I Am Supreme Chapter 21 - 30

Chapter 21: A Myth is but a Myth

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor:
“I am absolutely at a loss for words,” a bewildered voice chimed from the back.

Yun Yang remained silent at her admonishment.

“Perhaps you have taken leave of your senses?” Ji Ling sighed deeply as she stood behind Yun Yang. “Still, no matter how much of a loon a person is, he still wouldn’t have done what you just did today.”

Yun Yang continued to smile but did not bother to defend himself.

“These cultivation resources that you’ve just sold could have advanced an ordinary man to the third peak. All that, for something so useless as gold!” Ji Ling stared at him as if she was looking at a slow child. “Do you not know what you have done?” Unbeknownst to her, her voice was tinged with puzzlement, doubt, anger, and overriding it all, a sense of loss and disappointment.

“Of course I do.” Yun Yang did not turn around as he continued, “You and I, we are from two very different worlds.” His tone was distant as he spoke.

Ji Ling could no longer reign in her anger and said in vexation, “I don’t understand how you could be so short-sighted! What use would you have for so much gold? Even if you could have all the gold in the world, what would you do with it? A single piece of mystical stone would be far more precious to a mystical Qi martial artist than all the gold in the world! It would be able to lend him strength and longevity, and gold certainly can’t do any of that!”

Ji Ling was breathing heavily by the time she ended her tirade, and she inhaled deeply to quell her anger, trying reigning her emotions in. “I shouldn’t be upset. This does not concern me, anyway.” Yet, Ji Ling was not able to fully calm herself down and failed utterly at maintaining a calm demeanor.

Yun Yang turned his head calmly and looked into Ji Ling’s fuming eyes. After an uncomfortable interlude, he finally spoke, in tones as chill as the grave, “What is the use of discussing this, as we are are from two totally different worlds?”

Ji Ling wisely held her tongue and waited for him to continue.

“Perhaps gold is useless to you, and you can only see value in mystical stones and crystals.” Yun Yang’s calm gaze was distant even as he looked directly at her. “But to me… the value of gold far outweighs that of mystical stones. Gold can buy rice, food, and other things that could quell hunger. I am even able to receive some change after doing so. You can’t do the same with mystical stones. Such is the difference in the way we think.”

Yun Yang attempted to conclude the dispute, “Let us not argue about this at this hour. It is late, go get some rest.” He then turned to leave.

Ji Ling threw a parting shot at him, “Then why didn’t you sell all the mystical stones and crystals? Why did you sell just half of them? Wouldn’t you have gotten more gold if you had sold them all?”

In his heart, Yun Yang laughed humorlessly.

I’d love to sell more too… if only the rest of them hadn’t been siphoned away by Emmie! Mystical stones would definitely be of use and make me stronger, but gold could feed the families of my fallen brothers! This takes precedence as I lack resources, even as I regain my powers…

Ji Ling flounced back to her room to sleep in a huff; one particular line resonated in her head as she lay on the bed.

“People from two different worlds!”

“Indeed, we are from two very different worlds.” Ji Ling was disheartened.“Our viewpoints and values are all different… Maybe he’s right, what’s there to argue about if we already know that we have such differing opinions? Sigh...”

…

It was late in the middle of the night when a group of a dozen men garbed all in black came silently to meet Yun Yang.

“Change all these gold to silver.” Yun Yang ordered in a low voice. His mood was foul, his gaze chilling and depthless; nobody could have read what was going on in his mind or how he felt. “The eight hundred families… a thousand taels of silver for each of them. Distribute it all tonight,” he continued.

“Yes, young master.”

“Subsequently, all families of warriors and veterans in Tiantang City… a hundred silver taels for every household,” Yun Yang resumed his instructions on the logistics of distribution.

“Yes, young master.”

“I presume that I won’t be forced to repeat my orders?” Yun Yang looked over at them with cold eyes that brooked no disobedience.

“We shall follow the young master’s instructions carefully. No accidents, no disputes, and no pilfering!” The masked leader of the men in black spoke in a rich, resonant voice.

“Go then.” Yun Yang then said, “One last thing. Pay heed to all that I’ve ordered; should there be anyone who violates them or chooses to ignore my warning, report him to me immediately.”

“Yes!”

The men looked like moving shadows as they ventured back and forth to collect the heavy pieces of gold. It took a few passes before they managed to cart a ninth of the gold away. By their estimations, a ninth portion of gold would be sufficient to carry out Yun Yang’s instructions accurately.

Yun Yang left the remainder of his treasure lying in the yard and returned to his room.

Under the cold, sterile moonlight, the backyard of the Residence of Yun was warmly illuminated by the bright reflections of gold.

…

The night passed without incident. The next morning, Ji Ling had regained her temper as she stayed in her room and trained the young Silvermoon Celestial Wolf, not inclined to venture out and risking an encounter with Yun Yang. Yun Yang, pleased with his newfound peace, went to check on his critically injured patient before he proceeded to cultivate and practice with the saber. He had planted the seeds of turmoil and trouble would come anytime now.

Yun Yang intended to be prepared for it when it arrived.

…

Old Marshal Qiu Jianhan had just finished attending the imperial court meeting and had returned to his residence with a heavy heart.

The imperial court meeting was abuzz with news on the enemy states, the Empire of Dongxuan and Empire of Dayuan were both ready to make their move; their target was naturally the Empire of Yutang, the largest prize in the collective eyes of all the empires.

The prospect of war had been smoldering for years and had not lost any measure of heat. If the coals were to burst into flames, it would not be a pleasant prospect for the Empire of Yutang…

Old Marshal Qiu Jianhan sighed and turned towards the sky.

“Marshal, something strange has happened again last night.”

An advisor in the residence, as well as the Old Marshal’s close comrade, Sir Wang came walking in with a smile, his face calm and gentle. “What do you think it could be?”

Old Marshal Qiu sighed, “I am an inch away from boiling and you’re asking me to play guessing games?”

“What is it?”

Sir Wang could tell that the old marshal was not in the best state of mind today; he summoned up a serious mien and explained, “The whole of Tiantang City experienced a night of falling gold once again..”

Old Marshal Qiu’s eyes shone with curiosity, “Hmm?”

“The families of the eight hundred warriors who followed the Nine Supremes to war last year; more than half of them had a large amount of silver appearing at their home. They were there when they woke up, and no one knows where it came from.” Sir Wang described slowly.

“It has happened once again…” The old marshal’s eyes were alight at the bizarreness of the incident.

“It doesn’t stop there. A number of families of the warriors and veterans also had silver materializing at their houses as if a generous benefactor was giving them out…” Sir Wang was clearly captivated with delight.

Old Marshal Qiu Jianhan’s eyes shone even brighter, “Brother Wang, from what you have seen… could it be that… someone from the Nine Supremes is still alive?”

Sir Wang briefly pondered upon it and replied, “This does not prove with and certainty that anyone from the Nine Supremes is still alive. Nonetheless, the possibility is there and remarkably large at that.”

The first half of his conclusion dimmed the old marshal’s gaze, but the flames in his eyes roared again when he heard the latter half.

“It’s obvious, however, that this generous philanthropist does not wish to be identified,” Sir Wang said thoughtfully.

Old Marshal Qiu Jianhan sighed and replied, “The death of the Nine Supremes is a colossal conspiracy. Our investigation didn’t yield anything substantial, even with the entire nation involved. If this person were really one of the Nine Supremes, or even related to them, would they dare expose themselves?”

He waved his hand tiredly, “Let us do what we’ve always done; close one eye and don’t ask any questions. When the situation permits, remove all traces of this incident!”

Sir Wang nodded, “Agreed!”

“Let all traces of hints stop right here,” the old marshal sighed, his tone despairing but resolute.

Sir Wang replied, “I have already issued the order.”

“Excellent.”

Old Marshal Qiu closed his eyes in a rush of sadness and spoke softly, “Are any of the nine of you still living? Even if you are hiding, I would hope that you would come speak to me…”

“This old man misses you…”

Old Marshal Qiu had his eyes shut tightly, but traces of tears could be still seen in his countenance.

Sir Wang sighed inwardly and took his leave soundlessly. Just as he got to the door, he suddenly remembered something and turned about, “Marshal, about the mystical beasts tournament that is to be held in Tiantang City by the influential families…”

With eyes still closed, Qiu Jianhan waved his hand in dismissal and said with a tired voice, “Let them be.”

Sir Wang knew well enough that Old Marshal Qiu was reluctant to say anything more but he could not help but add, “Rumor has it that just yesterday, Marquis Yun’s young master, Yun Yang, got into a conflict with members of the Ximen family in the mystical beasts market. It was said that he almost won almost everything from the young master of the Ximen family on a wager...”

Old Marshal Qiu Jianhan groaned once more, “This too… just let them be. Since when did Marquis Yun’s young master bother to show himself in Tiantang City in these past few years? Let Marquis Yun handle this himself.”

Sir Wang had thought about it and wanted to comment that this incident was a passing strange, but looking at the old marshal’s exhausted state, he kept his opinions to himself and left.

After today, he would not be taking note of these small matters anymore – a wealthy popinjay of Tiantang City and a wealthy popinjay of the Ximen family… how much trouble could they possibly get into?

…

Heavy breathing could be heard from the room on the east side of the residence. It was the injured man controlling his breathing and flow of his mystical Qi in an attempt to heal himself.

Yun Yang was not at all surprised by this and remained unmoved.

Another door opened and Lao Mei walked out with a spring in his step.

“Have you managed to break through?”

“Not just yet. But that half a step has already been taken.” Lao Mei was thrilled, “I shall be able to move forward within half a month! I would like to accumulate more practice so when I advance I could push myself forward a bit further.”

Yun Yang nodded.

Pushing through the bottleneck was only half the battle; once the feeling was there, the breakthrough would not be difficult. The crucial part was to prepare for the accelerated improvement in cultivation base once the breakthrough had been achieved.

This particular accelerated improvement would have to depend on accumulated practice as Yun Yang no longer had any spiritual medicine that could strengthen one’s foundation and increase one’s energy; allowing him to improve by leaps and bounds.

“Young master, the injured man… does not look like he will be a simple problem,” Lao Mei spoke in a deliberately lowered voice.

“He isn’t.” Yun Yang nodded in agreement.

“Young master, are you looking to form… an alliance?” Lao Mei probed, “Or do you wish to… subdue him?”

Yun Yang smiled coldly. “This alliance that you hint at will never be forged.”

Lao Mei was puzzled by this. “I beg your pardon?”

Yun Yang shook his head. This man had put his life on the line and risked everything to acquire four ninth level mystical beast babies, but they were now in Yun Yang’s possession. How could he possibly be willing to form an alliance in good faith? When the man recovered his ability, he would most probably exact his revenge and forcibly attempt to make away with his treasures.

“I only wish to rein him in for my disposal.” Yun Yang was brutally honest in his speech, “I am lacking in manpower right now.”

Lao Mei then asked, “What would happen if he refuses to submit to you?”

Yun Yang looked at Lao Mei, his eyes crinkling with mirth as he spoke slowly, “What do you think?”

Lao Mei could only feel the faint tingle of fear all over his body as if a snowy breeze blew straight through him, the chill settling straight into his bones.

“If young master wishes to subdue him...” Lao Mei suggested, “Now would be the best time, as he is grievously injured, and incapacitated.”

Yun Yang shook his head, speaking confidently, “This tactic is inappropriate against such an expert. I will need a more intricate method.”

Yun Yang chuckled inwardly, “An expert who could venture in and out of the mystical beast forest alone, an expert who could fight and perhaps overcome a ninth level mystical beast… how would it possible to have him submit with this petty favor?”

“A more intricate plot?” Lao Mei was confused.

Yun Yang grinned, “The idea of servitude as a reward for saving a life… Lao Mei, such stories would only exist in myths. Let us take you as an example. You were near death from sustaining heavy injuries and someone has saved you. Would you agree to be a slave at his house as a form of reward?”

“Therefore, a myth is but a myth and a story is but a story. We shouldn’t be so naïve as to believe in such things.”

Yun Yang’s expression conveyed a myriad of meanings as he smiled.



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Chapter 22: To Parry and Subdue the Fealty Jade Sword

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor:
Lao Mei scratched irritably at his head, his face filled with awkwardness.

His young master who had barely seen the passing of nineteen summers had just called him, an aged man, naive! It was preposterous and laughable.

Nonetheless, Lao Mei could clearly feel it; if he were to compare himself to his young master, he did seem to lack wisdom and knowledge of the world’s workings. He had not noticed it in his earlier years. He was aware that his young master was mysterious at times and worked hard at keeping his martial arts skills concealed. Whenever they were together, Yun Yang somehow always managed to look idle and indolent. His master would frequently vanish as well, his disappearances lasting for months on end.

However, since he had returned home a year ago, he had never left again.

Lao Mei’s instincts as a martial artist were sufficiently sensitive to inform him that his young master had borne serious injuries, and had lost his cultivation base as well. Those wounds were grievous enough to threaten his life, yet his young master didn’t seem to mind them at all.

Even now, he still appeared to be listless and lethargic. It was only during the late hours of the night that Lao Mei could see his young master sitting alone from afar, and catch sight of the despair and loneliness he carried within him, reflected in the desolate glow of his eyes. He knew then that the young master carried the burden of secrecy in his heart. Lao Mei did not dare to ask about it; even if he did, he was certain that he would glean nothing from his young master.

Despite all appearances, a mighty force seemed to swirl around Yun Yang, and it had been gathering force. It was a raging, murderous aura that would set the world ablaze, and of late, it had only gotten stronger.

In a sudden flash of comprehension, Lao Mei saw that his young master’s prescience had been accurate beyond his wildest imaginations. It seemed that there was nothing that he did not foresee, and no dilemma he could not solve, just like a game of chess.

A chess player who was able to predict the next three or four turns would be considered a formidable opponent, but his young master was able to see an additional dozen steps ahead, and that too wasn’t sufficient for him. In the year that had passed since his master had returned, there were many underlying motives behind his actions, but Lao Mei was unable to decipher any of them.

Young master says that I’m naïve… Perhaps, I really am?

