Chapter 219: Why is the Smoke Black?

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Yun Yang replied nonchalantly, "Its reasonable that Your Highness has heard of this person. This person is no ordinary scholar; he is the father figure of Empire of Yutangs literati and the assisting official for three generations of emperors he is nothing if not well known!"

First Court King Qinguang looked at Yun Yang suspiciously, vaguely feeling like this fellow was digging a pit, waiting for him to jump in but he did not know where the pit was.

This He Hanqing as the leader of Empire of Yutangs literati and assisting official of three generations of emperor and whatnot was perhaps an impressive figure in the imperial court but he was an old scholar after all to First Court King Qinguang. What was so great about him!

"Let me go back and check with the Concourse of the Underworlds special class name list."

First Court King went about the matter carefully and replied, "As long as theres no problem with the crosscheck, I will undertake this job for you."

"Big brother, do you still have to check this petty matter? I thought it can be set right now and itll be done when you leave later Your Highness First Court King Qinguang, your daring resolution tsk tsk, if this were to spread, it would sound rather poorly for you," Yun Yang said with a roll of his eyes.

King Qinguang actually blushed then, saying, "This is the Concourse of the Underworlds practice. No matter what mission we encounter, we have to check it first. This is an assassins responsibility, to be safe when we do things; whats so embarrassing about it?"

"But as a legendary assassin, you still have so many apprehensions in accepting a small deal" Yun Yang sighed saying, "First Court King Qinguang, I know an assassination organization requires absolute discipline and there are some prohibited figures or missions that cant be accepted."

First Court King nodded adamantly. "Its rare that Young Master Yun knows about it too; the rules of our expertise render us helpless sometimes. Its true that there are things we can't do and missions we cant accept, there are people who we cant kill as well. Once we so much as lay a finger on the person, it easily brings a load of trouble to our organization perhaps a calamity that might even end us all."

Yun Yang replied, "But this list of names of these dangerous figures must be regarded highly by the Concourse of the Underworld. The higher-ups must be absolutely familiar with it."

"Of course," King Qinguang agreed.

"This means that the Concourse of the Underworlds leading figures such as the Ten Court Kings should always remember the list of names at any time, right?"

"I can take it as these peoples names have all been memorized by heart and all of you will remember that they cant be accepted in a deal once someone mentions their names?" Yun Yang continued.

After some thought, First Court King answered, "Correct. There are only that handful of people we cant kill in this world; at least to the Concourse of the Underworld, they are few and far in between!"

As he spoke, a look of pride was etched on his face.

Yun Yang pursed his lips and said, "Then Im curious Your Highness First Court King Qinguang, as an absolute higher-up of Concourse of the Underworld, how can you not know if He Hanqing is in the list of names or not? Do you really have to go back to crosscheck? Or is my understanding flawed?"

First Court King Qinguang scratched his head. "That name is probably not there. I dont have an impression of that name indeed! I just thought its rather familiar"

"Is it? Since its not on the list, hes someone you can kill. Is there a need to go back and verify it?" Yun Yang continued slowly.

King Qinguang shook his head then nodded dumbly.

"Since you know that the list doesnt have this name and Your Highness King Qinguang says to go back and check instead"

Yun Yangs expression turned cold and distant as he said faintly, "Your Highness, are you rejecting me in a roundabout way or do you not want to help at all? Perhaps you dont want to give me that discount and spoil the Concourse of the Underworlds other regulations?"

"Young Master Yuns words are too harsh. You and I feel like weve long been friends and I very much like you." First Court King scratched his head again.

Yun Yang waved his hands and said with a straight face, "Dont, dont say it so nicely. Since Your Highness King Qinguang cant decide on this, do take your leave soon then. I shall look for someone else. I hope Your Highness wont expose this matter with regard to the rules in the world of hired kills; I, Yun Yang, shall be immensely grateful then!"

King Qinguangs mouth was agape.

"Send the guest!" Yun Yang stood up coldly and raised his teacup. "I still have other matters to attend to, and as such, I wouldn't be good company. Please feel free to help yourself, Your Highness."

He left after finishing his words like he did not want to stay even a minute longer.

First Court King Qinguang felt his mind going blank.

Is this fellow being too practical? He was still negotiating the deal a moment earlier with smiles than when he heard I cant do it the next moment

No! I didnt say I cant do it; I just said I have to check and verify it.

How can he turn hostile and start chasing me out!

Is your face a curtain? Pulling a long one whenever when you want to?

"Young Master Yun!" First Court King Qinguang 's pride was attacked pretty badly. With his status, how could he have been stepped over like this? His pride took over as he hollered, "We can still talk about this deal."

