Chapter 523: Restart

Marquis Yun was in a jubilant mood as he returned home, but his eyes widened to the size of saucers with uncertainty once he reached the entrance.

"Is... is this my house? Is this truly the Residence of Marquis of Heavenly Clouds? I - I... Why don't I recognize it anymore?"

Could it be that the real assurance when Yu Peize said it was secure and safe to place the child with me was not me? - As well as the convenience to build up the child's foundation and whatnot, it was not me too!

Compared to his convenient father figure, the Marquis of Heavenly Cloud, who was possessed of a cheerful, reinvigorated mien, Young Master Yun Yang was utterly expended, a true husk bereft of energy.

He had just come back from Old Grand Commandant Fang's home, thus the exhaustion that hounded him had come from healing the Grand Commandant. Old Grand Commandant Fang's condition was gravely critical; he was basically on his last legs. Previously, when he forcibly executed Ingenious Volition due to Yang Botao's case, it had already caused his barely remaining life force to decrease even further. He was like a flickering candle in the wind, liable to be extinguished at any given time.

Yun Yang had gone to the Old Grand Commandant's house once he came back, staying half a day and the entire night there. He had delivered the Endless Divine Art continuously, draining himself for over three cycles, and he was only barely able to secure the old Grand Commandant's state, saving the man who was already halfway through death's door.

Yes, it was only temporarily preventing him from fully entering death's door. The old Grand Commandant's state was not exactly optimistic but it was also somehow an understatement to say he was barely saved, as he could live on for at least another six months or even a year.

Compared to the old man's previous state, this was already an impressive feat!

Yun Yang felt that his deific consciousness space would somehow only recover half a year later.

During this period of time, Yun Yang honestly missed the space and the time accompanied by Emmie. One would only know how to appreciate things when things were lost. If Emmie were here by his side, he could replenish Old Grand Commandant's life force generously. He would not have had to exhaust himself at all!

Yun Yang dragged his feet home. Just as he arrived at the door, he saw his makeshift father standing there like a puppet, looking like he did not recognize the residence at all.

"What is it?" Yun Yang asked tiredly.

"This... What is going on?" Marquis Yun was baffled.

"What are you talking about?" Yun Yang was confused by his question. He thought the man was speaking without sense.

"I'm talking about this - this residence!" Marquis Yun's eyes were wide with shock.

"Uh... This residence? I renovated it." Yun Yang realized his confusion with some shock and tried to explain it with indifference, "The original Residence of Marquis was too small, too worn down, too inferior. It was too embarrassing to host guests within it. It was inadequate, thus I took the decision to renovate it."

The corners of Marquis Yun's lips twitched.

Too small, too worn down, too inferior... how was this possible? Even the Residence of Chancellor was not as spacious as the previous Residence of Marquis nor was it as luxurious! How could it be inferior? Why had he not realized this for so many years?

What was more, it was too embarrassing to host guests and it was inadequate to boot! Was Yun Yang serious? How many guests was he hosting anyway?

"Well, it doesn't look like a simple renovation..." Marquis Yun said, "It seems like even the foundation of the house is undergoing refurbishment?"

Yun Yang did not bat an eye as he replied, "Of course. Since the renovation was underway, of course, it needs to be done up thoroughly. The priority of a home is that it must be comfortable to live in before it is elegant and up to standard. When both conditions are fulfilled, only then can it be considered a wonderful house."

Marquis Yun nodded. "Very reasonable indeed."

Both of them walked in while Marquis Yun brought up a topic, saying, "The emperor told me that a few people are going to stay with us. Your renovation solves many problems, but... our manpower is still lacking and the residence isn't exactly very big..."

Yun Yang immediately knew what was going on, but he feigned innocence and asked, "Who will be staying over? Don't tell me the emperor will be supervising the both of us like this? Our current abilities seem to have exceeded His Majesty's imagination - it's not much of a surprise if he arranges someone to watch over us."

Marquis Yun lowered his voice and answered, "You're thinking too much. The person coming is the eldest imperial grandson. Still, the reason he's here is indeed due to our superior capabilities, enabling us to provide secure protection for the child."

Yun Yang snorted and chuckled, but in his heart, he was rather worried.

It was, of course, possible to take them in, but the problems would only begin after they arrived. More people naturally meant more exposure; he had lost his various manifestation powers now, how could he disappear without leaving a trace?

The father and son duo were greeted with cheers the moment they entered the Marquis' residence.