I wonder what sort of ploy would my young master use to compel this man, now lying injured in the east side room?

…

“These five cats…” Lao Mei looked at the five snowy kittens trailing behind Yu Yang and coughed as his hand reached for his beard.

He had taken only a day off and the residence had turned into a zoo overnight.

“Just consider them as… Lightning Cats.” Yun Yang said, “They’re rather adorable.”

“Adorable…” The word seemed odd coming from the young master whom he had deemed ‘scheming’ in his heart; Lao Mei suddenly felt that his perspective and views on life, values, and the world had turned upside down. The Thousand Illusion Monkey was sitting on Yun Yang’s shoulder. The little simian had been practically glued to him for the past few days but had grown a little less lively as well.

Furthermore, as long as the four kittens were below him, the Thousand Illusion Monkey refused to get down from its perch. Its eyes were alert; if it were not for the monkey’s reluctance to leave Yun Yang, it would have run away ages ago.

The friction arising from the level difference. Even though it was only a single level, it had made the Thousand Illusion Monkey feel threatened, a fact that escaped the attention of everyone present.

Yun Yang had examined the four Eclipse Panthers, one of them was already in the fourth level while another two were in the third level; the weakest one had also managed to achieve the second level.

These little felines were clearly Blood Masked. It was the greatest act of love a high-level mystical beast could perform for its offspring – using its blood to obscure their true nature, making them appear to be weak, insignificant mystical beasts in the eyes of others. It was a mechanism that would guarantee their safety, and ensure that no harm came to them before they had achieved maturity.

However, Blood Mask could only be cast by ninth level mystical beasts – Yun Yang was certain of this. In this aspect, he was of a similar mindset with the parents of the brood, both reluctant to remove the Blood Mask. Once the Blood Mask had dissipated, it would be obvious to anyone with eyes that there were four ninth level mystical beast infants railing behind Yun Yang like lost ducklings. With his abilities still pathetically absent, he wasn’t sure if he could even survive out there for two hours.

“For your own longevity, you fellows can continue to be cats.” Yun Yang stroked the four Eclipse Panthers’ heads, four tiny pink tongues flicking out to chase after his palm.

The real Lightning Cat mewled anxiously as it had not fully recovered and could only curl up on its side, unable to catch Yun Yang’s attention.

Yun Yang chuckled, “Right, there’s still one more here.” He stroked the Lightning Cat’s head as well, the kitten purring in contentment as it showed its snow-white belly. As usual, flows of the air of vitality permeated the air; the ground was soon filled with snow-white balls rolling around in joy. The Thousand Illusion Monkey made impatient noises on his shoulder; Yun Yang could only direct another flow over to it, stopping quickly when he realized the pitiful amount left of his Endless Divine spiritual Qi. Despite the minute amount, the Thousand Illusion Monkey was content. It hopped off his shoulder and fled towards Ji Ling’s room.

Yun Yang suddenly felt a sharp gaze train on him. As he turned, he saw a head popping up at the window of the east side room; a pair of eyes staring daggers in his direction.

Yun Yang laughed and turned to begin his walk to the injured man.

…

The man had already sat up and was leaning against the bed. He forced a smile when he saw Yun yang entering the room.

Yun Yang observed that the man’s hair was not as messy as it was yesterday when he was still unconscious. He had obviously tidied it up. Even though it was just a simple smoothing down of stray strands, it was apparent that this man took care of his appearance. Yun Yang also realized that his hands were impeccably clean. For someone who had just woken up from such serious injuries, there was not even a speck of dirt between his nails.

“Could you… help me wipe my face?” It was the first words the man had uttered after he smiled at Yun Yang upon their first meeting. “Cold water will suffice.”

Yun Yang nodded, “Certainly.”

He went out to bring in a basin of cold water and soaked a towel before wringing it and placing it on the man’s face. When the moisture had almost evaporated, he took it off and dipped the towel in the water once more before placing it on his face again. After five cycles of this did Yun Yang use a corner of the towel to wipe his face. The man remained calm throughout the entire process.

“You are very young.” He said quietly, “Yet, you know how to administer to people. I hear the man calling you young master, which means you are not one accustomed to taking care of others, and still you appear to be extremely comfortable with it.”

“This is Tiantang City. This is a large residence but there aren’t many people, I don’t see any maids or guards around. I heard a female voice addressing you as Yun Yang.”

This man continued, “Would you be the young master of Tiantang City’s Marquis Yun? Yun Yang? As a young master of a marquis, how would you know how to take care of somebody?” the man asked.

Yun Yang continued to wipe his face for him as he spoke lightly, “You, on the other hand, are not young. Although you’ve been badly injured and lay near death, you only look to be about forty years old but I place your real age at eighty or higher. In the mortal realm, an eighty-year-old man would be considered aged. By looking at your cultivation base, however, you are definitely in your prime. It is not often that an ordinary mortal exhibits such curiosity.”

“Moreover, you emphasize cleanliness and put stock in your appearance. Even if you die, you’d want to depart in a clean state. People like you are few and far in between.”

“You took the greatest care of your hands,” Yun Yang wrung the towel and continued, “Even though you’ve been comatose for a long time and your nails have grown their natural course, they are still very neat. It seems that you’ve paid them the most attention, seeing as to how you trim them regularly...”

“The inner side of your right thumb and the inner side of your left index finger are both softer than the other parts of your hands. Under normal circumstances, this is where force will usually be exerted. If you were a martial artist, regardless of whether you were practicing with a sword or saber, it will be callused; but yours is not. It isn’t even because it has never been callused but due to the overall cleansing of spirit and meridians upon reaching a certain level of cultivation. The blood and bones of the weakest parts were healed first, that’s why it is much softer.”

“Your left index finger and middle finger show no traces of using force, it’s obvious that your left hand is used to make sword incantation gestures; you’ve never practiced any other form of martial arts or else there would definitely be signs of them.”

“You are an individual of power, used to dealing with people of a higher position. Your words are sharp as you speak them.”

“You are, therefore, a swordsman.”

“Your left shoulder has the look of being perpetually raised, and the back of it has the impression of being pressed on for years, so your sword is not worn on the hip but always carried on your left shoulder. This position must be the optimal position for you to unsheathe your sword.”

“You have turned half of the cultivated mystical Qi in your body into sword Qi.” Yun Yang continued, “So you are nothing else other than your sword.”

“Your gaze is sharp, a habit picked up from constantly staring at the point of a sword – staring at the point of your sword when you practice, to be exact. Thus, even if you’re not using a sword or holding one in your hands, you still exude an intimidating aura, grievously critical injuries notwithstanding. Your eyes are clear and impartial, it goes to show that you are not a despicable man who would do anything to get what he wants.”

“You do not have your sword on your person, and the part between your right thumb and index finger is badly torn with broken bones. I would hazard a guess that your sword has been broken as well. No sword and you refuse to reveal your identity, of which I am unable to accurately derive.”

“You use a sword and have never practiced other forms of martial arts; you carry a sword yet how you unsheathe and apply it is unusual. You are impartial, you don’t rob or steal. You pay attention to cleanliness and appearance; you live within your means. You are a proponent in the martial arts world, yet you don’t belong to any nation; you don’t appear to be an assassin, but your abilities are simply astounding.” Yun Yang thought and said, “From the little knowledge I possess, there are three people who are like you.”

The man appeared to be pleasantly astonished he asked, “Which three?”

“One of them is already deceased.” Yun Yang replied, “If you were he, I would have recognized you even if you had turned into ashes; the other is a legend, a peak expert. Experts like that would not even have gotten himself injured as you did.”

“You, on the other hand, hobnob with mystical beasts.”

“That leaves only one identity that fits you.” Yun Yang smiled, “Do I have the pleasure of addressing the renowned mystical beast hunter, Fealty Jade Sword Fang Mofei, otherwise known as Old Sir Fang?”

The man on bed stared wildly in disbelief, looking at Yun Yang as if he had seen a ghost. He had always thought himself a nondescript man. Being a solitary individual, he had always come and gone on his own terms, had few acquaintances, and always felt that not many people would be able to recognize him.

Yet somehow this youth who sat in front of him and whom he had never met, had easily determined his identity purely through observation. Even though he had been unable to reshape his visage as a result of his severe injuries, he was certain that the youth had not examined him prior to this, and had made a spontaneous decision to observe and analyze even as he spoke. Although the contents of his speech were unorganized and repetitive at some points, he was ultimately correct in his assessment.

This was simply incredible. Fang Mofei never knew that he carried upon himself so many telling signs! He did know, however, that the youth had only spoken at length because Fang Mofei had deduced his identity first; it was a deliberate parry to an initial sword thrust.

Fang Mofei had intended to browbeat this seemingly inexperienced young man with his over and complex deductive prowess in unmasking his identity. He had hoped to build a position of superiority through his craftiness, and ensure that he could continue to stay here and heal his wounds.

Not only had he failed miserably in his efforts, the latter had retaliated and completely subdued him!



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Chapter 23: The Four Noble Young Masters

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor:
Fang Mofei stared wide-eyed, and his breathing became increasingly labored. The shock was just too much for the man who had just been recently injured. Before he knew it, he had collapsed in a dead faint, Yun Yang’s laughter ringing in his ears.

“Why do people always feel that they need to gain the upper hand in every situation?” Yun Yang murmured to himself. Fang Mofei had attempted to intimidate him by using his native intelligence to deduce Yun Yang’s identity, even as he was confined to his sickbed. Yun Yang had turned the tables on him instead, using his superior powers of observation to gain the upper hand.

Ji Ling had finally brought the Silvermoon Celestial Wolf out of her room and into the courtyard. The small, lupine figure with a snow-white coat padded behind her merrily, attesting to the reliance it already placed on her.

“These children from the influential families certainly have a way about them,” Yun Yang looked out from the window and marveled. “A single night of effort and the notoriously rebellious and highly unapproachable Silvermoon Celestial Wolf has already developed a sense of kinship with her.”

“Yun Yang!” Ji Ling howled from the courtyard, “What is the matter with your kittens?”

Yun Yang peered out into the yard and saw that the timid Silvermoon Celestial Wolf had come to a complete halt, refusing to budge upon seeing the four Eclipse Panthers were lying peacefully on their sides. The corners of his mouth curling up in amusement, Yun Yang went out to them. Looking at Ji Ling, who had regained some semblance of her former self, his smile grew broader; he could sense the difference, a vague sense of distance, from the shift in her attitude.

They were indeed from two very different worlds.

Yun Yang smiled inwardly, but kept a straight face as he wandered over and asked, “What is it?”

“Why does my wolf not dare to go over?” Ji Ling asked.

“Wolves are pack animals; they have been conditioned to move about in a large group. This little one is young and without companions; it hasn’t even been through a battle and it now has to face five cats all at once. They are so similar in size, I’d be surprised if it actually dared to advance,” Yun Yang rolled his eyes.

“If that is the case, could you just share how exactly do you plan for me to obtain victory?” Ji Ling asked in consternation.

“I shall keep it as a secret, for now.” Yun Yang said lazily, “I can guarantee that you will win, and I only ask that you keep your word at the end of it.”

Ji Ling rolled her eyes in exasperation as well, “What a petty man you are! Of course, I’ll fulfill my end of the bargain!”

Yun Yang looked at the young Silvermoon Celestial Wolf and squatted down whilst waving his hands, “Hey little fellow, come over here.”

“Good try, but it won’t be that easy.” Ji Ling laughed. “I’ve spent so much effort yesterday…”

Before she could finish her chiding, the tiny Silvermoon Celestial Wolf stood up and wagged its tail like a puppy, before it shot towards Yun Yang, straight as an arrow, yowling in eagerness the entire way.

Ji Ling’s jaw dropped in disbelief.

How frustrating!

In an attempt to get the baby wolf used to her presence, she had resorted to using her treasured spiritual medicine.

This guy is great! Just a crook of his little finger and this tiny fellow here runs over, as joyous as if seeing its own mother.

There is no longer any logic left in this world.

Yun Yang scooped up the Silvermoon Celestial Wolf and patted its back with his right hand. Suddenly, he flipped the tiny body over, and held only onto its front left paw, leaving the rest of the torso dangling in mid-air. As it hung there, Yun Yang gave it a vigorous shake.

“What in the world are you doing?” Ji Ling screamed and gathered up her dress, ready to charge over to this callous man.

How could you treat such a tiny creature like this? If you didn’t know your strength, you’d end up killing it!

Oddly enough, the young Silvermoon Celestial Wolf was howling in delight, its tail wagging feverishly even if it was held with just one paw. Yun Yang then tossed it like an embroidered ball straight up into the air. With a quick flick of his right hand, he caught the wolf’s right front paw and swung it around.

Ji Ling was paralyzed by fear at the sight she saw in front of her eyes.

The wolf then flew into the air once more, this time hurled by its left hind paw followed by its right hind paw, and finally by the skin on its neck.

Ji Ling was nearly beside herself with hysteria. This is a wolf, not a cat! What are you trying to achieve, grabbing it by its neck? She was almost certain that she could hear fragile bones cracking in the tiny cub’s body.

“My baby wolf!” Ji Ling’s eyes were rimmed red in distress.

Finally, she looked on as Yun Yang tossed the cub into the air again, where he actually grabbed onto its tail and twirled it about. Instead of crying out in pain, the wolf actually howled in excitement and danced enthusiastically with all four paws waving about.

Impossible!

“Yun Yang!” Ji Ling could not hold it in any longer. “Is my cub now part of your circus juggling act?”

Yun Yang turned around and smiled a genuinely delighted smile, “Don’t you see that this little fellow is almost frantic with joy?”

As much as she would have liked to refute that claim, Ji Ling had no reasonable response to his question. Instead, she remained sullenly silent.

“Alright.” Yun Yang said, “All I ask is that you leave your baby in my care for two days. You can then bring it to the tournament, and if you can’t win it, I’ll do whatever you want me to do. Of course, if you do win, you will have to adhere to your promises, as we agreed earlier.”

Ji Ling could not help but sigh, “Again, the conditions. Must you always speak of them?”

Yun Yang replied with a grin, “One always has to be practical.”

