154 The Swordsman (1/2)

Gu Shenwei unconsciously held on to his sword shaft. He had two types of weapons on his waist sash - a machete and a sword. The machete was used for cover and the sword was the most suitable as a killer's blade. Due to the sudden appearance of a highly skilled opponent, he had forgotten his role as a killer of the Golden Roc Fort and as such should be better versed in the arts of using a machete instead.

Most existing sword crafts could be considered as fanciful and were pleasing to the eye but of no practical use. Therefore, in the merciless and real jianghu, swordsmen were never the mainstream but they were never lacking of skill. There were always some of them who possessed god-like swordsmanship and ranked high above other martial artists. Ye Silang was one of them.

Ye Siling never liked to speak and had dedicated his life to his sword, hence he was known as the ”Sacrificial Sword”.

He was just like those who were obssessed with a certain art or skill and were in a world of their own and were only willing to spend the least amount of effort to handle 'disturbances' outside of their focus. To Ye Silang, other than swords and opponents, any other individuals or concerns were nothing in his eyes.

The killing intent he gave out was different from others and Gu Shenwei could feel the slight difference of it. This was someone who was getting tired of his own life and would give no second thought to killing others, without the usual accompanying fear or excitement - just killing as it is.

Gu Shenwei held on to his sword shaft tightly. He did not know if it was because there were too many people that had caused disturbances resulting in him being unable to sense his opponents 'energy flowing through all living things'. That was the point of attack as mentioned in the Death Scripture.

Ye Siling was not as calm as he appeared on the surface. He held on to his sword shaft as well and studied this youthful killer from where he stood amongst the crowd. The youth seemed as normal as any other macheteman, weak and foolish, yet when he was about to draw his sword, his aura changed suddenly into that of another person.

Where was his killing intent? Ye Siling could not understand it. When the youth was in the entaglement with Fifth Young Master Meng, he occasionally let off some killing intent, yet now there was none - only steady, continuous breaths. The youth's Internal Breath had spread across all nerves and tendons across his body and was one with this sword. This was obviously a stance from which he could kill in a blow, yet there was no killing intent from him.

The two of them had yet to draw their swords but only a sense of trepidation grew in each of them. Both viewed of this accidental duel as the first tough fight of their lives.

The time taken as they faced off was not considered long and Meng Mingshi was just pulled aside by Marquis Gao away from the danger. The onlookers also just jostled for the best positions, ready to watch the deadly spectacle.

Should he kill? Would his sword craft be exposed? It did not matter to Gu Shenwei anymore, his will was all concentrated on the youthful swordsman.

Tuo Nengya still played the role of the disruptor. On this night, he seemed to have wanted not for Fifth Young Master Meng to have his fun. He came forward again, walked to the middle of where the two swordsmen were facing off and shook his head, ”I have not agreed, what are the two of you fighting for?”

This time, the person who felt his position was undermined was Marquis Gao. He kept his paper fan in a flurry and said, ”Boss Tuo, you are also someone of experience in the jianghu, do you really not know the rules?”

Tuo Nengya sighed, and twenty over machetemen formed ranks and marched forward, blocking the path of the youthful killer.

”Boss Tuo is old and only wishes to find a dependable master. Fifth Young Master Meng and Marquis Gao, it's not that I do not like riches, but the Horned Dragon Society has just been set up and is highly ambitious. Why do you need to hire machetemen with one foot in the grave like us lot? I do not wish to hold both of you masters up and we dare not take on your offer. Thanks for the love from both masters and please let us old men off.”

The machetemen from Tuo Nengya's gang were about forty or so years old, and were not young but could not be considered as too old either. By de-valuing himself, he wished to settle the crisis happening in front of him peacefully.

Meng Mingshi and Marquis Gao had brought many machetemen with them along with the master swordsman Ye Silang, therefore they were naturally unafraid of Tuo Nengya. However, their objective was Slave Huan and did not wish to be involved in a mass brawl.

While the two of them were hesitating, Ye Silang suddenly let go of his sword shaft and walked to Marquis Gao's side, saying a few words closely into his ear. Marquis Gao's immediately smiled slightly after his face twitched a little. He said, ”The ways of the world have changed, even piles of silver cannot hire a bunch of old men. Since Boss Tuo has made his choice of a better master, we can only know our position and desist.”

A confrontation was thus reduced to nothing and both Tuo Nengya and Gu Shenwei were deeply shocked. Meng Mingshi and the men he brought were also clueless, but since Marquis Gao had already spoken, none dared to oppose him. They could only leave the Rouge Forest, feeling let down after all the excitement. Fifth Young Master Meng ran up to the side of Marquis Gao and Ye Silang and breathlessly fished for the reason in a soft voice.

Only when the old machetemen and youthful killer were left in the forest, Tuo Nengya turned to face his new master and bowed in respect. The twenty over machetemen also did likewise.

Gu Shenwei accepted the gesture serenely and brought the machetemen back to the South City. When it was just before dawn, he brought them in the manor he had rented for the Tenth Young Master.

Bigmouth Liu woke early and had a shock when he saw Tuo Nengya and the gang. He hurriedly pulled his youthful superior to a side and asked what was going on - these machetemen were originally hired by the eldest Young Master, how could they work for the Tenth Young Master now?

Gu Shenwei stuck to his views and ordered Bigmouth Liu to bring the accountant and documentation officer. A contract was drawn up and endorsed and all procedures were completed.

23 armed men were hired and within the Golden Roc Fort they were known as machetemen. Yang Huan was only their chief but their real master was the Tenth Young Master who had yet to return.

After everything was done, Gu Shenwei requested for Bigmouth Liu to summon all the employees in the manor.

”Take him.” After everyone was present, Gu Shenwei gave the order.

The machetemen who had just signed their contract were eager to contribute and straight away two of them came forward and pressed Bigmouth Liu, who was fast turning green, into a kneeling position on the floor.

Bigmouth Liu could not control his shock and disbelief, ” Y-you, what are you doing? Slave Huan, Yang Huan, you do not call the shots here.”