321 Giant Crossbow (1/2)

Chapter 321: Giant Crossbow

Translator: TransnEditor: Transn

Something had occurred in South City recently, but because it was neither a huge matter nor was it a small issue, not a lot of people seemed to care. However, it was a topic for discussion among those who drank.

The manager of the Southwall Tavern of many years, Lyu Qiying, more commonly known as Shopkeeper Lyu, had officially announced that he would sell off the tavern as he was heading to Shu-lik for retirement.

Shopkeeper Lyu, who was in his fifties, was not considered that old. He was in the prime of his life as his business was booming with enormous profits each day. Hence, it was indeed unexpected that he chose to retire at this time.

It went without saying that the drinkers were more concerned about their fine wine -- they were worried that there would be a change in the taste of the wines when Shopkeeper Lyu retired. It was only until the new manager publicly announced that everything in the tavern, from the supply channels to the preservation methods and prices, would remain the same, did the drinkers relax. After the drinkers bid farewell and well wishes to Shopkeeper Lyu, no one was interested in this matter anymore.

The way Lyu Qiying had departed so hastily also caused some speculations among people. It was as though he was fleeing something as he had left without even bidding farewell to all his relatives or friends. ”I saw he visited Dragon King secretly the other day. Perhaps things didn't work out and he was afraid, that's why he left in such a hurry?”

Being relieved of his managerial position in the tavern made Lyu Qiying a little worried. But his fear was directed to the enemies of Dragon King, not Dragon King. As of right now, he was feeling more excited than afraid.

He was about to embark on a newer and bigger career.

Dragon King had plans to build up a business network in the Western Region, with Xiao Fengchai in charge of Jade City and Lyu Qiying responsible for establishing several strongholds in various other countries. The first stop was Shu-lik, the largest country in the Western Region.

He needed only to establish a solid foothold here and his career would already be semi-successful.

Lyu Qiying picked 37 out of over 100 machetemen who worked for him. They would protect him and his years of savings, traveling together to a land with broad prospects. These men were those who had followed him for a long time and were trustworthy and loyal.

It was a huge gamble but Lyu Qiying was as excited as a young man seeing the world for the first time, sitting in the carriage with a smile on his face even though he was already in his fifties. He only regained his composure when he looked at the missing finger on his hand.

It had been cut off by Dragon King several years ago, when Dragon King was still Slave Huan.

The hope of his success and the risk of his failure were closely linked to this cool-faced young man, but Lyu Qiying was not quite sure how to deal with this merciless Devil Emperor.

Dragon King was also present, hiding among the 37 guards.

Dragon King's absence was kept strictly confidential within Jade City. The Residence of Dragon King was not peaceful these days. Bold machetemen spied from afar and had even come closer to start provocations at timeswage small attacks, shouting and cursing in the dark and sending out hidden weapons. All this made people believe that the Dragon King was still in his residence, ready for any provocation.

Even the guards of the Residence of Dragon King thought that their master was in the backyard since Jiang served tea and water on time every day, and Xu Xiaoyi came to report as well. Things went on as usual, and the Dragon King still remained as mysterious as no one saw him.

With their cleverly machined plans, Gu Shenwei, together with Maid Lotus and 11 disciples from the New Moon Hall, left Jade City hiding in Lyu Qiying's team.

Except for Maid Lotus, the disciples of the New Moon Hall were all scattered around Jade City and seldom appeared. Only Maid Lotus was able to find them any time.

After the first night of camping, three guards went missing from Lyu Qiying's team, but almost no one noticed it, and neither did Lyu Qiying. The journey continued the next morning, with 10 female killers in the team, making Lyu Qiying feel at ease.

Gu Shenwei, Maid Lotus, and Guan Shang hid in the mountain nearby as they waited for First Young Master Meng, who would arrive one day later.

Among these three people, the former black-masked assassin Guan Shang from the Golden Roc Fort was the main assassin.

Normally, Golden Roc killers preferred to use their swords when killing in close proximity, before cutting off the heads afterward, just to be on the safe side. However, things were different this time. They had to kill people stealthily and not hurt the guards, but at the same time publicize it. Therefore, Gu Shenwei decided to launch a long-range attack using a crossbow.

Guan Shang was the best at crossbow among the three of them.

They brought with them a huge crossbow, so tall that it was almost the height of a grown man when straightened. It required the combined strength of five ordinary people to even notch the bowstring. The effective range was up to several hundreds of steps away, but the most effective distance was within 200 steps.

As Maid Lotus was in charge of monitoring the route, Guan Shang was practicing how to use the huge crossbow. Gu Shenwei helped her to stretch the bowstring and observed the effects, periodically giving her advice.

They had been doing the same thing all day. It was tiring and tedious but the three of them were killers who had underwent strict training and were, therefore, used to it. Especially Guan Shang, who had gone through the complete set of training for a black-masked assassin. She was definitely more refined in terms of technique and mentality than the other two.

Gu Shenwei secretly pondered what kind of evil medicine was the so-called ”Blood Coagulation Pill” that made someone like Guan Shang switch allegiance. Or was this yet another double ploy? But. Maid Lotus seemed to trust Guan Shang.

Although she rarely revealed her true thoughts, Gu Shenwei knew that Maid Lotus was just as suspicious as he was.

First Young Master Meng's entourage finally arrived that evening.

The outskirts of Jade City were barren and desolate, and there were few places suitable for camping. It was not surprising that First Young Master Meng set up camp in the same area as Lyu Qiying.

The best time to assassinate was naturally before dark, when the line of sight was more ideal, the camp slightly more disorganized and the guard perimeters not completely set up.

Gu Shenwei and Guan Shang draped snow-white capes over themselves as they hid on the mountain while Maid Lotus lurked on the side of the road to surveil closely. All three of them observed First Young Master Meng. There were several excellent opportunities to assassinate but they did not strike.

Golden Roc Fort had sent 30 killers and 100 machetemen to protect First Young Master Meng, it was quite a powerful force and Gu Shenwei knew he would not be able to break through this line of defense even if he led all his people to attack.