Chapter 542: The Head of the Hall of Crimson Blade
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Yun Yang continued to speak in a low voice, "Marshal Yang contributed meritoriously to Yutang during this lifetime; other than making a mistake during the Nine Supremes' incident, he had not done anything wrong. He had even given up his life to expunge his regret. This is why I didn't do anything to the child! He is still alive and well now!"
Venerable Lord Ice quivered, tears streaming down his face. He suddenly kneeled down and bowed fervently to Yun Yang, "Thank you, Young Master Yun! Thank you, Lord Supreme Cloud! Thank you, Lord Supreme Cloud!"
If Venerable Lord Ice still could not discern that Yun Yang was actually Supreme Cloud, all these years he had spent living would be a waste!
"Shush! Someone's coming!" Yun Yang chided sternly.
Venerable Lord Ice was bent over in gratitude, but he did not make another further noise. There was the sound of a sob bubbling in his throat, but he had suppressed it. Thankfulness and contentment filled his heart.
Yun Yang sighed.
He was prepared to face the fact that Venerable Lord Ice realized his identity. Before Yang Botao died, the only one person by his side was Yun Yang's manifestation of Supreme Wind. It had been witnessed by the Four Seasons Tower's men.
Venerable Lord Ice knew that he was the one who heard Yang Botao's last words before his death; naturally, he would know that this person right before him was Lord Supreme Cloud, whom the Four Seasons Tower had been pulling their hair out over. There was no doubt about this.
However, Venerable Lord Ice would never be able to disclose the secret of Yun Yang being the Nine Supremes now! This was also why Yun Yang had broken him out of his mania. It was the same reason that gave Venerable Lord Ice hope as well.
If he continued having his head wrapped up in fog and exposed Yun Yang's secret identity, it would matter naught if he came to an untimely end, but what about his only grandson? His son's sole bloodline? Venerable Lord Ice could not afford to ignore the ramifications. Since he had come out of his insanity, there was hope. Given that Venerable Lord Ice could no longer live and he wanted Yun Yang to seek revenge for him… the rest need not be mentioned explicitly by the latter.
Yun Yang did not speak aloud but Venerable Lord Ice understood the implied meaning; the impact was larger than the words being uttered.
One stood tall while another wept on the ground. Both of them did not speak. Only the group that was still afar moved closer, reducing the distance between them. Finally…
With a swoosh, a shadow barreled through the snow storm like a hawk, landing in the valley. With a peek, he suddenly guffawed. "After searching far and wide, what one is looking for comes without effort! Isn't this Yun Yang, Young Master Yun, who is widely known throughout Tiantang City for killing so many people, who the martial practitioners are fearful of once they hear the name?"
He chortled easily and said with derision, "Why didn't Young Master Yun hide in Tiantang City to ensure your own safety? Instead, you've come to this dangerous wilderness? Have you come to seek your own death?"
"Who are you?" Yun Yang asked calmly.
Yun Yang's voice clearly indicated that he was tired, but there was a tone of disdain, as he did not regard anyone before him as anyone important. Venerable Lord Ice fell silent; he was still on the ground, his pristine white clothes stained, but he had regained his calm composure.
The one who came had a long face like a horse, his expression savage. He had a head of white hair and wore a crimson red robe, carrying a shiny silver saber. The overall look was indescribably out of place. Upon a closer look of his face, there seemed to be a mark from a blade on his left eyebrow that hinted at a scar that cut through from the center. It made it harder for one to like this person.
The newcomer laughed darkly. "Didn't Young Master Yun kill many of my subordinates? Can't you recognize me now? You're not feigning ignorance, are you?"
Yun Yang gazed at the man and pondered for a long while before saying coldly, "Red robes and white hair, silver saber, and cut brow… the head of the Hall of Crimson Blade, Hong Leader, must be the one who has arrived. Are you trying to hold me accountable for these deeds now?"
The newcomer was none other than the head of the Hall of Crimson Blade, one of the three assassins organizations that intimidated the world, Hong Zhan!
Hall of Crimson Blade – it was a literal name. Everyone in the organization only used blades as their weapon, only blood sabers! The only exception was their leader Hong Zhan, who used a silver saber – Silver Saber Hong Zhan!
This was a memorable character painted with rich, legendary, colors.
