523 Restar (1/2)

Marquis Yun was in a jubilant mood as he returned home, but his eyes widened to the size of saucers with uncertainty once he reached the entrance.

”Is… is this my house? Is this truly the Residence of Marquis of Heavenly Clouds? I – I… Why don't I recognize it anymore?”

Could it be that the real assurance when Yu Peize said it was secure and safe to place the child with me was not me? – As well as the convenience to build up the child's foundation and whatnot, it was not me too!

Compared to his convenient father figure, the Marquis of Heavenly Cloud, who was possessed of a cheerful, reinvigorated mien, Young Master Yun Yang was utterly expended, a true husk bereft of energy.

He had just come back from Old Grand Commandant Fang's home, thus the exhaustion that hounded him had come from healing the Grand Commandant. Old Grand Commandant Fang's condition was gravely critical; he was basically on his last legs. Previously, when he forcibly executed Ingenious Volition due to Yang Botao's case, it had already caused his barely remaining life force to decrease even further. He was like a flickering candle in the wind, liable to be extinguished at any given time.

Yun Yang had gone to the Old Grand Commandant's house once he came back, staying half a day and the entire night there. He had delivered the Endless Divine Art continuously, draining himself for over three cycles, and he was only barely able to secure the old Grand Commandant's state, saving the man who was already halfway through death's door.

Yes, it was only temporarily preventing him from fully entering death's door. The old Grand Commandant's state was not exactly optimistic but it was also somehow an understatement to say he was barely saved, as he could live on for at least another six months or even a year.

Compared to the old man's previous state, this was already an impressive feat!

Yun Yang felt that his deific consciousness space would somehow only recover half a year later.

During this period of time, Yun Yang honestly missed the space and the time accompanied by Emmie. One would only know how to appreciate things when things were lost. If Emmie were here by his side, he could replenish Old Grand Commandant's life force generously. He would not have had to exhaust himself at all!

Yun Yang dragged his feet home. Just as he arrived at the door, he saw his makeshift father standing there like a puppet, looking like he did not recognize the residence at all.

”What is it?” Yun Yang asked tiredly.

”This… What is going on?” Marquis Yun was baffled.

”What are you talking about?” Yun Yang was confused by his question. He thought the man was speaking without sense.

”I'm talking about this – this residence!” Marquis Yun's eyes were wide with shock.

”Uh… This residence? I renovated it.” Yun Yang realized his confusion with some shock and tried to explain it with indifference, ”The original Residence of Marquis was too small, too worn down, too inferior. It was too embarrassing to host guests within it. It was inadequate, thus I took the decision to renovate it.”

The corners of Marquis Yun's lips twitched.

Too small, too worn down, too inferior… how was this possible? Even the Residence of Chancellor was not as spacious as the previous Residence of Marquis nor was it as luxurious! How could it be inferior? Why had he not realized this for so many years?

What was more, it was too embarrassing to host guests and it was inadequate to boot! Was Yun Yang serious? How many guests was he hosting anyway?

”Well, it doesn't look like a simple renovation…” Marquis Yun said, ”It seems like even the foundation of the house is undergoing refurbishment?”

Yun Yang did not bat an eye as he replied, ”Of course. Since the renovation was underway, of course, it needs to be done up thoroughly. The priority of a home is that it must be comfortable to live in before it is elegant and up to standard. When both conditions are fulfilled, only then can it be considered a wonderful house.”

Marquis Yun nodded. ”Very reasonable indeed.”

Both of them walked in while Marquis Yun brought up a topic, saying, ”The emperor told me that a few people are going to stay with us. Your renovation solves many problems, but… our manpower is still lacking and the residence isn't exactly very big…”

Yun Yang immediately knew what was going on, but he feigned innocence and asked, ”Who will be staying over? Don't tell me the emperor will be supervising the both of us like this? Our current abilities seem to have exceeded His Majesty's imagination – it's not much of a surprise if he arranges someone to watch over us.”

Marquis Yun lowered his voice and answered, ”You're thinking too much. The person coming is the eldest imperial grandson. Still, the reason he's here is indeed due to our superior capabilities, enabling us to provide secure protection for the child.”

Yun Yang snorted and chuckled, but in his heart, he was rather worried.

It was, of course, possible to take them in, but the problems would only begin after they arrived. More people naturally meant more exposure; he had lost his various manifestation powers now, how could he disappear without leaving a trace?

The father and son duo were greeted with cheers the moment they entered the Marquis' residence.

Dong Tianleng, Chun Wanfeng, Xia Bingchuan, and Qiu Yunsan had brought along their six guards to train their mystical beasts – Dong Tianleng had no mystical beast, so he was pacing back and forth through the crowd, wearing a mischievous look.

There were also Ji Lingxi and Yue Rulan who wore black chiffon masks over their faces and were looking over from afar as if they were an audience to the training.

On the contrary, Lao Mei and Fang Mofei were drinking tea, while there was another man who was observing the scene with his hands behind his back.

”These people…” Marquis Yun was stunned. ”Are they all staying here? No wonder you said that the place was inadequate. If you have all these people around, the place wouldn't suffice indeed.”

Yun Yang was stunned as he watched the scene as well and took two hasty steps forward, saying, ”The four of you, quit it. The war is over now and there's nothing much left. What are you all doing, still staying in my house?”

”Boss, we've decided!”

The four young masters turned around simultaneously with serious expressions on their faces. ”All of us are not going home. We'll stay with you and work up something big together! We shall write our own legends!”

