Chapter 450: Going to War. Helplessness.
Chapter 450: Going to War. Helplessness.
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Shangguan Lingxiu could not help herself when she went to the Residence of Heavenly Clouds during dawn on the day of departure to war.
The Residence of Heavenly Clouds had been completely rebuilt now, taking up about double of its original size and was more luxurious and dazzling than it ever was.
This heavenly residence on earth was comparable to the white jade palace in heaven!
It was a sight to behold and anyone who saw it would be amazed. It was just that such a tremendous residence was empty and barely filled with humans.
After the residence was rebuilt, Dong Tianleng and gang had taken up a yard of space each, laying claim to the place as their home shamelessly. Yun Yang had yet to return; without his master, Lao Mei would not chase his young master's guests away. Therefore, the four rascals were allowed to stay on.
After the previous battle, Lao Mei had regarded Dong Tianleng and his gang in a different light. There was a huge change in his attitude as well. If he had been cold before, he was treating them like his old friends and relatives now!
The friendship forged after a battle together, one that called for life and death directly, was distinct indeed!
If someone were to tell Lao Mei that he would be sincere friends with the 'legendary' noble young masters of Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter, that they would go through life and death together, Lao Mei would have spit on that person. Now… he could only swallow that spit; life was unpredictable indeed!
Those faithful to kinship were mostly butchers and lower-classed people while those who were cruel were mostly scholars and the educated ones– such was the truth! However, the four popinjays were not from the lower classes, yet they were so faithful to their brotherhood. How precious was that?
"This is so comfortable!"
"This house… Damn it, when your father lives alone after the family wealth is split, I want to build one like this. This is a perfect life." Dong Tianleng shook his leg casually.
The few remaining guards of the Dong Family gazed into the sky, thinking, "F*cking hell, this fellow actually wants to split family wealth now… If the household master knows of this, his legs will surely be broken, even if he has three of them!"
"Besides, even if you're allocated a portion of the property of the household, you won't be able to afford such a house anyway. Just the materials for such a yard will already need tens of millions of taels. Even if you empty out your fortune building it, don't you have to go about your daily life afterward?"
"Furthermore, it is simply a waste for you to stay in such a wonderful house. Will you be able to guard it? Who knows if some ace cultivator covets such a remarkable man-made cultivation location some day and snatch it from you? It's only expected and reasonable!"
The four popinjays lived an easy life with their guards in the Residence of Yun, but it had only been four days that they had just gotten used to such an enjoyable life that they were held captive by Qiu Jianhan.
"You fellow! You are to follow me to war!"
"Look at your fats and flabby meat! I have to train you fellows on behalf of your father!"
The old marshal was maddened, racking his brain to think of a way to ensure the Empire of Yutang's security; he would do anything to make sure of it. Suddenly recalling that his nephew seemed to still be in the capital city and had a few popinjay friends with him while they had several men of high cultivation base with them, he would feel guilty if he did not use them.
He had easily found a reason to take them all away and enlist them into the army.
Dong Tianleng and gang were reluctant to sign up, but no one dared say a thing.
What sort of an existence did Old Marshal Qiu have in mind for them? It was someone Boss Yun had to obey and be manipulated by; he was the head of Yutang's top three rogues. Since he had voiced out his order, these helpless chickens might as well obey him immediately!
"Let me tell all of you. It is a time of war now and Yutang is in a critical state. Things are conducted fairly casually. If you don't follow orders, you'll be charged under military law!"
"What do you mean charged under military law?" Chun Wanfeng, who was at a loss, blinked as he thought furiously, "We didn't say that we aren't going, why are you talking about charging us?"
"Military law means beheading. Simply said, if you're disobedient, your head gets chopped off!" Qiu Jianhan glared at them.
The four of them were shocked. This was no laughing matter. They felt like pulling out right away.
"No, no, no. We don't want to go. We're not soldiers. We…"
"Take them. Bring them all away!"
Under Qiu Jianhan's orders, a group of men wearing menacing smirks charged in and took off the four fellows' clothing in an instance, changing them into military uniforms.
