157 Finding the Murderer (1/2)
The way in which Gao Zhen, Marquis Gao had died was rather strange. He was secretly sneaking into the South City at the height of an intense battle between the two societies. That was like courting his own death.
Everyone said that the parents of both sides had requested the leaders of the two societies to not enter the South City. This rule put the Horned Dragon Society at a disadvantage.
Shangguan Ru was a teenage girl, and was only curious about South City's tavern, betting arenas and brothels. She had no desire for them. Hence, it was easier to deal with her. For the young masters of the other party, the story was different. To them, hiding in the North City felt like imprisonment. Before long, they had begun to miss the South City's allure and its hustle and bustle. They became highly agitated, like deers in heat.
The first person who couldn't bear it any longer was Marquis Gao. He probably thought that the end of the year would be more peaceful and that the two opposing sides would not arrange any killings. Hence, he only brought with him a servant. He left the city by heading for the eastern gate. After going around in a huge circle, from an opening in the city wall, he entered the South City. He headed straight for a prostitute whom he was familiar with in Pleasure Alley to have fun.
Eventually, the two individuals died together, realising their dreams of staying together for eternity. A few experts came to examine the scene of the event, and agreed that the murder weapon was a sword.
There were few masters who used swords in the whole of Jade City. There were even fewer who had a feud with Marquis Gao. Hence, his best friend, Sword Sacrificer Ye Silang announced on New Year's eve that the culprit for the murder must have been the killer from Kun Society, Yang Huan. He demanded for a duel on the ninth of the first month of the Lunar Year. It would be in Rouge Forest.
Marquis Gao was not an ordinary macheteman. As soon as news of his death spread, Stone Castle sent men to the South City to investigate; and even the 11 young machetemen, Shangguan Yushi included, had to explain where they were at the time of the crime.
All the five assassination teams were outside searching for information, and partners of the same team confirmed this, apart from Liuhua. He went about on his own as always. However, he was only skilled in the longbow arrow. He knew not how to use the sword, and was only mediocre in his machete skills. Hence, the biggest suspects were Slave Huan and Maid Lotus.
Both of them had swords. Because of how close they were, their mutual testimonies could not be believed. At the same time however, there was no other evidence that could prove that Yang Huan was the killer. Especially on the topic of whether he knew how to use the sword, no one in Stone Castle believed that he was really capable of sword skills. If he was really skilled, he would have appeared at the East Castle long ago. And also, he would not have been forced into a corner thrice, and been almost killed by Wildhorse in a monthly killing test.
Ye Silang declared that Yang Huan must be a swordsman from the way he held his sword. But this saying became highly controversial. Many felt that Yang Huan had only held his sword hilt that way in Rouge Forest in a fit of panic. After all, when swords and daggers were mixed together, any confusion was possible.
However, Horned Dragon Society would not dismiss this case of murder so easily. The strategist of the society believed that the murderer must have come from Kun Society. As Kun Society only had two men with swords, the murderer could only be one of them.
After a heated exchange of two days, Shangguan Ru was incensed. This was war. Killing people was a usual affair. Since Marquis Gao had entered South City, killing him would not be flouting the rules. Hence, she agreed to Ye Silang's challenge.
Gu Shenwei suddenly fell into a dilemma.
He hoped to meet a master to practice his sword skills. However, he wished even more to do this in private. He had already lied to people in the Fort that he didn't know how to perform sword craft. And if he wanted to do so now, his lie would be exposed.
Another option would be to use blades in a duel. The Death Scripture sword skills and the Golden Fort's machete skills were similar in some instances. The techniques of using swords could be completely transferrable to the saber. He usually did this with Maid Lotus. However, Ye Silang was an expert. In a duel between masters, there was little margin for error and any could mean death.
Gu Shenwei's speed in using his saber always lagged a little. This scarcely perceptible difference could cost him his life.
Shangguan Ru was highly confident of Slave Huan's abilities. She had already accepted the challenge on his behalf. Gu Shenwei had no choice. He could only go to the North City and cautiously explain to the Tenth Young Master that he was the killer. But battling in an arena was not his forte.
Just like before, Shangguan Ru was highly enthusiastic about the duel. ”Be rest assured, ” she consoled. ”I've already thought through this. At the time of the duel, he'll choose the time but I'll choose the way of the battle. I have a plan. You won't duel openly but will use the whole of Rouge Forest as your terrain, just like the duel between you and Wildhorse.”
During those years of killing when the apprentices were in training, Slave Huan and Wildhorse had a single duel. They had hunted each other down in the midst of the ruins of a house. At the very last moment, the Lord called the duel to a halt.
Gu Shenwei could only accept such terms. He would not use the sword. This was also to show how his own sword was only for decorative purpose. Before entering the Rouge Forest he had to leave his sword outside. With a duel in this manner, he could at least regain some advantage to make up for deficiencies in his machete skills.
Maid Lotus brainstormed various means of competing such as hiding the sword in the forest in advance and hiding it with a saber after killing Ye Silang.
Gu Shenwei did not agree. First, he felt that this would be discovered too easily. Second, he did not want the plan to become an emotional crutch. Once he thought of wanting to get that sword, his will to kill might be completely diminished.
Dueling become inevitable. Not only the societies, but even all of the residents of Jade City strongly supported the duel. This fight became a spectacle for their enjoyment. They also wished however, that the duel taking place outside the city would end the bloodshed in the city once and for all.
However, suddenly, Ye Silang's revenge became a contest between two parties. One was a swordsman, and the other a killer who did not admit that he was a swordsman - they will decide which society was the stronger force in South City.
The situation developed so rapidly that most people's attention were turned to the duel on the ninth of the Lunar Year. Even the festivity of the New Year vanished, let alone the cause of the duel - the death of Marquis Gao.
Gu Shenwei was also completely wrapped up in his thoughts. He only thought about how to conceal his swordcraft. Only until the third day did he suddenly realize that this duel was absurd. Both parties should instead, be focusing their efforts on finding the real murderer.
With such a thought, he immediately thought that Ye Silang was highly suspicious. Marquis Gao had just died and he was already bent on revenge. It was as though he wanted to hide something.
Hence, he went to ask around. His findings were puzzling. Ye Silang and Marquis Gao were as close as brothers. They knew each other for years. One was skilled in the martial arts, the other in literature. It was clear in Jade City that there were no conflicts between them. Ye Silang was not lustful. He was not greedy for money either. He did not come from the same country as Marquis Gao and so would not have been involved in the same court struggles. No matter which perspective it was, Ye Silang had no reason to kill. This was also the very reason why when Marquis Gao died of a sword wound, no one had suspected Ye Silang.