346 Trading Life and Death for a Question (1/2)
Compared to Yun Yang’s meticulous planning on how to survive, Lei Dongtian was buoyant and confident about his own abilities. He stood in front of the window with his arms behind his back, watching the fluttering snowflakes, looking spirited with a carefree courage beaming through his expression.
”A man and his sword, a duel with the Four Seasons Tower!” Lei Dongtian spoke with fervor, ”This young master’s great feat will be enough to weave another legend in Tianxuan Continent!”
Old Mu who was standing by his side could not help but roll his eyes.
Are you going to duel with the Four Seasons Tower alone with a sword? What about me?
Where do I stand? I’m alive and present, and yet you’ve taken me as transparent?
”A great feat that will earth-shattering indeed!” Old Mu mouthed the words insincerely. When he spoke, he felt a sense of mockery that could barely be restrained.
”The only pity is that the Residence of Yun is destined to be destroyed.” Lei Dongtian looked at the beautiful structure and sighed, ”I’ve really dragged Brother Yun Yang into this whirlpool.”
Old Mu sighed. Did his young master suddenly discover his conscience? Or was he only faking crocodile tears?
Why don’t you mention about your yearning for his Yang energy? Deceiving his heart and lastly, even his body – you want everything without leaving out a single drop!
The quietly falling snowflakes suddenly swirled irregularly; some went twirling rapidly while some soared into the sky, some had even frozen in mid-air.
At the same time, an engulfing sense of murderous intent surged like a high tide from afar. The aura was as implacable as an oncoming tsunami.
As far as the eye could see, everything was white and misty; even the snowflakes that just landed seemed to be condensing into frost. There was also an eerily melodic string music that accompanied the arrival of the cold.
…
Venerable Lord Snow appeared first, emerging above the Residence of Yun amidst the heavy snow. He was clad in white and resembled a ghost that had merged with the snow; white and indistinguishable.
Following the appearance of Venerable Lord Snow, the snow fell harder and the frosty chill grew. The phenomenon was not caused by Venerable Lord Snow alone as Venerable Lord Frost appeared in the air as well, standing by Venerable Lord Snow’s side with a cold gaze.
From left to right, silhouettes came into existence. On one side, the sword energy gushed like a domineering dragon while on the other side, the extreme cold became more apparent as it spread out rapidly.
Through it all, the melodious string music was calm, not at all disturbed by the increasing cold and dense sword energy.
The Four Venerable Lords squinted their eyes when they saw it.
In a serene courtyard below them, there was a still, lush, green canopy that shaded an inky black table under the heavy snow. There was a black Chinese zither on the table, and it was the source of the resonating melody.
Other than the instrument, there was a cup of steaming tea and a small incense burner that contained lighted sandalwood sitting on the table. Behind the table, a youth in purple robes sat in a collected manner; his fair, jade-like fingers plucked at the strings agilely in a composed manner as the melodic music played on.
The purple-clothed youth had a face that looked like it was drawn by an artist; he was gracefully at ease and exuded a sense of nobility. Formidable enemies had obviously surrounded him but he seemed to not have noticed as he concentrated on playing the string instrument, obviously enjoying himself.
Venerable Lord Sword frowned amidst the billowing sword energy and asked in an ominous voice, ”Are you the young master of the Residence of Heavenly Clouds? Yun Yang?”
Yun Yang’s fingers had not stopped plucking the strings of his instrument. His purple gown fluttered gently in the snow. He spoke faintly, ”Please do not be impatient. With such great guests honoring my residence, allow me to play a tune. It represents the Residence of Heavenly Clouds’ way of welcoming guests.”
His clear voice rang out faintly, ”For everyone’s knowledge, this tune’s name is called Joy Upon Doors.”
Venerable Lord Snow replied coldly, ”The guests at your doors today are malevolent, what joy could there be? You should call it Catastrophe Upon You. Young Master Yun, if you still have the mood, then play a tune of Catastrophe Upon You!”
Yun Yang smiled. ”Pardon my lack of knowledge. I didn’t know that there was such an ill-sounding tune!”
On the other side, an icy voice spoke, ”It’s not important if this Catastrophe Upon You exists, but when the day is over, this tune will come into existence. Too bad the elegant Young Master Yun is destined not to be able to hear it. A truly regrettable state of affairs.”
Yun Yang’s fingers plucked the strings gently, the melody ricocheting as he said, ”You have all come with sanguinariness and spoken malicious words. We seem to stand at opposing ends, but pardon me for asking boldly – are you mighty ones, who have come here today, Four Seasons Tower’s men?!”
Venerable Lord Ice replied coldly, ”Since you know the severity of the matter at hand, why are you still acting as if you are mystified? Are you intentionally seeking death?”
Yun Yang answered softly, ”This conflict has nothing to do with this young master and the Residence of Yun. I shouldn’t have involved myself. I have already understood as much beforehand.”
Venerable Lord Frost then said, ”You knew but you decided to join in anyway. It’s an utterly stupid move, seeking your own death.”
The Four Venerable Lords were reckless individuals with short tempers. A small conflict could trigger a massacre with them. The Four Seasons Tower’s drive to subdue the world by force and bloodshed in the martial world was ordered by Mr. Nian, but the main executioners were these individuals.