I Am Supreme
chapter-134

Yun Yang smiled bitterly. "This person’s achievements do not end there. He has also challenged the sovereignty several times in the name of defending wronged officials, vouching for them with his own life. He is also extremely supportive of his disciples, going to great lengths to fulfill their requests. This individual could be said to be a model scholars model and the personification of a sage. If something were to happen to this person, there must be countless followers who are willing to follow him to his death."

"There will also be countless high ranking officials who will stand behind him and not budge in their support even if it meant sacrificing their own lives."

Yun Yang continued, "This individual is a loyal official and man of justice. I wouldn't be exaggerating if I referred to him as a living sage who’s highly regarded, well respected, and has made a lot of contributions to the society."

Ling Xiaozui scratched his head, momentarily at a loss for words.

"This person’s name is He Hanqing." Yun Yang said, "I am uncertain if Elder Ling has heard of this name before."

Ling Xiaozui’s expression took on a peculiar mien.

The shock was gone and in its place was an inexplicable emotion. "It’s him."

Yun Yang was somewhat taken aback by his reaction, "Elder Ling knows his great name too?"

Ling Xiaozui chuckled humorlessly as he spat his reply out, "Of course I do. He's Supreme Lord Spring Frost!"

When the last four words were spoken, Yun Yang felt a tremor rack his body; a thunderstrike seemed to erupt in his head, his ears buzzing from the aftershock.

He had just thrown out the question, his intention was only to test if Ling Xiaozui had heard of this person but never in his life would he have expected this answer.

With Ling Xiaozui’s reputation and status, he would never lie; it was also impossible for him to have made a mistake as well.

In other words, for Ling Xiaozui to be so sure and affirmed about this – he must have come across this person before.

However…

A profound scholar of our time!

An aged official of three generations!

The predecessor of scholars!

A loyalist and a man of justice!

In reality, this paramount was a villain; vile, wicked, devoid of conscience, perverse, brutal, and absolutely maniacal… Supreme Lord Spring Frost!

Yun Yang recalled the members of the Four Seasons Tower who had died immediately upon mentioning Supreme Lord Spring Frost – a terrifying death that banished the soul and spirit altogether and turned the corpse into a mummy.

He tried to equate that image to the kind-looking He Hanqing who was well past his prime yet was still exuded righteousness, whose name must be recorded into history and be forever glorified.

Yun Yang could not help shivering from the chill of terror!

"Back in those years, in the course of fighting against the Four Seasons Tower, I met this He Hanqing, also known as Supreme Lord Spring Frost. Almost all the traps and schemes they used against me were designed by him. In the end, he even combined forces with another Supreme Lord to annihilate me…"

Ling Xiaozui heaved a long sigh, "I mentioned two of the four Supreme Lords that I critically wounded in one of the fights. One of them was this Supreme Lord Spring Frost, He Hanqing. With your current cultivation base that is next to nothing, of course, you wouldn't be able to determine his power. If both of you had been in battle, I truly wonder how you were able to free yourself. You must have been immensely fortunate!"

As Yun Yang listened, goosebumps erupted throughout his body, the fear still lingering on after the incident.

Elder He, He Hanqing, was actually a powerful entity who had fought with Ling Xiaozui in the past.

He had managed to survive after engaging in the most extreme of battles and actually faced Ling Xiaozui who was at his peak of murderous intent then. Somehow, he had only paid the price of being severely injured!

"Elder Ling is called the Unrivaled Expert, could it be…" Yun Yang asked cautiously.

"There’s no need to mention the term Unrivaled Expert in front of me." The bitter smile on Ling Xiaozui’s face was genuine.

"How could I be unrivaled in the world with just this insignificant ability of mine? There has never been any unrivaled person in this world!" Ling Xiaozui said grimly, "If there is, the unrivaled person must have been framed by his rival."

Yun Yang coughed and scratched his head; he was shaken to the core of his being.

Ling Xiaozui had said ‘this insignificant ability of mine’.

Insignificant?

Someone at Ling Xiaozui’s level would not use such words to appear to be humble – there was no need to.

What had he meant when he said that?

"When I had gone head to head with the Four Seasons Tower, I was only a slightly famous martial artist in the large martial arts world. Upon the drawn-out killings spanning dozens of years, I was suddenly crowned the Unrivaled Expert…"

Ling Xiaozui’s smile was awfully bitter. "The famous poem about me that has been making its rounds? That was personally written by the Four Seasons Tower’s Mr. Nian himself."

As Yun Yang digested what he said, his thoughts brought him increasing terror and another bout of goosebumps.

The majesty of a dragon that was far from the worldly realm, Ling Xiaozui who carried only a pot of wine and a sword; he roams the corners of the world, he’s the supreme of the world’s heroes!

Such a renowned poem had been used to frame someone?

"Is it really wise to become famous? The challenges, ambushes, traps, and assassination attempts that I endured afterward were even more than the Four Seasons Tower’s intentional set-ups. That was the price of fame – one that the person in question has to bear even if he’s unwilling to…" Ling Xiaozui's chuckle was devoid of humor. "The grudge has ceased but this title can never be taken off… I became the target of the members of the martial arts world for the rest of my life."

Yun Yang nodded.

It was a wickedly brilliant ploy by the Four Seasons Tower – a prolonged and subtle murder.

If Ling Xiaozui could never rid of his title as the Unrivaled Expert, then the controversies that came from this crown would never stop. Only death could put an end to his troubles.

Sword-slash of the Unrivaled Expert, Ling Xiaozui!

What a title it was!

Who in the martial arts world would not want it?

