Chapter 610: The Target Is Here

"Our first target right now should be King Xiaoyao's son, Yun Yang!" Sir Bi said with a smile, "His Majesty placed Yu Qiankun in the Residence of King Yun. It's evident that he's assured about King Xiaoyao and is even implying that the child is entrusted there. Besides, King Xiaoyao's residence is enforced with tough characters. The residence is right in the center of the capital as well, having the benefit of a natural environment. Not only is King Xiaoyao Yutang's top expert now, his son Yun Yang's abilities are also at the peak of Yutang. All of them aren't easy to deal with!"

"Moreover, even if we don't take King Xiaoyao and his son into account, just the experts residing in their residence and those who don't belong to the residence alone are numerous. Just those forces are enough to triumph over the martial world."

"In summary, the Residence of King Yun is safest and most secure place to place Yu Qiankun. His Majesty's decision has prevented the possibility of spoiling the child and affecting his growth should he be placed in the palace. His Majesty has indeed thought this through thoroughly."

"From what I can see, placing Yu Qiankun in the Residence of Yun is truly where he can grow the fastest. There's no need to worry about the child being influenced by the outside world and its people! No one in the entire Empire of Yutang will dare provoke King Yun's prestige."

"As for us, other than an aggressive attack, this choice of the emperor leaves us with no better countermeasures."

"Even with the abilities of the assassin organizations, it's almost impossible for them to subdue the Residence of Yun. A fraction of a minute longer and there'll be tens of thousands of army men flooding over to assist. Since the eastern defense war, the relationship between the Residence of Yun and the military can only be described as unswayable."

Based on the description, Sir Bi's train of thought and narration did not sound very clear; some of his elaborations were even contradictory. However, when he finished everything, one who listened would naturally realize that they had understood the complete picture without missing anything.

"From what Sir Bi has just said, doesn't that mean that Yu Qiankun can't be killed? And the Residence of Yun is an invincible presence? Won't switching the target to King Xiaoyao's son be at a bigger expense for something that is unachievable?" The crown prince frowned once again.

"Not necessarily so," Sir Bi said, "My elaboration intends to point out that Residence of Yun cannot be attacked from the outside but to crack it, it doesn't have to go from the outside to the inside. Going from the inside out is also an option."

"And this cracking method targets only one person - Yun Yang."

Sir Bi said slowly, "Yun Yang is the most important link in this entire plan. As long as he dies, a lot of things can be solved easily without constraint."

"Why?" His Highness was utterly befuddled by Sir Bi's point.

"Your Highness, think about it. Why is King Yun being chosen as the aid to nurture another heir? The main reason is that he has no selfish ambition, his carefreeness has reached an unimaginable stage. The fame and wealth of being a high-ranked official pose no temptation to him who's half a king. Gold, silver, and gems can't move a cultivation expert like him while beautiful women and the enticement of beauty will hardly ever lure him. This is why he will carry out this task by His Majesty better than everyone else."

"Unfortunately, his strength is also his weakness. He is too bereft of desire."

"As long as someone kills Yun Yang, it will destroy King Yun's otherworldly serene state of mind!"

Sir Bi's voice sounded like a caressing breeze, but his words were mind-numbingly vicious. "As long as Yun Yang dies, King Yun's state of mind will change. He'll go berserk, he'll be furious. Whichever one it is, his focus will shift from Yu Qiankun. At least, he won't be as meticulous and all-rounded as he is now."

"By then, I think he'll think of every method possible to find his son's killer, to seek revenge for his son's death. Even if His Majesty intervenes, it'll hardly change King Xiaoyao's mind. Then, that's when our chance will arise."

"Not bad, not bad at all!" The crown prince said with shining eyes, "His son will be dead then, how can he have the mind to take care of someone else's grandson? Sir Bi's idea is wonderful indeed, striking the issue where it matters the most!"

