Transcending the Nine Heavens

Ever since Chu Yang arrived, he continued to ponder about Cheng Zi Ang’s answer. He suddenly became increasingly suspicious of what was happening. Young watermelon seed? Isn’t this...

With one sweep, Chu Yang took in his surroundings and asked himself. If I was Tang Xin Sheng, what would I do? Where would I hide?

Chu Yang began to analyse and think deeper, trying to approach things from Tang Xin Sheng’s perspective...

I am still unsure about the situation. Bu Tian Pavilion has not taken any action against me and for the moment, I just need to be careful. For the time being, I will hide and see how they react. If there is indeed something, I will immediately make my escape. If not, I will return and tell everyone that I went to meet some friends... Hmmm, this should be what Tang Xin Sheng was thinking.

So if Tang Xin Sheng is still here looking out for movement at the Tang Manor. Moreover, the area around here extends in many different directions. If I wanted to watch the entire situation and get a bird’s eye view of Tang Manor, where would I choose to position myself?

Cheng Zi Ang would definitely not choose the best location in order to avoid people’s attention. In fact, the best position would be one where he was being monitored and there would be people watching. The worst position would still have been the same! If Cheng Zi Ang did not choose those position, then Tang Xin Sheng, who was wise as well would not either!

Chu Yang realised that he would have chosen something slightly less than ideal. The position currently occupied was as such.

Chu Yang’s eyes swept around, in search of good positions to observe Tang Manor from. If the first two were okay, then it was likely that it was the third!

Chu Yang looked in the direction of the two old men playing chess under the tree.

Both of the men had white hair and appeared to be over the age of sixty as their faces were full of wrinkles. They were concentrating on the chess board that they had in front of them. Between the two, the one facing Chu Yang was relaxed and seemed content as he fanned himself with a paper fan. The other seemed a little apprehensive and held his head down as though looking for a way to break the formation of his opponent.

These two old men were in great spirits. They were so old, and can still sit so comfortably like that...

Chu Yang’s mind was piqued. He gave Cheng Zi Ang a mysterious wink.

"Two brothers! Both of you must be tired from playing chess. Please have some watermelon seeds! Haha!" Cheng Zi Ang slowly staggered over. With a humble smile, he placed a handful of watermelon seeds on the table. He then continued with a voice which displayed a little bit of envy, "you two are really lucky. Both of you have been playing chess for the past two days and don’t seem to have a worry in the world! Unfortunately for me, I still have to work hard all day in order to make a living at my age!"

The man with the content face smiled and said, "You are also very lucky! Is not having a healthy body the greatest blessing of all?" His voice was old but exceedingly graceful.

Cheng Zi Ang nodded repeatedly in agreement and returned to his old spot.

Playing chess for two consecutive days... Chu Yang had an epiphany. He reached a conclusion. As he looked at the tree trunk, he leisurely walked over to the two old men playing chess as he bent down and looked at the chess board.

"This setup is not easy to break out of..." Chu Yang clicked his tongue over and over again, "Good! This is really good..."

The old man contemplating immediately turned and glared at him, "What nonsense are you talking about? Do you even know how to play chess?" It seemed as if all of the suppressed anger just erupted as he vented it on this nosy brat.

"Uh. Look at this position; staying won’t work, and leaving is not okay. The middle is even worse. Your opponent’s setup is quite sharp. Here as well; at first glance, it looks like a good position, but it’s filled with hidden danger. You truly cannot break out..." Chu Yang opened his fan and fanned himself. Then he folded it up again and pointed to a spot on the chess board.

Chu Yang’s words made Cheng Zi Ang jump! He clearly was clueless about chess, but those words of Chu Yang were implying something else... That fool! ... Isn’t he talking about Tang Xin Sheng’s current situation?

Could it be that I have been sitting here for two whole days and the target was behind me? Thinking of this, Hall Leader Cheng just wanted to hide his head in a hole...

He had vowed that he would capture Tang Xin Sheng no matter what. Yet, he was unable to even realise that his target had been sitting behind him all along... This... this... was truly embarrassing.

"Huh? In your opinion, what should be done?" That content old man smiled and asked Chu Yang.

"In my humble opinion, this game... you should let it fly!" The paper fan on Chu Yang’s hand opened once again, and he fanned it a few times. He said eloquently, "Even a little delay would not be good. Don’t you think that’s right? Official Tang!"

The moment Chu Yang finished, the atmosphere suddenly became tense. The other old man next to Chu Yang suddenly stiffened his back.

Cheng Zi Ang immediately stood up, and quickly turned to look at the old man behind him in disbelief; his face became red as blood.

This is too shameful! I should just die!

I can’t believe I made such a mistake...

The countenance of the old man facing Chu Yang did not change. He calmly said, "Fly how? Is there such a method? Your words are too confusing for me to understand..."

