337 Duel of Life and Death
White Prince Residence.
Xiao Chong brows furrowed into a slight frown. "I heard that Jiu Jiudao from the Mandate of Heaven Shop is dead?"
Ling Shaohan nodded. "He’s dead. Although Jiu Jiudao was considered boorish in the eyes of the upper class, he actually had far-reaching contacts in Heavenly Revelations City. When it came to certain matters, asking him for help was more effective than asking the Governor of the Capital. His death will have an enormous impact on Xiao Chuhe. Not only has he lost a staunch supporter, it may even affect the choice of the Four Youths of Heavenly Revelations, and the choice of the Four Youths of Heavenly Revelations represents the choice of the commoners in the lowest rung of Heavenly Revelations."
"But to kill someone like him is tantamount to declaring themselves as an enemy to the lowest rung of society in Heavenly Revelations." Xiao Chong sighed. "And now, there are many who think that the one responsible for killing him is me?"
"Our spies reported that Jiu Jiudao was killed instantly by one sabre move. Lei Wujie also examined the wound and confirmed that it was the work of the Hidden River," Ling Shaohan said.
Xiao Chong brushed his fingers across the back of the chair. "Looks like the Hidden River has turned coat to join the Red Prince."
"It is Shaohan’s guess that they didn’t turn coat. Rather, from the beginning when the Hidden River defected, they had already chosen the Red Prince," Ling Shaohan said after hesitating for a while.
"The trail that led us to the Hidden River was provided by da-shifu. Da-shifu wouldn’t have put me at a disadvantage. We can only surmise that when the Hidden River released the information to contact da-shifu, they had already made plans," Xiao Chong said.
Ling Shaohan nodded. "Based on the way the Hidden River likes to do things, the Red Prince is indeed a better choice. Your Highness will be a ruler that governs the world and you’re not in favour of invading others. This is completely different from the Hidden River’s style. At the time, Your Highness was also hesitating about recruiting the Hidden River’s help, but in the end, it was the ninth prince who took action on his own, forcing us to cooperate with them."
"One wrong step led to many wrong steps." Xiao Chong shook his head. "What else can we do now?"
"There’s one." Ling Shaohan said solemnly, "Since His Highness Red Prince wants us to forge an enmity with Yong'an Prince, then we must go against his will. The Governor of the Capital came this morning to ask whether they should handle this case openly or in secret. He probably didn’t know whether we were responsible for this. I’ve already replied that he must handle this case openly and obtrusively, and make sure everybody knows about it! We will do this favour for Yong'an Prince and at the same time, let the Red Prince know that if he forces us like this, we might really turn to follow Yong'an Prince."
"I'm afraid that Yong'an Prince won’t accept our favour," Xiao Chong murmured.
Yong'an Prince Residence.
Xiao Se arrived at the backyard and found Sikong Qianluo who was practicing her spear. In the morning, Sikong Qianluo had wanted to follow Xiao Se to the Mandate of Heaven Shop. After all, she had met Jiu Jiudao several times and they had a good impression of each other. But Xiao Se left her behind and she was very displeased.
"Qianluo, I need you to go somewhere tonight," Xiao Se announced when he walked in.
Sikong Qianluo had wanted to get angry with him, but when she saw Xiao Se’s expression, she asked immediately, "Go where?"
Xiao Se leaned closer to Sikong Qianluo's ear and said three words softly.
Sikong Qianluo was shocked. "Why?"
"I need to confirm a guess," Xiao Se said solemnly.
Sikong Qianluo nodded. "Okay."
Red Prince Residence.
"Long Ye, a mere hooligan in the lower three streets of Heavenly Revelations is dead. Do you think that’s chaotic enough?" Xiao Yu asked with a smile.
Long Ye considered his thoughts. "Although Jiu Jiudao didn’t have a very high status, he’s quite influential in Heavenly Revelations City. This will affect Xiao Chuhe’s foundation in Heavenly Revelations."
