148 Killing the Master (2/2)

Gu Shenwei had held on to his saber, waiting intently just for this very moment. He had prepared for a very long time and wanted to test how good his ”machete skill” truly was.

Behind every Young Master was a ”green-masked” assassin who existed for the sole purpose of protecting his master. No matter if his master was declared an unfaithful son, a traitor, or a usurper of his own father, he would follow his master left and right, hiding in deserted places, only to emerge, suddenly, out of nowhere.

But in the eyes of Gu Shenwei, the ”green mask” was no longer a creature who appeared out of thin air. Instead, a bright, cold light momentary flashed from among the guards, and the ”green mask” jumped out from behind the killers, beheading one with a single swing of his knife. Shangguan Chui did not even notice.

Shen Liang had prepared for this. The remaining killers unsheathed their swords one by one. They planned to win by sheer strength of numbers.

But they were too slow.

The green-masked assassin had only killed one assassin. Before falling to the ground, his four limbs splayed, and fist still clenched tightly around his saber.

Gu Shenwei and Maid Lotus emerged at the same time, one stabbing his neck, the other, the heart.

The swordsmanship of the Death Scriptures had always meant coming in just a little late. This little delay was barely perceptible and only the most skilled could discern this -- how, within a single breath, so much could be accomplished.

The green-masked assassin's blade slid down Gu Shenwei's neck, albeit ineffectually, and with two swords already plunged in his body, he died with his master.

Gu Shenwei was a little shocked. He had actually killed green-mask together with Maid Lotus. Yet, he was acutely aware of the fact that his victory had been sheer luck. Had the green-mask not kept his eyes on the killer behind Shangguan Chui, it would have been difficult to predict whether it was he or green-face who would have died.

His neck still bled profusely, and Shangguan Ru bandaged his wound expertly with a silken scarf.

Blademaster Shen Liang gaped at the two youths before him. He of all people was cognizant of the unparalled skills of the green-masked assassin yet these two youths had managed to ambush the assassin successfully! This was beyond comprehension. From that day onwards, he made sure to keep an eye on Slave Huan and Maid Lotus. However, at this very point in time, he was more concerned about Shangguan Chui's condition.

Shangguan Chui's thigh was struck by a killer from behind and he stumbled forwards several steps before falling onto the ground. He turned his head and saw the green-masked assassin's corpse. The fight was over and he knew he had lost. ”Who's come to kill me?” He asked.

Suddenly, a miraculous calm descended upon the eldest son of Supreme King. Despite having fallen, his held his head high and was a picture of royalty, one that still retained all his pride.

No one breathed a single word.

Shen Liang pulled out his Six Kill Saber from its red scabbard. The saber was the red colour its scabbard. It looked like it had been pulled from a pool of blood.

Shangguan Fei had learnt his lesson from his mother and from Shen Liang. He took the Six Kill Saber, and went up to his big brother.

Shangguan Chui's gaze swept over his youngest brother, and looking at Shen Liang, he said: ”I have a wife, and two sons and a daughter.”

”They will live well.” Shen Liang said. This was the tradition of Golden Roc Fort, that the hatred of a generation would not pass on to the next. But in reality, for hundreds of years, revenge between brothers had played on and on, and there was not a single incidence in which sons had not sought to avenge their fathers. The victor took great power, and while the vanquished still lived, he lost all means to resist.

Shangguan Chui now looked at Shangguan Fei, a smile appearing on his face. ”It wouldn't be fitting for me to become Supreme King if I hadn't sunk a blade into the body of a brother. So you see, I'm not worthy. Come, ninth brother, wash yourself with my blood, and just like that saber, you'll be able to win over the Lord's heart. Remember, be careful of women. If you muster the same cruelty as that which resides in their hearts, then do not provoke them. Ah, you might never know, the people that your mother was killed, the scores of people you've never seen.”

The knife in Shangguan Fei's hands trembled.

Gu Shenwei had not seen this little master for a long time. He had grown taller and looked discernably different from his twin sister. His eyes had sunken in, and his face grew longer, looking like a proper child of the Shangguan family.

Yet, his expression lacked the resolve and coldness of a killer.

Gu Shenwei knew why Lady Meng wanted Shangguan Fei to kill his big brother with his own hands. Shangguan Ru was after all, still a daughter, and while she might assume the identity of Young Master, she would never be Supreme King. Only Shangguan Fei could inherit his father's position.

And what Shangguan Chui had said was absolutely right. In every generation, Supreme Kings had appeared to have killed their own brothers, and even their own fathers. If Shangguan Fei truly wanted to get into his father's good books, he would have to overcome this ”test”.

Shangguan Fei's blade pierced his big brother's chest but it only went in an inch. Fresh blood spurted out and he shook even more violently. His hands tried driving it in further but the blade would not move.

Shangguan Chui groaned, and opened his mouth as if to say something.

Gu Shenwei, who has been standing beside Shangguan Fei, approached him. He grasped Shangguan Fei's hands and thrust the blade in.

And in this way, the eldest son of the Supreme King died.