Chapter 231: No Leader
Translator: Transn Editor: Transn
Ever since a long time ago, the Central Plains had been making plans to wipe out the Iron Mountain. To justify their actions, the Central Plains had used the death of Wei Lingmiao as a reason to attack Iron Mountain.
Wei Song pushed the blame toward the North City's Meng family, but the Central Plains claimed that the mastermind was Bighead Kingpin. Their argument seemed trivial as the forces in Western Region had often accused each other. However, they would not go beyond verbal threats. But this time, the Central Plains had followed up on their threats. On one hand, they had exchanged letters, but on the other hand, they had secretly mobilized their troops.
In less than two months after the death of Wei Lingmiao, five thousand troops were sent to the battlefield on July of this year. Sixteen other vassal nations had also provided the same amount of military support.
Bighead Kingpin still believed that a war wouldn't break out at this point in time. Although the Central Plains had deployed ten thousand soldiers, Iron Mountain had more than five thousand bandits. Furthermore, Iron Mountain's troops were all well nourished and could take it easy and wait for their enemies to become exhausted. Golden Roc Fort's killers and machetemen were included in the Iron Mountain's troops, so they were a force that could not be taken lightly. He felt that he could explain to the Central Plains that the Iron Mountain had nothing to do with Wei Lingmiao's death.
But at this critical moment, Shangguan Nu had betrayed his father-in-law. There were different speculations about the betrayal. Some said that Bighead Kingpin was assassinated on the night when both of them were arguing. Others said that both of them weren't arguing, they were instead discussing about how to confront the enemy together during the day. Their relationship was close. It was during the discussions when the Eighth Young Master suddenly staged a coup. A hundred killers rushed into the tent and killed Bighead Kingpin and the other Iron Mountain leaders.
In any case, it was certain that Bighead Kingpin had been killed by the Eighth Young Master regardless. It was probable that Shangguan Nu didn't kill Bighead Kingpin personally because Bighead Kingpin was rumored to be extremely brave. Apparently, with only his iron spear, he fought hundreds of enemies head on before being finally hacked to death.
With the death of Bighead Kingpin, the Iron Mountain gang had become leaderless. The bandits either fled or surrendered. The biggest bandit gang, which had controlled Western Region for nearly two decades, had now disbanded.
However, the details were always exaggerated. On the contrary, Gu Shenwei believed that Shangguan Nu would use the safest method to assassinate Bighead Kingpin. Shangguan Nu might have even drugged Bighead Kingpin beforehand.
During the collapse of Iron Mountain, the Central Plains troops had suddenly arrived at the border of Jade City. This was the first time in many years that something like this had happened. Many people now finally realized that the bandit gang had been protecting the city all along.
The Central Plains didn't immediately withdraw its troops and they didn't announce their next move. Jade City was in total chaos. Rumors about them planning to wipe out the entire city were rampant and some even evacuated with their families to the nearby Shu-lik. Other people chose to wait for Golden Roc Fort's response.
Unexpectedly, Golden Roc Fort had remained silent. It was as if this matter had nothing to do with them. The citizens gathered at Stone Castle to make a petition and to make inquiries, but the Supreme King did not respond. For five consecutive days, all of Jade City was agonized by the imminent crisis.
Gu Shenwei could have done many things within these five days. As he had known about Shangguan Nu's betrayal and the attack on Iron Mountain, he had plenty of time to think about the consequences. Hence, he was able to react faster than everyone else.
When the news of Bighead Kingpin's death was confirmed, Luo Ningcha went into a state of hysterical madness. She cried from morning till night and she smashed all that items that she could get her hands on. On one occasion, she would beat all her servants. At another occasion, she would plead with everybody to ask them to protect her.
After having caused many troubles for Slave Huan and Maid Lotus, both of them had now become Luo Ningcha's most trusted allies. She forced them to swear an oath saying that they would stay by her side. Then, she ordered them to head to the Iron Mountain's camp to look for Bighead Kingpin, who might still be alive.
