever escaped. They were loyal towards the old macheteman, just like how the Golden Fort killers were loyal to the Shangguan family. After becoming a loyal backbone of the Kun Society, they never asked for a single reward.
People who had no love for money usually harbored some deep desire for revenge. Gu Shenwei speculated based on his own experience.