Translator: Transn Editor: Transn
Zhang Ji, a teacher from the Golden Roc Fort, sent a messenger to invite the Dragon King to a gathering at the Southwall Tavern.
Shangguan Hong had mentioned Zhang Ji's wish to meet Gu Shenwei several times, but Gu Shenwei had not really expected to receive the invitation. He was, after all, the arch-enemy of the Supreme King. No one in Golden Roc Fort would dare to have anything to do with him. Zhang Ji had a lot of courage to choose to meet in such a crowded place like the Southwall Tavern.
Gu Shenwei actually wanted to meet the teacher as well. They were enemies now and had even crossed paths before. Shangguan Hong had killed Master Lianxin by disguising as Dragon King, and later, murdered Monk Lianye as well. It was very likely that he had done all these under the advisement of Zhang Ji.
The old teacher's appearance had not changed much, he was just as serious and severe as before, as if he perpetually had a yardstick to pull out. Upon seeing Dragon King, he nodded slightly and motioned him to sit on the opposite side.
It was early morning and there weren't many customers in the tavern except for the tired shop assistant sprawled on the table a distance away, fast asleep.
"No one else sends me fine wine anymore since you left the Stone Castle." Zhang Ji remarked, recalling fondly about the old times.
"The Southwall Tavern is completely free of charge for Mister Zhang from today onwards," Gu Shenwei offered generously. He still harbored a glimmer of hope in his heart that he could bring Zhang Ji over to his side.
"I heard that your people had taken over the tavern from Shopkeeper Lyu."
"Yes."
"Alas..." Zhang Ji said as he looked around, his expression was like a son who was about to leave home. "What a pity! I cannot come again."
By saying these words, Zhang Ji declared his hostility against Dragon King. His face became serious as he said, "You are a wise man, and I am not stupid either. Let's go straight to the point."
"That would be best," Dragon King replied.
Zhang Ji looked at the silent Dragon King and recalled Slave Huan, who had always come to ask for his advice. Deeply understanding the mercilessness of time, he knew that a stubborn old man like him had no more room to change, while young people would thrive, one generation after another.
They would all be crushed to pieces on the old stone, he thought, and said, "I came to ask for a favor. In return, I will tell you a secret."
"Please go ahead, Mr. Zhang."
"Are you going to the Stone Kingdom to seek a marriage alliance on behalf of the Great Snowmountain?"
Gu Shenwei nodded his head. Fang Wenshi had succeeded, at least partly, in persuading Dragon King to join the team of them seeking marriage, with the purpose of prohibiting Shangguan Fei from being the bridegroom instead of becoming one himself.
In Fang Wenshi's eyes, it would be advantageous for the Great Snowmountain and their hegemony goal for Dragon King to marry the Princess and inherit the throne of the Stone Kingdom. Even if they failed to marry the Princess, simply ensuring that Golden Roc Fort's could not secure the marriage was good enough.
This had already spread around the Jade City. People began to argue over who would be the winner between Dragon King and the Ninth Young Master.
Zhang Ji paused briefly, as if to show reluctance, but his tone was cold and ruthless when he spoke. "Master Hong will accompany the Ninth Young Master to the Stone Kingdom. If you can kill Master Hong during the journey, I will tell you a crucial secret."
Gu Shen had several hunches about Zhang Ji's goal, but this was beyond his expectation. Shangguan Hong possessed neither the ambition nor potential to become the next Supreme King. Zhang Ji should have known clearly when he decided to assist Shangguan Hong from the beginning. Getting rid of him only after three years did not seem like Zhang Ji's way of handling things.
This could be another conspiracy.
Gu Shenwei knew the importance of pretending in front of the enemy, so he said, "Apologies, the Great Snowmountain and Golden Roc Fort are holding a temporary armistice right now. I will never break the agreement by killing someone from the Golden Roc Fort."
Zhang Ji smiled grimly, "If only Master Hong were half as talented as you, he would be able to hold up his head today."