On the next day, there was more news about Shangguan Nu's killing of Bighead Kingpin. Luo Ningcha was devastated by the news. She silently hid her room and she even lowered her voice whenever she spoke. Then a strange idea came to her. She thought that the entire incident was a conspiracy created by Golden Roc Fort. She would become the next target after the death of her father.
Luo Ningcha forbade those killers and maids assigned by Stone Castle from entering the backyard. She summoned those people who she had brought from her maiden family and assigned them to guard the house. Several personal maids and two killers were arranged to stay in the house. Every once a while, Gu Shenwei and Maid Lotus would have to head to the roof and check for any signs of a possible assassin. It was only after that when the Miss would then feel at ease.
In fact, Luo Ningcha did not need to worry about her personal safety because almost everyone had forgotten about her. Golden Roc Fort had not intended to stay silent. Just like the others, Second Young Master Shangguan Tian was stunned by the news. In the midst of his panic, he had issued many conflicting orders. At one moment, he wanted to denounce Shangguan Nu as a traitor. At another moment, he wanted to negotiate with the Central Plains through the Eighth Young Master. The killers were deployed aimlessly. The counselor of Whitehouse Academy had to suppress these ridiculous plans in order to protect Golden Roc Fort's image.
Among all of his plans, Shangguan Tian had only one logical plan, which was to wait for his father's instructions.
Even though Supreme King had not yet recovered his skills, he had to personally resolve this imminent crisis. Although he didn't make an appearance, he had been observing the situation and had secretly made arrangements. During the five days when the Supreme King was making his observations, Golden Roc Fort had remained silent. Gu Shenwei made use of this opportunity to resolve many problems.
The first thing he did was to save Chu Nanping.
The news about the Eighth Young Master Shangguan Nu seeking refuge at the Central Plains had arrived that afternoon. As the uncle of Shangguan Nu, Shen Liang was stripped of his position as a blademaster. In the eyes of Second Young Master Shangguan Tian, Shen Liang was a hidden traitor who was placed in the fort by the Central Plains.
In the midst of the chaos, Shangguan Ru had managed to obtain a decree to release a prisoner. She went to Heart Cleansing Yard prison with Slave Huan.
Gu Shenwei was able to leave Luo Ningcha behind by using the name of a safety inspection.
The attitude of the torturers immediately changed as soon as the blademaster was removed. They excessively fawned over the Tenth Young Master.
Before they entered the torture chamber, Gu Shenwei had heard a familiar voice, "Hey, what's wrong with you today? Come and attend to me. I'm itching all over. Little Chu, are you itching as well?"
"I'm not itchy but I'm slightly hungry."
"I'm mocking them. Can't you cooperate?"
"Oh, I'm slightly itchy, but I don't want to be tortured again."
"Do you want to confess?"
"I won't confess but I don't want to be tortured."
Xu Xiaoyi was actually here. Gu Shenwei understood immediately that Shen Liang had intentionally concealed this news. He wanted to wait until the last moment to throw Xu Xiaoyi out. He didn't expect that something would go wrong and that he would be detained.
Both of them were badly tortured. Xu Xiaoyi's eyes were swollen and he initially couldn't recognize Brother Huan. In just a few days, the number of scars on Chu Nanping was no less than that on a killer.
When he recognized Brother Huan, the first sentence that Xu Xiaoyi said was, "Both me and Little Chu didn't confess anything."
"I know", Gu Shenwei said. He requested for some cloaks to cover both of them. He then personally sent them down the hill in a carriage and entrusted them to his most trusted people.
After persisting for a few days, Xu Xiaoyi could finally relax and doze off in the carriage. Before he slept, he asked Chu Nanping, "We're now buddies. Do you still want to kill me?"
Chu Nanping seriously thought about it for a while and replied, "According to Heartless Swords, the more I find it more heartbreaking to kill you, the more thoroughly will our relationship break apart. It will be more beneficial for me when I practice swordcraft. If Yang Huan is willing to practice swordcraft, I'll still have to kill you."
