562 Ultimatum (1/2)
In front of the Dragon King, King Kuari's younger brother, Kuo Zhen, stopped yelling, but he also refused to talk, as though he had seen through this kidnapping game and that the mastermind behind it was the Dragon King.
”Many Kung Fu masters from the Central Plains and Western Region visit him first in the royal court. If he talks, we'll have all the information.” Bo Sang regretted not completing the Dragon King's mission.
”He is the best information.” Gu Shenwei did not expect such a surprise from Bo Sang. The hazy situation in the royal court finally revealed itself a little bit.
However, Gu Shenwei still needed Kuo Zhen to talk.
Unlike his handsome elder brother, he looked more like a typical Norland man. He had a flat and reddish face, a pair of beady and narrow eyes, and a broad chest, as though he could break free at any time.
He was not easy to deal with. He was a born into royalty and disdained people outside of his royal family. The Dragon King, in his eyes, was just some self-proclaimed leader of a bandit gang.
”Who died in place of you? A slave or a soldier?”
Gu Shenwei started with the simplest question, but Kuo Zhen only snorted in reply. Kuo Zhen frequently used snorts to convey his various emotions during the conversation.
”The Golden Roc killer was supposed to kill your substitute, but was scooped up by my people.”
”Hmph.”
”On the surface, King Kuari and Golden Roc Fort are rivals. Secretly, they colluded to let you slip away to vanish in public, at least temporarily.”
”Hmph.”
”Although the Golden Roc killer has been exposed, he completed the mission, in a better way. Your substitute was butchered; even his closest friend wouldn't recognize him now. However, you failed; you didn't vanish and were captured by a macheteman. I'm afraid that King Kuari must be distraught now.”
That last sentence made Kuo Zhen talk. ”You vowed that you wouldn't touch a Norland man during the negotiation period.”
”Yes, I did vow. And I intend to keep my exact promise. Bo Sang, are you a Dragon Army soldier?”
Bo Sang failed to understand the Dragon King and appeared disappointed. ”No, I'm not. I have to pass your test to join the Dragon Army.”
”Did I order you to capture any Norland man?”
”No, Your Majesty ordered me to investigate Kung Fu masters who attend the Tournament of the Royal Court. The capturing was my decision.”
Gu Shenwei looked at Kuo Zhen. ”Look, I'm not involved. I'll, at most... just stand by. I won't break my promise.”
Kuo Zhen's face turned more reddish. ”You're like the other Central Plains conmen, playing with words. Hmph.”
”Should I torture him?” Bo Sang's muscles bulged out. He came from the Western Region. He bore only envy and jealousy toward the Norland nobles, there was no deep-seated respect or obedience.
Gu Shenwei did not nod or shake his head. He had to keep his ”promise” and refrained from giving any specific orders to Bo Sang. Thus, he asked Bo Sang in reply, ”Why did you fetch me?”
”What?” Bo Sang reacted slowly and failed to see the Dragon King's intentions. He thought that the Dragon King was blaming him. ”Well, I thought Your Majesty wanted...”
”Go get Senior Shou.” Gu Shenwei needed someone who could read thoughts.
Senior Shou was not willing to come. He had already rubbed King Kuari the wrong way. If he should have anything to do with the Dragon King, all other lords, including King Dari, would see him as a renegade.
However, he could not hide from Bo Sang. He was almost dragged to the front of the Dragon King. ”Fickle boy who serves two masters.” Senior Shou was judging his old bodyguard in his heart.
”What did you want to see me about, Your Majesty?”
”We have a problem.”
”Well, Your Majesty had better take that problem to someone else. I'd like to run away as far as possible. I don't want my cows or sheep anymore; I just want you to grant me a chance to live.”
”I can't. You have to fight, to strive for yourself.”
Senior Shou was stunned; soon after, he realized what the Dragon King meant. He smelled something bad. ”I've quit, I don't do that kind of thing anymore...”
”Then where will you go? Soon, the Norland cavalry will be everywhere.”
Senior Shou knew that his future looked bleak, but he constantly bore a shred of hope in his heart. Now, the Dragon King announced it out loud. Senior Shou had to think for a moment and grit his teeth. ”To hell with it, I'll do something big. I no longer need my cows and sheep. I'll follow you from now on.”
Having lived for years on the grassland, Senior Shou had nearly turned into a complete Norland resident, except that he would not worship the Khan royals.