"Now that you're all in military uniforms, it's done for. You're now soldiers!"
The old marshal left no room for objection. "A soldier will, of course, follow the military law!"
All four men looked tearful.
F*ck, how can something like this happen? I've heard of innocent women being forced into prostitution, but this.. this is forcing people into enlistment!
This is violating the rights of healthy people to serve in the military!
Dong Tianleng turned his head away. "Old Sir Qiu, can you be reasonable? I'm not from Qiu Family… you can't control me!"
"How dare you go against your superior? Do you know that it's a penalty worthy of being beheaded? Since it is your first fault, it'll be forgiven with a lighter punishment. Men, ten thousand flogs!"
Dong Tianleng slunk away in defeat.
Ten thousand flogs? Was this considered a light punishment?
There would barely be any piece of flesh the size of a fingernail's left on him after the punishment!
He had truly experienced what it took for one to be roguish; the legendary head of Yutang's three top rogues was true to his reputation indeed. There was no exaggeration, he was a gangster, through and through.
Comparatively, their reputation as four great popinjays was only child's play. There was no way they could be compared, as they were heaven and earth apart.
"Please spare my life! This subordinate is willing to requite the country with patriotism and will do everything with my life…" Dong Tianleng knew when to admit defeat.
"I see that you're tactful! At least you know how to be appreciative! This old man is kind enough to path your way to being an official… Your ancestors should be thanking me, thanking my ancestors…"
"Let's go!"
Qiu Jianhan left, pulling at Dong Tianleng's ear.
The other three popinjays were forced into enlistment as well, cursing Qiu Jianhan and his family over and over again inwardly along their way; even his ancestors were not spared.
Who f*cking cares to be an official? Look at how you're pretending to be benevolent… If our families know, they will surely wallop you… It's fine to forgo cursing – cursing your ancestors, the Qiu Family won't agree to this!
Swearing inwardly was one thing; that they were at a disadvantage was another. Four of them could only follow suit. It was said that life was like being f*cked; since one could not put up a fight, one might as well enjoy it.
These four young men had been captured, so their guards could only go along despite not being caught. It was a certain rogue's grand plan; it would be a waste to leave the peak realm cultivators be, better to just utilize all of them.
Therefore, the Residence of Yun was empty again.
Fang Mofei and Bai Yixue had a discussion with Lao Mei before they left with Qiu Jianhan.
"Young master's lifelong wish is to protect Yutang. We're his guards, of course, we have to go to the battlefield. We can't charge the frontline with the army but we can be the old marshal's janissaries and ensure his safety. It's something we should do."
This was the two men's honest thoughts and it was how they conveyed it to Old Marshal Qiu. They asserted their stance clearly, willing to become Old Qiu's personal guards in the coming battle.
Old Marshal Qiu was overjoyed that these two would offer their assistance. His knowledge about the strength of superlevel cultivators was relatively limited, and he only knew that both these men were above Tenth Perfection, especially Bai Yixue, who was also one of the world's top swordsmen. He was someone who had survived the Unrivaled Swordsman's, Jun Moyan's, strike. Of course, he would gladly take them in.
Despite his slight disdain for Bai Yixue, he still regarded him highly and was willing to accept him.
Lao Mei actually wanted to go as well, but the massive Residence of Yun needed a butler anyhow, thus he stayed on.
Then, Lao Mei realized that he was back to the same situation he was in a few years ago. The entire Residence of Yun, the spacious Residence of Heavenly Clouds, one that was excellent for cultivation, had only him in its halls. There was no one else!
The sudden silence made Lao Mei feel terribly alone.
How lonely it was!
When Shangguan Lingxiu came to visit, he was delightedly surprised. Finally, there was someone he could talk to.
"Is there news about Young Master Yun?" asked Shangguan Lingxiu.
"Unfortunately, no…" Lao Mei sighed.
Yun Yang was not like Supreme Cloud. No one would actually ask about him specifically at this critical juncture; after all, he was still titled Yutang's popinjay. It was not exactly a big deal for him to disappear for dozens of days or even for an entire month.
It was unexpected that Shangguan Lingxiu turned to leave at once after hearing the answer, without any hesitation.
