Chapter 116: Missing Veterans

Yun Yang first went to the west of the city to make a round of the slums. Looking at the happy smiles on the faces of those handicapped warriors, he was comforted. He then went to the south of the city before heading to the east and north...

Yun Yang's pace was quick, each step seemed at ease but his fast movements had already taken him dozens of feet away.

Fang Mofei tailed him closely without losing a beat.

It was during this afternoon that people in the capital swore that they had seen a handsome young master with otherworldly grace pass before their eyes. Yun Yang's strides were fast, assisted by his qinggong skills, but it was already midnight when he completed a complete round in Yutang City.

He did not do much and had only roamed around.

He was like a lonely lion patrolling his territory; soundlessly, but with pride and solitude. He was contented to watch the people under his care living in peace.

When he finally returned, Lao Mei came forth with an upset expression. "Old Marshal Qiu came over today..."

The corners of Yun Yang's lips twitched in amusement. Why would I be roaming around for the whole day if it weren't for him?

He said softly, "Yes, and what about it?"

"The old marshal was infuriated when he heard that you've left early in the morning..." Lao Mei looked trouble. "He knocked over our lion statue before he left."

Looking at the shattered lion statue, the corners of Yun Yang's lips twitched uncontrollably. Finally, he clapped and uttered his praise, "Old Marshal is growing stronger with age! It's something worth celebrating."

He paused and continued, "Go out and order a hundred lion statues tomorrow. Place two here so the old marshal can vent his anger each time he comes over."

The shock was written all over Lao Mei's face.

Do you intend never to meet him?

If Lao Mei did not know of Yun Yang's other identity, he would definitely be advising or persuading him. However, Lao Mei had long changed his stance; he was irrefutably on Yun Yang's side and acknowledged all his decisions. Even if the other party had been Old Marshal Qiu, he put it aside and continued to the next visitor.

"General Tie Zheng came over as well." Lao Mei said, "He brought Marquis Yun a few boxes of border specialty fruits."

Yun Yang sighed, "That Tie Zheng. He is already so poor, why does he still give fruits? Where are they?"

"They've... been eaten by the kittens."

Lao Mei was exasperated and so was Yun Yang.

"Right, did Old Marshal say anything before he left? Better yet, don't tell me. It's better if I didn't know." Yun Yang had a sudden change of heart.

"Eat, eat. Eating is important."

It was too bad that the eating had to stop as well. The four noble young masters had dropped by in the middle of the meal.

"Boss! I am here again." Dong Tianleng's unique voice was like his signature.

"Boss!"

"Lord!"

Chun Wanfeng, Xia Bingchuan, Qiu Yunsan, and Dong Tianleng were all here.

Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter had all gathered at Yun Yang's place.

Yun Yang sighed.

He could not help but think of the Four Seasons Tower the moment he saw these four.

"I knew the boss is eating. The four of us haven't eaten either." Dong Tianleng chuckled and acted as if he was the most familiar with Yun Yang, turning around to call out, "Butler, butler. Come, bring out another four sets of cutlery. Let's drink until we're drunk today, let's not return if we are still sober."

Lao Mei rolled his eyes at the behavior of this boor who regarded himself as someone close but still went to retrieve the requested utensils.

After some drinks, Dong Tiangleng finally brought up the main topic. "Boss, do you remember the mystical beast case that you've mentioned previously?"

"Guaranteed!" Yun Yang wasted no time with pleasantries.

"Then... will the Luminary Paste really be poisoned?" Qiu Yunsan asked hesitantly.

"Have you got it already?" Yun Yang asked.

"Not yet."

"In a nutshell, be very careful." Yun Yang reminded, "Always be on your guard against anyone and everyone."

All four of them nodded seriously. Drinking quietly, the excitement that had been in their hearts had been somewhat dampened.

Apparently, the night's mood was meant to be mellow as Yun Yang's mood was somewhat subdued.

As the five of them drank in silence, a ray of sword-light shone suddenly at the south of Tiantang City. A scrawny silhouette appeared, carrying a large wine gourd on his back, reeking of alcohol; his gaze filled with longing.

"I'm... back again."

I wonder how's the little girl doing now?

"I have things to do this time. I should finish what I need to and retrieve the item first. After all, it can't be delayed anymore." The spiritless man smiled.

He entered the city gate with light steps.

...

Yun Yang and gang were drinking and chatting when suddenly a series of sharp raps emanated from the door.

Bang, bang, bang.

A person called out from the outside, "May I ask if Young Master Yun is at home?"

It was already late in the night.

Lao Mei frowned and said, "This voice sounds familiar. I believe it belongs to Chen San, who you saved the other day, young master."