Dong Tianleng, Chun Wanfeng, Xia Bingchuan, and Qiu Yunsan had brought along their six guards to train their mystical beasts - Dong Tianleng had no mystical beast, so he was pacing back and forth through the crowd, wearing a mischievous look.

There were also Ji Lingxi and Yue Rulan who wore black chiffon masks over their faces and were looking over from afar as if they were an audience to the training.

On the contrary, Lao Mei and Fang Mofei were drinking tea, while there was another man who was observing the scene with his hands behind his back.

"These people..." Marquis Yun was stunned. "Are they all staying here? No wonder you said that the place was inadequate. If you have all these people around, the place wouldn't suffice indeed."

Yun Yang was stunned as he watched the scene as well and took two hasty steps forward, saying, "The four of you, quit it. The war is over now and there's nothing much left. What are you all doing, still staying in my house?"

"Boss, we've decided!"

The four young masters turned around simultaneously with serious expressions on their faces. "All of us are not going home. We'll stay with you and work up something big together! We shall write our own legends!"

Yun Yang was stunned, still unable to regain his senses.

"Boss, what you told us previously meant a lot and has inspired us. We remember it with all our hearts. After thinking long and hard, we've decided to stay and continue the journey with the boss!"

Dong Tianleng puffed his chest out in high spirits. "We don't want to live in the shadow of our families anymore! We want to have our own careers!"

Yun Yang's expression was peculiar as he replied, "Not only are you all your family's parasites, but you have all come here to be parasites! Is this how it's going to be?"

"Boss, how can you say that?" Qiu Yunsan stepped forward with a grin. "We're willing to be boss' left and right-hand men, to charge forward and fight fearlessly..."

"Besides, not only are we hardworking and obedient, we are not asking for payment. See how sensible we are," Dong Tiangleng said. "Even more so, if boss is really tight on money, you can let us know. We will make some immediately! However much you need."

"Our skills now are comparable to the so-called experts in Tiantang City! We dare to call ourselves experts as well!" Xia Bingchuan said excitedly.

"Most importantly, we've made up our minds to stay here. Boss, you won't be able to chase us away!" Chun Wanfeng said determinedly.

Marquis Yun who was behind Yun Yang was shocked for a good while before he chuckled, "So this is how it is. I shall reserve my opinion. This is a pretty good situation!"

Before his words could even echo in the air, he had returned to his room for a rest.

The four men were delighted. The boss' father's acceptance would be more effective than their boss speaking for himself!

Yun Yang was baffled for quite a while before he said, "Alright then... Stay here."

The four popinjays were overjoyed.

How could they have known that Yun Yang had already made plans - it was perfect timing that these four fellows had not left since there would be plenty of things he would not be able to handle alone after this.

He had lost his various manifestation powers. While the Nine Supremes' influence was inconvenient to be called upon, these fellows here could help divert some attention as well as being a good source of labor, especially when Yun Yang could sometimes do things using the four noble families' name.

Of course, there was some truth behind the four scoundrel's words. Their combat power was indeed at the level of an expert now in Tiantang City!

"I'll go to sleep first." Yun Yang waved his hands in extreme fatigue. "I'm about to die from exhaustion. You fellows, go on your merry way..."

The corners of Marquis Yun's lips could not help lifting as he heard the conversation outside. What a bunch of adorable young men!

He suddenly sprung up in surprise.

That was not right!

Marquis Yun realized that he seemed to have forgotten something important...

He patted his head.

"Damn it!"

Marquis Yun finally recalled that he had actually forgotten to pass His Majesty the money he had prepared for him... Now it begged the question - where was the money?

Marquis Yun charged out to find Yun Yang immediately; only this fellow knew where the fortune was! However, he soon found out that he actually could not locate his son anywhere after making a few rounds in his own house.

What the heck?

Did he not say he would go to sleep?

"Lao Mei, where's Yun Yang?" asked Marquis Yun.

Lao Mei looked troubled. "I don't know where he's gone to..."

Marquis Yun's gaze turned into a glare. He felt that this was rather absurd.

Lao Mei said he did not know where Yun Yang had gone to. How was this possible? This old brother was the Residence of Yun's butler; now that the old master had asked about the young master's whereabouts, this old brother had blatantly answered that he was not aware. It was simply impossible!

There was only one explanation to this - he did not want to tell him.

This was becoming all the more unreasonable though... Lao Mei was his confidant. He knew very well - he was perhaps the one who knew the most about his relationship with Yun Yang!

Then... there was only one explanation left!

"Have you become a turncoat?" Marquis Yun asked Lao Mei in disbelief.

