Chapter 609: Sir Bi’s Target
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Yun Yang wielded the Ice Core Charm in panic before straightening himself up after some time; he said with a sheepish chuckle, "Practice? Let's talk about it next time. My cultivation base has improved recently. I may not be able to control my power as well as I would like to."
Obviously, he did not hold Ji Lingxi in regard at all. He was boasting and praising his own ability in a manner which was subtle yet overt.
This certain someone had just suppressed a natural physical reaction and was deep in thought about what was wrong with him these days. Such a situation had never happened in the past. He did not pay close attention to Ji Lingxi, thus was oblivious to the fact that the girl had just transformed into a Dao realm expert.
Logically, even when one consumed a magical pill, one would never have been able to hop right into the Dao realm from a beginner level into the heaven realm.
Ji Lingxi, who was ambitious, could not bear to be dismissed by someone whose ability was lower than hers. She spun around and leaped into the yard, saying, "Enough rubbish. Let's get this over with!"
She could not help turning around. Her heart was beating too fast…
Yun Yang still maintained a carefree mien as he walked down the steps unhurriedly; he gracefully picked up a staff as well and said in a proper manner, "Very well. I'll become your coach in place of my eighth brother today and train your martial skills."
When they began exchanging blows, Yun Yang held back a good deal of his power, afraid that he would actually hurt Ji Lingxi. However, the latter poured in her all. Unable to avoid her deft strokes, Yun Yang was hit the moment they clashed. He only managed to cry out, "What the heck…"
After a moment, Ji Lingxi tossed her staff down again before turning around to leave with her chin tilted up in pride. Her words came from afar, "Today's exchange is very fruitful for me. It looks like cultivation mustn't be done blindly in solitude. Practical fights are required at any time. From today onwards, I'll come to you for practice every morning. You said it yourself, one's cultivation base must be improved as the martial world is vile…"
The girl repeated Yun Yang's words yesterday and tossed it back to him, speaking ever righteously and full of justice.
Yun Yang lay on the floor, covered in dust. There was even a large swell on his forehead, making him look like a unicorn. Stupor was splayed across his handsome face.
'Can anyone tell me what happened?'
'Isn't this girl a beginner level in the heaven realm?'
'How can someone with such a cultivation base standard completely subdue me?'
'No matter what wonderful treasured resources she consumed, she couldn't have possibly elevated herself to the Dao realm within a night!'
'The body won't even be able to take it…'
'What is going on?'
'Could I have been deceived?'
"Ouch…" Young Master Yun was baffled even as he touched the swell on his forehead. It was only now that he felt the pain; he had been completely dumbfounded earlier!
It was impossible, it was preposterous, but it had happened right in front of him. How could Yun Yang not be dumbstruck?
Yun Yang was an observer throughout Ji Lingxi's advance from the peak realm to the heaven realm. Just several days ago, she was still complaining about being stuck in beginner heaven realm for a long time and he had even comforted her along the lines of "It's incredibly rare for someone your age to be so advanced", "The cultivation journey cannot ever be rushed", and so on and so forth.
Now, Yun Yang who was in ninth heaven had been utterly beaten up, without remorse.
"I have been grinding away every day!" Yun Yang said in agony. "Emmie, come out and open the space quickly! I can't take it anymore…"
He would have been fine if the miracle had occurred to someone else. This person was prepared to beat him up every morning, how could he not be worried about it? Furthermore, Yun Yang recalled that he had assumed an elder brother's mature tone in front of Ji Lingxi; he felt like collapsing on the ground right there and then.
'What dignity do I have to call myself your elder brother when I am going to be beaten up every day?'
'What face do I have to say 'I'll take care of you for your brother!'? To check your cultivation base as your coach? I'm not even a worthy practice partner, I'm just a target!'
He could hear Ji Lingxi's voice echoing at this time, "Yun Yang, I'll take care of you for my brother from now on!"
Yun Yang covered his face.
'This girl! How dare she say that! She's asking for a beating…'
Life was like a drama and a drama was like life; it was bizarre, unpredictable, and absolutely absurd!
…
in the Residence of Crown Prince, His Highness had been wearing a long face in recent times. There moments where he looked happy were few and far in between.
After all, since his emperor of a father announced that his eldest brother's son had returned to Yutang, the crown prince had lived in an oppressive state daily, as if a cataclysmic disaster was about to befall him; no one could feel at ease living like this.
