572 Loyalty (1/2)

The so-called 'help' Luo Ningcha was offering was to not let the Dragon King meet with the Second Consort. She also refused to disclose who the Second Consort was supporting in order to inherit the title of Khan. Perhaps Luo Ningcha herself did not even know.

”Alliances require a lot of give and take. The Second Consort has expressed her sincerity, and it's your turn now. You'd better figure out the assassination plan of Golden Roc Castle, and then everyone will be happy.”

Luo Ningcha walked close to Gu Shenwei, stopping when she was just about to cling to him. She gently took the covenant away as her fingers softly caressed his chest before she suddenly pushed him away forcefully and giggled. ”Stop dreaming. I won't let you lay a finger on me unless you marry me as your queen openly.”

Gu Shenwei hadn't intended to touch her but for a moment, his breath became heavy. It was an instinctual response that appeared regardless of whether its owner held deep grudges, was in a crisis, or had fallen in love. When it was time, it always dominantly established its existence like a pet who never had enough to eat.

He would satisfy it every now and then, but this time he just wanted to viciously kick it back down.

”How should I contact you in the future? It will be way too troublesome if we do this every time.”

”Hmm, I'll be staying here for two nights, so you can come to me at any time then but don't come too late.” Luo Ningcha was very pleased because she had achieved all her goals. She was particularly excited by the fact that she was a key figure in a conspiracy that would change the world.

Gu Shenwei left without asking any more questions as he couldn't get the information he wanted from her. Luo Ningcha thought that she was very important, but she was really just a pawn in the Second Consort's hands, a pawn that could be casually discarded after being used.

The night was deep and dark, a killer's favorite time to act. Gu Shenwei stood in the shadow for awhile, and Lotus appeared.

”Keep an eye on her. See where she's going, who she meets, and who serves her.”

Lotus gently nodded. She was just about to leave when Gu Shenwei added, ”She's still useful.”

Lotus had tried to assassinate Luo Ningcha on her last day at Golden Roc Castle. As time passed, she had become much more in control of her feelings than before. She nodded again without showing any signs of emotion.

The night was not yet over, and Gu Shenwei did not want to return to the camp just like this.

The whole Royal Court was shrouded in conspiracies so thick that he could almost swim in it. By following the clearest evidence trail, he went to the residence of King Zhuri alone.

Gu Shenwei assumed that Shangguan Ru and Old Man Mu had left to fetch the three Bone Shrivelling Pills. The Office of King Rizhu was indeed a good place to hide something. Everyone knew that Old Man Mu was the enemy of King Rizhu, so naturally, no one would think that he would keep his most important treasure here.

Another important reason for Gu Shenwei to come was the Second Consort, who had nearly become King Rizhu's daughter-in-law. Luo Ningcha thought that the Second Consort's plan and Shangguan Ru's disappearance were of two different matters, but Gu Shenwei had found a hint from the two events.

King Rizhu had had his Flame Foal stolen because of his army's lack of discipline. From that day on, he strengthened his vigilance and arranged patrols according to wartime standards. At that point, even a small mouse could not enter or leave his office freely.

But this evening, Gu Shenwei soon found a loophole, which confirmed his idea that King Rizhu was 'inviting' him in.

This might be a delicately designed trap to lure the Dragon King into the net, as breaking into the king's office at night was obviously a breach of the agreement. With this as an excuse, the Norland could dispose of the Dragon King at will without fearing any loss of political credibility.

Gu Shenwei snuck into the camp. He had watched long enough, and it was time for him to take action.

The heavily guarded campsite had left a single passage, which was difficult for outsiders to spot. In this passage, there were still guards on patrol, but every quarter of an hour or so the two teams of soldiers would turn around and leave a momentary gap in which a daring killer could seize the opportunity to pass.

The one who had set up this passage knew the Dragon King's style very well. Gu Shenwei immediately thought of Wild Horse. The two of them had hunted each other in the ruins for a day and a night, and as a result knew each other's habits well.

At the end of the passage was a small tent near the main tent, which was still lit in the middle of the night.

This was a well-arranged 'audience's path to the king' and only open to one person.

King Rizhu was sitting alone in the humble tent with a carefully crafted jewelry box on his knee. From time to time he took out an accessory and observed it carefully.

In front of him was placed someone's memorial tablet, with incense smoke curling up and a lamp shining as if it were eternal.

While contemplating the accessory, King Rizhu reminisced upon the past and almost forgot that there was an important visitor coming tonight.

”Wild Horse told me, of course through someone who knew sign language, that the Dragon King would always appear behind my back no matter how vigilant I remained.” King Rizhu said as he put a hair ornament made from gold flowers back into the box without looking up.

”Who is she?” Gu Shenwei asked while standing behind King Rizhu. The person being commemorated in the tent was obviously a woman.

”My princess consort.” King Rizhu stayed silent for a moment, and with a rare sadness, he added, ”Not the one killed by Old Man Mu.”

”Hmm.” There were many different views about what had caused that Princess's death. Gu Shenwei wasn't concerned about it at all.