Yun Yangs steps did not halt. "For what? Since Your Highness cant decide, its better for me to change to another organization, find someone who can decide when discussing the deal. Otherwise, well just be wasting each others time. Im a popinjay, it doesnt matter much to me but Your Highness is such a busy person, you have to verify information with a crosscheck; how dare I delay you?"

Can't I decide? Whats there in the Concourse of the Underworld that can't be decided by me?

First Court King Qinguang felt anger rushing into him as he said loudly, "Deal! The Concourse of the Underworld will take up this deal!"

Yun Yang who was already a dozen steps away stopped at once and turned around; the smile he wore was gentle, friendly, and courteous. "Aye, if so, Ill first wish that we work together happily then. Yun Yang knew that Your Highness is an easygoing person. You didnt know it, you and I felt like friends for a long time; I took a liking to you the moment I saw you. This is probably what they say about feeling like old friends despite only a short encounter!"

King Qinguangs mouth was still agape, the cogs in his brain could not turn properly looking at Yun Yang.

What what is the situation now? A few seconds ago, you were enraged and fuming, ready to leave; how can you talk about working together happily now?

He was indeed Tiantang Citys Young Master Yun, the figurehead of a bustling city. Just his cultivation base of changing his face If changing ones facial expression and emotion could be a mystical skill, this Young Master Yun must be peerless and at the top of the peak when placed in the martial arts world!

"Then lets talk about the price." Yun Yangs chortle was light and easy as he said, "Its one thing that we take a liking to each other short reckonings make long friends. Just give me a price, Your Highness. I wont bargain no matter what the digits are just because youve been so easygoing!"

First Court King Qinguang scratched his head and said, "Under normal circumstances"

"Does the discount Your Highness mentioned just now still apply?" Yun Yang asked grinning.

Discount King Qinguang felt his brain slowly melting under the incredulity he was feeling.

You just said you wont bargain and here you are asking for a discount What kind of person are you?

Sighing internally, First Court King said, "Although He Hanqing is an aged scholar, hes still a teacher to three generations of the emperor, a chief figure of the literati. Just from this, the Concourse of the Underworld will have to bear a huge risk and face the Empire of Yutangs interrogation This price won't be low."

The king made a mental calculation and said, "Back in earlier years, we accepted a mission to ambush one of the Empire of Ziyous Presidents. We charged five hundred thousand silver taels then"

Yun Yang hummed but did not say anything, his expression stoic.

King Qinguang clenched his teeth and said, "But so long has passed so the price will have already been raised. With reference to the price of assassinating the President of a nation one million silver taels?"

Yun Yang snapped his fingers easily and agreed, "Deal! Eight hundred thousand silver taels it shall be! I will pass you the banknotes right now. An easygoing person, easygoing decision, and easygoing vibe youre happy and Im happy!"

"Eight hundred thousand taels?" First Court King Qinguangs eyes widened. He was suddenly confused. Did he say one million or eight hundred thousand just now?

Yun Yang smiled amicably. "Thank you for Your Highness' discount that saves me a whopping two hundred thousand silver taels! Itd be disrespectful of me to refuse but I find myself unworthy to accept it. How about this I shall buy dinner tonight, what does Your Highness want to eat?"

His Highness King Qinguangs eyes were wide, unblinking as he really wanted to say that the one million silver taels he mentioned was already the discounted price.

Looking Yun Yangs sincerely beaming face, how could he still utter those words?

He accepted the payment in confusion and took out the Concourse of the Underworlds contract; upon signing their mark, a droplet of blooming blood turned into black smoke with the oath and soared into the sky

The contract was immediately effective.

The corners of King Qinguangs lips were quivering as he looked at the black smoke rising into the sky.

This isnt right!

It was only a contract to kill an old scholar why was Underworlds black smoke rising? This was a contract of a premium oath acknowledged by Gods will and formed with a mystique method

Logically, it should only be exuding a white smoke.

Even when he had accepted a mission to kill someone like Bai Yixue, the smoke was only green in color Why was it black now?

Could it be that He Hanqing had another identity other than being the father figure of literati and assisting the officials of three generations?

The contract had already become effective though, no one could back away from it; otherwise, the heavens punishment would fall upon the contract bearer. First Court King Qinguang grumbled in his heart and prayed silently, "Perhaps this person is too important to Empire of Yutang Lets hope so!"

"Come, come, I shall be your host for tonight!" Yun Yang invited him with passion, "I know that Your Highness status is unsuitable to have a meal in the publics eyes Lao Mei, Lao Mei!"

"Go to the best restaurant, order the best dish, pick the best wine! I shall host His Highness King Qinguang tonight, we must have a good drinking session," Yun Yang said generously.

"There is no need for that."

First Court King Qinguang was already alarmed, impatiently wanting to return to crosscheck his list to see what sort of mission he had actually accepted. How would he have the mood to stay for wine?