606 Civil and Martial Mandarins (1/2)
Yun Yang scoffed, a murderous intent gleaming in his eyes, as he said, ”Here is the truth about the Nine Supremes' doom. It is even more evident that this two individuals can't be kept alive. The Nine Supremes Lords are the Empire of Yutang's heroes. Murdering our heroes makes them our biggest enemy; they will have to pay for their crimes!”
”We, the people of Yutang, have always felt regret for not being able to avenge the Nine Supremes Lords' deaths. Now that there is such a huge clue, these two people must be brought to justice! They must be minced and tormented and have their bones shaved and ashes spilled!”
”Initially, I helped you because our vibes jived. Now that we share a common enemy, we should work together and help each other out!”
The three Venerable Lords could not help rolling their eyes when they heard Yun Yang.
'Do you think it's so easy?'
'Listen to yourself, talking about bringing them to justice and all of that tripe, how speechless could we possibly be?'
'Which of the two of them can be so easily caught?'
Yun Yang stood up and bowed deeply. ”I ask for the three Venerable Lords to help me. Do tell me the identities and backgrounds of these two people and where they are hiding. I'll eradicate the duo with all I have. These two are our enemies!”
”Young Master Yun, the abilities of these two people are not something to be trifled with…” Venerable Lord Snow said, ”It's not that we're reluctant to tell you. We, more than anyone else, hope for the quick deaths of these two, but… I'd be sending you to your own death if I tell you. Young Master Yun, you're a youthful talent with a bright, promising, future. You don't have to provoke an enemy you can't manage just to indulge in a reckless moment.”
Yun Yang contemplated that for a moment before speaking in a disappointed voice, ”It looks like the three of you will hardly have the fighting spirit if I don't spur you on a little. I shall not keep the suspense then.The three of you may know this, but you may not know it clearly.”
His voice was low and soft, almost indiscernible.
The trio felt the beginnings of goosebumps and asked involuntarily, ”What is it?”
”I believe that the three of you know that Ling Xiaozui and Dugu Chou are in Tiantang City right now.” Yun Yang spoke very softly, ”However, you probably don't know that the both of them are staying together. Despite just knowing each other, it's like they've been friends for a long time…”
”If these two can help us, things will be an entirely different story.” The trio's eyes shone brightly before they sighed right away, ”Still, how can these two experts be summoned so easily?”
Yun Yang wore a mysterious grin. ”When God closes all the doors, a window will be left open. I think you understand a saying like this. Brother Ling Xiaozui used to have a conflict with the Four Seasons Tower and owes me a huge favor… If I were to ask him and the target was to be the Four Seasons Tower's men, I think there's still a high chance he would lend his aid…”
The three Venerable Lords sucked in a cold breath simultaneously once they heard him. They looked at Yun Yang like they were seeing a ghost.
”Is it true? Is Young Master Yun being honest?”
”Of course!” Yun Yang was fervent in his affirmation. ”Just last night, Brother Ling and his friends came to my residence for a drink, introducing Senior Dugu to me formally!”
Vertigo hit the trio once they heard what Yun Yang had said. Regaining their composure after some time, they exchanged glances, seeing similar sentiments mirrored in each other's eyes. This could be done! It was absolutely doable!
The three Venerable Lords who shared the same thoughts immediately got excited. If one could stay alive, how could one wish to die? What was more, there was a hope for revenge, to wipe out the enemy once and for all. How could they let such an opportunity slip by?
Venerable Lord Snow sucked in a deep breath and said, ”If Young Master Yun were to obtain such potent assistance, the situation will naturally be different. This way, I can tell you more information about the men. Still, you must act carefully. If Ling Xiaozui refuses to help, you mustn't behave recklessly. As long as one is still alive, there's still hope!”
”Don't worry. I cherish my life as much as the next man!” said Yun Yang.
The four of them looked at each other and chortled.
Venerable Lord Snow almost whispered, so softly did he speak. ” The civil side between the duo is the Residence of Crown Prince's prime aide, Sir Bi. Sir Bi is an exceptionally dangerous person. Forget his incredible cultivation base, his residence alone is set up with countless hidden passages and secret threats. Plenty of them are designed hundreds of feet underground and there is a secret passage that reaches five hundred miles away from the city!”
”Besides, Sir Bi has more than one stand-in.”
Venerable Lord Snow elaborated, ”All his substitutes lurk in his residence. According to what I know, there are at least three of them. Even if one were to be killed, it's hard to say if he's the real one or a stand-in. His various substitutes look the same, be it by their height, weight, appearance, or self-portrayal… even their mannerisms are the same. There's no way to distinguish among them.”
”If that is the case, it'll be tricky…” Yun Yang began contemplating with a frown while secretly breaking out in cold sweat; thankfully he had not acted carelessly or else he would have been trapped.
”As for the other person, the martial undertaking is between the two of them,” Venerable Lord Snow said, ”He is a high-ranking official in the military. He's the third man-in-charge after Fu Baoguo… one who's specifically responsible for planning and approving military plans… Wu Ying.”
Yun Yang's expression twisted the moment he heard the name.
Wu Ying?
This person sounded familiar, but at the same time, very distant from Yun Yang. He was just like his namesake1, without a shadow and untraceable. He worked in the Board of War, having a house to himself to specifically check upon and approve all military plans. His status was very high and the reason for his high status was due to his impossibly high military discipline. Any plan that came from him had no chance of being changed. Not only was there no one who dared to modify it, there was no one who could possibly do it!
Since he had picked up the responsibility, there had been missteps and he had also never stepped out of the house. A few of his janissaries would send the required information to him and he would then toss them out from the window after completing the necessary crosschecking inside.
Such independence and solitude were not even living in seclusion, but living without ever coming out! Gradually, people began to notice his presence in the Board of War – someone with high authority but who never showed himself.
Therefore, Yutang officials' remarks about him was a person who worked humbly and willingly.
Even when Old Grand Commandant Fang Qingtian was ill and could hardly manage any matter now, compounded Fu Baoguo's absence, Wu Ying could still administer the Board of War perfectly with just his notes.
Everything that he presided over proved one thing – that he was an exceptionally intelligent person who could plan and plot strategies that were decisive to future victories. This person was Fang Qingtian, Qiu Jianhan and other senior marshals' most trusted person whom they thought very highly of!