Chapter 255: Old Marshal’s Doubt
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
As Old Marshal Qiu mused, he watched Yun Yang with slight intrigue; he would like to see what this fellow had to say.
Yun Yang arranged his thoughts for a moment before beginning to speak. "Perhaps Your Majesty can consider accounting biographies for all the meritorious ministers who have perished in the battlefield or have passed away; their achievements will not conceal their wrongdoings while their wrongdoings will not nullify their achievements... The memoir of these people will be recorded and documented from an entirely fair, partial, and objective point of view, so these exemplary ministers can go down in history with glory… This would be their life story that could not be altered, I think…"
His Majesty’s eyes shone while Old Marshal Qiu’s hawk eyes radiated admiration as well.
This strategy was marvelous!
Be it civil officials or military generals, who would not want their crown of glory to stay within history after toiling all their lives?
In spite of it, how many were there who could actually leave their legacy behind?
If this were to be done, not only would the families of the late meritorious ministers feel proud, the officials who were still serving the country would be more keen on their service too!
What a good idea!
It was not only regarding Yang Botao’s personal matters as well!
Wise and ingenious indeed!
"This method is remarkable!" His Majesty complimented the plan.
"Wonderfully so!" Old Marshal Qiu was full of praise as well.
"What then?" the emperor continued the train of thought.
Yun Yang was shocked.
"Just reveal whatever else you’re thinking about and what other suspenseful games you're trying to play here!" Old Marshal Qiu chided.
"Then?" Yun Yang scratched his head. "No more then."
His Majesty was taken aback as he heard him while the old marshal’s expression changed right away – Child, are you playing with us? We’ve been so intrigued then you tell your father that there’s no more to it? Do you still want to live?
Right away, both men switched to looks of mock anger.
This fellow had been sly all along; it had been his image all this while. What was so worthy of surprise was when he said that there was nothing more. Perhaps, it should actually be within reason.
More so, it was already impressive that he could supply this idea.
Besides, with the most basic start, what followed would only be a logical train of thought. Although Yun Yang had only given a lead, both His Majesty and Old Marshal Qiu had thought of countless follow-ups at once; they had thought beyond what was on the layer that involved even the process and how the utilization would be made.
Once the general direction was set, the rest was all about the fine-tuning and then execution. The continuation by Yun Yang who was the initiator was not essential; it was better without him, even – it would be a marvel.
His Majesty, who was adept at his skills of an emperor, subconsciously thought deeper and could not help casting a meaningful glance at Yun Yang.
Yun Yang had dealt with the matter with detailed consideration; each seemingly meaningless word held great significance, showing his vast wisdom. He was not at all greedy with merits and advancing in status, nor was he crazy over power and influence; he seemed to understand the worldly affairs with a sense of propriety and was able to adjust himself freely. He was amazing and for such a character to refuse to enter the imperial court as an official was Yutang’s loss.
"Fine. So there’s nothing more than. The follow-up of this matter is vast, your popinjay personality can’t provide much help anyway. But Yun Yang, this old man has something to inquire of you."
Marshal Qiu Jianhan’s expression shifted as he asked, "The mystique skill that you cultivate, where does it come from? It seems that not even Marquis Yun has such an astonishing cultivation skill."
Yun Yang was stunned. "I beg your pardon?"
"Pardon? Do you really think that this old man knows nothing?"
Old Marshal Qiu’s eyes glared. "This old man comes from the Qiu Family. Although I’ve spent much of my life on the battlefield, I’m still considered knowledgeable and experienced, yet I’ve never seen such incredible skill. My old friend You Tiexin said the other day that this cultivation skill is the one and only one in this world in its aspects of rejuvenating injuries and damages, reviving and prolonging lives, being an antidote to poisons and illnesses, and other healing properties. Furthermore, it’s never appeared in the Tianxuan Continent in so many years! If such a cultivation skill were to emerge, it would have wreaked havoc! Asking you this today isn’t to question your background but it’s from worrying about your safety. Since the other party dared poison His Majesty, they’d be watching His Majesty’s physical state all the time. Once they realized that His Majesty’s healed, they’d search for the person who cured His Majesty. One clue leads to next, will you still be able to run then? Answer quickly, so this old one and His Majesty can think for you!"
"How did you know it?"
Yun Yang’s eyes darted around as his mind was working hard to come up with a reply.
Aged ones were the sharpest indeed. Yun Yang had honestly not thought of this old thing realizing something amiss from the start yet had only questioned him after so long in waiting for His Majesty to totally recover.
