Chapter 648: A Go Stone

Yun Xiaoyao stood at the door with his hands clasped behind his back. His expression was bland as he remained silent.

Everyone who passed by and saw Yun Xiaoyao on guard immediately knew that this was not a matter they could meddle with, and their steps quickly faltered. No one stepped forward to ask anything lest they were met with trouble until...

The crown prince rushed over, bringing along a few guards. He arrived panting, his clothes disheveled.

Seeing Yun Xiaoyao at the door, he went forward and bowed. "I see that Uncle King Yun is here, this nephew extends his greetings."

Yun Xiaoyao said indifferently, "Your Highness, where are you heading to?"

The crown prince said, "I have heard that something has happened to Sir Bi. I am burning with anxiety, hence, I have come to pay a visit. Was Sir Bi saved?"

Yun Xiaoyao continued in a nonchalant manner, "Your Highness is indeed a man who sets a high price on comradeship. Unfortunately, I'm here for another reason, and have yet to notice whether there are any survivors here."

"Uncle Yun, I - I would like to go in and have a look." His Highness' face wore a look of extreme perturbation.

There were far too many things in Sir Bi's hands, and if they were to be exposed - he was not certain if he could survive the consequences, let alone assume the throne.

For this very reason, how could the prince possibly not be apprehensive? Thus, even knowing that his suspicious appearance at this opportune time would let out more than he was willing to disclose, he still had to come.

Yun Xiaoyao said apathetically, "They're still working on the restoration efforts inside, and there's a considerable degree of danger. If Your Highness insists on going in, I'm afraid you will have to wait a little longer, as a gentleman won't stand under a collapsing wall. There is no need to be impatient."

The crown prince could not wait any longer; his head was beaded with sweat as he said, "Uncle Yun, I must enter right away. Sir Bi is my chief aide, and I'm eager to find out his current state. I think I have the right to enter to see what actually happened to Sir Bi."

The crown prince's tone had gradually turned harsh, and he apparently had revealed an uncharacteristically pushy intention to intrude. If it was not for fear of Yun Xiaoyao's great reputation and martial proficiency, he would have barged in already.

Yun Xiaoyao's eyes instantly flashed a sharp glare, and he said coldly, "If you're so anxious, then try getting past me. If you manage to do it, I assure you that there will be no one to hold you back after this."

The crown prince fell silent.

Yun Xiaoyao's glare swept past the crown prince and his aura suddenly peaked as he studied the guards behind the crown prince.

The eight guards who had escorted the crown prince felt as if a mountain had suddenly plunged unto them, and they could not help but let out simultaneous groans; they were on their knees, hunkered down on the ground in an orderly fashion. They could not stand up even if they wanted to.

Yun Xiaoyao said, "Whether you wish to implore with words or beg on your knees, I would remain unmoved. Besides, this king, regardless of any aspects, ought to be paid obeisance. Since you're on your knees, then kneel. Do not get up."

His aura was even more imposing than before, bearing down on the few men like a mountain that they could not possibly fight. They did not even manage to move a single muscle under such a terrible onslaught.

The crown prince stepped forward. The look in Yun Xiaoyao's eyes grew warmer as he looked at the crown prince with a smile as if watching his nephew with great tenderness. However, his hand gently caressed the saber's hilt at his waist.

The crown prince sensed a fierce air charging towards him. He was immediately beset by terror and was absolutely horrified. He had clearly lifted his foot but was too afraid to set it down.

'Does Yun Xiaoyao dare to kill me?'

'He dares to.'

Cold sweat streamed down the crown prince's head. He stood still, rigid and did not move from the spot.

Shadows wavered in Sir Bi's residence. Yun Yang was the first to come out, his face plastered with tranquil indifference.

Yun Xiaoyao's eyes met his, and Yun Yang's gaze flickered. At that very moment, a thick fog formed behind Yun Yang and rose into the air. Everyone involved in the operation disappeared into the thick fog without leaving behind a single trace.

Only Yun Yang and Yun Xiaoyao, both father, and son were left by the door.

Yun Xiaoyao said nonchalantly, "This matter is over, let's go!"

Father and son marched off together, without uttering a single word.

They did not even spare a glance for the incumbent crown prince in front of them,

The crown prince's expression grew nastier, and his eyes shone with a vicious glint!

'I don't mind if I can't ascend the throne in this life, but when I can rule the world - Yun Xiaoyao, Yun Yang, I shall exterminate your entire family, and make you suffer the death by a thousand cuts, with no chance of reprieve!'

"Head in!"

Despite knowing that Yun Yang had searched through the entire place, and there was most likely nothing useful that remained in the ruins, His Highness felt a sense fortuity, deep down in his heart.

He cast a ferocious glance at his eight guards whom he assumed were his crutches, and nursed an infinite amount of inner grievances.

'I'm still too weak!'

'So weak that others would be disdainfully oblivious of me!'

'What should I do?'

"What do we have inside?" Yun Xiaoyao asked.

"Nothing at all. This is a terribly unusual matter. Everything seems so disjointed, extremely intricate, and exceptionally incomprehensible." Yun Yang slumped in dejection.

In his opinion, a civil and military minister like Sir Bi would have to make a desperate struggle to match his status, and... common logic!

In the usual course of events, he should have been facing countless conspiracies and traps, intentional feints, and even direct ambushes, all with the trappings of normality.

All of his preparations were in vain as the other person had inexplicably died.

He had died in such a complacent manner that he was able to deliberately reveal Yun Yang's true identity at the brink of death!

The line "Supreme Cloud, you didn't expect this, did you?" was indeed brimming with vigorous insolence. The temerity of the man was astounding, in the light of his impending doom!

Had he conceded the battle?

No matter how hard Yun Yang racked his head, he could not figure out why.

No clues were left at the scene, let alone valuable items. This had resulted in an even more baffling situation.

If one insisted on a result, it would be by observing the look on the face of the deceased - a conclusion Yun Yang drew after meticulous scrutiny. Sir Bi, who had sat on the chair, was in a relaxed state when he died, whereas the other three also displayed a sense of tranquility as death came upon them.

His state of relaxation bore a rough resemblance to that of a man letting go, or freeing himself from something.

Meanwhile, Yun Yang held a white Go stone in his hand.

It was the white stone that Sir Bi had held in his hand before he died.

Yun Yang felt that if Sir Bi's death were to hint at something or insinuate the existence of a grudge - perhaps something he could not let go of - then it must have shown on his person. However, he had died without a mark and only with this white Go stone clenched in his hands.

'What exactly does it mean?'

'If it's a clue, what does it indicate?'

Yun Yang opened his hand and gazed at the white Go stone. His brows knitted into a frown, and he remained silent for a long time.