Lao Mei was speechless. "Old sir, I believe you are a tad overdramatic. How am I a turncoat? Was this how your teacher taught you vocabulary back in your day?"

"I didn't abandon any side... Young master's identity is simply too important and I can't tell you much."

"I can't leak any information either..."

Lao Mei wanted very much to argue for himself but considering how things were, he lowered his head and said, "I... I didn't switch sides... It's just that... young master's temper isn't very forgiving when he sleeps. Everyone won't have a good day if he's disturbed..."

Marquis Yun's eyes were still wide with shock.

Was he still his father by name? Could he not even disturb his sleep now? How severe must it be? He had not slept for the entire night; could Yun Yang be more tired than he was?

However, seeing Lao Mei's constipated face, Marquis Yun did not pursue the subject.

The very next day, all the officials around Residence of Marquis Yun were either promoted, demoted, sacked, or ransacked upon orders from His Majesty. Those that were promoted left the place while those demoted were ordered to move. Those sacked returned to their hometowns while those who were ransacked... their possessions were returned to the treasury.

A few wealthy homes were ordered to move as well.

It was within a single morning that seventeen households around the Yun Residence became empty.

Marquis Yun then submitted a letter to state that the Marquis' residence was too small and simple, insufficient to maintain everyday life. Therefore, the emperor generously gave all the houses around the marquis residence to Marquis Yun with the stroke of a brush.

At the same time, a royal edict was decreed.

The Marquis of Heavenly Clouds, Yun Xiaoyao, had been meritorious to the country in defending the border. Rewards were to be honored to him, thus, Yun Xiaoyao became Yutang's King Xiaoyao!

The Marquis was now given the title 'king', a decree which startled the entire nation.

At the same time, the royal edict stated that the position of Marquis of Heavenly Clouds would be inherited by Marquis Yun's only son, Yun Yang.

In other words, Yun Yang's position in Yutang would be the Marquis of Heavenly Clouds from now on!

It was unheard of in Yutang's history for Yun Xiaoyao to be elevated to king directly from a marquis while it was unprecedented for Yun Yang, a mere commoner, to be given the title of Marquis!

In spite of this, Yutang's civil and military officials had no objection. It was because all of them knew that Marquis of Heavenly Clouds was actually the illegitimate son of Yutang's previous emperor. This was a secret to ordinary folks, but those in the imperial court knew well about it.

Who would dare stop His Majesty from awarding his biological brother the title? Would that not be seeking death?

During the morning assembly, Marquis Yun expressed his gratitude upon receiving the dictum, "This official shall serve with my all until death... Also, this official is ready to dedicate this lifetime to roaming the martial world and donate all his fortune to the imperial court to solve any crisis..."

The emperor had thought that this was the end to the matter, but was shocked when Marquis Yun suddenly mentioned that he was willing to donate his wealth; he said with a smile, "Marquis Yun is wealthy indeed. I wonder how much you have gathered from society in these past years?"

The civil and military officials were fell silent with tacit understanding once they heard the emperor.

"How much did you loot" and "how much have you gathered" were two different matters; one was against the law while the other was permitted! His Majesty had given his permission - who dared say anything against it?

Marquis Yun said humbly, "It's only a little acquirement, hardly substantial to the general picture."

His Majesty picked up his tea and took a sip, saying with a grin, "Lord Yun need not donate all. It's enough to dedicate half of that fortune of yours."

"This official has twelve billion, seventy-six million and eighty-nine thousand taels... to donate to the government and fill the treasury."

Splat!

His Majesty's tea, that was in his mouth, covered the floor as he coughed with a flushed face.

The civil and military officials' eyes bulged out as well.

How much was that? Were their ears working properly?

Twelve billion, seventy-six million and eighty-nine thousand taels? Marquis Yun... where did his money come from?

"Yun Xiaoyao, where did this much money come from?" The emperor fell into a coughing fit and slapped the table.

Marquis Yun said politely, "Your Majesty, this is from this official's labor. For all these years, this is only what I've got... Your Majesty need not ask more... Some matters are meant to be kept under wraps."

The officials chuckled covertly, lowering their heads.

Twelve billion silver taels throughout these years - this was no ordinary shady feat... If the regular, proper, channels were used, the treasury would not have been able to collect so much money.

In spite of this, the emperor spoke as if he had suddenly understood everything, "If so, I shall refrain from asking... Men, take Marquis Yun's donation into the national treasury."

The court was overjoyed!

