Chapter 616: To Lord Supreme Cloud!
Yun Yang's third finger was curled halfway, but he sneered as if he was behaving appropriately, "Wouldn't it have been easier if you were f*cking good earlier? How old are you now? Playing the bottom line with me! I want all of you to vanish within the blink of an eye!"
He closed his eyes as he spoke.
The trio clenched their teeth but was helpless; putting up an angry front, they flapped their sleeves and walked out. When the third person passed by Yun Yang, the latter opened his eyes. As both of their eyes met, Yun Yang cried out in anger, "What a good dog! I can still see you now that my eyes are open. It looks like you intend to ignore my words!"
He then lifted his leg to launch another kick.
The person was attacked without any ability to resist. With a pained shriek, he shot out from the door like a rocket and flew through the air as if riding on clouds. After he broke the window on the far end, he flew another three hundred feet before crushing a crow's nest on a tree by sitting on it and getting stuck in the tree branches.
"You!"
The other two people were furious but they only dared to utter a sharp "You!" and could not do anything else.
Yun Yang was silent, looking over with a smile as if waiting for the rest of what the two men had to say. He was clearly spoiling for a fight and ready to cause a ruckus.
The two men shuddered, bolting out of the door like lost dogs.
"See, isn't it peaceful now?" Yun Yang looked at Shangguan Lingxiu who was dumbstruck. Her eyes were wide open as she gazed back at Yun Yang as if she did not know him at all.
"What... what are you doing?"
Anyone who knew that Yun Yang was Supreme Cloud would react in such a manner upon seeing the scene. The idolized image and the man of one's dreams were shattered; the values one held close to heart would be destroyed. What had just transpired was indescribable!
Yun Yang could be heard replying righteously, "I'm finding a comfortable place for us to drink and chat, of course."
Shangguan Lingxiu was choked with anger.
'Still acting... Do you think I don't know your secret? How sad, I know your real identity! I'd like to see how long your act will last and how much of it you can put up with...'
She waved, her guards retreating automatically and leaving the two of them in the room instantly.
Shangguan Lingxiu pondered for a bit and was about to speak, but footsteps came from outside once more, accompanied by a drifting aroma. Dishes were being served, so she had to hold her tongue.
After a while, a dozen delicacies were sent in one after another.
Yun Yang called out, "These are enough. Your wine here isn't up to my standards, there's no need to embarrass yourself. I've brought a fantastic brew myself."
...
Shangguan Lingxiu was still baffled. A pot of wine appeared out of the blue as Yun Yang stretched out his hand. Shocked, Lady Lingxiu shifted her focus to the ring on Yun Yang's finger.
"Sister Lingxiu, this wine we're drinking today isn't any ordinary wine." Yun Yang spoke like he was revealing a treasure, "This is wine personally brewed by the God of Wine, Feng Xiange. There aren't many of these pots left in this world. Let us drink to our heart's content today!"
"Great!" Shangguan Lingxiu agreed, her gaze tender.
She did not assume courtesy, immediately grabbing hold of two bowls and slapping the clay seal open to pour two bowls of wine.
Yun Yang's eyes twitched as he took in the view with no small degree of shock. This was his first time seeing a woman drink so boldly and in an unrestrained manner, especially when she was a beauty. It was a treat to the eyes and... an unprecedented case?
Once the fine brew was opened, the scent of alcohol drifted in the air. Two illusory phoenixes appeared faintly in the room, flying and swirling lazily before they slowly dissipated.
"What a great wine, to actually have such mystical images accompanying it!" Shangguan Lingxiu exclaimed and picked up the wine bowl. Smiling, she lowered her voice to whisper sensually in Yun Yang's ear, "I propose this toast to Lord Supreme Cloud! Thank you for everything you've been doing for Yutang throughout the years!"
She emptied the bowl right after her speech.
Yun Yang was dumbstruck. The bowl he had picked up was frozen right in front of his mouth as he sat as still as a statue.
How did she know this?
After a long time, a ghost of a smile was forced out on his stoic face. "Sister Lingxiu, you mean..."
Shangguan Lingxiu replied with a smile, "That time when you fell asleep in the Lunar River... I was surprised as well."
Yun Yang sat up with a start and could not help chuckling dryly. "Haha... I see... Heh heh..."
He peered intently at her and nodded, before saying again, "I see."
Lifting his head, he gulped down the wine and let a chortle escape with a shake of his head. "I thought that this identity of mine was still a secret. I didn't expect it to be a joke."
Shangguan Lingxiu turned serious and said, "This fact will never escape my lips in this lifetime. If it does, the Shangguan Family of Generals will meet their doom."
Yun Yang nodded but did not say anything to stop her.
The identity of Supreme Cloud held too much significance and associations that even though Yun Yang trusted Shangguan Lingxiu, he would not stop her from making such a vow. As such, Shangguan Lingxiu's promise was tied to the longevity of the Shangguan Family of Generals, reflecting her sincerity.
Shangguan Lingxiu picked up the second bowl of wine and said, "Now, can Young Master Yun, my Young Brother Yun, explain your actions today? While I understand the reason, the motive still exasperates me."
Yun Yang laughed and replied, "Sister Lingxi regards me too highly now. Most of the time, I'm indeed only Yun Yang. What happened today was only a coincidence."
He continued with a smile, "The coincidence is that we're both drinking here together. This is really unplanned. As for the trouble with the third prince, I've been long prepared to create an issue with him."
"I see."
"I have something else to tend to by going to the Residence of Crown Prince earlier. We are here now because the third prince has done something recently. He has recruited a few handicapped generals in the military by force, intending for them to build a hall for veterans in his residence. It looks like he's helping the veterans and sacrificed militants, kindly assisting the suffering families."
"On the surface, it seems like a good deed. Even with ulterior motives, as long as he contributes his wealth and carries out these matters, I can close an eye. I won't ask for everyone to be benevolent and saintly without asking for anything in return. However, after he built the hall and achieved his reputation, he hasn't done anything he had promised."
"He would even use the name of helping the handicapped veterans to deceive the Board of War, hoping to receive the support of influential military officials with all sorts of sweet words."
Shangguan Lingxiu was puzzled, "Which of these military pillars is a fool? It's impossible for him to deceive them and gain their support without doing anything."
Yun Yang chuckled dryly and said, "The third prince is silly as well. He has prepared a countermeasure. In fact, he has contributed plenty of silver taels to charity, but the main reason I said he has never contributed his wealth is that... he would send men to rob these veterans' houses... Of course, the robberies were disguised as the doings of local thugs... Then, he sent men to help the poor. In this manner, they would be exceptionally thankful and grateful."
Shangguan Lingxiu's eyes bulged with fury. "Is this truly what is happening? The third prince must be mad!"
"It's true!"
Yun Yang sighed, "A prince who wants to set up his reputation but is reluctant to spend. Naturally, I can't accept this. When I can't accept something, I'll have to put an end to it!"