Chapter 68: Disheartened and Shaken!
Translator: Whatsyourissue Editor: ICheah
Supreme Lord Spring Frost!
Li Changqiu had virtually disintegrated after he had uttered these four words! This also meant that these four words were extremely strange.
Why did the four words hold such great power?
It was only four words.
Yun Yang had never had an innocent motive to place these two together. Although both of them had been deceived, they were not stupid. They would understand the situation once they were put together.
Of course, Yun Yang was aware of this.
It would be the last time he was using the both of them.
He had wanted to catch what they would spew unintentionally in anger from questioning him after both of them had argued and knew the truth.
He did not really have high hopes; he was only making one last attempt at the end of both these people’s lives.
However, the strange scene that greeted him had him shaken.
Yun Yang turned abruptly and looked at Chu Tianlang, his gaze cold and sharp. “Chu Tianlang, that was a question.”
Chu Tianlang laughed humorlessly. “Kill your hope… Even if you torment me ten thousand times more cruelly… I would never dare to explain those four words to you.”
As the icy glare flashed in Yun Yang’s eyes, he suddenly thought of something as he said softly, “Soul shattering? Never to reincarnate? These four words are a blood curse?”
Chu Tianlang shuddered as he looked at Yun Yang oddly.
Yun Yang took in a deep breath. “Looks like I’ve guessed correctly.”
Yun Yang now understood why they would rather be tormented for a few more years, even to the point of death, but was unwilling to commit suicide by uttering these four words. Such a tactic had still chilled Yun Yang’s bones.
There was actually such maliciousness in this world!
What was this spell?
Chu Tianlang kept quiet for some time before saying, “Since we’ve arrived at this stage and since Li Changqiu has died, I assume my good day is today as well?”
Yun Yang smiled coldly and said, “You’re very smart. Chu Tianlang, no matter what it is, even if you’re a martial artist, you’re still one of Yutang’s people in your bones. I believe you won’t deny me this.”
Chu Tianlang’s gaze was uncertain as he said, “That is true, I am Yutang’s man.”
“As a Yutang citizen, you joined in the conspiracy to harm Yutang’s guardians, the Nine Supremes.” Yun Yang’s tone was icy. “Chu Tianlang, is there anything you have to say?”
Chu Tianlang opened his mouth but felt like he could not say anything.
“Whatever the reason is, it overcomes the treason you have committed.” Yun Yang exhaled lightly. “But I still don’t understand. Li Changqiu is not from Yutang, let’s forget about him. But you, what is it really for?”
“Give me an answer. If I’m satisfied, I can give you a noble end today.”
Chu Tianlang thought for a long while before murmuring, “I am a martial artist.”
“Martial artist…” Yun Yang retorted coldly, “So are you not one of Yutang’s people? If Yutang was wiped out, do you think you can keep your family and your friends alive by saying you’re a martial artist? Lives were lost around you… do you feel righteous and at peace?”
Yun Yang did not speak anymore after that and turned to walk out.
When he reached the door, a chilling aura spread through his body as the Divine Edge flew out from his hand.
With a glinting radiance, it chopped off Chu Tianlang’s neck.
“I, Yun Yang, loathe traitors of the nation!”
“I don’t even wish to so much as take a glance at these people.”
He said these softly with his back facing Chu Tianlang and walked out in big strides. As the radiance glowed, Divine Edge transformed itself into a streak of light and chased Yun Yang, turning into an intricate pattern on the sleeve of his robe.
“Lao Mei, clean up the secret chamber.”
Yun Yang was inexorably despondent as he left the chamber.
…
Marquis Yun stood in front of Yun Yang, dressed all in white.
“Who is it in the secret chamber?” Marquis Yun’s gaze was sharp like a hawk’s.
“A traitor to the nation, an accomplice in the Nine Supremes’ fall.” Yun Yang did not bother to hide anything.
“Good kill!” Marquis Yun complimented. “I will be leaving then.”
“So early?” Yun Yang asked, lifting his head.
“You would be restricted if I were to remain.” Marquis Yun had a bitter smile on his face. “I can see that there are a lot of things you don’t want me to know. After all, I hold an awkward status here.”
“Right.”
“So I’m leaving earlier.” Marquis Yun smiled while looking at Yun Yang. “I anticipate the day you can officially show your identity. That time, I shall really come to offer you my help.”
Yun Yang kept mum for a bit and said, “That day won’t be too far away.” He raised his head and looked at Marquis Yun saying, “One day, if you receive news about my death, you can come back immediately because Tiantang City will really need you then.”
Marquis Yun’s gaze stayed frozen.
From his words, Marquis Yun could feel how heavy a burden Yun Yang was bearing right now. He could also hear in his tone that Yun Yang had no confidence in this impending battle.
Looking at Yun Yang, this youth who was lean and light, Marquis Yun could distinctly feel his loneliness, his unyielding manner, and the determination to never back down even when he was alone against the world!
He was like a child who had long been abandoned. He was wounded all over, hurt everywhere, yet stubbornly wanted to plant flowers and plants for this vile world.
He was trying so hard to bloom, to exude the freshness that had only belonged to him.
“Take care!” Marquis Yun felt a lump in his throat, he squeezed a smile out. “Good people don’t die so easily.”
A smirk of ridicule appeared on Yun Yang’s face.
Would good people not die easily?
With a twist of his wrist, he took a small jade bottle out and passed it to Marquis Yun. “You’re leaving but I have nothing to give you. Hold on to this. Consume it when you’ve gotten to somewhere safe, it may be able to help you charge up to Tenth Perfection.”