Ji Ling was immersed in her own ruminations as she brought her Thousand Illusion Monkey back to her room. Yun Yang, having gained momentary ownership of the baby wolf, carried it back to his own room with a grin. He patted the cub’s head and said, “I can tell that you understand what I am saying. If you win the tournament for your owner, I’ll lift you the same way I did earlier, as your reward. Understood?”

The cub gazed at Yun Yang with its shiny eyes, its tail wagging furiously.

“Do you understand?”

Yun Yang’s face darkened as he seized the back of the cub’s neck and lifted it like a rag doll. “Do you understand? If you win, I’ll lift you up again. Agreed?”

The cub’s sparkling eyes blinked twice before it suddenly lifted its front paws, its hind legs following closely behind. It then turned and pointed its rear end towards Yun Yang, tail standing tall. Its limbs and tail lowered down again and it hopped twice to indicate that it wanted to be lifted, to be shaken. Looking at Yun Yang, its dazzling eyes seemed to ask if it had shown the correct response to his demands.

“Yes, that is correct!” Yun Yang was simultaneously exasperated and elated.

“Wooo!” the cub howled in happiness in its yet unformed voice.

A bargain had been struck. Yun Yang heaved a sigh of relief; these mystical beasts were creatures of intelligence, and yet, the Silvermoon Celestial Wolf had managed to exceed Yun Yang’s wildest expectations. Staring into the little fellow’s distinctive pair of luminous eyes, he mumbled under his breath, “Could this be the direct offspring of the Wolf King? Certainly, this girl can’t be as fortunate as that!”

…

“May I ask if Young Master Yun is available?” a baritone voice hailed from beyond the gates.

Lao Mei immediately replied, “Who is it?”

The voice answered, “Please inform Young Master Yun Yang that Ximen Wandai from the Ximen family, Dongfang Mingtian from the Dongfang family, Nangong Bubai from the Nangong family, and Beiye Qingkong from the Beiye family, are here to pay him a visit.”

As he heard the names being spoken, Lao Mei’s expression took an increasingly worried cast.

Ximen Wandai, Dongfang Mingtian, Nangong Bubai, Beiye Qingkong.

East, South, West, and North.

By themselves, these four people would not have been the cause of much worry, as Lao Mei had never heard of them; but the weight of the bloodlines they represented was substantial. Arrayed in front of the Residence of Yun were members from four of the eight greatest families in the empire! The one who had taken up a wager against the young master was Ximen Wandai, and he was the young master of the Ximen family. It wouldn’t be too far-fetched to assume that Dongfang Mingtian, Nangong Bubai, and Beiye Qingkong were also young masters from the other three families. While it was possible that they were not direct descendants of these noble families, they were still part of an elite group of people, worthy of immediate attention.

Yun Yang waved his hands and his five kittens ran pell-mell into the eastside room obediently.

“Invite the four young masters in.” Yun Yang directed Lao Mei, “We shall have tea by the flower yard.” The flower yard was the pavilion under the flower canopy in Yun Yang’s courtyard. There the flowers had blossomed, their fragrances filling the air with the scent of serenity and peace.

Yun Yang spoke with refined elegance as he held the teapot with a single hand, “It is my honor to play host to four young masters today. This is spring tea, which I have just obtained this year. It grows only on the mountain’s snowy peaks and thrives in the coldest of blizzards. This is the shoot of the Evergreen Rattan; it has to be picked while still covered in frost, dried in the cold, dry air of the mountains, and baked under a chilly shade. After three cycles of steaming and drying, it is placed in an ice cave high in the mountains to absorb the spiritual energy that swirls in the frigid air, before being baked dry under extreme heat. This turns it into tea immediately and locks in the flavor. The tea cannot be kept for too long and has to be consumed within a month. If it were to be left out in the open, it would absorb the moisture in the air and be absolutely worthless in a day!”

The emerald tea poured out from the teapot was a vision of polished jade turned liquid, forming a crystal-clear amethyst surface; wisps of steam above the cup gave it a mysterious and ethereal look.

“This tea is called Snow Flurry of Cold Mountain.” Yun Yang smiled as he raised his teacup, “Please, drink up.”

As they sat silently, all four young masters were transported into the wondrous world of tea; Yun Yang, in his valediction, had made the story sound exciting and poetic all at the same time. Savoring the hot beverage, they could taste a myriad of flavors coiling about their tongues.

Ji Ling looked upon the scene from the window of her room in the west and sighed. Yun Yang, who held the lowest rank and status, acted more the part of a great lord than the four other young masters who sat together with him. His poise, demeanor, and composure outshone his compatriots, and would probably even put the direct descendants of the greatest families to shame! They would not possess an iota of the grandeur that Yun Yang now displayed and Ji Ling surmised that it had to be from the tranquility that resided deep within his bones.

“Young Master Yun does indeed possess an amazingly grandiose demeanor as well as a benign temperament.” Dongfang Mingtian gulped down his tea that of which he could not discern the flavor, and smiled lightly, “It is no wonder that Brother Ximen lost to you.”

A glimmer of resentment flashed across Ximen Wandai’s eyes, almost too quickly to be noticed, before he smiled lightly in response, “If it’s laid, it’s played. It is within Young Master Yun’s capacity to win. As such, I admit my defeat.”

Yun Yang smiled amicably, “Young Master Ximen is too polite. Fortune was on my side during our wager. Besides, I am immensely impressed by Young Master Ximen’s magnanimity and unrestrained nature. I have been longing to meet Young Master Ximen to form a companionship ever since that day.”

As he spoke, Ximen Wandai’s tensed face relaxed.

“Of course, I would also like to forge a friendship with the other three young masters here, alongside Young Master Ximen,” Yun Yang spoke earnestly and without guile.

The young masters still maintained a snobbish air, but the tense atmosphere had evaporated, and their animosity grew lesser with every word that Yun Yang said. Perhaps only Ji Ling, who was eavesdropping by the window, could truly understand the implied meaning of Yun Yang’s words amongst these people, “I wish to be friends with all of you, which allows me to swindle you even more easily!” Looking at Yun Yang’s artfully earnest face and the young masters who were obviously entranced by this charming man, Ji Ling almost laughed out loud.

She grew increasingly certain that these young masters from great families could not hold a candle to an ordinary marquis’ son! These elites, who had received extensive education in the ways of speech and culture since birth, could come nowhere near Yun Yang’s tranquil composure and cunning mind!

How odd indeed!



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Chapter 24: I Have Never Seen One Either

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor:
In Ji Ling’s extensive memory, there were only a few individuals who could have come close to Yun Yang’s collected manner - and these were the very ancestors of her own family. They had been seniors who had suffered through the vicissitudes of life, endowed with a wealth of knowledge and served as the fount of wisdom for their honorable families. She knew full well what these paragons had to go through to attain such an esteemed stature; risking their lives in countless battles, witnessing an unending stream of births and deaths, suffering immeasurable heartaches and surviving an innumerable count of hopeless situations. It was only through these tribulations that they could become who they were, men and women unimpressed by authority that possessed of incredible foresight. They were always unruffled, a deep pool of clear water that would not be perturbed in any circumstance.

How had Yun Yang achieved all these when he was just nineteen years old? Ji Ling was truly curious about this young man who was wise beyond his years, with an impeccable demeanor and flawless mannerisms. Nobody could fault him on the way he carried himself, bold with a graceful flair. All said and done, Yun Yang was a man with many secrets.

“… we are here today, firstly to witness for ourselves Young Master Yun’s grace.” Their pleasantries had finally given way to the real meat of the conversation. Beiye Qingkong was the first to speak, “Secondly, it was to sate our curiosity. The astonishing wager of the ninth class mystical beast offspring placed by Young Master Yun has indeed astounded the world at large.”

He seemed to be abashed as he rubbed his hands together, “Truthfully, it is a tad embarrassing to admit this. While we come from great, influential families, we have never seen the young of a ninth level mystical beast with our own eyes.”

His words garnered the agreement of the other three young masters as they nodded furiously in unison.

“Yes, I have never seen it.”

“A ninth level mystical beast has always been shrouded in mystery, I had always hoped to be able to catch a glimpse of one…”

“Sigh, my losses the other day can all be attributed to my greed for this being… How could I not come to see it for myself?”

Ximen Wandai was the last to speak, his sigh laced with helplessness. Given a choice, he had initially planned to make this journey alone but the three other young masters, upon hearing his intent, had clung onto him like tenacious leeches. They refused to let Ximen Wandai experience the wonder of seeing the exquisite beast all by himself. If it were not for these troublemakers, Ximen Wandai would have wound up at the Residence of Yun on the very same afternoon of the day he had lost the bet. The young masters were all smiles but the tension in the air had obviously thickened.

Ji Ling, who was by the window, too held her breath, unsure of how Yun Yang would figure his way out of this one. These young masters might be amicable now, but the moment Yun Yang failed to produce the ninth level mystical beast’s offspring, the entire Residence of Yun might very well be razed down to the ground.There would be no exceptions as these people were here to hold him accountable. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that, they were here to divide the bounty!

Whether Yun Yang was able to produce the ninth level mystical beast’s offspring or not, it would be the end of him either way. The moment he brought it forth, the four young masters would certainly covet it. Regardless of who would ultimately end up possessing it, Yun Yang would certainly not be left alive as the original owner! The conviviality of these people now was simply the calm before the storm.

“A ninth level mystical beast baby…” Yun Yang smiled, “It is something wondrous indeed. I do not doubt that the four young masters have never seen it. But then again, never have I..”

As his words tumbled out into the open, the atmosphere in the courtyard grew silent with a sudden chill. Collectively, all four of the young masters’ expressions darkened instantaneously.

You have never seen it?

Ximen Wandai’s face had turned an odd shade of maroon as he gazed menacingly at Yun Yang. Taking a deep breath, he spoke with an eerie calm, “Perhaps I have misheard what Young Master Yun has just said. If Young Master Yun has never seen a ninth level mystical beast offspring, then just what exactly was it that was offered to me as a stake in our wager?”

The other three young masters stared at Yun Yang with wide, unblinking eyes.

“If I had lost the wager, I would naturally have been able to keep my end of the bargain.” Yun Yang was nonchalant, his tone taking on a defensive edge, ”But since I’ve won, that’s all water under the bridge.”

Ximen Wandai could feel his fury rushing up to his head, “If you’ve never seen it, it means you don’t have it. What then was your bet based on?”

Yun Yang smiled, “It was based on a few premises, the first of which was that I was certain I could win. As long as I win, everything would be fine. Second… Young Master Ximen, who was it that told you not seeing means not possessing?” His words confused everyone, as they were meant to.

If he had never seen it, did he or did he not have it?

Dongfang Mingtian’s expression transformed at once, his icy smile replaced by a warm beam as he spoke, “Could it be that Brother Yun has another explanation? I would really love to hear it.”

Yun Yang smiled faintly, lifting the teapot to serve everyone the hot beverage even as he spoke, “Truth be told, I need not explain this. If it were anyone else I had challenged, that’d be the end of it; there would be no long-lasting consequences. However, since you young masters have all paid me a visit… it’d only mean trouble for me if I failed to explain. It would be proper of me to speak further.”

Ximen Wandai’s face was still the same crimson maroon as he said, “I can admit my defeat but I loathe being cheated.”

“To say that you were cheated is an exaggeration.” Yun Yang spoke with a straight face, “If Young Master Ximen had won and I could not hand the ninth level mystical beast baby over, that would be cheating. When I last checked, however, Young Master Ximen had not won.”

“Hmm, this isn’t important actually.” Yun Yang continued, “Please, do drink your tea. To gamble, one must have the capital to back up his wager; if one did not, that would be cheating. I suppose Young Master Ximen’s thoughts are also along this line?.”

All the young masters were thinking, “Who would have come all the way here if not for this?… Are you speaking rubbish?”

“I really have never seen the offspring of a ninth level mystical beast.” Yun Yang was assertive, “It is true, from when I was young until the present, I have never laid eyes on one.”

Boom!

The fuse was lit once again.

You speak of a lot of things, but, you still have never f*cking seen it…

“However,” Yun Yang’s emphasized, “I have an egg of a ninth level advanced mystical beast that is about to hatch.”

“Uh…” Ximen Wandai felt horrible, like his full-force swing had punched nothing but air.

“Where then is this mystical beast egg?” Nangong Bubai asked with squinted eyes. Yun Yang smiled and shot him a quick glance. The four young masters understood well in their heart nobody would be willing to respond freely to such a question;

“It wouldn’t mean that Young Master Yun is merely trying to tell us that doesn’t have one, would it?” Beiye Qingkong asked in an odd voice.

“Young Master Beiye, you do not need to provoke me. I’ll speak what I have to.” Yun Yang smiled, “Simply put, I do not wish for any conflict with your noble and influential families; or should I say, I do not wish to hand to these young masters the instruments of their own deaths.”

“Instruments for our deaths?” Ximen Wandai smirked, “Isn’t that a bit absurd, Young Master Yun?”

Yun Yang looked at Ximen Wandai meaningfully, “Would Young Master Ximen be willing to bet with me again?” His gaze was disdainful, hints of condescendence and provocation apparent when facing these four great young masters.

“Uh…”

Ximen Wandai’s face paled. Another bet? If he lost this wager again, he would have no means to survive.

Dongfang Mingtian played the intermediary as he laughed, “We would all become gamblers if we go on like this. Brother Yun, as we have traveled all the way here, please don’t leave us guessing.. We intend to forge a friendship with Brother Yun; it wouldn’t be beneficial for either of us if we got off on the wrong foot.”

Internally, he was thinking, “Is he threatening us? Where does his confidence come from?”

Yun Yang’s smile was full of meaning as he said, “That is correct. It would not be advantageous for anyone if we have any conflicts.”

“Admittedly, I was indeed rash about the ninth level mystical beast offspring.” Yun Yang spoke casually, “I instantly felt regret the moment the words left my mouth and I fully intended to call off the bet with Brother Ximen right on the spot… If it wasn’t for the slip of my tongue, this would have passed and there wouldn’t have been as much commotion afterward.”

