203.2 – Shadow’s Purpose
“When in the Jianghu [3], one cannot move freely.”
With this sentence as the preface, Shadow, who rarely shows emotions, spoke with a bitter tone.
“The Imperial Court’s attitude towards the Wulin [4] has always been ambiguous. However, the Western Regions have frequently felt out the Hua Dynasty, while the Northern Kingdom has vigorously expanded their military in recent years. They seem to have the intention of setting off a war. The world is in imminent turmoil. Dad has to find a solid backer for the Shadow Gate. Otherwise, once the world falls into turmoil, our Shadow Gate will be doomed.”
Shadow sighed.
His eyes full of hard to express feelings reflect the waning moon in the sky.
“We have offended too many people.”
“This…”
Black Cat finally understood.
The Shadow Gate is an unprincipled organization that has been making a living by providing assassination services. Over the years, it has killed countless people and offended various organizations. They exist simply because there are people that need them. When their existence loses all meaning, they will become the first target to be cut down.
In troubled times, people are wary of the power the Shadow Gate holds.
If you cannot hold the Shadow Gate in the palm of your hand, it is likely that you will be the next one to be assassinated and sent on your way to the Yellow Springs [5]. This kind of uneasiness is fatal. Eventually, people will try their best to obtain the Shadow Gate or cut it down.
— was that why dad made a special gesture of good will towards that person? After all, no one wants to perish in troubled times. But if you want to become a knife wielded by a person or an organization, you have to find a powerful enough wielder.
There seems to be no one more powerful than the “Emperor of the Hua Dynasty”.
“Black Cat, we have to go.”
Shadow looked at the sack at Black Cat’s feet.
“Since we abduct Gong Tianqing, I’m afraid that Xue Qilin must have gone mad. If she catches us, we won’t have an easy time.”
Black Cat’s thoughts revolved as she organized Shadow’s words. Then, she replied with an “okay” and completed the dressing work with nimble movements.
“Where are we going?”
“To the outskirts. Someone will meet us there.”
After getting the answer, Black Cat picked up the sack and followed Shadow into the dark.
＊
“Lady Xue, please have some tea.”
A maid brought a cup of steaming-hot tea and placed it on a small table beside Xue Qilin, respectful.
“Thank you.”
The absentminded Xue Qilin, who tried to cheer up yet still has an unsightly expression on her face, gave the maid her thanks. The maid replied with “Lady Xue is welcome.”, and then stepped aside.
Xue Qilin is now in Gong Jing’s study.
The walls are covered with calligraphy and paintings. Deep in the study, there is a very ornate platform with a stand. The stand holds a spear whose tip is shimmering faintly.
As if it was consecrated, it exudes a mysterious breath.
The spearhead is bigger than ordinary spearheads. The whole body is made of some silver metal, yet it doesn’t give off a showy feeling.
— guard spear “Northpiercer”.
The highly praised weapon in front of her eyes attracted her interest momentarily. However, Xue Qilin cannot drum up the energy to study it. She is not in that kind of leisurely mood at the moment. She is waiting for news from Gong Jing.
It has been more than two hours since Gong Tianqing was abducted. Although Gong Jing sent people to conduct a search, and even asked Luo Hong and the State Guard for help, but he still hasn’t found anything, which makes Xue Qilin feel quite restless.
“Shadow Gate, those assholes!”
Xue Qilin reviled indignantly.
She wanted to look for Gong Tianqing’s whereabouts by herself, but Gong Jing persuaded her with the words — “The imperial capital is complicated and tricky. Lady Xue, who is not familiar with the imperial capital, must not act recklessly. Otherwise, it may affect our actions.”. With that, she finally relented and stayed in the Gong Manor, waiting for news.
But —
“Hey, where’s Old Master Gong?”
Xue Qilin can’t contain herself any longer. The stifling sense of anxiety is about to break her.
Because of this, her tone became a little heavy. This scared the maid so much that she started trembling.
“This, this servant doesn’t know.”
Seeing the other party’s frightened appearance, Xue Qilin realized that she took her anger out on her. She suppressed her emotions as much as she could and asked softly: “Can you help me look for Old Master Gong?”
Xue Qilin’s request evoked a troubled expression on the maid’s face. She gripped her skirt tightly and replied falteringly, “This servant… this servant doesn’t know where the Great Master is…”
The more the maid spoke, the lower her voice got. Xue Qilin almost didn’t hear the last few words.
Does Old Master Gong not want to see me? Xue Qilin couldn’t help harboring this suspicion. Due to it, the restlessness churning in her stomach leaked out of her mouth.
“You don’t know! Didn’t I tell you to look for him!”
Xue Qilin glared at the other party and shouted. As if a rabbit that has been rabbit, the maid revealed a rather frightened expression.
“This, this servant…”
Consequently, before she could finish speaking, the maid burst into tears. Her tears hit Xue Qilin like a bucket of cold water.
Caught off guard, Xue Qilin felt awkward.
Xue Qilin… what’s the matter with you? Loosing your temper with a maid won’t help the situation… Xue Qilin rubbed her slightly aching temples and tried to restrain her anxiety, restlessness, and anger.
She sighed.
“Umm… I’m sorry.”
Looking like she’s surprised that Xue Qilin would apologize to her, the maid blinked her eyes blankly, yet the tears still haven’t stopped flowing down her face.
Seeing that the other party was this scared by her, Xue Qilin got up from her chair and went to the maid. The maid winced and took a step back.
“I’m really sorry that I scared you. Take this…”
Xue Qilin took out a handkerchief from a secret pocket and handed it to the maid to wipe her tears.
“This…”
The maid hesitated for a moment, and then shook her head.
“This servant isn’t worthy.”
“Oh, how vexing! There’s nothing not to be worthy!”
Xue Qilin assumed a tough attitude and rudely shoved the handkerchief to the other party, not caring for the maid’s reaction.
Since she has gone this far, it would be unwise to refuse — probably thinking this, the maid accepted the handkerchief with fear and trepidation. Despite this, instead of using Xue Qilin’s handkerchief, she used her sleeve to wipe away the tears.
They’re all blockheads! Xue Qilin rolled her eyes.
At this time, Gong Jing pushed open the door and walked into the study. When his eyes fell on the tear-stained face of the maid, he showed a stunned expression at once
“Lady Xue, what happened?”
Gong Jing turned his head and looked at Xue Qilin.
“If the maid of this old one’s clan has offended Lady Xue, please forgive this old one.”
“It’s nothing!” Xue Qilin waved her hand, “I just lost my temper.”
“I see…”
Gong Jing sighed bitterly. He knows what caused Xue Qilin to lose her temper.
“You can leave.”
Gong Jing told the maid to leave. As if she was pardoned, the maid nodded repeatedly. After returning the handkerchief to Xue Qilin, she quickly left the study and closed the door.
Am I really that scary? This though popped up in Xue Qilin’s head.
[3] – Jianghu, previously translated as Demimonde, is a section of society consisting of martial artists, gangsters, thieves, beggars, prostitutes, merchants, entertainers, and anyone else wanting to operate outside of mainstream society or in the grey area of the law
[4] – Wulin, previously translated as Martial World, refers to the “community of martial artists” within the Jianghu. It’s the same as “Murim” in Korean novels and manhwas
[5] – Yellow Springs is the realm of the dead in Chinese mythology
