Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
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.”
A look of anger tinged with sorrow appeared on Luo Ningcha’s face. “There’s no man more iron-hearted than you under the sun.”
Gu Shenwei said nothing. He preferred to keep a moderate distance from this woman.
“You know what? You’re the only man who has ever slept with me, hit me, and humiliated me. However, you’re also the only one who I’ve never hated.” The more Luo Ningcha thought about this, the more aggrieved she felt. All kinds of emotions flooded into her heart and she started whimpering, and her body started shaking. But, the Dragon King didn’t come over to support her, so she had to lean on the table.
This was yet another trick that Xu Yanwei had taught her. Usually, it worked like a charm on other men, but here, in front of the Dragon King, she received no sympathy.
After a while, Gu Shenwei said, “Prince Xiao is powerful enough to radically change the entire landscape of the Western Regions. He didn’t forget you and he’ll come back sooner or later. You should do your best to not give anyone the chance to slander you.”
Luo Ningcha’s stubborn temper began to fray. She raised her hand to wipe away the tears on her face, turned around, and willfully said, “I don’t care. All men are the same. Even if Prince Xiao returns, he will go back to the Central Plains after just a few days. I’ve seen through him. He won’t take me with him. Even if he wants to, I won’t let him. I want to have my own army, my own killers, my own everything. Just like… the Tenth Young Master. You have to give me a country, too. You owe me this.”
The influence of handing the Land of Fragrance over to Shangguan Ru had gone far beyond Gu Shenwei’s original expectation, so he shook his head. “Remember – I don’t owe you anything. You can throw your temper tantrums, but you are not to interfere with the Dragon Army’s affairs. Do you hear me?”
The severe voice of the Dragon King made Luo Ningcha feel more aggrieved, but she was no longer angry. She pensively said, “Actually you’re still my favorite man. How about I marry you after I get everything I want from Prince Xiao? I’ll be your decent, faithful queen. I don’t have any great ambition, and I find these disputes tiresome.”
Gu Shenwei had always been composed, but after hearing her words, he frowned. “I already have a queen, and I won’t take a second one.”
“Of course. How can there be two queens? So just disown her.” Luo Ningcha was completely insensitive towards the impatience in the Dragon King’s words, which was to some extent one of her other capabilities. “What can she give you? Just a pathetic Stone Kingdom, which has a tiny territory. I am different. After I trick Prince Xiao out of everything he has, the Iron Mountain Army will become a powerful armed force of at least 100,000 men. With this dowry alone – actually, it’s fine if you don’t marry me, but all those kings of the Western Regions will… No, they’re not worthy. The new Khan of the Norland – that Shulitu… whatever his name is – I’ll marry him and send troops to Jade City every year. I’d like to see what you will do then.”
Gu Shenwei hadn’t laughed in years, but at this moment, he nearly burst into laughter. “I’ll kill you before that happens,” he said blandly.
Luo Ningcha was stunned. If this remark were made by another man, she wouldn’t take it seriously, and she wouldn’t feel afraid even if this threat was from the Unique King. However, this Dragon King made her feel like he really meant it. She had always had rather slow reflexes, so she stood transfixed, several thoughts fighting with each other in her mind. Eventually, after quite a while, she said, “I have another dowry that nobody else has – my son, who is also your son.”
“You’ve said this several times.”
As if she hadn’t heard the Dragon King’s words, Luo Ningcha mumbled, “I haven’t seen Cheng’er for a long time and I miss him very much. No, I have to take him out of that place. Since that old bastard Unique King dares to have me killed, then he surely also dares to kill Cheng’er. I can’t wait any longer anyway.”
Luo Ningcha’s mind was working very fast, and she requested something else from the Dragon King. “You have to get our son out of there.”
“I told you… ”
“You won’t think that way when you lay eyes on him.”
Gu Shenwei exhaled deeply. He had run out of patience and decided to have Luo Ningcha leave.
Luo Ningcha’s eyes were glistening. “Cheng’er doesn’t resemble anyone of the Shangguan family. Even the Tenth Young Master said so. I don’t know why she didn’t come to you and confirm this, but you will know whether or not Cheng’er is Shangguan Fa’s son once you see him.”
“He might not be mine either.”
Luo Ningcha’s face went cold. “Servant Huan, what kind of woman I am in your eyes? Only three… four men have ever touched me. Shangguan Nu wasn’t in the castle back then, and I only met Prince Xiao recently. Cheng’er doesn’t resemble the Unique King, so he has to be your son. If you don’t acknowledge this, then fine. I’ll go and get Cheng’er out of there myself. If I fail, I’ll just die with my son in Golden Roc Castle and you can live in contrition for the rest of your life.”
“I will get your son out of Golden Roc Castle.” Gu Shenwei was resigned. This was a sensitive period of time, and he couldn’t afford to let Luo Ningcha do anything stupid. She was an impulsive woman, and she never considered the consequences before doing anything. “But you can’t ever say that he is related to me again.”
“We’ll talk about it after you get him out.” Luo Ningcha thought that she had grabbed the Dragon King’s lifeline. “If you think that he is not a member of the Yang family when you see him, then I won’t feel anything even if you throw him to the wilderness and feed him to wolves. However, if he does resemble you, humph, you must acknowledge his identity in public… No, no. After Prince Xiao comes back and then leaves again, you have to acknowledge it in public.”
Finally, Luo Ningcha left in satisfaction. Before leaving, she said, “Give that old man Shangguan Fa a harsh lesson and avenge the suffering that he put Cheng’er and I through.”
The disturbance caused by Luo Ningcha interrupted Gu Shenwei’s thinking. After quite a while, he managed to start thinking again, but he was constantly distracted – he was actually thinking about how he would rescue a child from the depths of Golden Roc Castle.
‘That woman is so troublesome,’ Gu Shenwei thought. Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck him: people always tried to flee when they sensed danger. Even Luo Ningcha had thought of getting her son out of danger. Wouldn’t others do the exact same?
Gu Shenwei walked out of the tent in just a couple of steps and discovered that it was already night, the time he liked best.
