Chapter 561: Ominous Clouds Over The City

When the billowing, dark clouds were about to reach Tiantang City, they resembled mountains layering upon each other in midair, forming an indescribably oppressive atmosphere.

"It's over there!"

High up in the sky, the man in black could already see where the Providence Flag was pointing at in Tiantang City. He took in a deep breath and ignited the Providence Flag once again. With a loud bang, the dark clouds surged towards Tiantang City with the intensity of a tornado. For a moment, the ominous clouds completely hid the sky, threatening to blot out all light.

It was already early in the morning then, when the revitalizing rays of the sun from the east should have shone upon earth. Yet, at this time today, everyone in Tiantang City felt that something was amiss; while one side was brightly illuminated by the sun in gold, just like usual, the other side was engulfed in endless darkness.

Any ordinary person could tell the strangeness of the phenomenon as they all looked up into the sky, squinting at where the sun should have been shining from. They only saw the billowing dark clouds that had appeared like a monster and was reaching out with its claws, about to swallow the world and its people.

Even the radiant morning rays were immediately dimmed and shone weakly, at half of its usual intensity.

An unprecedented premonition wrapped around everyone's heart; be it a common person, a cultivator, or a martial artist, they were all frightened by such a sight but they could only watch the clouds accumulate, growing thicker and thicker. It slowly covered the sprinkle of morning sun until the light could no longer be seen.

The sky was thoroughly dimmed. A subtle fear that crept from the bones enveloped everyone in Tiantang City. Those who were sharper thought that it was an eclipse and went to look for gongs and drums, to beat them in hopes that the canopy of clouds would disperse soon and they could welcome the sun again.

On the contrary, the dark clouds loomed nearer and gradually hovered over Tiantang City, waiting to swallow the city whole.

Yun Yang and Ji Lingxi were about to depart during daybreak but had rushed back to the Residence of Yun after a quick exchange of looks once they saw the strange phenomenon and realized that something was wrong.

"There must be someone behind this oddity!" Yun Yang's expression was extremely grim as huge ripples of worry expanded within him.

He recalled Shui Wuyin's intelligence; the very same dark clouds were already here now. He also knew that the report had indicated that the same situation had taken place above Dongxuan's capital city a few months ago.

Yun Yang thought of something then; his face began to take on a cast of worry.

Inferring from incidents at the time, it was only after that strange occurrence that the Empire of Dongxuan had decided to conquer Yutang with all that the country contained. That was how the battle at the Fortress of Resilience between Yutang and Dongxuan had started - both empires had expended their military combat strength, contributing to the devastating war that had sacrificed more than three million patriotic men!

Now, this mass of dark clouds had arrived at Tiantang City, but what did it represent? Perhaps, the question should be, what could it mean?

If Dongxuan's be all end all conquest of Yutang were related to this dark mass, then it was most probably a matter of no great import for it to arrive in Tiantang City.

What was the objective of this dark cloud? Could it be here for... Yun Yang?

Yun Yang had the beginnings of a dark realization in his mind, but he did not say it aloud nor was it possible for him to say it aloud. He suddenly felt the pressure on him mounting like a mountain, heavy and suffocating.

Ji Lingxi, who was standing right beside him, did not miss the grim expression on Yun Yang's face. She did not comment upon it but had inwardly decided to support all of Yun Yang's decisions unconditionally. She followed Yun Yang closely as they made their way back to Residence of Yun.

As long as she could keep him company and spend this lifetime with him, she was not overly concerned about becoming an enemy of heaven itself. She had no regrets, not even if she had to die several more times in the process.

All those who were planning to go about their business in Tiantang City had shockingly made the same choice when they were met with this moment that was not unlike the end of the world - those at home stayed at home while those who just got out rushed back in; as for those who were outside and some distance away from home, they looked for the closest inn and stayed put.

As for the assassins and martial artists who had come from afar, they were docile and remained stationary; they hunkered down and hid, looking to wait out the bizarre phenomenon.

Everyone had come to a similar conclusion - this abrupt presence of dark, billowing clouds must not be normal!

