Chapter 606: Civil and Martial Mandarins
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Yun Yang scoffed, a murderous intent gleaming in his eyes, as he said, "Here is the truth about the Nine Supremes' doom. It is even more evident that this two individuals can't be kept alive. The Nine Supremes Lords are the Empire of Yutang's heroes. Murdering our heroes makes them our biggest enemy; they will have to pay for their crimes!"
"We, the people of Yutang, have always felt regret for not being able to avenge the Nine Supremes Lords' deaths. Now that there is such a huge clue, these two people must be brought to justice! They must be minced and tormented and have their bones shaved and ashes spilled!"
"Initially, I helped you because our vibes jived. Now that we share a common enemy, we should work together and help each other out!"
The three Venerable Lords could not help rolling their eyes when they heard Yun Yang.
'Do you think it's so easy?'
'Listen to yourself, talking about bringing them to justice and all of that tripe, how speechless could we possibly be?'
'Which of the two of them can be so easily caught?'
Yun Yang stood up and bowed deeply. "I ask for the three Venerable Lords to help me. Do tell me the identities and backgrounds of these two people and where they are hiding. I'll eradicate the duo with all I have. These two are our enemies!"
"Young Master Yun, the abilities of these two people are not something to be trifled with…" Venerable Lord Snow said, "It's not that we're reluctant to tell you. We, more than anyone else, hope for the quick deaths of these two, but… I'd be sending you to your own death if I tell you. Young Master Yun, you're a youthful talent with a bright, promising, future. You don't have to provoke an enemy you can't manage just to indulge in a reckless moment."
Yun Yang contemplated that for a moment before speaking in a disappointed voice, "It looks like the three of you will hardly have the fighting spirit if I don't spur you on a little. I shall not keep the suspense then. The three of you may know this, but you may not know it clearly."
His voice was low and soft, almost indiscernible.
The trio felt the beginnings of goosebumps and asked involuntarily, "What is it?"
"I believe that the three of you know that Ling Xiaozui and Dugu Chou are in Tiantang City right now." Yun Yang spoke very softly, "However, you probably don't know that the both of them are staying together. Despite just knowing each other, it's like they've been friends for a long time…"
"If these two can help us, things will be an entirely different story." The trio's eyes shone brightly before they sighed right away, "Still, how can these two experts be summoned so easily?"
Yun Yang wore a mysterious grin. "When God closes all the doors, a window will be left open. I think you understand a saying like this. Brother Ling Xiaozui used to have a conflict with the Four Seasons Tower and owes me a huge favor… If I were to ask him and the target was to be the Four Seasons Tower's men, I think there's still a high chance he would lend his aid…"
The three Venerable Lords sucked in a cold breath simultaneously once they heard him. They looked at Yun Yang like they were seeing a ghost.
"Is it true? Is Young Master Yun being honest?"
"Of course!" Yun Yang was fervent in his affirmation. "Just last night, Brother Ling and his friends came to my residence for a drink, introducing Senior Dugu to me formally!"
Vertigo hit the trio once they heard what Yun Yang had said. Regaining their composure after some time, they exchanged glances, seeing similar sentiments mirrored in each other's eyes. This could be done! It was absolutely doable!
The three Venerable Lords who shared the same thoughts immediately got excited. If one could stay alive, how could one wish to die? What was more, there was a hope for revenge, to wipe out the enemy once and for all. How could they let such an opportunity slip by?
Venerable Lord Snow sucked in a deep breath and said, "If Young Master Yun were to obtain such potent assistance, the situation will naturally be different. This way, I can tell you more information about the men. Still, you must act carefully. If Ling Xiaozui refuses to help, you mustn't behave recklessly. As long as one is still alive, there's still hope!"
"Don't worry. I cherish my life as much as the next man!" said Yun Yang.
The four of them looked at each other and chortled.
