2 Blood Over Four Seasons (1/2)
It was a fruitful trip for Yun Yang.
He exited the restaurant joyously as seven other young masters escorted his leave, “Take care, Young Master Yun. Let’s meet again next time…”
The seven people finally let out a sigh of relief after losing sight of Yun Yang’s figure.
“I'll eat! Eat all I can!” Young Master Ma gritted his teeth. “How much do I have to eat to get back my 2 million silver taels?”
The other six young masters rolled their eyes, reveling in his pain, as there was at least someone unluckier than they were!
Merely thinking about it made them feel delighted. “Come, come, let’s not return before we’re drunk! Boss, serve your dishes! Damn it, I’m going to eat up the portion I deserve!”
Then, they entered the restaurant once more.
Young Master Qin who was footing the bill, paled and exclaimed, “You guys want to overstuff your stomachs? Get out!”
He scurried in to stop them.
…
Lao Mei followed Yun Yang with his arms full of newly acquired wealth, but the questions in his head were more than the fortune he had in his hands.
All these seven young masters were insolent brazen characters who did nothing good, so why were all of them so obedient? Just this year itself, they have already been blackmailed twice by his young master, let alone the years before.
What kind of authority did his young master have on them?
“Use the 6 million taels in the few places generously.” Yun Yang instructed as he walked, “You know what to be cautious of.”
Lao Mei replied seriously, “Don’t worry, young master. I understand.”
Yun Yang nodded.
As they spoke, they had already arrived at the gates of Residence of Yun.
Yun Yang lifted his head to look at the four words on the metal plate, smiling in depreciation before he entered.
‘Cloud Transcending the Heavens1’.
The golden words hung above the entrance of Residence of Yun. They were personally written by the current emperor; an ultimate sign of respect towards Marquis2 Yun, that very much resembled a dragon.
The doors closed.
Far away, some place outside the residence, a person’s voice could be heard chanting, “Nine Supremes of Yutang, heroes of the world, the nation mourns, warrior souls sent, ninth of the third month, knights by the altar, behead the cunning and wicked, homage to the souls of heroes, the souls of warriors shall forever be, their great spirits shall forever remain…”
Countless of heavy hearted people were out; officials, military commanders, soldiers, civilians alike… Everyone was heading towards the flower and incense shops…
All candles and incense were sold out that afternoon in Tiantang City.
Faint sobs arose.
Today was the eighth of the third month. Tomorrow would be the day to pay tribute to the heroic souls.
Yun Yang leaned against the door of Residence of Yun, listening to the rise and fall of the chants in agonized longing.
“Nine Supremes shall forever be!”
Yun Yang spoke softly, his eyes determined, “Because I’m still here!”
…
Residence of Yun.
Secret Chamber.
Yun Yang was dressed in a purple robe, standing and watching Wu Wenyuan in front of him with crossed arms. A murderous glint flashed across his orbs as he spoke softly, “Censor Wu, I’ve long heard of your name, but never had the chance to meet you. Hence, I especially invited Sir3 Wu over today to have a good chat.”
Standing opposite him dressed in a prisoner’s uniform was Wu Wenyuan. He chuckled, “Young Master Yun, I’ve only thought of you as the young master of Marquis of Heavenly Clouds4, but never paid any attention to you before. It looks like you’re one unpredictable individual in the Empire of Yutang.”
He laughed, “To have easily brought me here from the prison gates, Young Master Yun seems to have exceptional tactics.”
Yun Yang looked at the President of the Censorate. He could see no hint of nervousness nor fear in the latter’s eyes.
This was a person prepared for death.
Yun Yang made a decision in his heart and briefly smiled, “Just simple methods, please excuse them.”
Wu Wenyuan spoke, “I wonder what it is that Young Master Yun wants to talk to me about, to have brought me out here from prison?”
Yun Yang smiled casually, “I’d like to play a game with Sir Wu.”
“What game?” Wu Wenyuan questioned.
“Hmm, a game of asking questions.” Yun Yang laughed. “You’ll ask me a question and I’ll ask you one in return.”
Wu Wenyuan chuckled as well, “You may be able to answer my questions but I may not want to answer yours.”
Yun Yang smiled, speaking gently, “According to my knowledge, Sir Wu’s entire family has been captured, including your old mother, your wife, two of your consorts, your three sons and a daughter.”
Wu Wenyuan’s gaze turned cold, “What are you trying to say?”
Yun Yang continued gently, “Sir Wu has already dismissed life and death, of course you shan't need to care about anything anymore. It’s just... would Sir Wu dismiss your family’s lives as well?”
Wu Wenyuan narrowed his eyes. “You mean…?”
Yun Yang said lightly, “If you answer my first question, I can grant you an easy death. This is the first bonus.”
Wu Wenyuan said mockingly, “Would you let me live even if I didn't answer any of your questions?”
Yun Yang lifted his head slightly. “How you die matters, Sir Wu must understand this too. If you don’t answer my questions, not a single family member of yours will live, but you, Sir Wu, you’ll have to live forevermore right here.”
He grinned, revealing a row of pearly whites. “Sir Wu, what do you think?”
Wu Wenyuan was prepared to die. but he still had shivers running down his spine.
To live forevermore...
This auspicious term of longevity was connoted with a sickening dread coming from Yun Yang. Of course Wu Wenyuan could not fathom how he could ‘live forevermore'.
He was silent for a moment before saying, “Did you mean that my family can still live?”