When this person made his debut, he came with nothing, but as he rose up the ranks, it was like a tyrannical wave that turned the world of assassins on its head. He created the Hall of Crimson Blade out of nothing and had even brought the organization to within the top three of the world's assassination organizations in the twenty years that followed. Someone had even predicted that while the Hall of Crimson Blade's capabilities might not catch up to Concourse of the Underworld's, it could very possibly beat The Merciless Tower if Hong Zhan was given another twenty years.
Speaking of the legend of Hong Zhan, something must be made known. Hong Zhan's cultivation base was incredibly high, so much so that it was difficult to ascertain. Until now, no one could be sure what level his cultivation base was. He had never left an injured man alive after his assassination attempts; there was no chance of surviving a decapitating blow!
He was then also called Silver Saber Hong Zhan, a truly overbearing title.
Now, this legendary character had appeared before Yun Yang, brimming with a barely concealed murderous intent.
Hong Zhan said faintly, "Young Master Yun, I'm actually very confused by events that brought about this incident. While the Hall of Crimson Blade has come to Tiantang City before to claim its targets, I don't believe that we've openly offended Young Master Yun before."
His sharp gaze landed on Yun Yang's indifferent face as he continued. "Young Master Yun is an aristocrat, King Xiaoyao's only son. You have blessed by heaven, your eyes now see past this world. Still, I don't understand why you've killed so many of our hall's men. I hope that you can explain this to us, Young Master Yun."
"Hong Leader's narration may have been too self-centered. Truth be told, I did not kill only your men throughout these days. There were many from The Merciless Tower that I have killed as well, perhaps even more than your hall's." Yun Yang grinned.
"Therefore, the explanation that Hong Leader wants, I will have to give it to Hen Bieli too."
Hong Zhan was stunned. He had expected Yun Yang to offer various reasons or suggest multiple ways of compensation to mend their relationship, but he did not expect the latter's words to be so frank, vaguely hinting that he did not mind offending two of the top assassins organizations.
In spite of this, Hong Zhan had still underestimated Yun Yang.
Yun Yang then lifted his head and stared at Hong Zhan in his graceful manner; clad entirely in purple, his tone was chilling as he said, "Even if I were to be given another chance and if I were to encounter the same thing again, these people who died by my hand will have to die again."
Hong Zhan was dumbstruck. If he had been merely hinting at being offensive earlier, was he openly declaring war now?
Yun Yang's gaze turned sharp immediately, like a glimmering saber in the dark; it was trained on Hong Zhan's face. Yun Yang spoke coldly, "These people whom I killed, they only represented themselves up until now. They had nothing to do with The Merciless Tower or the Hall of Crimson Blade! I hope Hong Leader doesn't ask to be snubbed!"
Ask to be snubbed?
Hong Zhan's gaze turned dangerous almost immediately.
Who in the entire Tianxuan Continent dared say that Hong Zhan was asking to be snubbed? It had been too many years since he had heard these four words!
His sharp gaze rested on Yun Yang as he uttered, "Reason?"
Yun Yang took two steps forward and said, "I am neither able nor worthy to stop the people of the martial world people who came to Tiantang City from doing what they want to do, killing whoever they want to kill, and carry out any mission they have to carry out."
"The people from your organizations; you are all assassins working for commission. There's no ground for blame that you carry out your missions and targets. I can't do anything about it! Unless… unless the people you want to kill, the mission you want to execute, is related to me. Then, of course, I'll have to do something about it. This doesn't need any further elaboration. Hong Leader should understand that this is my choice of stance."
Hong Zhan nodded and replied, "Young Master Yun is correct; that is well within reason. Still, what you said and what you've done seem to contradict each other."
"Do they? Hong Leader, why don't you ask if your subordinates have done something they shouldn't? If there are martial world scums who have taken assaulting women as entertainment, or maybe adopt bullying the kind as a pastime within Tiantang City. If I encountered any of them by chance, even if I just found out about it..."
Yun Yang grinned showing his teeth and said in an emotionless voice, "I would kill them all!"
Hong Zhan's expression turned sour.
Yun Yang continued. "Be it the Hall of Crimson Blade or any other organization… even if you are the Hong Leader yourself, as long as you pass this line, I will grant you no mercy!"