Chapter 901: Twisted Reality

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: Papatonks

Whoos.h.!.+

On the half a meter wide table between Baili Jingwei and Shangguan Feiyun were placed the finest drinks and dishes, adding to the enjoyment of the tranquil lake nearby.

The two were relis.h.i.+ng the view, the company and the wine without a care.

There was a sound and Baili Jingwei held out his hand for a jade slip to land in it.

Shangguan Feiyuns eyes flashed, Ha-ha-ha, already?

I have to say, Sword King, your nephew is certainly a go-getter, ha-ha-ha Baili Jingwei chuckled.

Shangguan Feiyun waved him off, As if, its more like that brother of mine is too rushed, or, like Prime Minister said, greedy. How else do you explain his hastily drawn out plan?

Their eyes met and burst out laughing with ridicule.

Baili Jingwei scanned the jade slip closely and nodded with a smile. Though something did catch his attention, so much so he was feeling suspicious.

What is it, Prime Minister? What is the problem?

Shangguan Feixiong will strike three days after we leave.

Isnt that great? The trap is set and all thats left is for them to spring it. Prime Minister, is there something nagging you? Shangguan Feiyun looked curious at first, but dismissed his worries after he heard the info inside the jade slip.

Baili Jingweis doubts remained, Shangguan Feiyun plans to raid the Jade Falls with his experts while the three strongest venerables will be going after your resting room to kill you. If all goes well, great, but if not, they will hold you back while the others steal the Soaring Sword.

Humph, a mere pipe dream!

Shangguan Feiyun disregarded his worry, They want to cut me off? Then Ill lay two traps, real experts in my room where Ill stay guard as well and send the rest of the men to Jade Falls, where Prime Minister will direct with brother Danqings a.s.sistance. They can get in, but theres no leaving with two Sword Kings around, ha-ha-ha.

Baili Jingwei nodded, but his conscience wasnt eased, Be that as it may, something is strange here

Prime Minister, what is it now? Is something off?

The plan is solid, only the details are weird.

Baili Jingweis eyes flashed and pa.s.sed the jade slip over, Sword King Feiyun, notice the map Shangguan Yulin attached inside.

Shangguan Feiyun was starting to be suspicious as well.

[I let that Grandmaster Gu make it so whats there to see? Its not like I dont know my own home.]

Three days later, the Shangguan clan will split in two before attacking. Shangguan Feixiong will lead his men to attack the easternmost area of the manor, Jade Falls, and steal the Soaring Sword. While the three venerables will ambush Sword Kings room, the northernmost place. To kill and to stop the enemy so the Clan Head can succeed, ugh

Shangguan Feiyun was casual as he read, but then his eyes landed on the map, Jade Falls in the east? But its in the west side. And then my room in the north is actually in the southeast. Just what is up with this map?

Baili Jingwei wore a mask of doubt, Shangguan Yulin supplied this map and, by all accounts, shouldnt be an attempt at cheating us. At least he was so blatantly obvious about it. He is oblivious to everything in the Flying Cloud manor, unlike us. The only logical explanation is that this is the same map he got from Shangguan Feixiong, this fake. The clan got a fake map!

A fake?!

Shangguan Feiyun was baffled, How in h.e.l.l is it fake? Youre saying Grandmaster Gu handed this fake to them? Why would he do that?

Baili Jingwei frowned, deep in thought.

[Logic says Gu Yifan is relying on Shangguan clan, a crutch to lean on and ride their coattails to success.]

[But he gave them a fake map, botching their plans and turning from their confidante to a traitor. He only gets to lose from it.]

[Is he committed to becoming the Sword Star Empires alchemist? Is that why hes breaking it off with the Shangguan clan?]

[Thats not right either or hed be throwing his lot with us by using the fake map to catch the clan in one fell swoop.]

[Any betrayal should be done fully, not randomly, or he wont get anything out of it.]

The Shangguan clan had patched their lacking knowledge with the fake map, but they wouldnt lose that much because of it. And with the failure of the second ambush, they would no longer have any chance of attacking the manor while the Shangguan clan would hate Gu Yifans guts.

While on the manors side, being in the dark to the source of this fake map, they couldnt give Grandmaster Gu any credit for the results.

[He gets nothing from either side. So why?]

The Prime Minister Baili Jingwei was having a headache as well with this conundrum, let alone Shangguan Feiyun.

Baili Jingwei finaly shouted, Who were the ones watching over Grandmaster Gu in the manor? Call them here, now!

Yes, sir!

Someone shouted and soon two guards were before him, bowing, Prime Minister, Sword King, how may we be of service?

Are you two the ones who looked after Grandmaster Gu during his stay at the manor?

Per the lords order, we kept Grandmaster Gu safe!

Was anything off about Grandmaster Gus actions?

Baili Jingweis eyes flashed, his words startling the guards as they replied, Many things earned our suspicion. Like constantly asking about the path between Jade Falls and Sword Kings home, about the restricted areas. Prime Minister and lord might not know, but he also had us show him the way

I get it. We already know about that, but is there anything else? Shangguan Feiyun waved him off.

[Thats something I allowed so Gu Yifan could finish his map.]

Baili Jingweis brow shook and jumped in, Wait, you mean he constantly asked you? Why?

Prime Minister, whats wrong about that? All spies will inquire

Weve taken him everywhere through the manor, so why is he still asking others? And not just once either. Baili Jingwei cut him off with a serious look.

Shangguan Feiyun was stumped.

[Yeah, now why is that? Afraid he wont be found out? We personally toured him around the place so why? Maybe]

Shangguan Feiyun glanced at Baili Jingwei, who was fixed on the guards.

One guard finally spoke, Grandmaster Gu is very suspicious. He kept saying hell go to Jade Falls, but always ended up at the barracks saying the manor was too big every time

All right, we get it. You may go.

Baili Jingwei dismissed them.

The guards bowed and left puzzled.

Baili Jingwei chuckled, Sword King, you get it now?

Of course, the guy has a direction problem.

Shangguan Feiyuns face twitched and sighed, Whod have thought a great 11th grade alchemist ends up being directionally challenged? What makes it worse, hes a spy! Ha-ha-ha, well thats a first, using a guy with poor direction as a spy. Of course the map is all jumbled, not knowing which is north, south, east or west. I bet Shangguan Feiyun wouldve spurted blood feet high if he knew his map was drawn by a disoriented guy, ha-ha-ha

Baili Jingwei smiled, n.o.bodys perfect, being drafted by them, he acts like the terrible spy he is. Of course hes liable to slip up, ha-ha-ha

Slip up? Such poor direction is worse than anyones! Shangguan Feiyun mocked, but then frowned, Though are you sure hes directionally challenged? An 11th grade alchemist at that?

Baili Jingweis brow shook, and paused, This is the only explanation for what I know so far. Consider him having poor direction.

Then our plan

We stick to it. The only change is that well be following this fake map.

Baili Jingwei grinned, Even with the twisted reality thanks to the fake map, the Shangguan clan will be caught all the same, ha-ha-ha

Shangguan Feiyun nodded, I thought of moving the Soaring Sword, just in case, but since the map is fake, theres no point