Less than ten minutes after the people of Golden Horse Riders Department left, two masked people in black came only to find that room completely empty. The two were furious and set fire to the whole inn.

The Hei Mo people were currently going berserk.

Two of their martial brothers died needlessly, and four were still bedridden from being severely injured. Even their King level master was now on the brink of death. Such a huge blow made the Revered Martial Artists of the Hei Mo clan feel as if they were on fire, unable to sit or stand still. This situation was the result of their risky act…

At this time, the inside of Bu Tian Pavilion was also in chaos.

That subordinate searched for a long time and was not able to find Chu Yang. In the end, he had to quickly return to report back.

For Wu Qian Qian, hearing news of Chu Yang’s sudden disappearance was like being struck by lightning; she almost fainted on the spot. That unlucky subordinate was sent directly to a jail cell.

After that, all the members of Bu Tian Pavilion were sent out to search. While no one knew who that youth in black was, they knew that this situation was no laughing matter.

Tie Bu Tian immediately rode over to supervise Bu Tian Pavilion after hearing the news. He directly received all information and delegated personnel.

As for the both famed groups from Bu Tian Pavilion, all were mobilized and spread out all over Iron Cloud Citadel searching for Chu Yang.

After that, there was news of a great battle between King level masters on a main street of Iron Cloud Citadel.

Tie Bu Tian suddenly had an inkling that this great battle certainly was related to Chu Yang’s disappearance, and immediately sent people to the scene to investigate. They were none other than his two shadow guards.

After all, it was a battle between two King level masters. Sending ordinary people meant sending them to their death, and was essentially a useless act.

When Tie Bu Tian was done making all the arrangements, he paced back and forth in the room. He was distraught and filled with concerns, “Minister Chu, nothing happened to you, right?”

The news from the past few days stated that Diwu Qing Rou would probably make Bu Tian Pavilion and Minister Chu his next target. This made Tie Bu Tian doubly worried.

Wu Qian Qian sat listlessly on the chair that Chu Yang sat on each day. She was like a body without a soul and did not know what to do next. The more she tried to ignore everything, the worse she imagined the whole situation. An ominous feeling grew larger and larger in her mind, and, in the end, she had abandoned all hope. She sat as if expecting some horrific news to come.

In all that pandemonium, Minister Chu came waltzing in.

The sight of that diabolical mask at the door made everyone in Bu Tian Pavilion cheer.

While they were still unclear as to what had happened, without the leadership of Minister Chu, they were like a snake without a head. Minister Chu had finally come back; a heavy burden was lifted from their chest.

Tie Bu Tian and Wu Qian Qian were pleasantly surprised, and came out to greet Chu Yang together. Seeing Chu Yang, the always composed Tie Bu Tian became so excited that his face flushed.

Wu Qian Qian rushed toward Chu Yang with teary eyes. She touched his body, and once she was sure Chu Yang was okay, she squatted on the floor and cried up a storm.

The fact that Chu Yang went missing was only known to Wu Qian Qian and Tie Bu Tian. Since the person was Chu Yang, the two of them had been extremely pessimistic. He was the person the enemies wanted dead the most. If he was captured, how could he come back alive?

Therefore, the two did not hold on to any hope.

They never expected such luck.

“What are you crying for? I am still not dead.” Chu Yang coughed dryly twice. With his body greatly weakened, he said softly, “Quickly help me in; I am injured…”

Wu Qian Qian was startled and carefully took Chu Yang’s arm and helped him into the room. Chu Yang only managed to say a few words before becoming unconscious, “Let the prince know that the Hei Mo people have gone crazy; we don’t need to worry about them for the time being. Send people to bring a few doses of medicine for them…”

“Finally… I am back… no more danger…” Chu Yang’s last words were only muttered unconsciously.

Chu Yang did not come to until some time in the afternoon of the next day. He awoke to find Du Shi Qing right next to him. And Wu Qian Qian was working on the side with the entire room filled with the noxious smell of medicine.

“Are you awake?” Du Shi Qing calmly looked at him and asked.

“Yes, I am alright!” Chu Yang smiled, wanting to get up.

“Don’t move! Your are seriously injured!” Du Shi Qing gently pushed him back down, “You were injured by a powerful person; your meridians are in shock and your internal organs also show signs of injuries. You should not act carelessly!”

“Senior Du, how many days before I recover?” Chu Yang asked.

“Days? One month if you are lucky!” Du Shi Qing stroked his bead, and said as he glared at Chu Yang.

“Chu Yang, drink your medicine!” Wu Qian Qian slowly brought a medicine bowl over. The edge of her eyes were pinkish, and there were faint traces tears on her face.

“Just put it down! Is the situation at the Pavilion still stable?”

“There is nothing. Everyone only knows that the minister just returned; they don’t know anything else.” Wu Qian Qian’s face was pale as she struggled to answer.

“That’s good!” (walkthejianghu.com)

“The prince has left. He said that you should take care to heal properly; he does not need you to worry about other things!”

“Good! Elder Martial Sister Wu, please go out and get some fresh air! I have a few things to say to Senior Du.” Chu Yang said solemnly. Seeing Du Shi Qing, he suddenly remembered something.

“Sure!” Wu Qian Qian watched Chu Yang finish his medication before stepping out.

“Do you have something you want to talk to me about?” Du Shi Qing looked at him suspiciously; his face was filled with anxiety.

