Maiden Of The Splitting Moon - Chapter 721: Deal Gone Wrong

As the night ended and a new day began, this mysterious figure waited with the patience of a child. The gentle tapping became constant and louder until it suddenly stopped.

Not far from the carriage, several people had arrived, approaching the carriage with an exact copy of the wooden box from before. As they came closer, the guards stepped forward, bringing up their sheathed swords to stop them from walking any further.

“Hmph, as famed as the Muhou Troupe is, you were nearly late to the agreed time.”

One of them stepped forward, most likely the leader of the group. With the mask covering their face it was hard to tell just what they were thinking. But by the tone of their voice, they cared little for their client’s attitude.

“We were met with a few issues but we have delivered the ring to you. Do you have the payment for this?” he merely asked.

The one within the carriage scoffed.

“Hah! Who do you think you’re talking to? I’m the youngest man to own his own business empire! Your price is nothing to my wealth!” he proudly announced.

The carriage window just slightly opened as a closed fan peeked out, pointing down at the chest below.

“Everything is in there but first, I’d like to see the ring.”

One of the guards put their sword away and walked up to the masked troupe leader, holding their hands out to take the box. The troupe leader did not move for a few seconds, starting at the guard before handing the box over.

With the box in his possession, the guard turned, opening the carriage door and giving the box over to his master.

There was a simple click coming from inside the carriage as this individual looked inside. And then there was laughter, wild laughter.

“Ahahaha! Yes! I have it! The ring that contains his treasures! This should contain key that I’m looking for!” he spoke with excitement, looking at the ring with almost an obsessive stare.

“Eheheheheh, I’ll just need to bring it to Master Jie so he can break it open.”

As they spoke out excitedly, the masked Muhou Troupe Leader interrupted him.

“Since the package has been delivered, the payment must be collected.”

The laughter stopped as the carriage grew quiet.

“Indeed, the money is yours. We’ll be leaving now.”

With those words, two of the guards lifted the chest and lugged it toward the Muhou Troupe. Dropping it in front of them, the pair turned back as the carriage itself started to float over the grassy meadowland.

The remaining members of the Muhou Troupe gathered as their leader knelt in front of the chest and opened it. A gleaming light shined against their masks as they saw gold bars lining up the inside of the chest! There were dozens of them, at the very least, a hundred gold bars.

However, the Muhou Troupe Leader closed the chest and made a few hand signals.

Suddenly, the other masked members vanished from their position and reappeared by the carriage, surrounding their client.

The guards immediately reached for their swords, unsheathing them.

“What is the meaning of this?! Are you trying to renege on our deal?!”

The one inside the carriage shouted out angrily but the Muhou Troupe Members had yet to make a move, they merely surrounded them.

The masked leader stood up, looking at the scene. With an emotionless voice, he answered.

“We are not. However, the Muhou Troupe has suffered a few losses while delivering this to you. Aside from the supplies we’ve used, five of our members have perished. This amount of money is not enough to compensate and as per our conditions, any losses that are incurred will result in additional fees. We are just collecting on that.”

The carriage was quiet whilst the guards eyed the Muhou Troupe. Adjusting the grip on their swords, it seemed that they were ready for a fight.

And then the Muhou Troupe Leader said one more thing.

“Please understand that we do not wish to fight, only to collect on what is deserved. But know that if you wish to renege on the deal, we will not leave without compensation.”

He spoke calmly, adding this warning on top of all the other things he had said.

“How much?” the voice within the carriage asked.

“Twice as much.”

“What?! Twice? Do you realize how much money is in that one chest? I’ve already given you enough gold to fund a small clan! And now you’re asking for twice that amount?! Did I pay you to rob the Splendid Goose or rob me?!”

They were beyond angry, no doubt feeling disrespected by such a price.

“Of course not, this is the price for five lives. It takes both time and money to obtain such resources. Is this price too much for a man like you? The youngest to own his own business empire?” the masked leader asked.

But the one inside the carriage just scoffed, blowing off those words.

“You bastard, do you think I’d let you go with such slander? Do you truly think that this young master won’t do anything?! I can snuff out the Muhou Troupe with the snap of my fingers! Do you wish to see it happen?!” he threatened.

The masked leader just stared at the carriage.

“If the compensation is not received, then… maybe.”

With both sides squaring off against one another, it was hard to tell whether or not one of them was going to take a step back.

“Urgh… fine, fine! I’ll have it ready within a week! We’ll meet in the same place, how bout that?”

As expected, the young master seemingly surrendered first, but the masked leader didn’t accept it without another condition.

“In that case, since the payment is not complete. We will be getting the ring back. It’ll return to you once the deal is made.”

Unfortunately, that was the last straw.

“That’s it! It’s just one demand after another! Do you think so little of me that you’d continue to disrespect me like this? Screw this deal! Kill them!”

Without a moment’s notice, the guards made their move, brandishing their swords before charging forward. Meanwhile, the Muhou Troupe was ready, unsheathing their own weapons to fight.

The sound of blades clashing against each other interrupted the peaceful meadows.

Though the Muhou Troupe was outnumbered, they did not lack weapons. Just as Ming Yue had experienced, the guards were bombarded with various ones.

Gas and poison billowed out of one side, fiery explosions burst out of another. At the same time, everyone revealed their skills and the meadows soon became devastated by the fight.

“What are you doing?! Kill them! Kill them all! And make a path for me to escape!”

As the one inside the carriage shouted out, the carriage itself ascended before flying off, exiting the battle swiftly.

The masked members of the Muhou Troup noticed immediately but with the guards in their way, they could not give chase.

“Keep them occupied!”

The masked leader made his orders known before flying off, leaving his comrades to fend for themselves. He eyed the carriage, chasing after it with the intent to kill.

The fight they had both left behind progressed into a fierce battle as their power was quite even. With no carriage to protect, the guards were able to fight to their full extent. And without their leader, the Muhou Troupe’s overall strength had dropped.

They had the upper hand but just barely.

But none of that was going to matter soon.

“Hm? There’s a battle over there?”

Noticing the commotion from afar, Ming Yue narrowed her eyes, focusing on the scene.

“I was right! It was in the west!”

The moment she recognized the masks on the Muhou Troupe Members, she took out her swords and prepared to fight.