Chapter 122: Training the Women
Translator: Transn Editor: Transn
The Tenth Young Master had gone into the desert and disappeared for 23 days. When she reappeared in front of the others, she was so gaunt and travel-stained that she was almost beyond recognition. She looked more like a boy now. Shangguan Yushi, who stood next to her, held up two skulls to the cheering of the crowd.
The six teenagers had finally arrived at the mountain pass, which was located on the border of the Jade City. The allied forces of Golden Roc Fort and Iron Mountain were stationed there. Their forces had surrounded the east and south side of the desert, ready for a large-scale attack. A few squads of killers had already penetrated the enemy's camp and continuously reported back the news of their confrontations.
The Eighth Young Master, Shangguan Nu, who was stationed at the north side, was discussing the strategy with his father-in-law. He came into this camp that very night and was overjoyed to see his sister had returned. After a day's rest, he sent a team of killers to escort her home and promised her that he would not return home until he had slaughtered the whole Barren Sect.
The Bighead Kingpin had assumed command in the north-east side. He did not come personally. Instead, he sent someone to apologize and took responsibility for the incident. The gifts he sent were so numerous that they piled up at the border, and for a month after Shangguan Ru's safe arrival, the carriages of Iron Mountain continued to arrive.
The other teenage guards were also rewarded accordingly. But the reward was so generous that it drew the envy of the former year's guards.
The Bighead Kingpin sent a messenger to inform Slave Huan publicly that would recieve a gift ranked only second to Shangguan Ru's, which included a jade ring and a delicate bronze mirror.
"Bighead Kingpin has said..." The messenger piped up his voice, relaying the message, "Slave Huan is a capable subordinate and a loyal servant. Since the Eighth Young Mistress is young and has a bad temper, he can hold this mirror and restrain the mistress in place of the Bighead Kingpin."
The messenger gave Slave Huan a wooden box, which contained the skull of the maid, Little Sui. He said, "The Bighead Kingpin asked you to tell the Eighth Young Mistress his words, 'I've raised you for many years, and I gave you anything you wanted. I assume it's enough. From now on, you shall pay respects to your elders and be considerate to them. Be a good wife in Shangguan family, don't cause any trouble.'"
The Bighead Kingpin would let a teenage killer restrain his daughter? This raised questions in the camp and embarrassed Shangguan Nu. He angrily confronted Slave Huan and questioned him about what had happened.
Gu Shenwei had not expected that. He thought he could stir up the troubles between Iron Mountain and Meng family, or even if he failed, he would still sow dissension between Bighead Kingpin and his master.
Gu Shenwei could only take out the skull of Little Sui and explain that the Mistress had asked him to pass on the message to Bighead Kingpin. Little Sui was her second secret messenger and had been silenced. The Bighead Kingpin knew Slave Huan was a loyal subordinate of Eighth Young Master, so had kept him alive, but he was annoyed with his daughter's behavior.
When Shangguan Nu heard that his wife wanted Slave Huan dead, he was perplexed but also glad to be relieved of an annoyance.
Once back to the fort, Shangguan Ru stayed in the Inner Residence and did not come out for a long time. Four brown-belt assassins were the focus of "Little Flag Battalion" now, including Liuhua, who was good at avoiding crowds, but was now constantly followed by several admirers. This annoyed him, and he almost wanted to hold another slaughter again.
As usual, Slave Huan's deeds were downplayed, and credit was given to Shangguan Ru. Only some former members of "Tattooed Arm Gang" knew the truth and they admired their leader all the more.
Several days later, even Tie Hanfeng asked about Slave Huan what had happened when he passed out in front of the assassins. He considered taking his apprentice to the doctor again. "You shall make every possible effort. We will go to the Four Truths Temple first, if they fail, we will go to the Land of Fragrance. They is always a way."
A month ago, Gu Shenwei would have thought Liuhua had caused all of this, but now he put Wildhorse as the primary culprit.
Wildhorse had sought refuge with Shangguan Yushi, putting Gu Shenwei on high alert.
However, his biggest headache with the vicious and wicked Miss, instead of Wildhorse.
In the room with the hollowed-out wooden wall, Slave Huan held up the bronze mirror and conveyed Bighead Kingpin's reprimand. Before he had finished his first word, Luo Ningcha flew into a rage and smashed everything around her. She beat her closest maids and ordered the maid outside to take Slave Huan's mirror, shouting that his eyes and tongue would be cut off.
The maids took the mirror, but no one dared to punish Slave Huan. He was no longer the dowry slave, he was trusted by the Eighth Young Master and the Bighead Kingpin.
Luo Ningcha took more than three days for her rage to dissipate, and only then did she understand the situation. Now she was indeed a recluse in the fort. If she offended the protector her father had appointed, it would only make things worse. Thus she summoned Slave Huan again, this time only with Maid Jade present.
This was a meeting that was equally candid and hypocritical.
