Truth

The bet was instigated by Shangguan Hongye, who encouraged the young master to organize it. During the martial arts competition, Gu Shenwei's initial arrogance followed by his eventual submission and personal admission of defeat would make Shangguan Yushi underestimate him, believing Huan Nu was still the same timid servant she had humiliated and who dared not resist before the new year.

Gu Shenwei hoped for exactly that.

If Young Master Yu retaliated with a group, he would have almost no other choice. In front of outsiders, he could only bow his head and obey, just like a month ago. If the conflict between the two became public, the master would lose face, but the servant would lose his life.

Shangguan Yushi arrived in the afternoon, past midday. She needed to stay by Shangguan Ru's side at all times, so it was difficult to slip away unnoticed.

She didn't barge in aggressively like Shangguan Hongye. Instead, she flickered into the room like a ghost. Only one person was present, standing silently by the door like an invisible figure, staring intently at Huan Nu, who was sitting on the heated brick bed.

Huan Nu had been waiting for her. He was startled when he looked up.

No one could doubt Shangguan Yushi's fury. Her face was so stiff it seemed about to merge with the stone room. Her slender eyes seemed to hide a ferocious demon, ready to leap out and pounce on her enemy at any moment.

Gu Shenwei thought she would say something, so he didn't speak first, remaining fully alert. To his surprise, she attacked without a word.

Shangguan Yushi's gaze betrayed her before her actions did. Gu Shenwei pushed off the brick bed with his hands and jumped down, meeting her first strike.

Young Master Yu was a very intelligent person, smarter than most of the youths in the fortress. However, like all the Shangguan Family disciples, she practiced the most profound martial arts but lacked real combat experience.

She used "Flat Ground Thunder," the move Gu Shenwei had misjudged in the study hall. This time, his judgment was one hundred percent accurate.

He seized the optimal position, gently lifting his right hand and using Shangguan Yushi's own flying kick to send her flying.

Xue Niang's method of countering was very effective, and it overestimated Shangguan Yushi. This young girl, a year younger than Gu Shenwei, had not yet grasped the profound changes in martial arts. Her moves were perfect, but she had almost no variations.

Shangguan Yushi crashed into the wall and stumbled when she fell. It took her a moment to regain her footing.

Gu Shenwei hadn't used much force, and she wasn't injured. However, this couldn't hide her crushing defeat. Just like in the study hall, although she had won the bet on the surface, the fact that she was pinned down in four moves was more noteworthy.

She was not someone who would easily accept defeat. As soon as she stabilized herself, she attacked again, blow after blow, like a storm. But she had learned her lesson and no longer focused solely on speed and ferocity. Instead, she adopted a steady, methodical approach, delivering over a dozen blows without repeating any of the five key moves.

Gu Shenwei responded cautiously, not seeking a quick victory.

The two youths exchanged blows in the cramped stone room, neither making a sound, neither admitting they were weaker than the other.

Gu Shenwei didn't have many counter-moves and gradually fell into a disadvantage. Fist and palm techniques were not the strong suit of Gu family martial arts, and his training over the past decade had been lax. He still couldn't compare to Shangguan Yushi, who had undergone rigorous training in the Moon Holding Courtyard.

Moreover, the rumors were true: Young Master Yu's skills were even stronger than Shangguan Ru's. She usually kept it hidden, but now she unleashed her full power, determined to defeat the audacious dog servant.

Gaining the upper hand, Shangguan Yushi's attacks became increasingly fierce, and the probability of her using those five moves increased. Around the thirtieth move, she used "Turn Heaven Pull Sun" again, but Gu Shenwei was unable to deflect it in time.

After a few more exchanges, Shangguan Yushi used "Pushing Waves and Aiding Waves," one of the five moves Xue Niang had chosen.

Among the many fist and palm techniques in Golden Peng Fortress, this move was quite unremarkable – a simple palm push, straight and direct. Yet, Xue Niang valued it highly and had explained its profound intricacies to Huan Nu and He Nu:

"Why do some people become top masters when learning the same move, while others, who practice it just as diligently, remain mediocre until death? The key lies in whether you use it 'rigidly' or 'flexibly.' Every move in martial arts has a fixed pattern, which assumes the enemy is in a specific position. For example, when you use 'Black Tiger Steals Heart,' it assumes the enemy is directly in front of you with an open guard. What use is this move if the enemy isn't right in front of you? Those who use moves 'rigidly' do so regardless of the enemy's position or defense, simply executing the move. It's like hacking at beef with a precious killing sword; eventually, the blade will chip and break. Masters who use moves 'flexibly' focus on the situation, not the move itself. They seize the favorable timing and position, lure the enemy into their desired spot, and then strike decisively. To use 'Pushing Waves and Aiding Waves' effectively, you must first confuse the enemy with a series of feints. When they are flustered and their stance is unstable, unleash the move with all your might. Golden Peng fist techniques are both offensive and defensive, but this move is purely offensive. You must exert ten percent of your strength."

