511 Chapter 511 - Exposed (1/2)

”If we adopt that cynical mentality of yours to analyze this interaction, it appears as if he is showing off his knowledge, as well as inspiring people to induce a good impression on them. However, if we take a normal approach to this, even I will explain that all in a similar fashion,” Sword Demon said candidly.

”True; let's continue our observation,” Gu Fei replied.

The two men continued to secretly follow Broken Water Arrow; they saw their target going around the jungle in a pre-established route. Every place he passed had groups of players training, and Broken Water Arrow would watch them before passing a few constructive criticisms afterward. His words and actions were exactly as what Sword Demon had said, and could be considered as nothing unusual. Of course, it was also possible that he could have ulterior motives if anyone adopted Gu Fei's cynical view, but proper evidence would be required to prove this. Gu Fei and Sword Demon were stalking this man entirely in hopes of making such a discovery, but what they witnessed and overheard lent nothing more to it.

”Did you discover anything?” The two were a little tired from all this stalking. Hearing Broken Water Arrow address another band of players, they did not immediately follow the man. The two leaned against a tree and lifted their heads up to look in the sky that they could not see. Sword Demon's left hand lifted to his lips, his dagger wedged between his two fingers, as if he were smoking.

”Absolutely nothing at all…” Sword Demon sighed.

”We simply don't have the expertise for such things!” Gu Fei had to admit that, while Sword Demon was a gifted gamer and he was a kung-fu expert in their respective fields, they had no idea on how to go about conducting such things like evidence investigation! They just did not have any experience in this. Perhaps if they had someone with this particular set of skills with them, he or she might have already discovered what was suspicious from the words and actions that Broken Water Arrow had shown thus far. He or she would not be like Gu Fei, who let his prejudice toward the man result in Gu Fei mistaking Broken Water Arrow's goodness as ill will.

”What do we do now?” Sword Demon asked Gu Fei. He had come up with the idea of stalking their target, but it appeared as if they had failed in achieving anything from it.

”I doubt we will discover anything if he continues to go around teaching everyone in this jungle,” Gu Fei said. ”Maybe he might head off to somewhere else and meet others?”

”I don't think there's a need for this… All he needs to do is send a message,” Sword Demon said.

”How troublesome,” Gu Fei sighed. Messages can be sent between players without anyone knowing, so if any secrets were divulged within those conversation, none would be the wiser about them.

”Hey. Are we still following or not? He's about to get out of range.” The two men hiding behind the tree were only taking a break, but they were still keeping an eye on Broken Water Arrow.

”Honestly…” Gu Fei did not seem to be in any bit of a hurry. ”This guy is only just a simple mission to you, and he does provide plenty of help to Deep Waters' guild; what the man is doing now is irrelevant to your quest. If you slay him, he will still be able to keep helping the guild. There's no way he will know it's you if you cover your face, nor will it affect your relationship with Deep Waters and the rest. There's no need for you to bear so much psychological burden for the kill if it's just about completing your mission.”

”I know that… but I'm no longer concerned about the mission now. If your inference is correct, that this person may have ulterior motive toward Deep Waters and Coco's guild, then I must stop him,” Sword Demon said.

”Then, I suggest you look for Young Master. I feel that he's the one who can be of the most help in this situation right now,” Gu Fei concluded.

”All right!” Sword Demon nodded.

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”Tsk! It's for the best if that lousy guild of his collapses; why should I lend him a hand?” Needless to say, the location where Gu Fei and Sword Demon found Young Master Han was a tavern in Linyin City. The entire city was designed to look like a quaint village with its rural architecture, and the tavern was no exception. The atmosphere pervading the city made it seem more backward than any other cities they had been to, and Young Master Han's mood was evidently adversely affected by this. The man did not even think of flinging a scathing remark the moment the two approached him about their problem.

Gu Fei originally wanted to drop a line or two to persuade the man, but Sword Demon beside him acted as if he had not heard Young Master Han's rejection and continued to give their account of what they had observed. ”According to Miles, this Broken Water Arrow has a build of someone who has undergone rigorous combat training. By sharing his expertise in jungle warfare and comprehension toward the setting of traps, plenty of members in Deep Freeze admire the man.”

”What's so strange about that? This is nothing more than exhibiting the talent you have in the real world in this game. There're plenty of players out there who are way stronger than the average gamers. Isn't there one sitting right next to you?” Young Master Han was of course referring to Gu Fei, a man raised in kung fu; he took to the bloodshed in this world like a fish to water.

”That may be the case, but—”

”I know what you're worried about,” Young Master Han interrupted. ”Using such a method to take down a guild from the inside, while very devious, would indeed be the most effective way to do so.”

Sword Demon did not say a word. Gu Fei looked over to his eyes and realized that his gaze was very distant, as if he were recalling something. Furthermore, what Young Master Han had just said seemed to have a sort of meaning to it; did this have something to do with that something that had happened in their past?

”I know you disagree with my view about what happened then even now, but I still insist; that's definitely a premeditated affair, and it's not like what you claim 'everyone arguing to the point where fellow brothers became estranged,'” Young Master Han said.

”What is this about?” Gu Fei hurriedly butted in to ask.

”Something that happened in-game before.” Sword Demon merely said this line and did not bother to elaborate any further. Actually, Gu Fei could more or less deduce what it was from the two men's simple exchange. Mostly likely, it was about Sword Demon's guild, when a popular person like Broken Water Arrow must have affected it, causing the members to turn against their leader Sword Demon and finally causing the guild to disband. Young Master Han believed that it was a premeditated attack with the guild's disbandment as the end goal, while Sword Demon believed that it was a result of internal conflicts that devolved into irreconcilable differences. Of course, there were plenty of details to this issue, but Sword Demon clearly did not wish to talk about the matter, so Gu Fei did not bother to pry any further either. While he might occasionally take shots at others, Gu Fei only made sure those were harmless jokes, for he would never intentionally take joy from mocking someone's pain.

”Do you think there's anything suspicious about this Broken Water Arrow?” Gu Fei brought the conversation back on topic.