"Chen San?" Yun Yang frowned. "There must be something urgent for him to come knocking this late. Quickly, let him in."

A short moment later, Chen San entered in a hurry and kneeled down. "Young master, young master, please save my brothers!"

He continued to bow ceaselessly.

Yun Yang frowned. "What has happened? Do stand up to speak."

Yun Yang could see Chen San walking with a limp, saber scars scattered around his face. Those scars seemed to have been around for some time already.

"Chen San..." Yun Yang seemed to understand. "You went to the enlistment to war by handicapped veterans too?"

Chen San was taken aback before he said in a guilty tone, "Young master is wise. Chen San has indeed gone to the battlefield but could only 'welcome' the enemy. Not only did I not kill a single foe, I came back bearing injuries everywhere. I feel embarrassed on behalf of the young master."

Yun Yang said sternly, "What are you talking about? Man of men has things they'd never do and things they must do! You're a lion-hearted man going to the battlefield wholeheartedly. Whether or not you've killed an enemy is only a minor detail. The brothers who have gone with you, have they returned too?"

Chen San's eyes were rimmed red. "Young master, Chen San has come for this. When we retired from the military, we gathered to live together and help each other out. Our days are a bit hard but at least we were at peace. Forty-three people from our area have set off for this war, thirty-two people were lucky to return while we lost eleven brothers in the battle."

"However, of late, these brothers have been going missing. In the beginning, we thought that they went out to gather for reunions with their comrades but since then, they have been missing in increasing numbers. Oddly, they were the veterans who had fought on the battlefield..."

Chen San was tearful. "There were already nine people missing as of tonight. We don't know what's going on, but we have a feeling that these missing brothers would probably not be coming back anymore..."

He was trembling all over. As a handicapped veteran at the lowest class of society, his world was only this big. The only upper-class figure he knew was Yun Yang who had helped him when he was bullied.

With this incident happening, it was his largest effort, after much hesitation, to come seeking for Yun Yang's help. He was his last hope.

Yun Yang stood up abruptly, his gaze a menacing glare. "Many missing veterans?"

A ferocious killing intent gushed and exuded from him.

Dong Tianleng and his cohorts who were gathered around Yun Yang all shuddered in fear.

How could such an intensely murderous aura come from Yun Yang, a noble family's young master?

It was the aura of a being who had been through hundreds and thousands of vicious battles and mindless killing.

"Let me go look this up." Yun Yang stood up.

"We'll come along as well." Dong Tianleng and the other three young masters stood up as well.

"No need." Yun Yang said in a collected manner, "A large number of people will only increase the chances of being a target. If I really need help from all of you, I'll voice it out. I won't be shy, I promise."

Qiu Yunsan tapped his chest. "Don't worry, boss! Only one word from you and we shall provide whatever's needed, be it men, money or energy!"

Yun Yang waved as he headed out with Fang Mofei and Lao Mei in tow.

"For now, just play among yourselves."

...

A quarter of an hour later, Yun Yang and the other had appeared at the south side of the city - a rather desolate-looking neighborhood.

All the houses in this area were very old and worn out.

Although it was already late in the night, twenty-three men were standing around when Chen San led Yun Yang into the courtyard.

These men were all either injured or handicapped.

Old veterans with blind eyes or broken legs were on the trail as well.

Even when the few of them had broken legs and could only prop themselves against the wall, they looked respectful with a faint grief that was unable to be concealed.

"Young Master Yun is here." Chen San's voice was excited.

"Young master, please take the lead for us!" All of them kneeled simultaneously.

"Everyone, please rise." Yun Yang was touched. "Please, tell me what happened here. Let us analyze the situation."

With Yun Yang's decision, everyone quickly sat in a circle and began describing the process leading up to the incident.

Fang Mofei had already gone up to the roof.

Under the guard of a seventh peak pinnacle expert, this place was considered unassailable.

Following everyone's narration, Yun Yang had figured out the outline of this particular incident.

For nine consecutive days, a handicapped veteran had gone missing each day from this area.

It was within reason to say that they were from the same barrack; comrades that had survived death together and had a certain degree of tacit understanding. However, amidst the discussion, Yun Yang had surprisingly realized that these nine people were the closest among the others.

In more precise words, other than the nine of them, their relationship with the other veterans was only normal. They were only closest and most truthful with each other.

There were still two left who shared a tight-knitted relationship with the nine among these people; the two of them were the most anxious now.

However, Yun Yang had gotten confirmation from these two men that despite their close relationship with the nine missing men, it still could not compare with the relationship among the nine themselves.

"Missing without a trace..."

Yun Yang's brows locked into a frown.

"One missing each day..."

"Yet no one else has gone missing since the day before yesterday."

How could something so bizarre be happening?