Chapter 319: Another Cauldron?
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Lei Dongtian chuckled wryly and said, "Brother Yun, I know you speak sincerely while thinking about me. What you said about enemy’s enemy being friends makes sense as well. That being said, you have to wonder, will he dare come if I really did have so many experts with me?"
"They can lurk around in hidden corners. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!" Yun Yang replied.
Lei Dongtian thought for a moment before speaking, "Brother Yun, you don’t have to persuade me any further; I’ve made up my mind. Just the two of us will be enough to wreak havoc in the Four Seasons Tower. At the very worst, we’ll at least be able to save my fiancé."
Yun Yang still wore a worried expression. "If so, I wish Brother Lei success. However, Brother Lei need not be courteous and avoid asking for help! Still the same words; an enemy’s enemy will always be closer!"
Lei Dongtian chuckled. "I understand. I won’t hesitate to look for Brother Yun should I need help."
Lei Dongtian began to grow fonder of Yun Yang. Actually, he had never thought to forge any ties with him. Even when he was unsure if Yun Yang was related to Ji Lingxi, their standpoints were different. Yun Yang’s shallow capabilities alone were already out of Lei Dongtian’s consideration and he finally had his heart set.
However, Yun Yang kept matching Lei Dongtian’s thoughts and was even thinking for him from a lot of aspects. Even if it might be due to Lei Dongtian’s gifts and the relationship of being their enemy’s enemy, the concern was still genuine. Of course Lei Dongtian was not entirely unmoved, so his tone when conversing with Yun Yang gradually turned warm, from the bottom of his heart.
It was also once again evidence of his amazing acting skills that were impeccable. Impressive indeed!
Yun Yang nodded as if he was not entirely convinced, and said after some musing, "Brother Lei, why don't you and your respectable subordinate stay at my residence? We can take care of each other. It’s a marquis residence here after all; that fellow is still using Lord Supreme Wind’s name now… he won’t go overboard with us…"
Lei Dongtian chuckled and asked cynically, "Does Brother Yun wish to protect me now?"
Yun Yang replied bashfully, "Why not? After all, this is just a temporary precaution…"
Lei Dongtian said, "Brother Yun, I understand where you’re coming from. However, with my cultivation base… Let's just say that if I need you to protect me still, I would be ashamed to see anyone else then."
Yun Yang kept quiet for a bit before he continued, "If so, then please pick somewhere nearby to stay. I would still be worried. Brother Lei, there were so many of us, but we’ve still been manipulated to this day. This person is tricky and clever, his plots and traps are hard to defend against…"
"Even if Brother Lei’s martial skills are wonderful and you are unafraid of the other party’s forceful ambush, can Brother Lei really be able to fend off unknown tactics?"
"Why not stay at the tavern opposite my house, Brother Lei? It’s not some top-notch tavern but the best inn in the city is too far from the Residence of Yun. If something arises, I’m afraid I’ll be too far to give help. If Brother Lei stays opposite of me, I’m a host of this land, after all, should any unforeseen circumstance happen. It’s more convenient for me to handle social affairs compared to Brother Lei. I can even provide an idea or two should the need arise."
Yun Yang said sincerely, "Brother Lei, one must be wary of being stubborn when being outside."
Seeing that Yun Yang was constantly thinking of him, Lei Dongtian felt even more touched and said, "If so, both of us will stay at the tavern diagonally opposite then. Brother Yun, you’ve been very thoughtful."
Yun Yang smiled, "It’s rare to have a good friend like Brother Lei, whose skill is adept and family background is even greater. Brother Lei’s character is tough as well; of course, this young brother must get closer to Brother Lei."
He chuckled sheepishly and said, "I'm afraid I behaved inappropriately out of greed earlier. Actually, Brother Lei need not give me so much. This young brother was overly lustful."
As he spoke, Yun Yang took off the ring and said, "Brother Lei, please take these gems back. These were received with guilt, and thus shall bring no pleasure."
Initially, Lei Dongtian had planned to take back these things after Yun Yang had finished speaking. There was no way Yun Yang could hold on to them if he had asked. Yet, they were speaking so happily now, and with Yun Yang being so concerned about his welfare, how could he have the heart to take them back?
He had to stay here for a good amount of time as well, and there would be a lot of things that he had to rely on Yun Yang to do. After all, Yun Yang was the only local he could find, given his own family's reclusiveness.
Was there anyone else to rely on?
Could he count on the relationship of emperors or princes?
It was already troublesome enough to make new acquaintances and he would have to provide a certain amount of benefits in return, without even being sure if they would support him. Why not resume forging ties with Yun Yang? Even if he were to ask for the return of all his treasures, that would happen afterward when everything else was settled. He wouldn't do that for now anyway.
