Martial King's Retired Life

Dead End (Part 2)

The escortʼs vigilance metre maxed out as soon as they heard River Monsterʼs allegation, something Emperor Yuansheng deemed his line.

Emperor Yuansheng wanted Liu Shan Men to spearhead the abolishment of the Seven Champion White Princes. However, he was privy Shen Yiren wasnʼt ready for the daunting task and required the imperial courtʼs training. To that end, he demanded Liu Shan Men partake in the rescue mission in spite of Tang Ye being the only effective combatant. Emperor Yuansheng believed Su Xiao possessed gifts that would be nurtured into something greater. Ming Feizhen, however, was classified dead weight.

Besides Ming Feizhen being the labelled as the embodiment of what not one ought to be, he was shrouded in mystery. Who better than Emperor Yuansheng to understand how a man in power for a long time spoke?

Emperor Yuansheng didnʼt buy Ming Feizhen was enlightened and didnʼt desire riches at his age. Emperor Yuansheng tested Ming Feizhenʼs martial proficiency in the past, and the latter didnʼt impress, yet the number of pugilists that approached them didnʼt even rustle his feathers when others would be on edge.

Capturing Mountain Monster, calm despite bears surrounding him and scaring off bears… The burgeoning list of surprises led to Emperor Yuansheng speculating Ming Feizhen was Night Fortressʼ master. If Ming Feizhen did wield that much power, yet was willing to put himself through the wringer, his intricate and maleficent designs were threatening.

Dugu and long Zaitian vigilantly watched for Ming Feizhenʼs reaction. Ming Feizhenʼs lips subtly moved. He lowered a brow.

”Night Fortressʼ master?” Ming Feizhen repeated with his head angled. ”How come I donʼt know anything about this?”

”Cut the act out. You think youʼre an award-winning actor? If thereʼs anything Iʼm absolutely confident at, itʼs reading people. You are no amateur. If youʼre with Night Fortress, then you are undoubtedly Night Fortressʼ master,” accused River Monster.

River Monster cracked a smirk and added, ”Ever since we received news Night Fortressʼ master was coming to Huzhou, we monitored everyone from the martial world entering Canhu Town. Youʼre the only group affiliated with Night Fortress.

”We couldnʼt fathom why heʼd suddenly come to Huzhou and announced his intention beforehand. Now itʼs explainable. Night Fortress is cooperating with the imperial court and used Night Fortressʼ name as a cover. Master was right. Youʼre after us, arenʼt you?”

”You… donʼt honour your words, do you?”

”Donʼt try and malign me.” River Monster extended her hands, revealing her iron nails she used as weapons and disarmed: ”I will keep my word. Arrest me if you will. I just canʼt help laughing you didnʼt realise you had someone so monstrous in your ranks. I worry for you, Mr. Fangzhang. Night Fortressʼ master is hailed as Jiangnanʼs Face-slapping King. Given your face is rather large, I would keep that chin tucked if I were you.”

River Monster successfully sowed discord. Emperor Yuansheng didnʼt respond, but the others monitored Ming Feizhenʼs every movement.

Ming Feizhen slowly retreated a few small steps. Accompanying a hand signal, he commanded, ”Go.”

Hot qi spun through the air above. Tang Ye was on standby the entire time. He couldnʼt apprehend River Monster until then as she stood too close to Ming Feizhen. Thankfully, Ming Feizhen noticed Tang Ye and realised his comradeʼs intent.

”Thatʼs underhanded!” cried River Monster, livid she was caught before her plan bore fruit. After a few exchanges, she cried, ”Ultimate Eagle Claw? Youʼre Eagle Claw Sectʼs, Three Lifetimes Claw? Youʼre from Nanjiang? What technique is this now?!”

River Monster didnʼt plan to put up a resistance. She merely wanted to see a few more of Tang Yeʼs clawing styles, but he had her in the palm of his hand within ten exchanges.

”Nice,” applauded Ming Feizhen. He pivoted around to see the suspicious stares on him. He performed a palm and fist salute: ”Mast-”

”Skip the drivel,” Emperor Yuansheng cut in. ”You have worked in my employment for some time. I donʼt want it to come to this, either. However, there are too many coincidences that put your credibility into question. I canʼt find any defences for you, so I canʼt let you stay by Shen Yirenʼs side. Explain yourself now. I wonʼt let someone suspicious hang around me. Ming Feizhen, answer me.”

”Hang around me,” actually referred to the imperial court.

”Are you Night Fortressʼ master or not?”

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