Chapter 708: Surrender
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Although admitting defeat and surrendering both held a similar meaning of giving up in most cases, they were quite different when a distinguishment was made.
Dog Butcher and Deng Yuanlei could concede defeat, as that only represented their own persons’ defeat, but they couldn’t surrender because that was essentially betraying their sects and all of the Central Plains.
“What… What do you mean?” asked Dog Butcher blankly. After checking his elder sister’s breath he felt greatly relieved.
Deng Yuanlei indignantly replied, “What do you mean? The Dragon King wants us to kowtow to him and be his subjects from now on.”
Dog Butcher became more and more perplexed. He took one look at his unconscious sister and received no advice or admonishment, so he could only turn to the dozens of disciples of the Kongtong Sect. “Do you think we should do it?”
As junior disciples, who among them would dare to make a decision on such matters? They looked at each other and all stayed silent. One of the disciples finally suggested after a long while. “Let’s capture the Dragon King together and then force him to hand over the antidote.”
“Bah.” Dog Butcher looked at that disciple with disdain. “We already agreed to the stakes of the duel of life and death. I’d rather be killed by the Dragon King than use the many to bully the few or commit any dishonest or treacherous deeds.”
Ashamed, that disciple retreated to the back. Deng Yuanlei loudly echoed, “Brother Tu is right. A real hero would rather die than humiliate himself. The Dragon King can just kill us. You are the winner of the duel.”
This was not actually Dog Butcher’s stance. He hurriedly said, “Wait a moment. How about just killing me and letting my sister go? I will still concede victory to you.”
Gu Shenwei was just about to say something when Fan Yongda of the Kongtong Sect walked out and said, “Dragon King, may I have talk to you privately?”
Dog Butcher seemed to have sees his savior, and his face started beaming. “Yongda, you and the Dragon King are acquaintances. Help me talk about it.”
Fan Yongda smiled at Dog Butcher embarra.s.sedly. This Uncle Master had always lived in seclusion and also didn’t know much about the rules of Jianghu.
Fan Yongda and Gu Shenwei walked to the side of Long Fanyun. Shangguan Ru also followed behind them.
“It seems that I’ll be unable to repay the Dragon King’s favor for the time being.”
“As long as you still remember it.”
It wasn’t a polite reply, and it made Fan Yongda realize that he could no longer ask the Dragon King to follow the rules of Jianghu, so he respectfully said, “I’ll never forget in my lifetime.”
Shangguan Fei appeared quite elated as if the one who had defeated the four masters were him. “If you want to be a lobbyist, you’d better get straight to the point. The Dragon King doesn’t like to beat around the bush.”
“Yes. I hope the Dragon King can take his ultimatum back. The Kongtong Sect came to the Royal Court on the orders of the Imperial Court of the Central Plains. Uh… we can’t surrender to the Dragon King, but I can a.s.sure you that, as long as the Dragon King spares us this time, the Kongtong Sect will owe you a great favor, and will definitely pay you back by twofold in the future. Although our sect is only one of the nine major sects, it holds considerable influence in the martial arts world and the Imperial Court of the Central Plains.”
Shangguan Fei glanced at his sister and said, “The Dragon King has shown mercy but that old woman Tu didn’t seem to show any mercy to my sister just now.”
“Big Aunt Master is hot-tempered, but I’m sure she would have pulled back in the end.” Fan Yongda braced himself and forcefully made this guarantee because he was also unsure whether Tu Pianpian would have shown mercy or not.
“The Kongtong Sect will owe the Dragon King a favor, but what about the Qingcheng Sect? The Dragon King killed several disciples of the Qingcheng Sect before. Are they going to wipe their balance with the Dragon King clean and claim that they will not owe each other anything from now on?”
Fan Yongda couldn’t answer, but a Qingcheng disciple happened to come over. Hearing this, he took a few steps forward and smile obsequiously, saying, “How can the lives of several ordinary disciples compare with those of the Sect Leader’s son and Uncle Master Deng? As long as the Dragon King is willing to show goodwill, we’ll also repay this kindness. Our Sect Leader Liu has many friends in the Imperial Court…”
Shangguan Fei enjoyed being courted very much. He shot a cold glance at the disciple and questioned, “Who are you? Why don’t you give your name? I heard that the Central Plains people all know the rules very well.”
