278 Reward (2/2)

”I heard that he was arrested at Pleasure Alley.”

”But others said that he went to North City to kill someone.”

”He may be dead, and the killer is thinking about which reward he should get.”

”What is there to think about? Give Golden Roc Fort his head and wait for the sponsor to collect the swords. Both rewards are greater than that of Stop Kills Society. It's so simple.”

”Sigh. I hope that I can find the Dragon King.”

”Can you kill him?”

”That depends. If he is being hunted down and run past me coincidentally, I will trip and stab him. Ta-da. I have enough money for the rest of my life.”

The crowd laughed and no one took it seriously. It was similar to having gold to fall from the sky and land on him. Everyone could imagine that. Even the old man who didn't know kungfu was also staring at the rewards. He said, ”If I knew the whereabouts of the Dragon King, I would inform the sponsor and get half the rewards.”

”I don't want the Dragon King. I hope that he will throw his swords at my feet when he dies. One cannot be so greedy. I will be satisfied if I can exchange the swords for twenty thousand taels,” a cheeky teenager interrupted. He reminded Gu Shenwei of Xu Xiaoyi, who was in Shu-lik City.

To the residents of Jade City, their impression of the Dragon King was a large windfall.

What Mister Zhao said at the first meeting was right. Jade City residents hadn't heard much about the Dragon King. Although the Dragon King had killed countless people and had confronted Golden Roc army hundreds of miles away, it had little influence in Jade City. Few believed that the defector from Golden Roc Fort could match up to his former master.

Before the Dragon King had entered Jade City, the military counselor Fang Wenshi had once urged him not to kill people there. It was better for him to build a good rapport with all parties and get the support of Stop Kills Society.

Gu Shenwei suddenly realized that the military counselor's suggestion was not entirely feasible. He had to build his own influence so that his words would be meaningful.

That stab at Xiao Fengchai's house probably aroused the killer's desire for blood. That was the desire he hated, but he couldn't get rid of it. It was secretly influencing its master to find a reason to resume killing people.

That night, Gu Shenwei headed to Southwall Tavern first. He discovered two watchmen. In order to avoid their attention, he went to the backyard and sneaked into Shopkeeper Lyu's bedroom. Shopkeeper Lyu was his first suspect.

At dawn, Shopkeeper Lyu had just finished his business and was startled by the unexpected appearance of the Dragon King. He almost called in all the guards that were outside the room. Shopkeeper Lyu blew out the oil lamp and proposed some suggestions to the Dragon King in the dark. He suggested that the Dragon King should either flee back to the Western Region, hide in Hope Alley or approach Four Truths Temple for help. He didn't want the Dragon King to stay in Southwall Tavern.

Gu Shenwei asked a few simple questions. He didn't tell Shopkeeper Lyu about Xiao Fengchai's threat. He then left secretly. Lyu Qiying wasn't the informer as the informer would think of ways to dissuade the Dragon King from leaving instead of sending him off.

Gu Shenwei was slightly disappointed. Mister Zhao was recommended by Boss Tuo and was respected by South City machetemen. He hoped that Mister Zhao was credible.

Gu Shenwei arrived at Mister Zhao's house at daybreak. It seemed that the house wasn't under surveillance. He would rather wait until the sun had risen before jumping over the wall to enter the house. Everyone was less alert at this time of the day.

Mister Zhao lived alone. He was old and slept uneasily. He vaguely realized that there was a person standing before his bed. He opened his eyes and recognized the disguised Dragon King from his swords.

”Dragon King? Why ... Why are you here?”

”Many people are coming after me. I have no place to go.”

”Yes.” Mister Zhao sat up, put on his clothes slowly and lowered his head. He was obviously thinking of an idea. He then said, ”I know of a place, but it may not be entirely safe. It is possible to hide there for two to three days. If the Dragon King doesn't...”

Mister Zhao then kept quiet. He was surprised that the Dragon King had drawn his saber out and was pointing it at his bony chest.

That single sentence was insufficient to conclude that Mister Zhao was the informer. If the other party was Shopkeeper Lyu, then Gu Shenwei would not have hesitated to kill him. He wouldn't have any regrets even if he killed the wrong person. However, he had to be impeccable because he was now facing an old macheteman, who was recommended by Boss Tuo.

”I still don't believe what that killer said,” Gu Shenwei lied.

Mister Zhao's flabby cheeks flushed as though he became angry after being insulted. He quickly regained his composure and gave up on unnecessary lies and self-protection. He said, ”Tell Boss Tuo that the machetemen now are not the same as before.”

This was a lament and also a genuine confession.

Gu Shenwei accurately stabbed Mister Zhao's heart with his saber. Blood slowly flowed out. He pulled the saber out after the tension at the initial stages of death was lost.

This was the first person who the Dragon King had intentionally killed. He would kill more people in the next few days. It would not only shock the entire Jade City but would also create panic.