He stood up, not intending to persuade Dragon King any further. Instead, he said, "The secret is with Master Hong himself. It is up to you to decide whether you want to know the secret, and how to obtain it."
This was the first time Zhang Ji addressed Gu Shenwei as "Dragon King" since they met. He uttered the word with a slightly slower tone which seemed to show both respect and irony at the same time. Finally the senior glanced around the familiar tavern of South City and left without even bidding farewell to his former disciple.
Zhang Ji is exactly the type of military counselor I want. Gu Shenwei thought to himself. Someone who can make plans, implement them, and is confident and concise.
He definitely wanted to know what secret Shangguan Hong possessed, and also why Zhang Ji wanted to kill the master that he worked for. But he did not intend to get his answer by doing as Zhang Ji wished.
In the backyard of the Residence of Dragon King, Hu Shining was training the three teenagers. They were not allowed to use sabers but only allowed to hit each other on their backs with their legs.
Tie Linglong managed to hit Nie Zeng to the ground every time, and then raised her head to at the training tutor in defiance. She refused to train with Chu Nanping and when Hu Shining forced her to do so, she would just stand still instead.
Gu Shenwei agreed with Hu Shining that the young girl had the potential to become an excellent killer.
Hu Shining had taken up office in the Residence of Dragon King once reaching a dead end, but he made a demand as well, "I am only in charge of training the killers. I don't care what Dragon King uses them for. However, Jade City belongs to the Lord's territory, and I want to leave this place eventually."
Gu Shenwei agreed. He had already built a secret base in Shu-lik, but the killers trained there were too unskilled and were in need of reorganization. Hu Shining was perfect for this job.
Dragon King set out for the Stone Kingdom after New Year, during which Hu Shining also took the three teenagers to Shu-lik to train. This was what they agreed on. Nie Zeng only desired to be stronger than Dragon King. Chu Nanping did not really care for anything but Tie Linglong found it humiliating. However, she did not raise any objections. It seemed like she had accepted her fate.
Shortly after Gu Shenwei entered his bedroom, Jiang brought him a letter. Although she had been serving Dragon King for many days, she still could not stop herself from blushing and would often break things by mistake. There were only a few pieces of porcelain in Dragon King's room that were still intact.
This time there was no exception. The letter slipped from her hands but Gu Shenwei managed to catch it swiftly. Jiang apologized repeatedly and hastily ran to the other side of the room to wipe the already stainless table.
"Who sent this letter?"
"It was Sister Yanwei's maid," Jiang muttered when she realized she had failed to mention such a simple thing when she delivered the letter. Her face blushed deeply once again.
Gu Shenwei guessed that half of the blood in her body was concentrated on her head, which explained why she was so clumsy.
The letterhead was sealed with red wax, without any mark on it. Gu Shenwei cut the letter open carefully from the other side with his dagger and pulled out the folded white paper.
There were only three scrawled words written on the letter, which seemed like the handwriting of a little child. It said "Come and meet me."
This did not look like Xu Yanwei's handwriting, much less her tone.
"Do you know the maid who delivered the letter?"
"Yes, it was Little Mei. She has come here several times." Jiang's eyes opened wide, confused at Dragon King's doubts.
Gu Shenwei was busy with several other matters before he made his way to Pleasure Alley. He just happened to have business with Xu Yanwei.
The Stone Kingdom's current king had taken to Xu Yanwei when he was exiled in Jade City. He even wanted to bring her back to his country, although, he wanted to take her life afterward.
Gu Shenwei realized that Xu Yanwei might be useful somehow, so he decided to take her to the Stone Kingdom with him. But he had not discussed it with her yet.
The "Number 1 largest brothel in Pleasure Alley" was already opened for business, and business was surprisingly good. The customers there were fond of holding a lady in each arm, and they would open the windows even in the cold winter just to show off to the famous prostitute Xiao Fengchai, who was staying in the opposite building.
Xiao Fengchai had been a highly sought-after prostitute for a long time, which offended many of her peers and men who could not afford to be her customers.
