Cloud Sun Manor (Part 1)

The sun had just risen, and it was now deep autumn; the maple trees along the ancient road had already turned red. A gust of western wind blew past, and the leaves rustled. On the ground, several wild chrysanthemums swayed with the breeze, the dew on their petals falling gently like the tears of lovers parting, slowly dripping and landing softly on the earth. Meanwhile, the wind threading through the forest carried a faint, sobbing sound.

Yun Zaitian sat in a wooden chair, his usually stern face bearing a faint smile. As the master of Cloud Sun Manor, one of the two major powers in Cloud Sun City, at this hour he would normally still be lying in bed, waiting for someone to bring in his breakfast. Having grown older, he felt he deserved a bit more comfort—this had been a habit of his for many years.

He was also a man of great refinement. Even the wooden chair he sat on had been custom-made for him by the city's most skilled craftsman, costing eighty-three taels of silver. When he sat in that chair, it was like a sword resting in its scabbard—perfectly suited, without the slightest discomfort.

That he had come here so early today and set aside his usual sternness was because someone sat across from him. This person appeared to be no more than sixteen or seventeen, with a clean, handsome face that still carried a hint of childishness and shyness. But Yun Zaitian dared not underestimate him in the slightest; just yesterday, he had witnessed the skills of this young man with that touch of innocence and timidity.

The young man smiled slightly and said, "I, Chihuo, have come here this time on the orders of Second Master, with two tasks. One is to take this item from the Golden Sword Gang back with me, and the other is to come here and check the accounts, to see how last year's business went. There may be some offense, and I hope Manor Lord Yun will be magnanimous."

Yun Zaitian laughed heartily and said, "This is only proper. Nephew Yan is too polite. Someone, bring the account books." But in his heart, he muttered to himself, "These Thirteen Guardians are the young experts that Second Brother Ping has recently trained. I saw their skill yesterday, and it was indeed impressive. But that Yan Chihuo ranks first among the Thirteen Guardians and has been famous for nearly ten years. Could he have started working for Second Brother when he was only six or seven?"

At that moment, an accountant brought the account books forward. This young man named Yan Chihuo took the ledger but did not open it. Instead, he first addressed the burly man behind Yun Zaitian on the left, who carried a massive axe on his back and had bulging muscles: "On the thirteenth day of the fourth month, where was the Third Manor Lord?"

This burly man was the Third Manor Lord of Cloud Sun Manor, named Du Ming. He was a top-tier figure in Cloud Sun City, and for many years, no one had dared speak to him in such a manner.

A surge of anger rose in his heart, but he dared not show it. He said, "A new girl named Xiao Tao had arrived at the Yihong Brothel, and I went to show my support that day." He paused, then added, "When Steward Tie was escorting that hundred thousand taels of silver and met with trouble outside Cloud Sun City, Big Brother Yun investigated everyone in Cloud Sun Manor thoroughly. I reported that matter the same day."

Yan Chihuo did not respond to that. Instead, he said, "I have long heard that the Third Manor Lord's 28-Style Gale Axe Technique has been integrated with swordsmanship, combining both weight and grace in the axe style. It can truly be called a marvel of the martial world."

Du Ming was taken aback by the sudden shift in topic and thought to himself, "Why is this brat bringing up old matters again?" But he said aloud, "Young Master Yan flatters me too much."

Yan Chihuo continued, "In yesterday's battle, I witnessed the Third Manor Lord's skill with my own eyes. It was indeed extraordinary. Within that 28-Style Gale Axe Technique, there were indeed traces of swordsmanship. From this, it's clear that the Third Manor Lord's sword skill is also quite remarkable."

Hearing this, Du Ming, though unclear on the intent, felt a slight tremor in his heart and said, "Young Master Yan is too kind. How could these crude tricks of mine catch your eye? It was only yesterday that I truly understood what real swordsmanship is."

Yan Chihuo waved his hand repeatedly and said, "Yesterday, it was Manor Lord Yun, Second Manor Lord, and Third Manor Lord who displayed their might. I merely took advantage of an unguarded moment to succeed. It was pure luck, hardly worth mentioning, hardly worth mentioning."

At this, a scholarly man around fifty years old beside Du Ming spoke up: "That Golden Sword Gang leader Gao Bing, known as the fastest sword in East Cloud, has been famous for over thirty years. His 49-Style Soul-Chasing Life-Taking Sword has never met its match. He also wears a Black Silkworm Armor that is impervious to blades and arrows, and he is never without his four bodyguards, known as the Four Vajras, all top-tier experts of the age. Yet none of them could withstand a single sword strike from you, young master. Truly an eye-opener for me."

Yun Zaitian also said, "This Gao Bing has always been at odds with our Tiger Roar Manor. He doesn't even give face to Second Brother Ping Fei, and he's always been extremely arrogant. Over the past eighteen years, a total of seventy-eight groups, two hundred and sixty-eight assassins, have tried to kill him. Only thirteen made it to his side, and not one could withstand a single sword strike. Among those thirteen was Cao Fei, once the number one swordsman of the seven southern provinces. With so many people, how is it that Nephew Yan was the lucky one?"

The "Second Brother Ping Fei" he mentioned was his sworn brother, the master of Tiger Roar Manor, and one of the top experts in the East Cloud Kingdom. His Cloud Sun Manor was, in fact, an external force under Tiger Roar Manor.

As he spoke, his thoughts drifted back to yesterday. The Golden Sword Gang leader Gao Fei had somehow obtained some treasure, which had alarmed Ping Fei. He had dispatched the First Guardian Yan Chihuo, the Fourth Guardian Zhou Fang, and the Seventh Guardian Qu Wuxing from the Thirteen Guardians to seize the treasure, and Cloud Sun Manor was to follow their orders.

In the fierce battle that day, Yan Chihuo had disguised himself as a member of the Golden Sword Gang, so Yun Zaitian hadn't seen his true face. Yan Chihuo moved like a ghost, dodging and weaving like a god, and no one could withstand a single sword strike from him, stunning everyone present.

Thinking of this, even though Yun Zaitian was long accustomed to brutal slaughter, he couldn't help but shiver inwardly. Then he heard Yan Chihuo say, "Throughout the entire East Cloud Kingdom, anyone with ears—even the pots and jars—has heard of your fame, Manor Lord Yun. In those days, you single-handedly slew the Seven Villains and wiped out all three hundred and sixty-seven members of Clear Wind Stronghold in a single night. Such prowess is always remembered by us younger generations. Speaking like this, you're praising me too highly."

Yun Zaitian only gave a dry laugh and exchanged a few modest words.

Then Yan Chihuo added, "Zhou Fang, go and bring Xiao Tao here."

As soon as the words fell, a young man of twenty-seven or twenty-eight, who looked as if nothing in the world could bother him, replied, "Yes!"

Du Ming's heart tightened, and he said, "Xiao Tao was redeemed last month and has already left Cloud Sun City."

But Zhou Fang acted as if he hadn't heard and walked straight toward the back rooms. Moments later, he brought out a woman in pink clothing. She had a pretty face and appeared to be only sixteen or seventeen, but her body was covered in bloodstains, clearly showing she had been subjected to harsh torture.

Du Ming's face showed surprise. This woman was indeed Xiao Tao.

Yan Chihuo said, "This young lady Xiao Tao hasn't said a word, but I'll let everyone watch a good show." With that, he reached out and tore at her clothes. With a ripping sound, a piece of her chest was torn away, revealing a red bellyband and snow-white skin.