Venerable Lord Snow almost whispered, so softly did he speak. " The civil side between the duo is the Residence of Crown Prince's prime aide, Sir Bi. Sir Bi is an exceptionally dangerous person. Forget his incredible cultivation base, his residence alone is set up with countless hidden passages and secret threats. Plenty of them are designed hundreds of feet underground and there is a secret passage that reaches five hundred miles away from the city!"
"Besides, Sir Bi has more than one stand-in."
Venerable Lord Snow elaborated, "All his substitutes lurk in his residence. According to what I know, there are at least three of them. Even if one were to be killed, it's hard to say if he's the real one or a stand-in. His various substitutes look the same, be it by their height, weight, appearance, or self-portrayal… even their mannerisms are the same. There's no way to distinguish among them."
"If that is the case, it'll be tricky…" Yun Yang began contemplating with a frown while secretly breaking out in cold sweat; thankfully he had not acted carelessly or else he would have been trapped.
"As for the other person, the martial undertaking is between the two of them," Venerable Lord Snow said, "He is a high-ranking official in the military. He's the third man-in-charge after Fu Baoguo… one who's specifically responsible for planning and approving military plans… Wu Ying."
Yun Yang's expression twisted the moment he heard the name.
Wu Ying?
This person sounded familiar, but at the same time, very distant from Yun Yang. He was just like his namesake1, without a shadow and untraceable. He worked in the Board of War, having a house to himself to specifically check upon and approve all military plans. His status was very high and the reason for his high status was due to his impossibly high military discipline. Any plan that came from him had no chance of being changed. Not only was there no one who dared to modify it, there was no one who could possibly do it!
Since he had picked up the responsibility, there had been missteps and he had also never stepped out of the house. A few of his janissaries would send the required information to him and he would then toss them out from the window after completing the necessary crosschecking inside.
Such independence and solitude were not even living in seclusion, but living without ever coming out! Gradually, people began to notice his presence in the Board of War – someone with high authority but who never showed himself.
Therefore, Yutang officials' remarks about him was a person who worked humbly and willingly.
Even when Old Grand Commandant Fang Qingtian was ill and could hardly manage any matter now, compounded Fu Baoguo's absence, Wu Ying could still administer the Board of War perfectly with just his notes.
Everything that he presided over proved one thing – that he was an exceptionally intelligent person who could plan and plot strategies that were decisive to future victories. This person was Fang Qingtian, Qiu Jianhan and other senior marshals' most trusted person whom they thought very highly of!
Based on the current situation, in the event where the Old Grand Commandant passed on and Fu Baoguo continued to guard the border, there was no surprise that this man would be the top authority of the future Board of War. No one could do the job better than he! Even Fu Baoguo had once said that this person was exquisitely talented and he could never compare to Wu Ying's ability to govern the military affairs.
It was due to this very reason that Yun Yang had never thought it was possible for this man to be a traitor, even when he was filtering possible spies. He had even checked upon the empress and emperor and did not have complete trust in people like Qiu Jianhan and Leng Daoyin.
Right now, a thunderbolt crackled within Yun Yang when Venerable Lord Snow uttered this name, bringing about a sense of disbelief.
"How can it be him? It's unbelievable…" murmured Yun Yang.
It crossed Yun Yang's mind that Venerable Lord Snow could be wrongfully accusing Wu Ying, but upon further consideration, he believed him. It was because the person who looked least possible to be a spy would not necessarily mean he was not one; this had always been the case!
"I know that Young Master Yun is doubtful. Actually, the evidence that Wu Ying is the martial one is simple… This person's cultivation base is incredibly high…" Venerable Lord Snow said, "It's at least higher than ours. I think this is proof enough."
Yun Yang was jolted. That was right. If Wu Ying only had a certain level of cultivation base, it would not be considered proof; yet if he was more skilled than the three Venerable Lords, it was a huge issue. It would be unexplainable why he would hide in an imperial court!
