175 Night Talks (2/2)
Shangguan Fei opened his eyes wide. He remembered how he'd once heard of something similar. He forgot whether it came from his father or a teacher. ”In the end, you discovered that they wanted to kill me?”
”Yes, sir.”
”Just because I planted a knife in my big brother's back?”
”Yes, sir.”
”Then I should kill you too. Many people saw how you added a bit of strength to that knife.”
Gu Shenwei had been looking down. This time he raised his head, looking at a furious Ninth Young Master. ”They'll kill me because I belong to the Ninth Young Master.”
Shangguan Fei wanted to laugh but felt that he should remain calm. In the face of such absurdity, he didn't know how he should react. Those old killers and the old man had taught much useless knowledge. But they had not taught him how to refute nonsense from a bold slave. ”You say you belong to me?”
Shangguan Fei had been asking questions the whole night. This deeply annoyed him, but he still had grave doubts.
”Yes, I'm a slave of the Ninth Young Master. I've never forgotten how the Eighth Young Master had first gifted me to you.”
This was something that made Shangguan Fei angry. He didn't care about a slave. He was angry with his sister's insolence.
As long as it's something worthwhile, she would steal it away. Shangguan Fei was almost exploding with anger. He cocked his head looking at Slave Huan. He thought of the past. Indeed, that slave had always seemed polite in front of him. Occasionally he would be so bold and full of himself but he had never looked down on him. Who he hated was his sister and Master Yu, especially Master Yu, who with the help of his sister even dared to treat the Supreme King's son rudely.
Slave Huan had once plunged a saber into the chest of his Big Brother. According to the tradition of Stone Castle, this was a highly symbolic act.
”Why didn't you come back earlier to serve me?”
Shangguan Fei sounded indignant. Gu Shenwei relaxed. He was reaching his goal.
”Because I'm still on the side of the Tenth Young Master. If it weren't for something so urgent, I probably wouldn't be seeing the Ninth Young Master tonight.”
”But you'll still be with her. Do you dare to leave her? She'll treat you as a traitor.”
”There're some things that I shouldn't say.”
”Say. Since you're already my man. There's nothing that you can't say to me.”
”The Tenth Young Master... She's a woman.”
Shangguan Fei could just hug Slave Huan this very moment. Why can't anyone see this simple fact? Be it the Supreme King or the beggar in the streets, everyone treated her as a boy. It was as if she could inherit the throne. But she was a girl nonetheless. ”So what if she's a woman? Now women have authority in the Stone Castle.”
Shangguan Fei was even angry with his own mother.
”But women will eventually remarry and leave Stone Castle. And I'm a killer of Golden Fort. I'll never leave Stone Castle.”
Shangguan Fei suddenly realized that this slave was only trying to plan for himself. He's smart. The Ninth Young Master's anger dissipated a little. ”True, just wait for a few more years. Many like Slave Huan will see the situation as it is between the twins, and recognize who the real son of Supreme King is.”
”I see. Keep quiet and leave now.” Shangguan Fei said stridently. He thought of erroneous political ways. He could not let the slave see through the master's true thoughts. Let them guess among themselves, and use such torture to mold their loyalty.
”Yes, sir.”
Gu Shenwei rose and walked slowly towards the end of the wall. His heart beat wildly. He did not come here to pledge his allegiance.
”Wait.” Shangguan Fei called out. He had important things that he hadn't told this new loyal slave.
Shangguan Fei would only leave the Ninth Young Master four days later. Without waiting for the gate to open, he climbed over the boundary wall, crossed the river and entered the South City. He found Maid Lotus, assigned tasks to her and later left the gate to return to North City. He took leave from Shangguan Ru and prepared to participate in the negotiations.
The Kun Society was filled with a happy atmosphere. The machetemen were all elated. They had earned their victories; The war was going to be over. The living will have a chance to enjoy a rich reward.
In the great war the last night, the Horned Dragon Society had killed close to 200 people. Kun Society had only lost 30 men. The victory was considered perfect. Shangguan Yu could hardly conceal her elation. She was even kinder to Slave Huan. When he said he wanted to take most of the machetemen, she wasn't even against it.
Gu Shenwei summoned Tuo Nengya to let him organize the machetemen and prepare to participate in the talks.
Tuo Nengya was effective as usual. He was the only person who seemed indifferent to the victory of last night. Gu Shenwei carefully scrutinized his behavior, hoping to add a little more evidence to his speculations.
Tuo Nengya had no flaws. Only something arrested the teen killer's attention. He realized that the over 20 machetemen led by Tuo Nengya in Rouge Forest had been through many cruel blood battles. Not a single one died and no one had ever escaped. They were loyal towards the old macheteman, just like how the Golden Fort killers were loyal to the Shangguan family. After becoming a loyal backbone of the Kun Society, they never asked for a single reward.
People who had no love for money usually harbored some deep desire for revenge. Gu Shenwei speculated based on his own experience.