Chapter 108: An Overwhelming Sense of Power
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
If Mi Kongqun had stepped within the Qiu Family’s area of influence, into the martial arts world or even if had left the area of Tiantang City, it was easy for the Qiu Family to exact revenge. However, they were still in Tiantang City after all. As a local influence, it was as easy for Mi Kongqun to retaliate against Qiu Yunsan… effortless even.
Imperial guards continued to arrive in squads. Wordlessly, they began to occupy the high points and defense spots all over the place. They did not interrupt Qiu Yunsan’s tirade and did not save anyone, just watching the scene quietly.
However, their increasing numbers was forming an overwhelming sense of power.
Old Marshal Qiu’s expression was turning darker as he swore, "Damned eunuch, what a big shot he’s being!"
Yun Yang made it seem unintentional as he talked to Dong Tianleng, "Little Cold, how many people have come from your family? The situation doesn’t look good to me, I'm guessing that the Qiu Family doesn't have the upper hand."
Dong Tianleng was already breaking out in sweat as he replied with an anxious face. "We have the least people. Other than me, there are only two more guards."
Dong Tianleng’s worried expression spoke louder than his words, "What do we do now? How could things have turned so dire?"
Old Marshal Qiu Jianhan’s face had already fallen completely.
Slow footsteps rang out from the gloom, each step sounding as if it was being dragged along the ground’s surface. The noise was unsynchronized and oddly macabre.
Five silhouettes slowly emerged from the street at the other end.
All of them were slightly hunched.
All of them were pale without any facial hair.
All of them wore the eunuch’s uniform.
All of them wore empty expressions like the dead, their gazes as still as that of zombies.
All of them had a fly-whisk in the crooks of their arms.
All of them sported a measured gait with their feet splayed outwards.
Turning the corner of the street in the middle of the night, this group brought with them an aura of unexplainable horror.
The one in the middle seemed to be the leader of this group, his build slightly larger than the others – middle-aged, beardless, pale, muscular, and his eyes seemed much colder as well.
However, Yun Yang’s gaze was on the person on the furthest right.
Eunuch Wu.
It was the same Eunuch Wu who was almost dead from his single slap and had half his teeth coming off; the familiar back that had attempted to assassinate him in front of the Residence of Yun’s doors!
The person Yun Yang had no chance of meeting again after he came out that one time and had been staying in the palace ever since.
This would be the first time he encountered this person ever since the attempt the other day.
Yun Yang took cover behind Dong Tianleng as he observed the eunuch carefully.
What greeted his eyes were still the weak steps, listless eyes, and hunched body, not a trace of someone with cultivation. Anyone who saw him would have concluded that this was an empty shell of a eunuch, a castrated man who had only a few more years to live.
However, Yun Yang noticed something that others would usually not care about. He had beaten quite a number of teeth off this man so his cheeks should have been sunken but it looked full now as if he had never been injured!
This was interesting indeed.
As if sensing Yun Yang’s gaze, Eunuch Wu lifted his head and looked at Yun Yang who was staring right at him, the eunuch’s gaze clouded with seething hate.
"Young Master Qiu." The eunuch in the middle called out; he was none other than Keeper Mi, Mi Kongqun.
Mi Kongqun squinted his eyes, focusing his sight at Qiu Yunsan who was among the crowd and said indifferently, "We’re friends after all. Aren’t you a little over the boundary to do this?"
Qiu Yunsan replied furiously, "F*cking b*llshit! Are you not over the boundary when you set me up? Mi Kongqun, quit fooling me. Let me ask you, how do you plan to give me an explanation?"
Mi Kongqun’s eyes were still squinted as he said chillingly, "I just want to know… what kind of explanation do, Young Master Qiu, want?"
Qiu Yunsan scoffed and said, "Mi Kongqun, you set me up and sent the Qiu Family’s reputation down the drain. You have even made me enter the trap myself, almost ruining my reputation! Thanks to your scheme, do I have any other way to go other than asking for your life?"
Mi Kongqun laughed eerily. "The explanation that Young Master Qiu wants might be a little difficult for me to obtain!"
He chuckled. "Young Master Qiu, you dare to openly kidnap innocent citizens in the capital of Yutang, the city under His Majesty’s watch. I wonder what explanation Young Master Qiu plans to give the Empire of Yutang for such recklessness that doesn't regard the nation’s law!"
Qiu Yunsan was startled and replied angrily, "Mi Kongqun, are you arguing over explanations with me?"
Mi Kongqun's laugh was devoid of humor. "Argue? Argue about what? I, Mi Kongqun, am from Yutang. How could I allow you, a mere rat, act however you wish? I shall first seize you today and bring you to Old Head of Family Qiu to ask for your punishment. Giving the explanation to the Old Head of Family Qiu is the right way to go!"
Qiu Yunsan chortled. "Mi Kongqun, how dare you?"
Mi Kongqun’s gaze was wicked. "Young Master Qiu, you shall know soon if I dare to or not!"
