Only Lao Mei was left behind, who eventually discovered with no small amount of shock that the word ill-fated seemed to be talking about him. When he realized that these people were gone and wanted to flee as well, it was already too late. He was the only one left in the entire residence, the one who had always been the Residence of Yun"s chamberlain. He had to shoulder the responsibility; in the end, he had to come out and face the reality.
He was truly a pillar standing strong amidst sweeping currents, the sole foundation that held a building in place. In spite of this, the chamberlain thought that he was about to die of fatigue anytime now!
Watching the crowd who had come to make obeisance to Supreme Cloud piously, Lao Mei felt dead inside, but he had to wear the most radiant of faces and speak gently, putting up a soothing and friendly demeanor.
The breeze blew past softly, leaving no trace behind. Yun Yang, who was manifested as the wind, dared not stop even for a moment more, taking his leave directly.
The current situation was the best incubator for trouble. He could not afford to make an appearance.
He turned, instead, to visit the Tower To Heaven Inn. As expected, the four n.o.ble young masters, including their guards, some thirty over people, had all moved to stay here. Looking at their relaxed and delighted forms, Yun Yang could not help grinning.
Putting himself in their shoes, he could not make any comment about the four young masters blanching in the face of the throng of people, so he saved himself a trip down and went straight to the Shangguan Family of Generals.
Emitting his deific consciousness, he found out that not only was Ji Lingxi here, but Bai Yixue, Fang Mofei, and Xiao Shaoqing were also here as well.
It was already a common sight for Xiao Shaoqing, whose alcohol ban had been lifted, to be carrying a pot of wine around and occasionally tossing a peanut into his mouth from his pocket. This man was basically in a happy haze during this period of time. This state was probably the state of "riding the clouds to ascend towards the immortal realm" he had been chasing after.
Ji Lingxi and Shangguan Lingxiu were drinking tea, seated opposite each other in the yard, looking serene.
Bai Yixue and Fang Mofei were located left and right, one high and one low at the roof and by the yard"s entrance. Although they looked sluggish, the mystical Qi flowing from them was exceptionally active. With how they currently were, it was guaranteed that they would be able to spring up immediately should there be any incident, to ensure the two ladies" safety; even if it were this world"s pinnacle force or a superb a.s.sa.s.sin, the two men could certainly seize a substantial amount of time for the girls to react.
Yun Yang nodded in approval. The alertness of these two men was evidence that he had found the right people. As for Xiao Shaoqing… he had no hope for the man; the reality had shown that he was without any aspirations and was wasting away, from the inside out. Other than drinking, being intoxicated and sleeping, he had nothing else that he cared for! He was thus categorized by Yun Yang as those who would not strive for progress like the four n.o.ble young masters.
There were the four Whiteys too, their snow-white fur ball bodies rolling around in the yard.
If only these were to be taken into account, the sight was peaceful and content.
However, Yun Yang could still sense the vague, unusual air that seemed to be lingering atop the yard. It somehow spoiled the current serenity. The air of oddity was unreal, seemingly not there. Even with Yun Yang"s current level of divine senses, he still could not be sure. It would be even harder to pinpoint the particular location of the source.
Only the discomfort pressing against his chest was palpable and exceptionally evident.
What caused Yun Yang to be so certain of the strange air also stemmed from Ji Lingxi in the pavilion. Lady Ji was basically looking around suspiciously every once in a while, her gaze br.i.m.m.i.n.g with uncertainty and doubt. It was obvious that Ji Lingxi had sensed the presence of the unfriendly vibe as well and similarly, she could not be sure of its location just like Yun Yang.
In spite of this, her worried expression had explained too much.
"This is… the divine sense surveillance by masterly experts of this world?" Yun Yang pondered. "Using this tactic at this point of time and location, such experts are obviously looking for me, targeting me using the group below!"
"In other words, they are already in considerable danger. Still, how do I enter under such watchful deific consciousness? How can I dissolve the current threat without alarming the opponent?"
The other party apparently knew that was where Yun Yang"s Achilles" heel lay – Ji Lingxi and Shangguan Lingxiu!
As long as they watched this side, they would not have to wait long for Yun Yang"s appearance. If it were necessary, they could even capture the two ladies and force Yun Yang to emerge.
This was the shortcoming of the exposure of Yun Yang"s ident.i.ty as Supreme Cloud. The past Supreme Cloud would not have such a weak point that could be leveraged on!
The soft breeze that was Yun Yang drifted around softly, but just as he was about to go away, an unusual twitch was made. Then, the wind manifestation dissipated quietly.
The vague, deific consciousness that had been silently observing made a clear jerk before countless divine senses suddenly shot up from all around. Instantly, the area above the Shangguan Residence which spanned tens of miles was locked down without any gap for escape!
Countless intimidating forces swept past the high alt.i.tude rapidly, breaking the air apart into fragments. There were more energy bolts that catapulted into the sky, tens of thousands of feet above the ground, and swung back and forth. Faraway, a few ent.i.ties of deific consciousness bolted from the four main directions and formed another barrier.
For a moment, the countless beams of forces that resonated in the air, the grandeur that exceeded all expectations, baffled Yun Yang.
"How much firepower did the Four Seasons Tower send over?"
Yun Yang mused. "Could the Four Seasons Tower be thinking to finish things off in one battle? To completely end my existence?"
"What a coincidence that I"m thinking the same thing!"
"Nonetheless, I have to arrange all the other matters first…"
…
It was the same p.a.w.n shop as the other day.
Shui Wuyin was idly resting on a round-backed armchair. Beside him was Yun Yang who was equally at ease. Of course, Yun Yang was already wearing another façade.
"How are things?" asked Yun Yang.
"The atmosphere is pretty tense. Unprecedentedly strained." Shui Wuyin wore a blank look. One of his legs was propped up and shaking idly, but whatever that came out of his mouth was not tinged by the sense of calm at all.
"The Four Seasons Tower has been after the Nine Heavens Dictum during these past few days. Just within these four days alone, nineteen of the Nine Heavens Dictum brothers have been lost."
Yun Yang felt his heart ache. "How are you handling it?"
"I have to be responsible for the remaining majority." Shui Wuyin was still without expression.
Yun Yang"s face fell. "That means…"
"That means exactly what you think." Shui Wuyin cut him. "I"ve protected all the families of the Nine Heaven Dictum members. There"s only one request or perhaps, the condition, to everyone – if you"re caught, the faster you die, the better!"
Yun Yang felt a sharp, stabbing pain in his heart, but he stayed silent.