904 Temper (1/2)

Sun Chengqi was very angry. In his opinion, the relationships between Western Regioners were tangled and complicated, and almost everybody was a potential suspect in the case of the Central Plain's envoy's assassination. ”Will somebody please tell me who this Madam Luo of the Iron Mountain is?”

Gu Shenwei was unwilling to answer. Even the Unique King, who was the one who had brought Luo Ningcha up, remained silent – his eyes were fixed on the Dragon King's face, as if he was observing the opponent's subtle movements during a duel.

Wei Song coughed twice. He had no choice but to answer the question. ”The Iron Mountain is one of the forces in the Western Regions, and its leader's respectful form of address is Madam Luo. Its members are stationed between the two Central-Plains armies. You might have a vague recollection of them, Lord Sun.”

It suddenly dawned on Sun Chengqi that this so-called ”Madam Luo” was actually the rumored beauty found by Prince Xiao in the Western Regions. He didn't dare ask any further questions, and he even regretted having made those previous remarks. So he nodded, picked up his cup, and sipped at his tea. The aggressiveness on his face was suddenly replaced by indifference, as if this meeting had nothing to do with him at all.

The Unique King also seemed to have changed his mind instantly. ”I also confirmed that the assassin named Yang Hao left the Iron Mountain a long time ago and become a freelance mercenary sabersman. He worked for anyone who paid him.”

”Then this clue is another dead end,” Wei Song said. ”How about this? The Dragon King has put forward… a speculation, and I'll find the most suitable person to conduct the autopsy. Then, at the same time, I'll also investigate the guard of Lord Ma. We'll have another consultation tomorrow at noon. What do you all think?”

Nobody raised any dissenting opinions. This meeting full of hints of schemes had ended in a somewhat rash manner. Gu Shenwei thought that his speculation would have been met with a lot of doubts, but unexpectedly, it turned out to be the only remaining direction of the investigation.

This made him feel a little uneasy.

Though he had been scared many times during the meeting, Shangguan Hong was glad to walk out of the Four Noble Truths Temple alive. He was very happy and he even believed that he had made a contribution. So, on his way back to the camp, he intentionally got close to the Dragon King and loudly said, ”Your foresight is really amazing, Dragon King. The results of the autopsy tomorrow will surely prove that your speculations are right.”

The seemingly new closeness between Shangguan Hong and the Dragon King immediately attracted Shangguan Fei's attention, who was behind them and not far away at all. He pricked his ears up, trying to hear the Dragon King's response.

”We'll have to wait until tomorrow to see that,” Gu Shenwei said perfunctorily. He still felt that something was not right. Back during the meeting, Shangguan Fa had made his move, but at the last moment, he had backed off and Wei Song had also cooperated with him, not trying to link the Dragon King to Luo Ningcha. Luo Qikang, who was beside Wei Song, also acted like a pure shadow. All of these behaviors were abnormal.

Shangguan Hong nodded with a grave look, as if he was the only one who could understand the Dragon King's words. Shangguan Fei, who was behind them, was relieved, and believed that the Dragon King did not truly appreciate Shangguan Hong.

When the procession was halfway to the camp, Old Man Mu and Dog Butcher caught up from behind. The intense fight that they had been expecting to happen didn't take place, and they were very disappointed.

Zhong Heng didn't follow the Dragon King back to camp. After being informed of the general situation, he also felt that there was some kind of hidden scheme underfoot, so he immediately brought some men with him and went to the army camp of the Central Plains, planning to inquire about Wei Song's movements.

Xu Xiaoyi had been waiting in the Dragon King's tent. He had already heard that Han Fen had been taken prisoner, so upon seeing the Dragon King, he admitted his negligence and requested to be punished for it. ”It was my fault. I failed to acquire the intelligence on such an important issue.”

”Um.” Gu Shenwei didn't deny it. This was indeed Xu Xiaoyi's negligence. ”Golden Roc Castle will probably take action soon. I want you to mobilize all your men to collect intelligence. Report to me immediately if you find anything unusual.”

”Yes.” Xu Xiaoyi felt waves of stress constrict his chest. He hurriedly left and galloped towards Jade City. Under the cover of the night, he entered southern Jade City to collect the intelligence that the Dragon King needed.

Sitting in his tent, Gu Shenwei relived the meeting that had taken place at noon again and again. He had a lingering feeling that he had overlooked some vital detail that had led to the situation changing in a way of which he was unaware.

Luo Ningcha stormed into the tent. Even the several guards with strong builds failed to stop her.

”Dragon King, we need to talk.” Luo Ningcha's dilated eyes took up nearly half of her face. Though her face was angry, she looked even more charming, which was a unique skill that even she herself was unaware of. The reason why all of those men she had met, including her father, the Big Head God, had put up with her temper until they became bored, was because she had this beautiful countenance.

This time, she chose to visit the Dragon King at the most inopportune occasion once again, completely unaware of the danger that she might put the Dragon King, as well as herself, in.

Gu Shenwei nodded at the guards and signaled for them to leave.

”Did the Unique King say that the assassin was my subordinate in the Four Noble Truths Temple today?”

”He said that the assassin used to be Golden Roc Castle's apprentice, and that he once worked for the Iron Mountain. Finally, he said that he left you to be a freelance mercenary sabersman.”

Gu Shenwei didn't take this opportunity to play her off against the Unique King, but Luo Ningcha still became furious. ”That damn old man Shangguan Fa. When the situation is favorable, he never thinks of me, and he detained my three thousand cavalrymen for years. Now that he is involved in a murder, he finally remembers who I am. Don't think that I don't understand. Why did he mention me? It was all because of Prince Xiao. Shangguan Fa wants to fawn on Wei Song, so he framed me, hoping to incriminate Prince Xiao by doing this.

Luo Ningcha's analysis was surprisingly coherent. Gu Shenwei nodded in praise. ”Madam Luo's concern is very reasonable-”

”What did you call me?”

”Madam Luo. I think that this is your title now.”