47 A Saber. Chu Tianlang1! (2/2)
Li Changqiu sighed and said after some time, “It’s too bad that you can’t make the ultimate decision.”
Yun Yang kept quiet.
Sometime later, the greatest charlatan in history – Yun Yang - walked out of the secret chamber. The door closed slowly behind him.
A glint gleamed in Yun Yang’s eyes. “It’s actually him…”
…
Initially, Yun Yang had only one thought after capturing Li Changqiu, that was to torment him and extort information about his accomplice. It did not matter if the information could be obtained but Li Changqiu’s fate was to be cruel torture until death claimed him.
However, Yun Yang had a change of heart just as he was about to begin his game. It was easy for him now to vent his emotions. Yet to restrain his emotions was not something easy. It was compulsory to do so, however, when he was faced with such mighty enemy like Four Seasons Tower.
Therefore, Yun Yang changed his mind offhandedly.
He did a complete analysis on Li Changqiu’s psychological changes from the beginning to the recent years and how he had felt about the man after thinking about it carefully.
He had first given Li Changqiu the illusion that he was the only person in this world who understood him. He then impressed upon him the long hours he had taken to study him. Li Changqiu had no secrets of his own any longer.
When the illusion was successfully crafted, everything else would fall easily into place.
However, it was another matter altogether to achieve the desired effects. It took Yun Yang much effort to cleverly form vague meanings that sounded precise in the other party’s ears to tear down Li Changqiu’s psychological defenses. He then led Li Changqiu step by step into his trap with ambiguous words. It had been a great success so far.
Without utmost confidence, Yun Yang dared to confirm that Li Changqiu would now help him in tearing down the first line of defense of the Four Seasons Tower. He was already a “right-hand man”, a saber in his hands!
Moreover, the man himself would not even know about it.
However, the man Li Changqiu had named gave Yun Yang a slight pause.
Chu Tianlang!
He was a significant figure in and beyond Tiantang City, the owner of the Manor of Sirius – an unusual dwelling that stood outside Tiantang City.
He spent his wealth lavishly, but his fortune paled in comparison to his kinship; he had friends at each corner of the world as he also had brothers from each side of the ocean. His cultivation base was superior and mighty, his foes a rare sight. He was a symbol in the martial arts world, both in and beyond Tiantang City. He was not from the imperial court; he was neither official nor nobility yet his influence was sweeping. He hosted countless experts and had plenty of guards safeguarding his premises. He was also chummy with some of the leaders in the military.
Upon hearing this name, Yun Yang’s forehead locked into a frown. No wonder Li Changqiu would think of him first once he heard that someone had betrayed him. How could such a person submit to someone else? Li Changqiu had most probably already felt an immense threat from Chu Tianlang for a long time.
To exterminate the Manor of Sirius and Chu Tianlang though...
Yun Yang frowned. It would be a difficult task indeed. Chu Tianlang was the twenty-first day of the first month.
“Should I utilize the military force? Or the influence of imperial power? Perhaps the surreptitious might of the Nine Heavens Dictum?”
Yun Yang paced around the courtyard as he attempted to think this through; the more he considered, the lesser ideas he had. His expression was grim, like a man burdened with troubles.
Behind him, four white fur balls – three Eclipse Panthers and a Lightning Cat, strutted elegantly with coordinated steps as they mimicked his movements.
Occasionally, one would throw itself onto the other one and roll around like a ball with all four paws facing upwards; they would then return to formation. Wherever their master walked, they followed. Yun Yang’s grim expression was a stark contrast to the four little critter’s glee.
“How bothersome.”
Yun Yang frowned. “I can’t deploy Fang Mofei yet and Lao Mei must not show himself. The Nine Heavens Dictum is very useful in the shadows, but once exposed, it can’t be used again. Imperial power? No, there would be too many doubts – information would be leaked easily and those civil officials have too many ill intentions, they won’t be easily manipulated. The military force is not safe either.”
“This has to be done in a single strike! I can’t give Chu Tianlang a chance to react or retaliate.”
Yun Yang pondered for a bit then sent a message away, “Wanted, all of Chu Tianlang’s information!”
The message flashed and disappeared on the jade – it was already dispatched.
”Another day is about to pass,” Yun Yang sighed in his heart looking at the darkening sky, feeling how little he could do every passing day.
“Young master, Lady Ji Ling has arrived,” Lao Mei came in to inform his young master of her presence.
“Invite her in.”
Ji Ling came in with a long face and a package in her hands. It was obvious that she was still grouchy, her expression cold as if covered with a layer of frost once she saw Yun Yang.
“I am forever honored by Lady Ji’s gracious presence.” Yun Yang welcomed her warmly. “By looking at Lady Ji’s rosy glow, I guess that you must have won and become the big sister. Look at this pace befitting a dragon and the steps of a tiger, the intimidating aura is exactly the flair a big sister should have! I’m impressed! Congratulations.”
Ji Ling rolled her eyes at his flamboyance. Just a few days of not seeing him, and he was already figuring out new ways to anger her!
Translator Note:
1Chu Tianlang (楚天狼chǔ tiān láng): character’s name with楚 (chǔ) as family name and 天狼 (tiān láng) as first name in which 天狼 (tiān láng) also means astral wolf literally and carries the figurative meaning of Sirius (天狼星 tiān láng xīng), the brightest star from Canis Major, here in this story.