Fortunately, Xu Xiaoyi didn't hear such unfeeling words. He fell asleep when Little Chu was analyzing his emotions.
It was late at night when Gu Shenwei returned to Stone Castle. Luo Ningcha was about to go crazy because she didn't see him for a few hours. She thought that he had fallen for the enemies' plot, or that he had betrayed her. She burst into tears in front of many maids and scolded Slave Huan for being an ingrate. She then happily welcomed him back.
Gu Shenwei said a lot of insincere words to comfort her. When she calmed down, he signalled the maids to retreat except for Maid Lotus and Maid Cui.
Despite such a sorrowful moment, Luo Ningcha still remembered to wear her veil and to sit behind a screen. Gu Shenwei could only see her silhouette.
"Miss, now is not the time to feel sad. We still need to think about how to protect ourselves."
"Do you have another solution? You said that a woman's status depends on her father and husband. However, my husband killed my father. I have nothing left and can be easily taken advantage of. It's all your fault. You taught all kinds of nonsense and thus offended everyone in the fort. Everyone wants me dead and no one wants to protect me", Luo Ningcha said angrily. She was being irrational and "offended" the last few people who were serving her.
"That's why we have to think of a solution", Gu Shenwei said patiently.
"Come up with the solution then!" Luo Ningcha shouted. She suddenly stood up and said in an unprecedented gentle tone, "You have a solution, don't you? Please tell me, Slave Huan. I'll give you all of my money."
"The first thing to do is to obtain Lady Meng's understanding. She has the authority and is able to determine your fate."
"Yes, tell Madam that I'm willing to apologize. I can do a public apology."
"I can tell Madam now, but Miss has to hand over that plank first."
If it were someone else, they would know that the plank was the only bargaining chip. They would be helpless if they gave up the plank. However, Luo Ningcha's mind was a mess. She didn't consider any precautions and quickly agreed, "It's with Elderly Zhang. I let him hide it in the stable."
Luo Ningcha's state of mind had been fluctuating. Gu Shenwei was surprised by her actions. As Horsekeeper Elderly Zhang was a servant in Stone Castle, who would have thought that the Eighth Young Mistress would pass him the plank for safekeeping? It was also incredible that Elderly Zhang could gain the trust of Miss.
"I'll be back soon", Gu Shenwei said while looking at Maid Lotus. He let her stay behind.
Even though it's late at night, Elderly Zhang hadn't slept yet. He was alone in the stable and was taking care of the remaining two horses. The other horses were taken away by the Eighth Young Master and he didn't know if those horses would ever return.
"Elderly Zhang, I'm here to collect the item that Miss had passed to you", Gu Shenwei said. As Elderly Zhang had helped him before, Gu Shenwei felt that Elderly Zhang was one of the few good people in Stone Castle. He was polite and didn't force him with kung fu.
Elderly Zhang didn't lift his head nor did he speak. He searched the stable for a while and then handed over the last plank.
Gu Shenwei received the plank and thanked him.
The plank was wrapped in several layers, with yellow silk, linen, soft paper and cloth. Elderly Zhang had protected this plank with great care.
While staring at Elderly Zhang for a while, Gu Shenwei came up with a thought. He held the plank in his arms and returned the layers of fabric to Elderly Zhang. Gu Shenwei said, "I don't need these things."
Elderly Zhang didn't say anything and swiftly took back the fabric. He kept the fabric and threw the other items aside.
"Have you taken a good look at Miss before?"
"None of your business," Elderly Zhang replied harshly while studiously mixing the feed. His face blushed. "It was an accident. The Eighth Young Mistress wanted to ride a horse, I... It's none of your business," he said.
Gu Shenwei felt more secure. Not only had he found a solution for Luo Ningcha, he had also filled in an important part of the plan which he had been developing.