Chapter 138: The Shangguan Family of Generals
Ling Xiaozui's sword attack was extremely wicked.
Once he used his high-level mystical Qi, it would ignite the counterattack of the sword wound laid within his body to explode within him. This was shackling him with an extreme limitation!
From then on, he could no longer use any powers that exceeded the eighth peak!
He Hanqing clenched his jaws and gritted his teeth; seething against the insult dealt by this sword wound - Ling Xiaozui had done it on purpose!
He had known who he was but he had still struck anyway. He was intentionally placing him in a dire position.
However, could he speak the truth? The moment he spoke of it, he would have revealed his true identity. Ling Xiaozui had looked for He Hanqing, not Supreme Lord Spring Frost!
This unforeseen misfortune, this humiliation.... He could only swallow the bitter medicine.
Every inch of the Residence of He had been entirely upturned, including the most secluded spots. The nine people being kept there, who initially had no way out, were all free to go now.
They were doing exactly that, scurrying and scrambling to escape; despite their weakened state, their survival instincts were still strong.
When their eyes met those of He Hanqing, resentment was the only emotion that could be found in those stares.
A few guards in the Residence of He had just regained their composure and tried to detain these nine people, after seeing the change of events.
He Hanqing took in a deep breath. A sinister gleam flashed across his eyes even as he sighed resignedly and waved his hand. "Let them go!"
This was another trap, of course, one that was even crueler than the one Ling Xiaozui had set up. It looked like Ling Xiaozui had left but He Hanqing could clearly tell that he still lingered.
He had freed these people from captivity but he did not intend to save them, leaving them to escape on their own - what was the underlying intention behind his actions?
If he tried to kill these people now, Ling Xiaozui would appear immediately and save them.
He would then have a reason to exact revenge on him.
Thus, even though these people knew his secrets, he could not kill them.
He might even have to protect them from harm instead; otherwise, Ling Xiaozui would still arrive in a blaze of indignant glory and accuse him of wrongdoing.
He Hanqing was extremely frustrated with this but he had not much choice in the matter.
His mystical Qi was sealed in and his body was severely injured. The Spectral Path of the Soul, Abyss Trail of Blood was a tactic he could not use before he fully recovered.
"Ling Xiaozui! You and I... shall stand irreconcilable!"
He Hanqing spat another mouthful of blood before he stood up shakily and stumbled once, almost falling down again.
The nine veterans looked at the Residence of He one last time and walked out, holding on to each other quietly. There were countless guards around the residence but not a single one of them stepped forward to block them.
Finally, these nine people walked out of the residence's doors supporting each other and disappeared among the crowd immediately.
Those who witnessed the sight could not help but question the truth in Ling Xiaozui's words. Were these nine handicaps the proof of this Yutang's old official, Old He's, vile sins?
...
The moment Ling Xiaozui departed, Cirrus House's business grew more prosperous than ever.
Its customers seemed to be of better quality as well. Each of them was dressed smartly and acted elegantly; their demeanor gentlemanly and smiles amicable.
Although the customers would usually not misbehave, they would still sometimes take advantage of the maids passing by. However, each and every one of them was polite and well behaved now, even more, obedient than children in a classroom; none of them spoke any louder than the next person.
...
The fourth prince finally managed to get his moment of fame!
Ling Xiaozui's arrival and his highly public activities paved the way for the public to know what the fourth prince had done, garnering everyone's awe at once. He had actually sent five hundred men to capture Ling Xiaozui and even called him a fugitive!
He was one spectacular oddball indeed.
Everyone was inexplicably amused speaking of this. How could such a mistake happen?
The crown prince and the other princes were reveling in this.
One of the princes had even said, "This fourth prince's joke will keep me entertained for at least two more years..."
...
Yun Yang relaxed and stretched his body; an immense enjoyment and delight came as he laid in the pond in his residence.
He could clearly feel all the cells in his body responding positively; as if cheering and throwing a party. They were finally in the water!
He had not specifically trained his water pneuma before this but he felt naturally one with the water; there was no barrier between them.
He felt even freer than the fish.
Even when he dunked his head underwater, he did not feel the normal strain of suffocation. It was as if his skin could breathe underwater; he had nothing to be worried about.
Yun Yang began imagining what it would be like if he cultivated fourth brother's Water Pneuma Spell.
Thinking about it triggered his anticipation immediately.
However, what he needed to do now was to develop his Fog of Cloud Conjuration, Mystique Wind Conjuration, and Fiery Charm first. Then he had to cultivate the Art of Crimson Soul and Thunder Crash Spell to the same stage.
Only then could he think of doing other things.
Yun Yang was still lucid enough to remember that great haste does not always mean good speed; even though he was already in great haste he was definitely not making good speed!
...
The fourth prince had gone to the Residence of Yun to apologize, but turned back in the middle of his journey - Ling Xiaozui had left, what there to apologize for now?
From then on, Yun Yang had become increasingly enigmatic.
Ling Xiaozui had been a guest in his residence and hearsay was that they had a good time chatting.
Ling Xiaozui had fished at the Thousand Feet Lake with Yun Yang and they had called each other brothers as if they had known each other for a long time.
Young Master Yun Yang was mighty and had vast connections indeed!
"I thought that Young Master Yun was only a popinjay but it doesn't look like it now."
