Chapter 172: Peach Forest
Trantor: Transn Editor: Transn
There was a garden on the outskirts of South City. Its earliest owner was surnamed Gui, and therefore it was known as Gui Garden.
The garden took up more than six hectares and was grown full of peach trees. With the cold winter still going on, the garden remained covered in thick snow, and there was still some time before flowers blossomed once again.
There was a newly-built small grave deep among the peach trees. A swordsman draped in a purple cape had stayed by here for three days and nights thus far. After all, the person in the grave used to guard him day and night.
After catching wind of it, Gu Shenwei arrived at the peach garden early in the morning and saw his target from afar.
“The pain brought about by death can only be ended by death” , Gu Shenwei thought. He had felt sorry for Chu Yangjun’s death for a moment but had cast it to the back of his mind by now.
“If I have two hearts, I’ll use one to remember him and the other to figure out how to kill you. But I only have one, and can’t afford to waste it on you.” Leaning against a tree, Ye Sng spoke facing the grave and did not look back at the killer behind him.
“Killing this affectionate yet foolish swordsman may be easier than I thought.” Gu Shenwei, standing at a distance of more than twenty steps from the swordsman, loosened his right-hand grip on the sword shaft. “That would be great for you. I wouldn’t know how to kill you if you have two hearts.”
As if not hearing the killer’s gibe, Ye Sng continued to speak without looking back. It seemed, perhaps, that he had been talking to himself all along, and the killer’s presence was simply a coincidence. “We learnt swordcraft together. Before that, I had already trained under different teachers while he had never learnt kung fu, and so I made him suffer quite a bit. This peach forest was his favorite ce, and he would secretlye here to cry each time he lost a fight. As his swordcraft improved, there were asions when even I became no match for him. But we made it a point toe here to y whenever it was the season the peach blossoms were in full bloom. Our days were spent with a lot of other people, while at night, only the two of us would sneak here. Even if we couldn’t see anything, we could at least smell the fragrance of the flowers.”
“Now’s a good time to act.” Gu Shenwei clutched his sword shaft once again and knew that Maid Lotus, who was dressed in white and hiding on a different tree, probably thought the same. But he was unable to strike, as if something was impeding him and causing him not to focus all of his attention on his sword.
“That shameless person, Gao Zhen, actually conceived evil thoughts towards him, and in doing sotled and often quarreled with the little fe in the rice shop. Well, I would have killed that wretch if no one else did it.”
“But because you were using Marquis Gao’s money, you were a little reluctant to kill him.” Gu Shenwei deliberately provoked the swordsman, hoping thetter would attack first.
“That’s right, money, it’s all because of money. All kinds of fascinating realms can be seen by learning swordcraft, but the one thingcking about it is money. Though Gao Zhen was killed, he did me a great service. Someone offered me a hundred thousand taels to kill you and frame you for his murder, and I agreed. With this sum of money, we could have left Jade City, bought a piece ofnd, grow a few peach trees, and never get involved in jianghu conflicts ever again.”
Ye Sng’s thoughts remained fixed upon the person in the grave, and there was no malice in his tone.
“You’re the most valuable killer I’ve ever seen. Fifth Young Master Meng must really think too highly of me.”
“I’m not a killer and neither is he. We are swordsmen who may have killed for money, but would never act behind the back.” Ye Sng’s voice suddenly became serious and his posture became straight.
“I’m a killer, and not a swordsman. I may kill for any reason, and absolutely not by standing in front of an expert and waiting for him to attack.”
Gu Shenwei was fully prepared. He had previously sensed a killing intent which was filled with weariness on Ye Sng’s body, but it now became aroused and fervent like a volcano which had been dormant for too long and could erupt at any time.
“But why did you want to kill him? He wasn’t a threat to you.”
When Ye Sng turned his body, Gu Shenwei was slightly shocked. He looked apletely different man; his face was haggard and no longer had that godlike radiance. The only distinctive features were his red eyes that exuded a fierce re, upon seeing which even the most ferocious of wild beasts would retreat in fear.
