561 Arrestmen (1/2)
”Jie is a Shang citizen and if he falls in with them, it will be detrimental to my cause!”
Young Master Wu had calmed down and he spoke coldly.
”Ge Mo, I want you to bribe the personal guards of the King. Tell them to turn the arrest warrant into a death warrant. Turn the King and Jie against each other.”
”It shall be done, Young Master!”
There was a glint in Mo Ge's eyes as he retreated.
Mo Ge could not help but laugh inwardly.
”Jie...so what if you are a gifted swordsman? You have offended our Young Master and will suffer a terrible death. Your death will contribute to Western Zhou's grand ambitions!”
As long the Shang King fell for the calumny about Jie and fell out with him, Western Zhou would benefit no matter who won.
'This is how our Young Master conducts his affairs!”
Mo Ge walked out of the hall and wiped the sweat off his brows.
Young Master Wu was bright and ambitious, not to mention that he also had a vicious streak. Mo Ge was finding it increasingly difficult to serve him.
Nevertheless, working under such a lord was the way to survive in these chaotic times and to accomplish the enterprise of overthrowing the Shang Dynasty!
”Young Master Wu will become our future King! No one will stand in his path...much less a lowly swordsman…”
Mo Ge muttered to himself.
”Sir Zou!”
Young Master Wu stood alone in the great hall with his arms placed behind his back. He suddenly posed a question to the air.
”Having met this person, what are your thoughts?”
”There are so many kinds of people in the world and I can never be sure about someone. One thing is for sure though. He is definitely not a simple man!”
A white-haired old man emerged from behind the walls. He wore a large robe and had a long beard that touched the ground. He looked very sprightly for his age and wore a foot-long hat on his head. He was definitely a man with special talents.
”A man who can defeat Sir Cao is obviously not a simple man!”
Young Master Wu waved a hand dismissively.
”What else?”
”Also...this person has achieved a high level of cultivation. He is not a common swordsman, nor is he a realm energy practitioner. On the contrary, he looks like he is from the witch race…”
The old man stroked his white beard.
”Witch?”
Young Master Wu looked perplexed.
”Have you heard about the Jiuli Disturbance? The people of Jiuli were witches...the God of War, Chi, that they worshipped was also a witch…”
Sir Zou let out a sigh.
”Unfortunately, the world underwent a major upheaval 500 years ago and the witch race disappeared off the face of the earth. It is wholly unexpected that we were able to meet a member of the witch race today...besides, seeing how he had glanced directly at my hiding spot, he must have discovered my spying on him.”
”Really?”
Young Master Wu did not know what to feel about that.
...
”There was probably a fourth person present in the talent house!”
As Fang Yuan left Juxian Hall, he turned his head around and caught sight of a touch of purple energy. He could not help but smile.
When he had first arrived in Shangyi, he had felt the presences of three difficult people. The Sword Sage Sir Cao was one of them. The second person was right here.
”I'm guessing that the third person is in the imperial palace. After all, a legacy of 500 years would probably result in a formidable Shang royal…”
Fang Yuan was walking back to his lodgings when he suddenly frowned.
A group of Shang soldiers had surrounded the building. They were obviously targetting Hei Zhong, Ge Nie and company!
”They've made their move in so short a time?”
Fang Yuan grumbled but he did not back down.
”Jie...as a Shang citizen, you have committed treason by disrespecting the King. Surrender now!”
An army commander stepped forward and railed at Fang Yuan. It was Gentleman Jiu. At his side were Meng Kuo and the other soldiers who had partaken in the operation against Dongyi.
It was clear that Young Master Wu's camp had gotten to them first.
Of course, it was probably thanks to Meng Kuo and a few others that the soldiers had not yet rushed into the building to make their arrests.
”Jie...sigh…”
Meng Kuo stepped forward and bowed.
”Do have a care for the general situation and follow me back to the palace to meet with the King. I will run the risk of getting punished and defend you...besides, now that you have the reputation of emerging victorious over Sir Cao, the King won't make things difficult for you.”
Meng Kuo was unwilling to see Fang Yuan resist arrest for it was a path of no return.
However, someone did not share his sentiments.
”Men, make them put down their weapons and take them down!”
Gentleman Jiu pointed at Fang Yuan and unsheathed his sword.
Dozens of soldiers rushed forward menacingly with their spears.
'Resist!'
Gentleman Jiu stared at Fang Yuan morbidly. To him, if Jie did not resist arrest, he would teach him a lesson that he would never forget. He would then kill Hei Zhong in revenge for having suffered humiliation at his hands.
If Jie resisted, he would be a dead man!
In the Shang capital, resisting the civil force was a capital crime. Even it was Sir Cao and all his disciples, the state would see to their deaths.
”Really...you have no idea what you're in for!”
Fang Yuan flicked his sword and a metallic sound rang through the air.
”Buzz!”
As the sound rang out, Fang Yuan smashed his way through the surrounding Shang soldiers like a tornado, leaving them lying about like broken ragdolls.
”Shield!”
Gentleman Jie let out a roar and a dozen shield-bearing soldiers spread out in front of him. Another dozen bowmen emerged from behind the shield bearers.
”Shields on!”