Solo Swordmaster

Chapter 100: A Pig Scarier Than a Wolf

Oh, my Please watch your words. The Princesss soon-to-be-husband shouldnt say such things about the clan.

[What was wrong with that?] Though he was replying in a sarcastic tone, Limon was genuinely curious. [Surely your clan took pride in scheming, deceiving, betrayal, and acting innocent. Did it not?]

That is true, but wouldnt there be restrictions on our business if our reputation fell?

[So it all comes down to money.]

Please dont fault us for being too materialistic. There are a lot of things to look after when you are the head of a family.

[Im not trying to fault you. Its better that youre being transparent anyway.] Limon chuckled. He understood that Wang was being so brazen for the familys benefit and to avenge his cousin and clan.

The more brutal the criminals deaths were and the more information he acquired, the more the Shanghai Royal Family would go beyond recovering their fallen honor and resetting their status, which would give them even more advantages.

It was, essentially, not much different from when he asked Limon to stay out of the investigation. The difference was, of course, that hed tried to make a deal with Limon the first time, and the second time he was flat-out ignoring him.

The first time, it was proven that there was no use trying to look good in front of Limon, so there would be no consequences for going against him when his reputation was already as low as it could be.

Of course, Limons reputation had only fallen because he left the investigation to Wang, but that was something the man didnt need to care about. It was a cold-hearted decision that truly fit the Black Dragon Clans reputation and the head of a noble family.

[Let me confirm What would you do if I still insisted on killing that bastard this instant?]

Is this something you really need an answer for?

[I do.]

Something unfortunate would happen.

[Really?] Even though he wasnt there, it was like he could see Wangs demeanor and what he was trying to tell him.

Limon calmly accepted. [Alright, then. Take him with you and do whatever you wish.]

You are wise as always, Master of Swords.

[This isnt important enough for me to cause a scene and cut your head off over, after all.] His tone was apathetic, like he was too lazy to bother, and it was clear that he wasnt bluffing.

Limon calmly continued, [Im telling you this in advance: Be careful after you take him with you. Hes a poisonous apple.]

Thank you for your advice. Just as hed done after Limon gave him clues and stepped out of the investigation, Wang thanked his priceless advice with a smile.

Limon scoffed. [Dont be fooled. This isnt advice. Its a warning]

Behind his respectful demeanor and flattery, Wang had laughed at Limons foolishness in not thinking about his own benefit. It was Limons turn to laugh at Wangs incoming doom as a result of only thinking about immediate benefits.

[If that bastard causes trouble, then youll be held responsible, Wang,] Limon said with a cold tone. Since Wang had his courtesy in favor of greed, everything that happened after would be on him. There was no use regretting anything later.

That is not a concern, sir, Wang answered nonchalantly. As you said, Master of Swords, we are the Black Dragon Clan.

The Black Dragon Clans pride and power were in deceiving everyone and never being on the receiving end. It was something Wang was certain an outsider like Limon wouldnt be able to understand.

Limon didnt bother to criticize the mans certainty and instead left with a final word.

[Good luck.]

* * /invite/reaperscans

* * *

After Limon and Wang finished their discussion on what to do about the young man with slit eyes and the martial artists of the Shanghai Royal Family took him away, Wei-ling headed out of the Cheonhwa Department Store.

Shed interfered because it was an emergency, but the Cheonhwa Department Store wasnt contracted with Guardian, and cleaning up was left to Xue-reung, the head of the stores security department.

Of course, his ability to do so was questionable since he was critically injured and most of his subordinates were gone, but Wei-ling didnt careshe had other things on her mind.

Why did you do that? she asked,

[Do what?]

Why did you let Wang take the culprit so easily.

[What if I wanted to stop him? Are you saying I should have just made you kill the culprit anyway?]

Is that not what you said had to be done?

[I did,] Limon calmly agreed. He may not have seen the slit-eyed young man himself, but he could tell from the corpses and the mans behavior that the bastard was dangerous.

Strength wasnt the issue since even Wei-ling had beaten him, but Limon knew from experience that leaving that bastard alive would cause future trouble. As for why he left the man to Wang

[If Id insisted and had you kill the man, that Wang bastard wouldve done everything he could to make it a problem. He probably wouldve tried to say I killed the man because I wanted the feat to myself.]