"No, it's not enough." Xiao Yu shook his head, "What I want is Heavenly Revelations in chaos, all under Heaven in chaos. What kind of person is worthy of all under Heaven in chaos?"
"Your Highness, you mean to…" Long Ye started to get a little nervous.
"Don't worry, I'm not going to kill the emperor. It's not time to kill him yet." Xiao Yu patted Long Ye on the shoulder. "Get the Hidden River to send their top killers. The one I want to kill is…" Xiao Yu leaned over to Long Ye’s ear and said those three words softly.
Long Ye's eyes widened. "What!"
"This is called all under Heaven in chaos!" Xiao Yu patted Long Ye on the shoulder again.
Six-Four Blacksmith’s Shop.
The blacksmith was striking the piece of iron in his hand. He wiped off the sweat on his forehead, thinking to himself, How much longer will such days continue?
The door was pushed open gently.
A handsome man walked in.
"Hu-ye?" The blacksmith raised his head.
"Uncle Liusi." Although Hu Dan was one of the Four Youths of Heavenly Revelations, he wasn’t as brash as Jiu Jiudao. Instead, he always greeted people politely.
The blacksmith, Xie Liusi, put down the piece of iron in his hand. "Hu-ye must be here because of what happened to Jiu-ye?"
"That’s right. I heard that Jiu-ge came to see you that day." Hu Dan found a chair and sat down. "Where did he go after he left your shop that day?"
Xie Liusi thought for a bit and replied, "He said he was going to visit Scholar Su’s painting shop for a bit. He even said that I was only good for striking iron in this yard all day long and didn’t know anything else going on."
"But I just came from Scholar Su’s place," Hu Dan said quietly.
Xie Liusi shook his head. "Hu-ye, you really don’t know how to lie. There’s a scent of pollen on your body so you must have just come from the Jade Leisure House. If you had come from Scholar Su’s place, you would smell of ink."
"This is also the first time I realised that Uncle Liusi is such a meticulous person." Hu Dan stood up and walked slowly towards Xie Liusi.
Xie Liusi gave an honest and straightforward smile. "Who said that we blacksmiths must be uncouth people?"
"Three steps. I’m three steps away from you." Hu Dan stopped suddenly. "Is this distance enough for Uncle Liusi to kill me?"
"It should have been enough." Xie Liusi shrugged, and lightly tucked his foot. A long sabre that was on the ground landed in his hand. "If you didn’t have someone behind you."
Dugu Gudu was standing there and he frowned as he looked at the sabre in Xie Liusi's hand. "Did Jiu-di die by this sabre?"
Xie Liusi shook his head. "He was a good man and he’s looked after me all these years. I forged a blade just for him."
"Why kill him?" Dugu Gudu asked.
Xie Liusi chuckled. "Must there be a reason to kill someone? I’m a killer. I only ask for a price, not the reason. Nobody has asked me to kill you all yet. You can leave and I won’t kill you. You’re not a match for me."
"Whether we’re a match, we won’t know until we fight." Dugu Gudu waved his sleeves, and the qi in his body erupted.
"Heavenly Mantle skill?" Xie Liusi was a little surprised. "I’ve never seen Big Brother Dugu reveal your martial arts. I didn’t expect you to actually have some real skills."
"Tell me your real name," Dugu Gudu said solemnly.
"Xie Jiucheng."
"All right!"
Dugu Gugu took a flying leap at the same time Hu Dan drew a dagger from his sleeve, and they both swept towards Xie Jiucheng. Xie Jiucheng swung his long sabre but the blade was gathered into Dugu Gudu’s sleeve. Hu Dan’s dagger aimed for Xie Jiucheng’s chest but even though the blade pierced into Xie Jiucheng’s chest, it didn’t penetrate further than an inch.
Hidden River Xie House. Their external martial arts were always ranked first among the three houses.
"Not bad." Xie Jiucheng nodded. "I haven't faced such opponents in a long time."