Chapter 48#
Taking Down That Gentleman (11)#
Yu Ci didn’t manage to dine with Shen Jue and He Queying, because as soon as he finished speaking, a disciple of the Ten Absolute Island rushed over.
“Island Master, Left Protector, Right Protector has returned!”
Upon hearing this, Yu Ci immediately turned around, his eyes lighting up. “Are you serious?”
The disciple nodded repeatedly. “Really, the Right Protector has returned to the island. He sent me to find you, Island Master.”
Yu Ci, upon hearing this, strode out directly, asking as he walked, “Where is he?”
Shen Jue watched Yu Ci’s retreating figure, then lowered his eyes. He knew the reason the Right Protector had left the island; he had been sent to find a spiritual medicine to unblock Sang Xinghe’s meridians.
Yu Ci had dispatched the Right Protector long ago, and now that he was back, it could only mean the medicine had been found.
But Shen Jue didn’t know if Sang Xinghe had taken the medicine. In previous lifetimes, Sang Xinghe wasn’t inclined to share much with him. Occasionally, he would talk about his own matters, but only because Sang Xinghe was too quiet.
He Queying was also clearly pleased to hear the news of the Right Protector’s return, but he remembered there was still something he hadn’t done.
He took out a mask from his bosom. “This new mask is for you. It’s different from the previous ones—more form-fitting and won’t feel stuffy.” He paused. “From now on, you can put it on yourself. Here’s the key.”
Shen Jue looked at the mask and key in He Queying’s hand but didn’t take them. Instead, he gently shook his head.
He Queying smiled, as if he understood Shen Jue’s meaning. “It’s okay, I trust you. This mask gets stuffy after wearing it for a long time, and sometimes I might be too busy to unlock it for you, so let your attendant do it for you.”
With that, he forcibly stuffed the mask and key into Shen Jue’s hand. “Alright, I need to head over to see the Right Protector too.”
He Queying then hurried away, and after a while, his attendant came over.
The attendant smiled at Shen Jue and placed a red-lacquered food box on the table.
“Master Shen, this is sent by the Left Protector. It’s filled with delicacies from Jiangnan.”
After saying that, he took his leave.
Shen Jue glanced at the red-lacquered food box on the table, then lowered his head to look at the mask in his hand. This mask was clearly more refined than the previous two. He Queying must have put in some effort to find such a good new mask overnight. Moreover, he had come early in the morning to deliver it. Judging by Yu Ci’s look at He Queying earlier, it seemed he was already somewhat suspicious.
He Queying was more clever than Shen Jue had imagined. It would be better if he could sow discord between him and Yu Ci. That way, taking Sang Xinghe off the island might be easier.
But for now, he couldn’t be too hasty. He Queying was not a person without vigilance. Rashly getting close to him would only arouse suspicion. This matter required a gradual approach.
…
Meanwhile, Yu Ci learned from the Right Protector that the medicine had been found, and a smile appeared on his face. He took the brocade box from the Right Protector’s hand. “Good, excellent. I’ll send this medicine to Yishui Pavilion immediately.”
As he said this, He Queying, who was beside him, shook his head disapprovingly. “Island Master, Master Sang is a proud man. These past few days… you’ve been quarreling so fiercely with him that he probably won’t take the medicine willingly.”
Hearing this, the Right Protector drew the blade from his waist. “Then we’ll put the knife to his throat. Whether he wants to or not, he’ll take it.”
He Queying curled his lip, a hint of mockery in his eyes. “You can try, but I think before your knife even reaches his throat, the Island Master will have struck you down first.”
The Right Protector turned to look at Yu Ci, as if seeking the Island Master’s true inclination.
Unsurprisingly, Yu Ci said, “Motherfucker, you are NOT to put a knife to his throat. Get lost.”
The Right Protector: “…”
Having cursed the Right Protector, Yu Ci could only turn to He Queying. He and the Right Protector were both men of force; He Queying was the only one among his subordinates who used his head. “What do you suggest?”
He Queying looked at the spiritual medicine in Yu Ci’s hand, paused for a moment, then spoke slowly, “Why not let Shen Jue deliver it to Master Sang? Master Sang doesn’t like people from the Ten Absolute Island, but Shen Jue can’t be completely considered one of them. Perhaps Master Sang would be willing to take the medicine if it’s brought by Shen Jue.”
The Right Protector was stunned. “Who is Shen Jue?”
At the same time, Yu Ci’s voice also rang out, “Let him deliver it? How would Shen Jue explain the origin of the medicine?”
“No need to explain. Master Sang isn’t stupid. He’ll know its origin just by seeing the medicine,” He Queying said. “Master Sang doesn’t like using the Heavenly Vessel to train his martial arts. When the Heavenly Vessel presents him with another option, I think the righteous Master Sang shouldn’t refuse, even if the medicine was actually sent by the Island Master.”
Upon hearing this, Yu Ci fell into thought, considering the feasibility of the plan.
The Right Protector, still bewildered, asked again, “Who the hell is Shen Jue?”
But no one answered him.
After a long moment, Yu Ci handed the medicine to He Queying. “Fine, do it this way. Go and tell that short bastard that Sang Xinghe must take this medicine, or else he can forget about keeping his own life.” As he said this, he shot He Queying a warning glance.
He Queying accepted the brocade box and nodded slightly. “Rest assured, I will handle this matter properly.”
Then He Queying walked out.
The Right Protector, still rooted to the spot, asked stubbornly yet again, “Who the hell is this ‘short bastard’?”
Yu Ci finally deigned to glance at the Right Protector, his expression speaking volumes.
“…” The Right Protector paused for a moment, then sheathed his blade and followed He Queying out.
He thought for a moment and quickened his pace to catch up with He Queying. “He Queying, who exactly is this Shen Jue you and the Island Master were talking about?”
He Queying considered before answering briefly, “The Island Master gave Sang Xinghe a Heavenly Vessel. That Heavenly Vessel is called Shen Jue.”
“A Heavenly Vessel?” The Right Protector frowned. “Doesn’t the Island Master like Sang Xinghe?”
He drew in a light breath.
He Queying gave him a sidelong glance. “You’re thinking right. The Island Master wants Sang Xinghe to use this method to recover his internal strength, and initial results have shown.”
The Right Protector shook his head. “The Island Master is insane. If Sang Xinghe falls in love with that Heavenly Vessel in the future, what will the Island Master do?”
Many martial artists end up falling in love with their Heavenly Vessels, after all, given the constant proximity.
He Queying looked at the distant sky, his voice lowering, “When that day comes, do you think that Heavenly Vessel will still be alive? Sang Xinghe may look like a gentleman on the surface, but in reality…”
He didn’t finish his sentence. The Right Protector also had no good feelings toward Sang Xinghe, so he nodded in tacit understanding. “It’s a pity about that Heavenly Vessel, though. I don’t even have a Heavenly Vessel. When will the Island Master reward me with one?”
He Queying rolled his eyes. “Soon.”
The Right Protector didn’t catch the eye roll and took He Queying’s words at face value, even letting out an embarrassed chuckle.
Seeing this, He Queying nearly rolled his eyes to the back of his head.
How come everyone around him was so thick-headed?
…
That afternoon, He Queying went to Shen Jue’s courtyard. He handed the brocade box to Shen Jue. “This is a spiritual medicine that can help the honored guest of Yishui Pavilion recover his martial arts. The Island Master wants you to deliver it. You don’t need to explain the origin of the medicine—just present it in front of the honored guest. Inside the box, there’s a note with the effects of the medicine and how to take it.”
He paused. “Do this well, and the Island Master will remember your contribution.”