511 Collapse (2/2)

The area surrounding the commander's flag became the only peaceful zone in the entire battlefield.

One of the blademasters halted, his murderous glare fixed on one of the guards.

Under huge pressure, he suddenly understood that the assassin was the 'messenger' sent by the Third Young Master, Shangguan Yun. He himself had even interrogated this person the previous evening.

At that time, he felt strangely wary of the messenger, not because he had came alone and looked foreign, because everyone knew that Shangguan Yun loved to get his subordinates from outside of the Stone Castle, but because of some vague instinctive awareness. He had not caught onto his feeling and subsequently forgot about it, but now he understood.

The 'messenger' was a killer in disguise. Even though he disguised himself really well and there was not a hint of him being an assassin from his mannerism, it was impossible for one to get rid of some qualities that had been ingrained since a young age. Also, it took someone who was also used to killing and death to be able to sense it as well.

”He...” began the blademaster. He had wanted to call the 'guard' out as an assassin, but he was suddenly inspired to change it to ”He's the Dragon King”, while thinking that if his deduction was correct, both the killers and himself would have a chance of surviving.

The blademaster was so excited that he turned red. Nevertheless, before he could complete his sentence and as he was searching desperately for the assassin, the effect of collapse at the frontline was cascading back with a ferocity that no one could stop. Even if the Supreme King had appeared now, he could do nothing to help.

The soldiers standing near the commander's flag had reached their breaking point, and they decided to flee even if the killers were holding their sabers on their necks.

The messenger ran faster than anyone else, further proof that he was no ordinary guard.

The blademaster gave chase, as if he had not noticed the utter defeat of his army. His only goal was to catch up with the 'messenger' and kill him to prove that he was the Dragon King. He did not even think of requesting for help from his comrades.

His steps were still light and agile, and he believed that his kung fu was on par with the Dragon King. The fleeing troops could not obstruct him. No one could escape from his unflinching gaze.

The small old man re-appeared, but the blademaster would not fall for the same trick twice. He kept his eyes firmly fixed on his target.

Old Man Mu passed by the 'messenger' and then rushed toward the blademaster, darting between the horde of legs and hooves with even nimbler steps. He did not strike, however. ”I just came to deliver weapons,” he said smilingly before disappearing in the clouds of dust made by the fleeing soldiers.

The blademaster did not understand the meaning behind the old man's words and did not feel that there was a need to consider them. Other than the messenger, nobody could draw his attention away at this point.

Gu Shenwei discarded the scimitar in his hand as he received his sword and saber. They made him feel at ease once again, as if he had just caught onto the breeze after enduring the worst of winter.

No matter how huge an army was, without leadership and organization, it was just a mere mob and nothing to be afraid of. He did not turn back to engage the enemy soldiers or slow down. Neither did he speed up.

Just as the blademaster was drawing close, Gu Shenwei darted underneath the belly of a warhorse galloping past and suddenly stopped. All of a sudden, the two men had exchanged positions and Gu Shenwei was standing to the right of the blademaster.

One stroke of his sword was enough. When he had assassinated Shangguan Jianyi, he did not use any weapon, and it left him feeling deeply unsatisfied. This stroke finally gave him a little of the pleasure that had eluded him.

In the ensuing chaos, no one noticed the move. The only person who had found out the truth behind Commander Yi's death was now dead, and the Dragon King personally assassinating Shangguan Jianyi became a secret as a result.

Gu Shenwei would definitely not brag about the incident afterward, but Old Man Mu was more than willing to take the credit for it. There were instances whereby he over-exaggerated and forgot that he had sworn not to kill again.

Even though the killers knew that they would face death by returning to the Stone Castle, none of them fled or surrendered. A few of them died in the stampede of fleeing soldiers, while most of them stuck to their duties and kept Commander Yi's corpse safe from further harm while embarking on the tough journey back to ask for the Supreme King's forgiveness.

There were very few rumors as to how the Supreme King dealt with them; everyone were more concerned about the cause of Shangguan Jianyi's death.

The commander of the Golden Roc Fort was killed by a rare poison; his assassin had stuck a needle at the back of his neck, and the poison took effect immediately.

The New Moon Hall became the biggest suspect, especially Maid Lotus, who had gone missing during the battle. Her skill in kung fu and the occult sciences were more than enough to carry out such an assassination.

However, Maid Lotus was not even present at the battlefield. She had brought Chu Nanping and two of the disciples of the New Moon Hall along with her to keep a close watch on Shangguan Yun's whereabouts.

She had been captured by the New Moon Hall and later joined them. She was also drugged along with Shangguan Ru in the Land of Fragrance and was very nearly immolated, but the nation was soon destroyed. She had no way of taking revenge from either party and now, the only enemies left that she had to kill were Shangguan Yun and the second eldest of the three Xia brothers.