“Yes. There are some things that I have been thinking about for a long time. Today, since only the two of us are here, it is a good opportunity. I want to discuss a few things with Senior Du.” Chu Yang pushed himself up with great effort and leaned against the headboard. He eyes looked at Du Shi Qing as he answered sincerely.

“Go ahead!” Du Shi Qing smiled.

“Senior Du, how long will you be staying at Iron Cloud?” Chu Yang pondered for a little, then asked.

“Staying in Iron Cloud…” Du Shi Qing’s eyes showed a trace of fatigue as he answered, “I also do not know… This depends on His Majesty’s condition!”

“Senior Du came to Iron Cloud because of Diwu Qing Rou’s request, correct?” Chu Yang thought for a while and decided to get straight to the point.

“Huh? You…” Du Shi Qing was startled.

“This is something not difficult to understand!” Chu Yang continued softly, “If Diwu Qing Rou does not want you here, then no matter how powerful Prince Tie Bu Tian is, he could not reach that far. No matter what, that is still Diwu Qing Rou’s territory.”

“Yes, it is Diwu Qing Rou!” Du Shi Qing sighed dejectedly and replied.

“It could be said that your presence here is the result of a mutual agreement between two enemies, Tie Bu Tian and Diwu Qing Rou. It is about the life of the ruler of Iron Cloud. Diwu Qing Rou intends to dominate, and keep the ruler living longer to constrain the prince. Thereby creating a divided Iron Cloud. Whereas Tie Bu Tian is simply a filial child.”

Thinking about Tie Bu Tian, Chu Yang could not help but sigh. This love that the prince had for his father could be easily seen by anyone.

“That’s correct!” Du Shi Qing softly replied. He thought about Tie Bu Tian coming to see his father every day no matter how busy he was. He always asked about the ruler’s condition. His hope and longing made Du Shi Qing feel immensely guilty.

He could not confess that the ruler’s condition, from all those years, was of his own making.

“I plan to leave Iron Cloud in spring next year, before the flowers bloom.” Du Shi Qing did not hold anything from Chu Yang.

“In other words, before the flowers bloom next spring, the ruler will die!” Chu Yang let out a muffled cry. Du Shi Qing remained silent, without any objections.

Chu Yang frowned. The death of the ruler of Iron Cloud was not the end, but the beginning of great chaos. This was Diwu Qing Rou’s last use of the ruler, to attack Tie Bu Tian.

At that time, chaos would ensue!

“His Majesty Tie Shi Cheng is currently only… a lamp without any oil left!” Du Shi Qing sighed and said, “His body is as frail as a stick of wood. His meridians are already damaged and his blood is running dry. Even if we use wild ginseng more than fifty years old, it would not do, because such a powerful supplement could cause damage if used carelessly. That is why I have to use the mildest medications to stretch his life hours by hours each day.”

“Senior Du!” Chu Yang interrupted him and said sternly, “Senior Du, you must be gone from Iron Cloud before the flowers bloom!”

What Chu Yang meant was that Du Shi Qing must depart before the ruler of Iron Cloud Nation passed on.

Du Shi Qing asked in surprise, “Why is this? If the ruler passes on, why can’t I be there to send him off?”

“Senior Du, if you don’t leave, then you would never have the chance to leave!” Chu Yang’s eyes shined sharply as he looked straight at Du Shi Qing, “Senior Du, a man won’t beat around the bushes! You know well why the ruler is sick, right?”

Du Shi Qing immediately paled. He looked at Chu Yang in shock, unable to speak a word. This was the greatest secret in his heart. But the words Chu Yang just spoke seemed to show that he already knew all about it.

“At that time, Iron Cloud will be in chaos. Tie Bu Tian will be furious…” Chu Yang continued slowly, “Diwu Qing Rou will not let this opportunity pass him by. He will surely release the information, and Tie Bu Tian, with his great grief, will surely take Senior Du’s life!”

Du Shi Qing’s whole body trembled; he slumped on a seat, and replied listlessly, “Diwu Qing Rou…? It can’t be…!!!”

He definitely knew that!

“Saintly Doctor Du saved countless lives. According to my knowledge, some key characters in the major sects owe you their lives. These people have always maintained neutrality, never siding with anyone. But once you lose your life at Iron Cloud… they will surely join forces with Diwu Qing Rou.”

Chu Yang chuckled softly and continued, “Surely Senior Du also knows about Diwu Qing Rou’s ruthless tactics. Doing something like this is definitely not difficult for Diwu Qing Rou at all.”

Du Shi Qing’s face became pale and his eyes were filled with hopelessness.

Chu Yang has stated clearly: Once Tie Shi Cheng dies, Diwu Qing Rou will surely make his move. And Tie Bu Tian will surely take my life. A person who kills one’s father cannot share the same sky; even if Tie Bu Tian does not want to, he will have no choice. On the off chance that I am lucky enough to escape from Tie Bu Tian’s grasp, Diwu Qing Rou will surely send people to kill me. Because once I am dead, he will use my fame to recruit powerful people to help make the continent his.

Du Shi Qing absolutely believed that Diwu Qing Rou would do that. If he did not, he would not be Diwu Qing Rou! Just like that year when Diwu Qing Rou threatened the lives of his family to get Du Shi Qing to work for him. He would use any means necessary to achieve his goals.

In other words, once Tie Shi Cheng is laid down to rest, the two nations, Iron Cloud and Great Zhao, would fall into a path of great death. The path ahead did not have a way out.