Chapter 770: Yutang Can Perish, But Not Supreme Cloud!

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Yun Xiaoyao had already been acknowledged as Yutang's top expert and was also currently the most skilled within the imperial court. If even he was powerless, the others would only be even more so!

For a short moment, the entire party was helpless!

The calmest one, instead, was the Emperor of Yutang himself.

He was unmoved on his throne, even maintaining a very relaxed posture. He spoke faintly, "Are you from the School of Kismet State?"

"Your Majesty's kind intention to remember this small, rugged school of the martial world makes this lowly one exceptionally honored," the voice said distantly, "Please rescind your order and allow the School of Kismet State a path of survival, Your Majesty."

Everyone knew that it was not a plea, but a threat – an unconcealed threat!

The other party had slipped into the imperial court without any foretelling sign and had made himself known in such a manner. Obviously, the person was trying to make a statement using the situation – the School of Kismet State could do anything it wished to! Even if they wished to ma.s.sacre the emperor or his many ministers, it was easily achievable, with no one being able to stop them!

His Majesty spoke faintly, "This matter concerns the fate of the nation. I have to consider it meticulously."

His gaze swept past Yun Xiaoyao briefly. The only hope right now was that the latter could find the person and kill him; if Yun Xiaoyao was unable to do that, they could only be threatened and forced to comply.

The current situation was clear. The lives of the civil and martial officials were all in the other party's grasp. Since the person had come here and acted so recklessly, they were no doubt giving a final warning.

If both sides failed to come to a consensus, only a ma.s.sacre would end the impa.s.se. His Majesty honestly could not afford such an extreme consequence.

Yun Xiaoyao turned pale. He had tried his best, but he could not locate the position of the other party. The person was like a gust of wind; while he knew that the person was hovering above the hall, he could not pinpoint his exact position.

Evidently, the person's cultivation base was far higher than his own. Not only was Yun Xiaoyao unable to find him, but he would also easily be killed even if he came into contact with the person by chance.

It was apparent that the other party knew what the emperor was planning as he played along and waited for a moment before replying, "King Yun is t.i.tled Yutang's unrivaled expert. Your skill is truly exceptional, but we uncultured ones still retain a few survival tactics. I'm afraid King Yun's effort to find us will be in vain... isn't it so?"

"What do you want?" His Majesty spoke heavily as a chill surged within him.

Once the words left his lips, all the civil and martial ministers in the imperial court felt a strong sense of humiliation wash over them.

This was the imperial court – the hall of highest authority in the empire, but they were being so overtly threatened!

The voice replied, "We only wish for a close-knitted cooperation with Your Majesty. That is all."

"I need time – to discuss with my officials," answered His Majesty, after a deep breath.

The voice continued, still as faintly, "I believe Your Majesty won't keep us waiting for too long?"

"That is correct," the emperor answered without any intonation, grimly closing his eyes.

"If so, this lowly one will come forth for Your Majesty's advice tomorrow." The voice chuckled faintly; then, there was no further sound.

The imperial court was silent for a long, long time.

Everyone wore a dark, stoic expression. The fury licking in their eyes flickered and spilled like an erupting fountain. An unspeakable humiliation filled everyone's heart. The martial marshals had their fists gripped tightly in rage while the civil officials flushed in wrath.

His Majesty kept mum for a moment. Then, he said, "This incident today allows me to thoroughly understand one thing."

No one spoke. There was only the emperor's voice resonating in the court. "I have always understood that this world will always be a world where martial skills triumph all. In this world, martial power sits higher than the imperial authority. It's not something we can turn a blind eye or remain oblivious to, despite putting less emphasis on it."

"I only regret that I do not have unparalleled martial skill in this world!"

"It is best to be peerless in martial power than to be peerless in monarchical power," His Majesty said tiredly, "I am fatigued. Dismiss."

He had mentioned that he needed a discussion with his officials but there was no discussion held. In spite of this, the officials said nothing.

If there were to be a consultation, everyone was here – it could be done immediately. The reason it was delayed for a day was but to salvage the last bits of pride, the last sense of face, to cling onto the last layer of illusion.

That person from the School of Kismet State was well aware of this, thus he did not push it and left immediately. Yet, he would never have imagined what severe consequences he had created just by allowing this one-day grace period!

