566 Challenges (1/2)

Although Fang Wenshi knew the Dragon King's hunch was accurate most of the time, he was still shocked by the Dragon King's bold speculation, which sounded very unrealistic.

One thing that happened at noon that day added a little support to the Dragon King's theory.

The Military Counselor reported some news to the Dragon King. He told the Dragon King to walk out of the tent and take a look at the opposite camp.

Over at the opposite camp, King Dari's yellow-faced servant Fu Yuan, followed by a group of attendants, was demanding a marriage with the Supreme King's granddaughter. Fang Wenshi explained to the Dragon King, ”It's a bride-snatching ceremony — a common thing in Norland.”

Fu Yuan stood at the gate of the camp, talking loudly, refusing to enter the tent to discuss the matter in private. In the meantime, his attendants were rushing around under his commandments. Shangguan Yun looked very awkward, trying to persuade Fu Yuan in a low voice, while Zhang Ji was nowhere to be seen.

”Ha, Golden Roc Fort has lost face terribly this time,” Fang Wenshi said, having lifted up the curtain a little bit to watch the scene through the opening. The quarrelling voices and the abusive words of Fu Yuan could be heard clearly by the people in the Dragon King's tent. Fang Wenshi turned to the Dragon King in excitement, saying, ”Sir, come and take a look. There are a lot of people watching outside.”

”Supreme King! Bring me your granddaughter, as you promised. A promise is a promise. Don't worry about whether I have my manhood or not. I'm going to take her virginity anyway. Shangguan Yun, move aside, or I'll take yours, as well,” Fu Yuan yelled and then started swearing, saying even filthier things.

The Dragon King had been calm and showed no interest in what was happening at the other tent. Fang Wenshi finally stopped laughing. Looking at the Dragon King, Fang Wenshi was ashamed of his reaction, and then started to realize that things were not that simple.

Fang Wenshi realized there must be more truth hidden below the surface. ”Golden Roc Fort made a terrible mistake. It's well known that King Dari is on bad terms with King Kuari. And Golden Roc Fort promised a marriage to both of them. Now he has not only offended the favorite minion of King Dari, but also King Kuari. King Kuari will be notorious for fighting a eunuch over a bride,” he thought.

Gu Shenwei used the writing apparatuses on the table to analyze the matter, imagining them as several lords and saying, ”Zhang Ji would never do such a stupid thing, and he certainly has a different purpose.”

”But what's the benefit of doing so? To earn a reputation? It's better to not,” said Fang Wenshi.

”This is just the beginning,” said Gu Shenwei.

Fang Wenshi decided to stop watching. ”Wait for my news,” he said as he ran out of the tent, mounted his horse and went directly to learn more from several familiar officials.

The farce ended soon after Fang Wenshi left, almost escalating to a tragedy. A large brigade of King Kuari's cavalry galloped over from afar. They drew out their swords and bows, denouncing Fu Yuan for his rudeness, and claiming that no one could touch the granddaughter of the Supreme King.

Seeing that he was outnumbered, Fu Yuan withdrew with a lot of threats.

Even the well-disciplined guards of the Dragon King could not help but laugh at the funny drama. Long Fanyun kept saying while shaking his head, ”Shame. Shame for men. Shame for killers.”

He was not referring to Fu Yuan. He felt ashamed for Shangguan Yun. The Cloud King who had been able to keep his countenance in big battles, was now forced into a dilemma by a eunuch.

Shangguan Fei, who was standing beside Long Fanyun, sighed and said, ” I thought the men of the Stone Castle... the Shangguan family are not like that.”

Long Fanyun looked Shangguan Fei up and down in disdain. He had never regarded him as a ”man”.

Gu Shenwei was indifferent to what happened outside. He was busy with something else. He had written three letters, all with basically the same contents, and ordered Long Fanyun to distribute them. ”Be careful. They may not be happy to receive the letter,” he had warned.

Long Fanyun nodded in understanding. Shangguan Fei volunteered to be one of the ten guards to deliver the letters. He glanced at the three letters and noticed they were respectively addressed to King Dari, King Kuari and King Rizhu. He was interested to see what how a true ”man” would react to threats and insults. Especially the first two, who were in a fit of anger at the moment.

The first letter was delivered to King Dari. The Lord was standing in his tent lambasting the Supreme King for Golden Roc Fort's betrayal when he received the letter from the Dragon King. He took the letter, unfolded it, and then became furious after reading over it. He tore the letter into pieces, yelling, ”The Dragon King is crazy! Go back and let him hear my words: Prepare a coffin. Don't dream about getting any support from Norland.”

Long Fanyun stood straight, head forward, and said, ”I'll take the message to the Dragon King. But what kind of wood would King Dari like for his coffin, please?”

King Dari had not expected that a messenger guard would dare to be so disrespectful to him. He was too shocked to say a word. His personal guards reacted quickly, though. More than 10 of them pulled out their knives at the same time, reprimanding him loudly.

Long Fanyun ignored the guards, bowed to King Dari slightly, and left.

Shangguan Fei had mixed feelings of admiration and fright. He was too scared to make a comment until they were over a mile away from King Dari's camp. ”Wow...you...what did the Dragon King say in that letter to make King Dari so angry?” he asked.

The second letter was delivered to King Kuari. Compared with King Dari, King Kuari's reaction to the letter was quite moderate. He took the letter in his hand, sneered, and then laughed. Then he folded the letter carefully, saying, ”Well, I accept it, and I hope the Dragon King will not let me down.”

He did not say what he accepted. Shangguan Fei became more curious, and he wished he could open the last letter to see its content. His wish was soon realized.

When they delivered the last letter to King Rizhu, they were forbidden to enter the camp. General Zhe Su was standing at the gate like a black tower. The military discipline here had taken on a new look, with heavily armed soldiers lined up in a neat row. Anybody who dared to resist any command here would be chopped into meat paste immediately.

”King Rizhu will not see visitors. He only wants his horse back,” General Zhe Su said, looking lofty in his armor. He refused to let the messengers in, and also rejected the letter.

Long Fanyun did not argue with him. He unfolded the letter and read it out in a voice so loud that he could be heard both inside and outside the camp.