106 The Setup (1/2)

Luo Ningcha's world had changed since she married into Golden Roc Fort.

Her manners, and her rules of seeing exclusively her husband, suddenly became people's laughing stocks. The power of arbitrarily taking and killing she used to take for granted was no longer available. She could not even control her own life and death.

She remembered every insult she received in the Inner Residence. The desire for revenge devoured her and made her sleepless at night. She was not stupid though, and was much more clever than Gu Shenwei had thought. What she lacked in her education were vision and strategy.

”Go on.”

Luo Ningcha ordered. While Gu Shenwei detected her eagerness.

”The foundation of Meng business was the worldwide trading network. It was by Golden Roc Forts protection that the network could run smoothly, leading to the Meng family earning a lot. Bighead Kingpin abode by the rules, never messing with caravans that have the Golden Roc flag. Even so, his only daughter has been bullied by a Mrs. Meng all because they don't know about Bighead Kingpin in Golden Roc Fort. We'll teach them a lesson, and show them how capable Iron Mountain is.”

”Stop!” Miss's voice suddenly cracked, as if Slave Huan had said something wrong. But Gu Shenwei knew he had impressed her.

”Sinister,” Miss added. The word sounded unreal as if they came out on their own with no recipient.

”Exactly what Miss wanted,” Gu Shenwei added. Both of them remembered Mama Xue's judgment on Slave Huan.

”Don't you dare say such things anymore.”

”Yes, Miss.” Gu Shenwei understood It was time for him to shut up. Miss's comprehension was better than he thought.

”That Liu Xuan you were talking about, I can't kill him.”

”But I have an idea.” Gu Shenwei had been waiting, and then he revealed how he and Maid Lotus had planned.

”Sinister,” Miss repeated without a derogatory tone. Rather, she seemed to have realized something. ”Wait for my news.”

Before leaving, Gu Shenwei asked Miss to inform Eighth Young Master of his allegiance. Sooner or later, Shangguan Nu would learn. He might as well tell her beforehand.

Then, Gu Shenwei returned to East Castle, with an appreciation for Zhang Ji. During the one month in Archives Library, he had learned a lot; An armed killer might kill one person at a time, but a rich counselor could kill many more.

While waiting, Gu Shenwei and Maid Lotus were restless with the thought that Miss would screw things up if she lost her temper.

Maid Lotus's midnight dates with an East Castle killer were spreading. She lost many friends and received some judgment because of this. Gu Shenwei was partly relieved, for there were no longer rumors of him and Maid Lotus. However, his on-and-off ”leadership” was again in jeopardy.

When the news finally came, Gu Shenwei was so desperate that he acted as soon as night fell. First, he kidnapped clueless Slave Zi and cut off his fingers to interrogate him. He wanted to confirm that Slave Zi knew nothing and that he learned the saber sharpening accidentally.

Gu Shenwei then murdered Slave Zi and dumped his body. He also killed three Snake Year apprentices who used to be close to Slave Zi.

At the same time, some Dragon Year apprentices were encouraged to conduct the last slaughter of this year, killing dozens of people. This, in turn, covered Slave Huan's murders.

Yet, Golden Roc Fort stopped this pointless slaughter, since there had been no one capable among Snake Year Apprentices. They sent most of Snake Year apprentices to Western Region as mercenaries, spies, and servants.

Compared with the strong Dragon Year apprentices, Snake Year apprentices were considered the weakest in history.

Liu Xuan's flogging to death was spread days later. Nobody connected it with the two apprentices, except a few insiders.

Rumor has it Liu Xuan was so bold that he tried to rape Eighth Young Mistress's maid. Being caught red-handed by maids, he had rashly taken off his clothes, pulled off Miss's veil, and almost degraded her in front of them. The maids then resisted desperately to protect their Miss.

Hearing this, Eighth Young Master immediately returned home and had Liu Xuan flogged to death. Liu Xuan was first flogged from the toes. Then after 300 floggings, he had had his lower body battered to pieces and finally had his head crushed.

Moreover, it was said his eyes and tongue had been cut out, as by the rules of Iron Mountain.

Liu Xuan's confession did not matter, since the maids, Eighth Young Mistress, and guarding killers all testified Liu Xuan was inappropriately naked at the scene.

Eighth Young Mistress's reputation became worse, but she threatened to kill herself for several days, which gained her back some of her good name. In addition, she no longer entered the Inner Residence. Shangguan Nu became both ashamed and angry, allocating two female killers on guard, and prohibiting male killers from entering the backyard.

The maid was arranged by Maid Lotus, who was one of Miss's 10 maidens. The maid had seduced Liu Xuan into the room and only started screaming after he pulled off his pants. She and Miss were the only insiders in the yard.