152 Machete of Blood (1/2)
Unlike killers, machetemen were employed to perform tasks for their master, thus, they had to be loyal to their master. Because of this, while killers had to commit suicide when their master was killed, however, machetemen could be relieved of their obligations and look for another master.
Tuo Nengya was a barbarian. His machete skills were largely different from those who came from the Central Plains and he often fought with two scimitars. He came to Jade City when he was in his twenties and he was famous in his early years. It was rumored that Golden Roc Fort had wanted to accept him as an official killer, but he declined the offer because he wanted to enjoy more freedom as a macheteman.
In the last few years, he had been serving under Shangguan Chui as the leader of the group of machetemen. Many called him Boss Tuo.
After hearing this information from Bigmouth Liu, Gu Shenwei did not make a decision immediately. Instead, he went around to observe again and heard many rumors about the Horned Dragon Society.
As Horned Dragon Society was established by the children of many wealthy families in North City, Gu Shenwei immediately thought of Fifth Young Master Meng. Fifth Young Master Meng should have been involved in this matter, but there was little information about the founders of the society. Hence, no one knew who was part of this society. Even for the Machete God Contest, it was organized by several protectors from South City and Horned Dragon Society only offered monetary support.
Gu Shenwei did not heed Bigmouth Liu's advice and went up to Tuo Nengya.
As soon as he was standing in front of Tuo Nengya, Gu Shenwei could feel many eyes were staring at him. Those machetemen were scattered everywhere and were leaning against trees, as though they were unfamiliar with one another. However, once someone entered their territories, they would immediately grab hold of the hilt of their weapons.
”I recognize you,” Tuo Nengya spoke. His voice was slow yet powerful as though his words had some magical power which could materialize into reality.
”Oh?”
”Killer Yang Huan. I heard that you were involved in the last stabbing of First Young Master.”
”You want to take revenge.”
Tuo Nengya shook his head. His movements were slow as well. ”If I am able to find First Young Master, I hope he can give the salary for the last few months to me and these brothers.”, he said while raising his hand to point at the nearby machetemen.
”When the master dies, the debt will no longer exist. However, there is a new job. I wonder whether you're interested in it.”
Tuo Nengya was obviously interested. Initially, he was leaning against the tree, but now, he stood up straight. He grabbed on to the hilts of his scimitars while judging the youth standing in front of him. He asked, ”Do you fight with a sword?”
”The sword is a souvenir. I fight with a blade,” Gu Shenwei answered. As swordcraft was a secret shared only between him and Maid Lotus, both of them did not plan to let anyone else know.
Tuo Nengya lost his interest. He let go of his grip and crossed his arms. While using his chin to point at the nearby open space, he said, ”Go there. There will be many people who will be interested in the job.”
”I want a genuine macheteman.”
”A genuine macheteman not only considers the rewards, but also considers the ability of their master. No one will want to risk their lives due to their master's poor command.”
”The new master will also join in the fight.”
”That will have to depend on the machete skills of the new master.”
Gu Shenwei turned and looked at the sparring arena. The onlookers were cheering, which probably meaned that someone managed to pull off a stunning victory. Gu Shenwei asked, ”Would you care for a match?”
Tuo Nengya raised his chest high, and then flattened his chest like a wind box. He said, ”At night. Come after 9 pm. Young people play around during daytime. Old people will only fight at night.”
As Gu Shenwei left, the cheers around several sparring arenas became louder. In several days' time, the victor would be announced and those who won today's match stood a chance to win that lucrative job.
Gu Shenwei sent Bigmouth Liu back to the city. Gu Shenwei then ate at a stall, which was situated outside of the Rogue Forest, as he waited for nightfall.
Bigmouth Liu was slightly dissatisfied with his young superior as Yang Huan rarely asked for his opinion even though he was more familiar with the situation in South City. Luckily, in a few days' time, Tenth Young Master would visit the city from the mountains. He would rather please Tenth Young Master rather than this so-called master.
In the evening, today's Machete God Contest came to an end. Most of the machetemen left. Hundreds of machetemen stayed behind and were wandering around in the forest.
Around 9 pm, a bonfire was lit at the open space, which was situated at the deepest part of the forest. Everyone gathered around and formed a circle around it to keep warm.
An old man, who was in his fifties, went up empty-handed. There was a scattered round of applause. He asked, ”Does anyone here wants to be the Machete God?”
The crowd laughed as they were not interested in the title of ”Machete God”. Someone in crowd shouted, ”I want to be Machete of Blood God!”. The laughter became louder.
Tuo Nengya came to the young man and said, ”Machete of Blood Contest will occur every night as long as it is not raining. Participants will fight with real weapons and this contest has had a long history, which is similar to that of Jade City.”.
”I haven't heard of it,” Gu Shenwei said. Gu Shenwei became interested. Even though Tie Hanfeng had mentioned Rouge Forest before his death, he did not talk about the Machete of Blood Contest. As he would pick machetemen from among his acquaintances, he did not come to such places.
”This is a game between the machetemen. Few masters will participate.”
Gu Shenwei understood what Boss Tuo meant. He held onto the handle of his blade and asked, ”Why don't you participate in the Machete God Contest?”
”As I said before, genuine machetemen will consider the ability of their master. Since we don't know who is the head of Horned Dragon Society, we won't want to risk our lives for that ten thousand silver taels.”
Gu Shenwei was accustomed to the thinking of a Golden Roc killer, so he could not understand the intention of this group of machetemen. In his opinion, he would rather work for the ten thousand silver taels than fight secretly at night.