482 The Unnecessary (1/2)

There was a type of person who, when present, was ignored as if he didn't exist. However, when he was about to leave, he would be accused of ruining the vibe. Therefore, he could only awkwardly observe the people he hated in the ring.

Shangguan Hong was that kind of person.

He had not only failed the Dragon King, but also received little appreciation from the Golden Roc Fort. When all was said and done, he finally realized that he had been used by the teacher Zhang Ji, the Dragon King, Shangguan Jianyi, Shangguan Yun, and so many others. He was a disposable tool, no one was even grateful for what he had done.

In his 20s, Shangguan Hong had lost all his ambition. Fighting for something was hard. It seemed that the less he did, the safer he would be.

He lay in the shabby tent, reminiscing about the mellow wine he used to drink. His tongue was bland, reminding him that he could not even afford a shot of swill now. Ever since coming back to the Dragon King after his betrayal, he was no longer welcome among the Dragon army. He was treated like a pig, fed only tasteless rations.

He hated everyone. In a world of lies, why was he the only one who had tried and failed?

To keep himself from going mad, Shangguan Hong dug deep into his memories, trying to find something delightful to savor. Suddenly, a wind blew away the fog, and Lady Meng appeared in front of all the other women.

”That ruthless woman.” Shangguan Hong raised his lips and recalled her in detail both with resentment and passion.

In his fantasy world, it was different. Though the world was still full of lies, conquest, and betrayal, he was not a complete loser. He had something he could take pride in here: He used to own the proud and powerful woman. That was the only golden time in his life.

However, thinking more clearly, Shangguan Hong recalled that it hadn't been much fun. Lady Meng had treated him like a toy. Even in bed, she dominated. He could only accept and try hard to suppress his cravings, lest he provoked her.

Shangguan Hong did not want this. He was like an obsessed sculptor, putting the final touch on his work, his memory. In that world, he dominated. The proud and beautiful Lady Meng begged and praised him in the humblest way with the most jubilant attitude.

It was so fake that even he found it too much.

Just when he was about to revise for the second time, his half-brother lifted the curtain and broke in.

”What are you doing?” Shangguan Fei froze, looking suspiciously at Shangguan Hong in bed. It was the middle of the day.

”I'm, I'm not, I was tired... and sleeping.” Shangguan Hong stumbled. He was never good at solving a crisis. Right now, he could only fiddle with the quilt. Then, he suddenly realized that this was his place. ”What are you doing here? Why didn't you knock?”

”Hmph.” Shangguan Fei was not a kid. He had led a brief but rakish life in the Jade City. He knew clearly what he had seen. Though he bore a great amount of disdain, he was much calmer. He spoke casually. ”The Dragon King wants you to do something with me.”

”Like what?” Shangguan Hong got up from the bed. He was fully dressed. It did not seem that he had been sleeping.

”Just come with me.”

Here came the real world in all its cruelty. Shangguan Hong was resentful. Once upon a time, he and Shangguan Fei had been equal in the Dragon King's eyes. Now he could only follow Shangguan Fei's orders obediently.

Shangguan Fei brought two horses, and they rode into the city. The Dragon King had never set a boundary to stay within. If they had to stay in the camp, it was because they dared not to leave the Dragon King's protection.

As they approached the city gate, Shangguan Hong could not help suggesting, ”There're a lot of people in the city. It's not safe there.”

”What's a good place to stay safe if we want to benefit the Dragon King?”

Shangguan Hong fell silent. Though most areas in the An Kingdom were protected by the Dragon army, but there were always weak points. Golden Roc killers were good at finding those.

”Shangguan Fei isn't afraid, I shouldn't be either.” Shangguan Hong comforted himself, but soon he remembered that he was not as good as his brother at Kung Fu. He might not be able to run as fast as him if they were in danger.

In a nervous state of mind, Shangguan Hong stayed closely behind Shangguan Fei.

The capital of the An Kingdom was a mess.

A large number of refugees had settled in and the city was packed with people. The siblings could only get off their horses and walk slowly forward in the crowd.

Shangguan Fei casually fastened the reins onto a parking stone in front of a house and dove into the crowd.

Shangguan Hong followed him. He did not want to be left behind. ”The horses will be stolen in a short while.” He was thinking. ”Such a shame. We should have traded them for money.” Then suddenly, he realized that it wasn't him, Shangguan Fei was trying to ditch someone else.

He was growing more and more nervous.

After five turns and seven blocks, Shangguan Fei slowed down to a normal speed.

Shangguan Hong was panting, as he finally caught up to his brother. ”Have we lost him?”

”Who knows?”

”Where on earth are we going?”

”We're close.”

Shangguan Fei was even colder than usual. Feeling guilty about the daydream involving his mother, Shangguan Hong did not argue.

After another hour, they had walked deep into the southeast of the capital. It was far away from the docks and refugees, thus less crowded. The small alley they were in was nearly empty.

Judging from the facades on both sides, residents here were either rich or powerful.

Shangguan Fei seemed to be familiar with this place. He suddenly pushed open a side door and walked into the house. There was no one else in the alley.