Chapter 480: Derided. Pass Through
Yun Yang spread his arms in exasperation and asked, "So are you sure that I'm not Lord Supreme Wind?"
"Very sure!"
"Well, since you're sure of it, then let me pass through!" Yun Yang looked like he was about to cry with exasperation. "We're already familiar with each other, so let's not make a fuss out of this!"
Venerable Lord Frost scratched his head and contemplated this. He thought Yun Yang's words seemed reasonable enough.
They were indeed here for Supreme Wind and to ensure that no mistakes were made, they had felt it prudent to kill everyone who passed through because any one of them had the possibility of being Supreme Wind. However, Yun Yang was someone they knew. They were familiar with his background and were convinced that he was not Supreme Wind. Venerable Lord Frost thought to himself, "Was there really a need to block his way?"
Yet the strict order they had received was that no living creature, be it human, dog, or an even an ant was allowed to go past this area! Anyone who wanted to cross the land by force, whoever it might be, was to be killed without trial!
Even though Yun Yang was not Supreme Wind and was someone they were familiar with, he was still within the confines of the restraining order prevent people from crossing this place! Venerable Lord Frost continued to ponder, "Should I allow Yun Yang to go or not?"
Venerable Lord Frost couldn't make a final decision on the spot. His hesitation was palpable as he continued to consider the situation at hand.
"This is an urgent military matter!" Yun Yang broke the prolonged silence with an anxious cry. "Venerable Lord Frost, I humbly ask for your permission. When all of you are in Tiantang City, I'll buy all of you wine in exchange for the mercy you can show me today!"
Venerable Lord Frost rolled his eyes at Yun Yang's words and muttered to himself, "Who wants your wine? How can you have the gall to say it?"
But Yun Yang heard him and spoke up in anger. "How can you have the gall to block my way? You know very well that I'm not your target but here you are, delaying me from reaching my destination. You - you... you, are you going to make me vomit blood before you can let me go? How can you, a man of the Four Seasons Tower, be so shameless! Should this be the demeanor of Four Seasons Tower who triumphs in the world?"
Yun Yang's face was etched with despair. He felt as if he was about to die from the sheer frustration in this situation. To any casual observer watching, it would have seemed as if Venerable Lord Frost had done something unspeakably cruel to him!
Venerable Lord Frost hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "Fine, wait here for a while. I'll ask Sword to come talk to you. He will have the final say in this matter."
"No need to wait," a cold voice rang out nearby, the voice was like that of a metal blade being unsheathed from its scabbard, "We're here." As if summoned by the mere mention of his name, Venerable Lord Sword appeared.
Venerable Lord Sword looked much thinner than when they had met previously in Tiantang City; he also looked more sullen. He gazed towards Yun Yang with open hostility.
His hostility was not without reason. Venerable Lord Sword has previously been poisoned with Yun Yang's blood-freezing poison and was thus rendered slightly handicapped. Any man who had to endure that would certainly turn hostile towards the one responsible.
Right beside Venerable Lord Sword, was Venerable Lord Snow, Venerable Lord Ice, and five or six people whom Yun Yang did not recognize. They looked rather intimidating with their mighty cultivation base, all of them undoubtedly the Four Seasons Tower's top experts.
"Venerable Lord Sword has come too! I feel so honored!" Yun Yang said in a huff, "The Four Seasons Tower doesn't care for relationships and promises, how can it stand in the martial world? Venerable Lord Frost can be forgiven but you, Venerable Lord Sword, are someone whom I have saved! The past is still fresh in my mind yet now you're turning back on your words. This is revolting!"
Upon hearing Yun Yang's accusatory words, Venerable Lord Sword replied with barely concealed anger.
"What do you mean saved me? If it weren't for your poison, would I be in this injured state? Would I be handicapped? Would I feel as if I could barely even lift my own head?!"
"Rubbish!" Yun Yang exclaimed.
Venerable Lord Sword scoffed coldly, "Yun Yang, this is not Tiantang City. We have indeed agreed not to trouble you whilst within the confines of Tiantang City, but out here, you are not within the boundaries of that agreement!"
Yun Yang replied mockingly, "Very well, very well! Shameless people indeed! Playing word games with me? Venerable Lord Sword, you shouldn't be dwelling in the martial world, you should be an official in the imperial court! Who knows whether your words are genuine or not! I must say, the fact that you can stand there and spew such shameless words so righteously impresses even me. Oh, how I am impressed by your sheer hypocrisy!"
Venerable Lord Sword responded coldly, "Yun Yang, do you think anything is preventing my sword from cutting you down? Considering how filthy your mouth has become, we all know it is always the unscrupulous one who provokes first; therefore the instigator in this situation is you!"
