Chapter 218
Book 20 Chapter 1 – A Union Of Mutual Benefit
Under the escort of the 18 elite guards, Xiang Shaolong, together with his brothers Teng and Jing, and Tao Fang made their way towards the Palace. Suddenly they could hear hoof beats from the front and in the dark fog a lone rider was racing towards them, with another 10 odd riders chasing after him. It looked as if the long street has become a lane for races.
Teng Yi shouted, "Stop your horses."
The rider in front has rode into the ring of light cast by the lanterns and they could see he was bleeding all over his body as he shouted, "Great General save me."
Everyone took a closer look and was shocked to see that it was Guoxing.
Guoxing wanted to rein in his horse but obviously he could not hold up any longer as he fell sideways to the left of the horse.
Just before the warhorse skidded to a stop and Guoxing was about to crash onto the ground, the sound of the bowstring quivering was heard as an arrow was shot out from the hands of one of the riders at the back. It’s accuracy was so unbelievable as it entered the back of Guoxing’s neck and exited from the front of his neck. By the time Guoxing reached the ground, he is already a lifeless corpse.
Even though Xiang Shaolong’s reflexes had always been fast, the scene was enough to make his body go numb.
The 18 elite guards drew their bows in unison and swiftly c.o.c.ked their arrows.
The group of riders rode up to where Guoxing had fallen and reined in their horses. The leader, Guan Zhongxie was hanging his bow back onto his horse’s back as he said loudly, "Commander Xiang have seen it for yourself, Guoxing tried to escape in guilt and your subordinate had no choice but to carry out orders and have him killed."
Xiang Shaolong’s whole body went cold and at the same time a storm of fury went up in him. With a ‘clang!’, he drew out his Hundred Battles Sword and said with a cold snort, "Guan Zhongxie how dare you kill my Deputy Commander right in front of my face?"
Guan Zhongxie’s personal guards raised their s.h.i.+elds and went in front of him, forming a wall of s.h.i.+elds.
Guan Zhongxie replied with a composed smile, "Commander Xiang please do not be mistaken and listen to my explanation. I am under his Majesty’s order to arrest the killers who tried to a.s.sa.s.sinate his Majesty this morning and I found out that the killers were in cahoots with the owner of the Warrior School, Qiu Risheng, who brought them to Xianyang. Now Qiu Risheng and all the killers are arrested and Minister Lu questioned them personally. That Guoxing resisted arrest and ran away as Commander Xiang can very well see. If I have failed my duty in any way, you can always bring it up to his Majesty, Minister Lu and the Dowager."
He then added in a shout, "Take away the body!"
For a moment Xiang Shaolong did not know how to react as well as he shouted, "No one’s allowed to touch him!"
Since Guan Zhongxie has gained the upper hand, he just laughed and said, "Commander Xiang has given his orders, would I dare to disobey? Let us leave!"
He slapped his horse and went away.
His men retreated on their horses for ten odd steps before shouting in unison as they turned their horses’ head around and ran after Guan Zhongxie.
Xiang Shaolong and the rest looked at one another, their eyes finally resting on Guoxing’s body, lying in a pool of blood with an arrow in his neck.
Tao Fang sighed, "In the end we still underestimated Lu Buwei. This move is indeed extremely vicious, not only destroying the Warrior School and at the same time cause us and Lao Ai a loss of face. He can also point the finger towards Lao Ai, or even Du Bi and Pu Hu now."
Teng Yi said seriously, "Maybe Lu Buwei will make use of this opportunity to cause more trouble and deal with Lao Ai and his men."
Xiang Shaolong shook his head, "He definitely will not be able to touch Lao Ai. Xiao Jun, send some men to help settle Guoxing’s funeral affair and at the same time protect his family. I will enter the Palace immediately to see his Majesty and discuss how we should handle this matter."
He nudged his horse’s belly and rode forward, unable to take another look at Guoxing’s gruesome outcome.
All along, although Guan Zhongxie is his enemy, he still felt there are certain similarities between them and there’s an inkling of understanding.
But at this moment, he only wants to tear him in pieces and he won’t feel an ounce of pity at all.
When he reached the main road leading towards the Palace, it was jam packed with humans and carriages. The officials and royalty all behaved as if they had no idea of the b.l.o.o.d.y exchanges in Xianyang City and were all happily on their way to attend the feast.
When he reached the Palace gates, he met Lord Changwen, who came up to him with a grave expression and said, "His Majesty happens to be looking for Shaolong!"
Xiang Shaolong suddenly remembered something and instantly broke out in sweat as he told Teng Yi, "Xianyang City will definitely be heavily guarded tonight, Zhao Da and Dan Meimei…"
Teng Yi was hugely shaken as he replied, "I understand!" before turning back.
Xiang Shaolong hurriedly instructed Lord Wenchang to send a team of Imperial Guards to follow Teng Yi and protect him before he entered the Palace to attend to the summons.
He still can’t come to terms with Guoxing’s death.
Indeed his head has been clouded by victory, that he didn’t even think about how widely spread is Lu Buwei’s power in Xianyang City.
With his intelligence, how can he not come to the conclusion that with the a.s.sa.s.sination attempt on Xiao Pan’s life, Du Bi and Pu Hu will certainly become implicated.
Now that Lu Buwei has arrested Qiu Risheng, it’s obvious that he wants to deal with Lao Ai.
But he knows very well, or rather he knows from history that before Lao Ai public rebellion, there is nothing Lu Buwei can do to Lao Ai.
Once one makes an enemy out of Lu Buwei, one careless mistake can mean a huge loss.
Once he thought of how Guo Xing had just offered his allegiance and ended up being shot dead by Guan Zhongxie right in front of his eyes, the sense of fury and helplessness really made him feel the impulse to immediately rouse his Wu family’s elite warriors and kill their way into Lu’s residence.
At this point in time Xiao Pan is in the study talking with his trusted aides Lord Changping, Li Si, w.a.n.g Chi and w.a.n.g Ling, his expression strangely calm. When he saw him coming, he called out joyously, "Grand Tutor, dispense with ceremony."
Xiang Shaolong forced himself to suppress his tumultuous emotions and sat down below w.a.n.g Chi, asking solemnly, "What’s the current situation?"
w.a.n.g Chi replied, "Guan Zhongxie sprung a surprise attack on the Warrior School earlier, Chang Jie and An Jinliang were killed immediately. Qiu Risheng’s right arm was shattered when they beat him with poles and the 200 odd warriors in the school were all arrested. On top of that, they questioned two of the injured a.s.sa.s.sins and obtained evidence. There’s no way Qiu Risheng can deny anything."
Li Si who was sitting opposite added, "Those people have been sent to my place, including Qiu Risheng, who all insisted they were under the orders of Lao Ai. Because the re-opening of the Weinan Warrior School was all due to the support and protection of Lao Ai, it’ll be very difficult for Lao Ai to keep himself out of this matter."
Xiao Pan said, "I was looking for Grand Tutor because I want everyone to