Therefore, when Shangguan Yushi used five or six feints in succession, Gu Shenwei guessed she would inevitably use "Pushing Waves and Aiding Waves." This move had two variations: the lower strike directly at the enemy's body, and the upper strike targeting vital pressure points on the chest. Regardless of which one, the method of countering was the same if judged accurately.

If Shangguan Yushi were an experienced master, she would have suspected a trap when Gu Shenwei appeared to lose his footing and stumble. But she only saw his attack as weak, which perfectly matched the timing for using "Pushing Waves and Aiding Waves." Thus, she struck with full force without hesitation.

This move, being purely offensive, required ten percent of her strength. Shangguan Yushi delivered it fully, meaning she couldn't change her move mid-action.

As her palms were forming the shape of the strike, Gu Shenwei had already dropped to one knee. By the time her palms struck, and she realized her target was no longer in front of her, his right elbow had already slammed into her lower abdomen.

There was no need to hold back any longer. In a prolonged struggle like this, he might not be a match for this young girl.

Shangguan Yushi's body bent backward like a bow as she flew out, crashing against the stone wall again before falling. This time, she couldn't regain her balance and sat on the ground. Suddenly, she let out a cry and vomited her lunch.

Gu Shenwei was startled, thinking he had used too much force. He took a step forward to check on her but immediately retreated to his original position. At this moment, he had to press his advantage and couldn't show any weakness.

"Do you want to continue?"

His tone was deliberately harsh. Shangguan Yushi, sitting on the ground, stared at him with fear and shock. She wiped her mouth with her hand, her expression instantly turning sinister and ruthless. "Eighth Brother will tear you to shreds."

In the last moment, Shangguan Yushi revealed her true nature as a spoiled brat, intending to complain to a more powerful and influential adult.

Gu Shenwei squatted down, meeting Shangguan Yushi's gaze. He intended to tell her some "truths." More than half of these "truths" came from the rumors among the servants at the study hall entrance, and the other small half were his own speculations. Whether they could deter this little demoness would soon be revealed.

"Yes, the Eighth Young Master will tear me to shreds. But before that, he'll probably be interested to know something, something that will negatively impact both young masters."

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

"Someone in the study hall set up a gambling ring in the Ninth Young Master's name to cheat the clan's young disciples out of their money."

"It was just a casual bet, no one cheated anyone!"

Gu Shenwei ignored Shangguan Yushi's retort and continued. The rest of his words were mostly speculation.

"This person gained wealth but never shared it. The Ninth Young Master is kind and pure-hearted and never cared about such things. She doesn't know that this gambling ring wasn't set up for fun, but to supplement household expenses."

Gu Shenwei stared intently at the girl opposite him, not missing any subtle change in her expression.

Shangguan Yushi remained silent, but her cheeks flushed red, and her shoulders slumped. She seemed about to pounce again. Maintaining this posture, she suddenly broke down.

"It wasn't me, it was all my brother... My mother told me to get money... I had no choice..."

She spread her legs and burst into tears.

Gu Shenwei felt ashamed. With the help of the martial arts master Xue Niang, he had cruelly bullied a girl a year younger than him. She no longer had any semblance of "Young Master Yu" at this moment.

"I understand. We're all just trying to survive in the cracks."

Gu Shenwei softened his tone. Shangguan Yushi, however, stubbornly raised her head. She wanted to glare at him, but tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. She lowered her head again, desperately trying to suppress her sobs, which only made it worse. She choked and sobbed, unable to utter a word.

"I'm just a servant trying to please my master. No matter how hard I try, I'm still a servant. That's my destiny. And you have the surname Shangguan; that's also your destiny. We should mind our own business, shouldn't we?"

Gu Shenwei said cautiously. Shangguan Yushi's temperament was as unpredictable as her name. One could never guess when "Yushi" would arrive, nor whether it would bring gentle rain or a torrential downpour.

The crying girl stood up and rubbed her face hard with her hands, finally locking that inappropriate emotion back in its cage. "I won't let you off."

Hearing this threat, Gu Shenwei actually felt relieved. Empty threats often signaled a truce, at least a temporary one.

"A servant's life is always in their master's hands." Gu Shenwei replied respectfully. It was impossible to reach a clear agreement with Shangguan Yushi, and this was enough for now.

Shangguan Yushi snorted and walked outside, turning back at the door. "What happened today..."

"If I reveal a single word, may lightning strike me and may I never be reborn."

Gu Shenwei interjected quickly. Oaths were the easiest thing in the world for him.

Shangguan Yushi was probably not very satisfied; the outcome was far from what she had expected when she arrived. But she left without another word.

Gu Shenwei let out a heavy sigh. Dealing with this little demoness was truly exhausting. Compared to her, Shangguan Hongye was practically an idiot.

He had won this round, but he knew very well that it wouldn't be the last. He would have to constantly guard against her counterattack, and she would certainly be more ruthless next time.

However, during this brief respite, he had to find a way to reignite Shangguan Ru's dream of becoming an assassin. Only by hiding behind this energetic young girl could he access the core secrets of the Golden Peng Fortress.