Yue Yang spent half the day studying the Twin Masks.
He couldn’t find an answer.
There was a flash of insight, a fragment that came tantalizingly close to the truth, yet he could never quite seize it. He kept circling through that hazy fog, wracking his brain and coming up empty.
In the end he decided to go have a talk with His Majesty. From something Fourth Mother had let slip over dinner, it seemed His Majesty had recently been asking after the progress on that “war beast wrist device.” Which, looked at from another angle, proved that His Majesty — whom Yue Yang had graded as the brooding-repressed type — had forgiven him, at least a little.
Whatever you do, strike while the iron is hot. Young Yue Yang understood this principle very well.
Yue Yang threw himself into an unusually busy round of preparation, from the moment he set down his rice bowl right through to three o’clock in the morning.
In the dead of night, when all was still, young Yue Yang once again slipped stealthily into His Majesty’s bedchamber.
This time the attendant on duty saw it was him and was no longer surprised — though she still pretended not to notice, letting young Yue Yang slip inside as if she’d seen nothing at all. Yue Yang was quite considerate about it: he first fetched himself a stool, sat down before His Majesty’s bed, and waited with great patience, ten full minutes, without making a sound. Then, suddenly, a pillow flew out from behind the gauze curtains and smacked him in the face. “It’s you again, you rotten brat. Always sneaking over here in the middle of the night — I, I’m going to kill you!”
“Don’t be angry.” Young Yue Yang caught the pillow and hugged it to his chest, then held out the half-finished war beast wrist device in his hand. “Look — with Your Majesty’s inspiration, I’ve already completed half of it. And I’ve discovered that it’s truly peaceful here. When I’m with you, my thoughts come to me with special inspiration.”
“I’ll hang you over the pool in the black-water dungeon — it’s even more peaceful there, you’ll have even more inspiration!” His Majesty was practically breathing fire.
“All right, I misspoke last time, and I apologize. Honestly, I think you’re pretty great — you shouldn’t be classed as the brooding-repressed type, nor the sleazy type like Sea Fatty. You should be just like me: the dashing, debonair sort, the man who strolls through a thousand flowers and walks away without a single petal clinging to him. Otherwise, how could we get along so well? A kindred spirit — do you understand? When it comes to chasing women, the two of us can genuinely be called kindred spirits!” Young Yue Yang thumped his own chest, conveying that lofty mountains and flowing water make a soulmate hard to find — that gold is easy to come by but a true kindred spirit is rare, and so one shouldn’t quibble over such trifles.
“Say one more word and I’ll thrash you!” His Majesty was so furious his voice had gone distorted.
“We’re all men here. Some things, once they’re said, should just be let go — no need to take them too seriously. Besides, anger harms the liver, and a bad liver means bad kidneys, and if your kidneys are bad, what’s left in life to look forward to?” Yue Yang explained that a man ought to be a little more broad-minded.
“You…” His Majesty was left choking. Where on earth was he dragging this conversation now?
“Let’s study this war beast wrist device, then. It isn’t formally finished yet, but I trust you can already see what makes it special. I plan to build a space inside it, something like a storage ring — it doesn’t need to be big, just enough for a war beast to slumber in. That way it’ll be a bit like the Bronze Grimoire. Of course, this space can’t be upgraded — at least, not automatically. Once a warrior contracts a war beast suited to his own attributes, this becomes that beast’s home. The rune arrays and crystals on the outside are the summoning array and the energy to sustain it. Naturally that alone isn’t enough — what I’ve got here is just a small demonstration model, not yet a true finished product. I’m sure you understand — it’s not that I’m rushing the work, I’m just eager to come discuss it with you!”
“The summoning array and the crystals aren’t worth debating. What I think is hardest is this: how do you communicate with the warrior’s soul?” Seeing the boy talk actual business, His Majesty found it awkward to keep raging at him.