Lao Mei was dumbfounded. What did this mean?
He could obviously see the anxiety and worry in Shangguan Lingxiu's eyes but… did she just leave after just one question?
He had yet to start chatting, could he not get a channel to release his loneliness?
In actual fact, Shangguan Lingxiu did not have the time. Since the only person in this world that could possibly know where Supreme Cloud was still had no news of him, it was better for her to prioritize national affairs first – she should rush to the frontline now!
However, Shangguan Lingxiu did return with something else. She was given two more subordinates – two silhouettes who were slim and had long silky hair like waterfalls, whose backs were wonderful and sinful, yet their faces were dull and grey. It made everyone feel like they had to always stay alert and be properly defending themselves at any time; what was left of their feelings after that was merely pity.
Was heaven so jealous of beauty that it disallowed the world to have perfect women?
These two women were none other than Ji Lingxi and Yu Rulan.
The girls were considered to be utterly safe now since some time had passed; the Four Seasons Tower had drawn back entirely for some reason or other. Lei Dongtian was gone without a trace too.
Their families had come a few times instead to search for the ladies since they were distressed as well. They had accepted the dowry, yet their daughters had gone missing… They must look for them.
It was not that they had not thought of finding fault with Lei Dongtian. After all, it was his bizarre courtship that chased the ladies away. In spite of this, they had yet to make up their minds since Lei Dongtian was someone the two families had to contemplate long and well before deciding. What was more, the ultimate decision might possibly be one that acknowledged defeat.
How the families had conducted the search was, unfortunately, without aim. Similar to Lei Dongtian, they knew that this place was the only location connected to Ji Lingxi, but with the Nine Heavens Dictum and the ladies' disguise, the families could never recognize them even if they were standing face to face.
The families could only go about the matter like headless flies.
It was one thing that the girls were safe, but it was another for them to have tormented Shui Wuyin greatly!
Shui Wuyin felt that his days were endless. Every time he met Ji Lingxi and Yue Rulan, it was like he was seeing the Yama King and his evil spirits himself.
"Where did Yun Yang go?"
"Where is this?"
"Why?"
"Keep us captive? What do you mean?"
"Explain yourself clearly!"
"Why aren't you speaking, stoic face?"
"Speak!"
"I remember you know how to talk. Talk, quickly."
Shui Wuyin had to go through such an interrogation for about thirty times a day.
He was suffering inexplicably, yet these two girls were people he could not afford to offend.
This was the most upsetting part of the whole affair.
One was the sister of Supreme Wind whom Shui Wuyin respected the most in his life, while another was Supreme Wind's fiancée!
Shui Wuyin would love very much to worship these two people like they were deities, how could he dare offend them? These were the family of the god in his heart! These were two goddesses!
Ultimately, Shui Wuyin came clean and chose to disclose some vague information.
"Actually, all these are to protect you…"
"I know that you two are uncomfortable but it's too dangerous outside. Acting recklessly will put yourselves in danger…"
"Actually… both of you are Yutang's Nine Supremes'… Supreme Wind's fiancée and younger sister."
It came like thunderbolts to the girls when they heard Shui Wuyin finally admit this.
The hefty information gave the girls vertigo, their minds muddled and their eyes and mouths agape.
No wonder they could not find their brother and fiancé all along. This was the truth… but the truth was simply too shocking!
How could their older brother, their fiancé, be Supreme Wind?
"Big brother has carried such a heavy responsibility… if it had been someone else, they would have been crushed…" thought Ji Lingxi to herself.
"I see that he's shouldering so many grudges… How could he focus on marrying me under such circumstances? He'd feel guilty towards his brothers as well…" thought Yue Rulan.
Upon understanding their brother or fiancé, Ji Lingxi and Yue Rulan made their decision simultaneously.
Since Ji Lingfeng cared so much about the Empire of Yutang and had dedicated his life to the country and his Nine Supremes brothers, the responsibility that he used to carry shall be shouldered by the two of them now, since Supreme Wind was not here and Yutang was facing a crisis.
Since he's not here, we'll help him safeguard the country!
