219 Why is the Smoke Black? (1/2)

Yun Yang replied nonchalantly, ”It’s reasonable that Your Highness has heard of this person. This person is no ordinary scholar; he is the father figure of Empire of Yutang’s literati and the assisting official for three generations of emperors – he is nothing if not well known!”

First Court King Qinguang looked at Yun Yang suspiciously, vaguely feeling like this fellow was digging a pit, waiting for him to jump in but he did not know where the pit was.

This He Hanqing as the leader of Empire of Yutang’s literati and assisting official of three generations of emperor and whatnot was perhaps an impressive figure in the imperial court but he was an old scholar after all to First Court King Qinguang. What was so great about him!

”Let me go back and check with the Concourse of the Underworld’s special class name list.”

First Court King went about the matter carefully and replied, ”As long as there’s no problem with the crosscheck, I will undertake this job for you.”

”Big brother, do you still have to check this petty matter? I thought it can be set right now and it’ll be done when you leave later… Your Highness First Court King Qinguang, your daring resolution… tsk tsk, if this were to spread, it would sound rather poorly for you,” Yun Yang said with a roll of his eyes.

King Qinguang actually blushed then, saying, ”This is the Concourse of the Underworld’s practice. No matter what mission we encounter, we have to check it first. This is an assassin’s responsibility, to be safe when we do things; what’s so embarrassing about it?”

”But as a legendary assassin, you still have so many apprehensions in accepting a small deal…” Yun Yang sighed saying, ”First Court King Qinguang, I know an assassination organization requires absolute discipline and there are some prohibited figures or missions that can’t be accepted.”

First Court King nodded adamantly. ”It’s rare that Young Master Yun knows about it too; the rules of our expertise render us helpless sometimes. It’s true that there are things we can't do and missions we can’t accept, there are people who we can’t kill as well. Once we so much as lay a finger on the person, it easily brings a load of trouble to our organization – perhaps a calamity that might even end us all.”

Yun Yang replied, ”But this list of names of these dangerous figures must be regarded highly by the Concourse of the Underworld. The higher-ups must be absolutely familiar with it.”

”Of course,” King Qinguang agreed.

”This means that the Concourse of the Underworld’s leading figures such as the Ten Court Kings should always remember the list of names at any time, right?”

”I can take it as these people’s names have all been memorized by heart and all of you will remember that they can’t be accepted in a deal once someone mentions their names?” Yun Yang continued.

After some thought, First Court King answered, ”Correct. There are only that handful of people we can’t kill in this world; at least to the Concourse of the Underworld, they are few and far in between!”

As he spoke, a look of pride was etched on his face.

Yun Yang pursed his lips and said, ”Then I’m curious… Your Highness First Court King Qinguang, as an absolute higher-up of Concourse of the Underworld, how can you not know if He Hanqing is in the list of names or not? Do you really have to go back to crosscheck? Or is my understanding flawed?”

First Court King Qinguang scratched his head. ”That name is probably not there. I don’t have an impression of that name indeed! I just thought it’s rather familiar…”

”Is it? Since it’s not on the list, he’s someone you can kill. Is there a need to go back and verify it?” Yun Yang continued slowly.

King Qinguang shook his head then nodded dumbly.

”Since you know that the list doesn’t have this name… and Your Highness King Qinguang says to go back and check instead…”

Yun Yang’s expression turned cold and distant as he said faintly, ”Your Highness, are you rejecting me in a roundabout way or do you not want to help at all? Perhaps you don’t want to give me that discount and spoil the Concourse of the Underworld’s other regulations?”

”Young Master Yun’s words are too harsh. You and I feel like we’ve long been friends and I very much like you.” First Court King scratched his head again.

Yun Yang waved his hands and said with a straight face, ”Don’t, don’t say it so nicely. Since Your Highness King Qinguang can’t decide on this, do take your leave soon then. I shall look for someone else. I hope Your Highness won’t expose this matter with regard to the rules in the world of hired kills; I, Yun Yang, shall be immensely grateful then!”

King Qinguang’s mouth was agape.

”Send the guest!” Yun Yang stood up coldly and raised his teacup. ”I still have other matters to attend to, and as such, I wouldn't be good company. Please feel free to help yourself, Your Highness.”

He left after finishing his words like he did not want to stay even a minute longer.

First Court King Qinguang felt his mind going blank.

Is this fellow being too practical? He was still negotiating the deal a moment earlier with smiles than when he heard I can’t do it the next moment…

No! I didn’t say I can’t do it; I just said I have to check and verify it.

How can he turn hostile and start chasing me out!

Is your face a curtain? Pulling a long one whenever when you want to?

”Young Master Yun!” First Court King Qinguang 's pride was attacked pretty badly. With his status, how could he have been stepped over like this? His pride took over as he hollered, ”We can still talk about this deal.”

Yun Yang’s steps did not halt. ”For what? Since Your Highness can’t decide, it’s better for me to change to another organization, find someone who can decide when discussing the deal. Otherwise, we’ll just be wasting each other’s time. I’m a popinjay, it doesn’t matter much to me but Your Highness is such a busy person, you have to verify information with a crosscheck; how dare I delay you?”