"Brother Yun, whatever do you mean?" Lei Dongtian frowned hard and said unhappily, "What kind of person have you assumed this older brother to be?"
Just as Yun Yang was about to open his mouth, Lei Dongtian stopped him and said, "Is this older brother someone so untrustworthy, with words that held no value in Brother Yun’s eyes?"
Yun Yang smiled awkwardly. "Certainly not!"
Lei Dongtian said easily, "Brother, to be honest, I really have plenty of these things. If you have the need for them, I could bring you some every time I come over in future."
Outside, at the entrance, the corners of the elder in black robe’s lips twitched.
Plenty of these? Bring some every time you come?
Young lord, how boastful of you! A storage ring costs the very heavens, even if it’s the Bound of Universe! I only have one of them after living out most of my life! How could you make light of these and give them out like cheap treats?
You boast of taking something of mine and giving it away to someone else; this old man doesn’t even know if I can get it back after going home.
Yun Yang and Lei Dongtian had a delightful conversation; the more they spoke, the more they felt a sense of compatibility. Both of them shared so much that they almost became sworn brothers.
Lei Dongtian wanted to expose Ji Lingxi’s secret, tell Yun Yang that this was the girl he liked, but after seeing Yun Yang’s reaction, he had completely quashed this initial thought. No matter how he saw it now, Yun Yang was an honest man who was down to earth and thought for him wholeheartedly. It would be tasteless of him to use such tactics; what was more, he needed his cooperation.
He would just see how things went after their collaboration was done.
Looking at Yun Yang’s sincere gaze, Lei Dongtian could not help but sigh inwardly with guilt, "I have to kill such a person and retrieve my items when I leave… I really feel bad about this."
On the same night, Yun Yang and Lei Dongtian had a hearty drink as they talked about everything under the sun. As the interest in their subjects hiked and Lei Dongtian was in a good mood, Yun Yang took the chance to ask for a few healing pills for Dong Tianleng and Old Fatt.
"Brother Lei, I know the both of them have offended you, but…"
"Say no more, I know what you mean. Here are a few pills, take them. Give them one each and keep the rest… I have many of these, it is of no consequence!"
The elder in black robes moodily emptied goblet after goblet of wine.
He was muddled. His young lord was an infamous little devil in the Bound of Universe; whatever he did was all based on his moods and he would not hesitate to kill someone whenever a disagreement sprouted. Why was he making friends the moment he arrived here? Things were taking an odd turn indeed.
Was this a dramatic plot twist or a dramatic change of attitude?
…
The snow kept falling while Yun Yang and Lei Dongtian were drinking.
A flash of saber light blinked amidst the heavy snow. Two individuals, dressed as passing merchants, appeared at the south gate of Tiantang City.
"Saber, is it here?"
"It’s here."
"Let’s go in."
"Alright!"
…
On the same night, Lei Dongtian and the elder in black returned to the inn.
"Young lord, aren’t you treating this Yun Yang a little too kindly…" The elder in black was clearly still upset over the night's proceedings.
Lei Dongtian replied softly, "I have my own considerations in this. Old Mu, I'm guessing that you are put out by the fact that I gave him your storage ring?"
The expression of the elder clad in black robes darkened as he lowered his head and said, "This old servant has no such thought. Everything this old servant has was given by master’s family, how can there be such a complaint?"
Lei Dongtian’s cold gaze lingered on him for a moment before he said, "I’ll order the butler to reimburse a storage ring to you after we go back. I won’t let you suffer a loss… Old Mu, do you know that your biggest weakness is that you’re too calculative of petty benefits and regard current losses and gains too highly? No, too seriously. Why can’t you have more foresighted?"
Old Mu went pale. "Yes, this old servant accepts young lord’s advice with respect."
"It has already been six years since you began following me, not including the years before that you've spent in my house."
Lei Dongtian spoke nonchalantly, "You are capable and cultivated, knowledgeable and experienced, you have the brains and ability to plan; each aspect of you is the cream of the crop. If you could just change this bad habit of pettiness, you’ll definitely be my strongest asset when I become the master of the family!"
Old Mu’s breathing quickened as a surprised glow radiated from his eyes.
Lei Dongtian was the first in line of the Lei Family’s successors; it was cold hard truth be it of his identity or status. The weight of his words right now was undeniably hefty!
"Young lord, I will change!" Old Mu promised resolutely.
He had to be more liberal in the future, open-minded and open-hearted from head to toe; he would change his habits; he would be generous and graceful.
Giving a sweet promise of the future after teaching him a lesson, Lei Dongtian nodded in satisfaction as he watched Old Mu’s reaction. "Old Mu, do you think that Yun Yang can be yet another Seven Emotions cultivation cauldron of mine?"