Chapter 157: The Pursuit
Zhanliu Manor Master Shen Liancheng stood upright outside the small courtyard gate in his dark green-black robe, bearing a respectful and formal manner. The short blade that had always hung at his waist was nowhere to be seen.
Wu Shang and Cheng Zhong saw who it was and furrowed their brows, looking wary.
At this point, Shen Liancheng bowed formally toward Li Musheng and said, "Many thanks to you, Sir, for your mercy in not taking our lives last night. My father is not able to move about freely, but he has urged me earnestly to come here without fail and offer our sincere apologies and gratitude."
The moment those words fell, Wu Shang and Cheng Zhong were briefly taken aback, while Cao Gaoshan, who had been packing the carriage not far away, immediately stopped what he was doing and strained his ears to listen in on the conversation.
"Whether I kill you or not makes no difference to me. But if you want to live a little longer, you would do well to behave yourselves and do fewer wicked things from here on."
Li Musheng waved a hand and paid no particular mind to Shen Liancheng's manner.
Shen Liancheng, however, kept his expression grave, and said with his head lowered in a low, steady voice, "Your words will be kept close to this subordinate's heart at all times. The Alliance Under Heaven operatives still remaining in the manor have already been quietly dealt with by my people."
As he spoke, he glanced at Li Musheng and said, "Please forgive this subordinate for being bold enough to offer a word of caution. Before this, I learned from Jing Chengluo's mouth that although the Alliance Under Heaven moved against your party on account of the White Sand Gang, in truth their hidden ambitions run far deeper."
"Apparently this matter may very likely involve the four great sects of Great Li's martial world. Even Jing Chengluo only vaguely knew of the existence of such a plan, and had no knowledge of the specifics. I hope you will remain vigilant."