327 Small Village (2/2)
Compared to the small troop that Gu Shenwei brought, Shangguan Fei was almost bringing along a small army.
Golden Roc Fort set up their camp just outside of the village, but their scale was almost like that of a village. Gu Shenwei bid farewell to Zhong Heng and went back. Lin Xiaoshan immediately came to report that there was a total of 200 people from Golden Roc Fort, and among them were 100 guards, with the rest being handymen for transporting the dowry.
The monks from the Four Truths Temple came with Shangguan Fei as expected.
After Lin Xiaoshan left, Maid Lotus came with updated news: There were 50 killers in Shangguan Fei's camp, meant to protect the Young Master full-time.
Even if 10 Princesses were waiting in the Stone Kingdom, Shangguan Fei would never leave North City or the Stone Castle if he was given a choice. In order to make him rest assured, Lady Meng even sent out all the guards available within her power. 50 killers and 50 machetemen were more than enough to start a mutiny in the Stone Kingdom.
Gu Shenwei brought 30 men, and most of them were swordsmen. Only Maid Lotus and Guan Shang came from New Moon Hall, while the rest remained in Jade City to deal with possible attacks.
Gu Shenwei still had to guard against Wildhorse as he was still at large.
That evening, Gu Shenwei unexpectedly received an invitation from Shangguan Fei to meet him.
The meeting place was chosen by Dragon King to show no signs of malice. Gu Shenwei chose the small tavern at the front of the village as the distance between their accommodations was almost the same.
Everybody, from the manager to the customers was ousted out of the tavern. The place belonged to the border of Golden Roc Fort so the orders from the assassins in black carried a lot of weight.
Shangguan Fei seemed very nervous. He wanted to laugh freely but could only get some hollow laughter out of his throat. ”I didn't expect that we would be competitors, Dragon King.”
Both parties could bring an attendant according to the agreement, so Shangguan Fei brought Shangguan Hong along. Although they were half-siblings, looking at the way Shangguan Hong carefully stood with his hands at his sides, there was no difference between him and a slave.
Zhang Ji already harbored intentions to abandon this unqualified master and Gu Shenwei actually felt a little sympathy for the guy as he was probably oblivious of it.
Shangguan Hong pretended that he did not know Dragon King at all, and did not bother to even lift his head.
Gu Shenwei's attendant, Lin Xiaoshan, stood dutifully behind Dragon King.
”I really didn't expect it.” Gu Shenwei felt that it was a wrong move for the Supreme King to let his ninth son asked for the Princess' hand in marriage. ”I didn't expect that you would actually be interested in the Princess.”
Shangguan Fei blushed; only very few people know that he didn't like women, and unfortunately, Gu Shenwei was one of them... and he knew it very well.
”The peace negotiations are currently ongoing between the Great Snowmountain and Golden Roc Fort. For now, we are at a temporary armistice,” Shangguan Fei said suddenly, sounding somewhat impatient.
That's right. There is still half a month left before the temporary armistice ends.”
”By that time, the peace negotiations will definitely be successful, without a break in between.” Shangguan Fei added immediately.
”I hope so.”
”No matter what, the temporary armistice is now in effect.”
”Yes.”
”Not just in Jade City, but also in Stone Kingdom as well.”
”Yes.”
Feeling a little relieved, Shangguan Fei said, ”I believe in you, Dragon King. So, we are... competing uprightly, no using of ploys or schemes.”
”Yes, no ploys or schemes, everything has to be under the sun, above board and forthright.”
Shangguan Fei was deeply puzzled when Dragon King answered so readily until he understood what he actually meant. Compared to Dragon King, he was unable to be ”above board and forthright”, that was his weakness.
Shangguan Fei looked similar to his sister in terms of appearance, thus he should be quite good-looking if not for his shifty eyes and constantly evasive gaze. Gu Shenwei was perplexed; how could the difference be so vast between this pair of siblings?
”Let's make a deal, Dragon King.” Shangguan Fei hesitated for a moment, before finally deciding to state his real purpose.
Gu Shenwei made no comment. Opposite him, Shangguan Hong got the hint and retreated out of the tavern. After glancing at Dragon King, Lin Xiaoshan soon followed as well.
With just the two of them left, Shangguan Fei was even more nervous. He kept looking at the saber on Dragon King's waist. Then he said, ”You know, I have never once thought of becoming the prince consort or whatever, but these are the Lord's orders. I cannot defy him.”
Gu Shenwei kept silent. He could not fathom what deal Shangguan Fei could offer him.
”As for me, in fact, I have no ambition. All I wanted was to continue to be the Ninth Young Master safely and have no ambition to inherit the throne. Don't listen to the nonsense that people had been spreading.”
The Supreme King had only five sons left: one was in prison, another one turned traitor, another was illegitimate, and one more could not be publicly announced. Only Shangguan Fei seemed normal on the outside and the throne did seem like it should belong to him. But Shangguan Fei was most afraid of being targeted from all sides.
”What are you trying to say?” Gu Shenwei was becoming impatient. Shangguan Fei seemed to treat him as Slave Huan still, which made him angrier by the minute.
”Very simple,” Shangguan Fei said as he took a step back. ”Give up the idea of killing me, and don't stop me from marrying the Princess, I'll... give you my sister.”
Looking at the furious expression on Dragon King's face, he immediately added, ”You can see her anytime. She's in the camp as well.”