Yun Yang was stunned, still unable to regain his senses.

”Boss, what you told us previously meant a lot and has inspired us. We remember it with all our hearts. After thinking long and hard, we've decided to stay and continue the journey with the boss!”

Dong Tianleng puffed his chest out in high spirits. ”We don't want to live in the shadow of our families anymore! We want to have our own careers!”

Yun Yang's expression was peculiar as he replied, ”Not only are you all your family's parasites, but you have all come here to be parasites! Is this how it's going to be?”

”Boss, how can you say that?” Qiu Yunsan stepped forward with a grin. ”We're willing to be boss' left and right-hand men, to charge forward and fight fearlessly…”

”Besides, not only are we hardworking and obedient, we are not asking for payment. See how sensible we are,” Dong Tiangleng said. ”Even more so, if boss is really tight on money, you can let us know. We will make some immediately! However much you need.”

”Our skills now are comparable to the so-called experts in Tiantang City! We dare to call ourselves experts as well!” Xia Bingchuan said excitedly.

”Most importantly, we've made up our minds to stay here. Boss, you won't be able to chase us away!” Chun Wanfeng said determinedly.

Marquis Yun who was behind Yun Yang was shocked for a good while before he chuckled, ”So this is how it is. I shall reserve my opinion. This is a pretty good situation!”

Before his words could even echo in the air, he had returned to his room for a rest.

The four men were delighted. The boss' father's acceptance would be more effective than their boss speaking for himself!

Yun Yang was baffled for quite a while before he said, ”Alright then… Stay here.”

The four popinjays were overjoyed.

How could they have known that Yun Yang had already made plans – it was perfect timing that these four fellows had not left since there would be plenty of things he would not be able to handle alone after this.

He had lost his various manifestation powers. While the Nine Supremes' influence was inconvenient to be called upon, these fellows here could help divert some attention as well as being a good source of labor, especially when Yun Yang could sometimes do things using the four noble families' name.

Of course, there was some truth behind the four scoundrel's words. Their combat power was indeed at the level of an expert now in Tiantang City!

”I'll go to sleep first.” Yun Yang waved his hands in extreme fatigue. ”I'm about to die from exhaustion. You fellows, go on your merry way…”

The corners of Marquis Yun's lips could not help lifting as he heard the conversation outside. What a bunch of adorable young men!

He suddenly sprung up in surprise.

That was not right!

Marquis Yun realized that he seemed to have forgotten something important…

He patted his head.

”Damn it!”

Marquis Yun finally recalled that he had actually forgotten to pass His Majesty the money he had prepared for him… Now it begged the question – where was the money?

Marquis Yun charged out to find Yun Yang immediately; only this fellow knew where the fortune was! However, he soon found out that he actually could not locate his son anywhere after making a few rounds in his own house.

What the heck?

Did he not say he would go to sleep?

”Lao Mei, where's Yun Yang?” asked Marquis Yun.

Lao Mei looked troubled. ”I don't know where he's gone to…”

Marquis Yun's gaze turned into a glare. He felt that this was rather absurd.

Lao Mei said he did not know where Yun Yang had gone to. How was this possible? This old brother was the Residence of Yun's butler; now that the old master had asked about the young master's whereabouts, this old brother had blatantly answered that he was not aware. It was simply impossible!

There was only one explanation to this – he did not want to tell him.

This was becoming all the more unreasonable though… Lao Mei was his confidant. He knew very well – he was perhaps the one who knew the most about his relationship with Yun Yang!

Then… there was only one explanation left!

”Have you become a turncoat?” Marquis Yun asked Lao Mei in disbelief.

Lao Mei was speechless. ”Old sir, I believe you are a tad overdramatic. How am I a turncoat? Was this how your teacher taught you vocabulary back in your day?”

”I didn't abandon any side… Young master's identity is simply too important and I can't tell you much.”

”I can't leak any information either…”

Lao Mei wanted very much to argue for himself but considering how things were, he lowered his head and said, ”I… I didn't switch sides… It's just that… young master's temper isn't very forgiving when he sleeps. Everyone won't have a good day if he's disturbed…”

Marquis Yun's eyes were still wide with shock.

Was he still his father by name? Could he not even disturb his sleep now? How severe must it be? He had not slept for the entire night; could Yun Yang be more tired than he was?

However, seeing Lao Mei's constipated face, Marquis Yun did not pursue the subject.

The very next day, all the officials around Residence of Marquis Yun were either promoted, demoted, sacked, or ransacked upon orders from His Majesty. Those that were promoted left the place while those demoted were ordered to move. Those sacked returned to their hometowns while those who were ransacked… their possessions were returned to the treasury.

A few wealthy homes were ordered to move as well.

It was within a single morning that seventeen households around the Yun Residence became empty.

Marquis Yun then submitted a letter to state that the Marquis' residence was too small and simple, insufficient to maintain everyday life. Therefore, the emperor generously gave all the houses around the marquis residence to Marquis Yun with the stroke of a brush.

At the same time, a royal edict was decreed.

The Marquis of Heavenly Clouds, Yun Xiaoyao, had been meritorious to the country in defending the border. Rewards were to be honored to him, thus, Yun Xiaoyao became Yutang's King Xiaoyao!

The Marquis was now given the title 'king', a decree which startled the entire nation.

At the same time, the royal edict stated that the position of Marquis of Heavenly Clouds would be inherited by Marquis Yun's only son, Yun Yang.