697 Meeting (2/2)

Luo Ningcha took two more steps forward, almost smiled but immediately held back, and put on a serious look. ”This child is yours.”

Gu Shenwei thought that it was a waste of time and even didn't bother to argue about her claim. He turned around and walked towards the exit.

Luo Ningcha didn't expect the Dragon King to react this way, so she hastily said, ”I lied to you at Jade City. Cheng'er is actually your son. It doesn't matter if you don't care about me, but you should care about him.”

”You really would do anything,” said Gu Shenwei at the doorway.

”Go ask Shangguan Ru. That girl always tells you the truth.” Luo Ningcha knew that she had to firmly grasp the Dragon King, who was her only backing in the prairie, at least for a while.

Gu Shenwei strode out of the tent. Fang Wenshi and Long Fanyun were waiting outside. Not long after they got on the horses, Gu Shenwei said, ”I have to find a way to send all these women away.”

Fang Wenshi slapped his thigh and echoed, ”Great minds think alike. But the prairie is too chaotic and dangerous right now. We can only wait for now and find a way later.”

”What is the army of King Riyao doing?” This is what Gu Shenwei was the most concerned about. Tuosai's calvary had all withdrawn from the ruins of the Royal Court. The 13,000 or so people had then gathered near the camp of the Dragon Army and the Second Consort. Their status as ally or enemy was still up in the air at the moment.

”The new king has not been elected yet. Tuosai's brothers are competing against each other and the generals also hold different opinions. Perhaps it will also fall into disorder just like what happened to the Court Attendants Army.”

”That must be avoided.”

”Hmm, the good news is that they've agreed to let the Dragon King enter the camp. I've canvassed several important generals out and they seem willing to accept outsiders as a new king as long as he's a descendant of the Khan.”

Gu Shenwei wasn't surprised by this. Tuosai's army was a melting pot that included the remnant troops of the old King Riyao and King Kuari. So there would not be many hindrances if one wanted to integrate it with the forces of a third lord.

The situation in the Royal Court had finally moved in the direction of Gu Shenwei's expectations and he was no longer a mere spectator.

In the temporary tent provided by the Second Consort, Azheba brought back more news, ”It's going very well. King Riyao's officers are willing to accept Shulitu as the new king. They are also willing to obey the Dragon King but they want the Dragon King to make a promise that this army will always belong to the Norland and that it will be returned in the same manner once the new Khan is chosen.”

This was also the wish of Azheba and Liman.

The two hundred or so officers who had pledged allegiance to the Dragon King were very useful. They came from various tribes and clans and had friends and acquaintances in almost every army. It was through their network that Azheba was able to meet directly with the ordinary officers of King Riyao's army and convey the Dragon King's message.

”I can assure you of that.” Gu Shenwei knew that he could never be the master of the grassland. His foundation was in the Western Regions and the Norland was just a strong backer.

”The soldiers of King Riyao's army are very stable and disciplined. The Dragon King doesn't have to worry about it.” Azheba had learned from the fiasco at the Court Attendants Army and thoroughly investigated the thoughts of the ordinary horsemen. ”They will support the generals' choice.”

King Riyao's army was different from the Court Attendants Army. From the ordinary soldiers to the Commander-in-chief, they had all come from a large number of fixed tribes and were bound together by kinship and friendship. So far, there was no clear division among them.

As soon as Azheba left, Liman came in to report the situation in the ruins of the Royal Court. The scuffle in the Court Attendants Army camp had lasted for a whole day but a detailed accounting of the conclusion inside the camp was still unavailable. ”The camp was sealed off. Even the 30,000 soldiers stationed outside were not allowed to enter. Several kings and generals were said to have died but King Shengri has been confirmed to have escaped, and Tuershan also seemed to still be alive. In short, the eastern side is in great disorder. Several armies have fortified their camps and will not be looking to fight for the foreseeable future.

”Are there any clues as to the reasons for the rioting in the Court Attendants Army camp?”

”Not much. There seems to be a rumor going around, saying that the Khan's spirit is not at peace in Heaven and that he wants his head back along with more nobles' heads to accompany him.”

Gu Shenwei vaguely smelled the presence of the Waning Moon Hall, but looking back on the reaction of King Shengri, he obviously had not known anything about it. Had Lotus already tossed her puppet aside so soon? But King Shengri also happened to have escaped from the camp.

Fang Wenshi hurried in and said that the new King Riying Shulitu had arrived. Gu Shenwei could only put aside the doubts in his mind.

Another batch of kings had died. Shulitu's succession was the smoothest, though that wasn't because he had no brothers. In fact, he had an elder brother who was three years older than him but his brother's mother was a lowly female slave. Besides, Fang Wenshi had come in time to declare the former King Riying's last will which played an important role. In the eyes of many generals and officers, Shulitu's kingship was indisputable.

Shulitu proved himself to be a qualified and obedient puppet. This was the education he had received for nearly two years. He moved his entire army from the east of the Royal Court to the west and set up camp about ten miles from the Dragon Army camp. Then he came to meet the Dragon King with only a few guards.

The meeting took place in the camp of the Second Consort. Shulitu first paid his respects to his great-grandmother as the new king. By doing this, it could help reduce any suspicion and criticism towards the Dragon King, which was hypocritical but very effective.

Gu Shenwei's first impression of Shulitu was nothing exciting. Nothing stood out except for the mature eyes of the other side.

The Second Consort knew of Shulitu's existence long ago but this was also her first time seeing him. She behaved very politely and fully showed the kindness and affability of an elder, and then left first with the excuse of not feeling too well.

”You are not only King Riying; soon you'll acquire the titles of King Riyao and King Kuari.” Fang Wenshi explained the general plan on behalf of the Dragon King, which was one of his tasks as a counselor.

Without speaking much, Shulitu nodded frequently and seemed quite satisfied with his current status.

There was not much thatShulitu needed to know. Fang Wenshi soon finished talking, but Gu Shenwei felt he ought to say something so he walked over and began to open his mouth. Just then, the twelve years old boy launched an assassination attempt.

It was from that moment that Gu Shenwei understood one thing: This kid wasn't simple.