Chapter 471: His Surname is Yun!
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
"Old Marshal, be careful! This might be one of Han Sanhe's tricks!" Fu Baoguo's concern was evident in his shocked tone.
"There is nothing to worry about." Qiu Jianhan was unperturbed by the potential danger that lay before him.
With Bai Yixue and Fang Mofei as his personal bodyguards, there were not many men in this world who could lay a finger on him, especially when they had just met. A few teenagers would be of no concern at all.
Based on the current situation, the children had not truly tried to counter the attacks upon them and there was no indication that they were lying either.
Old Marshal Qiu was unlike the other veteran soldiers; what they considered as holes in their story were not holes, since real spies would have traded everything they had to conceal themselves properly. Why would they come together as a group of teenagers and bring along a dozen noble steeds? Even worse, why would they call out their targets' names? It was ridiculous.
"This old man is the Qiu Jianhan you all are looking for." Old Marshal Qiu looked at the youths with a smile. "Who made you all come looking for me? Where is the letter?"
It was the barely grown child, who looked like the leader of the rest, who spoke doubtfully, "You may be Qiu Jianhan, but how would we know that? You are the leader of these evil men, why should we believe you?"
It was a retort which lacked finesse, but it was undoubtedly effective.
Qiu Jianhan was stumped at the accusation. He's right; I can say I'm Qiu Jianhan, but what proof do I have?
Fu Baoguo could not help chuckling as he stepped out and said, "I am the Fu Baoguo you fellows are looking for. Does this need proof as well?"
The youths looked on with skeptical eyes, "Of course. Why would you call yourself Fu Baoguo? We just mentioned that we're looking for the two of you, and here you are. How can there be such a coincidence? Do you think we're idiots?"
Fu Baoguo was rendered speechless by the brazen reply.
Qiu Jianhan replied with a note of humor in his voice, "This old man has been in this world for so many years and never has anyone wanted any evidence when they saw me. My eyes have been opened today…"
At this very moment, the militants that arrived beside them bowed respectfully. "Old Marshal Qiu! Marshal Fu!"
The teenagers were dumbstruck and began to feel slightly disoriented by the sudden development. "You – you… This… Uh – Qiu Jianhan is actually a marshal? Fu Baoguo is also a marshal? Is – is Lady Shangguan a marshal as well? I – we… I…"
All twelve of the youths were utterly stunned.
A few of them had turned pale. They still did not know who Qiu Jianhan and Fu Baoguo were, but they knew that a marshal was a highly ranked officer; this officer was the highest authority at the eastern border and the Fortress of Resilience!
"Alright, alright, this old man is even more interested in knowing who your teacher was. We have proved ourselves now. Can the letter be given to us now?" Qiu Jianhan chortled.
Qiu Jianhan had not had the luxury to behave like this for a few days now. These children were a rare bundle of joy, as could be testified by Fu Baoguo, who was undoubtedly feeling tickled as well!
"Err, letter… the letter is here…" The teenager was growing increasingly nervous, untying his jacket and stretching into his undergarments to pat around before finally retrieving a small package that had been wrapped securely in mystical beast leather.
After layer upon layer of hide had been peeled away, a letter lay inside.
Qiu Jianhan's janissary stepped forward to take the letter before turning around to pass it to Qiu Jianhan with the utmost respect. Receiving it, Qiu Jianhan opened it nonchalantly while asking, "Well, who is your teacher? What's his family name? Why is he so peculiar?"
The teenager answered politely, "Our teacher says that his surname is Yun…"
Qiu Jianhan's hands that were unfolding the letter halted at once as his gaze turned sharp. "Where is your teacher now?"
As he asked, an ill premonition surged through him. He stuffed the letter into his robes immediately and urgently issued orders, "All of you, follow me to the marshal's tent! Bring these children along. Everyone, be on full alert! No one is to act recklessly or they will be subjected to military law!"
He then left with large strides.
Fu Baoguo quivered for a moment before he followed closely, looking absolutely serious without a hint of his previous joviality. The teenagers were taken away by a swarm of officers and generals, arriving at the marshal's tent feeling somewhat lost and in distress.
Qiu Jianhan read the letter with exceptional care; his eyes were glinting as they trained on the teenagers in front of him. "Other than this letter, what else does your teacher say?"
The letter Old Marshal Qiu held did not disclose any information that he wanted; it was mostly comprised of a request, a favor from both himself and Fu Baoguo to take care of these children for a little longer.
"Teacher asked us to convey the message that he'll arrive in half a month's time, at the very latest."
The teenager was obviously nervous as he spoke.
Witnessing the grim atmosphere in the marshal's tent and the authoritative generals it contained, it was impossible that they did not know the people their teacher wanted them to look for were significant personnel! The fact that they were able to spit out a reply was already evidence of their psychological abilities!
Half a month at the latest! Hearing this, Qiu Jianhan and Fu Baoguo were flooded with ecstasy as their eyes were bright with hope. They looked upon the teenagers as if they were looking at the most treasured gem in this world.
"Your teacher… how is he now?" asked Qiu Jianhan, after several moments of musing.
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"He wasn't doing too well. He had a lot of his bones broken. When we left home, teacher couldn't even stand. I've never seen someone so severely injured before," murmured the leader among the teenagers after some hesitation.
Qiu Jianhan's expression turned glum.