Tenth Perfection!
Marquis Yun trembled, a tremor quaked through his slim face. He was not the least bit suspicious of the credibility of his words but he was in doubt. “Why don’t you save this for yourself?”
Yun Yang looked afar. “It’s temporarily useless for me if I consume it. But if you achieve Tenth Perfection, it will be a great show of strength of the Empire of Yutang to the outer world!”
Marquis Yun’s gaze was grim as he received the bottle slowly, feeling like he had received a humongous mountain.
He was clear that Yun Yang was not confident in his battle at all, that was why he had given this to him. If anything happened to Yun Yang, at least the Empire of Yutang would have an exceptional expert of Tenth Perfection residing in it. Whether it be to the martial arts world or the enemy states, it was still imposing.
However, he was still perplexed.
Why was Yun Yang unwilling for him to take part in his matters?
“Why are you unwilling to allow me to join you?” Marquis Yun finally asked the question.
“First, although I trust you a lot, I dare not completely believe in you regarding this matter.”
Yun Yang was unusually honest, making Marquis Yun laugh bitterly. However, Yun Yang’s next words had him stared wide-eyed. ”Besides, forget about Tenth Perfection, even if Ling Xiaozui joins, I can’t guarantee he won’t be killed too!” Yun Yang continued, “This matter of mine… it is not appropriate to be making a loud fuss about it now. If I die, it means that this matter ends completely.”
“My enemy won’t find fault with Yutang anymore.”
“So that is when your Tenth Perfection cultivation base must be put to use. Otherwise…”
Yun Yang did not continue.
The hint of loneliness on his face was only getting more distinct. He was sure that the Four Seasons Tower would not participate in empire hegemony. It had taken on the Nine Supremes for an unknown reason but they would never go against an empire.
If he won, everything would naturally end. However, if he died, the Nine Supremes’ incident would be forever be sunken in the ocean. The Four Seasons Tower would never lash out at the Empire of Yutang nor at Marquis Yun.
That way, everything would still be at peace.
It would still be a good thing to the Empire of Yutang.
Only then would Marquis Yun’s Tenth Perfection cultivation base be the most powerful, whether it be in warfare or in the imperial court during that time.
This was Yun Yang’s arrangement for his country.
Once he knew of the blood curse, he had felt the pressure mounting at least a hundred times more.
He was not assured at all. However, he had to go on this path, no matter what!
“What is your background?” This was Marquis Yun’s last question.
Yun Yang looked at the weeds under his feet, stubbornly shaking and standing up again after being stepped on. He smiled faintly but all the smile contained was bitterness. “My background… I don’t even know it myself.”
He stood there straight and tall.
Marquis Yun felt that this youth of delicate looks of jade and prideful stature had been keeping endless grief and loneliness in his heart. Even his laughter seemed to be so oppressed and forlorn.
…
Marquis Yun left.
Yun Yang’s life took a peaceful day off as well but his heart was not at peace, not even for a minute.
He had wiped out the so-called General Zhenbei. Who then was the crown prince’s aide? He still needed to observe that. He also needed to investigate which servant in the palace it was, as well as the influential general in the military. He would be of significance too.
Yun Yang knew that the person must have a much higher status than Zhao Binglong!
There was also the Supreme Lord Spring Frost!
What sort of existence was that?
On the same night, a letter once again appeared bizarrely on Old Marshal Qiu Jianhan’s table. Nine stars gathered as the center held the shape of high waves.
Old Marshal Qiu Jianhan understood that this meant those who had gathered this dossier were the subordinates of Supreme Water.
Opening it to take a look, he grew increasingly infuriated.
“The individual who had ambushed the Residence of Marshal has been eradicated. The incident of the Manor of Sirius happened for a reason. Zhao Binglong was exterminated as well. These three people were accomplices of the nine lords’ downfall, evidence as below…”
“A sin that deserves more than a thousand deaths! Even death would not suffice as a punishment!” Qiu Jianhan’s slap landed angrily on the table, his heart filled with pain.
The evidence was irrefutable!
However, the old marshal felt disheartened.
He finally understood why the people from the Nine Heavens Dictum refused to contact him.
Disregarding the mysterious assassin Li Changqiu, just the Manor of Sirius’ master was enough to shake Qiu Jianhan. The Manor of Sirius’ master was related to His Highness the crown prince.
After the incident at the manor, His Highness the crown prince had asked around and even stepped out to greet the young masters from the four noble families in an attempt to spare Chu Tianlang’s life.
This person had actually participated in the conspiracy against the Nine Supremes!
The Old Marshal felt helpless. The conspiracy involved His Highness the crown prince? Just thinking about it had his heart writhe painfully. This was the future emperor of their nation!
Furthermore, the powerful military general, Zhao Binglong had also taken part in the Nine Supremes’ incident!
How could this allow the Nine Heavens Dictum to contact him without fear of reprisal?
Only God would know how many authoritative officials in imperial Yutang and how many influential and powerful people had taken part in this!
The old marshal closed his eyes, feeling crippling exhaustion snake up his spine.
After some time, he finally stood up.
“To the palace.”
He must speak of this to His Majesty the emperor but how would he even begin to talk about this? The old marshal was in doubt as much as he was enraged for the entire journey.
Zhao Binglong looked like he was only a general but the Old Marshal knew that he was the third prince’s man while the Manor of Sirius was related to the crown prince.
This scheme involved two of His Majesty the emperor’s sons at once!
The more he looked at the situation, the more he realized that this was only the tip of the iceberg!