“That’s the most crucial link of all. I still have to talk it over with Wuhen, Wuxia, and Sister Yu — how to construct the ideal soul-sensing rune array on the war beast wrist device without harming the soul. I do have a rough draft in mind, but it isn’t fully worked out yet, so I didn’t dare bring it out. I was afraid you’d criticize it, you see — I’m really quite afraid of you!” Young Yue Yang put on a timid little-boy expression.
“You’ve got the nerve to chase anything in a skirt, and yet there are things you’re afraid of?” His Majesty couldn’t resist the jab.
“Most men are pretty much the same. Show them a beauty’s snow-white, tender body, and even Your Majesty would surely be moved!” Yue Yang laughed out loud. “The sages say that appetite and desire are simply human nature. My self-control is actually quite good, all things considered.”
“Boast away, keep boasting!” His Majesty truly couldn’t stand this attitude of Yue Yang’s. Did he dare be any more shameless?
“Boasting? No — I’ve always despised people who boast. I only ever speak the plain truth.” Yue Yang’s words nearly sent His Majesty toppling over headfirst.
“All right, all right… I know perfectly well what sort of person you are, there’s no need to keep advertising it. Let’s steer the topic back to the war beast wrist device!” Confronted with the boy’s shamelessness, His Majesty felt powerless. Then again, when it came to Yue Yang’s talent and ingenuity, His Majesty was sincerely impressed. Anyone else, and they truly could not have produced a war beast wrist device like this — even handed the exact same design, set on someone else’s desk, it could not be replicated. That was the one point on which His Majesty could not help but acknowledge Yue Yang.
“I’d like Your Majesty to do me two small favors.” Yue Yang finally revealed why he’d come.
“Let’s hear them!” His Majesty’s guard shot up.
If it turned out to be some sort of unequal treaty, he absolutely must not agree.
What sort of person was this boy?
He was more terrifying than a great old tiger. Once he learned the truth, he might well push his luck an inch at a time.
His Majesty resolved that if the boy raised any unreasonable condition, he would throw him out of the bedchamber at once and never permit him to return.
Yue Yang pondered for a while, which made His Majesty’s heart grow all the more uneasy. That was it — could the boy have grown suspicious? I should have driven him off after last time; I really am too soft-hearted.
Inwardly, he felt a small flutter of nerves.
Then he suddenly heard Yue Yang say, “The first thing I need help with concerns the war beast wrist device. If a warrior is to contract a war beast matching his own attributes more precisely — I’ve got some insights of my own, but I’m hoping everyone can compare notes. I need more data on war beasts and on warriors’ characteristics before I can build a testing instrument suited to all the different needs. As you know, this is absolutely critical: if the test gives a wrong result, then the warrior’s entire life will be affected.”
At this, His Majesty relaxed. “Fine — but I can’t say too much all at once. I’ll prepare over the next few days, write my insights down, and have someone bring them to you.”
Yue Yang was so delighted he flung the pillow aside and cheered, “Wonderful! I knew you’d agree.”
Seeing him as happy as a child, His Majesty couldn’t help being hugely amused on the inside.
This boy — if you set aside his lecherous side, he really was just a child at heart, so easily satisfied. No wonder she’d said he was actually very easy to coax; it really was true. His Majesty suppressed a smile and added one more line: “Not only my own insights — I can also have several of the Guardian War Gods take part in this and cooperate with you fully.”
Yue Yang mimed wiping away tears. “I’m so touched, my tears are about to fall. Sorry to trouble you — just wait a little longer!”
His Majesty was speechless.
“And the second condition?” Watching the boy clown around, His Majesty nearly laughed and, feigning solemnity, gave a small cough to signal that if he had something to say he’d better be quick — His Majesty needed his rest.
“Ah, it’s very simple. I’d like Your Majesty to tell me about the Eye of the Underworld — I want to know its origins and how it mutated in its later stages.” This was Yue Yang’s true objective.