Broken bones, unable to stand... even for a high-level cultivator, such injuries were difficult to recover from; how could he rush over here within half a month?
Still, there was finally news. No news was good news, but now that there was confirmation of his survival, it was better!
"What does your teacher look like?" Fu Baoguo asked after a long moment of pondering. It was a question that Qiu Jianhan had been meaning to ask, but did not dare to.
The teenager thought hard, scratching his head persistently until his dandruff fell like snowflakes and finally answered, "This isn't easy to answer… Our teacher… doesn't seem very old, but because his injuries were so severe, we couldn't see his true appearance. He was covered with wounds and injuries all over his body. In spite of this, he was still very impressive indeed!"
Fu Baoguo was speechless.
They might as well have not bothered to answer his question.
Should he not have asked what he just did? Perhaps this was the reason the old marshal did not raise this question earlier.
"Wang Dingguo!" Fu Baoguo hollered. "These teenagers are under your care! Watch them well, try to prevent them from being part of the casualties."
Wang Dingguo agreed and said, "Let's go."
The children replied hurriedly, "We don't need to be watched over! We're here to fight Han Sanhe, we're here to protect the country! What do you mean watch over us? We've been taught well by our teacher! We want to go to the battlefield and return home with military merit!"
Fu Baoguo chortled. "Did I forbid you the battlefield? As long as you follow Wang Dingguo, there is no need to worry about not achieving merits! However, the battlefield prioritizes order and discipline. What you need to first learn is to obey. Go."
The teenagers went away obediently.
Looking at the teenagers' retreating backs, Fu Baoguo turned to look at Qiu Jianhan and started with a probing question, "Old sir, see… you… is it…"
Qiu Jianhan frowned in reply, "I'm not sure either, now. I dare not say anything for certain…"
He then glanced at Fu Baoguo meaningfully and said, "Still, there is one thing I am sure of… the one they are talking about it surely our man."
"Was it really Lord Supreme Cloud?" Fu Baoguo's delight was evident on his face.
He could discern that the old marshal was reluctant to discuss this topic, but he was too agitated to not ask for a certainty.
Qiu Jianhan sighed and answered, "The person only said that his surname is Yun, but it doesn't necessarily mean that he must be Supreme Cloud just because he has the surname Yun1."
Fu Baoguo was taken aback. "It's already been said that his surname is Yun; who else can it be if not Supreme Cloud?"
Qiu Jianhan glared at him.
"There are other ace cultivators with the word Yun in their names. Other than Supreme Cloud, there's the Absolute Swordmaster Seven Stroke Death, Marquis of Heavenly Clouds, Yun Xiaoyao, who hasn't made an appearance in a long while. Even Yun Xiaoyao's son, Yun Yang, is also an ace cultivator with excellent skills and stands above the rest among Yutang's generation of youths. It can only be Supreme Cloud after both of them! Supreme Cloud has always concealed his identity by using Supreme Wind's name, so he's definitely not the top choice to actually say that his surname is Yun!"
"There's no doubt that this Teacher Yun is one among the three, but which one of them, in particular, will only be known when he gets here."
Fu Baoguo could barely conceal his excitement as he said, "Yes, yes. It's a good thing no matter who comes, but still, if it is that Young Master Yun Yang, he can save himself the time… there isn't much use if he comes."
Qiu Jianhan looked at Fu Baoguo meaningfully once again and said slowly, "That isn't necessarily true… If Young Master Yun is the one who arrives, he might not be any less effective than Marquis Yun and might even surprise you. Did you think this old man was just blabbing about him being the top among Yutang's youth?"
"Is this child a cultivation genius, one who is already greater than his father and forefathers?" asked Fu Baoguo with no small amount of skepticism.
Qiu Jianhan was suddenly angered and said, "Why are you asking so much? Even you, a bastard, can be stronger than your father and forefathers, why can't others be the same? Get out and watch your troops, why are you slacking off by lingering here? Is this how you became a marshal? F*ck off! Out, out you go quickly!"
Fu Baoguo walked out in a daze while wiping his face that had been sprayed with saliva; he could not figure it out. They had been engaged in a harmonious conversation, why had he suddenly been chastised?
Was Young Master Yun truly well versed in tactics? Perhaps he was the person with the surname Yun whom Old Marshal Qiu was leaning towards. Yes, it was possible. After all, the teenagers had said that their Teacher Yun's face could not be discerned but he was not old. The Marquis of Heavenly Clouds Yun Xiaoyao was not that young anymore, while Supreme Cloud, who was remarkably skilled in cultivation base should be rather aged as well. It seemed that only Young Master Yun could match the description, but that would mean that he and the old marshal would be disappointed again!
Even if Marquis of Heavenly Clouds' young marquis, Yun Yang, was an amazing talent, he could never be compared to Supreme Cloud! How could a mere Yun Yang be on par with the Nine Supremes' think tank, Supreme Cloud? The contrast was as vast as the distance between heaven and earth, a near impossibility!
Fu Baoguo felt like he had found Old Marshal Qiu's reason for suddenly losing his cool.
In the marshal's tent, Qiu Jianhan, who had been left alone, looked troubled and hesitant. He paced around while mumbling, "Is it you? Is it really you?"
Translator Note:
1To recap, the Chinese character 云 (yún) is a homonym here as it can be understood as family name Yun as well as cloud.