"Actually, the biggest advantage of this plan is none other than its possibility of being executed... Yun Yang isn't like Yu Qiankun; his martial skill is proficient and his cultivation base is packed. After the war at the Fortress of Resilience, his name has risen. He's the top man among Yutang's youth and a presence no one dares to provoke in Tiantang City. He runs freely here and there - not only do we have a lot of chances to attack him, it's very convenient to do so as well!"

Sir Bi chuckled gleefully, "The ample and convenient chances to ambush him means that the chances of succeeding are high. His proficiency in martial skills and cultivation base will then be secondary."

"Great, we'll do it!" His Highness clapped his thigh.

A voice came from outside the door, "Reporting to His Highness, Young Master Yun Yang requests for a meeting."

The crown prince's eyes almost bulged from his sockets while Sir Bi, who had always been composed and at ease subconsciously, showed a shocked expression as well.

Yun Yang?

What was he doing here?

It was such opportune timing as well; they were just discussing how to exterminate him yet he had come to them.

Perhaps it was true that one must really not speak of others behind them! Once they did, the subject of their conversation would come to their residence!

The crown prince looked at Sir Bi speechlessly. It was probably because he was baffled right now. Previously, he had tried to pull Yun Yang to his side, be it overtly or covertly, but it had not been fruitful; the latter had ignored the crown prince. Why did he send himself here today then?

"There must be something strange when things go usually wrong. There must be a reason for this popular heir of King Yun to be here!"

"Everyone else, step down. Don't let him assume that we were having a discussion." Sir Bi said easily, "I'll stay to see what Young Master Yun actually wants."

"Very well," His Highness was assured hearing Sir Bi and replied with a grin.

...

Those who came would always be guests; the crown prince had to go out to welcome them. With the situation now specifically, it did not matter where Yun Yang died, but he must not ever meet his end in the Residence of the Crown Prince. Otherwise, the crown prince would be everyone's target and only doom would await him.

"What brings Young Master Yun here? I'm surprised by the honor..." The crown prince greeted the youth with enthusiasm; those who did not know better would have thought that he and Yun Yang were the best of friends or at least acquaintances.

"I haven't seen you in a long time. I quite miss you!" Yun Yang laughed and said, "Does Your Highness not welcome my presence?"

"Nonsense, Brother Yun!" The crown prince feigned anger and held onto Yun Yang's arm. "Come, come. Now that you have finally come today, I won't let you go. Come, you must accompany me for a good drink. No one goes home until we're all drunk!"

As they spoke, they walked shoulder to shoulder and looked utterly like bosom buddies.

At the door, Sir Bi stood with a smile; his gaze on Yun Yang who was walking over was warm and friendly, thoroughly hiding his scrutiny.

"Sir Bi, allow me to introduce to you. Here is the most popular man in Tiantang City, Young Master Yun Yang."

His Highness introduced the man with vigor, "Sir Bi, didn't you say often that you've long heard of Young Master Yun's reputation and wanted to meet him? This is a wonderful moment. He's right in front of you now. What a steal it is for you today!"

Sir Bi cupped his hands to bow and said, "I've heard a lot about you, Young Master Yun. Your reputation precedes you as spectacularly as thunder that is deafening to the ears and the moon that lights up the sky."

"Not at all, not at all. It's me instead who have heard much about you, Sir Bi." Yun Yang chuckled and returned the courtesy.

After some pleasantries, the trio entered the hall and sat according to their host and guest status. After more pointlessly polite remarks, the crown prince led way into the main topic.

"I've always thought that someone noble like Young Master Yun would maintain his distance and acquaintance from me. To visit here this time, I believe Young Master Yun wouldn't have come for nothing?"

His Highness was grinning, expressing his dissatisfaction with a friendly jab.

"Your Highness is straightforward and plain-spoken. Yun Yang enjoys such communication the most. It's the simplest way to lay everything out on the table."

Yun Yang laughed. "I do have a favor to ask for in this visit. However, it has nothing to do with Your Highness but with Sir Bi."

"Oh?" the crown prince replied with surprise.

Yun Yang's words were obviously unexpected by the crown prince. From the latter's knowledge, Sir Bi and Yun Yang were people from two different worlds. If it were not for him, Sir Bi would never have targeted Yun Yang, thus Yun Yang's abrupt reply was implausible.

