Chapter 136: The Suicide Quartet
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Ling Xiaozui chuckled and replied, "Young man, if you are able to survive this whole debacle, I believe we shall meet again one day."
Yun Yang nodded. "I hope your words come true. I shall see you in the martial arts world. I am in your debt."
Yun Yang knew full well that Ling Xiaozui had indeed done him a great favor!
From then on, the tale of Ling Xiaozui being a guest in the Residence of Yun and sharing a delightful chat with the young master would definitely spread far and wide.
It was like adding a talisman onto himself.
Although there were benefits and drawbacks to his actions, at least the benefits would outweigh the drawbacks in the near future. That was as long as his true identity was not exposed, of course.
After this ruckus today, Ling Xiaozui would leave immediately as well. Once he had stepped out of the Residence of Yun, it would be far easier to ascend to heaven than to meet him again!
Qiu Yunsan was huffing and rolling his eyes, his dislike towards the old man growing as he asked sardonically, "Brother Ling, is it? May I ask you for your name?"
Dong Tianleng, Chun Wanfeng, and Xia Bingchuan looked over with irritated glances as well.
This fellow looks a little simple; he seems to have some age on him. I hope he’s not turning dumb from living so long.
How dare he be so arrogant?
Who dares to be disrespectful when they see us, the four noble young masters? Even if they hated us to the core of their beings, they would still have to put on a courteous face when they see us!
Even that Keeper Mi from the palace, influential as he is in the imperial court, still behaved politely and obsequiously, didn't he? Granted, he hasn't sent over the Luminary Paste yet, but still...
Where is this fellow from, for him to behave so?
He’s not the slightest bit bothered to even give us any regard! This attitude is unbelievably unendurable!
Seeing that Ling Xiaozui and Yun Yang’s conversation was winding down to farewells, he could not help but butt in.
Hearing him, Ling Xiaozui raised his head to look at Qiu Yunsan and gang before glancing irritably at Yun Yang.
Yun Yang lowered his head to taste his tea, pretending that he did not see the veiled stare.
Ling Xiaozui smiled faintly. "And who might this young master be?"
Qiu Yunsan answered with an upraised chin, "I’m from Qiu Family, Qiu Yunsan. Old mister must not have heard of it."
Dong Tianleng shrugged and said, "This father is called Dong Tianleng. Have you heard of this father’s name?"
Father?
Ling Xiaozui’s gaze lingered on Dong Tianleng’s face.
Xia Bingchuan continued, "I’m Xia Bingchuan, from the Xia Family. A small family with no achievements to speak of."
"I’m from the Chun Family, Chun Wanfeng." Chun Wanfeng smiled reservedly. "An insignificant character, indeed."
Fake smiles were plastered on the four young masters' faces.
We’re courteous to Yun Yang, even calling his boss, but that’s with reason. Old man, we aren't to be trifled with! The four noble families hold a substantial existence no matter where we go!
Are you shocked, old man?
Why have you not fallen to your knees, after hearing our names?
Ling Xiaozui's gaze flitted from one to another with bleary eyes as he said, "Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter Family? Truly, I have not heard of them. They must be somewhat mediocre, to have missed my attention."
The four great young masters felt great anger rising from the bottom of their hearts but they heard Ling Xiaozui continue, "However, I can still remember a few old acquaintances of mine who share these four family names. Let's see, they were Chun Shuiyao, Xiao Jinghai, Qiu Kaitian, Dong Hanyue. Coincidentally, these people share the same ancestors as you fellows. Do you know of them?"
The four young masters’ faces began to twitch uncontrollably.
Know them?
These four noble young masters did not know them.
However, these four names belonged to the only remaining ancestors of the four families. Their names brought about a quake of grandeur, but they had still only heard of them and had never met the owners of these names.
Yun Yang smiled and said lightly, "Brother Ling, please don’t frighten them."
Ling Xiaozui said with faint amusement, "They are brave men indeed! Just look at the tone they took with me with just now! Even the four old acquaintances I’ve mentioned just now wouldn't have dared to speak to me in such a manner."
Dong Tianleng felt numbing chills on his scalp. "Then… then… May I ask senior…"
Ling Xiaozui turned the teacup in his hand gently. "I shall repeat myself since you good folk seem to be somewhat deaf. I’ve really never heard of your names but… my name is Ling Xiaozui. Have the four of you… heard of me before?"
Ling Xiaozui honed in on Dong Tianleng's ashen face. "This… father? Have you heard of it?"
…
Yun Yang and Ling Xiaozui resumed chatting as they drank tea, seated opposite each other; the atmosphere was harmonious and friendly.
The four noble young masters looked like their parents had died as they stood aside obediently to serve tea and pour water.
Their faces were drained of all color.
When they stepped out of their houses today, they had not expected to meet a ghost, a legend.
Ling Xiaozui!
The Unrivaled Expert acknowledged by the world – Ling Xiaozui!
Boss had tried to warn them and even pleaded for mercy on their behalf, but they had still gone ahead and offended him.
This was the unforgivable sin that would be the death of them.
Recalling how he had raised his chin to ask Ling Xiaozui "This father is called Dong Tianleng. Have you heard of this father’s name?", Dong Tianleng felt cold sweat pouring out from his pores. He desired nothing more than to dive into deep, cold pond and disappear.
Nobody else could have been capable of embarrassing themselves like that!
Of course, nobody could have offended someone else as badly too.
The moment they heard Ling Xiaozui’s name, the four young masters were simultaneously stricken.
They did not even notice that the teacups they held in their hands had dropped to the floor to shatter with a loud crash.
All of them stared mutely at this old man who was ‘disgustingly pretending innocence when he was already so old’ with their mouths agape, feeling like the sky, nay, the world was collapsing on them.