Everyone’s gaze had then fallen upon Ximen Wandai, whose face flushed red. He had been the one to insist on continuing with the wager, turning hysterical over the mention of a ninth level mystical beast baby.

“This relates to a secret of the Yun Family.” Yun Yang said, “I am not allowed to say much, but this ninth level mystical beast egg… is a Golden Pinion Bird’s egg.”

A Golden Pinion Bird’s egg!

All four young master’s breaths quickened harshly.

Legend has it that one of the strongest legendary beasts of heaven and earth was the Garuda. It was magical and could wreak havoc across both the planes. Of course, the Garuda had only existed in old myths and legends as nobody had ever seen it before. This Golden Pinion Bird was naturally not the Garuda itself, but an advanced mystical beast that had sprung from the weakest lineage of the legendary beast. Once fully grown, it would undoubtedly become a ninth level advanced mystical beast!

What made it even more priceless was that it could fly!

“My master had always wanted to find a more powerful mystical beast offspring for me; firstly to keep me company as I grew up, and secondly so that I could protect myself when he was gone for good…” Yun Yang spoke slowly and admiringly, his expression was one of utter devotion.

“Your master?” Dongfang Mingtian finally caught onto the main point.

“May I ask who is Brother Yun’s master?” Dongfang Mingtian questioned with barely veiled interest.

Yun Yang kept quiet for a moment before his hand went into his robe and removed a small, wooden plaque, placing it gently on the table. Everyone’s gaze followed his slight movements. The wooden plaque was black all over but as they continued to look, it seemed to glow faintly. Upon further scrutiny, the glow seemed to glimmer like stars in the night sky. It was akin to the constellations of yore that glimmered with endless radiance, eons away.

“Stellar Wood of Onyx?” Dongfang Mingtian shuddered in reverence.

“That is correct, it is the Stellar Wood of Onyx, or more commonly known as… the Infernal Stellar.”

Yun Yang’s tone was deliberately indifferent, “My master’s writings were carved on this. Please keep it in your heart when you look upon them. I have no choice but to reveal this plaque today, and this act alone would be an utter humiliation to my school! If news were to spread, my master would definitely be angered!”

All four great young masters felt the obvious threat within Yun Yang’s words, and an indescribable tension fell on their shoulders. This small black wooden plaque was filled with greatness and grandeur, and seemed to be far heavier than thousands of catties.

Since Yun Yang had brandished this small wooden plaque, there was no longer doubt in the hearts of Dongfang Mingtian and his cohorts. The Stellar Wood of Onyx was a treasured gem in the known world. What rendered it so impossibly invaluable was that there had only been one of it in this world for the past thousand years.

Furthermore, there had been only one person who was known to have possessed this ancient talisman. No hand other than his could have held the Stellar Wood of Onyx! Its appearance signaled the presence of that vaunted personage. As the wooden plaque was turned slowly, four rows of words on its back struck the four young masters’ eyes like lightning; at that moment, all four pairs of their pupils actually contracted and their delicate faces grew pale.

“Long since have I been a guest of heaven; half a step to ethereality; by virtue of a soulmate, I was halted a step before the clouds.”

There were only these four lines, with nothing else to prove its identity. Four lines, however, were sufficient to demonstrate its extraordinary character, one which even the eight greatest families in the Tianxuan Continent were unable to offend. It was the singularly unparalleled mythical figure of his time.

He was a legend who could already decimate the void and soar through levels five hundred years ago; the first and only one to attain the godly rank of his times, the unprecedented hero who triumphed in the Tianxuan Continent for over three hundred years.

Dugu Chou!



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Chapter 25: It Has Already Begun

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor:
It was said that Dugu Chou had been a paramount in the realm then, and no one in the known world could have deigned to challenge him. However, just as he was about to ascend into immortality, he came upon his soulmate and was subsequently caught in the snare of love. Unfortunately, his soulmate was innately weak and was unable to practice cultivation. Dugu Chou renounced his opportunity to obtain life everlasting, and instead, stayed by his lover’s side for a decade, taking great care of her before she passed on from the world. The ensuing heartbreak and despondency drove him to self-imposed seclusion; he lived right by the side of his late spouse’s grave. The one and only Stellar Wood of Onyx could be found there, standing like a shade over the tomb and his mean hut.

“Long since have I been a guest of heaven; half a step to ethereality; by virtue of a soulmate, I was halted a step before the clouds.”

Those were the final words that marked the loss of a legend.

No one had laid eyes on Dugu Chou ever since.

In the wake of his disappearance, the legends that had always been his legacy grew increasingly large and vast. These tales became so incredible with each telling that none of the countless experts of mythical standards that sprung up in the Tianxuan Continent could even begin to rival his acclaim. The titles of Unrivaled Expert, Unrivaled Swordsman and so on would be held by a string of people that came and went every few years, but no being dared to challenge the honorific of ‘Unrivaled in the World’. In a realm where a contest of martial arts would easily forge heroes, his name still remained uncontestable to this day.

Staring at the plaque, the four young masters were awestruck as they recalled the name and legend associated with it. They each felt a faint buzzing in their heads as they stared at Yun Yang, eyes almost comically wide with shock. According to the legends, the Stellar Wood of Onyx plaque was a representation of Dugu Chou’s identity. Only one of it existed in this world, and here it was, sitting in their hands.

Dongfang Mingtian felt his palms tingle as if they were being scalded by red-hot steel before he quickly put the wooden plaque down, a sickly smile on his face. The other young masters’ laughter, too, had a strained quality to it.

“Brother Yun… You and Senior Dugu?”

Yun Yang sighed, his expression remorseful as if experiencing a remembered pain, “I was given this plaque as a gift by master upon our first meeting. It shames me to admit that I was found wanting when it came to the art of learning and had to depend on my master’s name to stay alive. I was embarrassed to face him…”

The thoughts of all four young masters were equally muddled and haphazard.

Why are we here today? It certainly wasn’t to make new friends.

How did Dugu Chou come into the picture?How do we proceed from here?

This ninth level mystical beast baby… what do we do about it?

Dongfang Mingtian took a deep breath, his face frozen as he plastered on a smile, “Now, this is certainly a surprise. Who would have guessed that you had such an, ahem, exalted master, Brother Yun?”

Ximen Wandai suddenly frowned in realization as he began to gather his wits about him, “Hold on, if your discipleship was under such an esteemed master, why is your cultivation base in such a state?”

These were young masters of influential and honorable families. Having seen and experienced many sights, they could clearly recognize that Yun Yang was highly talented, but his cultivation base was a ragged mess! He was, in all likelihood, lower than half a peak now, hardly better than an expert of the fifth or sixth peak. His non-existent abilities was an extremely peculiar situation to ponder upon.

Yun Yang chuckled merrily as he said, “Perhaps the main question that troubles you is not so much about this, but rather, why did my master accept me as a disciple in the first place? I believe that you would be highly skeptical about this fact.”

The four young masters shook their heads in unison, like a rattle drum, “No, no, not at all.”

Indeed.

Yun Yang smiled and said, “You could say that my physique is unsuitable to practice cultivation.” Under four pairs of stunned gazes, Yun Yang continued to explain in an offhand manner, “My master’s late beloved and I share the same physique!”

“Oh!”

All four men exhaled a loud breath of comprehension; they finally understood why an illustrious legend would reach into the gutter and accept this highly inadequate man as his disciple. It was a labor of love, and after all, one would be hard-pressed to find reason or logic for obsessions of the heart.

“Although I too am a gifted person of innately awakened chakras, my meridians were a mess and could not be cultivated, so…” Yun Yang sighed dejectedly, “My master uprooted my meridians. They have started to grow again, but I am uncertain how it will all turn out. He has also taken my safety into consideration, which was the reason why he traversed the world in search of a ninth level mystical beast baby. News finally came three months ago that he finally discovered one.”

Yun Yang raised his head to look straight at Ximen Wandai, “That was why I dared take on the wager! I was also reluctant to continue with the wager and had decided to withdraw from it. Young Master Ximen, have I quelled all your doubts now?”

“Yes, yes,” Ximen Wandai answered shamefacedly. With Yun Yang’s elaborate explanation, their cynicism had dissipated and they looked upon him in an entirely new light. This young master was indeed a fortunate soul, to be the disciple of an unparalleled master despite being utterly incompetent. He had only been taken in due to his inner demons; sharing the same nature of meridians as his master’s madam. In other words, he was but his master’s experiment, to the extent that his meridians had been destroyed to see if they could be regrown.

In a nutshell, Yun Yang was both highly fortunate and sadly hapless. The young masters were already passing judgments in their hearts. They had established that Yun Yang had spoken the truth and that Dugu Chou was indeed his master. This Stellar Wood of Onyx would never have been placed in his hands as Dugu Chou had been the only one in the world who could lay claim to it. Furthermore, this Stellar Wood of Onyx was grown at his late wife’s grave; Dugu Chou had always treasured it and would never have agreed to give it away willingly even if the emperor of an empire or the supreme master of the martial arts world had demanded it.

By association, the ninth level mystical beast Golden Pinion Bird’s egg would also be true. They could not think of anyone in this world, other than Dugu Chou, who could match the speed of the Golden Pinion Bird, let alone kill it and obtain its egg.

Putting together these thoughts with the disordered look Yun Yang had on that day where he went from being provoked to regretfully offering to withdraw his wager, the four great young masters were even more convinced of the story’s truth.

If I had been the one whose tongue had slipped… I’d definitely pull out from the wager as well!

…

This revelation, however, meant that their original plan to go against Yun Yang could no longer be used. These four great young masters immediately shifted gears to decide how they would be treating Yun Yang from then on. They would not be imposing, but would not grow too close to Yun Yang either. It was also impossible to put an end to him as well. Although Yun Yang’s master was phenomenally powerful, Yun Yang himself was obviously without potential.

Dongfang Mingtian thought, “Let’s leave it first. I can’t afford to offend him but I don’t have to be overly close to him either. I should wait until he actually obtains the ninth level mystical beast to see if it’s true; what if he’s been lying through his teeth? I would be the biggest joke in town if I pandered to him now, wouldn’t I?”

Ximen Wandai was thinking, “If his master were Dugu Chou, it is perfectly acceptable to have lost to him. However, it is impossible for me to forgive him and equally impossible to recover my losses from him now.” The more he thought about his losses, the more menacing his expression became. Young Master Ximen’s eyes flitted around, while his mind conjured up ideas that he kept hidden from his fellow cohorts.

Nangong Bubai was actually thinking, “It would be beneficial to me if a strong alliance could be forged; even if I can’t use Dugu Chou as a connection, I’ll settle for the identity of Dugu Chou’s disciple. Still, this Young Master Yun’s personality seems to jive with mine. I don’t see anything wrong in being sincere friends.”

In contrary, Beiye Qingkong thought, “If I could wait until the ninth level mystical beast offspring arrives before I terminate Yun Yang with no one the wiser, won’t the baby beast be mine then? The ninth level mystical beast baby would need at least a hundred years to grow anyway, I could just disappear and hide myself during this period. Dugu Chou is only human… how would he ever find out?”

While all four young masters had their own thoughts running through their heads, Yun Yang had surreptitiously kept the “Stellar Wood of Onyx” plaque. The moment it disappeared from view, it vanished without a trace, turning into a saber that was embroidered on the sleeve of Yun Yang’s robe.

Yun Yang had never been the disciple of Dugu Chou, so where could he possibly have obtained the alleged Stellar Wood of Onyx?

He hadn’t, of course. He had simply invoked the shape-shifting ability of the Destiny Saber and borrowed the name to protect himself momentarily. Yun Yang felt absolutely no guilt or shame in doing so; Dugu Chou would not have known anyway. In any case, what matter if he did?

I’ve never been bothered that the whole world is against me right now, what’s more, you alone, Dugu Chou?

…

After a round of pleasantries to bid their farewells and fix their next appointment, the four young masters went on their way, although Yun Yang had warmly welcomed them to stay on. They had stood tall and proud when they came, but they parted harmoniously on good terms and without fuss. They had wanted to wrestle the ninth level mystical beast offspring from Yun Yang with force and then tear down the Residence of Yun. Instead, they now faced a grave threat.

Dugu Chou!

Just thinking of the name had all four young masters feeling like spouting profanities. To think that our top eight greatest families are honorably unmatched, even though the four of us are not the legitimate successors of the families, the entire continent – even princes of the five empires, have to practice courtesy when they see us.

Caution, even.

Who knew we would encounter such a personage today?

Instantly, all four great young masters greatly resented whoever it was who had decided to organize the mystical beast tournament this year at Tiantang City. Couldn’t it have been done elsewhere? It just had to be held here.

You might as well use our prestige to sweep the floor now!

It’s really… f*cking unfortunate!

Watching the retreating silhouettes of the four young masters, Yun Yang eyes narrowed, thousands of thoughts running through his mind all at once.

First, I cause an uproar, then I impose a legend into your eager hearts. However, an uproar is still an uproar, and the burden of that turmoil lies solely in my hands.

From this day forth, I, Yun Yang, shall be in your hearts and minds.

This will suffice for now, and it seems that… it has already begun.

…

Hot on the heels of the four men who had just vacated the premises, Ji Ling emerged with the cub. Disbelief was written all over her wide, charming eyes that stared straight at Yun Yang as she asked, “You’re Senior Dugu’s disciple?”

Yun Yang stroked his chin and said, “Let’s make a deal. I will tell you, only if you reveal to me your true face.”

“Hmph!” Ji Ling’s head was raised. “It wouldn’t kill me not to know, actually.”

Alarm bells suddenly rang in Yun Yang’s mind. He had just successfully deluded the four masters and had temporarily evaded danger; his normally unflappable state of mind was slightly out of sorts. Had there been a teasing tone in his words just now? That would never do. He shook off the cobwebs in his mind and diverted the topic with a smile, “Your baby wolf is obedient now, isn’t it?”

Ji Ling’s attention was immediately distracted as she excitedly answered, “It is! How did you do it? I’m terribly glad the cub is so compliant now!”

As she spoke, she allowed the cub to waddle out and ordered it to perform tricks and impressions. She even commanded the cub to stay upright and walk on its two hind legs, and then suspend its hind legs in the air to walk on its two front legs.