Sir Bi looked at Yun Yang with no small amount of doubt as well. "I'm truly flattered, but I seem to only know Young Master Yun today. I wonder what's the matter that Young Master Yun needs me for, and I wonder why Young Master Yun thinks that I'm the solution to your matter. Do tell."

Yun Yang laughed. With ease, he said, "While it's the first time I have met Sir Bi, Sir Bi's eminence has been a familiar name to Yun Yang. Sir Bi's reputation as Tiantang City's top Go player is longstanding. Coincidentally, my cultivation base progress is stunted recently and I've been using Go to remain calm. I've acquired an incomplete Go playbook by chance a few days ago; it's puzzling and unfathomable. I can't figure it out no matter how I think about it, so I come boldly to ask for Sir Bi's generosity in teaching me some new skills."

Sir Bi said with a chuckle, "I dare not assume the title of Tiantang City's top Go player but I wonder how Young Master Yun knows that I know how to play Go? Other than practicing with my good friends these years, I rarely touch Go pieces. It's unexpected that Young Master Yun knows about this."

"There's a story behind this. Speaking of the most renowned person for Go in Tiantang City, the title, unfortunately, does not go to Sir Bi. In fact, I went to find that person as well. It was Tang Yishou who's called the King of Go," Yun Yang said with a chortle.

Sir Bi immediately quipped, "He was the one who sold me out! I'm not famous for anything, it's a surprise Young Master Yun will notice me and come forth, gracing us with your presence."

Yun Yang laughed and said, "That is all there is to it, actually. Tang Yishou was also confounded by the Go playbook. After I allowed him to make a copy, he told me that Sir Bi's skill is the top in the country. He, who was crowned King of Go, said that he's never won once, despite multiple games with you!"

"Naturally, I brought myself here," Yun Yang said with a smile.

Sir Bi replied in surprise, "Tang Yishou is adept in Go, the title of King of Go isn't just a title. There's actually a playbook that he can't solve? I'm interested to see it then."

"King of Go Tang said that day that if I were to tell Sir Bi that he can't solve that playbook, Sir Bi would definitely be interested. Looks like King of Go Tang is indeed Sir Bi's bosom buddy." Yun Yang laughed.

Sir Bi chortled. "This is how I am, I get excited about my interests. It's embarrassing. Young Master Yun, I wonder where this Go playbook is now. Can I have it for a moment?"

"Coming here for help, of course, the playbook is with me. But wouldn't it be an inconvenience if we start the game here?" Yun Yang answered.

The crown prince laughed and added himself into the conversation. "I enjoy Go as well. It'd be my pleasure to be fortunate enough to witness this Go playbook that can puzzle even the King of Go!"

A series of instructions later, the three men entered the Go room rather impatiently. The board was already set.

Yun Yang wore a pleased smile while slowly retrieving an old book from his embrace. By the looks of it, the playbook had to be a few centuries old.

"This is the first round."

Yun Yang flipped to the first page of the aged book and began arranging the pieces on the Goboard.

The crown prince and Sir Bi observed the tactics seriously.

The black and white stones on the table increased gradually and the pattern grew more complicated. Consequently, it became harder to calculate.

After about forty to fifty moves, Sir Bi's gaze shone almost every time a step was made. When the ninety-eighth move was executed, the black stone seemed to be deeply surrounded but had interestingly severed the siege. It caused Sir Bi to cry out, "Brilliant! Excellent!"

Yun Yang laughed and commented, "Brilliant indeed, but what's more interesting is still to come."

When it came to the hundred and thirty-fifth move, Yun Yang stopped placing stones.

His Highness and Sir Bi frowned at once.

In an ordinary Go game, a hundred and thirty-five moves would bring the middlegame near its end; it was nothing to be surprised about. However, the complexity of this game's current situation had given both the men a headache.

From the surface, the black stones had taken the upper hand, but the white stones were waiting to strike as well and it had great potential to succeed or even turn the table around!

It was... very interesting!