They felt their blood run cold especially when Ling Xiaozui had said, "I really didn’t know that Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter Family actually nurtured such outstanding youths who possess applaudable courage after so many years. I must make a visit after a few days in case I offend these four noble families and did not know when to stop, even if disaster was looming over me".
If their families knew they had offended Ling Xiaozui… if Ling Xiaozui did actually visit them… their doom was certainly written in stone.
The master of the family would personally hunt them down and hang them to dry on the doorway in order to ask for forgiveness and avoid subjecting the rest of the family to catastrophe.
These four people served the seated men while standing obsequiously like four obedient kittens. Each of them had a teapot in their hands, fighting one another to pour tea and refill water – absolutely and extremely attentive…
"Brother Ling, let it go." Yun Yang played the reluctant mediator. "These are my young brothers, young and reckless. Who has never been reckless when they were young? Besides, they were innocent, not knowing the truth beforehand."
Ling Xiaozui said lightly, Oh, I don’t blame them. However, my old acquaintances didn’t earn their fame easily. They have put in an entire lifetime of effort to bring their family to where they are now. Popinjays such as these will provoke a genuine disaster sooner or later. This reminder is needed; I was actually being kind."
He smiled faintly. "Besides, the four of them share a past with me after all…"
The smiles on the four popinjays’ faces were sickly.
Ling Xiaozui and their four ancestors were not simply old acquaintances but old friends?
Yun Yang replied, "How about this, Brother Ling continues to roam the world like a free cloud, a wold crane. Just forget about this incident. Consider it a promise that this young brother will make this trip for you once I am free."
Ling Xiaozui hesitated and hummed softly.
All four young masters felt their hearts skip a beat, their gaze towards Yun Yang fearful and anticipatory.
Big brother, help!
"Consider giving this young brother an honor…" Yun Yang smiled gently. "I have taken care of your food, accommodation, and entertainment as my guest… I believe that I should still have this little honor to ask from Brother Ling, do I not?"
Ling Xiaozui snorted as he said, "Forget it!"
Yun Yang's face was stern as he turned his head to face the four men. "Pour tea to apologize, quick!"
As if receiving a holy decree, the four men stumbled across each other to comply. Just as the four of them was about to step forward, they heard Ling Xiaozui say, "What need is there for an apology? This old man is not so petty just yet. I take it as kind fate in life to have known young brothers coming to Tiantang , in addition to relishing good wine and foid. I still have uncompleted affairs to attend to and am unable to stay here for long. I shall bid my leave. May we meet again sometime in the martial arts world."
Before Yun Yang could speak, Ling Xiaozui’s sitting silhouette disappeared, leaving only the whisper of a breeze behind.
He had left without a sound nor a trail.
Even after Ling Xiaozui was long gone, the four young masters still wore expressions of respect and humility, their gazes sincere and admiring.
After some time, Chun Wanfeng was the first among the four to collapse on the floor. Like a domino effect, the other three young masters fell onto the floor as well. Sweat streamed from their heads as their faces were drained of color. It was not that they did not want to maintain their façade, it was just their legs seemed to have lost all of their strength, like trying to stand on soft noodles.
These four people shared similar physiques and cultivation base, even the pressure they shouldered were the same. When the first pair of legs gave up, it was a natural chain effect for the other three.
"Mother!"
They called out to their mothers at the same time the moment they regained their train of thoughts.
They had been badly frightened by the incident.
The four of them had simultaneously offended the world’s first deific monument.
To make matters worse, they had initiated it – they were seeking their own deaths!
If it had not been for their lord's intervention, they might have met their ends right there and then.
Even if Ling Xiaozui did not chide them, he only had to express the tiniest bit of discontent about them and let their families know about it to doom these four. Their families wouldn't blink an eye to sacrifice them in order to appease God Ling and beg for his forgiveness and mercy.
Thinking about this, four pairs of grateful gazes locked upon Yun Yang; each one teary as they cried out, "Boss… thank god for you…"
Yun Yang rolled his eyes in a huff. "Do you now know how bad it can get? Do you dare to make a fuss again next time? You fellows think you’re the best, that the reputation of the four noble families is strong. The reliance is absolutely worthless when you fellows meet the real deal!"
If it were not for what had happened today, these four young masters would only take Yun Yang’s lecture lightly – maybe humming in agreement for the sake of it, but they were completely enlightened now as if hearing the clear resonating ring of the morning bell.
"We dare not, we dare not anymore!" The four pale-faced men wailed together.
Yun Yang looked at Dong Tianleng and continued to tease him, "This father, do you still dare to call yourself father in the future?"
Dong Tianleng was ashen-faced as he shook his head in a negative, rattling like a drum.
Despite the other three being heavy-hearted from what happened, they could not help but chortle thinking about Dong Tianleng’s arrogance in saying those words earlier.
These four guys had been abruptly woken from their trance but they were still feeling the disorientation from the shock; Dong Tianleng picked the teacup up to drink in order to calm himself down but ended up pouring it on his face instead.
Qiu Yunsan fared worse. It was as if his soul had left his body as he could not stop trembling, the muscles on his face twisting about as if experiencing a seizure.
Word had it that Yun Zuiyue was under Ling Xiaozui’s wing. Now that Ling Xiaozui had come and really appeared before his eyes, he recalled that he had intended to marry Yun Zuiyue and make her his concubine.
Qiu Yunsan could only feel darkness looming before his eyes. There was no more daylight to be seen.
"I have been blinded by lard..."
"I think you don’t have to be called the four great young masters anymore. You can call yourselves the suicide quartet…" Yun Yang mused, suddenly feeling that the nickname suited these four gentlemen impeccably.