Yun Yang thought about it and said, "If so, He Hanqing is not some saint nor loyalist. He’s just another scheming villain of the Four Seasons Tower who wanted fame."

Ling Xiaozui frowned. "That’s not entirely true. Admittedly, he had done plenty of good for the Empire of Yutang. Although motivations may not be genuinely for the empire but more to balance the power of each nation in the continent, those deeds were mutually beneficial to all the parties."

Yun Yang said indifferently, "It was never within my consideration how meritorious his achievements are. I only know that he is Supreme Lord Spring Frost now. His Blood Jinx has caused all his subordinates to lose their lives immediately the moment they uttered the four words, ‘Supreme Lord Spring Frost’. Their souls were shattered. Just this vile act alone would be enough to sentence him to a thousand deaths but a thousand deaths wouldn't be enough to wash his sins away!"

"Blood Jinx?" Ling Xiaozui straightened up right away as his expression turned grave. "He cultivated Blood Jinx?"

"That is correct." Yun Yang thought about it and said, "I had previously identified and kept a few men from the Four Seasons Tower captive. When these people uttered ‘Supreme Lord Spring Frost’, their bodies churned up smoke as their flesh and blood dried up. Even their bones turned into ashes. No one deserves such a horrible death."

"This is where the Blood Jinx is truly terrifying. Whoever breaks the blood curse, his soul will be shattered while his spirit would forever be gone." Ling Xiaozui’s face was grim.

"Recently, the Empire of Yutang’s seasoned and handicapped veterans began to disappear. The disappearances saw nine people missing each time." Yun Yang said faintly, "In addition, these nine people shared a very good bond with each other."

Ling Xiaozui could only feel blood gushing towards his head.

As a top expert in the martial arts world and a martial master of the times, of course, Ling Xiaozui would know this vile method of locating a person – the Spectral Path of the Soul, Abyss Trail of Blood.

His blood boiled as he thought of the inhumane use of this skill.

"I can't believe someone would stoop to using this."

"Indeed. It was because of this that I met He Hanqing by chance. I didn’t know then that he is Supreme Lord Spring Frost, the individual who I’ve been investigating all along." Yun Yang took a deep breath. "Whatever it is, this Supreme Lord Spring Frost’s ability is beyond imagination. No one in the Empire of Yutang could really their own against him."

Ling Xiaozui hesitated, the killing intent that soared within him suddenly vanishing.

He said in a troubled tone, "But… my promise…"

Looking at Ling Xiaozui's conflicting emotions, Yun Yang suddenly experienced a strange feeling towards this Unrivaled Expert.

His faithfulness towards a promise was more so than his life.

It was pedantic but Yun Yang thought he was all the more charming for it.

Besides, he felt that it was exactly due to such a faithful temperament that Ling Xiaozui could reach the paramount of martial skills that he was at now!

If he had given up on his faith and promise, perhaps he would not be simultaneously as formidable and charming then!

Yun Yang thought about it and said, "Actually… even if Elder Ling really did strike, you’re not breaking any promise. The Four Seasons Tower has attacked you first."

"Attacked me first?" Ling Xiaozui replied wryly. "Tell me, good sir, why was I not aware of being attacked at all?"

Yun Yang rolled his eyes. "They attacked people Elder Ling cared about. Is that not breaking the promise they made?"

Ling Xiaozui was still puzzled but he did not interrupt, merely waiting for Yun Yang to continue.

Without losing a beat, Yun Yang told of how the Four Seasons Tower had plotted against Cirrus House and coerced Yun Zuiyue to engage in marriage, along with all the other plots that had been leveled against her.

Of course, Yun Yang was trying his hardest to be objective in his narration but it was understandable that he had still added much fuel to the fire.

"They knew you’ve pledged to protect Cirrus House but the Four Seasons Tower had still done so. Isn’t that taking a shot at you first?"

Seeing that Ling Xiaozui was still hesitant, Yun Yang continued, "In addition, I’m not asking you to end this Supreme Lord Spring Frost. As long as you gave him a good trashing – it doesn’t matter if you severely wound him or leave him with his last breath, as long as he’s did not die in your hands, you would still be keeping your word."

Ling Xiaozui’s eyes shone as he clapped in amusement. "This is a splendid idea!"

Lao Mei and Fang Mofei, who were beside them, were flabbergasted upon hearing the conversation.

How was it possible that such an awfully pathetic excuse could be received with such fervor?

Both of them were wondering how could this Unrivaled Expert be so easily deceived.

The plan was set. Ling Xiaozui and Yun Yang began chatting as they toasted each other, drinking to their heart’s content.

Their drinking session did not end until late in the night after sending Ling Xiaozui to the guest room. It was only then that Lao Mei raised his concerns cautiously.

"Young master, it wouldn't be possible that you met Ling Xiaozui's imposter, would it? Why does it seem that it was rather too simple to deceive this man?"

Yun Yang chuckled meaningfully. "Easily deceived? Have you tried lying to him?"

He laughed and returned to his room.

Ling Xiaozui was easy to deceive?

How could this be possible?

The reason Lao Mei and Fang Mofei, who were both so experienced in life, could have such a misperception was because Ling Xiaozui had not just decided to help Yun Yang after hearing his weak excuse.

He had already decided to help Yun Yang since the very beginning.

Firstly, it was the wager from losing the bet; secondly, the favor of the three Kirin Fish spitting the crux of Divine Water willingly.

He was only making Yun Yang think up of enough reasons so that he could strike without remorse.

Of course, when it was confirmed that the target was the Four Seasons Tower’s Supreme Lord Spring Frost, Ling Xiaozui had tossed away all his inhibitions of an all-out attack!