This old thing’s ability to forget previous favors had never dulled!
He could even gloss his words so rightfully like he had asked because he cared for him and Yun Yang would be the one at fault for being ungrateful if he did not answer truthfully.
"Uh… my skill is a coincidental chance of fate…" Yun Yang was thinking quickly. "I learned it from my master…"
"May I ask who is your master?" Old Marshal Qiu scoffed.
"Ling Xiaozui! Don’t you guys know? Didn’t he come over previously…"
Yun Yang hauled someone no one could afford to offend into the picture and said, "I thought you knew about our relationship long ago. If it weren’t for this relationship, how dare I offer the medicine the other day? I believe that my master won’t frame me and that was why I spoke of His Majesty’s physical condition and offered the three spiritual medicines. If you don’t believe it, you can ask him!"
Old Marshal Qiu almost choked from the huff of air stuck in his throat.
Yun Yang’s answer was within reason and logic; the key point was – ask Ling Xiaozui? Where do the f*ck I go to look for him? Is he someone I can simply question?
"You didn’t speak honestly. If Ling Xiaozui had cultivated such skill, his achievement might be far higher than what he’s achieved now." Qiu Jianhan glared at Yun Yang and continued, "Besides, since when did Ling Xiaozui become your master?"
Yun Yang answered seriously, "Old Marshal, it’s all your words that Yun Yang’s cultivated skill is amazing and so on. It’s also your personal judgment that decided my master’s cultivation base level. This junior is young and inexperienced, lacking the qualifications to rebuke. I can only say that not a word I’ve said is false!"
"Don’t play with words now! That’s this old man’s archaic trick. You think this old man doesn’t know that all your words are lies?" Qiu Jianhan raged.
Yun Yang rolled his eyes. The reputation of Old Marshal Qiu being the head of Yutang’s top three rogues was true to its name and well-deserved. He had even found out the deeply implied words within words but so what if this old one could find out? Dare he bite him?
The emperor could not help chuckling as well as he said, "Never mind. It’s a good thing after all that this young one has such luck. Old Marshal need not mind, really."
"This child is lying!"
Qiu Jianhan sighed and kept quiet, thinking, "Your Majesty, you don’t know too many things… It’s not only his cultivated skill that I’m doubtful of…"
He did not know that the emperor was thinking of something vaguely – Yun Yang was carefree and righteous; despite his exceptional intelligence, he had no intention of being a mandarin yet everything he had done was on Yutang’s side. Even if he could not absorb such a person into his personal repertoire, he must not force him too much!
His Majesty’s evaluation of Yun Yang was so immensely high that it was akin to how he would treat an otherworldly expert!
When Yun Yang finally bid his leave and left, he realized he was already drenched in cold sweat upon coming out.
"Was Old Marshal doubting me?"
Yun Yang thought, "It’s not that he’s doubting if I’m someone with ill intentions but he’d straight up suspect if I’m one of the Nine Supremes or under the Nine Heavens Dictum!"
He left Qiu Jianhan’s residence with a mind filled with musings but did not return to the Residence of Yun, opting to find out where Yang Botao’s mistress was buried instead.
He buried Yang Botao’s ashes on his mistress’ grave quietly.
"May you reunite and meet again down there from now on."
Yun Yang stood quietly for a while before he murmured, "There are no more deceiving plots and tricks underneath this earth in the underworld, no father who would deceive his son… Yang Botao, if there were a next life, I believe you’ll still be a good man."
"Mistress Yang, your husband has been a good man all long – a good son. You have no need to be ashamed being married to him. I am Supreme Cloud, I wish you two well here and shall tell you two formally that the Nine Supremes have no ill feelings towards you husband and wife; the resentment is over, the grudge is gone, everything has ended. Here’s hoping that the heavens bless us with the fate of being good friends in the next life."
The breeze was soft as the wild weeds beside the grave swayed gently, as if Yang Botao and his mistress were waving farewell to Yun Yang.
"No need to long for worldly affairs, reincarnate sooner. Forget the regrets of this life, pen another legend of a hero."
Yun Yang bowed slightly and turned to leave, straightening up.
He had only taken a few steps before realizing that a few people were walking towards where he was with hurried steps.
With a thought in mind, a soft breeze rose to bring a layer of soil up and covered the fresh soil that he had just moved away from while he went to hide in a darker spot.
The newcomers were Shangguan Lingxiu alongside her two guards.
Yun Yang was surprised.
Why would Shangguan Lingxiu come here at this time? What was she doing here?