"There's something I have to reiterate. This person's intelligence is not at all weaker than Sir Bi's." Venerable Lord Snow said, "Compared to the renowned Mr. Nian… these two men are the true venomous snakes of Four Seasons Tower, the ones with the most heinous hearts!"
"Strictly speaking, their status in the tower isn't high, lower than ours, even. They are restrained by the hierarchy of us being Venerable Lords. However, anything in this worldly realm, especially imperial matters regarding Yutang, Ziyou, Dongxuan, Dayuan and other empires… from these places to anything in the Four Seasons Tower, he has to go through them."
"These two people are the Four Seasons Tower's civil and martial mandarins!"
Yun Yang wobbled slightly, sighing dejectedly.
If he had the Four Seasons Tower's intelligence network backing him up, Wu Ying could know everything happening in the world just by sitting at home. His glorified ability to be able to manage his administration was reduced somewhat by this revelation.
"That is why everything must be done carefully. We simply can't afford to be careless." Venerable Lord Snow had repeated this line for about a dozen times tonight.
"I understand. I really do now." Yun Yang said, "If I don't have complete confidence, I won't act recklessly."
He then stood up immediately and said, "Rest well here. This is a very secluded spot. I can guarantee that as long as you don't show yourself first, those assassins will never be able to find you even when they flip the entire Tiantang City around. Compared to them, I am the true local here!"
He then said softly, "So the priority now is for three of you to recover and heal quickly. As for the future… well, we have ample time for it."
The trio nodded in unison.
Looking at the two bottles of medicinal pills Yun Yang left behind before he went away, the trio felt their hearts lurch. Yutang's Young Master Yun was indeed a friend worthy to make! He was brave, loyal and forthright; he prized brotherhood and loyalty. His delicate concern was enough to move someone and make a lasting impression.
"It was too bad we stood at opposing sides in the beginning. The psychological conflict will always be the hardest to overcome." Venerable Lord Sword sighed, "Otherwise… I'd like to get to know such a friend even more."
Venerable Lord Snow snorted and said, "Forget your wild wishes. Young Master Yun has done everything in his power. Making friends with him now will only bring him further trouble."
"My only wish now is to requite the favor as much as I can. Then, we can roam the world and live in seclusion in the forest. It has been terribly exhausting," sighed Venerable Lord Frost.
The trio then fell into an introspective silence.
…
Yun Yang returned to his residence. A frown was locked into place as he kept quiet for a long time.
Just by the descriptions of the three Venerable Lords, Yun Yang could imagine how terrifying the civil and martial men were. Just like he said, he would never ever act recklessly to take these two people down.
He would only act when he was utterly sure and thoroughly confident to a fault; when that happened, he would take both the men down in unison. Otherwise, they would disappear from this world promptly even when they seized one of them. Yun Yang could even guarantee now that if such people vanished, it would be a struggle to find them again in this lifetime, despite his current capabilities.
Yun Yang frowned and was deep in thought, trying to come up with a secure action plan. However, what he felt the most helpless about was that Ling Xiaozui and the other three experts were not here.
Like Ling Xiaozui said earlier, "Do you even need the four of us to be your bodyguards with just this minor issue in Tiantang City?"
"Our target now is Mr. Nian. The four of us are basically taking on the highest authority in the Four Seasons Tower. The rest is nothing, you don't need us to take care of them!"
Consequently, the quartet had left yesterday night. They did not even allow him to follow them to watch this battle of the century from the sidelines. They had not returned until now, so Yun Yang did not know how their situation was.
As Yun Yang thought about it, he could not depend on this battle of his on the four old men… If so, he had to complete the plot against these two terrifying characters with what he had now!
Misfortune never comes alone. Bai Yixue was not here and he had to allocate manpower to guard Bao'er to ensure his safety. The calculations rendered his manpower absolutely limited. How could he tackle both men with such combat power?
"How severely short-handed we are!" Yun Yang exclaimed forlornly.
Translator Note:
1Wu Ying is homophone in Chinese to the meaning of without a shadow.