But Gu Shenwei was a killer and not a wild beast. He had practiced Death Scripture, which taught that killing was one’s purpose, and had walked the way of “self-deconstruction”.
“Because of you. With him around, I wouldn’t be able to kill you, while you would be able to kill me. You shouldn’t have made him obstruct me, and shouldn’t be surprised by his death after allowing him to engage in a life-and-death battle, in which all was fair and it was either me or him.”
Gu Shenwei imagined that the opportunity he was waiting for was about to arrive. He would strike back mercilessly at the swordsman when thetter attacked with his full might, but the real yer would be Maid Lotus atop a tree.
The three swords would fly at an unbelievable pace, and the fight would end in a briefer period of time than it took for a peach blossom to fall off a branch. Someone would live and someone would die. The only differential depended on who was that tiny, imperceptible bit faster than the other.
But he was wrong once again. Ye Sng did not attack, his hand not even reaching for his sword shaft. “I said I would return you a life, and today’s the day for that. I’ll spare you this time, but we’ll meet again very soon.”
Gu Shenwei did not respond to this “kind gesture”. He maintained a firm grip on his sword shaft while Internal Breath spread throughout his whole body, and began to feel an upsurge in killing desire. The greedy monster in him would only be satisfied after seeing fresh blood.
A vignce grew in Ye Sng’s heart. Without touching his sword, he moved his fingers a little and took a step back. “I see that you’re well-prepared. I shall have to find another time to return you a life. You may attack now. The person on the tree and you have one chance to kill me, and there’ll be no second chancee tomorrow.”
Gu Shenwei had full confidence of killing the swordsman standing opposite him. Although he might once again be wounded, there was no chance that two killers who had learned the swordcraft of Death Scripture would lose to a haughty swordsman.
But he simply could not attack. There was something elusive and unidentifiable which was exerting a weak blocking effect on him. He suddenly understood that he was hesitating, and it was because Chu Yangjun’s pre-death facial expression had quietly popped up in his mind and disturbed his thoughts.
It was all the weirder because he did not get a good look at Chu Yangjun’s expression at that time. He only heard a line ofst words which needed no passing on.
This would be a fatal error rather than a golden opportunity to kill. The minor disturbance was sufficient to cause his movements to be a tad slower than usual, which could spell the difference between life and death. While he wished to kill the swordsman, he did not want to suffer the same fate at this time.
“Tomorrow.”
Gu Shenwei took a step back as well.
“Tomorrow.”
Ye Sng remained stood on the same spot. He had cleared his “debt” by giving the killer a chance to escape, and if thetter refused to take it, the sword in his hand would not be at fault.
Gu Shenwei, together with Maid Lotus, ran out of the peach forest. Neither of them spoke a word until they reached their lodging, when the former finally offered an exnation. “I had a minor problem.”
Maid Lotus simply nodded her head without questioning or consoling him. The problem was ve Huan’s inner demons which he needed to conquer by himself. All she had to do was wait.
It was around noon when Gu Shenwei arrived in North City. He subsequently confessed to Tenth Young Master that he was unable to bring Ye Sng’s head back by night time. “I’ve decided to act tomorrow instead.”
“Tomorrow? You have to attend the negotiations with Horned Dragon Society tomorrow.”
The negotiations between the two societies were split into two rounds. Gu Shenwei’s task was to reach an agreement for a short truce and confirm the time and venue of the next round of negotiation. The final peace treaty would be left to the two masters of the Shangguan and Meng family to resolve.
“Tomorrow’s negotiations shall be my life-and-death battle with Ye Sng.”
Shangguan Ru suddenly had a realization. “To think the little b*stard still wants to cause trouble. I’m sure he’ll do something on the way.”
Ye Sng had revealed a little conspiracy to the killer to repay thetter’s “mercy”. Meng Mingshi’s n was really smart. By professing himself not a member of Horned Dragon Society, Ye Sng would not be breaking any rules if he killed Yang Huan either before or after the negotiations.
