805 Colluding with the Enemy (1/2)
Duodun's face suddenly changed. He winked at his friends around him, who immediately rushed out to open several other random boxes. They even knocked over some boxes on the southern side of the road, which all belonged to the Dragon King. All of the spilled boxes were filled with materials like iron ingots, weapons, and cotton-padded clothes; there wasn't even a hint of gold or silver.
Duodun glared at the Dragon King and asked, ”Is this what you're here for?”
Gu Shenwei put on a look of surprise as he replied, ”These are all important supplies. What else would Your Highness want?”
For the first time ever, Duodun felt so furious with the Dragon King that he almost wanted to wage war at all costs. However, he forcefully held himself back because the Dragon King was within ten paces of him and no one could stop him at that range. In the end, Duodun said, ”We'll meet again some other day” before turning around.
”Good-bye then, Your Highness.” Gu Shenwei replied politely.
As Duodun started trotting away, an officer asked a question he should have never asked. ”Your Highness, these goods…”
Duodun raised his whip and lashed the officer mercilessly before commanding, ”Take them away, fool.”
The officer covered his face and passed the order along. Duodun's anger abated slightly, and he turned around again, this time with a smiling face, to speak to the Dragon King. ”In a few days, the young king of Shulitu will bring a part of the army to the Western Regions for the winter. Will the Dragon King come with me to inspect the soldiers?”
”Of course.”
Liman solemnly nodded to the Dragon King and sighed for seemingly no reason as he patted his horse to follow Duodun.
The Norland Army put their newly acquired goods on their horses and quickly withdrew. The Restoration Army gathered up all the livestock and carts that the Norland Army had left behind. They'd rather clean up slowly than leave anything for the Meng family and Golden Roc Castle's forces.Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click for visiting.
A hundred soldiers of the Golden Roc Army were then brought before the Dragon King. Their weapons had been confiscated, and everyone was nervous. Some of them even wanted to get down on their knees, but held back after bending their knees twice.
”Your mission is over,” Gu Shenwei said. ”Go back to Jade City.”
The soldiers were all surprised that the Dragon King was letting them go so easily, and no one moved. Old Man Mu walked over and waved his long sword threateningly. ”Why don't you show your gratitude and scram? Are you waiting for the Dragon King to kick your ass?”
The soldiers of Golden Roc Army all turned around and fled eastward at the same time. In their haste, they left their horses behind, a decision they would soon regret a few miles later.
Shangguan Fei, his mouth agape, was riding at the back of the line as he continuously shook his head. Upon seeing the Dragon King, he immediately put on a flattering smile. ”The Dragon King has long known that… No, it was the Dragon King's brilliant idea after all. Haha, you've kept us all in the dark. Describe Duodun's expression; I heard that he couldn't stop bitching and moaning.”
Old Man Mu, who thought a little further, pointed at Duan Zihua who was not far away and asked, ”Do I have to silence him?”
Duan Zihua was startled by his question and anxiously rushed over. ”Dragon King, I…”
Gu Shenwei lifted his hand and stopped him from doing anything more. ”You are safe here. You don't have to go back to Jade City. Just follow me from now on.”
Duan Zihua bowed to show his respect as he replied, ”Yes.” He did not realize that the Dragon King in front of him was the stranger who had broken into his house and questioned him that night.
Dog Butcher, who did not fully understand what was going on, unwittingly asked, ”What on earth is going on? Where are all the gold, silver, and jewelry? Didn't the Meng family have more than half of their property in the carts?”
Old Man Mu made a triumphant turn as if he had known the secret all along. ”Idiot, the Dragon King knew that such an important matter could not be kept a secret, so he simply created a diversion and drew everyone's attention to the caravan. In fact, the Meng family's fortune has already been smuggled away through other means.”
”If their fortune is really as large as they say, how did they transport it?”
Dog Butcher wanted to get to the bottom of the matter, but Old Man Mu didn't have any answers so he casually said, ”The dog's head can't think of anything. But how can you be sure that the Dragon King couldn't think of anything?”
Dog Butcher just smiled without asking further. He had gotten used to Old Man Mu's habit of belittling others and did not care anymore.
The remaining half of the confiscated goods were spread out on the carts and were moved westward. Since Duodun had joined in dividing up the spoils, the Restoration Army no longer had to take side roads.
The leaders of the four or five camel teams all came together to thank the Dragon King. They had received permission to follow the army, but all decided in their hearts that they would after returning, they would persuade their masters to stop doing business because there were no more safe passageways to the Western Regions.
Three days later, the Restoration Army returned to its camp without any hindrances. The Norland soldiers at the sentry post watched them pass almost respectfully.
The top commander of the Dragon King's guards troops was a Vice Commandant of the Thousands Guards, named Wu Zongheng. He was a man of the An Kingdom of Xiaoyao Lake. He had been left at the camp for garrison duty, and he requested to see the Dragon King as soon as his group came back.
”Just as the Dragon King predicted,” Wu Zongheng said with a serious look. He had once joined the plot of the Empress Dowager of the An Kingdom, but had eventually been forgiven by the Dragon King, so he was particularly loyal. ”We have captured him.”
Gu Shenwei nodded without asking who he had caught. ”Take me to see him.”
The prince of Shule was pacing back and forth nervously in his tent. Upon seeing the Dragon King come in, he nearly collapsed onto the ground. Then he forced himself to calm down and, with feigned irritation, said, ”Dragon King, I need an explanation. What is all this about? I am one of the commanders of the Restoration Army. Don't I even have the right to leave the camp? Commandant Wu locked me up and said that it was your order.”
”Yes, it was my order,” Gu Shenwei said coldly, deliberately avoiding his eyes. Wu Zongheng brought over a chair, Gu Shenwei sat in it, and then said in an authoritative tone, ”Sit down.”
The prince of Shule, whose legs had jellified long ago, immediately sat down on the soft couch. ”Misunderstanding, there must be some sort of misunderstanding. Dragon King, please listen to me…”
Gu Shenwei shook his head. ”You know that I won't kill you. First, you are the prince of Shule and are still influential in the Shule Kingdom. Second, you've helped me in the past, and we have had cordial relationships. Third, you are Tie Linglong's brother. I'll spare you for her sake.”
The prince broke out in a cold sweat. Then he said in an ambivalent tone that shifted between relaxed and aggrieved, ”Dragon King, you… I don't know what you're trying to say.”
”Do I have to say it? Don't you understand? I am the only one who can protect you.”