Chapter 698: A Play. A Plot.

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

It seemed that General Li only had one expression etched onto his face; he looked troubled like he had been caught between a rock and a hard place. "Young Master Yun, giving way is of no concern, but His Highness, the crown prince…"

Yun Yang replied impatiently, "This will have nothing to do with you! I promise on behalf of Hen Bieli that he will not find fault with you in the future! As for His Highness, I'll explain all this to him myself, and it will still have nothing to do with you. Is this acceptable?"

He then snorted and said, "If he dares to say anything about it, he can come to me directly!"

The last line was delivered with an incredibly overwhelming aura.

General Li did not look any more relieved than he was before. Sighing, he finally waved his hand with no small amount of hesitation. "Lower your bows and arrows! Give way!"

Hen Bieli howled and spoke coldly, "It will be enough to lower the bows and arrows! I dare not walk the path indicated by His Highness!"

Before his words echoed in the air, he sprung into the sky and cried out, "Let's go!"

Hong Zhan and the others tailed closely behind him. The five men flew into the sky like five rocs, zooming away, headed towards the city's southern quadrant. The five of them converged into a single stream, looking like a thunderbolt as they pa.s.sed through. The long trail that was left in the sky was formidable, its aura frightening.

Hen Bieli's group of five was not only comprised of the masters of a.s.sa.s.sination, but they were also top notch cultivators of the current era. Although Yun Yang had only won a moment of respite for them, the damages they had suffered were relatively limited; it was mostly energy exhaustion. While they could not recover their pinnacle combat power despite replenis.h.i.+ng most of their energy, it was not a problem for them to perform a high-velocity escape, with the short break they had.

The quintet's voice came from afar, "Young Master Yun, the world is vast – allow us to repay your favor in the future! From today onwards, we shall not harm even a hair of Young Master Yun and anyone under the care of Young Master Yun. Should you have any instructions for us, pa.s.s the message in the martial world – we shall follow through, even if it means dying a thousand deaths!"

The voices grew farther but more intense. They eventually roared like a thunder that drummed above Tiantang City.

There were no more martial world men remaining in the city's east that were now in ruins. General Li and a few of his subordinates who had been wearing a troubled look since they appeared exchanged a glance with Yun Yang, both sides wearing a meaningful smile.

The unsettled expression was no longer plastered on their faces!

Yun Yang spoke to the general, "Is the person who arranged your mission fine?"

This was the last test. The cooperation this time was flawless – it was also a test for that person. General Li was not someone Yun Yang was familiar with.

General Li answered, "Sir Wu asked us to greet young master in return if you were to ask about him."

Yun Yang let out a relieved breath.

His contact with Wu Ying had not lasted for long. They had not met in this duration of time, only observing each other from afar. However, Wu Ying's att.i.tude of wanting only to do the last of what he could with no other wishes in or for life was obvious. Other than work, he was as animated as the living dead.

Yun Yang had given the matter a long period of consideration before finally deciding on this probe.

The probe was not only a test of cooperation, but there were also other aspects contained within. Up to this point, there was no other problem.

…

At the Board of War, General Li arrived at the entrance of the dark and silent house.

"Sir Wu, this subordinate comes to submit news that the mission is completed."

"Mm."

"Sir Wu has guessed correctly, it was indeed Young Master Yun who has been asking for my a.s.sistance."

"Mm."

"This subordinate has greeted Young Master Yun, according to Sir Wu's instruction."

"Mm."

"Does Sir Wu have any further instructions?"

"No."

"Then, this subordinate bids his leave."

"Mm."

The conversation was as simple as it could get. It was as if Wu Ying only knew how to utter a single word – an additional word more and he would be reluctant to speak. Yet, this was his normal behavior in the Board of War. If it had not been his personal arrangement, he probably might not have even said this single word.

Inside, Wu Ying sat listlessly before the table, as usual, carefully tidying the many years of doc.u.ments and records of the Board of War. Beside him, there were a few books that he had just compiled and finished writing.

"About Han Sanhe."

"About Qiu Jianhan."

"About Nine Supremes' Fall."

"About The Empire."

"About The World's Greatest Generals."

"About The Military and Civil Officials."

"About The Civil Affairs."

"About The Military Affairs."

"About The Imperial Court and The Martial World."

"About The Difference Between A General and Marshal."

…

Among all these, some were drafts he had previously worked on and some were ideas he had just gotten – they were guides that Wu Ying had sorted out and produced after a fair bit of work.

The content recorded in these t.i.tles could be said to be the essence of Wu Ying's lifetime of military knowledge and experience. He had almost completed a.n.a.lyzing all the notable officials, whether military or civil, since the beginning of time until now. His personal understanding and comment were included as well.

All cla.s.sic warfare, war, strategies, and stratagems, techniques and measures, were concluded without missing anything out.

The rise and fall of all the empires of the Tianxuan Continent for the next thousand years were summarized and concluded. The main points were highlighted, while the pros and cons were neatly listed out.

"When I die, these… can be of some use to Yutang. Consider this the last token of effort from me, an authority from the Board of War."

Wu Ying was murmuring to himself.

"No – perhaps, before I die, I should personally search for a few suitable successors…"

"If this effort of mine were to be stored away, it'd be meaningless."

"My end is evident – I don't have much longer left. If I sit down to wait for it, it'd be a waste of time. There's no benefit coming out of it. It'd be better for me to head to the military base and pick out a few low-ranking officers and personally train them. I'd be the one who understands what I write the best... Should I head to the school as well and see if I can recruit a few students fated to be with me and pa.s.s down what I've learned my entire life? Since this Includes Old Bi's lifetime of knowledge, I'll help him find a few successors as well."

Wu Ying whose thoughts carried him afar was in a daze. When he broke out of his trance, he could not help chuckling dryly and looked at a book he had just written on the table. The last one he had yet to finish.

"About How Yutang Conquered The World."

"I most probably won't be able to see the day the world is united. Regardless, the administration after the unifying the world will always need more talents. I should really recruit more disciples during these last moments of mine, cultivate more useful talents for Yutang."

"According to the current trend in the continent and the various episodes recently, Lord Supreme Cloud has dealt with the imperial court, the martial world, the a.s.sa.s.sins, sects, royals and other issues respectively… I believe the war to conquer the world will definitely erupt in the next three to five years."

"So, there won't be much time left for me no matter what happens. I have to find the talents I need as soon as possible. Otherwise, when the war breaks, I'll have to manage various sides. How would I have the time to train them?"

"If I have someone helping me on these, perhaps the efficiency level could improve tremendously. My thoughts after this can't wholly be on the Board of War. For the sake of Yutang, I'll have to change."

Wu Ying stood up and delivered his order.

"Help me send a few invitations out."

A few invitations sounded fairly simple, but everyone who saw the name of the receivers of these few invitations could not help but a sense of shock. The meaning these invitations held was not to be underestimated, the impact literally earth-shattering!

Fang Qingtian.

Qiu Jianhan.

Leng Daoyin.

Tie Zheng.

Old Mistress Shangguan!

The five people he had invited for a meet-up were basically the pillars of the Empire of Yutang.

If Wu Ying were to be included as well, it was everyone who was anyone in Yutang's military, be it leaders overtly, covertly, in actual fact, or even spiritually!

Wu Ying took some time with the last invitation. Finally, he let out a bitter chuckle. "Do I still have the face to see him?"

He cast the invitation into the fire.

"Cloud!"

There was only a single word on the invitation, but it had already vanished within the flames.