273 The Old Friend (1/2)

Chapter 273: The Old Friend

Translator: TransnEditor: Transn

It seemed that this place had not changed at all in the last three years. Pleasure Valley was still the hottest place for famous prostitutes, and Southwall Tavern was still the best tavern in the city. The most popular prostitute was still Xiao Fengchai, and everyone was still gossiping about the real age of this woman.

But for Gu Shenwei, everything seemed to have changed. This city used to be the hunting ground for this young killer, but now he was being chased like prey. He did not dare to even show his real identity. Everything that had been connected to him was wiped out from this city.

Kun Society was still there, and its leader was Shangguan Fei again. This man was always hiding in North City and he gave orders to this organization of machetemen from there. Meng family was becoming more and more wealthy. They had purchased Gui Garden's peach forest in the south of Hope Alley, which was surrounded by high walls to keep unauthorized personnel at bay.

Endless killing was still a common occurrence in South City. No matter big or small, the Protectors kept disappearing and reappearing. Now Gu Shenwei could only recognize a few of them.

The war at the western border had only become a topic of conversation for the citizens. What was different was that ”that killer” now had a proper name, Yang Huan, the Dragon King of the Great Snowmountains. It was the same as ”that woman”, which was the Eighth Young Mistress in the fort.

”That killer is nothing without the Demon Bird. He's just a bandit chieftain. I'll bet the Snow Mountain Gang won't even survive until the end of the year.”

That was what Gu Shenwei heard when he entered a tavern. Everyone around the speaker also voiced their agreement.

”Don't speak about such things so easily. That killer was good at plotting schemes, remember? So many sons of the Supreme King had died because of him. Not to mention that all those killers in the Stone Castle couldn't even find a trace of him after all these years. Besides, the fort had been attacked by him. He's a tough one, I'll give him that.” But this man who defended the Dragon King did not win much support.

Shopkeeper Lyu, who had lost a finger, stood by the counter and looked at the customers coldly. He was bored even though those men were making his business prosper. Compared to another much more profitable business, that wine-selling business was a waste of time, although the wine was the best.

However, it was a good cover for him.

Shopkeeper Lyu noticed the cloaked guest immediately when he came in. He found two things: First, this man hid his weapon in the cloak and managed to fool the guards; second, this man had a familiar temperament to him.

This man's face was a little dark. He has a thick beard and the corners of his eyes were tilted, which was the symbol of a man in the Western Region. He must have endured the hardship of the journey, and acted like a businessman who just walked out of the desert by running to the tavern before he even found a place to rest.

”A cup of wine.” However, this anxious guest only asked for so little.

Though the counterjumper was disappointed, Shopkeeper Lyu was surprised and nearly dropped his pen. He signaled the counterjumper with a wink. The counterjumper understood and changed his attitude. He cautiously invited the guest to the private room.

Shopkeeper Lyu kept vigilant when he stood in the private room. Not many people had the chance to communicate with Yang Huan, and he was one of them. Though he was motivated by his curiosity, he was still frightened to come face to face with this killer.

Three years ago, he had helped Xu Xiaoyi and Chu Naping leave Jade City and had helped Gu Shenwei transfer more than a million taels to Shu-lik. This deal was profitable. Gu Shenwei gave him a commission of 20 percent. But If Golden Roc Fort knew about this deal, then he would not have earned a dime.

Thus through this deal, Shopkeeper Lyu discovered a brand new way to earn money: transfer the money to those who did not want to show off. Lucky for him, numerous people in Jade City had the need.

Of course, a high risk will yield a high reward. Those who wanted to transfer their property often had a bad relationship with Golden Roc Fort. Shopkeeper Lyu had to take precautions all the time against the killers.

”You should not have come to South City now,” Shopkeep Lyu said. He was not sure of his attitude toward the Dragon King since he had not seen him for three years. Though this man was a king, in this city, Yang Huan was only an outlaw. However, he was much more than any ordinary Protector and had countless access to resources.

The killer pulled open his cloak and revealed the saber and the sword.

Shopkeeper Lyu seemed to feel the pain of his lost finger again when he saw that. He immediately changed his attitude and smiled consciously. ”Of course, you're safe in my place.”

”I trust you.” Who Gu Shenwei really trusted was not Lyu or his own weapon, but Xu Xiaoyi, who was Lyu's most important partner.

”Am I supposed to call you— Dragon King, now?” Shopkeeper Lyu asked tentatively.

”Yes.”

The killer is serious, thought Shopkeeper Lyu. He then straightened his face and said, ”How can I help you, Dragon King?”

”I came here to negotiate peace with Golden Roc Fort.”

His words were so abrupt and surprising that Shopkeeper Lyu, an experienced cunning old fox, could not comprehend and react. ”What? Negotiate...peace? Do you propose to make peace and then...assassinate them?”

”No assassination, just negotiation.”