Watching both sides growing more heated and Qiu Yunsan’s raging gaze that hinted at his impending move, Yun Yang sighed instinctually.
Qiu Yunsan was still too young. Even if he had his plan, he was still too rash.
All Mi Kongqun had mentioned was the Empire of Yutang, using the name of justice to the nation. If Qiu Yunsan remained stubborn or was the one who made the first move, even the Qiu Family could not say anything out in the open if he was killed here today!
Disappointment flashed across Old Marshal Qiu Jianhan’s orbs.
Qiu Yunsan’s original intention was to put a hat of martial art world’s vengeance on this entire incident. He had forced Old Marshal Qiu to take a step back earlier with this point as well. However, he had not managed to do so, or perhaps missed his chance to do so, and had allowed Mi Kongqun to assume the first chance, changing the following developments completely.
He was still too young.
"Mi Kongqun!" Old Marshal Qiu's greeting was deceptively light.
"Old Marshal." Mi Kongqun bowed respectfully. Although he was a close servant of the emperor, he knew that it was only him that would be doomed if he really did have a fight with Qiu Jianhan.
"You speak of the justice of nation in every word you said. This old one wants to ask you instead, what nation’s justice was it based on when you set Qiu Yunsan up?" Qiu Jianhan questioned, "What nation’s justice was it when you set Qiu Yunsan up to snatch a peasant girl?"
Mi Kongqun lifted his head abruptly. "Old Marshal…"
Qiu Jianhan would naturally not give him any gap for an explanation as he continued, "You plotted to involve this old one’s mistress and what nation’s justice was that based on?"
Mi Kongqun was shocked, his face took on the expression of the unjustly accused and said, "Old Marshal, I know you’re Qiu Yunsan’s uncle and Qiu Yunsan is your nephew… But you…"
Qiu Jianhan brows squeezed tightly as he cut the other man short, "This is the Empire of Yutang, it’s Tiantang City. What do you imply talking about uncle and nephew? Is this your excuse? Or perhaps you mean to say that I’m abusing my authority and practicing favoritism? It's fine if you refuse to answer this old one about the questions regarding our nation’s justice but don't you dare relate the topic to our family. What a good tactic of blurring one for the other! Mi Kongqun, is this the answer you’re giving me?"
Mi Kongqun replied angrily, "Old Marshal ignores the reckless ruffian who has openly provoked and kidnapped others right in front of us but questions me, a victim, so aggressively. What do you mean by this then?"
"What can this old one mean?" The old marshal pointed at the imperial guards around them and said nonchalantly, "You are the Minister of the Imperial Household but what power do you have to summon so many of the palace’s guards? Where is your permission order to muster the guards? Show me! This old one is immensely interested to see who it is who’s given you such huge power!"
Mi Kongqun was already sweating nervously as his voice rose up in pitch. "This minister has the power to muster the imperial guards to defend the nation against despicable scoundrels who harbor ill intention towards the imperial palace!"
Qiu Jianhan pressed on. "What great authority indeed! May I ask where is the palace? And where are we now? Minister Mi, the so-called authority can’t be simply used even in the palace! If it wasn't a critical emergency, can you decide something like this so easily?"
"Who gave you the power to bring the imperial guards out of the palace and come all the way here in such an announced manner? This is a military power that belongs to the nation! The force that defends the palace! They are not personal guards at your, Mi Kongqun, a mere eunuch's, a castrated man’s disposal!"
Qiu Jianhan words were harsh.
His nephew would definitely be at a loss if he did not step forth, a loss that he could not say anything about and could cost him his life.
Although he could turn the tables around by stepping forth like this, it impossible to avoid giving offense to this close personnel of His Majesty!
The aftermath would be terrible.
In the face of Old Marshal Qiu’s aggressive attacks, an extreme resentment surfaced in Mi Kongqun’s eyes.
Qiu Jianhan no longer spoke to Mi Kongqun as he turned to face the imperial guards on the wall. "Which one of you is the leader? Come over!"
A muscular guard hopped down. "Old Marshal."
"Show me your muster Tiger talisman!" The old marshal stretched out his hand with an authority that could not be doubted, "Let me see who it was that allowed you fellows to exit the palace, who was it that signed the order to allow you all to follow Mi Kongqun out!"
The guard was flustered. "I have none."
This was a personal operation, how would there be a permission order, a Tiger talisman?
"None?" The old marshal’s expression turned dangerously calm. "All of you came out just like this? Your responsibility is to protect the imperial palace! Protect His Majesty! How could all of you leave your post and responsibility behind like this? How many heads do you have to face the consequences if anything happened in the palace? You can give up your own lives, but how about those of your families?"
The leader flushed red. "This lowly official… this lowly official…"
"All of you are to return to the palace now!" Qiu Jianhan glared. "Should this old one chase all of you instead? Reflect on your actions upon returning. I shall report to His Majesty if this happens again in the future, with a harsher penalty! Nine familial extermination! It will save you the effort of flirting with death."
"Yes, sir!"
The leader took a final glance at Mi Kongqun and ordered, "Dismissed!"