"I also find it hard to understand... there is also some disbelief as well." Chu Yang chuckled, "I didn’t understand the phrase ’Finding by sheer luck after searching far and wide’ until now. Official Tang, don’t you think my words made a lot of sense?"

The white-haired old man flashed a smile in his eyes and said, "I still don’t understand; why do you keep insisting that I am Official Tang?"

"Look up, the country spreads for thousands of miles, the blue sky is endless... Looking down, there’s not much fame and glory, only a handful of sand..." Chu Yang said casually.

These two sentences were written by Tang Xin Sheng, a general of Iron Cloud, an Iron Soul, who perished in battle. When Chu Yang read it, it seemed to have a different added meaning.

It also completely dispelled any denial on Tang Xin Sheng’s part.

His cover had been blown and trying to continue lying would just be silly.

Tang Xin Sheng stood up and smiled, "Your memory is truly good."

"I am flattered." Cupping his hands together, Chu Yang smiled.

"Surely you must be the legendary Minister of Bu Tian Pavilion, King of Hell Chu, right?" Tang Xin Sheng remained calm as before, without the least bit of anxiety. But as he said this, he immediately showed a trace of despair.

It’s King of Hell Chu, again!

He seems to be the most ferocious man in Iron Cloud!

"I do not dare; that vulgar nickname has soiled Official Tang’s ears." Chu Yang said humbly.

"I never thought such a fierce name amongst the people, one sword that sheds blood in Iron Cloud, King of Hell Chu would turn out to be so young and handsome like this!" Tang Xin Sheng said spiritedly; his voice was cool and clear, "But I still don’t understand how you found me. How were you able to know that I would be here?"

"I was only hoping." Chu Yang said frankly, "If I had tried this method with idiots, it would be useless. But with one of incredible intelligence like Official Tang, I had to try my luck! I originally only came to look around, but when I got here, I was sure that you were Tang Xin Sheng!"

"Huh?" Tang Xin Sheng felt really curious and looked at him with a suspicious gaze.

"You can easily watch Tang Manor from here. Although there were other places that are even better, they would only bring you more attention. Moreover, there is a large tree to provide shade here and there have always been people playing chess under it. Clearly, Official Tang had planned this from the start. Once you were in disguise, sitting here would not arouse any suspicions..." Chu Yang smiled.

"Yes." Tang Xin Sheng showed a trace of admiration as his gaze gradually sharpened.

"However, Official Tang was still unsure whether or not I would make a move on you or not. Hence this was a good position to watch out for any sort of movements. Although it might have been dangerous, from here you would be able to wait for the support of your people. If anything were to happen inside your home, you would be able to glance over and see what was happening."

"Official Tang is calm and resourceful. The most dangerous place is sometimes the safest place. Official Tang must know this. The truth is if Official Tang went straight to Bu Tian Pavilion that would have been the safest!" Chu Yang smiled gently, "So, I would like to invite Official Tang to the safest hiding place!"

Tang Xin Sheng shook his head and chuckled with amusement, "Not bad. You are worthy of the name King of Hell Chu." He paused a little, and his eyes narrowed, "But why didn’t you make a move right away, instead of talking nonsense with me?"

"You should know that loose lips sink ships. You are the famed King of Hell Chu, how could you not know this?" Tang Xin Sheng’s pupils constricted and shot a radiance as sharp as a needle.

"Because there was something unexpected!" Chu Yang calmly smiled and said, "Because I did not anticipate that a scholarly official like you would be a top-level martial master! I was unsure of something."

"And Official Tang probably chose not to make a move because of your rage." Chu Yang laughed, "Your perfect plans being foiled by another. Plus, your cover was carefully picked, and yet you were still discovered. This is insulting to an intelligent person like you! I am sure Official Tang would rather die than suffer a humiliation like this!"

"So Official Tang toyed with me." Chu Yang mocked, "Official Tang wanted to wait until after I revealed everything. And at my most triumphant moment, you would humiliate me. After which, you would use your incredible martial skill to escape!"

"Or directly kill me right on the spot!" Chu Yang said casually, "Official Tang, did I get anything wrong?"

"Well said!" Tang Xin Sheng slowly stood up and said, "I have painstakingly planned for thirteen years, and you managed to destroy everything in just an instant. Moreover, you dared to come here personally. How could I possibly not kill you for how you have humiliated me?"

He grunted coldly, "Bu Tian Pavilion is only a toy in my eyes. If you don’t have the ability to capture me, then you might as well prepare to be humiliated!"

Chu Yang’s guess was correct. It was really Tang Xin Sheng’s plan if the worst was to happen. Tang Xin Sheng was a martial expert. Moreover, he did not even care about Cheng Zi Ang. His plan was aimed at killing Chu Yang!

Chu Yang wanted to capture him, but at the same time, he wanted to kill Chu Yang.

This was the only oversight in Chu Yang’s plan.