“I’m sorry I was so rude. I’m Xia Xizong, a disciple of the eighteenth generation of the Qingcheng Sect…”
“What’s your relations.h.i.+p with the Xia brothers?” Shangguan Fei turned alert immediately.
“They are just distant relatives. They were instigated to join in the power games of the Western Regions and deserved their death. Even if nothing happened today, we would not have avenged them.”
“Pfft.” Shangguan Fei wanted to say something about the ‘power games’ in the Western Regions, but suddenly found that he could not say anything about either Golden Roc Castle or the Dragon King, so he could only show an expression of disdain.
“What will the Dragon King say?” Doctor Sun really hoped that the duel would end with the acceptance of the Central Plains’ proposal.
“Send us our winnings first.” Gu Shenwei still remembered the bet.
Seeing that the Dragon King didn’t insist on his previous order, both Fan Yongda and Xia Xizong were overjoyed. They turned around and beckoned for their fellow disciples to bring the captives here.
Han Fen was very happy but she still remembered the Dragon King’s order of not speaking unless he had his permission. Close-lipped, she turned her back to the Dragon King and stuck out her hands, beckoning for him to untie her. Meanwhile, she winked at the two disciples who had escorted her over. The two didn’t dare approach her at all.
Gu Shenwei was only looking at Silver Condor, so Red Bat had to come over to untie Han Fen.
Silver Condor teetered as soon as the two Qingcheng disciples loosened their hands. Long Fanyun hurriedly ran up to support him, while Doctor Sun made a cursory check of his body and said, “It’s okay. Take the antidote and rest for a while, and you’ll be alright.”
Silver Condor stared at the Dragon King. He had re-entered the martial arts world and he only returned to being a wing guard when he faced the Dragon King.
Xia Xizong of the Qingcheng Sect signaled Fan Yongda, and the two said at the same time, “Dragon King, now…”
Gu Shenwei shook his head. “I don’t need your sects to repay a favor in the future. I just need your allegiance in the present moment.”
The Dragon King’s word disappointed several people, including Doctor Sun and Shangguan Ru. Xia Xizong and Fan Yongda were very surprised and at a loss for what to say.
“You don’t have to betray your sects or the Emperor of the Central Plains. The allegiance I am asking for will only apply to the Norland and the Western Regions.”
Xia Xizong anxiously glanced at Liu Fangsheng, who was already in the hands of his fellow disciples and quickly said, “All right, we’ll accept the Dragon King’s proposal. We are willing to surrender and pledge allegiance.”
Fan Yongda was a bit hesitant. “What if the Dragon King has a dispute with the Imperial Court of the Central Plains? I’m afraid that it’s happening right now.” He was referring to Silver Condor. The head of the Khan was a treasure by now and everyone wanted to have it.
“You still have a choice. I don’t demand your allegiance.”
“The Dragon King is really a righteousness man!” Xia Xizong praised loudly, afraid of the other side changing the mind. “I’ll go ask Uncle Master Deng now.”
Fan Yongda knew that Uncle Master Dog Butcher was indecisive, so he could only say, “The Dragon King is really generous. Can he help wake up Aunt Master first? She’s the one who makes the major decision in our sect.”
Gu Shenwei thought for a moment. Then he took out a small medicine bag, tipped out a pill, and gave it to Fan Yongda.
Doctor Sun habitually came over to have a look, sniffed, and said in surprise, “This is the best medicine in Waning Moon Hall. Why does the Dragon King have it?”
Gu Shenwei did not answer. Han Fen was anxious to say something but didn’t dare to open her mouth. Fan Yongda was pleased with what he saw and immediately accepted the antidote and ran to give it to his Uncle Master and Aunt Master.
“Dragon King, please do not trust the Central Plains people too much,” Shangguan Fei advised as he thought that the Dragon King’s action was too rash. “They are full of evil ideas, and I don’t think that that old woman will surrender obediently.”
Doctor Sun looked at Fan Yongda’s back and whispered the second half of his unfinished sentence. “Every medicine has its side effects. And the medicine of Waning Moon Hall is much more poisonous than most.”
