Chapter 32: Staying Square1 and a Cloud's2 Headache

"If you were brothers... why was there a need to be bound by an oath? If you were not brothers, would an oath have any use at all?"

Yun Yang's had casually tossed out those words in gentle rebuke, but in Fang Mofei's ears, they were loud as thunder.

"So, you killed them and escaped with the mystical beast offsprings?" Yun Yang asked.

"I wanted to kill them." Fang Mofei sighed bitterly, "But wasn't able to... I couldn't tap on my abilities anymore. I had just sustained three heavy blows. When I managed to recover from those near-lethal strikes, there were three men charging me. I almost met my end then..."

"So, I had to use 'fealty'..." Fang Mofei laughed humorlessly. "It is a secret mystical method, and a vile weapon at that."

"Upon severely injuring the three, my last conscious thought was to run away with the mystical beasts..." Fang Mofei's eyes were rimmed red; he did not cry, but his anguish at his brothers' betrayal was apparent. "I depleted my refined blood the whole way, running without a care for my cultivation."

"To be honest, I don't even remember how I entered Tiantang City and fainted in front of whatever shop it was..." Fang Mofei sighed with mixed feelings, "Those three... the Hu Brothers, I don't know how they fared. When I lashed out, I remember holding back and struck only those parts that would not be lethal. "

Fang Mofei sighed, "As such, they should not be in any critical danger."

"The Three Hu Brothers..." Yun Yang murmured as he lowered his head and thought for a bit. He then asked, "Do you seek revenge? Do you wish to kill them?"

Fang Mofei was in a moral dilemma, the struggle apparent in his eyes.

Tempted by greed, a dozen years of friendship had culminated in two unhesitant stabs and one blow.

Do I wish to kill them?

"You need not answer this question." A hint of satisfaction flashed across Yun Yang's eyes. Fang Mofei's hesitance betrayed the significance of kinship to him. Although they were neither virtuous nor righteous, although they had forgone kin before profit, Fang Mofei was still uncertain about his next course of action.

Yun Yang's tone turned much lighter as he said, "Brother Fang, what future plans do you have?"

Although Fang Mofei had not understood Yun Yang's motives previously, it all became apparent when he heard his question. Did he seek to recruit him? Even after knowing he was an assassin of the Concourse of the Underworld?

"Future? I don't even know myself." Fang Mofei laughed bitterly, "I can feel the obvious damage to my basic Qi after the severe injury. I'm afraid it won't ever recover in my lifetime."

Yun Yang replied calmly, "That is just what you think. But I have a few speculations about Brother Fang's future."

Fang Mofei's curiosity was piqued. "You do? Pray tell."

"You have a few choices. The first would be this; when Brother Fang's injuries are healed, you leave this place and continue roaming the martial arts world, continue trading mystical beasts and be an assassin in the dark. However, this route is full of difficulties and extremely risky. Besides, like what Brother Fang's said, it'd be near impossible to return to the peak once again upon damaging your basic Qi this time. I believe Brother Fang knows deep down that you'll meet your death by the blade one day."

Fang Mofei sighed as Yun Yang finished his words. As a practitioner in the martial arts world, this truth rang true. Sometimes, one could just die without reason; killed for an unknown offense to some unknown person.

"Second, your... sworn brothers; they won't let you go. Since you had a falling out and they were in the wrong, they would think of ways and means to get rid of you. You should know this already as well."

Yun Yang spoke slowly, "On one path, you will continue to roam the martial arts world until someone puts an end to you. On another path, you leave the martial arts world and live a life of seclusion. However, now is not the right time to do so... you have an insufficient foundation."

Fang Mofei sighed in melancholy. That was correct, he had not gathered enough resources yet. Only death would be in wait if he left now.

"There is a third option. Stay by my side and serve me." Yun Yang's words were clear. "Let us first disregard all other benefits. Starting with just on your body alone, it could be recovered to how it was, improved, even if you stay. You've already experienced this."

"You can continue to be an assassin identity in the Concourse of the Underworld if you wish to. I won't interfere, but everything you do has to be done with my permission."

Fang Mofei's gaze was focused as he pondered upon his choices.

As he lifted his head and saw the faint smile on Yun Yang's face, he suddenly let out a humorless laugh and said, "I believe there is yet another possibility that you haven't spoken of. If I chose not to stay, I probably wouldn't make it out of the front door alive, would I?"

Yun Yang's gaze was indifferent.

"There are exactly four ninth level mystical beast babies in Young Master Yun's hands. Once this news gets out, Young Master Yun would never know another day of peace.I am currently the only one who is aware of this tasty morsel of information," Fang Mofei said.

"That is right." Yun Yang's eyes were half closed as he spoke, "This information is crucial to me."

"Alright, I'll stay!" Fang Mofei made his decision without hesitation.

"Young Master Yun has the type of intelligence that could conquer the world and set it in your hands. As a person, you are a critical thinker who delves far and deep; you would definitely be an outstanding talent of our age. Moreover, you have four ninth level mystical beasts that would become forces to be reckoned with in Tianxuan, given time. I've roamed the martial arts world my entire life and made nothing out of it. What does it matter if I hand my remaining years over to young master?"

It was neither because Yun Yang might kill him if he left nor because he would face a horrible doom in the martial arts world due to his reduced cultivation base. It was simply because Fang Mofei felt that his state of mind had changed.

