Chapter 433: Return, Shangguan Wudi!

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

On the other side of the world, Shangguan Lingxiu had already led her men to set sail back to the east.

She had known all along that this expedition would be full of unexpected danger and all of them faced the possibility of death at every moment. Now that they had come back unharmed without losing any one of their members, she should have been exhilarated. However, Shangguan Lingxiu's beautiful and sculpted face was marred by faint sorrow.

Despite there being no casualties in this altercation, nothing else had been achieved – it was essentially a fruitless enterprise!

It was the polar opposite of her initial intentions; there was no other word for it.

They had traveled so far to come all the way here only to make several cursory bows before Ancestor Wudi's ancestral plate. That had been all.

Although they had helped Supreme Cloud at the last critical juncture, Shangguan Lingxiu was certain that their assistance was only the icing on the cake. Even without them controlling the city gate, Supreme Cloud would have been able to flee, by breaking down the gate himself!

Furthermore, he might not have even passed the city gate; he could just flown away into the sky. If that was so, she suspected she and her men had actually added to Supreme Cloud's burden.

What was the point of her coming here?

She sat alone on the third story deck with her arms hugging her knees in a silent daze.

She wondered where Supreme Cloud had gone to, and if he was safe. What had happened in the last meeting with the Empire of Ziyou's higher authorities?

As for the Empire of Ziyou, would they vent their anger and take out their rage on Ancestor Wudi's ancestral hall?

Would they really destroy his remains like they had threatened earlier?

What would be the Shangguan Family of Generals' next move?

How far could they make it in the future?

What would the future hold for the young nephews at home? Could their tiny shoulders bear the great responsibility of the Shangguan Family of Generals?

The approaching chaos was all too apparent; war was about to come, yet again. Could the Shangguan Family of Generals stand majestically amidst this havoc?

Could she, Shangguan Lingxiu, as the only adult of the Shangguan Family of Generals, be hopelessly ineffectual despite bearing the family's responsibilities?

If there were no silhouettes of Shangguan in Yutang's battlefield during this war, then what dignity did the Shangguan Family possess, to call themselves the Family of Generals? What right did they have to claim themselves the souls of militants?

Shangguan Lingxiu's thoughts were all over the place, refusing to settle down in an orderly manner. After some time, she could not help but sigh softly.

"Oh, Shangguan Family of Generals."

The documents in her hands were messages sent by messenger hawks.

Shangguan Lingxiu had only opened the first one before her expression turned into one of alarm – the four empires had deployed troops to besiege Yutang!

Yutang was about to face war on all four sides. The commotion was no longer just a hint; war was apparent and impending!

The second document told the story of Supreme Cloud fighting in Zilong City, coercing Ziyou's emperor before the city gates; he had threatened the entire nation with monstrous tides and had boosted Yutang's morale in the process.

The third document indicated that Ziyou had drawn back their army! That would relieve the Empire of Yutang from being threatened on all four sides.

Reading the third document again, Shangguan Lingxiu heaved a soft sigh of relief. Things were not at their worst. At least, the war initiated by Ziyou had been halted and Yutang had Supreme Cloud again. Perhaps, she need not be too pessimistic about the war this time.

However, the fourth document put the frown back on Shangguan Lingxiu's face. The Empire of Dongxuan's Han Sanhe was at the forefront of millions of soldiers and was already doing battle with Fu Baoguo at the Fortress of Resilience.

The eastern defense line was in danger of collapsing.

Marshal Tie Zheng was also caught in a stalemate with the enemy on the northern border. The southern front was about to see war erupt in a very short time as well.

It was obvious that the incessant flow of information was sent out on the same day. There would be further developments in the morning and in the afternoon, which would see more messages being sent out. The changes were numerous and rapid as the communication lines were hot and heavy.

In the sky, there were several messenger beasts flying around, looking for their targets.

"The havoc spreading through the world is unavoidable."

For the first time in a long while, Shangguan Lingxiu's usually cheery face was tinged with genuine worry.

My disaster-stricken homeland… When will it enjoy peace and safety?

"What are you sighing about?" A gentle voice wafted over from behind her.

Shangguan Lingxiu stood up as if struck by lightning; why was the voice so familiar?

Who was the newcomer?

Turning her head to follow the voice, she saw a cloud floating leisurely in the sky, a vague silhouette enclosed within it. It looked like a man, but there was no way to tell the true face of the mysterious visitor.

The only thing she could feel was that the person was looking at her with a smile.

"Lord Supreme Wind? No… no, Lord Supreme Cloud?" Shangguan Lingxiu corrected herself quickly.

Until now, Shangguan Lingxiu was still dumbstruck and in disbelief.

Before this, she had always known the sole survivor of the Nine Supremes to be Supreme Wind. How could she know that after a trip to Empire of Ziyou, Supreme Wind would miraculously turn into Supreme Cloud?

The think-tank of the Nine Supremes!

There had never been any record of such an occurrence in her country.