“Why do you come to me for everything? I don’t know!” His Majesty was getting a little annoyed.
“I think you should know… it’s just that I can’t find anyone else to ask. The Night Empress isn’t here, and the Supreme — I wouldn’t dare bother her with such a trifle.” Before Yue Yang could finish, His Majesty flew into another rage. “You don’t dare bother the Supreme, so you think you can bother me instead? Am I especially easy to push around? I’m warning you — don’t provoke me, or I can deal with you just the same! For a matter like this, why don’t you go ask that Nangong, the one who’s practically read himself stupid?”
“But you’re right here, aren’t you — I couldn’t be bothered to go find Elder Nangong. Besides, you telling me here is only a matter of convenience.” Young Yue Yang wore a cheeky, grinning face, which gave His Majesty the sensation of punching into cotton. You can’t strike a smiling face; at times he thought there really was no dealing with this boy!
“What do you want the Eye of the Underworld for?” His Majesty was puzzled.
“It’s like this. I’ve discovered that the Eye of the Underworld fits my Twin Masks perfectly, yet it won’t set back into place, so I came to ask you. I figure that if I could fit it back in, maybe I’d find the secret to breaking the final layer of the seal — and if so, then perhaps my Twin Masks would evolve, or even be restored to a divine artifact.” For once, these words of Yue Yang’s were honest.
“As for the Eye of the Underworld, I know a little — but I just won’t tell you!” His Majesty decided the moment had come to punish the boy. Unless he begged and pleaded, he simply wouldn’t tell him — let him stew in his anxiety.
“Big brother, I’m begging you, all right?” For the sake of a divine artifact, young Yue Yang was indeed anxious.
“You’re calling me big brother?” His Majesty was utterly speechless.
“No, you misheard — I actually said Your Majesty. Let’s not fuss over titles at a time like this. If big brother won’t do, am I supposed to call you big sister?” Yue Yang blustered on nonsensically.
“You should have a better attitude when you’re begging someone.” His Majesty felt a touch smug inside. So you have a day of being caught in my hand too, boy. Beg me properly, or don’t dream of learning this secret. And even if you don’t beg today, once you go see Nangong and find he doesn’t know the whole truth, you’ll still have to come back.
“O most brilliant and mighty, handsome and dashing, valiant and battle-hardened, gallant and spirited, heroic and dauntless Majesty of Tianra above me — please tell ignorant little me the secret of this Eye of the Underworld!” Young Yue Yang laid the flattery on thick.
“Keep going, and don’t stop until I say stop.” His Majesty gave a soft snort.
“Your Majesty, you’re being tsundere!” Young Yue Yang, however, refused to cooperate.
“You — get out this instant…” His Majesty’s supremely good mood shattered in a heartbeat. He’d actually softened again and been on the verge of telling him the secret — who could have guessed this boy would be so infuriating? Would it kill him to let me enjoy the mood a moment longer?
“I was wrong, I was wrong.” Yue Yang cried out, and seeing how urgently he expressed his remorse, His Majesty decided to give him one chance and hear what he had to say. Young Yue Yang bowed at once, his manner quite respectful — only the words weren’t quite right: “I was wrong, I truly was wrong. Of all the things I should never have done, I should not have known perfectly well that Your Majesty loves being flattered and yet deliberately held back, leaving Your Majesty with no pleasure at all. That was my mistake, my failure — I was wrong, and I’ve resolved to reform… Your Majesty, I promise that this time I’ll make you feel incomparably good, wave after wave of pleasure…”
“You are absolutely courting death!” His Majesty exploded with rage, bursting out from behind the gauze curtains for the second time and launching a flying kick that blasted the bowing, hand-cupped, saluting young Yue Yang away like a shooting star. Wave after wave of pleasure? Can you possibly get any more detestable, boy? I haven’t even settled the score with you over that “brooding-repressed type” remark yet!
(End of Chapter 894)