123 Training the Women (1/2)
The Tenth Young Master had gone into the desert and disappeared for 23 days. When she reappeared in front of the others, she was so gaunt and travel-stained that she was almost beyond recognition. She looked more like a boy now. Shangguan Yushi, who stood next to her, held up two skulls to the cheering of the crowd.
The six teenagers had finally arrived at the mountain pass, which was located on the border of the Jade City. The allied forces of Golden Roc Fort and Iron Mountain were stationed there. Their forces had surrounded the east and south side of the desert, ready for a large-scale attack. A few squads of killers had already penetrated the enemy's camp and continuously reported back the news of their confrontations.
The Eighth Young Master, Shangguan Nu, who was stationed at the north side, was discussing the strategy with his father-in-law. He came into this camp that very night and was overjoyed to see his sister had returned. After a day's rest, he sent a team of killers to escort her home and promised her that he would not return home until he had slaughtered the whole Barren Sect.
The Bighead Kingpin had assumed command in the north-east side. He did not come personally. Instead, he sent someone to apologize and took responsibility for the incident. The gifts he sent were so numerous that they piled up at the border, and for a month after Shangguan Ru's safe arrival, the carriages of Iron Mountain continued to arrive.
The other teenage guards were also rewarded accordingly. But the reward was so generous that it drew the envy of the former year's guards.
The Bighead Kingpin sent a messenger to inform Slave Huan publicly that would recieve a gift ranked only second to Shangguan Ru's, which included a jade ring and a delicate bronze mirror.
”Bighead Kingpin has said...” The messenger piped up his voice, relaying the message, ”Slave Huan is a capable subordinate and a loyal servant. Since the Eighth Young Mistress is young and has a bad temper, he can hold this mirror and restrain the mistress in place of the Bighead Kingpin.”
The messenger gave Slave Huan a wooden box, which contained the skull of the maid, Little Sui. He said, ”The Bighead Kingpin asked you to tell the Eighth Young Mistress his words, 'I've raised you for many years, and I gave you anything you wanted. I assume it's enough. From now on, you shall pay respects to your elders and be considerate to them. Be a good wife in Shangguan family, don't cause any trouble.'”
The Bighead Kingpin would let a teenage killer restrain his daughter? This raised questions in the camp and embarrassed Shangguan Nu. He angrily confronted Slave Huan and questioned him about what had happened.
Gu Shenwei had not expected that. He thought he could stir up the troubles between Iron Mountain and Meng family, or even if he failed, he would still sow dissension between Bighead Kingpin and his master.
Gu Shenwei could only take out the skull of Little Sui and explain that the Mistress had asked him to pass on the message to Bighead Kingpin. Little Sui was her second secret messenger and had been silenced. The Bighead Kingpin knew Slave Huan was a loyal subordinate of Eighth Young Master, so had kept him alive, but he was annoyed with his daughter's behavior.
When Shangguan Nu heard that his wife wanted Slave Huan dead, he was perplexed but also glad to be relieved of an annoyance.
Once back to the fort, Shangguan Ru stayed in the Inner Residence and did not come out for a long time. Four brown-belt assassins were the focus of ”Little Flag Battalion” now, including Liuhua, who was good at avoiding crowds, but was now constantly followed by several admirers. This annoyed him, and he almost wanted to hold another slaughter again.
As usual, Slave Huan's deeds were downplayed, and credit was given to Shangguan Ru. Only some former members of ”Tattooed Arm Gang” knew the truth and they admired their leader all the more.
Several days later, even Tie Hanfeng asked about Slave Huan what had happened when he passed out in front of the assassins. He considered taking his apprentice to the doctor again. ”You shall make every possible effort. We will go to the Four Truths Temple first, if they fail, we will go to the Land of Fragrance. They is always a way.”
A month ago, Gu Shenwei would have thought Liuhua had caused all of this, but now he put Wildhorse as the primary culprit.
Wildhorse had sought refuge with Shangguan Yushi, putting Gu Shenwei on high alert.
However, his biggest headache with the vicious and wicked Miss, instead of Wildhorse.
In the room with the hollowed-out wooden wall, Slave Huan held up the bronze mirror and conveyed Bighead Kingpin's reprimand. Before he had finished his first word, Luo Ningcha flew into a rage and smashed everything around her. She beat her closest maids and ordered the maid outside to take Slave Huan's mirror, shouting that his eyes and tongue would be cut off.
The maids took the mirror, but no one dared to punish Slave Huan. He was no longer the dowry slave, he was trusted by the Eighth Young Master and the Bighead Kingpin.
Luo Ningcha took more than three days for her rage to dissipate, and only then did she understand the situation. Now she was indeed a recluse in the fort. If she offended the protector her father had appointed, it would only make things worse. Thus she summoned Slave Huan again, this time only with Maid Jade present.
This was a meeting that was equally candid and hypocritical.
Luo Ningcha was the daughter of the Bighead Kingpin, born knowing how to win people's support, but she just seldom used that skill. For the first time, she apologized to Slave Huan, but soon she defended herself, ”It's all your fault, you taught me to intrigue. So I followed what you taught, to kill you to silence you.”
”You're learning fast.” Gu Shenwei praised her insincerely.
”But I've thought it through, I can't do my work alone. I need an assistant, and those useless maids won't help me. Besides, they're women, they won't achieve anything in this fort. You'll be my henchman.”