Shangguan Fei suddenly came to understand and smiled without a word. Shangguan Ru was about to say something but stopped because Xia Xizong had run back. “Uncle Master Deng agreed. Dragon King, please send the divine doctor to heal Uncle Master Liu. And I’m also wondering if you can also do us another favor and release Uncle Master Deng’s sealed acupoint?”
“Go heal the wound first, and we’ll talk about unsealing the acupoint later.”
Doctor Sun left with Xia Xizong. Shangguan Ru had just mouthed the word “I” when Gu Shenwei shook his head gently. She closed her mouth again and didn’t quite understand his intention.
Now, Han Fen was clinging tightly to Shangguan Ru and looking straight at her as if she wanted to swallow her.
Red Bat discontentedly pushed her away but Shangguan Ru didn’t care. Instead, she gently held Han Fen’s arm and smilingly said, “I already have a twin brother. Do you also have to become like me?”
Han Fen had no smile on her face at all. She wanted to break free but also didn’t want to give up this opportunity to observe Shangguan Ru at such a close distance. And what made her uncomfortable was that she wasn’t allowed to speak.
“Do not talk much.” Gu Shenwei finally gave her the right to speak a little.
“I won’t say much.” Han Fen raised her hand and gently caressed Shangguan Ru’s face as she crooned, “I really want to have a bite.”
Shangguan Ru was stunned. Han Fen continued, saying, “Well, I think your kung fu is not very good.”
“I didn’t practice very hard.”
“And you also don’t know any secret arts or medicine.”
“Not at all.”
“Do you have the ability to keep a man around you after sleeping with him?”
Red Bat scolded, “Nonsense, the instructor is still a virgin.”
Shangguan Ru blushed but didn’t get angry. “I don’t have that ability. Instead of keeping men around, most men try to avoid me.”
Han Fen understandingly nodded, then she became puzzled again. “If so, why does the Dragon King still like you and also doesn’t avoid you?”
Gu Shenwei couldn’t take this anymore, but Shangguan Ru just laughed. “You are wrong. The Dragon King is the one who wants to avoid me the most.”
“How come? He’s right beside you.”
“I’m holding your arm, yet aren’t you thinking of breaking free?”
Shangguan Ru’s words were a bit too abstract for Han Fen, who only became more perplexed and turned to ask the Dragon King, “Do you also want to break free? I can help you.”
“You are talking too much.” Gu Shenwei was very surprised that Shangguan Ru would say something like that.
Han Fen rarely stopped asking more questions but her brow furrowed even deeper, wondering what Shangguan Ru’s words meant.
This little embarra.s.sing moment was ended by Tu Pianpian in the distance, who had just woken up.
“I won’t admit defeat or surrender!” The old woman’s voice was still full of confidence, “Let’s fight again. They are playing tricks and their real kung fu is no match for the Warp and Weft Staff Technique.”
Dog Butcher and Fan Yongda tried to persuade her in a low voice, but that only made Tu Pianpian angrier. She grabbed her crutch and kicked over Fan Yongda and several other junior disciples, and shouted, “Dragon King, I have nothing to say if you can beat me with your real ability, but you…”
The old woman suddenly fainted before she could finish her words. Startled, Shangguan Fei asked, “Dragon King, isn’t the effect of your pill taking place too fast?”
This actually had nothing to do with the antidote. Dog Butcher walked closer a few paces with his crutch. “Sorry. My sister is too unreasonable, so I sealed her acupoints. Anyway, as long as I agreed to surrender and my sister had taken the antidote, I won’t go back on my word.”
The disciples of the Kongtong Sect were all astonished that Dog Butcher, who had always been a yes-man to Aunt Master, was so principled, but they also felt that what he said was reasonable.
“Promises must be kept and actions must be resolute. Well-said, Brother Tu.” Deng Yuanlei praised loudly.
“Let me unseal his acupoint.” Shangguan Ru thought it was inappropriate to let an elder stand stiffly for so long.
Gu Shenwei nodded.
Doctor Sun was currently bandaging the wound for Liu Fangsheng when Shangguan Ru walked in front of Deng Yuanlei, followed by Han Fen.
Deng Yuanlei finally found a chance and made a sudden move while yelling, “The duel is not over yet!”