Chapter 696: I Only Trust You!
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
General Li was caught in a hard place. "This lowly general is only carrying out instructions. Why are you making my life difficult, young heir?"
Yun Yang spoke aloud, "Carrying out instructions – whose soldier are you? Which matter should be prioritized? The crown prince lacks consideration and does things improperly. Are you following blindly? If the dragon hide treasure maps are retained, let's not talk about Tiantang City being the world's target, what about the reputation of being unaccountable? How are you planning to compensate for this? How many more lives shall we lose afterward, for these two pieces of the map?"
"Can't you see it yet? The so-called secret dragon hide map is nothing but huge trouble!" Yun Yang said, "Keeping them will only cause unnecessary problems, a source for disaster!"
"But…" General Li began.
"No more but's. I'll explain it to the crown prince later. You'll be left out of this!" Yun Yang waved his hand in dismissal, having fixed the subsequent affairs.
General Li had a quick discussion with the other generals beside him before finally lifting his head and saying, "Since Young Master Yun says so, we can let them go and we won't take the dragon hide treasure maps as well - but the map pieces will never go along with Hen Bieli and the assassins!"
Yun Yang was taken aback upon hearing his words. "What's the meaning of this? The martial world's item of fantasy belongs to the martial world. It is fate, no matter who acquires it. Why are you causing further issues?"
"Young Heir Yun, you have a remarkable cultivation base and are unafraid of ambushes. We, unfortunately, do not share that same bravery! The last of the assassin's forces succumbed to us in today's battle. If they were to obtain the treasure, however…" General Li spoke hesitantly.
Everyone immediately understood what he was trying to say.
Had Hen Bieli and his group obtained the treasure and intended to seek revenge, the crown prince would be the main target, while the generals and Deicide Bow archers involved today would be on the list as well.
Excluding the events of the day, how many people out there could defend themselves against such terrible revenge? This was basically laying one's head under the blade!
The request was tricky, so much so that Yun Yang hesitated as he repled, "Uh… But…"
General Li spoke resolutely, "Young Master Yun, pardon this lowly general's stubborness. If this condition cannot be fulfilled, this lowly general does not dare let Hen Bieli and group leave. Young Master Yun is benevolent and forgiving, calm and collected, but we have not these holy virtues!"
Yun Yang sighed and was about to argue, but Hen Bieli suddenly emerged from a pile of corpses. He raised his head and spoke in a low voice, "Young Master Yun, there's no need to argue any further. I, Hen Bieli, accept your grace today. Up until this point, we can't possibly leave if we don't return the map. This is certain, it's destined. We resign ourselves to this fate!"
A flash of extreme hatred flickered in his eyes as he spat through gritted teeth, "Anytime I, Hen Bieli, am still alive, shall be the time I repay Young Master Yun's good grace! Just like what Young Master Yun said, the dragon hide treasure map is indeed huge trouble. Keeping it by force will only cause further trouble and lead to calamity. What truth! This secret map – we don't want it! As long as everyone allows us to leave safely in peace, we shall hand over the dragon hide maps with both hands."
Hen Bieli had spoken so earnestly it was apparent that he was sincere. Yet, he had not said a word about the crown prince. The implication was only as evident. Everyone heard what he did not say, everyone understood it.
As long as he was alive, he would repay Yun Yang's saving grace anytime, but the grudge of the crown prince would also be a resentment he would avenge as long as he was alive! The debt of gratitude and revenge existed concurrently.
This was how a martial man worked! As long as they remained living, they would not rest until they died!
Not resting until one died was actually a neutral term; it could be interpreted positively and also understood under a negative light.
Hen Bieli stood up, straightening himself slowly, and called out, "Hong Zhang!"
Hong Zhan stood up from another pile of corpses. There was an arrow stabbed into his right shoulder, going through his body, leaving only the tail of the arrow in his chest. Blood was still gushing out of the wound.
"Big brother," Hong Zhan responded, looking aggrieved.
The other three assassins stepped out as well. Each of them was solemn, their gazes scanning everyone in front of them.
Hen Bieli gritted his teeth with closed eyes, speaking through them powerlessly, "Retrieve… the secret map."
"Big brother!" Hong Zhan cried, his eyes turning red instantly.
Plot after plot, scheme after scheme, everything had been done to bag the dragon hide treasure map. Unexpectedly, in the end, they had to return the secret map pieces with both hands held out. The humiliation and reluctance to part with the map pieces were unavoidable.
"Take it out!" Hen Bieli hollered, "The dragon hide map is no longer an opportune chance for us. If we die here, what use is the secret map? It would still belong to others, wouldn't it?"
Hong Zhan lowered his head. His muscular build was trembling.
For the first time, the head of the Hall of Crimson Blade was showing his vulnerable and sad side in public.
Hong Zhan looked up into Hen Bieli's eyes. Both men saw the endless loathing that was reflected in each other's orbs.
They had completed all the planning and ploys so smoothly. The exit was already before their eyes. Yet, it was at this final moment that the crown prince had popped out to intervene brusquely, spoiling the perfect set-up brutally. Once these two pieces of the map were handed out, perhaps they would never see it again in this lifetime.
Hong Zhan was still trembling. His emotions wreaked havoc within him. Hen Bieli's lips were quivering but he had still urged weakly, "Brother… take it out…"
The other three pinnacle assassins pressed their lips tightly together like the former pair. They looked at Hen Bielie and then at Hong Zhan before shifting their glance to General Li, who was mounted on his horse, wielding his blade. The iciness in their gazes was not the least bit concealed. Their brimming murderous intent was overflowing, almost tangible.
Hong Zhan stroked his spatial ring, his tears falling to the ground. Steeling himself with closed eyes, he retrieved the hidden map and squeezed it in his hands. Stretching his arm out abruptly, his voice was hoarse as he shouted, "Take it!"
He had tried his best to control the tone of these two words but his teary inflection had still carried through. No one present had ever heard of this intonation of his; it was possibly the only time they would hear it for it would never be repeated again!
Who was Hong Zhan?
He had actually cried in public. The fact that this happened was a fright to everyone.
Hen Bieli shut his eyes and let out a huge breath. He took large steps over and received the two pieces of the dragon hide treasure map from Hong Zhan. Verifying them to be authentic, he slashed at them twice with his sword harshly and burned them for a short while; they proved to be real, preventing any suspicion and doubt or the possibility of a hidden threat.
He was anguished as he said, "I have retrieved the items. They are right here. The desperate situation today called for desperate measures. We have nothing left to say. Among those here, the only person I trust and is worthy of appointment is Young Master Yun. I shall pass these two pieces of the map to Young Master Yun. I hope Young Master Yun doesn't mind. Please help a brother once again!"