202 Betrayal (1/2)

There were a series of misfortunate events. Joy Pavilion claimed that the Tenth Young Master had killed someone without rhyme or reason. They had no idea who the rescuer was. He was highly skilled but he was so timid that he dared not show up.

”I have no grudges against Joy Pavilion. Why would I want to kill Tang Ji?” Shangguan Ru asked angrily. She hated being framed. It was second only to being betrayed.

”Aren't you the Tenth Young Master? When the killer ran away, he said, 'Get your revenge from the Tenth Young Master.'”

”You people from Kun Society want to occupy Hope Alley. So you're attacking Joy Pavilion first, isn't that right?”

”We could, but we would never do that for fear of the consequences.”

...

Many people huddled together in Joy Pavilion, criticizing Shangguan Ru. Gu Shenwei felt that with the dwarf Immortal Peng's death, the personalities of the disciples seemed to have changed. The white-robed Immortal Peng seemed to have lost the ability to control their minds.

Shangguan Ru blushed and waved her saber. ”So what if it's me? If you want revenge, come and get it from me.”

The disciples of Joy Pavilion eagerly prepared for attack again. That Madman Wu who had once attacked spoke from behind the tree again. ”They didn't kill anyone. I saw everything. I've been following them. Let them go.” That voice was pleading.

Gu Shenwei and Shangguan Ru looked at each other again. Both of them were experts in light work kung fu and like killers, were vigilant. Yet, they had not realised that they had been followed.

”Madman Wu, don't you understand? The Tenth Young Master had sent men to assassinate Tang Ji. These two had definitely come to check out the situation.”

Madman Wu did not seem to understand. He kept repeating: ”Let them go.”

The people of Joy Pavilion were befuddled. They simply had to convince Madman Wu. If not, they could simply argue indefinitely.

Gu Shenwei did not intend to listen to this nonsense in such times of danger. He grasped Shangguan Ru's hand firmly and jumped onto the nearest peach tree with his light work kung fu, out through the hole created by Madman Wu.

Shangguan Ru threw a tantrum and wanted to argue her ground. However, she was pulled away from the scene quickly by Slave Huan.

Behind them, the voices of the disciples of Joy Pavilion rose and fell in anguish. After a while, the two had run out far and stepped onto firm ground again. They left the peach trees like a whisp of smoke.

”What on earth went on back there?” Shangguan Ru asked, panting.

”A bunch of madmen.”

”Haha.”

”That could have been a trap laid by someone.”

Shangguan Ru did not laugh. Someone had posed as one of the Tenth Young Master's killers and assassinated Tang Ji. That person did this to provoke a fight between the Tenth Young Master and Joy Pavilion. Clearly, whoever did this wanted to use Joy Pavilion for his agenda.

hangguan Ru knew clearly in her heart who the culprit was.

”So it seems someone must have been following us all this while.”

Gu Shenwei nodded.

If this hadn't been a trap but simply a misunderstanding, then that fight would have been humorous. Shangguan Ru tried to force a laughter, wanting to express how she was not afraid of anything.

Something however, was approaching them speedily, counterattacking with sword and dagger at the same time.

It was two leaves in the scattered moonlight. The two could faintly see the silhouette of the leaves.

Someone walked out from behind the tree. He walked up to the youth without the sound of footsteps. It was as if he was floating on grass.

The two leaves that had been hit flew up again and returned to this person's hands.

”Those machete skills aren't bad. Your sword craft is first-rate.” That sounded like Madman Wu. His voice still sounded a little timid.

One leaf was almost cleaved into half and the other was entirely intact. Gu Shenwei had struck too quickly. The force of his weapon had retracted from one of the leaves too quickly and thus did not cause any damage.

This person was above 30 years of age. He was dressed in white overalls and looked slightly similar to the new Immortal Peng of Joy Pavilion. Only, he had no facial hair on his chin and his face was ghostly pale as if it had not seen the sunlight before. Even the moonlight seemed dimmer in comparison. His white robes were dirty and it appeared as though they had not been washed in a very long time.

Madman Wu did not give off dangerous vibes. However, Gu Shenwei still maintained his vigilance. ”Mister, are you also a disciple of Joy Pavilion?”

Gu Shenwei did not remember seeing this person. However, even if the disciples of Joy Pavilion had described him, Gu Shenwei would not be able to recognize him.

”Perhaps.” The white-robed man answered absent-mindedly as if he had not understood a single word of what the other party was saying. He kept staring at Shangguan Ru. ”Are you a master of the Shangguan family?”

”Yes. Who are you?” Shangguan Ru was not as wary as Gu Shenwei. She had good feelings about this strange man who had just appeared. After all, this person had once spoken up for her.

”Then you know Master Yun?”

”Yes, I do.”

”Then can you help me ask him if Parro is still alive? I won't be alive much longer. I want to see him before I die.”

”Parro? Like the bird? Who on earth are you?”

Shangguan Ru threw forth a series of questions but that man in white had already turned around and left. He looked as ethereal as when he had appeared.

Gu Shenwei did not let Shangguan Ru catch up with him. There had to be a limit to risk taking. It's best to keep a distance with the men of Joy Pavilion.