Chapter 449: Supreme Cloud, Where Are You?
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The emperor and Old Marshal Qiu had asked each other this question multiple times daily.
The question was always the same; was Supreme Wind, who had been making unprecedented appearances, actually Supreme Cloud? The old marshal and His Majesty had long known about it because the original Supreme Wind could never have conjured up all the phenomena that had been taking place up until this point.
Only Supreme Cloud, the think tank of the Nine Supremes, had the foresight and astuteness to achieve it. However, he had not shown his true identity, hiding behind that of Supreme Wind; there would definitely be a reason behind it and the whole Yutang would help him hide the fact as well.
Still, the whole wide world probably knew by now that the Supreme Wind was actually Supreme Cloud. There might no longer be a need to conceal the truth.
Previously, Yutang's higher authorities had received news that the Empire of Ziyou had schemed to trap Supreme Cloud. The emperor almost fell sick when he knew about it. Luckily, news came again that Supreme Cloud had wreaked havoc in Zilong City, fought the entire army, broken the siege, and escaped unscathed; he had even directed the Lunar River's waters to the gates of Zilong City, threatening to drown the empire and everyone in it. It was a majestic display of domination!
Furthermore, after the battle, they had welcomed home General Shangguan Wudi's remains of Shangguan Family of Generals. The Shangguan hero could finally return home!
The news acted like a pacifier to the anxious Emperor of Yutang. He was all smiles and grins then, recovering from all manner of ailments at once.
What was more, the Empire of Ziyou had withdrawn its army due to this matter and resigned from the four-nation collaboration, taking a massive amount of pressure off Yutang's frontline.
Upon confirming the situation, Yutang had commanded the deployment of half of the western troops to assist in the eastern defense immediately, for them to intimidate Dongxuan and tackle Han Sanhe.
A few days later, they heard that Lord Supreme Cloud had appeared to help the southern line. His power in the southern battlefield had defeated Dayuan's troops and secured the southern defense in entirety. The whole of Yutang was in a celebratory mood, the people thrilled beyond belief.
The Nine Supremes were the Nine Supremes!
Even when there was only one of them, a sole Supreme left, they were still Yutang's guardian angels.
As long as they had the Nine Supremes, Yutang was safe!
After Supreme Cloud had concluded his part in the southern warfare, he had indicated clearly to the southern marshal that he would immediately make his way to the east to assist them and even asked that Yutang's emperor and the imperial court be at ease. With Supreme Cloud's assistance, the east border would be safe, even if they could not mount a counterattack.
Who would have known the dire events that would take place next?
After that, there was no longer any news about Supreme Cloud!
It was as if Supreme Cloud had disappeared into thin air. True to his name, he had turned into the clouds halfway through his journey, without any sign of where he had gone to.
Twenty days had passed since his last communication. Even the troops deployed from the east to the west would reach the Fortress of Resilience in a few more days.
For Lord Supreme Cloud, who had moved first and was incredibly fast, to fail to reach the east border without any news was a bizarrely terrible omen.
The east border was still in mayhem, facing the prospect of devastation and destruction, but Supreme Cloud's whereabouts were still unknown.
"What has happened? How can there be no news at all? The spiritual restraint in Zilong City couldn't even do a thing to Supreme Cloud, what else in this world can lay him low?"
Qiu Jianhan was pacing back and forth anxiously in the foyer of Board of Military. On the other side, the emperor was also doing the same, like an agitated lion.
"What could possibly have happened?" His Majesty was frowning worriedly.
There were already people who muttered darkly about Supreme Cloud these days, saying if Supreme Cloud had not stubbornly departed to Ziyou in the first place, this would not have happened. It was obviously a trap, yet he jumped in voluntarily; he was clearly disregarding the country's security and it was an utterly disappointing realization to the common man.
Both Old Marshal Qiu and the emperor were enraged by such defamatory statements.
"Must one be indifferent when their family and old friends are captured, just for the nation affairs? Could they be as stone-hearted as that?"
"Furthermore, it was during the period of the letter of the credence of peace – all the countries had promised to stay peaceful before the new year and the agreement has been announced to the entire Tianxuan Continent. Who would have thought that the four nations would violate it simultaneously?!"
"It was in the midst of winter when snow caps the mountains and seals the roads. This has always been the time for armies to rest and rejuvenate, but who would have thought that the war would come at this time?"
In spite of this, the emperor could only heave a long sigh. No one, not him, not even Qiu Jianhan, Leng Daoyin and the rest could ever have imagined that the letter of credence of peace could be breached!
It was the letter of credence of peace witnessed by the heavens and connected to the continent's fate! Did the emperors not value their lives?
The sound of heavy panting came about as a soft carrier was brought over. Old Grand Commandant Fang Qingtian lifted his upper half from the carrier anxiously and asked, "Is… is there news about Supreme Cloud?"
There was only heated anticipation in his eyes.
The Old Grand Commandant, who was at the last leg of his life, was still not at ease, asking people to carry him over directly.
Qiu Jianhan shook his head soundlessly.
Disappointment and desolation flashed across the Old Grand Commandant's eyes as he murmured, "Although no news is good news, I still want to know Supreme Cloud's whereabouts… As long as this old man knows the news of Lord Supreme Cloud! Even if it's not about him rushing to the battlefield, I can rest in peace, even if I were to die now…"
…
His Majesty's gaze was cold and hard.
"Old Qiu, we have lost all contact with Supreme Cloud on his way towards Dongxuan from the south… It's miles and miles of mountains there… There could be one who can harm Supreme Cloud there and trap him."
A hint of a murderous aura flashed across Qiu Jianhan's eyes.