The inheritance of Yutang's throne that was previously secure in his hands and so near to him had suddenly become precarious. This throne that he was seated on could fly away at any time. It would be a curious thing if he was in a good mood.
Meeting his father's eyes every time he went to the imperial assembly every morning, the crown prince could feel the dismissive gaze of his father; it was a gaze filled with disappointment, anger, and… deep loathing. This caused His Highness to feel increasingly miserable.
Moreover, he suffered from nightmares these recent nights, sitting up in cold sweat and a blank stare with a pale face. Unable to rest well at night, the crown prince naturally became dispirited. His various strange mannerisms were about to drive the crown princess insane as well.
However, the misfortune of the crown prince, whose career and life was dreary, was far from ending. Calamities came one after another. In order to tackle the child who would affect the great future and who should not exist in the first place, His Highness had secretly arranged for Sir Bi to contact certain assassination organizations. He had even paid half of the deposit.
The result caused the crown prince to choke in anger…
It was not that the assassins did not come. In fact, all of them who were contacted had come, in multiple batches as well. After the initial joy, His Highness could not help being suspicious. He had only instructed for two batches to arrive, who was the one who had called for the rest?
This was a huge problem!
Despite the crown prince being delighted to see such an outcome, the issue had to be taken seriously. The more assassins there were, it meant that there were more people with ulterior motives. Relatively, this was evidence that those who coveted the throne were plentiful. How could His Highness not be wary?
Furthermore, at this juncture, the crown prince would be the scapegoat, no matter who had actually commissioned these killers. After all, he was the one to gain the most and in the most direct manner as well!
Granted, if the mission was completed smoothly and the child was gone, he would definitely have to carry the blame. So be it; a man of great ambition would not be bothered about such trifle matters. He would just pick up the pieces afterward.
For all that, what did it mean when these assassins had come and assembled but did nothing?
They had come so brazenly that everyone in Tiantang City was aware of them. It was a secondary matter that people were fearful and anxious, the officials in the imperial court, as well as the emperor and empress, were looking at the crown prince with suspicion in their eyes. Did the assassins know this?
All the wealthy businessmen and families shut their doors with caution, afraid to provoke and attract the killers.
In actual fact, the killers did nothing.
What were they here for? Were they here for a tour?
That could be the case. Based on recent events, the assembly of the world's assassins seemed to be for a gathering or a holiday, because they were not doing their job. If that was the case, could they really be called assassins?
Could they have more professional integrity? Some sense of timing? How dare they call themselves top assassin organizations with how they were behaving?
The crown prince was initially of such thoughts, but he was increasingly distressed these days.
'Never mind the fact that all of you aren't doing your job. Never mind that if you're really here to play. At most, my fortune is wasted or I would trade my wealth for safety!'
'However, not only are you not completing your task, you are having a civil fight!'
'Summoning the Dictum of Death?'
'What do you possibly intend to achieve by that?'
'F*ck, are you all still from assassination organizations? Why not establish an assassin empire instead?'
'Assassin organizations are here, but they don't do anything. They ventured out a few times in the beginning, then they turned quiet when people died. What about the legendary assassin's principles? What about guaranteeing your client's benefits? What about the amazing capabilities of a superior assassination organization?'
As if hearing His Highness' thoughts, the killer organizations began to take action. They showed their remarkable abilities, the standard of their capabilities totally exceeding the crown prince's knowledge. However, their immense power was not focused on their agreed target, it was an internal strife instead.
To the crown prince, the Four Seasons Tower, The Merciless Tower, Hall of Crimson Blade, and so many more, belonged to the martial world. Since they were all martial world organizations, they belonged to the assassin organizations too! Since they were all from the assassin organizations, could it not be labeled as internal strife?
His Highness could only glare helplessly as he regarded the civil struggle at such a crucial point in time. He concluded his heartfelt thoughts with a long sigh, "These barbaric martial artists can't be depended on; what a bunch of incompetent bunglers!"
They battled a few rounds here today and killed some people, they fought a few more rounds there the next day and killed even more people! Then, they actually held the final battle the day after tomorrow! They were establishing the final battle of the assassination sphere right in the capital city of the Empire of Yutang!
Watching the martial world war transpire heatedly, the crown prince was utterly exasperated.
'Can't they do this after completing their official tasks? You haven't done any work, but Tiantang City is about to be trampled by the lot of you!'
'All of you possess such formidable forces, why can't you achieve your client's goal first? Can't you be more responsible? More professional?'
