188 The Solitary Ligh (1/2)

It was impossible for a killer of Golden Roc Fort to 'live in seclusion' in Joy Pavilion. Just as Gu Shenwei was concentrating on getting his Internal Energy to flow through all of his meridians for a second time, people and trouble away from Hope Alley came looking for him.

First, unwelcome visitors who he knew, but had no direct connection to him, came uninvited to the Pavilion.

They did not recognize him as he had followed the example of those around him, and disguised himself by drawing many 'wounds' across his face.

They were led by Shangguan Fei's 'military counsellor', Guan Houlin. He chatted with Tang Ji, the supervisor of the teahouse, for a while, and both parties ended the conversation on bad terms.

Upon seeing Guan Houlin, Gu Shenwei abruptly remembered that the reason he had given Shangguan Ru for coming to this place was to investigate Guan Houlin's background. Fortunately, he quickly got the information he wanted from the disciples of Immortal Peng. He was familiar with them now, and they were no different from ordinary people once they were not under Immortal Peng's control.

According to the disciples, Guan Houlin had wanted to become a disciple of Immortal Peng when he had been a broke macheteman, but he had been rejected by the immortal due to his inaptitude. Now, Guan Houlin came back to Joy Pavilion again as the military counsellor for Shangguan Fei who owned the largest gang in South City, asking for protection money.

Hope Alley was never any gang's territory. Residents of the alley never accepted any outsider's protection or pay protection money to anyone. Thus, Guan Houlin's request was immediately being rejected.

Everyone in Joy Pavilion remained calm and thought of the incident as trivial. Gu Shenwei felt a little pity for Shangguan Fei. There were many skilled kung fu masters in the pavilion and Hope Alley, and the Ninth Young Master would surely lose badly if he came looking for trouble. There was a reason why the Alley was not under the control of any power in the City.

On an evening in the fourth month of the year, not long after Guan Houlin's visit to Hope Alley, Gu Shenwei encountered another group of people as he was practicing kung fu in the peach forest. This time, they came looking for him specifically.

Gu Shenwei was alone at that time, as Chu Nanping was Immortal Peng's servant and could only leave when the immortal was resting.

Around eight people dressed in black leapt down from the peach trees in succession and they each took up different positions around Yang Huan, surrounding him closely.

Gu Shenwei felt irritated as he looked coldly at these familiar faces, with his long sword in his hand. He was immersed in the world of sword craft now, and did not like to be disturbed.

Shangguan Ru walked in a semi-circle around her own subordinate, asking, ”Are you practising swordcraft?”

”Yes, I am,” he replied bluntly.

hangguan Ru had not expected such a reply from him, and was stunned for a moment. Gu Shenwei was also amazed by his own tone and quickly came to his senses. He immediately went down onto one knee, released his grip on his sword, and asked for forgiveness with his head down, ”I'm sorry, Master Ru...”

”How should I explain all of this? ” Gu Shenwei thought. He could not think of any reasonable excuse.

Instead of becoming angry, a look of pity came across Shangguan Ru's face as she said, ”I should have gotten you out sooner, you've fallen for the 'Immortal's Rope'.”

”I what?” Gu Shenwei lifted his head in bewilderment.

”The Immortal's Rope is a form of Immortal Peng's sorcery, once you've fallen for it, you would come to believe anything he says and stay by his side willingly, never leaving him. Luckily, you haven't been under its influence for too long, and still can be saved. Leave with me now.”

”No, no, I did not fall for the Immortal's Rope, I can leave anytime, but I'm already so close to...”

Gu Shenwei stopped talking but looked like that he had something to tell the Tenth Young Master in private. Shangguan Ru waved off the other killers and got him to stand up and continue talking.

”Immortal Peng can remove the Peripheral Force from my body, and is close to succeeding.”

”You're still not cured of it yet?” It was Shangguan Ru's turn to be amazed. She thought that Slave Huan had been fully cured of the force after the Barren Sect was destroyed.

”I thought I was, at that time. It came back again.”

”You kept it from me all along.”

”There are many things for you to worry about, and I don't wish to add to your troubles. I thought I could be cured in a few days, and never knew I would be delayed here for so long.”

”I have to remind you that Immortal Peng is highly skilled, but is also very dangerous. You should be wary of him.”

Gu Shenwei was surprised that the Tenth Young Master was not mad at him for being 'missing in action' for the past two months. He replied, ”Yes, I'll leave Joy Pavilion soon. No one is holding me back. In fact, Ye Silang walked out of here of his own will too.”

Shangguan Ru nodded. She looked as if to be wrestling with her emotions before sighing and saying to Gu Shenwei, ”Fine, stay here for the moment, but remember what I told you. Once you fall under the influence of the Immortal's Rope, you'll find a reason to stay here. I believe that what you told me is true.”

Gu Shenwei kneeled again before his master. His reason for staying in Joy Pavilion was of course genuine. He did not have much time to cure his qigong deviation now, so he had to stay here to save his own life.

When he lifted his head again, Shangguan Ru had already left.

That day's sword craft practice did not go down smoothly. Gu Shenwei and Chu Nanping were practicing the second stage of the 'Sword is Heavier than Mountain' condition, and had each placed a piece of heavy metal flat on their swords. Not only did they have to channel their Internal Breaths to ensure that their swords would not break under the pressure, but they had to prevent the metal pieces from flying off when they brandishing their swords quickly. Gu Shenwei was not concentrating properly and his sword play was uncertain. As a result, the metal piece came off his sword continuously.

Although Chu Nanping was younger, he was blunt and did not hold back in criticising his practice partner. He sheathed his own sword, turned around and left, while saying, ”You're getting emotional. It's a waste of time.”

Gu Shenwei was seized by a sudden rage upon being reprimanded by an 11-year-old child. Without thinking, he picked his sword up and chased after Chu Nanping. He struck at Chu's neck when he was close behind.

He was not using the Emotionless Sword technique but rather sword craft from the Death Scripture. It was the kung fu that Gu Shenwei was most familiar with, and he could always kill his target with it.