175 Night Talks (1/2)
Shangguan Fei had never been to the South City. He was not interested in that place at all. Its lanes were messy and narrow, and the crowds were boorish. One looked at it was enough. He'd rather stay at Stone Castle. Staying at North City gave him a feeling of abandonment.
The rivalry with his sister left him exceedingly embarrassed. If he were to win, people might say that since the Ninth Young Master a boy, it was natural for him to win. If he were to lose though, people might start to question his masculinity or make some other humiliating remark.
In short, no one respected him. In the eyes of his father, mother, brothers, sisters, and even the servants; there was only the Tenth Young Master.
Midnight has passed. Shangguan Fei had not entered the house to sleep. He stayed in the courtyard trading blows with two killers with wooden sabers. Seeing the scene of massacre upstairs earlier caused him a great deal of alarm. His sister's laughter, light and unencumbered, left him feeling even greater jealousy and hatred.
He poured out his feelings on the wooden saber, waving it forcefully. The two killers on the receiving end stepped backwards. Suddenly, he grew dejected again and the killers pretended to be unable to resist.
Shangguan Fei threw the wooden saber away. Feelings of frustration grew in his chest. He wanted to raise his head to the skies and let off a long shout, but was afraid that others would laugh at him.
The two killers maintained their vigilance. Before their master had sensed any danger, the two had rushed before him with wooden sabers aimed at him. The killers could kill with any weapon.
Shangguan Fei turned his head and saw a masked man dressed fully in black.
The uninvited guest kneeled on the floor, not speaking.
”You two, retreat.”
Shangguan Fei coldly gave the order. The killer nodded his head slightly and retreated out of the courtyard. They were responsible for protecting their master but would not interfere in their master's personal affairs.
”The killer Yang Huan pays his respects to the Ninth Young Master.”
”The Tenth Young Master made you come? Is there anything that she can't say in person? Why did she send you to throw a glance at me?”
Shangguan Fei had been waiting for the slave for a long time. In reality, he was looking forward to meeting Slave Huan. Slave Huan held a trump card that could kill anyone in this conspiracy that was Shangguan Fei's very first. Moreover, he was someone important; seeing an unsuspecting prey, he trembled with excitement.
”Your servant's visit has nothing to do with the Tenth Young Master.”
”Ha, you're a killer, not a slave. You're not allowed to call yourself a slave.” Shangguan Fei was enjoying issuing orders from a position of authority, especially to his sister's servant who once belonged to him. She had snatched him away.
”Yes, sir.”
”Well, are you here of your own accord?”
”Yes, it's for myself. It's also for the Ninth Young Master's safety.”
Shangguan Fei could hardly stifle his laughter. This slave sure has a way with words. This must be how he won his sister over in the past. ”What does the Tenth Young Master want to steal from me? The last few betting arenas? Or are her killers are not enough for her?”
When Gu Shenwei was signaling his goodwill to Shangguan Fei from upstairs, he had not thought of how to gain the Ninth Young Master's trust. Shangguan Ru's words gave him an idea, even if that would implicate another person. ”No, it has nothing to do with the Tenth Young Master. Someone wants to kill the Ninth Young Master, and this plan is underway.”
Shangguan Fei was shaken. Slave Huan might be Janus-faced, but he wouldn't dare to lie. ”Go on.”
”Great Young Master left some machetemen. The leader is named Tuo Nengya. This person has plans for revenge with his target being you, Ninth Young Master.”
”Haha.” Shangguan Fei laughed wryly. ”You say a macheteman? Impossible. Machetemen kill for money. You must have seen for yourself. They are not loyal. Killings happen all the time in Stone Castle and I've never heard of any macheteman killing someone to avenge their master. Rushing to support a new master is more like it.”
This was another of Gu Shenwei's weaknesses. He had only speculation and no evidence. But he believed that persuading the Ninth Young Master shouldn't be too difficult. ”I received verifiable intelligence that the machetemen led by Tuo Nengya will attack in the second negotiation. Once Ninth Young Master appears at South City, you will be at risk.”
”They are not afraid of death?” Shangguan Fei seemed to be convinced. Slave Huan's serious tone made him treat this matter seriously. The machetemen trained by Tuo Nengya was also a force to be reckoned with, which struck fear in Shangguan Ru's heart.
”There would always be a few machetemen who are different from the rest.”
Someone who killed the son of the Supreme King will be driven to the ends of the Earth. Tuo Nengya naturally understood this but Gu Shenwei had once seen the helplessness in the eyes of the old macheteman.
”So you say that my sister's macheteman wants to assassinate me?” Shangguan Fei found it hard to believe.
”This has nothing to do with the Tenth Young Master. Tuo Nengya was only using the Tenth Young Master for shelter, and to get closer to the Ninth Young Master.”
Shangguan Fei hung his head in silence. He was expecting the slave to shower him with praises. But he had not expected to hear such an important news. Later, he thought of something. ”That Tuo Nengya and machetemen, aren't they employed personally by you?”
”Yes, sir.”
Shangguan Fei was alert. He regretted sending away his killers. He only had to open his mouth, and the killers would jump out. But he had seen Slave Huan's kung fu too...
Shangguan Fei squashed thoughts of wanting to flee. He said, ”You have seen that the machetemen had plans of their own?”
”Yes, hence I had the thought that instead of letting the enemy hide in the dark, let's keep them under our nose. That way we can notice them at all times.”