"Only the Four Seasons Tower could have done this! It must be them!"
"Only the Four Seasons Tower can send terrifying experts and possibly trap the current Supreme Cloud!"
"We can confirm that Supreme Cloud must have wandered into harm's way. He must be contending against the Four Seasons Tower's experts now. I just wonder if Supreme Cloud is merely restrained or is his life being threatened!"
Worry clouded Qiu Jianhan's eyes; he did not want to voice out that last line, but Supreme Cloud, where are you?
"Important military news!"
Leng Daoyin hurried in with obvious urgency.
"Dongxuan has added another eight hundred thousand relief troops! They're being deployed separately; the first three hundred thousand are already on their way, the second batch has been assembled, the third batch is being gathered. Han Sanhe must have gone crazy! This is already enough to subjugate a nation! If Dongxuan doesn't fall in this war, then it will be Yutang's end!"
The emperor and Old Marshal Qiu looked aghast upon hearing the awful news.
Right now, Fu Baoguo had no more than five hundred thousand soldiers even if they were to add the relief troops and volunteer practitioners that were being sent over. Even if half of the western line's military strength had gone over, there would only be an additional hundred and fifty thousand militants!
It would be a miracle to defeat three million and two hundred thousand men with no more than six hundred and fifty thousand of their own.
The pressure alone would have made anyone go mad. Fu Baoguo was human as well, how could he be an exception?
Leng Daoyin said aloud, "Your Majesty, the new soldiers are about to complete their training. This old official requests permission to depart to the eastern defense and assist Fu Baoguo in guarding the Fortress of Resilience."
The emperor contemplated the request thoughtfully.
The situation did not allow them to only count on Fu Baoguo alone. The energy of one man was limited, he would have exhausted himself before they could see the end of this.
The enemy could rest, taking turns to catch a reprieve, but there was only one spine for the Fortress of Resilience.
Fu Baoguo could not rest.
Once the opponent's relief troops arrived, it might then be Fu Baoguo's moment of defeat.
It was a must to send help and relief troops. Under such circumstances, they had to send someone capable within the military. This person's ability and reputation could not be weaker than that of Fu Baoguo.
These two people were the guardians of Empire of Yutang's military forces. Once they went to the eastern defense, they would undoubtedly bolster the flagging morale of the militants stationed there.
The emperor was about to agree to the demand when a harsh voice interrupted his consent.
"Hold on there!" Qiu Jianhan's white beard swayed as he growled, "I should be the one to head to the east."
Leng Daoyin retorted angrily, "Are you saying that I am not worthy to do so?"
Qiu Jianhan replied, "Old Leng, we know what we are made of. I have been stationed in the east for twenty years! I can almost remember all the grass and trees there while you've always roamed around the south and west. How can you be more familiar with the eastern defense than I am? Tell me now, who among us is more suitable to be deployed there?"
"Besides, despite always being in the capital all these years, I'm confident that my reputation in the east still remains secure and foolproof. What am I waiting for if I don't use it now?"
"I'm still going to let you answer that question – between the two of us, who would serve better at the eastern defense?" Qiu Jianhan asked without any attempt at humility, his words straight to the point.
Leng Daoyin's face was flushed but he replied mildly in hopes for a better solution, "What you said is reasonable, but one cannot deny your old age. Just let me go… Old Qiu, you're older than I am, after all."
He looked at Qiu Qianhan worriedly.
Everyone knew that Qiu Jianhan was more suitable to assist at the eastern border, but looking at his head of white strands, who would actually be cold enough to let a man who had seen the better part of his life go by put on the armor again to return to war?
Accidents were especially common when facing Han Sanhe, whose military strength and combat power was undisputed.
Qiu Jianhan said defensively, "Am I unable to stop Han Sanhe just because I'm old?"
He turned.
"Your Majesty, this old official requests to depart to the east early tomorrow, with two hundred thousand men as relief troops!"
The Emperor gazed deeply at his old comrade, his old big brother, and sucked in a deep breath, saying, "Very well. This battle shall be tasked upon Marshal Qiu, but you will not leave with two hundred thousand men. I shall give you another hundred thousand men by gathering together my palace guards and royal forces! If the border is not secured, what's the use of keeping them with me anyway?"
"Agreed!"
The decision was made.
"Your Majesty, if you hear of your old official's fall one day…" Qiu Jianhan took a deep, shuddering breath and said, "Please move the capital to the southern border immediately to protect Yutang's fate!"
His Majesty turned away without saying anything; after some time, he replied, "There is no need to say more. Yutang shall never die!"
Leng Daoyin walked over hastily and called out, "Old Qiu…"
After those two words, he suddenly choked up, and only managed to continue after a long time, "Take good care!"
Qiu Jianhan laughed heartily and said, "If Dongxuan doesn't budge, then this old man will really be given to Han Sanhe!"
He departed, striding briskly out the door with long, strong, steps.
On that very night, all the noble families in the country enlisted themselves voluntarily together!
The Shangguan Family of Generals was one of those, while the Leng and Qiu Family had even exhausted all their members. Even the women who had any form of cultivation base were dressing up and mounting their horses, ready to depart.
Shangguan Lingxiu had just gotten back, but he had asked to be enlisted at once, even assembling all the martial power that the Shangguan Family had.
Twenty thousand warriors who had been through hundreds of wars were ready to depart.
Everyone in Yutang was heavy-hearted. The danger of this war was unprecedented.
The eastern border was in a state of emergency.
Yutang was swept in the atmosphere of tension, akin to that before a menacing storm.
Everyone was calling out in distress.
"Supreme Cloud!"
"Where are you?"