Luo Ningcha was the daughter of the Bighead Kingpin, born knowing how to win people's support, but she just seldom used that skill. For the first time, she apologized to Slave Huan, but soon she defended herself, "It's all your fault, you taught me to intrigue. So I followed what you taught, to kill you to silence you."
"You're learning fast." Gu Shenwei praised her insincerely.
"But I've thought it through, I can't do my work alone. I need an assistant, and those useless maids won't help me. Besides, they're women, they won't achieve anything in this fort. You'll be my henchman."
Gu Shenwei thanked her for her appreciation. But he was perturbed since Bighead Kingpin did not value his daughter very much. He was not that enthusiastic to help the Miss. How would it help his plan of reveng if he was involved in a war between the women of the Inner Residence?
"This bronze mirror was left by my mother, and my father treasured it all his life." Miss changed topic, the sadness in her voice seemingly sincere.
She asked Slave Huan to convey her father's words again.
Hearing the whole rebuke, Luo Ningcha's tears coursed down her cheeks. She had placed all her hope of redeeming herself in Stone Castle on her father, only to get this answer.
"Am I the one making trouble? I was bullied all the time! How can I respect him, how can I be considerate?" Luo Ningcha's personality remained unchanged, and now she was furious again. "This was all your idea, you asked me to beg my father, now what? I was humiliated!"
Gu Shenwei could only sigh. He recognized how deep and shrewd the Master of Iron Mountain was throughout this journey, he even admired him a little. But how could he have such a foolish daughter? Yet he also knew, once this mistress had a flash of insight, she could also be influential. It would not go for Gu Shenwei to look down on her.
"Mistress." Gu Shenwei was initially not intending to answer her questions, but after the consideration, he did. Luo Ningcha was the wife of Shangguan Nu. Thus, she could be helpful in some time. "I think you misunderstand the Bighead Kingpin."
"What? How? Tell me."
"My idea was not completely wrong. Women's position comes from the position of her father and husband, but when it comes to the men, the origin of power is more complicated. The Bighead Kingpin asked Mistress to be considerate toward him. This is his way of showing his unsatisfaction, not his betrayal. He wants more power so that he can protect you."
Miss thought for a while. "You're saying, my father, can help me only when he is more powerful, but needs my assistance?"
"Yes."
"But he is my father, how can he bargain with me?" Luo Ningcha was starting to become angry again.
"Everyone is fully occupied with their material gain. The Bighead Kingpin was the hero in Western Region, you don't know how many people envy you for the fact that you can 'bargain' with him. I met a scholar on the road, who was highly intelligent and knew almost everything, and he was willing agree to anything to get a meeting with the Bighead Kingpin. But he was not qualified to talk with the king, and he left soon after a hasty meeting. I can only say that this is his destiny."
"His destiny." Luo Ningcha chewed on Gu Shenwei's words and found she was apprehensive. "How can I help him, then?"
"It's simple. Several days ago, the Bighead Kingpin saved the life of the Fifth Master of Meng family, so that he could build the connection with this family and even form an alliance. Your Mistress can take the initiative to send someone to ask after him, for example. After you enter the Inner Residence, mention this to the lady. First you'll know how she thinks; second, you can show your superiority. Thus you'll kill two birds with one stone."
"You giving me another silly idea." Miss seemed unsatisfied. "You've removed yourself entirely from this situation. Why don't you go to the Meng family?"
"Your Mistress, Fifth Young Master Meng hates my guts. If I go, it will defeat the purpose."
"Hey, so you're not so perfect."
This meeting ended. Gu Shenwei thought he could rid himself of the Miss from now on, and did not expect her to summon him the third time and in good humor.
"Your idea is good. The lady pretended she did not know the incident until I mentioned it, and then she faked gratefullness. Hilarious. I did not see the discord between her and her family before. It appears the Lord does not patronize her simply because of her family. There must be other reasons, you and I will find out."
"Yes, Your Mistress. I'll try my best." Of course, Gu Shenwei would not. From what he had experienced in the fort, it was a taboo to ask about Lord's private life, he could easily cause a disaster. "Your Mistress has enough money, why not use them? You can start with those who have high positions but do not live comfortably, such as... the Lord's nephew, Shangguan Hongye, whose father died early, so he lives with his mother in the West Castle. He can be bought over quickly."
Shangguan Hongye was Shangguan Ru's classmate and he had once received Slave Huan's money to handle his affairs. Gu Shenwei the Miss about this boy, hoping this could satisfy her request. He did not intend to be involved in her affairs any longer.
He still remembered the mysterious woman who had appeared during his escape, and was still confused. He was sure that it was not a dream. That woman had smiled at him and pointed to his chest with a finger.
After he returned to the fort, he asked Maid Lotus about this, but she never recalled it. Yet she felt that something was amiss too. They had all slept soundly, which was unlikely for killers. Maid Lotus had never slept so soundly, eevn when she was exhausted.
Gu Shenwei could not figure it out, so he could only give it up. He did not understand the woman's behavior until Shangguan Ru, and several other teenagers became "possessed."