"What do you mean doesn't look like it? Of course, he can't be a popinjay! How can a mere popinjay be friends with Ling Xiaozui?"
"True, true. Looks like Young Master Yun must be the still water that runs deep, feigning ignorance in this worldly realm to train himself with the vicissitudes of life. My guess is that Young Master Yun Yang must also be an otherworldly expert!"
"The saying holds its value - the great corresponds with the great. How can Ling Xiaozui's friend be an ordinary person?"
"Not only is Young Master Yun handsome and mighty, his cultivation base is extraordinary and his demeanor elegant... Oh, I'm absolutely smitten! How can someone be so perfect?"
"Wake up, brother. You're a man. Even if you had a crush on him, will he even bother to see you?"
Whatever it was, Yun Zuiyue and Cirrus House was safe now following Ling Xiaozui's visit while Young Master Yun Yang's name had spread far and wide.
People would even smile obsequiously when he strolled past on the street.
Peace was in abundant supply in those few days.
Yun Yang began closed-door cultivation during this time, rejecting all invitations and visits, be it from Cirrus House, nobles or the four great young masters.
He cultivated diligently.
Since Chen San had brought the nine handicapped veterans to the Residence of Yun to thank him for the other day, Yun Yang had temporarily put the Spectral Path of the Soul, Abyss Trail of Blood off of his mind. However, Eunuch Mi still hid securely in the palace while he still could not tackle Old He He Hanqing despite his severe injury. He had no avenues left to him.
Yun Yang naturally put all his attention into increasing his abilities.
Old Marshal Qiu Jianhan had sent someone to ask about him but had not come again ever since; Tie Zheng came a few times though but it was to leave a message for Marquis Yun - asking for his help to take care of his son.
Marshal Tie came to and fro a few times but did not meet Yun Yang in any of those visits.
Yun Yang's diligence in cultivating and training himself within this period of time had gone into a remarkably frenzied state.
It was all because a large storm was already brewing and was about to land.
There was less than a month now to Tie Zheng's wedding.
Some of the generals from other nations, who had long made their journeys here, had already entered the boundary of Yutang.
How could peace last when these notable generals from all the other countries gathered in Tiantang City?
There would definitely be chaos and havoc then.
Yun Yang's current routine and training were all to actively prepare for what was about to come.
It was finally the fifteenth of the ninth month.
Yun Yang came out from his closed-door training today because he had no choice.
Someone had already been waiting for him at the Residence of Yun for three days.
This person held a special identity, one that was very unique!
"Would this be Sister Lingxiu? How had Sister Lingxiu found the time to visit my small residence? This is an honor of a lifetime! A lifetime;s honor indeed!" Yun Yang's smile was as warm and friendly as his welcome.
In front of him, a young lady sat stiffly upright.
She was all in black and while she was not a peerless beauty, she was distinctly pretty. She exuded an iciness that was not unlike the snow lotus in the land of ice and snow; it was a coolness that greeted the bones as her pure charm stood out.
She was tall and lean, a heroic spirit oozing from her entire being. She had a pair of straight eyebrows that went up towards the hairline, rarely found among women. Although she was a female, she held the aura of a powerful general who could command troops and cavalries directly from where she sat.
A rigid air of sanguinariness flowed easily across her features.
Shangguan Lingxiu.
A person Yun Yang could neither ignore nor disrespect.
Shangguan Lingxiu was only twenty years old, about half a year older than Yun Yang, yet her family background already garnered the respect of all the people in the Empire of Yutang.
She was from the Shangguan Family of Generals!
Stars of the sky encompass the Big Dipper, generals of the world revere Shangguan!
Shangguan Lingxiu's great grandfather and his two brothers once ruled the battlefield undefeated; the three brothers were the Empire of Yutang's East, West, and North Marshals - the brothers were the top three marshals while the father and sons were among the top ten notable generals.
Back in those time, the Shangguan Family alone shouldered Yutang's Board of War!
It was no surprise that these three marshals had all lost their lives during their twilight years in the battlefield. The youngest one was already fifty-eight years old when he fell in the battlefield.
After that, Shangguan Lingxiu's grandfather and his eight brothers then perished in the war at the east border, one after another.
As for the generation of Shangguan Lingxiu's father, the sons of Shangguan Family totaled thirty-six brothers; they had even been bestowed the title 'Thirty-Six Celestial Lionhearts of Shangguan'. However, all of them had given their lives to the Empire of Yutang in all the years of war against external forces.
Thirteen of them had not even been married yet when they had perished.
Shangguan Lingxiu was the youngest girl in her generation. She had two brothers and twenty-eight male cousins. None of the men had survived the final battle, defending the nation against an invasion five years ago.
Throughout the history of the Shangguan Family, not one Shangguan member had ever given in and acknowledged defeat regardless of the battles they were in; not even one of them would flee.
All of them had perished while battling the enemies of other nations.
The blood of Shangguan could be said to paint the mountains and rivers of the Empire of Yutang!
Yet now, the Shangguan Family of Generals that was once renowned and had intimidated the world was left with a family of orphans and widows. Shangguan Lingxiu was the sole female of their current generation while the rest were six children who were no older than nine years old and no younger than four years old.
The children were Shangguan Lingxiu's nephews; the youngest one was a posthumous child.
His Majesty the emperor had personally penned - "The Family of Valiance, The Shangguan Family of Generals".
It was a family that everyone in the Empire of Yutang revered!