The betrayal of his brothers had dampened his spirits; the vigor for life and vengeance when he used to roam the martial arts world and flowed wherever the currents took him, too, had disappeared. He felt only emptiness now.

Perhaps, staying with Young Master Yun was a much-needed break in his life, a turning point. For a brief moment, Fang Mofei was willing to forget the Three Hu Brothers who had betrayed him and had now turned into bitter enemies.

Looking at Fang Mofei who was making his oath, Yun Yang remained impassive as he spoke softly, "Rest and cultivate at home over the next few days. You can help Lao Mei with some of the chores as well. I would have you recover and improve. When your injuries have fully healed, I'll have more important things for you to do."

"Yes, young master."

...

The night was as cold as frigid water.

Yun Yang sat under the canopy of flowers and looked up towards the vault of heaven, his thoughts far away. Fang Mofei's unintentional words almost pushed his train of thought off its tracks - "Young Master Yun has the type of intelligence that could conquer the world and set it in your hands."

This intelligence belongs to the Nine Supremes. It belongs to me and all my brothers.

Three Eclipse Panthers and a Lightning Cat sat by his feet obediently, looking exactly like quadruple twins. The three Eclipse Panthers looked at Yun Yang from time to time, their gazes questioning.

Where did the eldest of us go? Why has it been gone for so many days?

A swoosh sounded as a tiny white silhouette shot in from outside the wall, arriving at Yun Yang's feet like a flash of lightning. It howled softly, the tone actually filled with much suffering.

Master, you just threw me in there like that. That girl almost stroked me to death!

"Even you can feel wronged by her actions. Come over here, I have something for you." Yun Yang placed one of his hands on the tiny ball of fur as a gush of refined air of vitality flowed into it.

The tiny creature mewled happily. This energy is really amazing! It is astounding indeed!

"As for food, go find it yourself." Yun Yang patted the little critter's head and said, "You must complete the mission you've been given as best as you can. If not... none of this good bounty anymore..."

The small Eclipse Panther nodded obediently and sniffed Yun Yang's hand with its tiny nose before going over to its siblings and frolicked with them in mock ferocity. A while later, it made a turn and shot out into the night once more.

...

Yun Yang woke up from deep meditation.

Feeling the mystical Qi that had become increasingly stronger in his body, an indescribable glow came from his eyes as he extended a hand, dropping five fingers slowly onto the table top. Without a sound, his fingers drilled clear through the three-inch-thick table, forming five clean holes with sawdust flying all about.

Yun Yang kept his hand on the table and circulated his Qi slowly. Mystical Qi pulsed within him, an image of a mountain materializing faintly on his palm. The mountain was high, the top all covered in fog. However, the view was clear if one were to look down from the heights. Only the peak of the mountain itself was still covered with a thick mist.

"Another day and I will be able to break through to the first peak." Yun Yang was speaking to himself, "Soon, I will be going through the first heaven in cultivation."

He took a deep breath and changed his method of cultivation. Gradually, Yun Yang's body became blurry and dreamlike until it slowly dissipated into a roiling cloud. The cloud then floated around the bedroom, constantly morphing into different shapes. Even if there waS a gap that was only a fingernail thin, the cloud could go through it easily. This was the mystical method and skill that was exclusive to Supreme Cloud.

Before long, the cloud shook itself apart as Yun Yang reappeared by the table, sweating profusely. He panted for air, his face pale and wan.

"Three breaths. That's the longest I can last." Yun Yang sighed. "There is a form but it is insubstantial. This won't do at all!"

The Endless Divine Art was powerful; entering the cultivation realm was faster by a thousandfold compared to ordinary cultivation methods. To go from absolutely nothing to breaking through the first heaven by cultivating with normal cultivation methods would require at least the span of a year, no matter how innately gifted one was.

Yun Yang had only used four days but he was still dissatisfied.

"I can't hold the form long enough!"

Yun Yang sighed, "It looks like I'll have to mind the time and provide Emmie with some nutrients."

In his subconscious, Emmie was languidly swaying its tiny body in boredom, flows of refined spiritual Qi poised to gush out in time with its undulations.

Yun Yang felt an impending headache coming on once he thought of providing it with additional nutrients.

Emmie enjoyed great jades, mystical stones, mystical crystals, and other similar treasures. It also meant that Emmie liked anything that was naturally possessed of spiritual Qi, engorged from thousands and millions of years of accumulation.

The problem was, where could he find these items that would cost an astronomical fortune? Emmie had already consumed those that he had won the other time, while the other half had been sold to fulfill certain economic requirements. Now, there were none left

Yun Yang was also disinclined to go on a killing spree just to obtain the air of injustice. He was the Supreme Cloud of the Nine Supremes. It would be unbecoming of him to find fault with crooks every single day. As for his targets, Yun Yang did not currently have enough abilities to ensure that he would be able to survive any encounters!

What a headache!

Yun Yang had been frowning for far too long. He began going through the steps of his plan again.

"Every step is a matter of life and death..."

...

Translator Note:

1Square (方fāng): Author's word play on title; the character方fāng that is the family name of Fang Mofei also means square on its own.

2Cloud (云yún): Author's word play on title; the character云yún that is the family name of Yun Yang also means cloud on its own.