"How do things stand today? Is there an end to the strife yet?" His Highness asked his expression still that of a wretched man.
"It has been said that the assassin organizations have won. Other than the three higher authorities from Four Seasons Tower, the top martial world force who managed to escape, the rest of their men were wiped out."
One of the aides said, "Your Highness, this is a good news to us. This martial world conflict should be done by now. It has ended."
The crown prince asked glumly, "I only want actual good news now. Where are they? Can they begin at once?"
"They have disappeared after the battle."
The aide continued rather awkwardly, "Your Highness, these martial world practitioners are highly skilled and are used to coming and going at their own will, without leaving a trace. It's hard for us to track their exact whereabouts. We'll have to wait for them to contact us later. According to the assassin's law, they'll definitely have to do something for us after accepting our deposit."
"Sir Bi, what do you think?" His Highness turned to ask with a scoff.
Sir Bi wore plain black. His face was sculpted and poised, a mustache and beard adorning those elegant lines; he was lean and tall, with quite an immortal air about him.
Unlike the treatment towards his other aides, His Highness was very respectful towards Sir Bi.
Sir Bi stroked his beard as he said with a faint smile, "Your Highness, what is to come will come. You don't have to be too impatient. You must know that a spinning head sees nothing, more haste less speed."
The crown prince said woefully, "I understand, but there is no buffer to the current situation now. It allows no room for delay, it is of great urgency. The fire is about to get to me. Just yesterday, the few brats are starting to fan the flame and point accusing fingers at me… Mother sided with me previously, but she's called for me to come to the palace. Other than criticizing and warning me, telling me that blood is thicker than water, there wasn't anything else. Her gaze towards me, however, was begrudging…"
If it were not for his image, the crown prince would have recounted his tale with tears and snot running down his face.
Sir Bi smiled warmly and replied, "These are insignificant matters. They can't sway Your Highness. Your Highness really need not be overly impatient. Acting too rashly may provide others access to your weakness instead. That will really set us back then."
He mused and continued, "His Majesty is taken to that child, Yu Qiankun, right now. Everyone can see it, everyone knows about it. It can even be said that there are only two people who are qualified to ascend the throne now. Your Highness and this eldest prince's son who popped up out of nowhere."
"However, Your Highness's title as the crown prince is established. This is an actual advantage. While Yu Qiankun has the emperor's support, he's still young. A lot of teaching and time will be needed to mold him to grow until he can govern the state."
Sir Bi said, "Before that moment comes, no matter how much His Majesty likes him, His Majesty will never act rashly. Therefore, for now, it's impossible for the emperor to simply remove your crown prince status."
"The inheritance of the throne is a pronounced matter. The growth of a child has too many uncertainties."
"Besides, no one can tell what a child can develop into in the future."
"So, even at the fastest pace of development, the child has to be at least eleven or twelve years old for one to see his nature and character."
"In other words, Your Highness has at least seven or eight years ahead of you."
"Within these seven to eight years, no matter how discontent His Majesty is to Your Highness, he won't act on it mindlessly. In this handful of years, there are countless chances and tactics to be worked on."
"Consequently, the time to contest is abundant. Why be impatient and advance recklessly?"
Sir Bi's elaboration caused the crown prince's expression to brighten up gradually. He was not a dumb man, he could understand Sir Bi's implicit meaning. The latter was reminding him that he had been too impulsive in commissioning the assassins; not only was it needless, it created opportunities for others to do so as well.
In spite of this, Sir Bi was tact about the whole matter. He pointed it out in a convoluted manner, a wise man's tactic indeed.
Just like Sir Bi had said, Yu Qiankun needed a substantial amount of growth before he could be an adequate threat to the crown prince. The crown prince still had plenty of time to play with the boy; there was truly no need to be impetuous lest his weakness was used against him.
"Still, now that the killers are here, they can't be doing nothing," said His Highness.
"Of course not." Sir Bi was composed. "They'll have to do their job, but the target will have to be changed. Our main target now can't be Yu Qiankun."
He said faintly, "I believe that Your Highness is now aware that targeting Yu Qiankun is too obvious. The security placed around the child is high. The previous thoughtless attack on him was basically a reminder to His Majesty to increase the child's guardians! Of course, the main reason is also the low chance of our forces coming into contact with this child. Acting impulsively will cause even more loss."
"Then, who does Sir Bi want to change the first target to?" asked the crown prince.
"King Xiaoyao's son, Yun Yang!"