481 Leak (2/2)
”You want me to make way for the Golden Roc Army, don't you?”
Shangguan Fei shook his hands and explained, ”No, absolutely not. You misunderstood me. It is just my suggestion, but it's your call to accept it or not.”
”Well, go on. What else did you think of?”
Shangguan Fei swallowed and replied, ”Even if we don't let them cross the lake, they will come sooner or later. A fight with them cannot be avoided.”
”Go on.”
”I think... I suggest we send an elite army to bypass and hide in the mountains. When the battle starts, they attack from the flank and force the Golden Roc Army into Xiaoyao Lake.”
Gu Shenwei frowned, ”You have been to Wushan. Do you think your suggestion is feasible?”
Shangguan Fei thought, laughing, ”Wushan has an exceedingly tough terrain. Most of the paths are sinuous and narrow. There is only a barely feasible road. If you want to enter Wushan, you have to go through Gulping Wind Gorge. It is difficult to find another way.”
”So, what about...?”
Shangguan Fei wanted to provide more ideas, but Gu Shenwei was impatient to hear more. He interrupted Shangguan Fei, ”Mine is better.”
”You have a good idea? That's better. Compared with mine, yours must...” Shangguan Fei shut his mouth instantly for he knew that he must be a part of the Dragon King's plan.
”You will meet with Shangguan Yun and try to make him send warships out of the gulf to fight with our naval forces.”
Dragon King said it in a casual as if this task was simple and Shangguan Fei could complete it with ease.
”What!?” Shangguan Fei asked. He tried to hide his shock and fear. ”Did Maid Lotus lie to me and tell the Dragon King everything? Otherwise, why would the Dragon King mention the Third Brother?”
At this moment, Maid Lotus appeared, interrupting their conversation.
”Hello, Maid Lotus,” Shangguan Fei greeted her, ”The Dragon King came here to check my practice, and I told...”
”He showed a sign of being attacked by Qigong Deviation, so I allowed him to take a break for two days,” Maid Lotus said calmly.
Shangguan Fei admired Maid Lotus more and more. ”Without even discussing it in advance, her answer matched what I said. Besides, she said it with so much composure that even the most paranoid person would believe her,” he mused.
Gu Shenwei's doubt completely disappeared. He said, ”Then he doesn't need to practice. I want him to meet with Shangguan Yun.”
Maid Lotus did her duty as a guard. She never expressed her opinions on the Dragon King's plans in the presence of others. She nodded slightly and left.
Shangguan Fei knew how to answer the Dragon King, ”Well, it's easy to meet with the Third Brother for he still regards me as his brother. But how can I persuade him to send warships?”
The Dragon King had cold stern eyes at that moment. Shangguan Fei found that the Dragon King and Maid Lotus were very much alike in some respects. Thinking of this, he felt more uneasy. He had had enough confidence to convince Maid Lotus to join hands with the Golden Roc Fort, but now he was less sure about it.
”It's simple. Just tell him the truth. Tell him that the Dragon army has a new weapon and they will want to see its power. As the Commander of the Golden Roc Army, he should have a look too.”
”Actually Shangguan Jianyi is the Commander.”
”I know.” Gu Shenwei did not want to argue with him on who the real Commander was.
”The one thing I fear most is that I will get caught before meeting him. The Dragon King knows that in other people's eyes I am still the son of the Golden Roc Fort Supreme King who betrayed his father...”
”Ask him to meet with you.”
”Well.” Shangguan Fei's uneasiness increased. ”The Dragon King seems to know many things.” He continued, ”Third Brother... How will it be possible for Shangguan Yun to come and meet with me?”
”I heard that in recent months a woman who looked like the disciple of New Moon Hall sometimes snuck out of the military camp. I'm guessing that girl was you. Am I right?”
Shangguan Fei did not know if he should be fearful or relax. It was good news that Maid Lotus had not told the Dragon King. But the Dragon King had already known that he'd met with the spy from Stone Castle in the disguise of a woman. He was startled by his silence.
”The Dragon King has...” Shangguan Fei had intended to let it go with a smile, but then he realized that it would not work. He kneeled down and said in a trembling voice, ”Dragon King, I swear that I met with Shangguan Yun but I did nothing for him... I, I just want to gain his trust and find a chance to distinguish myself in front of you. I should not... should not have concealed it. I want to give you a surprise...”
”I believe you.”
”Really?” Shangguan Fei dared not believe the Dragon King.
”But I do not want your surprise. Now it is your time to distinguish yourself.”
”Distinguish myself again?” he thought, ”Being useful is hard.”