581 Subduing Power (1/2)

Two years ago, the Unique King was determined to compete for hegemony in the Western Regions instead of continuing to conquer women. Meanwhile, the school teacher Zhang Ji had become the military counselor of Golden Roc Castle. Ever since then, they had been planning and preparing the assassination plan while secretly borrowing troops from the Norland.

In contrast, Gu Shenwei deeply felt that his preparation was too hasty.

Shangguan Shaomin knew nothing about 'female Gu'. She believed the lies of her coercers and thought that she really was terminally ill and had to take this odd and sometimes creepy medicine. She never could have imagined that her body would be turned into a murder weapon.

Gu Shenwei didn't go to see her after talking with Lotus. He did not want to deceive her, but neither did he want to tell her the truth.

Lotus only knew a little bit about the 'female Gu'. She hadn't even thought of it before Shangguan Shaomin described her experiences in detail. As for treatment, nothing was mentioned in the book that she had read.

”That should be their plan. The refining method of the female Gu is quite unique, and I can't think of any other possibilities.”

”But then everyone would know the assassin was from Golden Roc Castle; how would they frame the assassination on me?”

Lotus could only guess. ”The female Gu may not be effective right away. It could lie dormant for a while before breaking out, during which they would find some way to frame you.”

That was the most probable case. As for the specific method, they couldn't figure it out at the moment. But those were minor details and didn't affect Gu Shenwei's judgment.

Most of King Kuari and Golden Roc Castle's plan had been revealed thus far. They would use Shangguan Shaomin to assassinate the Khan and create chaos in the Royal Court before deploying troops to suppress the riots and then seize the title of Khan, which could also greatly shorten the natural process of internal fighting.

Gu Shenwei suspected that King Rizhu and the Second Consort might have realized the importance of Shangguan Shaomin but had deliberately treated her as if she were just Golden Roc Castle's guarantee for a share of the profits in the Norland, an insignificant part of the plot, so that the Dragon King would be more likely to carelessly kill her.

But both Shangguan Shaomin and Kuo Zhen, key figures in the assassination and the eventual mobilization of soldiers, were now in Gu Shenwei's hands. This was not only the lifeblood of King Kuari which could destroy him but also his reverse scale, which would bring death upon those who touched it.

Dealing with these two people had, therefore, become quite a challenge.

Lotus saw the whole matter coldly from a killer's perspective. ”The easiest way is to kill them. King Kuari will be completely defeated, and the threat will no longer exist.”

”Then King Rizhu and the Second Consort will rise and take the initiative, while I still know too little about their plan.”

”If so, just keep them alive to blackmail Golden Roc Castle and King Kuari. The problem is hiding them well enough so that even if news leaks out, we can handle their retaliation.”

A prince of the Norland was still kept hostage in the Dragon Army camp in the Western Regions but King Kuari, who was determined to seize the throne at any costs, probably wouldn't care about the life and death of a family member.

In the end, Gu Shenwei decided to keep them alive. His stance was the same as that of the Khan for now. He didn't want any of the kings to dominate the Royal Court for the time being, because that would be no good in regards to the interests of the Dragon Army.

It was already the second night watch period when he returned to his own camp. The first day of the Tournament of the Royal Court was about to end. Only several small-scale games had been held that day and the results were of no surprise to anyone. What interested everyone was still the big events that would not start until the next few days.

Wild Horse and Liman had been waiting impatiently at the Dragon King's tent for a long time. As soon as Gu Shenwei appeared, Liman rushed to him, ”Dragon King, the thing …”

Seeing Gu Shenwei holding his saber hilt, Liman abruptly stopped, his anger and resentment also reducing a lot. He said in a slow, soft voice, ”Dragon King, since we are cooperating, we should have a minimum level of trust.”

”I trust you guys.”

”But you asked us to kill a fake granddaughter of Unique King while you and your men went around competing in kung fu without telling us the reason or what the next step is.”

Gu Shenwei slightly raised his head, ”This is the way I do things. I trust you, but I won't change my ways because of you. Ask Wild Horse, he knows my methods very well.”

Wild Horse nodded, showing that he knew.

After the course of nearly a day and a night's waiting, Wild Horse's fury and impatience had gradually faded away as he reflected on the situation in his mind. Compared to the Dragon King, he was like a reckless teenager. He had to turn back into a cool killer, if only so that he could defeat his opponent in a future duel.

So he appeared more restrained than Liman.

Liman calmed down and revealed a conciliatory smile. ”Please forgive me, Dragon King. I'm too impatient.”

”Hmm.”

”Then what's Dragon King's next plan? Uh, what do we need to do?”

”Come to the kung fu competition with me.”

”Kung fu competition? The warrior contest begins the day after tomorrow.”

”It's in the slums. I have to continue training my swordsman.”

Liman looked reluctant, ”Well, neither Wild Horse nor I are suitable to be seen in public.”

King Rizhu had sent the two to help the Dragon King but didn't want it to be widely known.