Yun Yang felt slightly ill.

Even though the cub had such highly cooperative skills and an excellent foundation, the girl wasn’t even focusing on its combat capabilities; she regarded it as an ordinary puppy, trained to answer her every beck and call!


Chapter 26: Heartbroken Departures. Keeping Watch

Translator:  Editor:
“If there’s anything more mysterious than a woman’s mind, I don’t know what it is…” Yun Yang mumbled ungraciously under his breath.

“I’ve decided to name the baby wolf Little Moon! What do you think?” Ji Ling asked excitedly.

“Little Moon?” The corners of Yun Yang’s lips quivered with derision even as he replied with artificial enthusiasm, “Marvelous! I’ve never heard of a better name!”

Ji Ling, sensing the sarcasm that lay very close to the surface of the sly and perfunctory man’s words, glared at him. She lacked the heart to reply with a witty rejoinder but soon forgot about her ire as her excitement shone through yet again. “With Little Moon’s cooperation, I’ll be able to win the tournament with ease! No doubt I’ll be the big sister this time!”

“No doubt indeed!” Yun Yang exclaimed with profound skepticism. That is if your mystical beast tournament measures victory by how playful your pets are, and how they are trained! You dared to claim that it was a marvelous and superior tournament just before this?

“Definitely a victory!” Ji Ling was confidence personified.

“If you are so certain of your success,” Yun Yang was somewhat puzzled, “Why aren’t you leaving? Why do you still insist on lingering on here?”

The smile that had been playing happily on Ji Ling’s face froze in mid-speech. Somebody up above certainly had a divinely twisted sense of humor! She had never met such an imbecile who was too thick to get the hint!

“You are not... attracted to me, are you?” Yun Yang took a fearful step back. “Lady, please take into account my youth, I am still…”

“Why don’t you just find a way to end your own life?”

Ji Ling was mortified with embarrassment. Yun Yang leaped up as he cradled his right foot and hissed, “We were talking courteously, why did you have to hit me?”

Ji Ling looked at him with gritted teeth and suddenly roared, “There’s no one lingering, I’ll be taking my leave right now!”

With her head lowered to hide her red-rimmed eyes, she charged out of the room, hugging onto her baby wolf.

This bastard! This despicable…

“Hey, wait up!” Yun Yang called out frantically from somewhere behind her.

Despite herself, Ji Ling slowed down her steps, a faint light of hope blossoming in her heart. “What else do you want from me? Weren’t you chasing me away?” She was absolutely certain that he had chased her down to apologize.

“I just wanted to remind you; don’t forget about our deal!.” Yun Yang said in all seriousness, “You’ll have to fulfill them if you win. It’s absolutely crucial!”

Her delicate figure trembled like a leaf caught in a heavy wind before she fled, her words nasal and distant, coming as if from afar, “I, Ji Ling, am not one to shamelessly cheat!”

And then she was gone.

Yun Yang stood quietly for a moment before he murmured softly to himself, “Just as long as you remember... I was just concerned that you might forget…”

Lao Mei, who had been standing behind Yun Yang and had witnessed the entire spectacle groaned and smacked his forehead in frustration.

Young master, this is the very reason why you’ll stay alone for the remainder of your life.

You could have said goodbye, but did it have to be in such an unpleasant manner?

…

Witnessing Ji Ling’s departure, Yun Yang’s eyes glinted with an unreadable light before his expression turned somber, as if he had suddenly donned a mask and strapped on a burden that weighed down his entire being.

“Young master…” Lao Mei sighed behind him, “You have hurt Lady Ji’s feelings…”

Yun Yang exhaled and managed to keep his tone light, “Nothing to be heartbroken about, my good man. We are obviously people from two very different worlds. The young lady may still be innocent but I have to practice sensibility at all times.”

Lao Mei was puzzled, ”Sensibility?”

Yun Yang’s rebuke was gentle, “Lao Mei, what do you know of Lady Ji’s background? I’m sure you have been able to arrive at some observations.”

Lao Mei nodded with a sigh.

“If the two parties were genuinely involved with each other, we both know what would be the outcome, don’t we?” Yun Yang asked with a tinge of bitterness.

Lao Mei heaved another sigh of reluctant agreement.

“Besides, at least this Lady Ji has not yet formed an attraction to me At most, it’s just a vague, juvenile interest… just a passing fancy, am I not right?” Yun Yang stated.

Lao Mei sighed for the umpteenth time; Yun Yang was right. It was just that; not even a mild attraction, but merely a general sense that Yun Yang was an interesting character. Love was definitely out of the question! However, these things could be slowly developed...

“So, pray tell, why should I pursue this and bring further heartache to myself?” Yun Yang smiled with cynicism, his gaze far away and chill enough to bring a nip of frost into the air.

“Young master’s words do make a certain amount of sense.” Lao Mei’s sigh was as deep as it was sincere.

Yun Yang continued, “Status quo… it’s the perfect state to be.”

His heart was at peace but his mind was awash with a thousand thoughts, “I have not avenged my brothers; my eight brothers and eight hundred comrades who passed on just recently. I am at a loss as to how to claim vengeance, how could I even start to think of romance?”

“Romance, at this juncture, would be a luxury.”

Yun Yang’s flickered with sudden bloodlust, the glimmer vanishing as soon as it came. “Lao Mei, I will be away for a bit.”

Lao Mei replied, “Please allow me to accompany you, young master.”

“That will not be necessary.”

“Marquis Yun will be back soon…” Lao Mei blurted out the first thing that came to his mind as Looked at Yun Yang who was about to take his first step out of the residence.

“Oh, really?”

With that, Yun Yang was gone.

“Sigh!”

Other than sighing, Lao Mei was at loss as to what to do. He had served Marquis Yun for a decade, but he had never known when Marquis Yun had taken a wife and fathered a child.

It was until three years ago when he brought Yun Yang back and claimed that he was his son. Lao Mei was completely aghast at that time, going on to stay at Tiantang City and became a butler for three years. Of course, what had stunned Lao Mei, even more, was that Marquis Yun had only stayed for a month upon bringing Yun Yang back before leaving without a word for three years as if he had vanished into thin air. They were both equally matched in the nonchalance, and Lao Mei had never seen another pair of father and son with such a peculiar relationship in his life!

This young master was still normal two years ago. Other than disappearing for a few months at a time, and voiding his appearance for two to three times a year, everything else was still normal.

However, he was completely different when he came back this year!

…

Yun Yang strolled leisurely dressed entirely in purple. His handsome face attracted attention along the way; women and ladies had all sneaked a peek at him and immediately flushed red.

He did not walk fast, his steps carefree yet collected; it was a lazy aloofness that came from within. His cheeks were rosy, his mind peaceful.

He turned a few corners after coming out from the Residence of Yun into the main street of the city and headed towards Tiantang Square.

Before the Lionheart Pavilion, there were bountiful people paying their tribute, the scent of candles filling the air.

Yun Yang followed the crowd to the front of the memorial; he straightened his body as he lit the candle and held it in his hands, bowing respectfully low;

“Brothers, keep me in your blessing so that I may seek hints of the enemy and avenge your death!”

“Brothers, keep me in your blessing so that I may spot the treacherous in court and eradicate them!”

“Comrades, your heroic souls are with me, witness how I take revenge for all!”

“Comrades, worry not. As long as I, Yun Yang, stand, even if I have to exhaust my resources, even if I have to rob this world blind… I shall never allow your family to feel wronged!”

Yun Yang straightened up and pushed the three joss sticks into the censer firmly, his head lifting to give a long stare at the memorial before turning to leave without a second glance.

He turned into an alley briskly, disappearing from view. When he reappeared once again, he was already somewhere not unlike a slum. What was different was that even though the people here looked poor, they were content. Some silver-stranded old folks could be seen sitting at the roadside chatting, their faces that were etched with vicissitudes of life were content and happy as laughter came about occasionally.

Once in awhile, a few handicaps – some missing an arm, some an eye or a leg… could be seen walking past, holding onto each other. Their scarred faces were also filled with hope for life.

“Li the fourth, did your house get silver taels yet?”

“Yes, we received them. You?”

“Us too.”

“I wonder which charitable person it was to have been so generous. These silver taels… I received them with a shudder. What kind of wealth must one possess to be able to keep performing charitable deeds like this…”

“Exactly! I am a recipient of a person’s kindness, and I don’t even know who it is… such shame.”

A ghost of a smile tugged at the corners of Yun Yang’s lips as he slowly walked by, his eyes barely glancing about.

Behind him, a person with only one arm who had his voice lowered attracted Yun Yang’s attention.

“Brothers, I keep feeling that…” The one-armed man was obviously on the lookout as he lowered his voice as much as he could, “I keep feeling that this seems to be related to the nine great sirs…”

“The Nine Supremes?” The rest of them exclaimed simultaneously.

“Hush!” The one-armed man reminded them to speak softly. “All those years, the nine sirs had always distributed silver taels to us but that was when we were in the military. Each time our brothers were discharged be it from old age or injuries, someone would always be quick to react – regardless the number of people who were discharged and sent home, everyone would get at least five hundred silver taels…”

“It was only much later that we knew that these silver taels did not come from the military... Do you all still remember?”

“Of course we do! The immense kindness the nine sirs have bestowed upon us crippled veterans, how could we forget it?”

“During those years, the people sent to distribute the silver taels by the nine great sirs were dressed all in black and masked…” The one-armed man’s voice was shaking, “That night, I ate something bad and could not sleep the entire night. I could faintly see a few shadows, masked and garbed in black, throwing silver taels into my room and disappearing.”

“These men dressed in black, and the subordinates of the Nine Supremes last time… they were similarly attired…”

The others who were listening trembled, standing up with strongly shaken expressions as they asked, ”Can what you said be true?”

The one-armed man’s voice quavered, his eyes glowing with moisture. He continued in a choked voice, “Do you think… could it be that the nine sirs are not dead after all”

His voice held great hope, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down distinctly as he wished with all his might, “Nine sirs, please be alive…”

“Other than the nine great sirs, who else would always have us handicapped veterans in their hearts?”

…

Yun Yang took in a breath and left with wide strides. The discussion continued behind him, the emotion-filled voices growing increasingly excited.

“How I hope that the nine sirs are still here!”

Yun Yang picked up his pace, turning a few corners until he got to a quiet, isolated place. Standing still, he leaned against an old wall as he took in deep gulps of air…

His heart ached like it was being wrung dry. “I’ve done exactly what my brothers did all those years. How could their responsibilities and insistence be gone once it came to me?”

He would think that his eight late brothers would be comforted to see him carrying on their previous efforts.

After some time, he blew out a deep breath and departed.


Chapter 27: The Guardian and the Popinjay in Green

Translator:  Editor:
Yun Yang moved forward.

Handicapped and raggedly-clothed people were everywhere but everyone here felt warm and content as if they had no other wish other than to be alive.

“Compared to our brothers who had fallen on the battlefield, we are indeed fortunate.”

This was what a blind veteran who had lost one of his legs told an armless veteran beside him as they lounged under the sun by the corner of a wall. His voice was low and his eyes were closed, as he continued to reminisce. Sunlight poured upon them, illuminating the serenity that was exclusive to a world without strife.

As Yun Yang walked past them, he stopped to take the scene in, his gaze envious.

On the street were also fierce-looking thugs who had their clothes left loose, roaming around with idle hands.

Yun Yang’s gaze shifted onto them as well, and the envy that was there turned icy cold in contempt. These were healthy and well-built individuals who possessed strength and martial skills, yet they took the despicable path to feed their family. Not only did they refuse to serve the nation nor volunteer themselves in the battlefield, they did not care to settle down peacefully nor help to maintain the safety of a less fortunate group. What they did instead were to steal and rob with their brute force, bullying the weak. These people had no consciences whatsoever.

They did not commit large sins but small, collective crimes and their deaths would be the first to be warranted in this world!

…

It was a plain courtyard. The wall was made of stacked rocks, five rooms were inside in addition to side-rooms on both the left and right. There was also a storeroom for junk on the south side. This family was not rich by the looks of it but it was obvious that they were better off than most of the others.

The door was half-opened, a girl of about two to three years was seen squatting on the block of stone by the door; her face rested on her hands, the thoughts in her mind solely her own.

A young, beautiful woman dressed in a plain robe came out from inside the house. “Nannan1, come back inside. Why did you run out to sit here again?”

The little girl did not move, her childish voice ringing out shrilly, “I’m here to wait for daddy to return. Mummy, where did daddy go? Why isn’t he back yet?”

The young woman froze, her eyes started to tear immediately as she lifted her head to look at the black evocation bell hung by the door. She murmured, “When my Nannan grows up big and smart, daddy will be back again.”

“Oh…” The little girl pouted and retorted, “But Nannan has already grown up…”

The young woman nodded forcefully, holding in her sobs as she said, “Yes, Daddy will be back soon…”

As she spoke, the dam finally broke, and her tears streamed down soundlessly.

Yun Yang stood concealed in a corner, feeling his eyes prickling at the sight of the mother and daughter pining after their husband and father. This young woman was the one he had saved the other night – Assistant General Wang Zhuang’s wife, Juan’er. However, the little girl had suddenly cheered in delight, “Hey, where did this kitten come from? It’s adorable!”

Somehow, a snow-white fur ball of a kitten had appeared by their doorway. The kitten was sparkling clean, not a single speck of dust was on its body; its round emerald eyes looked at the girl curiously from where it sat not far away from her.

The little girl Nannan instantly fell in love with it, tottering over. “Hey kitty, are you here to be friends with me?”

The kitten’s fur stood rose in alarm but then it abruptly grew relaxed as it looked at Nannan and actually nodded elegantly.

The girl crowed loudly with glee, “Wow, wow, this is great!”

Her mother was about to chide her, feeling amused from her child’s innocent words. The kitten’s just gotten here and it means that it wants to be friends with you? Does it even understand what you said?

What happened next had the young woman’s eyes widen like saucers; she clearly saw the kitten nod, as if in reply to her daughter. It then walked gracefully towards Nannan and extended a snow-white paw to shake her hand.