Even when it was only two hours, the School of Kismet State would still not be acknowledged by Yutang.

…

The emperor and Yun Xiaoyao waited silently in the palace.

Another four hours and the person from the School of Kismet State would come.

Both of them understood that Supreme Cloud must not be summoned back at this time. It was no great deal for them to be temporarily held at gunpoint for now. Going back on their words later could only harm their reputation, but during certain times and from certain perspectives, it was simply the only thing to do!

Instead, the repercussion would be utterly unimaginable if Supreme Cloud were to come back and meet these people… If Supreme Cloud were to be killed, everything else was done for.

As long as Supreme Cloud was alive and there was room for him to keep improving, he could one day tackle the School of Kismet State like how he had gone against the Four Seasons Tower!

This was the hope Yutang clung to!

Therefore, His Majesty was prepared to tolerate the insult in bearing the burden of the nation's hope, in ensuring that Yutang would persevere for years to come.

"He's coming soon, anytime now – maybe he's already waiting at the imperial court."

"Indeed."

"Surprising is it not? We brothers actually have to face something like this at the eve of conquering the world. This is hilarious. A timeless emperor – a hopeful ruler of the continent – I'm probably the first, perhaps the only one!"

"This younger brother… has nothing to say." Yun Xiaoyao wanted so much to die from shame.

He could not keep the shame at bay. Compared to others, he, as Yutang's acknowledged unrivaled expert, had to be ashamed – he had to bear the responsibility!

"It doesn't matter, doesn't matter. From now on, I'm going to alter the national policy," said His Majesty softly with his eyes half shut.

"Pardon?" Yun Xiaoyao was rather confused regarding the Emperor of Yutang's words.

It was then that they saw someone brisk-walking over from a corner. They were both taken aback.

Qiu Jianhan! The person was none other than Qiu Jianhan!

His Majesty and Yun Xiaoyao were unusually surprised. How could they forget Qiu Jianhan's livid expression and his furious gaze when the a.s.sembly was dismissed yesterday? He was trembling so much from the resentment and wrath that he could not help but pa.s.s out, vomiting blood once he forced his steps out of the court.

As a veteran marshal who had gone through too many wars, his resilience and pa.s.sion were more than words could tell. In spite of this, he had to bear such humiliation today alongside the emperor he served in the golden imperial court of his country – this was simply unacceptable for Qiu Jianhan!

Regardless, he had to endure it. If he had exploded recklessly, the price he would have to pay might very well be the extermination of the entire Yutang imperial court.

That was basically announcing that Yutang had fallen!

Qiu Jianhan held back his fury, choking himself, close to exploding from the rage. Reaching his limit, it was why he succ.u.mbed right as he stepped out of the door with a gout of vomited blood.

If he had not been treated with Yun Yang's Endless Divine Art previously, the vexation alone was enough to kill the old marshal!

He was still recovering from the blow now, bedridden upon being sent back to his residence by the emperor's arrangement. He was still muttering then, "This official shall die should the emperor be shamed! This official regrets the years I neglected my martial practice… Oh, how I regret it…"

Both the emperor and Yun Xiaoyao did not expect Qiu Jianhan, who should not have been able to get up now due to the heartache that consumed him, to appear here at this instance.

"Elder Qiu, why are you here?" Yun Xiaoyao was the first to ask.

Qiu Jianhan's expression was grim as he replied, "This official has an urgent matter to discuss with His Majesty."

The emperor was stunned when he heard him; so was Yun Xiaoyao. Immediately after that, their eyes shone brightly. "Since it's urgent, it should be solved promptly. Let us talk in the royal study."

Before his words echoed in the air, Yun Xiaoyao was already walking away, briskly pulling His Majesty along.

Strictly speaking, the act had crossed the line by far. No matter how close Yun Xiaoyao and Emperor of Yutang was – despite being brothers - there was still the disparity of the ruler and his subordinate. He was not supposed to make the decision, what was more, walking away and pulling the ruler along.

His Majesty's mind worked quickly. A pondering gleam flashed across his...o...b.. before they brightened. He made no move to resist, following his younger brother.

In the royal study, a fog suddenly rose from Qiu Jianhan who stood before the two men. When the cloud of mist dissipated, the old man looked entirely different.

With sharp features and a fluttering purple gown, it was none other than Yun Yang.