Chapter 363: Bloodline of the Nine Supremes
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
He exited Tiantang City and flew several thousand miles under the heavy snow, heading into dense forests, only slowing down when he neared the child's location.
The place was within the embrace of mountains. It was a quiet, picturesque village under the shadow of high peaks. There were, at most, fifty families in the entire village. The smoke of the evening woodfire curled up from the chimneys covered in thick layers of snow, highlighting the picturesque quality of the village and its peace and joy.
Yun Yang darted down in a gust of wind, landing at an exceptionally small, tranquil yard that was in the center of the entire village. He took in a deep breath.
There were a total of forty-nine households in this seemingly ordinary village. To the eyes of a keen observer, though, it was not difficult to notice that the other forty-eight households had formed an unusually close circle of defense around the small courtyard located in the center, protecting it under layers of guard.
Once Yun Yang entered, he could feel at least twenty different divine senses evaluating his arrival. For now, the probe was passive. The first seven houses he passed by had a muscular man watching him dangerously, or a woman who was knitting by the door with her pretty eyes warily watching him, seemingly unintentionally.
His target, the small yard of a house, had its door tightly shut on the other end.
Yun Yang stood outside the door. Just as he raised his hand to knock, creaking noises were heard and the doors of the two households flanking it opened simultaneously. Two burly men strolled out together with highly guarded expressions.
"May we ask what brings young master here?"
Everyone in the village carried a sense of savageness within them; Yun Yang could easily smell the scent of bloodlust that came from the battlefields on them.
He turned, following the voices, seeing one man had an empty left sleeve while another man was limping, albeit not too obviously.
Yun Yang smiled amicably, "I wonder which troop has both brothers retired from?"
The men stared at him suspiciously and said, "We don’t understand young master’s words. We are mere hunters. Since when have we enlisted in the army?"
Yun Yang smiled. "Have you not? Looks like I have misunderstood… I have come to visit my nephew."
"Your nephew?" The men frowned in confusion.
"My nephew’s nickname is Bao’er. Do you both know him?" Yun Yang asked.
"Bao’er?" Both men grew visibly defensive as they asked harshly, "Who are you, really?"
Yun Yang sighed and took out a jade pendant with a flip of his wrist.
It was better to show the token quickly. If he was any slower in stating his identity, these men might truly beat him up. It would not be desirable to injure anyone; it was fine if he was hurt but what if these two men were injured? They were good, loyal men who gave their all in protecting the eldest’s child! Yun Yang would feel his heart ache even if a strand of their hair were to fall.
Checking the jade pendant, the muscular men sighed in relief. "So, you’re one of us. Our apologies."
Yun Yang tucked the pendant in his robes and smiled, saying, "Those who do not know are not to be blamed. You are concerned about my nephew’s safety as well, how can I blame you for such vigilance? But I wonder, where is Bao’er now?"
Calculating the time that had passed, it had been one and a half years ago when Supreme Water had written the will. Currently, Bao’er should already be two and a half years old and would be able to run and walk now.
A small boy not yet the age of three no longer had his parents. Thinking of this, Yun Yang could not help the deep sadness in his heart.
"Bao’er is at home. He is a very good boy." Both men were smiling indulgently. "Bao’er got stronger this year. A lot smarter too."
As they spoke, one of the men ran over to knock on the door. "Aunty Li, Aunty Li. Open the door quickly. A guest has come!"
A soft-spoken voice of a woman spoke in delight from inside. "Is it Bao’er’s mother?"
Hurried footsteps could be heard before the door was opened immediately.
A weak-looking but elegant woman in her thirties appeared, searching with her eyes as her head emerged from the doorway.
The person she was looking for may never come… Yun Yang’s heart clenched again as he asked in a strained voice, "Is it Sister Li Yingqiu?"
The woman was taken aback at first before regaining her pleasant smile. "So this young master is The guest of honor. Please come in, please come in."
Yun Yang had only asked that to ensure propriety.
In this world, there were only two people who knew the real name of this woman – Supreme Earth and Supreme Water.
Speaking like this, how could the woman not know that one of her own had come! A person that Supreme Earth and Supreme Water trusted wholly.
"Bao’er, Bao’er, come out quickly. A handsome uncle has come!" Li Yingqiu chuckled.
The thick curtain was pulled aside and a porcelain head stuck itself out. The boy's large eyes looked at Yun Yang and he asked timidly, "Mama didn’t come?"
Obvious disappointment flashed across the inky eyes as he put the curtain down sadly. It seemed that he thought it was a rude gesture, so he pulled the curtain up again to say, "Hello, guest."
Only then did his head droop again.
