Chapter 205: Ambushed On The Way Home
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
How could Yun Yang admit the part he had to play in all this?
Yun Yang frowned and said, "Lion’s den? How could that be? He Hanqing caused chaos in the imperial court and confuses what is right and what is wrong, black and white; he’s the culprit responsible for the previous family of generals’ case. He should have been executed for his heinous crime. I’ve done so much to obtain such confidential information as this despicable one is too influential among scholars. As long as he wants something done, it will be executed as soon as the thought is formed. That was why I wanted him exterminated."
"I only wanted to take out the treacherous one for the nation, destroy the evil for the people, bring justice on behalf of heaven. There aren't any personal grudges involved and I’ve even used you all because you have the convenient alibi of being Han Sanhe’s guard; it can confuse people. There isn’t any deeper meaning than that. To me, your ability allows you to succeed at this task easily and the blame can be put on Han Sanhe, but by listening to you, I gather that things took an unexpected turn?"
Bai Yixue almost spat blood as he shouted angrily, "Are you saying you aren't aware of your intended target's actual capabilities?"
"I only know that this person brings great harm to Yutang and must be destroyed. Otherwise, why would I do so much and conjure up plots to tackle him?" Yun Yang answered seriously.
Bai Yixue was at a loss for words. Yun Yang had been straightforward and all too eager to share his plans. What could one say to that?
Listening to his narration, it seemed that this Young Master Yun was the hero of this nation and its people… but he had been so brutally tricked… What was that all about?
Yun Yang sighed, "Before we speak of other things, first, let us deal with your wounds."
"Are you sure that this place can ensure my safety?!" Bai Yixue chuckled bitterly.
"And what if it can't?" Yun Yang sighed. "You knew that you shouldn’t have come to me, it means exposing me and putting me out there to dry but you’ve come anyway. You’re obviously cornered but you can’t accept dying just like this! Don’t worry, I won’t really be cruel despite your unkindness. No matter who you’ve provoked and if it’s related to what I’ve asked you to do, you are still here. I won’t send you away without meaning. Besides, you’ve failed at what I’ve asked you to do. Our deal is naturally not done yet, I won’t let you die just like that…"
Bai Yixue almost fainted. "You… you don’t believe me… I didn’t… God, you still want me to go and kill him…"
He looked as if he wanted to retort with a few more words but before they could come tumbling out of his mouth, his eyes rolled back and he fainted.
He had been carrying severe injuries. That he could still stand up was a testament to this man's will. With the surge of exasperation and tightly wound nerves, he finally gave in and lost consciousness. Of course, he was also running away from the reality, forcing Yun Yang to do the same. It would be the best if his mission was canceled along with his loss of consciousness.
Yun Yang did not expect this fellow to be so ill-tempered. He could not help chuckling and said, "Let this Lord Bai stay at ours for now. If King Qinguang were to find his way here, have him look for him directly. I have my ways."
Looking at Bai Yixue’s unconscious face, Yun Yang gave a meaningful smile.
This fellow wishes to play the part of a shameless thug.
…
All the foreign generals had left, including Han Sanhe’s own group who had left the last.
Yun Yang sat under the flower tree in his purple robe, deep in thought.
Musing about what had happened, Bai Yixue’s assassination could only be considered half-completed. Yun Yang had never wished that Bai Yixue could actually kill He Hanqing. With He Hanqing’s force, Bai Yixue could never win, no matter how strong he was.
It was clear as day.
Yun Yang’s real motive was to stir up a conflict between the Four Seasons Tower and Han Sanhe; that was all.
Yun Yang would love to see if these two sides could stand up against each other and become enemies from it.
…
With the operation of the foreign generals in Tiantang City coming to an end, Yun Yang naturally shifted his attention back to Supreme Lord Spring Frost. The only thought he had right now was solely to kill He Hanqing!
As for Bai Yixue, Yun Yang did not have much planned out for him. No matter how he fared in the process, Yun Yang did not want to bother.
However, the situation now was very much different from what he had said.
His initial plan was to have Bai Yixue assassinate He Hanqing after Han Sanhe had left. Regardless of the assassination outcome – whether Bai Yixue fled or died, Han Sanhe would have left then; he would have to be the scapegoat.
By then, He Hanqing’s rage would burn angrier than it did now because he would have lost the immediate chance and target to vent his fury.
Yet, what happened was that Bai Yixue made a move before Han Sanhe even left and both parties involved had even met face to face.
Even when their discussion did not end well, the outcome was not pretty! These two old men were sly foxes, it was not guaranteed that their misunderstanding could be resolved.
"Doesn’t keep his words, doesn’t do things responsibly; what a nuisance!" Yun Yang sighed.
For Bai Yixue to come to him at such a time, it clearly indicated he was not entirely dumb. He knew that he was severely wounded and death was finite if he continued to roam outside; therefore, he had come here to avoid the calamity and heal himself in the name of interrogating Yun Yang and asking for a reason. This concealed thought of his was clear as day to Yun Yang.
