Chapter 346: Trading Life and Death for a Question
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Compared to Yun Yang’s meticulous planning on how to survive, Lei Dongtian was buoyant and confident about his own abilities. He stood in front of the window with his arms behind his back, watching the fluttering snowflakes, looking spirited with a carefree courage beaming through his expression.
"A man and his sword, a duel with the Four Seasons Tower!" Lei Dongtian spoke with fervor, "This young master’s great feat will be enough to weave another legend in Tianxuan Continent!"
Old Mu who was standing by his side could not help but roll his eyes.
Are you going to duel with the Four Seasons Tower alone with a sword? What about me?
Where do I stand? I’m alive and present, and yet you’ve taken me as transparent?
"A great feat that will earth-shattering indeed!" Old Mu mouthed the words insincerely. When he spoke, he felt a sense of mockery that could barely be restrained.
"The only pity is that the Residence of Yun is destined to be destroyed." Lei Dongtian looked at the beautiful structure and sighed, "I’ve really dragged Brother Yun Yang into this whirlpool."
Old Mu sighed. Did his young master suddenly discover his conscience? Or was he only faking crocodile tears?
Why don’t you mention about your yearning for his Yang energy? Deceiving his heart and lastly, even his body – you want everything without leaving out a single drop!
The quietly falling snowflakes suddenly swirled irregularly; some went twirling rapidly while some soared into the sky, some had even frozen in mid-air.
At the same time, an engulfing sense of murderous intent surged like a high tide from afar. The aura was as implacable as an oncoming tsunami.
As far as the eye could see, everything was white and misty; even the snowflakes that just landed seemed to be condensing into frost. There was also an eerily melodic string music that accompanied the arrival of the cold.
…
Venerable Lord Snow appeared first, emerging above the Residence of Yun amidst the heavy snow. He was clad in white and resembled a ghost that had merged with the snow; white and indistinguishable.
Following the appearance of Venerable Lord Snow, the snow fell harder and the frosty chill grew. The phenomenon was not caused by Venerable Lord Snow alone as Venerable Lord Frost appeared in the air as well, standing by Venerable Lord Snow’s side with a cold gaze.
From left to right, silhouettes came into existence. On one side, the sword energy gushed like a domineering dragon while on the other side, the extreme cold became more apparent as it spread out rapidly.
Through it all, the melodious string music was calm, not at all disturbed by the increasing cold and dense sword energy.
The Four Venerable Lords squinted their eyes when they saw it.
In a serene courtyard below them, there was a still, lush, green canopy that shaded an inky black table under the heavy snow. There was a black Chinese zither on the table, and it was the source of the resonating melody.
Other than the instrument, there was a cup of steaming tea and a small incense burner that contained lighted sandalwood sitting on the table. Behind the table, a youth in purple robes sat in a collected manner; his fair, jade-like fingers plucked at the strings agilely in a composed manner as the melodic music played on.
The purple-clothed youth had a face that looked like it was drawn by an artist; he was gracefully at ease and exuded a sense of nobility. Formidable enemies had obviously surrounded him but he seemed to not have noticed as he concentrated on playing the string instrument, obviously enjoying himself.
Venerable Lord Sword frowned amidst the billowing sword energy and asked in an ominous voice, "Are you the young master of the Residence of Heavenly Clouds? Yun Yang?"
Yun Yang’s fingers had not stopped plucking the strings of his instrument. His purple gown fluttered gently in the snow. He spoke faintly, "Please do not be impatient. With such great guests honoring my residence, allow me to play a tune. It represents the Residence of Heavenly Clouds’ way of welcoming guests."
His clear voice rang out faintly, "For everyone’s knowledge, this tune’s name is called Joy Upon Doors."
Venerable Lord Snow replied coldly, "The guests at your doors today are malevolent, what joy could there be? You should call it Catastrophe Upon You. Young Master Yun, if you still have the mood, then play a tune of Catastrophe Upon You!"
Yun Yang smiled. "Pardon my lack of knowledge. I didn’t know that there was such an ill-sounding tune!"
On the other side, an icy voice spoke, "It’s not important if this Catastrophe Upon You exists, but when the day is over, this tune will come into existence. Too bad the elegant Young Master Yun is destined not to be able to hear it. A truly regrettable state of affairs."
Yun Yang’s fingers plucked the strings gently, the melody ricocheting as he said, "You have all come with sanguinariness and spoken malicious words. We seem to stand at opposing ends, but pardon me for asking boldly – are you mighty ones, who have come here today, Four Seasons Tower’s men?!"
Venerable Lord Ice replied coldly, "Since you know the severity of the matter at hand, why are you still acting as if you are mystified? Are you intentionally seeking death?"
Yun Yang answered softly, "This conflict has nothing to do with this young master and the Residence of Yun. I shouldn’t have involved myself. I have already understood as much beforehand."
Venerable Lord Frost then said, "You knew but you decided to join in anyway. It’s an utterly stupid move, seeking your own death."
The Four Venerable Lords were reckless individuals with short tempers. A small conflict could trigger a massacre with them. The Four Seasons Tower’s drive to subdue the world by force and bloodshed in the martial world was ordered by Mr. Nian, but the main executioners were these individuals.
In spite of this, they seemed to have discovered some sense of patience, as their attitude were much better than when they had met Dong Tianleng’s group earlier despite their icy attitude and surging killing intent. The reason was actually very simple – they had simply been stunned by Yun Yang’s paramount grace as soon as they entered.
Imagine – a young master handsome, like jade clad in a purple gown, seated before a Chinese zither amidst the heavy snow and engulfing murderous intent. He was calm and collected, graceful and at ease, unperturbed by the threat of life and death. What a visual attack it was to take in such a portrait!
