Martial King's Retired Life

Volume 11 Chapter 14 Why Challenge Me When You Knew the Outcome?

Despite having nowhere to run, his shoulder fractured, resulting in one drooping, he smirked. “Pretty smart, huh?”

“You’re kidding. I expected Mountain Bandit King’s subordinate to have some semblance of professionalism. You’re going to sell your client out just like that?!”

“Ptoo! Client, my foot. I took the request directly from the commander of Nanjiang’s eighteen bandit gangs, Zuowan Wanqu. What makes you think some shaman faggot is worthy of having an audience with me?”

“What grudge does that Somethingwan Somethingqu have with me? Why does he want you to kill me?”

“How am I supposed to know what freaking beef you two have with each other? I don’t care if he robbed you or if you cucked him. I just do what I’m paid to do. Zuowan Wanqu told me he received a big order yesterday and offered a big price to anyone who could take it. Why should I let someone else get the bounty? I came here first to get the head start.”

“You don’t beat around the bush or anything, huh? You dare to assassinate me despite knowing who I am?”

“Why should I be afraid of some mumbling old freak out the back of Nanjiang? Don’t lump me in with those wussies. So what if I lose my head? I’ll be remembered as a ballsy man when future generations talk of me. What will you ever accomplish if you’re scared of everything?”

The rest was self-explanatory. Gegewu, if nothing else, had a gauge of modus operandi and skill level. Sending weak lackeys after me would only impel me to be wary of him and seek an opportunity for revenge. I assumed Somethingwan Somethingqu was a leader of a gang and was one of Gegewu’s fellow gang bangers. Else, how do you explain how Gegewu was able to contact someone below the mountain while he was at the top?

Gegewu should’ve told his buddy to bring lots of men. Tengji must’ve overheard them or something and sped off before hearing the full story, eager to score the bounty. As a consequence of Tengji’s rashness… he exposed their plan and team, yet he had no regrets. Aside from him being so gangster, I actually liked the guy’s personality.

“How long have you been in Nanjiang?”

“Only two years.”

“How’s life been?”

Tengji started to suspect what I was after. “Out with it already. I ain’t no scholar. I’m the least capable one among my boss’ twelve generals; losing is something I’m used to. I’ve never cared about a loss. You beat me. I can answer any question, but I will never tell you where my boss is!”

Although there were rumours that Gu Wuzhu passed away after their gang’s dissolution, there was no evidence to corroborate the claim. In fact, he still fetched one of the highest bounties. I reasoned Tengji fled to Nanjiang to avoid being hunted or interrogated in the Central Plain for Gu Wuzhu’s whereabouts.

“I couldn’t care less about him. I’m interested in you.” I tugged up the corners of my lips.

“What?! You’re bent?! Back off!”

“… I’m truly curious how you criminals define ‘interested in you’. Sounds like things haven’t been too hot for you in Nanjiang. Seeing as you were so hasty to come for me, you must be short on money, huh?”

“I’d rather starve to death than sell my body!”

Why do you keep going back to that subject?! Have you ever used a mirror?!

“I was trying to ask: why are you deigning to some bandits in Nanjiang? Is he as respectable as Gu Wuzhu or something? I hear Gu Wuzhu was ruthless with his subordinates. Word on the street is he skinned his brothers before. You must’ve dealt with some of it and ran away, not expecting to run from the tiger’s den, only to end up in a wolf’s den, right?”

Detecting hostility, I looked down to see Tengji smirking, yet glaring, at me.

“… The world has changed. Even some brat can trash talk my boss now. Kill me if you will. Otherwise, I’ll kill you for insulting him.”

“My bad. Sounds like you haven’t sold your loyalty to the bandits.”

“That’s obvious. I’m a big name in the Central Plain. I don’t need to serve someone else. I’m just doing as they do in Nanjiang. I’m drawing a clear line with them to defend my honour as a thug. I’m not Zuowan Wanqu’s lapdog.”

“In that case, why did you attack villagers?”

“What? My men would never do that… Ah, it’s Zuowan! They’ve been assembling to commit robberies recently due to a lack of funds. There was a small gang that came to my territory. Son of monkeys! He has no sense of morals. Our principle is to never hurt innocent commoners. We would never do that.”