“Oh my…” The young woman simply could not believe her eyes.

“Great! You’ll play with me from now on, alright?” Nannan hugged the kitten happily, stroking it gently like it was a gem, her eyes turning into little crescent moons.

It was obvious that the kitten was rather reluctant but somehow, it did not resist and stayed in Nannan’s arms. Its delicate little paw raised hesitantly and lowered, as it mewled.

Nannan was absolutely taken with the kitten, hugging it all the way back to her house. “Mummy mummy, is there anything to feed it? Do we still have my biscuits? Do we still have my fish jerky? My…”

The kitten wrinkled its nose.

The young woman quickly followed, her voice faintly heard, “There, there, Nannan, put it down. Whose cat is this? Maybe it has an owner, you can’t simply take it, although I must say this kitten looks really adorable…”

Yun Yang smiled, leaving without a single word.

A pitiful meow could be heard emanating from the house.

“Henceforth, you shall be the guardian of this home… Whoever or whatever threatens to harm this place, I need you to attack without mercy.”

“This place, where the families of my brothers and my handicapped brothers stay… I need you to preserve its safety. Every night, you’re allowed to come back to the courtyard, I’ll double all the cultivation resources and food for you. But the moment you complete a mission badly, even if it’s just once, all these will be taken away forever! Do you understand?”

“Meow…”

“If any of those scoundrels threaten anyone, don’t hold back. Understood?”

“Meow!”

“Good.”

This cat was the same Eclipse Panther that had achieved the third level of a mystical beast. Yun Yang directed a flow of air of vitality and added another layer of camouflage before assigning it such a heavy task. Following on the execution of cultivation, this Eclipse Panther would improve by leaps and bounds. With a future ninth level mystical beast here to protect the families of his brothers, Yun Yang felt vastly more relieved.

Before he could take on the external forces, he had to protect and stabilize the internal ones first.

“My abilities are still weak, I am only doing what I can. My brothers, please do not judge me harshly. If I succeed in avenging you and remain alive in the process, I shall continue protecting my brothers’ families. If I were to fail… what I can do now is to have them live carefree for these five years and not worry about their safety for at least a hundred years with this panther here!”

“I’m so sorry, brothers, for this is all I can do for now.”

Yun Yang left, resolute and with conviction. As the Endless Divine Art surged through his body, Yun Yang felt energized, his blood boiling with power. Although only at most a fifth of his ability was recovered, Yun Yang felt impatient.

If I can’t beat them, my scheme will surely work against them.

…

Ji Ling had left the Residence of Yun, feeling wronged and so saddened that her tears dropped all along the way.

“What a nuisance! Such an absolute jerk! I’m ignoring you next time!”

The more she thought about it, the more she felt maligned; she became increasingly saddened and grew increasingly convinced of Yun Yang’s unreasonableness.

“You think I’m attracted to you… Hmph! Pfft! You’re even worried that I’d stick around you!”

“Is it so very impressive that you’re Dugu Chou’s disciple? Hmph…”

“It’s people like you that I hate the most in life!”

Even when she had reached the tavern, she was still very much angered, her tears could not stop flowing like a gushing tap.

She had only the slightest liking towards Yun Yang, far from the deep depth of love that women felt for potential husbands. Yun Yang’s attitude, however, annoyed her beyond belief and made her feel inexplicably wronged.

“You dare to bully me? I’ll show you! Hmph!”

Even as these events transpired, waves of people from the martial arts world were headed towards Tiantang City.

…

A man dressed all in emerald green, emerald green robe, emerald green shoes, emerald green hat, emerald green belt, and even had an emerald green bamboo stick sticking out of his head, swaggered through the city gate with an emerald green rucksack on his back and a long emerald green object clutched in his hand.

This person looked young, he was only about twenty years of age but insolence could be felt seeping through each and every pore of his skin.

He was green from head to toe. The only other color was the small black lion by his side. What made the difference even more startling was that the black lion had two heads. It was obvious that it was just a baby mystical beast but it still had an extremely ferocious look.

Such strange clothing on a man was a rare sight, turning heads wherever he passed. He was surprisingly unperturbed by the attention, making his way through the city with haughty arrogance and actually heaved a large sigh of relief when he arrived at his destination.

“F*ck this! Tiantang City, your father2 is finally here!”

Two middle-aged men who were walking beside him with straight faces the entire time could take it no longer and said, “Now young master can avenge the previous humiliation here, and take off this… this…”

Both men were wary that their words would offend their young master.

“Why do you feel embarrassed to say it?” The youth snorted, “This time, your father must win! Your father lost the last time and wore this clothing for a year; I admit my defeat, this is nothing! But if your father wins this time, none of them can even dream of being let off lightly, all of them have to wear this! F*ck! Your father will not have endured such misery this whole year for nothing! They should also taste what your father has gone through this year!” The man spat mercilessly, a look of absolute menace on his countenance.

The two middle-aged guards were speechless.

Let’s not talk about other things, just your catchphrase of ‘your father’… Couldn’t you use some other form of reference? It doesn’t bother you in the slightest that you’ve been beaten up so often…

The last time you addressed yourself as your father when speaking to your elder brother, you were beaten until you couldn’t get out of bed for three days; the head of the family then came to see you, your insolence infuriated your father, the twenty-four slaps almost gave you a concussion but you still didn’t change. Your great grandfather then came to see you, you ‘your father is fine’ had your father’s father’s father - your great grandfather leave right away.

Even though you are ungrounded and can come out to roam, you’re still an endless pit of ‘your father’…

This madman is indeed one of a kind.

“Quickly find a place to eat and drink.” The green-clothed youth waved his hand, “Your father is starving, your father is about to die of thirst as well!”

The two guards were sullenly silent; they really itched to beat him up even though he was far more superior. Who the f*ck are you calling your father?

“Your father’s baby is also hungry!” The green-clothed youth patted the two-headed black lion beside him; the cub actually shook its head to fend off his hand, both its furry faces wore the same look of contempt for him.

“Even this bastard despises your father!” The man in green was livid with anger, “If you weren’t the least bit useful, your father will braise you tonight!”

The small lion roll all of its four eyes at once, quickened its steps and ran to the front.

“F*ck!” The young man in green cursed, “Your father’s own pet actually behaves like this! When your father’s ability advances, I shall beat it to death and eat it! Do you hear me? Braise it into soup today, chew on its hind leg tomorrow, the day after tomorrow…”

“Woo!”

The two-headed lion charged over fiercely, tearing a big hole in the green-clothed youth’s robe near the buttocks with a howl and turned to run away.

“F*ck you!”

The man jumped up while covering his bare bottoms, fuming. “One day, your father will eat you…”

The two-headed lion turned and growled, charging towards him menacingly; its aim this time was clearly his crotch. The young man in green took on a frightened mien, “Dear sir, dear sir, your father calls you dear sir… have mercy… Owner! I’ll call you owner, alright? Alright?”

The cub rolled its eyes and swaggered proudly to the front while the youth in green covered his buttocks and walked at the back with a pale face. “Find your father an inn or buy a new set of clothes… What is the meaning of this, exposing half of my buttocks?”

Both guards gave each other a side-long glance; they had nothing to say. Is this not your own fault, you loon? Are you simply too free, to provoke that aggressive lion?

You really have nothing else better to do!

The youth in green was continuing his journey when he looked towards the front with a questioning sound.

“This… is quite interesting.”

…

Yun Yang was making his way back. He would reach the main street in front of him and arrive at the Residence of Yun right after the next turn.

Just as he was about to move along, shouts of chiding and scolding burst out from nowhere and a shadow of a figure was thrown out from the door in front of him with a loud swoosh. The person fell solidly on the ground, and lay still, unable to pick himself up.

Yun Yang angled his body subconsciously and took a step back, his eyes sweeping his sides and back while one of his hands already gripped the hilt of the Divine Edge.

Translator Note:

1Nannan (囡囡nān nān): term of endearment used to address a child, typically a girl; used here as a term of endearment and nickname of Assistant General Wang Zhuang and Juan’er’s daughter.

2your father (老子lǎo zi): used as a first person pronoun/ to refer to oneself in arrogance and contempt.




Chapter 28: Let Us Reason This Out

Translator:  Editor:
Tilting his body to the side was his first attempt to avoid the attack; if he failed to evade the strike, he could still prevent it from inflicting damage on his vital parts; finally, he could use his arms, thighs, buttocks, or any less critical and less lethal body parts to block incoming blades or hidden weapons.

The single step backward was to ensure his safety while glancing towards the side and rear was to position himself correctly - if the attack that had seemed to originate from the front was but a ruse to divert his attention, the real assault would come from either the back or side.

While his torso automatically shifted into a defensive stance, his hand had already gripped the saber hilt, ready to distribute his body weight to prepare for a merciless attack.

These were all Yun Yang’s spontaneous reflexes from waging war in innumerable battles!

It was only until he straightened up did he realize that the person thrown out was a one-armed man; blood spewed on the street as the man twitched in a fit, trying his best to pick himself up with his single left hand.

Yun Yang frowned and peered upwards above the door. The crimson painted plaque that rested there was emblazoned with four large words – “Residence of Halcyon Marquis”.

“Residence of Halcyon Marquis…” Yun Yang immediately began to recite quietly in his heart, “Halcyon Marquis, Xie Wuyuan; Deputy Minister of the Board of War and a civil official; his father-in-law is Grand Tutor Liu Wei of the present dynasty; he used to serve as an ordinary officer but had leaped straight to being the Board of War’s Deputy Minister due to stellar performance and exemplary achievements in the military field.”

There was no doubt regarding the authority that was present here. However, despite rapidly climbing the ranks with the salutations of warriors and generals, in addition to receiving a military marquis title from the Imperial Court and serving as an official of the Board of War, Yun Yang had no love lost for those that served in the military.

Since time immemorial, the civil sector and the military had always been at odds! It was the same as in the imperial courts, but there was only a handful who dared to declare their allegiances as openly as Sir Xie.

“Sir Xie!” The man had obviously fallen down hard; blood oozed from both his nose and mouth. He seemed to only have raised his guard as he shouted, “This lowly one1 stands wrongly accused! We’re both militants of this nation, why do you seek to drive me away?”

Both militants of the nation? Yun Yang frowned. As if in response to the man’s proclamation, three figures slowly stepped out from the building, a man, and his two guards. Descending the staircase, the man had his arms behind him as he pursed his lips and spoke while watching the man on the ground, “Chen San, I was kind and benevolent enough to grant you this chance, yet you squander it by stealing from your workplace. I have already shown mercy by awarding you a pardon, seeing as to how you have served in the army before. Now, leave quickly unless you wish to die!”

Chen San got to his feet with great difficulty, “Young master have mercy, please allow this lowly one’s wife to return with me. Please be wise, Sir Xie be wise, this lowly one has always lived an upright life and has never done anything deceitful. This lowly one is being wrongly accused!”

“Scram!” Young Master Xie glared, “You say you have been wrongly accused? Do you deny that the jade pendant was found on your person?”

Chen San replied with despair, “Somebody must have framed me! Young master, young master please judge wisely!”

Young Master Xie smirked, “Of all people, somebody chose to frame you? Is it because of your striking looks?”

Chen San’s hopes began to shatter as hissed, “Even if it was this lowly one’s doing, it does not concern this lowly one’s wife! This lowly one is willing to accept the punishment, young master, please let my wife go!”

“Chase him out!” Young Master Xie commanded, disregarding what the wretch had said, “If he utters any more nonsense, send him straight to the courts!”

“Young Master Xie!” Chen San shouted in grief, “This lowly one has long known that you are charmed by my wife’s beauty! However, one should have some shred of conscience! Where is yours, that you accuse me of theft?”

Young Master Xie’s expression darkened; he issued his orders without a further glance at the man and turned to head back inside.

Chen San attempted to push past the guards. “Let my wife go!”

The two sentries adamantly blocked his way. “Chen San, cease your rantings and attempts to despoil a man’s good name. Any more words from you, and we can’t save you from the courts!”

Chen San’s lips trembled. ”But… my wife… my wife…”

One of the guards threw a solid punch straight into his face, sending blood splattering everywhere. “What about your wife? Begone!”

Chen San fell writhing to the ground and let out a hopeless cry. “God! Is there anywhere else in this world that is reasonable? Is this not Tiantang City, under the watch of the Emperor?”

Passersby stayed far away; they skirted the scene by walking along the walls, even as they threw sympathetic gazes over at the unfortunate man.

“This Chen San… The Residence of Halcyon Marquis is beyond his abilities to offend.”

“He hasn’t done too badly… He came out alive, didn’t he?”

“Sigh, if he continues to keep up with his rantings, he’ll be lucky to keep his life!”

“A woman will be the death of him yet.”

These people were indeed omniscient; they knew the whole story by just listening in on a simple conversation. Yet who would dare speak a word against the influential Residence of Halcyon Marquis?

Yun Yang pulled a long face and walked over. The guards, who saw his approach, cocked back a fist, ready to let loose at this unwanted irritation.

Thud!

He blocked the other guard’s punch precisely with his extended arm as his other hand was already pulling Chen San up. “Veteran? What has happened here?”

Chen San’s face dribbled with both blood and tears. “Yes, yes... Handicapped from the war at Yangwu Fortress four years ago… Young master, who are you?”

Yun Yang repeated his question gently, “What’s going on?”

Before Chen San could reply, both guards had surrounded him, menace clear in their eyes. “Fool, don’t poke your nose into another man’s affairs!”

Yun Yang did not even bother to turn his head, but his legs were already moving in response.

With two heavy thuds, both guards lay sprawled on the ground, breathless from his kicks. He moved his left leg back and propped both of his feet perfectly against each of the guard’s chests.

The two guards felt like the weight of a mountain had landed upon them as they struggled to breathe. Their eyes felt as if they were about to pop out of their sockets. They struggled violently but to no avail.