It made one wonder what else he would speak of.
Yun Yang continued speaking on his own accord, "Logically speaking, I shouldn’t have involved myself in this issue of Brother Lei. After all, the Four Seasons Tower is extremely dangerous, being the leader that reigns in the martial world."
"However, I’ve ultimately decided to be caught in this whirlpool." Yun Yang said leisurely, "Although I know that I’m putting my life at stake by including myself, I can’t help wanting to ask something."
He lifted his head to look at Venerable Lord Snow and Venerable Lord Frost with a calm gaze and said faintly, "Faced with the question of someone who’s going to die, I wonder if the Four Seasons Tower’s mighty ones can quell my doubt? At least let me be a well-informed ghost!"
They were enemies, but Venerable Lord Snow could not help admire the audacity of the fellow.
This Young Master Yun had a great demeanor and grace about him; it was impressive indeed!
He asked faintly, "I wonder what doubts Young Master Yun has. Do ask directly. If I know it, I’d speak honestly without hiding anything."
Yun Yang nodded, his fingers picking at the string as a series of notes sounded from low to high. Consequently, he stood up with arms behind his back and stepped forward from under the canopy. It was all snow white on his front and sides but the lush green of vitality was apparent behind him.
Yun Yang asked softly, "The Four Seasons Tower’s leaders are pioneers of the martial world and have long intimidated the world. For hundreds of years, no one could take their titles and even when they were met with Unrivaled Expert Ling Xiaozui, they have never really been at a disadvantage. This is a fact that needs no clarification. Yet, the Four Seasons Tower has never interfered with imperial politics nor joined in the hegemony in the continent to hinder a nation’s fate. This is also the truth!"
Yun Yang’s tone was unruffled and he looked calm as he spoke. "However, why has this respectable tower suddenly targeted Yutang without any warning? Destroying the pillars that supported our nation’s foundation and annihilating our heroes and warriors! I wonder… what is the reason for it?"
Venerable Lord Snow’s pupils constricted. "I’m very impressed that Young Master Yun ignores the death threat that comes with this question but… it is destined that your effort is wasted in asking it."
Yun Yang nodded. "Respectable one speaks truthfully; I won’t push it either. Allow me to change the question. Yutang is located in the center of the continent and faces threats from all sides. It’s already a tricky situation but luckily, the danger is turned around with the help of the Nine Supremes Lords, yet they’ve all perished in the hands of the Four Seasons Tower. May I ask the reason? Can respectable one answer this?"
Venerable Lord Snow was beginning to get slightly upset. "Isn’t what Young Master Yun wants to know a little too much information?"
Yun Yang smirked and replied, "Is this respectable one still reluctant to answer this question? Let me change the question again then, I believe respectable one must know the answer to it. May I ask Venerable Lord Snow, where is the impostor whom the Four Seasons Tower has wholeheartedly cultivated to disguise as our Lord Supreme Wind now? I believe he wouldn't want to miss this battle, would he?"
Venerable Lord Snow was stunned when he heard the young man's words. How could he know the answer? He did not even know where the question came from and what to speak of. What sort of a question was this? Was this Young Master Yun dumb? Why else would he be asking such an idiotic question?
"Respectable one still refuses to answer me? I see that your promise to answer truthfully was only a just. It is unfortunate that we are at odds; it’s only understandable, of course, if you are reluctant to leak your own intelligence. I have taken things for granted, it’s only right that respectable one refuses to answer me! However… your actions in killing our national heroes then impersonating one of them to deceive everyone is a repulsive act. I really don’t understand what benefit it would give the Four Seasons Tower for doing so?"
Yun Yang was clearly in anguish.
"Nonsense!" Venerable Lord Snow frowned. "This question of Young Master Yun gives no room for me to answer."
"Could it be that this is also the unspoken secret of the Four Seasons Tower?" Yun Yang asked slyly.
He then chuckled softly and said, "I see now that the Four Seasons Tower has so many secrets - even from its own people."
The sarcasm was evident in his tone.
Venerable Lord Snow grew infuriated while Venerable Lord Sword growled angrily, "Why speak so much with him? Where is Lei Dongtian? Come out quickly and accept your death! The Residence of Heavenly Clouds will no longer exist in this world after tonight!"
A voice answered coldly in response, "Are you Venerable Lord Sword? What a hoot to ask this young lord out to accept my death, you’re not yet qualified to dispense it! However, if you f*ck off, that would be a wiser move."
As he spoke, Lei Dongtian’s silhouette appeared in the sky. His arms were behind his back, the very image of the ultimate expert. Below him, Yun Yang continued speaking, "Perhaps I should say that the Four Seasons Tower has always been like this – they dare not admit what they’ve done!"
All four Venerable Lords were staring at Lei Dongtian. Compared to the insignificant Yun Yang, Lei Dongtian was this fight’s main point. They could distinctly feel the powerful aura Lei Dongtian was exuding and he would definitely be one of the handful formidable foes they would face in this lifetime!
Each of them was focused as mystical Qi rapidly flowed through their entire being, completely ignoring Yun Yang’s words and not answering him.
Venerable Lord Snow who had fought with Lei Dongtian before and knew well of Lei Dongtian’s capabilities dared not let his guard down, so he naturally had no time to care about anything else.
However, they did not know that the ultimate goal of all of Yun Yang’s questions and foreshadowing was the last sentence he uttered.
The Four Seasons Tower had never dared to admit what they had done?! Never?
Hearing this, Lei Dongtian’s heart flared as his rage burned uncontrollably