Even when a storm was at its most threatening stage, the ominous clouds were but balls of clouds before the rain. Storm clouds had never dominated the entire sky and covered the sun to this extent. It was already darker than the darkest night. The sky was as black as ink, and there were no lightning strikes that tore across the air!

The people who were beating the gongs and drums, intending to chase the eclipse away and recover sunlight no longer wasted their energy.

It was quiet everywhere, only an unspeakable tension was left lingering in the air. It caused involuntary panic to rise within everybody's minds; rationality could no longer fight against it. Hearts began to pump at an insane rate, while fear filled everyone.

In the palace, Yun Xiaoyao, who had just arrived, was standing shoulder to shoulder with His Majesty in the imperial garden's pavilion. They had their heads lifted to watch the bizarre clouds, their expressions tinged with worry.

"Xiaoyao, what do you think is going on?" asked the emperor with a grim face.

"This official does not dare to conjecture wildly. The only thing that is known is that the same dark mass appeared in Dongxuan four months ago. Other than that, there hasn't been a similar situation for millions of years in Tianxuan Continent," Yun Xiaoyao answered with a frown.

"Not entirely true," The emperor replied faintly, "In fact, five months and twenty days ago, wisps of dark clouds appeared in Dongxuan as well."

"It was over a month after that time that the large, dark clouds amassed in the city."

Yun Xiaoyao glanced at Emperor of Yutang in shock, not expecting the latter to be aware of such a minor sign in Dongxuan. The intelligence work put in was indeed impressive.

His Majesty who noticed the bewilderment in Yun Xiaoyao's gaze glared at him before explaining, "The reason I'd paid attention to the appearance of the wisps of dark clouds is actually due to an afterthought. We had just signed the letter of credence of peace. However, it was also after that day that Dongxuan began to deploy its troops."

"Another month later, it was only after seven days that Dongxuan suddenly broke the peace agreement and set off its army to invade the Fortress of Resilience when the dark, billowing mass engulfed the city. Thus began the first battle of the four-nation siege!"

Grim danger was written all across Emperor of Yutang's sculpted face.

"That day, I was puzzled that Dongxuan had no qualms violating the letter of credence of peace. I kept thinking to myself; what could possibly compel Dongxuan to make this decision. I still didn't get a reasonable conclusion, despite extensive deliberation. Only now, as this dark cloud appears in Tiantang City, am I struck by something akin to realization."

His Majesty turned around, his glimmering eyes fixed on Yun Xiaoyao. "Dongxuan's deployment of its army and the violation of letter of credence may very possibly be related to this mass of dark clouds!"

Yun Xiaoyao scratched his head with a frown. "Not only is this unreasonable, it is practically impossible!"

How could a ball of black clouds affect an entire empire's decision?

His Majesty spoke slowly, "The mystical and mythical happenings in this world can never be explained by something as simple as common logic. I believe that there must be a line of reasoning that can be followed, but we haven't thought of it, for now, thus we are unable to figure it out. If we try to see things from a seemingly ridiculous angle, we might actually be able to find the answer instead."

His eyebrows raised. "Nonetheless, we can't force an answer out right now. After all, the dark clouds are here, we shall face it head on."

"If this billowing, black mass is related to Dongxuan's conquest, then... this cloud will definitely come for me! Otherwise, it won't linger for long, it will soon dissipate."

Yu Peize turned and looked at Yun Xiaoyao with a serious gaze. "Xiaoyao, you must remember what I have entrusted you with."

Yun Xiaoyao was momentarily startled and replied, "Go on."

His Majesty rarely called Yun Xiaoyao's name so seriously; he usually used terms of endearment such as, "you", "bastard", "you fellow", and several other salutations, but at this moment, he had called out Yun Xiaoyao's first name with an exceptionally grim tone.

Yun Xiaoyao could tell that something was amiss.

The emperor spoke, slowly biting off each word, "If this canopy of dark clouds is truly the key to influencing Dongxuan's decision, then it must have some sort of hypnotizing effect. If the clouds come and I... my mind is affected and I was to do anything I shouldn't, that will affect the Empire of Yutang's prosperity and destiny..."

His Majesty's gaze was filled with poignant emotions as he spoke slowly, "Then... I would have you kill me at once, to avoid Yutang's fall!"