In spite of it, Residence of Marquis of Heavenly Clouds was truly the one place in the entire capital city that Bai Yixue could have his narrow escape from death and from his old nemesis!
Not only did He Hanqing’s influence cross boundaries, there was also no turning back even if First Court King Qinguang came. This was Bai Yixue’s fortune – good luck that no one else knew except Yun Yang.
"Since you came, with such a handle in my hands too… it won’t be as easy when you want to leave." Yun Yang chuckled unscrupulously, already calculating the probability of subduing this swordsman who was ranked sixth in the world.
It was probably after being the tour guide of the foreign generals and the incident with the family of generals that a certain someone grew even more devious. He was shamelessly deceitful now, his empty promises sounding incredibly credible!
"Young master, that…" Fang Mofei hesitated his words.
"What is it?" Yun Yang asked.
"Uh… Whitey Two, Whitey Three, Whitey Four…" Fang Mofei was rather anxious. "I haven’t seen them for a few days. Are they alright?"
Those Whiteys were actually superlative mystical beasts; Fang Mofei knew this better than anyone else, so he was especially concerned about them.
Yun Yang smiled. "No worries, they’ve just gone out to play… It’s nothing, they’ll come back after completing their work."
"Play? Work?" Fang Mofei was confused. Were they out to play or to work? How could these two things be put together – did his young master know what he was saying?
"If you have time to ponder those creatures’ whereabouts, it’s better to ponder about yourselves. Have you improved recently?" Yun Yang diverted the topic.
Fang Mofei and Lao Mei were speechless, not knowing how to answer. What do you mean recently? You’ve just asked about our cultivation improvement ten days ago? You think there’ll be obvious improvement within ten days – that would be as good as advancing a level huh?
"Send a message to those four fellows from Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. Ask them to come," Yun Yang ordered.
"Yes."
…
Far away, the Empire of Ziyou’s generals were making their way speedily. They were approaching the border shared by Yutang and Ziyou now; the journey had been really smooth. The anxious group finally breathed in relief, relaxing now that they were close.
"It’s Ziyou’s territory after the mountain in front and through the dense forest. Even if Yutang has something set up, it would be hard to execute them." Marshal Zi Yuanlong pointed with his whip.
"We’re finally back." The generals were thrilled looking at the long cavalry troop behind them and Blood of Hero that they transported back. "We didn’t let out brothers down with this militant’s wine, did we?"
"Did you all manage to contact the spies you’ve placed in Yutang?" Zi Yuanlong whose white beard fluttered asked in a low voice.
"Only a portion of them were contacted. Plenty of them didn’t respond. We’ve stayed much shorter than we’ve planned, so there could be that, but there’s a big possibility that those we didn’t manage to contact were already exterminated by Empire of Yutang’s people," a general replied.
"That won’t be a surprise. As long as there are spies, our setup is considered a success." Zi Yuanlong sighed. "Remember to send a good amount of pension to the families of those sacrificed."
"Yes."
A general said smiling, "But Empire of Yutang is exactly what marshal has envisioned. Our hidden troops weren’t utilized at all… They really let us in and return safely, not even half an attempt to attack us."
"Yutang’s martial arts bearing is its culture, its heroic spirit richer than any other country. They despise attacking generals of enemy nations under such circumstances. This is also Yutang’s integrity I guess," Zi Yuanlong replied, the old marshal’s face painted with unsaid sentiments.
"That’s right. Although I deeply respect Yutang’s people for doing so, I can’t help but be amazed by their pedantic nature." Another general commented, "What a good chance this is. If they’d attacked, there’s an extremely high percentage of dealing severe damage to the military higher-ups of various nations…"
Zi Yuanlong replied faintly, "Xiao Yuzhi, could it be that you’re disappointed because they didn’t attack you and kill you?"
The aforementioned general had his mouth agape before he cackled awkwardly. "Marshal’s joking, is he not? I’m only musing for a bit, barking at moon… I’m barking at the moon…"
"Hahhaa…" Listening to General Xiao’s self-depreciating remark, the generals around guffawed together.
The group had entered the dense forest amidst their chatter; it was already Empire of Ziyou’s territory. Everyone seemed much more relaxed.
However, just as they went slightly further, a noise of rapid wind breaking sounded amidst their laughter.
A white silhouette appeared from the woods and was rushing towards Zi Yuanlong like a ray of lightning. Everything had happened so suddenly, the change abrupt.
Zi Yuanlong did not even notice the change yet, his body had been turned to joke around with others. His guard in front of him, on the other hand, had taken note of the strange occurrence and shouted to warm him.
"Careful!"
As he cried out, the guard picked himself up and flung himself before Zi Yuanlong’s horse, disregarding his own life.
Pow!
The guard’s head was scratched to mush.