388 Kidnap (2/2)

”Tonight will be the best time for him to take Shangguan Ru away,” As Gu Shenwei explained to Maid Lotus. He was also trying to look for possible flaws in his reasoning. ”I have already set up a trap, and the troops will naturally concentrate around the high priest and the traitors. He will pretend to fall into the trap and try to divert attention, before taking advantage to kidnap her. He has already killed more than 20 people. As long as he threatens to kill the remaining 900 people, it is possible to make Shangguan Ru reveal something.”

Maid Lotus thought that it was plausible. She wondered if Shangguan Ru would make up a fake version of the chapters and trick Old Man Mu with Qigong Deviation. She banished her thoughts and said, ”If that is the case, that means it was not the Tenth Young Master who released Old Man Mu that time.”

Old Man Mu had escaped the ropes because they were cut off in secret. At that time, Shangguan Ru had aroused the most suspicion among them. However, she did not accept him as her Master Shifu, nor did she gave him the Wayless Qigong. She could never be the rope cutter since it was apparent that she was not in cahoots with Old Man Mu.

”It was not the Tenth Young Master indeed, because I know who it is.” Gu Shenwei said flatly, looking at Maid Lotus. He paused for a while and said, ”It was Shangguan Fei.”

Maid Lotus was slightly surprised, ”How could it be him?”

”Shangguan Fei had the foolish idea that he will be able to regain his father's understanding and love as long as he has made a major contribution. So he continued to stay by my side and helped me gather my momentum. It is only worthwhile for him to sell me out once the Great Snowmountain is on par and can compete with the Supreme King. As he waits for that day to come, he needs to plant several helpers in advance, and Old Man Mu happens to be one of them.”

Dragon King was very astute in speculating a person's true intentions. Sometimes, even Maid Lotus was concerned if he was too extreme, but she still chose to believe him unconditionally, ”But you still want to keep him alive.”

”Let's keep him alive for now. He intends to betray me but I also intend to make use of him as well.”

This was a complicated game. Indeed, Gu Shenwei did not trust Shangguan Fei but he did not tell the whole truth as well.

The plan to trap and kill Old Man Mu progressed in an orderly manner. Hundreds of swordsmen and machetemen hid in ambush. A large number of conscripted savages acting as archers positioned outside. These soldiers were unaware of Dragon King's real plan, so all of them made careful preparation.

Shangguan Ru also participated in the operation. She knew she was unable to kill people, but hoped she could stall Old Man Mu for some time.

In her heart, she did not want to see anyone die, which included Old Man Mu as well. But she was well aware of what would happen if she interceded for him.

Everything was ready by nightfall. The highlight tonight was neither Dragon King nor Maid Lotus, nor the swordsmen and machetemen who were eager to seek for revenge, but 300 archers who made up of the conscripted savages. Gu Shenwei planned to shoot Old Man Mu to death.

The archers didn't know their responsibilities, but all of them ha dreceived strict orders that once Dragon King shot a flaming arrow, they would follow suit and shoot in the direction of the arrow.

Gu Shenwei had positioned Shangguan Ru in an ingenious way such that he would have to bypass the archers if someone wanted to go near her, and the soldiers would shoot upon Gu Shenwei's orders.

He was about to leave his tent when a soldier of nobility knelt outside to seek an audience with him. Several swordsmen tried to pull him away, but he was very persistent and refused to leave.

Gu Shenwei could have ordered the soldier to wait until the next day, but the panic in the soldier's voice led him to change his mind.

Old Man Mu was used to sneaking attacks during the latter half of the night, and there was still some time as the sky had just turned dark.

The soldier who was anxious to see Dragon King was called Su Mohua. Like the rest of the surviving nobles from the Land of Fragrance, he served as guard troops of Dragon King. These guard troops were placed under strict surveillance. If it weren't for the fact that most of the conscripted savages were involved in the operation tonight, Su Mohua would not have the chance to approach Dragon King's tent unimpeded.

Su Mohua was a young man in his twenties. According to the traditional standards of the Land of Fragrance, his figure was slightly thick, but he looked frail in the eyes of the soldiers from the Great Snowmountain.

As soon as he entered the tent, he knelt in front of Dragon King and wept bitterly.

His brother was one of the main organizers who had incited the slaves to rebel against Dragon King. He had been detained and would be beheaded the next morning.

”Dragon King, who is as tall and magnanimous as the mountains, please pardon my brother's life! He's a fool, and he was tricked!” Su Mohua could only speak simple Central Plains Chinese. Although he spoke urgently and some words jumbled in order, the meaning was still clear.

Gu Shenwei felt that he was merely wasting his time, ”Military orders cannot be changed.”

Tears streamed down Su Mohua's face. He postrated himself, intended to beg again. However, after some pondering, he organized his words and said, ”I know the rule of exchanging a life for a life. I am willing... to exchange my brother's life for mine.”

Gu Shenwei was deeply surprised that such a righteous person would exist among the nobles in the Land of Fragrance. Very soon, he realized that he had misunderstood Su Mohua.

”I will use the Revered Devil's life to exchange for my brother's life.” Su Mohua added, because he was not planning on using his life in exchange.

The ”Revered” was an address used by the Land of Fragrance towards older people who possessed wits and virtuous qualities. ”Devil”, was a derogatory term. It was the first time Gu Shenwei heard these two words were used together. ”Are you referring to Old Man Mu?”, Gu Shenwei was slightly surprised.

”Yes, him. He's hiding in the forest, doing goodness knows what, and he's planning to do bad things to you. I heard all about it.”