“So, I’ll bring his head back tomorrow.”
“Are you sure?” Shangguan Ru had reason to be suspicious. Her confidence was affected by the fact that ve Huan had already held back when facing Ye Sng on several asions.
“Yes.”
There was a thoughtful look in Shangguan Ru’s jet ck eyes before she revealed a smile. “I believe you, but surely you aren’t thinking of handling him alone? Just tell me how many people you need. There’s no problem even if you want to take all of the machetemen, as well as the killers, with you. We shall know if Wildhorse is a traitor after tonight.”
Kun Society’s counteroffensive was set to begin that night. If it was sessful, it would serve as a significant bargaining chip at the next day’s negotiations. This was simr to the Meng family’s “little b*stard” n, albeit the targets were different.
“I may need a few people, but first, I need to know who brought about these negotiations.”
“Themandant Zhong Heng. Do you suspect him of being a part of the conspiracy too?”
“I don’t know. I’ll have to go investigate.”
Gu Shenwei could not determine whether Zhong Heng was a friend or foe. Thetter used to provide critical advice to the young killers, but had also often shifted responsibility for difficult problems on to them. Futhermore, Gu Shenwei had bribed and kidnapped him before, and thereby the rtionship between them had beplicated.
Zhong Heng’s schrly face made him look simple and pure. Themandant, as in the past, warmly received the young killer and exchanged pleasantries for some time before they got down to the point. “It’s time for it to end. The young masters of Stone Castle have all grown up and shall have to disy their abilities in South City. The amount of activity this time has been the biggest thus far, ho ho. Tenth Young Master has truly excelled her master. I hope tomorrow’s negotiations will proceedpletely smoothly. Everything else should be left to the leaders of the two societies to discuss, while we get to sheathe our knives. Speaking of which, Stone Castle and the Meng family are actually one family…”
Hoping to dig out some clues from within, Gu Shenwei listened with patience as Commandant Zhong spoke in his bureaucratic tone. However, his efforts failed in the face of a tactful old fox. He was therebypelled to cut right to the chase andunch a verbal attack when thetter stopped talking. He had sessfully pulled off such a trick many times before.
“How much is the Meng family willing to paymandant Sir?”
“Come again?” The shock on Zhong Heng’s face seemed genuine. “You… what… do you mean? Does Manager Yang suspect I was bribed?”
Zhong Heng was filled with righteous indignation.
“Commandant, please forgive lowly me for my moment of disrespect.” Gu Shenwei immediately apologized.
“There’s no crime in that. A little caution is always good.” Zhong Heng’s attitude rapidly changed and returned to its former amiability.
“Commandant, your basic sry will be doubled from two thousand taels to four thousand taels starting next month.”
This was a private conversation between an officer and a killer. Zhong Heng, who had only received a sry once before, seemed a little perplexed that it was going to be doubled. “Manager Yang, it’s not good to be rewarded for nothing…”
“I’ve said that I’ll keep asking you for advice. Commandant, your every advice has benefited lowly me a great deal.”
Zhong Hengughed knowingly while leaning back on his chair. As he nudged his beard, a vacant expression appeared on his face, indicating that he was about to order the guest to leave. He then began to speak, with his eyes looking diagonally upwards, as if he was conversing with an invisible guest. “Though I know little, I do know that a person who grows flowers will steal flowers, a person who harvests rice will steal rice, and a person who provides protection from danger is often a dangerous person himself.”
Gu Shenwei took his leave and returned to meet Tenth Young Master. He waited until he was alone with her before he asked, “Whose territory will tomorrow’s negotiations be held on?”
“Ninth Young Master’s. You don’t have to worry. I’ll never forgive him if he dares to do something.”
Gu Shenwei revealed an expression of relief, but in his heart, he understood everything: his life would be in the hands of Shangguan Fei tomorrow.