"Be it Supreme Cloud or Wind, I am still one of the Nine Supremes." Lord Supreme Cloud said, "I heard you sighing and lamenting about the war. What, in particular, ails you?"

Shangguan Lingxiu sighed slowly and said, "It looks like Lord Supreme Cloud has been focusing all his efforts on Ziyou and may not have been informed of current matters. I have just received the updates as well, as you can see here..."

She was about to pass them over but she suddenly recalled that the Nine Supremes' intelligence network must be even more precise than hers. Lord Supreme Cloud would probably have known long ago what she was reading now; even if he did not, now that Ziyou's issue was resolved, he would begin receiving them once more. At least, he should have known about it earlier than she had. She could not help exclaiming in protest, "I believe Lord Supreme Cloud must have already known about these things…"

Yun Yang replied, "Does the lady speak of the siege by the four nations?"

He then sighed slowly and said, "Indeed, I found out about it earlier, but I don't have any good ideas at the moment as to what to do. Yutang can only hope to survive by giving its all in the battle ahead."

Shangguan Lingxiu's spirit soared she said, "Agreed! The only way to fight is to fight with all our hearts!"

Yun Yang chuckled at her enthusiasm and said, "The war is only beginning. We can only do our best and leave the rest to destiny. Did you achieve your objective after coming to Ziyou?"

Shangguan Lingxiu heaved a deep sigh and answered, "One cannot serve both loyalty and filial piety. The nation's affairs should be prioritized and thus, family affairs should give way before it. Shangguan Lingxiu was born a female, but I still know of the theory that there won't be a complete egg when the nest collapses!"

Yun Yang smiled and said, "In certain ways… the Empire of Ziyou could be considered to have fallen. Senior Shangguan Wudi's wish can be considered fulfilled."

"I beg your pardon?" Even though she was confused, Shangguan Lingxiu's eyes shone with hope at his words.

"When I left, I collected Senior Wudi's remains and the ancestral tablet. How can the remains of Yutang's reputable warrior be left for so long in a foreign land?" Supreme Cloud's voice was filled with veneration as he continued, "The remains of a loyal official should rest in peace in burial. General Wudi's dying wish has also been completed. I believe that Senior Shangguan Wudi must be comforted as well to know this."

Looking at the parcel containing the remains and ancestral tablets held in Supreme Cloud's hands, Shangguan Lingxiu was awash with emotion. Her nose wrinkled up, and before she knew it, she was crying from happiness.

Three sets of remains – three ancestral tablets.

The ancestral tablets of Ancestor Wudi, his mistress, and son, their remains, had finally come back to the hands of the Shangguan Family of Generals – their own family!

Holding them in her hands, Shangguan Lingxiu felt as if she was carrying the heaviest of weights.

Watching the remains and tablets as he handed them over to Shangguan Lingxiu, Yun Yang suddenly felt an unusual turbulence in his divine sense. When he concentrated to look, he was shocked.

His deific consciousness showed a small whirlwind that was slowly but surely forming and growing above the parcel of remains and in front of the tablet.

The small whirlwind was very clearly exuding the emotion of joy and comfort as if a wish that had not been completed for a very long time had suddenly been achieved.

In a state of trance, Yun Yang could see a person cloaked in steel armor, holding a long spear, and mounted on a black horse, galloping across the heavens and earth!

There were only a man and a horse, but Yun Yang felt the dominance and peerless vibe on the battlefield, the absolute majesty that distinguished a warrior among the millions of men in the army!

With a spear, I am unmatched on the battlefield!

The person galloped across the cloud and came to a complete halt in front of Yun Yang; astride his horse, he held his spear while he bowed with a palm cupping his fist. His hawk-like eyes were trained on Yun Yang as a genuine smile of gratitude hung on his face.

Yun Yang was absolutely unprepared for this miracle.

The grand emotion of lion-hearted patriotism, the will to fight for one's homeland and people on the battlefield filled his heart!

There was no need to tell him who it was that stood before him.

Yun Yang's expression could not help but turn slightly somber as well; out of reverence, raised his arm to give a proper military salute. The middle-aged man smiled – it was a relaxed smile of peacefulness and joy.

Somehow, Yun Yang felt his oppressed emotions suddenly dissipate as he looked at the smile. He could not help returning it.

However, what Shangguan Lingxiu saw was completely different from what Yun Yang was seeing. She felt dazed as well as three people appeared right before her eyes.

It was a middle-aged man, tall and muscular; his face was square and serious while his eyes were sharp and lively, like those of a hawk. By his side stood a woman who was small and gentle.

Both of them stood before her as they watched her with faces full of smiles and warmth.

In front of them, there was a small boy who was only about three to four years old; in fact, he might even be only two to three years old. He was the very embodiment of innocence.

The harmonious family of three had appeared before her and was smiling.

From the comforting emotions, the sense of approval and the intimate feeling of blood being thicker than water, Shangguan Lingxiu knew who the three people before her were.

"Ancestor Wudi?" Shangguan Lingxiu blurted out in shock.

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