Gu Shenwei had indeed startled Shangguan Fa when his Narrow Saber suddenly appeared at his side.
After witnessing and hearing of the many legends surrounding the Death Sutra, Shangguan Fa believed the Dragon King was capable of finding his target without relying on sight or hearing. It was a miraculous ability, and a tremendous advantage against an enemy who could only locate him by listening for the wind.
The Dragon King's confidence came from that ability, but Shangguan Fa was even more confident in his own victory, because he had long since devised a countermeasure.
In matters of status, the Unrivaled King could never treat his own servants as equals. No matter how capable a servant was or how noble their birth, once they had served in Stone Fortress and borne its brand on their arm, they were the Shangguan Family's property for life. There was no possibility of buying their freedom, much less of escaping and winning it.
But in matters of martial arts, the Unrivaled King constantly reminded himself never to underestimate anyone.
Shangguan Fa knew by heart the stories of masters who had let their guard down and died at the hands of beggars. He often used them to lecture his children and grandchildren. In truth, he had never witnessed such a thing, nor had he even heard of one. Like countless other legends and parables, it existed only to illustrate a principle. To probe too deeply into the story itself would only distort that principle.
The Unrivaled King was not bound by his own maxims. He took the Dragon King seriously, but never to excess.
His interest in and knowledge of the Death Sutra went far beyond what outsiders could imagine. At one time, he had even tried to reclaim this Golden Peng Fortress secret art,