Shui Wuyin would never have thought that his words would give birth to the girls' intention to enlist in the military. It was futile, even after a long-winded persuasion.
The girls were resolute! Without Yun Yang there, who else could restrain the both of them?
Therefore, Shui Wuyin contacted the Shangguan Family of Generals. Everyone knew that Shangguan Lingxiu was setting off for war and it was only with a female general that the heart would be more at ease.
Old Mistress Shangguan was still worrying over the fact that Shangguan Lingxiu's janissaries had too low a cultivation base and could hardly protect her granddaughter when they got onto the battlefield. While Yue Rulan and Ji Lngxiu's cultivation bases were insignificant compared to the experts, they were sufficiently remarkable in the Tianxuan Continent. The old lady agreed at once.
It was on this morning that the flags fluttered as the troop set off.
When Qiu Jianhan led the army out of Tiantang City's east gate, he could clearly feel the worried gaze of his wife who had accompanied him his whole life from behind the city wall. He willed himself not to turn back.
The army was orderly and majestic, but Qiu Jianhan felt strangely worried.
Going to war his whole life, he had led the troops into battle for over a hundred times, yet such it was his first time feeling such an odd sense of fear.
It was the uncertainty of victory that differed from the past.
Snow fell in a flurry of white flakes.
Qiu Jianhan let out a long holler, "Forever Yutang!"
Six hundred and sixty-six drums and six hundred and sixty-six horns were played at the same time.
Qiu Jianhan chortled into the sky and departed with a loud whip to his horse's flanks.
His white beard fluttered amidst the snow and breeze while his easy laughter resonated in the air, "This old man has set off to war thousands and hundreds of times, but to go to war in the snow is a special occasion indeed!"
Both veterans and fresh fighters were exhilarated for Qiu Jianhan to lead the army.
Han Sanhe was the god of war but Qiu Jianhan was equally an idol of victorious wars in Yutang. The old marshal had not set off for war leading the army for dozens of years now. Everyone was thrilled to depart today.
At the city wall, Old Mistress Qiu lowered her gaze solemnly.
The old mistress was inexplicably worried. Seeing her husband's courageous back that went farther in the snow, she could not hold back the tears in her eyes. It was as if the most important piece in her life left her all of a sudden.
Worry brimmed her heart; she had the wild impulse to depart with the army.
To be together in life, and to be together in death.
Her hands held the letter left by her husband. It was a thick pile, but the old mistress did not read them. She knew the words in them. She would rather not open this letter until she died!
When her husband came home last night and told her he was to depart for war, she was taken aback. On the morning of the same day, the wind-chasing beast that had hooves, which ran like a tiger and mane that fluttered like the lion that had followed her husband for seventeen years had died from a sudden sickness.
Her husband had two of the best horses in his life.
When he was young, he had tamed the king of horses, the beast mentioned above, by chance. From then on, they had never been defeated when they went to war.
Many years later, the old horse had retired. Her husband then rode the descendant of the beast. Now, the second horse had finally succumbed to sickness…
It was such a coincidence that it had died before the day her husband set off to war!
The old mistress had a bad premonition.
When her husband received the news coming home, he was quiet for a long time. He dug a large pit alone to bury the horse; then, he took a pot of wine and drank for the better half of the night while sitting by the grave.
Then, he departed.
It was during the dawn when she had sent her husband out of the door that a gust of wind came and a brick from the door fell before her husband. The old mistress had wanted to persuade her husband not to go to war this time… but Qiu Jianhan had only looked at the brick in front of him quietly and left with his usual large stride.
He had said nothing.
Thinking about it, the old mistress felt scared. Yet, there was nothing she could do.
The empire was in danger; it was a general's task to go to war. How could one draw back just for some peculiar, minor, details before the war?
The army was set to depart; how could you refuse to leave at this time just because you said so?