Yun Yang mocked him, "What does it matter to me whether your sword can kill a person or a dog! I only ask for one thing, one question from you four! This path today, are you letting me through it or not? Speak!"
Venerable Lord Ice spoke for the first time, in a chilly voice, "What difference does it make if we let you through or not. So what?"
Yun Yang snorted, "So what? If you let me through, I'll reach my destination on time and do what I need to. But considering all the delay you've been causing me, I could be building a house here. On the other hand, if you don't let me through, this young master won't say much; I'll just turn back and take a longer detour, it's just a slight waste of time; not a big issue at all!"
"There must clearly be more to it than that," said Venerable Lord Ice in a calculated manner.
Yun Yang gritted his teeth, "Of course there is! Since you fellows have started it, I'll have to go on with the game! Of course, I'd be spreading the word for you fellows about how the Four Seasons Tower treasures their promise and how credible they are to everyone I see! I would tell about how you make promises to someone but fail to acknowledge it. The world's top organization indeed! Mr. Nian's organization it is, I'm only promoting it for all of you! I'm the best at doing this, I'd surely advertise your name day and night and make all of you renowned in a day! I'm very confident too, with my experience, I can be very persuasive.
Venerable Lord Ice yelled, "You, my child, have a sharp tongue!"
But Yun Yang was not intimidated, "You Venerable Lords can renege on the promise you vowed to heaven, but I cannot speak? Oh yes, because I alone am not credible enough, am I right? Surely, not many will believe me even if I speak the truth. Considering that, maybe I'll go back and let His Majesty publicize it for you; I think such credibility should suffice then, don't you?"
The men beside the Venerable Lords were also Four Seasons Tower experts and were utterly perplexed by the conversation. "What agreement did you make that it can be used as a point of ridicule against you by this boy?" they asked.
Venerable Lord Frost's face twitched slightly as he narrated in a low voice what had happened prior to this between them and Yun Yang; the men shut their mouth simultaneously then. The martial world emphasized that spoken words, in this case, the word of mouth, was the most basic principle; what was more, the promise agreed that day was a vow witnessed by heaven.
In spite of the agreement, how would they explain to their lord if they let Yun Yang pass?
The situation was at a standstill.
Yun Yang waited in silence for a few short moments before he snorted suddenly and turned to leave.
"Never mind, forget it. Block the way all you want, I'll take a detour. Your shamelessness is unrivaled. Today I've witnessed Four Seasons Tower's great sense of grace, how credible indeed!" He called out mockingly as he turned to leave.
"Wait!"
Venerable Lord Sword called out coldly, "you may only pass through on one condition."
Yun Yang turned back. "What condition? Say it quickly, this young master is busy. I have no time to linger around any longer!"
"The matters of the martial world are solved physically in this world. If you can beat me in sword combat, I'll let you pass.
Venerable Lord Sword stepped out, drawing his sword.
Yun Yang guffawed heartily after hearing his suggestion and it took a while for him to recompose himself before replying.
"Venerable Lord Sword, what a lackluster call this is! Why not call Mr. Nian too? Then gather your Four Seasons Tower experts as well. I'll duel against all of you and if I beat everyone, then I'll go through. Isn't this better?"
The Four Seasons Tower experts were flustered at Yun Yang's reply, they didn't know what to say.
"Venerable Lord Sword, my dear expert senior, can you be more shameless?" Yun Yang spat and gave him a crafty look, "Venerable Lord Sword, you're a famous top notch fighter yet here you are, righteously asking for a duel with me, a mere eighteen-and-a-half-year-old! How heroic you are, how gracious you are! I can pass through if I win, what generous and fair play!"
Venerable Lord Sword's pale face flushed red in embarrassment upon hearing his words.
Yun Yang's tongue was as sharp as a knife, his words digging deep into their hearts!
"If I can win against you, Venerable Lord Sword, I'd have just fight my way over! Do I even have to talk so much?" Yun Yang critiqued them relentlessly, "Alright. You fellows aren't giving way, right? I asked you again but you're still not letting me pass, right? Fine, I'll leave! I'll leave right now, goodbye all of you!"
This time Yun Yang really did turn and began to leave. With a whistle, Reddie came galloping towards him from afar. Yun Yang hopped onto the horse while mumbling to himself, "What top-notch experts of a top organization! They know me but they still want to put me through unnecessary trouble, not even the least bit shameful of themselves. But what am I wasting my breath for, I'm not going along with this nonsense any longer. Let's go!"
"Halt!"
Venerable Lord Snow frowned at Yun Yang for a long time. Finally, with a wave of his hands, he said, "Young Master Yun, you don't have to drag everyone into your condemnation. We shall let you pass! But from now own, we don't owe each other anything!"