Chen San wiped the blood on his face as he explained his grievances, “A month ago, Young Master Xie sent his men to me, inviting me to be one of the residence’s guards and for my wife to perform some sewing. We were unable to say no to the salary; it was enough to cover our expenses and have some spare change. I was of the impression that Young Master Xie sympathized with our lives and specifically given us jobs out of generosity. We were unprepared for what would happen next…”

“Just as I finished my duty today, the young master found his missing jade pendant under my bed… This is an absolutely false accusation…”

Yun Yang nodded, “Say no more.” A murderous aura sprang up from within his eyes.

“I care nothing about right and wrong.” Yun Yang pulled Chen San along. “But I take umbrage at the unlawful detention of a man’s wife. Follow me!”

He took big strides towards the door of the Residence of Halcyon Marquis.

The guards had finally picked themselves up from the ground and staggered over, “Stop right there!”

Yun Yang frowned, turned and delivered two lightning-quick backhand blows. Blood spurted from the guard’s mouths as they spun away. “It would be acceptable for anyone else, but by looking at both your actions and bearing, are you two not from the army as well? Your comrade is being oppressed and his wife is being held against her will in another man’s house, what honor do you fellows have by being accomplices? You both are lesser than animals!” Yun Yang scolded harshly.

The guards laid on the ground, guilt written all over their faces. The injustice of this incident was clear, even more so when they were involved.

“Yun Yang!” Young Master Xie, hearing the commotion, had finally come out, looking displeased. “This has nothing to do with you, don’t stick your nose where it doesn’t belong!”

Yun Yang smirked and pulled Chen San along, striding along with large steps and stood in front of Young Master Xie.

“Xie Qingyun, what if I wanted to?” Yun Yang asked in a voice suddenly gone quiet and cold.

Xie Qingyun angrily replied, “What right do you have to meddle with my affairs?”

Yun Yang gave a single nod, then raised his hand. Before anyone could stop him, a harsh slap sounded as his palm landed right across Young Master Xie’s face. His head snapped back as two teeth flew away, blood gushing out of his nose.

“Release his wife.” Yun Yang’s expression was colder than Death itself.

“You dare lay hands on me?” Xie Qingyun was stunned, his eyes glared disbelievingly.

Slap!

Yun Yang slapped him again, the blow spinning Xie Qingyun’s head around, even as his face remained oddly impassive. “I said, hand the woman over.”

Xie Qingyun had collapsed onto the floor, woozy after the abrupt strikes. With the quickness of a desperate man, he got up and hollered hysterically, “Guards! Servants! Guards! Seize this madman!”

Yun Yang took several strides forward as his limbs flowed into graceful action, sending the four guards who had surrounded him to the floor. He grabbed a fistful of Xie Qingyun’s robe and lifted him up. His left hand delivered a powerful jab to his nose.

Crack!

Young Master Xie’s nose showered blood as the fragile bones collapsed under the vicious blow.

“Capture me? Even your father would not dare talk to me like this! I’m only asking you this one last time; are you or are you not handing over the woman?”

Only whines and odd groans could be heard coming from Xie Qingyun; the man was unable to speak coherently with a devastated nose.

A dignified voice called from inside, “I was wondering who it was. I see now that I have the dubious company of Marquis Yun’s young master. No one else would dare cause such a ruckus in my Residence of Halcyon Marquis!”

As the voice continued to ring out loud, a middle-aged man in a black scholar’s robe walked out with an impassive expression. Looking at his son, half dead in Yun Yang’s hands, a sliver of heartache flashed across his face. “Young Master Yun, this has nothing to do with you, please let him go.”

Yun Yang spoke coldly, “Ask your son to release the woman and I’ll let go.”

“Let us all be reasonable.” The man was the Deputy Minister of the Board of War, Xie Wuyuan. His expression was dark as he spoke, “You didn’t ask the right and wrong nor the cause and justification, yet you decided to intervene with violence. How is this reasonable?”

Yun Yang snorted with disdain, “Reasonable? I would like to ask how the Xie family practices reason! Let us not argue if Chen San really did commit a crime; even if he did, why hold his wife captive? What reasoning is this? To catch adulterers, you catch them by a pair; to catch a thief, you catch them with the spoils – one does things with proof. What cause have you to apprehend his wife?”

“Is this reasonable then, Sir Xie?” Yun Yang smiled lightly and said, “Since you men are without reason, why should I reason with you? I have only one question to ask of Sir Xie; are you or are you not releasing the woman? I do not care about the cause and effect, I won’t belittle myself by discussing reason with you either. I only ask for the woman to be released, even if it has nothing to do with me!” Yun Yang straightened up as he spoke, “Now, are you letting her go or not? For your own sakes, please answer clearly.”

Xie Wuyuan looked at Yun Yang with a grim face. He did not know about this incident nor did he know if his son would actually do something like this but how could he back down now, under the scrutiny of so many pairs of eyes?

“What would happen if I refuse?” Xie Wuyuan asked coldly.

“If you refuse?” Yun Yang chuckled with grim delight, “Why, I’ll just go on in and get her myself.”

Even as he spoke, he released Xie Qingyun to fall heavily onto the ground and prepared to charge into the residence.

“Guards, stop him!” Xie Wuyuan exploded. “Seize him! Even if I have to enter the palace to meet the emperor with you, I need to make things clear; even if your Residence of Marquis Xiaoyao is influential and all-powerful, justice must be served!”

“Allow me to save you the trouble, and serve you justice… right now!” Yun Yang smirked as he caught hold of Sir Xie, pulling him close as he lifted his knee straight up in a vicious blow.

Bam! Bam!

“Reason? I’m reasoning with you right now! Didn’t you ask for this? Come on, let’s reason this out!” Yun Yang spewed profanities like a raving madman, his normally calm demeanor evaporated even as his fists flew in a flurry of blows. Although he did not use any mystical energy, Sir Xie was of a slight and dainty physique, and he collapsed after only a short assault.

“Let the woman go! You think to threaten me with the emperor? Even if we were to meet the king of hell, you would have to let the girl go first!”

Those spectating felt their eyelids twitch in outrage. This ruffian had not stopped at the son, but had also assaulted the father!

…

Translator Note:

1Lowly one (小人xiǎo rén): Used as a first person pronoun in regarding oneself as a person of lower status or more inferior to the other party.

Chapter 29: You’re My Idol!

Translator:  Editor:
“Stop!” Xie Qingyun had picked himself up, wiping the blood off his face, his expression minacious as he ordered, “Hand the woman over to him!”

Then he glared at Yun Yang murderously as he spat, “Yun Yang, you’re doomed! To assault an officer of the imperial court, you are doomed I say!”

Yun Yang sneered coldly, “My doom has nothing to do with you. I’ll count to three. If nobody is handed over, then it is your doom that you should be concerned about.” Yun Yang’s gaze was icy, piercing right into Xie Qingyun.

Xie Qingyun could feel the deadly intent within Yun Yang’s eyes. Somehow, he knew that his death would be near at hand should he not hand the woman over!

This man in front of him was a lunatic! He was utterly confused. This was but a crippled veteran who lost an arm and had other injuries on his body; there was nothing on him that was worth salvaging. Moreover, he was not even related to Yun Yang. What madness would compel this man to turn berserk as he had? His actions were as violent as his decisions were rash. It was almost as if it were Yun Yang’s own wife that had been taken captive.

Was there really a need to resort to such violence? Xie Qingyun could not comprehend the entire episode and why it had even occurred.

Shortly, a distraught but beautiful young woman was brought out, breaking into tears as soon as she saw Chen San. Chen San went forth quickly and took her into his embrace, comforting her gently, “It’s alright, don’t be scared.”

A throng of guards and servants of the Xie Residence looked on, none of them daring to move a muscle. Chen San and his wife then turned and kneeled down on the ground. “Thank you, young master, for your kindness that is high as the heavens and as thick as the earth!”

Yun Yang frowned and told them curtly, “Leave, quickly. Bring your wife home and live well. You are a man among men, your obeisance is unbecoming.”

Chen San puffed out his chest and said, “Chen San will not leave! Young master has put himself at great risk Chen San today, how can Chen San just leave? Whatever you have done, it was caused by Chen San. Don’t worry, young master, I, Chen San, shalt not let young master assume this responsibility for me!”

Despite the tense atmosphere, Yun Yang could not help but chuckle, “What is this about assuming responsibility? Would I have dared to make such a big fuss if I didn’t have any background to fall back on? If I were afraid of them, would I have been as presumptuous? Don’t you understand this? Now, quickly, go home!”

The more that Chen San thought about it, the more he realized that the young master was right, but he was still worried. “Alright, this lowly one will take his leave first. I will report to the Residence of Yun once I have seen my wife home safely. Whatever happens, Chen San will not run.”

He bowed deeply and left holding on to his wife. Those who stood around watched Chen San leave with a dozen troubling emotions. He had really met his savior who had saved him and his wife’s lives from utter ruination. One thing he had been right about though, this Young Master Yun had indeed gotten himself into dire circumstances.

Looking at the couple’s departure, Yun Yang crossed his arms as he walked leisurely towards the door.

“Hold up!” Xie Qingyun wiped at the blood on his face as he spoke in incredulous tones, “Yun Yang, you’re leaving just like this?”

Yun Yang turned, speaking with confusion, “You do not want me to go? Do you wish me to stay for a meal?”

It was right about then that Xie Wuyuan arose from his stupor as he let out a long moan of pain. “Yun Yang, your Residence of Marquis Xiaoyao and I, shall forever be irreconcilable!”

A murderous glimmer flashed across Yun Yang’s eyes as he spoke, “You speak as if I had enjoyed the co-existence with your family. Bring on all that you have! I shall be ready for you.”

Xie Wuyuan was huffing anger, “Just you wait! Just you wait!”

Choking on his anger, he spat blood amidst his furious tirade.

Yun Yang only rolled his eyes and continued to saunter out. Before he stepped out of the door, he spat on the floor as he mumbled, “This is what I think of your family. I don’t need to waste any brain power on the likes of you.”

With those terribly insulting words, he left.

“Well, I never!” Xie Wuyuan cried out in rage as he collapsed in a dead faint.

…

Just as Yun Yang stepped out of the Xie family’s door, a man dressed in green came walking towards him.

Covered in green from head to toe, he sported green robes, green pants, green shoes, and a green belt. Yun Yang felt the corners of his lips twitching in amusement. There was even a green bamboo shoot on this fellow’s green hat!

How f*cking much do you like the color green?

The curious fellow came forward with an earnest mien, his laughter rang loud and clear, “Oh my, oh my! How astoundingly marvelous! My admiration for you is unparalleled… hmm, Young Master Yun I believe? That was so very, very impressive! So impressive in fact, that I even feel awestruck just by watching!”

Yun Yang was stunned. What ailed this man? He found him impressive? Did he not understand the seriousness of what had just transpired? Yun Yang did not know this, but this green-clothed youth had been watching with shiny eyes since the moment he went head to head with Xie Qingyun and was slapping his thigh in glee throughout the drama!

“It’s so satisfying… so fulfilling! Look at him!” The youth in green chattered endlessly, his gaze towards Yun Yang admiring as if he had seen his ultimate idol.

“Not even words, right! Unreasonable, so what! Your father can’t stand the sight of it! So what he says! He’s too remarkable! Too… F*ck, this fellow’s got guts! He really gave them a trashing! It’s impressive, not only does he lay into the young one, he doesn’t spare the old one either! This… this is my idol!”

The young master bedecked in green had been gesturing wildly and commenting, impressed beyond himself as he exclaimed to the two guards beside him, “Did you see… did you see? This is what a popinjay truly is! Such a pity! I’ve been titled popinjay for so many years but have only understood the true meaning of it upon coming to Tiantang City today.”

“What was I doing previously, being a popinjay… This is the true founder of the popinjays… As a citizen of Tiantang and descendent of a marquis, he dares to trash these imperial court officers once they come to a disagreement. This is so much harder than me bullying people. What’s more, he beats them up as just as he said he would with such directness. The most incredible thing of all? He doesn’t even bother about the consequences! This is gratifying indeed, tsk , tsk…”

“A role model of my time!”

“It is such a pity that I, Guileless Young Master Dong Tianleng, have only discovered this after so many years. All my days before have just gone to waste!”

This youth in green continued to natter on; his two guards’ faces slowly turning black as coal as they listened to him.

You’re already lawless enough, now you are actually admiring this rogue who had assaulted people so openly?

If you do the same when you go back, assaulting people just because you can’t stand looking at them… your days would indeed be numbered.

Young Master Dong Tianleng had actually intended to go to Yun Yang’s aid when he started walloping the men but was forcefully held back by his two guards. Now that he saw Yun Yang had completed his affairs, he had quickly attached himself to him.

“Young master, you are…” Yun Yang was still somewhat dumbstruck by this colorful maniac.

“Your fa… I’m Dong Tianleng1!” The youth in green introduced himself with a serious expression. “Dongtian’s Dong, Dongtian’s Tian, Dongtianleng’s Leng.”

Yun Yang rolled his eyes. “Alright, winter… is indeed not hot.”

“My name is Dong Tianleng!” Dong Tianleng explained in exasperation. “My family name is Dong, my first name is Tianleng.”

“Good name!” Yun Yang’s compliment was genuine.

I have to say, I don’t know this fellow, so I’d naturally have to give him the benefit of doubt, but the person who gave him this name, now; I’m really impressed!

What kind of intelligence did the person have to possess to come up with ‘Dong Tian Leng’? ... Are the winters where you live not cold?

Dong Tianleng was beside himself with joy. No one he had met had passed up the chance to mock his name but this paramount in front of him had actually complimented it without hesitation. He was overjoyed but managed to retain his composure as he asked, “What’s so good about it?”

What’s so good about it?

Yun Yang scratched his head and finally said, “It’s good because it’s… simple! Brutal! Direct! And it has a significant meaning in addition to being easy to remember. No matter who it is, no one would ever forget once they see you and hear your name! That, my friend, is the hallmark of a great name!”

The more he spoke, the more convinced Yun Yang felt that it was a brilliant name. “F*ck, this really is a good name.”

“Hahahaha! I never knew my name is actually this great… I wrongly held my father to blame for so many years…” Dong Tianleng chortled and slapped Yun Yang’s shoulder, “Not bad, brother! Very well! Even-tempered, just, and clear-minded! Let me buy you a drink!

