Chapter 768: Returning

"How is help even needed in this situation?" Ling Xiaozui shook his head. "This is a landslide massacre... The Empire of Ziyou's generals have no intention to fight, while the army has no fighting spirit. The military is incredibly scattered without a leader; they'd destroy their own nation without a war..."

Yun Yang chuckled easily. "We're here anyway. Let's have a look."

The trio roamed the Empire of Ziyou, soon realizing with comfort and resignation that there was indeed no need for them to intervene.

"Oh, Yutang's army is the cream of the crop indeed!" Dugu Chou complimented genuinely. He was not tooting the empire's horn, his praise coming from the bottom of his heart.

Yutang's soldiers were ravaging the battleground. Their boosted morale kept them advancing despite their disadvantage in the number of people they had. Like splitting a bamboo, their conquest was unstoppable!

"This - this is like a group of aphrodisia-induced men mass assaulting the - uh, without a care..." Ling Xiaozui started but was too abashed to continue.

The three men were relieved then. While they had come with the intention of providing assistance in the battle, they were now idle, like they were on a relaxed journey. The contrast in emotions was vast.

It was on the fourth day when the military men began to suddenly whisper to each other in the battleground.

"Has anyone seen Lord Supreme Cloud?"

"Did Lord Supreme Cloud appear on the battlefield?"

"Did Lord Supreme Cloud come? I don't believe so!"

"It's said that there's something going on in the capital and Lord Supreme Cloud needs to rush back."

"Yes, I heard that too."

"I wonder what it was... and if it's anything serious..."

"Something that needs Lord Supreme Cloud's personal presence? I'm afraid that it's no small matter..."

"You're right..."

Yun Yang's expression changed upon hearing the conversation. He was instantly aware that there must be a huge deal going on in Tiantang City; otherwise, Wang Yunzhu would never have dared to search for him using such a tactic, even if he were to be given another gut.

Retrieving the Nine Heavens Dictum quickly, it was then that Yun Yang realized that the device was completely filled with messages that Shui Wuyin had sent!

"Boss, it's terrible!"

"Your identity has been exposed."

"It was a plot by those from the School of Kismet State. The current direction of things is..."

"Right now, the capital city..."

"Two extremely massive forces are pursuing us from the Nine Heavens Dictum..."

"Boss, are you there? Please reply as soon as possible. Nine Heavens Dictum is laying low currently without further action in anticipation for boss' instruction."

"Boss..."

Yun Yang breathed in deeply, his expression dark and his eyes gleaming with terrible, murderous intent.

The School of Kismet State!

'I haven't made any effort to look for you all and you should consider yourselves lucky for that, but now here you are, sending yourselves to me!'

'Alright then, let us settle accounts, both old and new!'

Seeing Yun Yang's menacing expression, Ling Xiaozui asked, "What has happened?"

The young man smiled and answered, "Nothing much. It's just that my hidden identity has been exposed."

"Supreme Cloud?" It slipped from Ling Xiaozui's tongue as he was too stunned to guard it.

Yun Yang spread his arms and said, "See, nothing much, right? You all have guessed it long ago anyway."

Ling Xiaozui was speechless, thinking to himself, 'Nothing much? We guessed it because you've never kept any of your powers from us. Outside? Your identity has always been the world's biggest secret!'

Gu Chaliang had been watchful of his words. It was due to this fact that he managed to stay alive despite Mr. Nian's best efforts and even managed to escape with luck!

"Stay where you are!" Yun Yang sent Shui Wuyin a message.

Then, he stood up. "We have to go back. Knowing this information, the Four Seasons Tower will surely devise something grand. This time... I think it'll be the final battle against the Four Seasons Tower!"

"Final battle!" Ling Xiaozui and Dugu Chou's eyes shone brightly.

"Since our departure is destined, graces and grudges should be settled once and for all." Yun Yang chuckled but his eyes were glinting dangerously with brimming, killing intent. He continued, emphasizing each word carefully. "The Four Seasons Tower... is probably left with only dozens of people now..."

Ling Xiaozui and Dugu Chou made an internal calculation and suddenly felt goosebumps rise on their skin.

Indeed - since Supreme Cloud's return for revenge, the Four Seasons Tower had continuously suffered from casualties. Its outer layer of forces was almost extinguished as Supreme Lord Spring Frost's men were the first to be banished. Then, vengeance crawled its way up, to the Five Venerable Lords, to the civil and military ministers...

Skied of Golden Glints, one of Mr. Nian's rumored disguises had been killed earlier as well.

Then, how many more people could the Four Seasons Tower be left with now? One must know that Four Seasons Tower's deeply hidden forces had never been only the stuff of rumors!

"Child, Summer, Autumn and Winter Supreme Lords' men are still well and alive, are they not?" Dugu Chou reminded him.

"While they're still intact... they aren't an issue now." Yun Yang smiled and continued. "I've gotten hold of the master list of these people - their identities, background, anything they intend to hide. Killing them will be a piece of cake."

The corners of Ling Xiaozui's lips made an involuntary twitch.

Gotten hold of the name list... To Yun Yang, it was basically announcing death sentences to these people. There was simply no other outcome. With his current cultivation base and capability, he could kill any stronger individuals in this world.

The crux of his issue was only if he could know if he could verify, if he could find them - that was all.

Once he was made aware, only death awaited the poor soul.

The wind whistled through the night.

Despite the long, strenuous journey, Yun Yang, whose cultivation base had made a huge leap, was already rushing back to Tiantang City promptly. Overlooking Tiantang City that was brimming with a dozen times more people than usual, especially the Residence of Yun that was packed so tightly one could hardly move, an odd, chilling gleam flashed in Yun Yang'ss eyes.

There were dozens of incredibly powerful auras flowing around Tiantang City right now.

Each aura was exceptionally formidable and threatening, so strong that it was petrifying - it was akin to countless venomous snakes lurking in the dark; they were ready to pounce at any time, taking one's life instantly!

"These people are waiting for me - for me to send myself to death..." Yun Yang sneered.

He was truly not worried about these auras. Direct and open attacks and sieges were never of his concern. What could actually bother him were the lurking enemies who would not even show their senses. Those people were presences that could actually form a real threat to him.

The unknown would always be a terror, because of how mysterious and how unpredictable it was. Yun Yang was like that as well. The origin of Supreme Cloud was a mystery that had stumped many; although his capability was not the greatest, Four Seasons Tower still had a hard time exterminating him. Now that his identity was exposed, even if Yun Yang had the entire Empire of Yutang as his support, the Four Seasons Tower would still opt for the most extreme and direct solution!

The whole capital city was overflowing with ulterior motives and dangerous vibes. Tiantang City now was longer home to Yun Yang - it was a dragnet, a lethal trap!

Everyone Yun Yang knew had several people who, despite the fact that they tried their hardest to conceal themselves and lay low, were being observed from the dark. From the emperor, Qiu Jianhan, Leng Daoyin, Wu Lie, to Old Mistress Shangguan, Shangguan Lingxiu, Ji Lingxi... and Fang Mofei, Bai Yixue, Xiao Shaoqing, Yun Xiaoyao and more...

Even the few veterans he was usually in touch with were being watched. Everything was out in the open.