"Come back soon…"
The old mistress's voice drifted in the snow, laced with immense sincerity, "God, as long as Old Qiu can return safely, I pledge to be a vegetarian for the rest of my life, to be banished to the sea of suffering in my next lives, in exchange for the last few years of this one…"
"God, please bless Yutang's Lord Supreme Wind to arrive on the battlefield soon! This old woman is willing to use the rest of my life in exchange for this…"
The same prayer was repeated in practically every home in the Empire of Yutang…
…
Lord Supreme Cloud, whom all of Yutang was yearning for, was beginning to panic in the stretches of the mountains.
It had been twenty-four days.
Yun Yang was trapped under the snow in this forest, rendered immobile.
He had thought of countless of ways in this period of time and Mr. Nian, sitting calmly above him, did the same as well.
Five thousand miles of the forest was scorched ground, without the thick layers of snow that covered every other area. Even the grassroots under the ground had lost their life. The biggest stone was no bigger than a fingernail. From head to toe, the soil, hills, stones, and trees, had been struck no less than ten thousand times by Mr. Nian.
One would tear the place apart to search high and low, but Mr. Nian had exceeded the extent of the saying. He had turned the entire place upside down!
Yun Yang had been injured no less than two hundred times during the process. Each time, he had to remain clear-minded to not move even the slightest bit in order to avoid Mr. Nian's net of sword energy.
He had used all sorts of tricks and methods to remain undetected.
Perhaps Mr. Nian could not find his exact location, but there was also no hope for him to escape this prison of heaven and earth. The biggest possibility of this standstill was only…
Until the end, Mr. Nian would not find him, but he would eventually turn into soil underground, without even decomposing into a corpse!
After all, his soul was constantly being damaged, and he was already feeling like he could no longer hold on.
Since he was trapped, Yun Yang had been hoping for the intervention of a third party force. As long as there were one, he could seize the chance and flee!
However, there had been no glimpse of hope whatsoever.
Sometimes, martial artists would pass by but before they could come near, Mr. Nian had destroyed their very souls with sword light. The enemy was killed thousands of feet away. Mr. Nian was not even willing to let the power of the soul after a death linger on, in the possibility that it might confuse him in this space!
Yun Yang was utterly resentful, but he was helpless, despite racking his brain.
There were so many experts in the martial world… the Concourse of the Underworld, the Four Seasons Tower, Jun Moyan, Ling Xiaozui, and plenty more. Could not one of these legendary figures pass by?
Where was Lei Dongtian?
Was he dead? Why was there no news about him?
The place was rather deserted, but what place would truly be isolated for people from the martial world?
In the first three days, Yun Yang waited confidently, but it was in vain.
For the next three days, Yun Yang calculated the probability of someone passing by, but it was futile.
On the eighth day, a few men came to pick herbs, but they died before they even got close.
On the eleventh day, a few robbers who wanted to strike some deals popped out of nowhere but were also cruelly murdered by Mr. Nian.
On the sixteenth day, a true expert passed by; he was at least a few levels in heaven realm but he had also died unjustly outside the forest.
Worse, birds who flew by these days were not exempted. Forget about snakes or worms tunneling underground… even the ants were all killed by Mr. Nian!
Facing such a stubborn opponent, Yun Yang was utterly speechless.
Was the Four Seasons Tower so free?
As the main leader of the Four Seasons Tower, would he not have to go back and chair important matters? Why was he lingering on here?
Free, Mr. Nian made monologue like a chatterbox, provoking Yun Yang with all sorts of vile words to make him explode.
At first, Yun Yang tried hard to hold himself back. Later, it was no longer self-restraint – he did not even have the energy to erupt in anger.
Yet Mr. Nian was still vivacious; his sword energy swung about like a storm and cleared the entire place effortlessly.
After he had rested, he turned into a chatterbox to continue his provocation. About the time it took to make tea, he would scorch the vicinity once again.
Yun Yang could feel himself barely moving, even as water in this parched soil. The thousands of feet of earth was parched like the surface of a desert; how could a few drops of water move inside it?
If he were not careful, he might even be absorbed by the soil!
Yun Yang was close to losing all hope. Had he truly come to his end this time?
Just as his mind was about to lose all clarity and his mobility was about to leave him, as his head was growing muddled and he felt quite like giving up… the chance of a change in his circumstances suddenly blossomed in his mind!