Yun Yang immediately took to this adorable child who was sensible and good within a single glance.
He was beautiful - clean, adorable, obedient, shy, well-behaved. The only ill feature he possessed was probably the fact that he was slightly too skinny.
"This child, he has been waiting for his mother to come every day. Each time his mother comes, it is as though they don’t kiss enough," Li Yingqiu said lovingly.
Yun Yang felt a pang in his heart but said in a radiant tone, "A mother and her son are naturally connected. It’s how a child should be, that's not too surprising."
Li Yingiu looked at him and asked rather hesitantly, "This child’s mother has never brought any outsiders over. What I mean is that, why didn’t his parents come this time?"
Yun Yang inhaled deeply and replied, "They… have gone to a very far place for a mission. I’m afraid… it will be a very long time indeed before they are able to come back."
Li Yingqiu frowned and said quietly, "I see. They have always been very... busy."
She paused and asked again, "May I know young master’s family name?"
Yun Yang pondered and said cautiously, "My surname is Feng (wind), of the weather."
Li Yingqiu’s eyes shone as she said, "The family name Feng is rare indeed. I remember the child’s father mentioning that he has a brother with the surname Feng as well."
Yun Yang smiled and said, "That would be me. Among eldest brother’s brothers, only I have the surname Feng."
Li Yingqiu’s remaining guard was down now as she welcomed Yun Yang into the house warmly.
"Brother Niu, Brother He, please bring back some wild animals for me, if you’re free. I’ll make a few dishes to serve the guest of honor tonight," Li Yingqiu said, turning back into her home.
The men chortled. "Of course! We’ll ask a dozen men out later and hunt for more!"
They then turned to leave, laughing.
Looking at the retreating backs of the men, Yun Yang subconsciously pondered. It looked like eldest brother and fourth sister did not tell them their real identities, including Li Yingqiu. All of them were unaware that the child’s parents were two of the Nine Supremes.
If they had told them, the other party would have already known who it was that stood before her when he had said that his surname was Feng (wind)!
Just as he entered the house, he felt a gush of warmth.
Bao’er snuggled in Li Yingqiu’s embrace timidly and asked, "Who are you, uncle? Where are my papa and mama? Why didn’t they come? Bao’er misses them very much."
His tiny hand was gripping a very thin but intricate wooden sword. Looking at the carving style, Yun Yang knew that it was from Supreme Water's own hand; the material used was the same as the wooden figurine he had seen earlier.
Yun Yang chuckled softly and said, "Bao’er misses his papa and mama?"
"Yes!" Bao’er nodded forcefully.
"How much?" Yun Yang smiled.
Bao’er said with his eyes darting around, "I dreamed of mama last night. Mama’s embrace is very warm, warmer than the stove over there!"
Yun Yang almost teared up. Choking back a sob, he said, "Bao’er’s papa and mama have gone somewhere very, very far and can only come back after a long, long time. Would Bao’er like to stay with uncle first, while waiting for them?"
"No!" Bao’er shook his head forcefully with puffed cheeks.
Li Yingqiu was stunned when she heard him, and asked in a low voice, "Young master, the child’s mother has said that she will come to collect him."
Yun Yang shook his head and said, "The child’s mother only said that the child has grown up and has gotten to the age of learning. Staying here any longer than necessary would..."
Li Yingqiu looked a somewhat confused as his words trailed off into nothingness.
What Yun Yang had mentioned was indeed a real, impending issue that could not be ignored nor avoided. How could there be conducive learning in such an isolated, tiny village?
Yun Yang said smiling, "What I mean is… I have enough accommodation in my home. The entire village can move together lest all of you worry about Bao’er. I believe Bao’er is reluctant to leave all of you as well!"
Li Yingqiu replied delightfully, "That would be best."
This was the main cause for Li Yingqiu’s hesitance. Of course, she was reluctant to leave Bao’er but Bao’er would eventually have to leave this small village if he wanted to get the best education. Li Yingqiu had already decided to leave alone, to follow Bao’er and Yun Yang but the latter had said to bring the entire village with him. It had basically dispersed the last of Li Yingiqu’s worries!
Bao’er pouted and said in his child-like manner, "Is mama there? Mama won’t not want Bao’er, right?"
Obviously, the child did not fathom the implied meaning of Yun Yang’s words, only asking the question that concerned him the most.
Yun Yang spoke gently, "Mama will find Bao’er there once she comes back. Bao’er is mama’s baby. How can she not want Bao’er?"
Bao’er lowered his head and looked at the floor, "Bao’er has dreamed a few times about mama not wanting Bao’er. They were walking in front, and they wouldn't turn back, no matter how loud Bao’er shouted…"