The personal treasury and national treasury were glaringly different locations. The personal treasury was for aristocratic use, while the national treasury belonged to the Board of Revenue. It meant that everyone could use those funds!

Therefore, the emperor was thrilled, while the officials were ecstatic. They were finally not in dire need of money to do anything they needed to.

...

At the same time, the new Marquis of Heavenly Clouds, Lord Yun Yang, had arrived at the small village surrounded by mountains. The first one to welcome him was Whitey Four.

The snow-white body bolted into his embrace like a flash of lightning.

Hugging Whitey Four, Yun Yang was overwhelmed by emotion.

Whitey Two and Whitey Three... were still in his divine sense space and could not be seen... Now...

Then, Bao'er appeared.

"Uncle..."

He called out childishly and Yun Yang's mind emptied itself of whatever he was thinking of.

...

"Eldest Sister Li," Yun Yang said. "I'm here to pick all of you up."

Li Yingqiu was very surprised. "Thank you, young master."

Yun Yang was dressed the same way he was the last time he visited, but what gave him a headache was that he had not disguised himself when he had come previously. He had not thought too much of it then.

Luckily, only a handful of people had seen him back then, including Li Yingqiu.

Yun Yang gathered these people together and began to talk to them seriously.

"... Go to Residence of Marquis of Heavenly Clouds..."

"The eldest royal grandson... His Majesty..."

"Due to my identity... I can't..."

"... So when everyone sees me after this, you have to feign innocence like you don't know me; otherwise, the consequences will be grave... everyone's life will be threatened..."

"... All forty-eight families will move together. From now on, you are all Bao'er direct support..."

The two village heads gathered a few people together to talk about what Yun Yang had said.

"No one is to leak the secret..."

"If this young master wanted to keep our lips sealed, he could very well kill us all... but he didn't..."

"So..."

"For small young master's safety, for the safety of this lord..."

...

Afterward, all forty-eight hunting families held a secret meeting.

"No secret is to be exposed!"

"Any one word related to this place must not be disclosed."

...

Yun Yang made his arrangements.

"Tomorrow morning, I shall take all of you to the south gate of Tiantang City. I will then leave and there will be people to receive all of you..."

"Everyone will still stay together... but remember the secret, for your own safety..."

...

Yun Yang made sure to remind these people properly. They were the pillars of the military back in the day, while some of them had been trusted by Supreme Earth and Supreme Water. They might not be very experienced, but they shared a similarity - they had all looked past life and death!

They knew the reasoning behind what they had to do.

Yun Yang knew that these people would know what to do even if he did not say anything, but he still had to remind them once again.

...

During the night, the entire village moved together.

The houses in the village were not destroyed but left behind quietly in the midst of the mountains.

The two heads had intended to destroy them and burn them down but Yun Yang was opposed to the idea.

"Keep them."

"Destroy all the paths connecting to the outside world."

"If there are any mishaps in the future, this will be the last resort where safety lies."

"We would never want to use this escape route, but if we have to... it has to be foolproof."

...

Everyone believed wholeheartedly in Yun Yang's planning.

On the fourth morning, Yun Yang had brought everyone to the outskirts of Tiantang City.

After settling them down, Yun Yang snooped around to ensure nothing would go wrong before he left immediately.

During noon of the same day, the Residence of Old Marshal Qiu suddenly received a secret missive.

"They have arrived at the southern gate... Pick them up promptly."

Old Marshal Qiu was still unconscious while Old Mistress Qiu had no idea about what was going on.

Despite the confusion, there was the Nine Supremes' seal on it. Old Mistress Qiu dared not decide things by herself nor did she dare discuss it with anyone else. She could only ask somebody to inform the emperor, stating that the Residence of Old Marshal Qiu had important matters to discuss.

His Majesty was high-strung once he heard the news.

He came instantly before asking Marquis Yun to go over as well. Then, everything was simply a matter of course.

Marquis Yun personally brought along Fang Mofei, Bai Yixue and several guards from the four young masters. They exited the south gate and went to pick up Bao'er and villagers.

By the time the entourage arrived at Residence of Yun, night had fallen.

The Residence of Yun held a grand banquet during that night.

In the name of Marquis Yun's victorious return, lanterns were lit up, brightening up the vicinity as delicacies were served, endless as a flowing river. The emperor himself had come to join the celebration.

Everyone knew that Marquis Yun was His Majesty's half-brother, thus no one questioned his presence.

"Bao'er..."

His Majesty picked up the small child and looked upon the features that so strongly reminded him of his eldest prince. He hugged the boy tightly as tears rolled down his face.