Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
The meeting of the kings had come to a quick end. King Shengri, who had just maneuvered himself into a powerful position, found that there was still an impassably high mountain that blocked his way.
The Commandant, like the others, only had a staff officer and a guard with him but when he issued an ultimatum and threat, it was as if a hundred Court Attendants were standing behind him. King Shengri wished that he could roar with equal force, but his years of timidity finally prevailed. “I…” He was only able to blurt out one word before he was defeated and could not raise his voice in any way.
But King Shengri was still very angry. He was fully aware of his advantages but just couldn’t show it. It was like if he owned a priceless treasure but still flinched like a beggar, which just incensed him more. He kicked over the wine and meat and pushed down the staff officer, eventually starting to walk outside. It was not until he reached the door of the tent that he turned around and maliciously said, “Do not think you are safe just because you have more soldiers and do not think that the Dragon King can protect you!”
“You only have two days,” replied the Commandant cooly.
To leave or not to leave. Such a simple choice suddenly became a momentous decision with deep implications. The fat King Zuori felt that he should seize the opportunity so he ignored the hints of his staff officer and became the first to clarify his position. “I didn’t expect King Shengri to be so rebellious that he wanted to kill everyone. I have nothing more to say. Commandant, please count me in when you send troops to suppress him two days later.”
“Right, right, do not let go of King Shengri,” the others echoed his sentiment and then took their turn to leave. Soon they would secretly send men to communicate with both sides at the same time.
Gu Shenwei didn’t clarify his stance. Instead, he asked Fang Wenshi to bid farewell to the Commandant while he himself left with his guard Nie Zeng.
As he sat on horseback, King Riyao Tuosai looked down at the approaching Dragon King and said, “Not a bad plan. Now that you have the Commandant to back you up, I’m afraid that you won’t need my protection anymore.”
Before the Dragon King could answer, Tuosai had patted the horse and left.
Fang Wenshi happened to catch up right at that moment. Looking at the back of King Riyao, he shook his head and said, “Everyone thought that the questions and answers were all arranged by the Dragon King and the Commandant and that the purpose as to throw King Shengri off guard. Alas, it seems that we won’t be able to cast off the impression that we’ve joined the Commandant’s fraction.”
“Hmm.”
After getting on the horse, Fang Wenshi continued, “Well, for what it’s worth, the Commandant did declare war on King Shengri, and the battle between the two sides will one way or another force the others to break and choose a side. The only thing that I’m worried about is that someone may try to fish in troubled waters.”
“What do you think of King Riyao?”
“Him? He would do anything for that woman including hitting someone when he’s down. Dragon King, he has probably heard some rumors and is a little jealous of you. When we formed an alliance with him, you were still in a coma. He seems a little too disappointed to see you wake up.
“Do we have any other choices?”
In order to gain a foothold in the Norland, one must find a descendant of the Khan as a backer or puppet. No one is an exception to this rule.
Fang Wenshi thought for a while and said, “There’s…”
Just as he was about to say something, the sound of the hooves rang out behind them and another king caught up to them.
The new King Riying was a man who knew how to make use of his smile. With an amicable smile that was neither excessive nor pretentious, it was easy for him to gain the favor and trust of the other side – and he had received the attention of Gu Shenwei and Counselor Fang at the meeting just now.
“Please, wait a moment, Dragon King.”
Seeing that King Riying’s two followers had been left twenty or so paces behind, Fang Wenshi signaled Nie Zeng, and the two of them galloped to a similar distance ahead.
“What is the matter, King Riying?”
Unlike the other nobles who maintained themselves well, King Riying already had a weather-beaten face that looked like a common herdsmen’s in his early thirties. Looking at the ruins not far away, he let out a long sigh. “Everyone says that the Norland people are used to internal strife and will always choose the most suitable Khan. Unfortunately, a new Khan means nothing to those who have already died.”
Gu Shenwei politely declined to comment on the traditions of the Norland. He looked up at the sky and thought that he was just like the vultures circling in the air, waiting to devour the huge corpse of the Norland. But the empire was not completely dead yet, and he could not feel the same sentiments as King Riying’s.
Perhaps King Riying felt the topic was too heavy, so he widened the smile on his face. “The Commandant appreciates you very much.”
“Honestly, looking at the way he questioned me just now, I thought that I was going to die here.”
“Haha, the Dragon King is worrying too much. King Shengri is just an old liar, but he’s right in saying that no one is a match for the Dragon King in this small area.”
“Please help me thank the Commandant then. The Court Attendants Army is the foundation of the Royal Court. I hope that he will make good use of this power.”
“Everyone wants to gain the support of Court Attendants Army. Doesn’t the Dragon King want to take a slice of it?”
“King Riying is kidding. I’m an outsider, so how could I be qualified to take part in the family affairs of the Norland?”
King Riying put away his smile and leaned forward on the horse to get close to the Dragon King, “The fight for the throne is not only a family affair of the Norland but also a major world event. It will have an immeasurable influence on the Western Regions as well. So everyone in the world is entitled to participate in it. The Dragon King may not know that you have a very good reputation among the soldiers, especially the Court Attendants Army, one that is even better than our several kings.”
“You are being too modest.”
