I Am Supreme

Shui Wuyin was silent again before he replied, “I need to consider this. I should not doubt your appointment, but things will be forgotten after the person ceases to exist. It’s certain that you will leave this realm and your entrustment can be effective for three to five years to come, perhaps a decade or two – but what about after that?”

Yun Yang nodded and handed over a thick manuscript. “I understand your concerns and I know that you’re sincere towards the Nine Heavens members. This is what I promised you before. As long as you cultivate according to this, anything, whether it’s from your physique or any possible cultivation issues, can be smoothly resolved.”

“Alright, but why give it to me at this time?” Shui Wuyin stared at the manuscript with a frown.

“The final battle against the Four Seasons Tower is impending. If I die…”

Yun Yang smiled lightly and tossed the manuscript over to Shui Wuyin.

The latter said, “Actually, I have something I’m curious about. There’s something I can’t quite figure out.”

“You want to ask about why I didn’t consider to utilizing the School of Kismet State. Is that it?” Yun Yang asked in a relaxed manner.

“Precisely,” said Shui Wuyin, “From what I’ve seen, we have all too many methods to use them as our pawn against the Four Seasons Tower. Let the Four Seasons Tower and the School of Kismet State tear each other apart. The two of them have never been in the same boat anyway.”

Yun Yang answered faintly, “It’s a pity that the School of Kismet State is prominently capable, a reclusive school of its time, but it’s too far off when compared to the Four Seasons Tower. Next, to the Four Seasons Tower, they’re only a larger cannibal ant. Fatal, but still an ant.”

“Besides, while the School of Kismet State is considerably powerful, they’ve stayed reclusive for far too long. It’s been a long time since they stayed away from the worldly realm. And they’ve always assumed the upper hand, cooperating with imperial power. Towards strategic scheming and clever conspiracies, they’ve long lost the instinctive sense of alertness. That’s why it’s easy to hatch a plot against them and destroy them with a flip of a hand. If the Four Seasons Tower’s brains were to be added to the School of Kismet State though… If these two bodies work together, it’d be us who’ll be doomed.”

“Although I know that this could possibly save some energy for me, I dared not risk it. Right now, it’s best not to take any chances.”

Yun Yang smiled lightly. “Like using the conferring as a trap, if the Four Seasons Tower were the target, the situation of one-kill and consequently full extermination would never have happened. With this premise, it’s pointless to make an unnecessary move. Better to prevent any chances of additional threats!”

“I see. Truly, this is the case.” Shui Wuyin nodded slowly.

Yun Yang then took out a spatial ring and passed it to Shui Wuyin. “There are some monetary assets here, gold, silver, jade and a considerable amount of banknotes. During this time where Nine Heavens Dictum brothers are hiding and after this…”

Shui Wuyin stared at the spatial ring and was silent for a good amount of time before he uttered dryly, “Alright then.”

He looked up to Yun Yang and asked, “What’s your ultimate aim in making complete arrangements now?”

“Didn’t you all call me the brain of the Supremes? It’s my habit – to make arrangements for everything,” Yun Yang answered softly as he stood up.

“Is it only out of habit?” Shui Wuyin questioned.

Yun Yang was no longer in front of him when he asked.

…

Yun Xiaoyao gazed at Yun Yang who stood in front of him.

He carefully looked at his ‘son’ from head to toe in the palace’s secret chamber, the usual handsome face just like it had always been.

Time seemed to rewind back to the year when he first saw the youth who looked resilient and strong, calm and cold, yet was still so young. Now, despite looking as fine as he had been, the corners of his eyes and the sculpted end of his brows told of many changes.

“Why did you suddenly think of talking to me?” Yun Xiaoyao asked in an unusually warm tone.

“I’m going into a final battle against the Four Seasons Tower,” said Yun Yang calmly, “I’m not very confident about this battle, so I have to make arrangements beforehand.”

Yun Xiaoyao turned abruptly, losing his composure. “Why the haste? Why must it be so fast?”

“It’s exactly because we don’t have to hurry, so there’s a final battle. Yutang’s path is paved. Uniting Tianxuan will only be a matter of time. The longer it’s dragged, the more disadvantaged it will be for the Four Seasons Tower. They won’t be giving me more time! Yuang won’t’ be giving me any more time either,” Yun Yang answered him after a beat.

“This battle is hasty, but whether I live or die, everything can settle down.”

Yun Xiaoyao heaved a long sigh.

Yun Yang had explained things very clearly – at the very least, he had understood everything with amazing clarity.

Supreme Cloud was destined not to be able to partake in the union war. Supreme Cloud was already a presence that was higher than the imperial power. He was like a living myth. If he contributed more in the union war, the barely maintained balance now would surely be broken.

The emperor could still afford to ignore this, he could even actually worship Supreme Cloud like he was an actual god, but Yun Yang could not do the same – the imperial ministers and people would never overlook this, and neither would Supreme Cloud’s enemies.

Furthermore, Yutang’s enemies would not take this lying down as well.

This was why Yun Yang wanted to disappear. Disappearing at this moment was timely to everyone – except, of course, to Supreme Cloud himself.

“You said that the deadlock would put the Four Seasons Tower at a growing disadvantage. Then, hold it out. As long as His Majesty doesn’t mind, so what if everyone else does? Ignore them all!” Yun Xiaoyao was slowly panicking.

Yun Yang smiled. “How can I not care? This is my country. We’ve done too much for this country. Now, when I discover that my existence will actually affect this country’s rise and fall, in an unfavorable way even… it would not be suitable anymore to exist.”

“Such is the case for heroes. No matter what the courts and external parties say about how it’s unfair to Supreme Cloud in the future, such a hero who has exceeded the imperial power is destined not to exist.”

“It’s because we’ve exerted all we have in building the peace now; we can never destroy it ourselves.”

Yun Yang said in reminiscence, “This is what Supreme Earth said back then. I’ve always kept it in my mind. It’s like his words are still echoing in my ears. He had predicted that this day would come long ago. It’s just that he didn’t expect that he wouldn’t be able to see it happen.”

“Even if what you said is reasonable and benevolent, however fearless and responsible you are, it can’t be now… You knew that you were going against the Four Seasons Tower but why did you send away Ling Xiaozui and Dugu Chou?” Yun Xiaoyao said angrily, “Are you stupid? This arrangement of yours is akin to digging your own grave!”

Yun Yang replied quietly, “I have my reasons.”

“What reasons could there possibly be?” Yun Xiaoyao insisted, obviously dissatisfied with Yun Yang’s passing answer.

“My reasons are simple actually…” Yun Yang sighed and finally said, “I have always suspected that the Four Seasons Tower’s goal isn’t that simple. I even doubt if there’s any huge secret inside… I wonder if these are appropriate to be made known to others aside from me…”

“To this day, I’m confident that I already possess a significant amount of ability to protect myself and go against the Four Seasons Tower.”

Yun Yang spoke honestly, “Based on this judgment, I want to make clear of things myself. I would like to see this through in the most complete way possible.”

“Ridiculous!” Yun Xiaoyao was flushed from agitation. “Naïve! Utterly absurd!”