Thats impossible.

[Why do you think so?]

Aside from the fact that he would have nothing to gain from it, wouldnt that be too ungrateful of him? Wei-ling asked.

Limon already had to deal with backlash for leaving the investigation to Wang and not catching the culprit earlier, so it would be absurdly shameless for Wang to try doing something against him after receiving all of the benefits.

[Are you doing that on purpose, or do you really not get it?]

What do you mean?

[Never mind, its nothing. I feel like I can finally see why the Princess likes you so much.]

Wei-ling frowned. It sounded like a compliment, but it felt like he was calling her stupid for some reason.

[To answer your question, Wang would gain something out of doing that.

Like what?

[Sympathy, and they say the enemy of an enemy is a friend.]

Wei-lings expression went stiff at the confusing statement. So he would ruin your reputation on purpose and connect with the clans who dont like you?

[If you only look at possible benefits, it would be the most efficient for him.]

[Whats wrong? Does that sound too shameless?]

She agreed in silence.

Limon chuckled and went on, [Hey, Dummy Remember this if you ever want to rise within your clans ranks: This is exactly what your people do.]

Wang Ki-neung wasnt particularly cunning or shamelesshe was just a member of the Black Dragon Clan.

Limons voice sounded light-hearted, but he meant what he was saying, and Wei-ling finally realized why Limon wasnt angry about Wangs disrespect and why he didnt seem to mind his fallen reputation.

Do you not expect anything from our clan? she asked.

[No, I do.]

Hed already revealed what he wanted from the Black Dragon Clan: their inherited insidiousness, their advanced tricks and schemes, and their global riches and influence.

[I just dont trust you, thats all.]

He never wanted trust, loyalty, conscience, or kindness from the Black Dragon Clan, and thus, he was never disappointed.

Wei-ling couldnt stop herself from blurting out, Even the Princess?

[Why do you say even? Shes the least trustworthy person there.]

Then why did you accept her hand in marriage?

Li Chingwei had given Limon everything for the sake of their engagement, so Wei-ling looked skeptical of his distrust of her beloved princess.

His answer was short. [I dont trust your Princess, but Ive decided to believe her.

What kind of joke is that?

[Sorry it sounds like a joke to you. This is the best I could do after your Princess put her own life on the line to get me.]

What sort of weird relationship is that?

[Thats just how implacable enemies on the same boat are.] Limon chuckled. After shed proposed to him, hed sworn on his sword that he wouldnt go behind her back so long as she did the same.

It was not a typical marriage promise of unadulterated trust and devotion. Rather, it was closer to the opposite; it was a threat that shed pay with her life if she ever betrayed him.

It was the best Limon could offer, and the Princess readily accepted it.

He knew he couldnt trust the Black Dragon Clan when they went beyond not trusting him. Their relationship was based on doubt and necessity.

[Im not Romeo, and shes not Juliet.]

Only in novels could enemies fall in love at first sight. Limon knew all too well that the best thing that could happen between wed enemies was neither of them poisoning the other. Of course, the other Black Dragon Clan members wouldnt trust him when they werent even trustful of Li Chingwei.

[Still, dont take it too harshly. Im not going to go against any of you as long as you dont pull any tricks on me.]

Even Wang?

[Yep, even that Wang bastard,] Limon readily agreed.

Wang may have gone against him, but that was just the Seven Dragons Association doing its thing. Ever since they were coined as a demonic cult, Limon had been through all sorts of their schemes. This wasnt enough to make him angry.

[I wont go out of my way to help him, either.] Of course, that didnt mean he was happy about it.

Wei-ling understood. Are you sure that man will cause Wang trouble?

[How would I know for sure? Im not a prophet.] Limon would have fucked over the culprits already if his sword told him everything. As long as Wang took caution in his proceedings, whatever tricks the young man had up his sleeve might not work, and Wang could even get information out of him.

[Itd be best if you let the Princess know so that she can prepare for the worst-case scenario.]

Must I?

[Yeah. if there does end up being a problem, it wont just end with a few bodies.]

It was the least he could do as Li Chingweis fiance and the executive of Guardian. Not to mention, hed seen what became of a certain someone when they blindly chased after their own greed.

[A mad dog will only bite you, but a pig blindsided by greed will always cause /invite/reaperscans