316 Poisoned (1/2)
Chapter 316: Poisoned
Translator: TransnEditor: Transn
There could be nothing more conceptually different than slaughters and weddings, yet nothing else could make the citizens of Jade City more excited than these two polar extremes. Now that a wedding was taking place after all that carnage in the city, they could not stop talking.
No matter how depressing Fifth Young Master Meng was looking as he sat on the back of his horse, even he could not spoil the grand atmosphere of the wedding made possible by the presence of a huge amount of riches accompanying the procession. They were stored in boxes made of ironwood, and even the most honest onlooker could not help but be envious.
”I guess only the Dragon King would have the guts to rob the procession,” a young man said while squinting. An old man beside him immediately covered the young man's mouth with his hands.
There were many eyes from the Golden Roc Fort and the Meng family hidden in the crowds standing on both sides of the street, and the more experienced residents of Jade City could naturally spot the strangers easily.
However, the curiosity of the people was getting stronger from all the recent events – the Dragon King's declaration of war towards the Meng family (even though Gu Shenwei never did openly declare war with the Meng family, everyone firmly believed that he was the mastermind behind the recent attacks on their banks, as did Meng Yuzun), the counter attacks by the Meng family over the past few nights and the grand wedding ceremony. No one could remain indifferent in the face of such an intensive barrage of news.
Everyone in the crowd was voicing his or her opinion about the recent incidents, and the lookouts were busy trying to identify the dissenters. In the end, they could only admit defeat, as voices of dissent against the Golden Roc Fort and the Meng family were everywhere and it was an insurmountable task. They left the crowd to their gossip and analyses on the recent attacks.
”When do you think the Dragon King will strike against the Meng's residence in North City?”, asked someone excitedly, eyes brimming with intent. It seemed as if the speaker wished to pour salt on the Meng family's wounds.
”Dream on. Do you think he will enjoy continued success after only one successful strike? Let me tell you, the number of killers from the Golden Roc Fort stationed in the Meng's residence now could be even more than that of the Stone Castle, waiting for the fool to fall into their trap.”
”Well, he's the Dragon King. The way I see it, old Meng will suffer this time, not only has his banks been attacked, maybe the wedding would even be disrupted,” the speaker glanced carefully to his sides to see if anyone was observing him, before lowering his voice and continuing in a mysterious tone, ”The Dragon King used to be a killer working under the Tenth Young Master, and I've heard that… hehe… there was something suspicious going on between the both of them.”
uch inane talk was soon drowned in a torrent of rebuttals.
”The Dragon King never left South City and he's still sitting comfortably in his residence. What's the point of kidnapping the bride after she has consummated her marriage?”
”Even the Dragon King would not dare to strike in North City, that's if he wishes to continue with the peace negotiations. Once he steps out of North City, he is within the territory of the Stone Castle. More reason for him to not show up, isn't it?”
The speaker who had exposed the 'scandal' was nearly drowned in the spittle from his fellow residents. Although he was indignant, he could not produce any evidence to support his claims and could only mutter apprehensively, ”I'm just saying. Who knows what's going on in the mind of the Dragon King, he's always full of tricks.”
The long wedding procession snaked its way through the gates of North City, advancing towards the Stone Castle at the top of the mountain. Golden Roc Fort had increased its level of vigilance, and only a few had permission to follow the procession from behind.
As such, it was only the permitted few who got to 'witness' the unfolding of the biggest news of the day.
It was a stretch for them to claim to have witnessed the entire proceedings, as they were following far behind, and the mountain passage was narrow. With the addition of the Golden Roc killers providing security for the procession, it would be impossible for even the most dedicated person to rush up to the front.
They were only a medium for the disturbance that followed. As waves after waves of rumors started to trickle down to them, they could not helped but be caught up and swayed by it.
”Why has the procession halted?”
”The music has also stopped?”
”Something has happened, something has happened.”
”Brother killer, in front of us...”
”Quick, look quickly, why are people running down from the mountain?”
”What on earth is going on?”
”The wedding procession is under attack!”
”Who is leading the attack? Is it the Dragon King? It must be him!”
”No, no.”
”No one attacked, but... Fifth Young Master Meng is dead.”
Meng Mingshi thought that he would die at the hands of Shangguan Ru on their wedding night, but alas, he did not even make it to the wedding ceremony.
It was only until the next day when news of the entire incident that took place at the entrance to the Stone Castle traveled down to the city.
There was a narrow stone bridge in front of the gates to the Golden Roc Fort, and according to customs, all who arrived on horseback had to dismount to cross the bridge. Not only was it a sign of respect towards the Supreme King, it was also to ensure the safety of the visitor.
When the procession arrived before the bridge, the guards dismounted, leaving only Fifth Young Master Meng seated on his saddle, not moving at all. He hung his head and looked as sullen as when he just left the Meng's residence.
A personal attendant went up to him and tried to persuade his master to dismount, ”We've arrived, Fifth Young Master.”
Little did he know that Meng Mingshi had arrived at a different place - the Gates of Hell. As the attendant touched him gently, his body slumped onto the back of his horse.
A few authority figures with close ties to the Meng family began propagating this theory that the Fifth Young Master was poisoned to death.
However, there was not a single clue pointing to who did the poisoning.