173 Peach Fores (2/2)
Ye Silang remained stood on the same spot. He had cleared his ”debt” by giving the killer a chance to escape, and if the latter refused to take it, the sword in his hand would not be at fault.
Gu Shenwei, together with Maid Lotus, ran out of the peach forest. Neither of them spoke a word until they reached their lodging, when the former finally offered an explanation. ”I had a minor problem.”
Maid Lotus simply nodded her head without questioning or consoling him. The problem was Slave Huan's inner demons which he needed to conquer by himself. All she had to do was wait.
It was around noon when Gu Shenwei arrived in North City. He subsequently confessed to Tenth Young Master that he was unable to bring Ye Silang's head back by night time. ”I've decided to act tomorrow instead.”
”Tomorrow? You have to attend the negotiations with Horned Dragon Society tomorrow.”
The negotiations between the two societies were split into two rounds. Gu Shenwei's task was to reach an agreement for a short truce and confirm the time and venue of the next round of negotiation. The final peace treaty would be left to the two masters of the Shangguan and Meng family to resolve.
”Tomorrow's negotiations shall be my life-and-death battle with Ye Silang.”
Shangguan Ru suddenly had a realization. ”To think the little b*stard still wants to cause trouble. I'm sure he'll do something on the way.”
Ye Silang had revealed a little conspiracy to the killer to repay the latter's ”mercy”. Meng Mingshi's plan was really smart. By professing himself not a member of Horned Dragon Society, Ye Silang would not be breaking any rules if he killed Yang Huan either before or after the negotiations.
”So, I'll bring his head back tomorrow.”
”Are you sure?” Shangguan Ru had reason to be suspicious. Her confidence was affected by the fact that Slave Huan had already held back when facing Ye Silang on several occasions.
”Yes.”
There was a thoughtful look in Shangguan Ru's jet black eyes before she revealed a smile. ”I believe you, but surely you aren't thinking of handling him alone? Just tell me how many people you need. There's no problem even if you want to take all of the machetemen, as well as the killers, with you. We shall know if Wildhorse is a traitor after tonight.”
Kun Society's counteroffensive was set to begin that night. If it was successful, it would serve as a significant bargaining chip at the next day's negotiations. This was similar to the Meng family's ”little b*stard” plan, albeit the targets were different.
”I may need a few people, but first, I need to know who brought about these negotiations.”
”The commandant Zhong Heng. Do you suspect him of being a part of the conspiracy too?”
”I don't know. I'll have to go investigate.”
Gu Shenwei could not determine whether Zhong Heng was a friend or foe. The latter used to provide critical advice to the young killers, but had also often shifted responsibility for difficult problems on to them. Futhermore, Gu Shenwei had bribed and kidnapped him before, and thereby the relationship between them had become complicated.
Zhong Heng's scholarly face made him look simple and pure. The commandant, as in the past, warmly received the young killer and exchanged pleasantries for some time before they got down to the point. ”It's time for it to end. The young masters of Stone Castle have all grown up and shall have to display their abilities in South City. The amount of activity this time has been the biggest thus far, ho ho. Tenth Young Master has truly excelled her master. I hope tomorrow's negotiations will proceed completely smoothly. Everything else should be left to the leaders of the two societies to discuss, while we get to sheathe our knives. Speaking of which, Stone Castle and the Meng family are actually one family...”
Hoping to dig out some clues from within, Gu Shenwei listened with patience as Commandant Zhong spoke in his bureaucratic tone. However, his efforts failed in the face of a tactful old fox. He was thereby compelled to cut right to the chase and launch a verbal attack when the latter stopped talking. He had successfully pulled off such a trick many times before.
”How much is the Meng family willing to pay commandant Sir?”
”Come again?” The shock on Zhong Heng's face seemed genuine. ”You... what... do you mean? Does Manager Yang suspect I was bribed?”
Zhong Heng was filled with righteous indignation.
”Commandant, please forgive lowly me for my moment of disrespect.” Gu Shenwei immediately apologized.
”There's no crime in that. A little caution is always good.” Zhong Heng's attitude rapidly changed and returned to its former amiability.
”Commandant, your basic salary will be doubled from two thousand taels to four thousand taels starting next month.”
This was a private conversation between an officer and a killer. Zhong Heng, who had only received a salary once before, seemed a little perplexed that it was going to be doubled. ”Manager Yang, it's not good to be rewarded for nothing...”
”I've said that I'll keep asking you for advice. Commandant, your every advice has benefited lowly me a great deal.”
Zhong Heng laughed knowingly while leaning back on his chair. As he nudged his beard, a vacant expression appeared on his face, indicating that he was about to order the guest to leave. He then began to speak, with his eyes looking diagonally upwards, as if he was conversing with an invisible guest. ”Though I know little, I do know that a person who grows flowers will steal flowers, a person who harvests rice will steal rice, and a person who provides protection from danger is often a dangerous person himself.”
Gu Shenwei took his leave and returned to meet Tenth Young Master. He waited until he was alone with her before he asked, ”Whose territory will tomorrow's negotiations be held on?”
”Ninth Young Master's. You don't have to worry. I'll never forgive him if he dares to do something.”
Gu Shenwei revealed an expression of relief, but in his heart, he understood everything: his life would be in the hands of Shangguan Fei tomorrow.