502 Group Discussion (1/2)

Maid Lotus asked everyone to prove their loyalty to the Dragon King.

Six people left the teahouse in batches and reunited in a hidden valley nearby. Like members of a secret group, they stood around and shared their known information with each other. Then Maid Lotus said, ”Shangguan Yun likes to bluff, but he must have bought off many people. There may be traitors among us. So, everyone should say the reasons you will not betray the Dragon King. ”

The other five people were all staring at Shangguan Fei. He was Shangguan Yun's younger brother, and they had been in contact with each other for a long time, seemingly in semi-public collusion.

Shangguan Fei glared at them with surprise, dissatisfaction, and disappointment in his eyes and said, ”Why does it have to be me? The Dragon King didn't doubt me and sent me to do important tasks. Besides, with Shangguan Hong's experience, I would definitely not seek refuge in Golden Roc Fort. The Supreme King would never forgive me.”

”That is a reason,” Maid Lotus said, approvingly. Shangguan Fei sighed with relief and looked to the others.

Since Shangguan Fei was the first to speak, Long Fanyun standing beside him went next, saying, ”I am a swordsman from the Great Snowmountain.” This sentence was enough.

There was once a swordsman who secretly colluded with the enemy. In the end, he conducted a suicidal attack to atone for his crime. He asked only that the Dragon King not disclose his crime. None of the six people knew about that, so they still had full confidence in the words ”swordsman from the Great Snowmountain”.

Chu Nanping was next. He thought for a while and then said, ”I haven't finished practicing the swordcraft with the Dragon King yet.”

Everyone was surprised and none of them could understand how this could be a reason. However, Chu Nanping was, indeed, trusted and could not keep secrets. Besides, the Dragon King rarely gave him any particularly important task, so he was of little value to be bribed.

The next one was Han Fen, who was the happiest of the six, like a naughty child who was finally invited to join the game after waiting a long time. ”It's my turn. I won't betray the Dragon King because... because he is awesome at Kung Fu. He is handsome and likes to talk to me,” she gushed.

Even Han Fen herself could tell from the others' expressions that her answer was not good. She scratched her temples anxiously and suddenly thought of a new reason. Her face lit up with happiness as she said, ”I won't betray the Dragon King because I never pledged loyalty to him. Without loyalty, there can be no betrayal, right? I am loyal to the Managing Master, and her choice is my choice. ”

Finally, Han Fen's answer gained approval. She breathed a sigh of relief and immediately pushed Han Xuan next to her, saying, ”It's your turn.”

Han Xuan was not sure what to say, but Han Fen reminded her. ”I never pledged loyalty to the Dragon King, either. How can I betray him? Unless he is willing to marry my Miss, but he already has a wife...” she reasoned.

Han Xuan was only a maid in Gulping Wind Gorge. She was of little importance, so Shangguan Yun wouldn't pay attention to her. That was the best guarantee for her reliability.

The last one was Maid Lotus. ”I have had countless opportunities to kill the Dragon King, so why would I have waited until now?” she said simply.

Shangguan Fei felt very indignant. Among the six people, only he gave a solid reason, and the others simply resorted to loose arguments. ”It's no use at all. How can a traitor admit it in public?” he wondered aloud.

”I was checking everyone's attitude. The next task is the real test,” said Maid Lotus.

Maid Lotus' tone was bland. Shangguan Fei suddenly felt that he had been tricked. Since he had already pledged his loyalty to the Dragon King, he had to accept whatever order Maid Lotus issued in the name of the Dragon King.

This woman was really cunning and unwittingly forced everyone to agree to her plan. In Shangguan Fei's memory, Maid Lotus was always cold and secretive, hiding around the Dragon King and drawing no attention. She occasionally poked people with the Iron Finger, but was not the kind of person to play tricks.

”What task?” Han Xuan asked, her enthusiasm running out. She had started to lose interest these past few days. It was so boring, and she didn't have any interest in any ”task”. ”Don't take too long. My Miss must be missing me. I have to get to her quickly,” she said.

Maid Lotus had gotten used to Han Xuan's candour. She answered, ”Soon, in a few days, the task will be finished with Shangguan Yun's death.”

”Kill Shangguan Yun?” Shangguan Fei asked, shocked -- not because he was brothers with Shangguan Yun, but because he thought the plan was too risky.

”Well, Shangguan Yun set a trap for the Dragon King. We don't know the detailed plan, and we can't find the Dragon King. The simplest solution is to kill the leader, and then his underlings will naturally disperse in an uproar, so the trap will no longer exist,” she explained.

”Um, um, Shangguan Yun has many kung fu masters as guards...” Shangguan Fei reminded her.

”You said you are loyal to the Dragon King,” Maid Lotus said in a slightly harsh tone.

Shangguan Fei already knew that Maid Lotus would shut him up with this sentence. As long as she glared at him, he could feel the pain of practicing kung fu return to his body. He took a step closer to Long Fanyun, and muttered in a low voice, ”I didn't say no. Just be careful...”

No one else had an opposing opinion, especially Han Xuan. She followed Maid Lotus with the purpose of adventure and was looking forward to this assassination plan.

If there was such a plan, that is.

”First of all, we have to figure out Shangguan Yun's plan as much as possible and find out the loopholes to be able to attack,” Maid Lotus began. Time was limited, and she hadn't thought of a thorough plan. It was always the Dragon King's responsibility to make the plans, and she only helped to improve them.

No one wanted to be the first one to speak. Long Fanyun raised his hand to Shangguan Fei, as if to introduce him, but instead he pushed him away, saying ”Come on, you have the most ideas. Your guesses are usually quite accurate.”

”Everyone can guess right once or twice,” Shangguan Fei said with a wry smile, regretting having been smug in front of Long Fanyun.

”He is your brother, so you should know his mind,” Maid Lotus said.