This day, the "Number 1 largest brothel" had little business. It was not because the customers had gotten bored, but the owner had decided to take a day off and refused to serve the customers. Even the women worked for her were hidden away.
"How many days was it even opened for? Are you looking down on us just because you are the largest around here?" The rejected customers complained bitterly as they were forced to leave the brothel.
Gu Shenwei came in through the back door. Maid Little Mei was flustered upon noticing him and immediately went to greet him. She said, "Thank goodness, you finally arrived, Dragon King. Please hurry upstairs."
"Where is your master?" Gu Shenwei did not like this place, and he wanted to make it quick.
"She's serving the customer upstairs." Little Mei replied, pointing to the upper floor.
Gu Shenwei frowned, to think, Xu Yanwei was still serving a customer when she wanted him to meet her. This was really...
Little Mei lamented in a low voice, "I don't know the background of the customer, but I've never seen Madam Xu so scared. The customer was so demanding!"
Xu Yanwei followed the example of Xiao Fengchai and let her staff addressed her as "Madam" as well.
Gu Shenwei was already on the stairs when he realized what Little Mei had said. He suddenly knew who had written the letter. He stopped immediately.
He did not want to see her at all.
"Dragon King is here." Little Mei announced loudly.
Gu Shenwei had no choice but to continue walking upstairs.
Xu Yanwei was kneeling in front of a screen, and before she left the room, she made a face at Dragon King. Judging from the sweat beading her forehead, Xu Yanwei must have suffered a lot.
Behind the screen, a familiar voice called to Gu Shenwei, "You brat, how bold of you that you dare to come and meet me."
Luo Ningcha walked out from behind the screen. She had not changed much in the last three years, except that she looked even more overbearing now. It was as if the whole world had succumbed to her beauty and even Gu Shenwei had to admit that she looked even more attractive and alluring now.
It was a pity that Maid Lotus's hidden weapon had failed to kill her that time. Gu Shenwei shrugged indifferently, "It's unwise for the Eighth Young Mistress to come here. If the Supreme King hears about this, he will explode."
"I'm not afraid of him." Luo Ningcha smiled smugly, and then frowned and said, "What did you just call me?"
Luo Ningcha did not like to be addressed as the "Eighth Young Mistress". All the people who worked for her had to call her "Miss".
"Miss," Gu Shenwei did not intend to argue with her over these trivial matters, but his tone was getting colder and even more unfriendly.
Luo Ningcha did not detect his impatience. She looked over at him and shook her head, sighing, "What happened to you? You don't look so good. Your face is as pale as... Is the Great Snowmountain really so cold?"
"What did you want to see me about, Miss?"
Luo Ningcha became more arrogant, almost suffocating Gu Shenwei with her oppressive air. She said, "I saved your two young underlings."
"And I thank you for that."
"Thank you? A "thank you" is not enough. I am here for repayment for the deed that I did. Do you think that I would do anything for you for nothing?"
"What do you want in return? Just name it, Miss."
Luo Ningcha seemed to lose her temper again. Gu Shenwei could even tell from her breath that she was seething. Surprisingly, she restrained herself from venting her rage and smiled instead, "So, you are the Dragon King now?"
"Yes."
"And you trained thousands of people in preparation to fight against Golden Roc Fort?"
"Something like that." Gu Shenwei did not want to lie nor tell the truth.
Having run out of patience, Luo Ningcha grabbed a teacup from the table and threw it at Gu Shenwei.
Gu Shen did not avoid it. The teacup brushed past him, falling to the ground and smashing to pieces.
"I don't care!" Luo Ningcha lost her temper. "No matter what, you belonged to me, and you need work for me. I have even given you my body, isn't that enough? You ungrateful brat, you should be on your knees!"
Knowing that Maid Lotus was hiding nearby, Gu Shenwei wondered if it was time to signal for her to come out now. Even if this was reason enough for the Supreme King to launch a war, he would not hesitate to do so.