“Hehe, the Dragon Army thinks that I’m just being polite.” King Riying pointed to the ruins of the Royal Court and said, “This is the end for a city without protection. The chaos has arrived, and even the bravest soldiers are aiming to grab the treasure and protection of the commanders. Unfortunately, the kings are just driving them to fight dauntlessly while always ready to sacrifice thousands of people for their own benefits. But the Dragon King is different. You fought for dozens of ordinary soldiers while besieged by tens of thousands of cavalry, and even saved thousands of men who only had temporary allegiances. The tens of thousands of horsemen were all Court Attendants, and they all saw this with their own eyes and all grew to admire the Dragon King.”
“If the Khan didn’t show mercy…”
“But before that, no one knew that the Khan would show mercy.” King Riying’s eyes sparkled as if he were also one of the Dragon King’s admirers. “Under that situation, anyone, including me, would try to disassociate ourselves, or even kill a few subordinates to prove our innocence. In fact, all the other kings did this. Only the Dragon King was willing to risk himself and stand out for his subordinates.”
King Riying spoke so highly of him that Gu Shenwei felt a bit ashamed, a feeling that he hadn’t felt for a long time. In fact, before he was willing to risk his life to save others, he had already known that Lotus held a great influence over the Khan at that time. After that, Lotus had begun to create chaos but he didn’t stop it. He waited and didn’t draw his sword to duel her until he was sure that Han Wuxian was in the hands of the Dragon Army.
But there was one thing King Riying was right about. The reason Gu Shenwei was willing to risk himself for the protection of his subordinates was that he had very few people under him and that he couldn’t afford to lose any of them. And the most important reason he didn’t stop Lotus was that the Royal Court didn’t belong to him.
“King Riying’s praise makes me feel like I haven’t come to the Royal Court in vain.”
King Riying lowered his voice and agreed, “Of course wasn’t in vain. The Commandant really admires the Dragon King and hoped to join hands with the Dragon King to restore order in the Norland. As for me, I’m your admirer. As long as the Dragon King says a word, my several thousands of soldiers will be at your service at any time.”
“Wow.” Gu Shenwei had to admit that the flattery from a king carried more weight than an average sycophant’s and was a hundred times more powerful than that of Old Man Mu and Shangguan Fei’s. “I don’t know what to say. I’m very happy that King Riying and the Commandant trust me. Please do not say ‘join hands’ as I’m not able to accept the honor, but I’m eager to serve in the future in any way you two deem useful.”
King Riying smiled heartily. “There are many things worth talking about but there’s no hurry now. Two days later, when the Commandant is avenging the Khan, I hope that the Dragon King can join us, and we’ll have a drink then.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“That’s settled then.”
“Yes, but please allow me to say one more word. The Waning Moon Hall has already pervasively integrated themselves into the Royal Court. The Commandant should be very careful, especially with women. Even women who don’t know kung fu can be assassins.”
When King Riying went away, he seemed to care a lot about the Dragon King’s warning.
Fang Wenshi shook his head while smiling. “Speak of a backer and a backer appears. We just offended King Riyao and immediately got King Riying. And it’s really a coincidence as I think he’s the most suitable person.”
“Oh?”
The two rode side by side ahead, and Nie Zeng, who was following, warily looked around, not neglecting the slightest sign of disturbance or trouble. There were still about three miles before they would meet with their larger group of guards, and he would never allow any accidents to happen along the way.
“In fact, I didn’t think highly of King Riyao at the very beginning. He’s proud, reckless, and short-minded. These weaknesses, however, are not big problems. The main issue is that he’s too obsessed with a woman and doesn’t even conceal it. Of course, heroes can be lustful, but he isn’t even a hero yet. The Khan could have countless concubines because he had accomplished both success and fame and his status was extremely firm. But King Riyao has succeeded the title for only a few days. The current situation is so chaotic and just needs someone to charge forward but he has exerted all his energy on pleasing Luo Ningcha as if it’s a natural duty for the ten thousand or so soldiers to fight for him.”
Gu Shenwei was a bit surprised because he rarely saw the counselor be so indignant, but he soon came to understand. King Riying was too arrogant. He didn’t even put the Dragon King in his eyes, let alone a trivial counselor. “Do you also think King Riying’s flattery is reasonable?”
Fang Wenshi smiled. “It’s reasonable, very reasonable. The Dragon King is like the opposite of the childish Tuosai. The adventure you took was well worth it but do not take it too seriously. The fame of the moment is not comparable to a pedigree of hundreds of years. I’ll carefully investigate to see what impression the Norland Cavalry has of the Dragon King, especially of how much they are willing to change it.”
“Don’t get your hopes up.”
“Hmm.” Fang Wenshi looked down and thought for a while before saying, “Both King Riying and the Commandant are so eager to win over the Dragon King and are heavily concerned about the influence of the Dragon King among the soldiers. I guess the morale of the Court Attendants Army isn’t that stable.”
Gu Shenwei felt that the counselor’s analysis made sense. “It may also be the same reason why the Commandant invited the kings and challenged King Shengri openly.”
Revenge could always be a leading reason for unity.
“I think that our best opportunity is right in front of us.” Fang Wenshi appeared very excited,as he continued, “It’s right in front of us, but I haven’t figured out how to grab it and use it.”
Gu Shenwei also hadn’t sorted it out but there was one task he had to do at once.
Nothing had happened along the way, and the large group of guards could already be seen ahead. Gu Shenwei turned to the killer Nie Zeng and said, “Let’s do it tonight.”