Yun Yang had no intention or inclination to drink. He immediately rejected the offer politely, “Apologies, I have to retire to my home, as I still have many errands left undone...”

“No problem at all! I will just go back to your residence with you to drink! We can do so after you’ve completed what you need to do.” The great young master Dong Tianleng had finally found someone to his liking; how Yun Yang handled things and spoke matched his tastes to a T; how could he be parted from him so quickly?

Yun Yang rolled his eyes, “What can I do if you choose to follow me?”

“Why not drink together when we have nothing else better to do?” Dong Tianleng wrapped his arm around Yun Yang’s shoulder, beaming as he spoke with false melancholy, “Brother, in this life, it’s hard to find a friend who knows you well.”

You and I are not friends, and I wouldn’t confide anything in you!

“Honestly, I have encountered many popinjays in my travels, but to find someone who can be more simple, brutal, unreasonable, quicker to anger, and more inclined to poke his nose into other’s business than you?” Dong Tianleng spoke with reverent awe, “Why, I’ve never been able to do so! Brother, you can be considered the head of popinjays in the whole Tianxuan Continent!”

Yun Yang felt a terrible headache coming on.

What is this maniac going on about? Why don’t I understand anything?

Popinjay?

How am I a popinjay?

I had intended to create some sparks from the ashes, the father and son pair from the Xie family convenient sent themselves straight to my door so I just started with them… Besides, I was standing up for a veteran… how am I a popinjay?

I wanted to ignite the fuse of conflict between the civil sector and the military; to create chaos in the imperial court. I’ve thought out all the steps, and this is only the beginning. I still have a series of plots up my sleeves.

Who knew it would sound so trivial when it comes from your mouth?

Head of popinjays?

If I were to carry this honorific, my title as the think tank of the Nine Supremes will become a joke! I still have a brain, nonetheless.

“Leng is ashamed to pale in comparison to brother’s tactics. But this episode of yours today seems to have gotten rather serious.” Dong Tianleng had his arm around Yun Yang’s shoulder. ”But don’t you worry, you can’t possibly go wrong with big brother, me, here! At most tonight…”

He lowered his voice conspiratorially, “Tonight, we wipe them out…”

Yun Yang hummed with joy in his heart, he was surprised that this fellow shared the same view as him – great minds did think alike after all. He had the same idea himself.

Dong Tianleng’s guards followed behind two of them with dark expressions on their faces, feeling a hundred kinds of disbelief.

Such a tumultuous affair.

Young master’ is going to attach himself to it just like that?

Yun Yang had attempted to fend off the loon politely with all his wits and tactics but it was to no avail. Dong Tianleng kept his arm on his shoulder and off they went all the way back to the Residence of Yun.

When he got home, Yun Yang had simply instructed Lao Mei to set the table. “Prepare alcohol and dishes. Tonight, Brother Dong and I are… going to have a good drink together.”

Lao Mei’s gaze was filled with questions, and his expression grew worried.

I have just got word that you entered the Residence of Halcyon Marquis and attacked the father and son duo.

Now you are coming home to celebrate? Have a good drink?

Do you have any idea how much trouble you have gotten yourself into?

Translator Note:

1 Dong Tianleng(冬天冷 dōng tiān lěng): used here as a full name with Dong as family name and Tianleng as first name; the words as a phrase means cold winter day, i.e. 冬天 (dōng tiān) means winter day, 冷 (lěng) means cold.


Chapter 30: Reverent Awe. Beyond Comprehension

Translator:  Editor:
The wine and dishes were served.

Young Master Dong Tianleng then began the meal that would leave the biggest impression in his life.

“Are you able to consume so much? In a single sitting?” Dong Tianleng was shocked, his face a look of terror as he pointed to the big pile of mystical beast meat in front of Yun Yang.

“I’ve reduced my appetite by half now,” Yun Yang replied pleasantly. It was true. He had eaten about fifty to sixty catties in the previous days; he estimated that he would be full tonight with just twenty catties. This was terribly good news for him.

Judging by this, he assumed that Emmie, too, should be about done with her energy absorption. It seemed that there was still hope for the day that he would return to normal.

How he longed for the days where he could be full from seven or eight meat patties!

“Reduced by half…” Young Master Dong Tianleng repeated in a voice that held a hysterical edge. His jaw was in danger of dropping off as well.

He was eating some twenty catties of meat per meal, together with other food and wine… and this was an appetite reduced by half!

“This is nothing.” Yun Yang said nonchalantly, “Previously, my appetite had even scared myself!”

“You’re indeed the idol of popinjays!” Dong Tianleng was impressed beyond his wildest expectations.

Look at him! Consuming mystical meat for every meal!

I’m a young master from one of the f*cking influential eight families but even I wasn’t treated this well. Spending ten thousand of silver taels for a meal he’s having all by himself… That’s some character we have right here!

This is extravagant indeed!

“Since you’re here, why not drink without restraint! Come, come!”

Clink!

Yun Yang placed a large wine jar in front of Dong Tianleng; the latter’s eyes bulged in shock again.

This jar has got to be at least fifteen catties!

God, do all of you drunkards at Tiantang City drink like a fish?

Yun Yang then brought over another jar and waved invitingly at the two guards. The guards shook their heads to politely decline the kind offer; they had duties to carry out – such as ensuring their young master’s safety! They had no assurances they could do so if they started to imbibe recklessly. They might even stick a sword in their own young master and not know it at all if they ended up roaring drunk!

“I’ll just go ahead then.” Yun Yang opened the clay seal with one palm and lifted the wine jar to his lips.

Under the amazed stare of Dong Tianleng, he gulped the liquid down; within a breath, half the jar was gone!

“Wonderful!” Yun Yang put down the wine jar and spoke, “Drink up, what are you doing just staring at me?”

Dong Tianleng’s eyes continued to bulge as his jaw hung open, “Idol, do you all drink like that?”

Yun Yang rolled his eyes and said, “I do not know about other people but I’ve been drinking like this for a year.”

“My lord!”

Dong Tianleng’s lips were trembling and his eyes actually teared up as he held Yun Yang’s hands, forgetting himself in his reverence. “From now on, you are my lord! You are my blood brother! You are simply astonishing! So flamboyant, even if it’s just drinking wine... nobody in the past nor future could hope to surpass it! You must teach me…”

Yun Yang looked at the fellow speechlessly.

Whether it be eating or drinking, do you really think I wish it to be this way? Flamboyant? Flam my ass flambo- …

He was sorely tempted to drop his chopsticks and stop eating, feeling oddly dispirited.

It was then that Young Master Dong Tianleng cried out and lifted the wine jar in an attempt to emulate Yun Yang’s manly gulping.

“Young master, don’t…” Just as the guards spoke, Dong Tianleng was already choking on the fiery liquid, “Cough! Such a lowly popinjay like myself really can’t hope to be as flamboyant as you are… gah!”

“Your Lion Dog is not all that bad.” Yun Yang changed the topic, looking at the two-headed lion that was sitting obediently beside the dining table and continued to shower praise. “It’s two-headed as well, and obedient to boot. Marvelous!”

“This is a Double-headed Elysian Lion…” Dong Tianleng glowed warmly as he spoke, “It is an eighth level mystical beast…”

“Uh-huh.” Yun Yang pulled a bone that he had sucked clean out of his mouth and threw it to the supposed ‘Double-headed Elysian Lion’, saying, “You eat bones?”

“It doesn’t eat bones…” The corners of Dong Tianleng’s lips twitched. My lord, it’s a Double-headed Elysian Lion; at home, it eats only the best. Even if it eats meat, it eats a complete piece of mystical meat, and would never stoop to eating something half-eaten by others… eh?

Dong Tianleng stared wide-eyed, looking at the Double-headed Elysian Lion that was chewing on the bone and happily wagging its tail beside the table. His eyeballs were in danger of popping clean out of his head.

You must f*cking pulling my leg.

“Doesn’t eat bones?” Yun Yang looked at Dong Tianleng like he was looking at an idiot. “What do you suppose it’s doing now?”

Dong Tianleng felt like digging a hole and burying himself in it. Looking at his Double-headed Elysian Lion that was chewing the bone with extreme contentment, great Young Master Dong Tianleng felt like his face had been soundly slapped.

Each crunch it took was two loud smacks across his face.

Why the f*ck won’t it save your father some dignity?

Thinking of this, Young Master Dong Tianleng had a sudden realization, “Odd, this isn’t right, why didn’t I address myself as your father when I’m with this fellow?”

“This is obviously a Lion Dog.” Yun Yang said with affirmation, “The only difference is that it’s two-headed.”

Dong Tianleng was unable to come up with a reasonable objection to the observation.

I’m f*cking looking at this thing chewing its bone and wagging its tail and I’m thinking that it’s a Lion Dog too!

“This dog looks good.” Yun Yang extended his arm to catch the Double-headed Elysian Lion by its tail.

“Don’t…” Dong Tianleng immediately cried out in warning. This Double-headed Elysian Lion would eat people! Especially if its tail was threatened, no one could touch it at all. There were a few poor souls in the past who had wanted to touch it but the Double-headed Elysian Lion had gone berserk and left no parts of their bodies unharmed.

However, before he could even call out ‘Young Master Yun’, he choked on his words that had almost left his lips.

Yun Yang had moved incredibly swiftly; he had already gotten the fat tail in his hand with a swoosh, rubbing and patting it before lifting it a few times and said seriously, “This dog is really not bad at all!”

Dong Tianleng could only stare and could not get a single word out. He saw that the Double-headed Elysian Lion could still afford to look obsequious while it was chewing its bone and had even grovelingly pushed its rear end over as if afraid that this Young Master Yun could not get a good grip on its tail.

Was this still an eighth level Double-headed Elysian Lion? This was exactly how a Lion Dog would behave!

There was only one word for it; cheap!

Dong Tianleng could only wonder about his own state of being.

Am I f*cking ill? Or are my eyes going bad? Did I get hysteria? How could I imagine something so outrageous?

The two guards were also similarly startled and wondered what exactly was going on.

This Double-headed Elysian Lion had always been the ultimate darling back home. Without any regard for others, even its owner Dong Tianleng would have to pander to it and work hard just to give it a pat. Even then, the lion would only barely allow him to pat it lightly for a short while.

Just a short while!

However, it showed such obedience in front of this Young Master Yun Yang whom it had only met for the first time today! Both the guards were sure that even if it were dogs that they had taken care of since they were young… they would not be as obedient as the two-headed lion was right now in front of Yun Yang!

“Have another bone?” Yun Yang was still playing with it. “This one? There’s still some meat on it, I just had two bites…”

“Here’s a peanut… Come, jump to catch it…”

Swoosh!

Yun Yang tossed the peanut as the Double-headed Elysian Lion jumped up gracefully and caught the peanut in midair before landing and wagged its tail at Yun Yang to ask for its reward.

“Good boy!” Yun Yang handed over a bone that he had stripped clean.

Dong Tianleng was utterly bewildered.

The Double-headed Elysian Lion now had him wanting to reprimand the beast,”How could you offer yourself so cheaply!” The bigger question, however, was, “Why?”

Dong Tianleng slowly turned his numb neck in a stupor and looked at Yun Yang. “My lord… Oh, my idol… No… Big brother! Blood brother! How did you do that?”

Yun Yang looked at him in confusion. “Do what?”

Dong Tianleng let out a cry and suddenly stood up to lower his head in worship. “Big brother! Please, take me in! Little brother’s admiration towards you is like the river of Tianxuan, flowing endlessly, and like the borderless ocean, its waves roiling for eternity…”

Both Yun Yang and the guards were rendered speechless by his frankness and cringe-worthy admiration.

That night, Dong Tianleng drank until he was completely inebriated, hugging Yun Yang’s leg as he cried and blubbered with tears streaming down his face. At the end, Yun Yang was half pushing and half pulling to try to get the young master out of his door.

“Big brother, my lord, blood brother! Let me stay, I wish to learn from you… learn to be a popinjay… I’m absolutely sincere… don’t chase me away, blood brother!” Dong Tianleng practically wailed in drunken desperation.

Sometime later, with the help of two very embarrassed guards and the intoxication of the alcohol in Young Master Dong Tianleng’s system, he was finally carried away like a pile of logs.

“Peace, at last.” Yun Yang could not help but sigh in relief, then chuckled humorlessly, “This fellow is remarkable indeed.”

Lao Mei, who stood behind him, looked at him with a wondering gaze.

Yun Yang turned. “Lao Mei? What is it?”

Lao Mei breathed deeply and said, “I am uncertain how to say this, young master.”

Yun Yang replied warmly, “My good man, you know you can always speak your mind.”

Lao Mei composed his thoughts and said, “Well, I get the feeling that young master seems to have passed up on too many opportunities within these past few days.”

Yun Yang frowned, “Whatever do you mean?”

“First, Lady Ji Ling arrived at our Residence of Yun. She obviously concealed the fact that she is from an illustrious family. Even if she wasn’t, it couldn't hurt for both of you to be friends. In the end, however, young master totally did not bother to garnish your words. Even if not for her beauty but for something else, you could at least have pretended to be civil… This is my first uncertainty.”

“Young master, you had already intimidated the four great young masters with your identity before they arrived here; if an alliance were to be forged, it would be possible to claim these four families’ help, or at least one of two of them. This would be of great benefit to a family in Tiantang City but young master did not do so. Young Master Ma, Young Master Qin and the others have been swindled by young master a few times already. This time round, young master gave them ample profit to cover what they’ve lost and to earn even more. It should be the best timing to further improve your relationship with them but you have given up on this chance, even ignoring what happened after that day.”

“Fourth on the list, the injured person can already move around now. Young master has mentioned that you would like to recruit him but you have just left him to lie, without even going in to see him for the past three days.”

“Lastly, this Young Master Dong has obviously thrown himself at young master’s feet in admiration. With some flattery, young master, you could immediately have him as an underling. Again, young master did not do what I would have expected you to do.”

Lao Mei had said all of this in a rush of words, and was rather short of breath as he admitted, “Young master, Lao Mei really can’t comprehend any of this at all!”