Chapter 101: The Sunflower Manual

As soon as those words were spoken, the corners of Crane in the Clouds’ mouth twitched slightly, his gaze shifting toward Eastern White, his expression exceedingly exaggerated.

“You’re actually a woman???”

His eyes swept her from head to toe, disbelief etched across his face.

Eastern White rolled her eyes at Crane in the Clouds’ theatrical display.

Could he act any more fake?

Ren Woxing remained silent, quietly observing Crane in the Clouds, knowing full well that the latter was merely seizing the opportunity to admire Eastern White’s appearance.

When the moment seemed right, he finally spoke, “Your Excellency need not be surprised; I only discovered this upon close observation today.”

Crane in the Clouds turned to Ren Woxing, a trace of satisfaction flickering in his eyes.

This old fellow knows how to play along, cooperating with my performance.

“I see now!” Crane in the Clouds exclaimed, his face alight with sudden understanding as he looked at Eastern White in amazement. “Your disguise is truly impeccable; I never could have guessed.”

Ren Woxing smiled warmly on the surface but cursed inwardly, “You sly fox!”

Eastern White’s eyes flashed with anger as she stared at Crane in the Clouds.

Ignoring the matter at hand, they were deliberately teasing her, weren’t they?

Seeing Eastern White was about to lose her temper, Crane in the Clouds dared not linger on the topic, lest he invite trouble.

He cleared his throat and returned to business.

“I understand your request—it is simply to return to the Ming Sect.”

Ren Woxing’s body tensed, his eyes fixed intently on Crane in the Clouds, not daring to breathe.

Seeing this, Crane in the Clouds felt a chill run through him.

If Ren Woxing was not satisfied with the matter, he might tear off the mask right then and there, escalating the conflict to a do-or-die scenario.

That thought hovered on his lips but remained unsaid.

Ren Woxing noticed Crane in the Clouds’ hesitation; his smile gradually faded as a powerful aura began to emanate from him, faint yet imposing.

Eastern White had already sensed this, her delicate figure tensing, leaning forward slightly like a predator poised to strike its prey.

The atmosphere in the room once again grew tense and charged.

Just as the two auras reached their peak, ready to explode, Crane in the Clouds let out a light laugh.

The opposing forces melted away like spring snow beneath the warm sun, as if nothing had happened.

“This matter is on me. However, Grandmaster Ren, what benefits can you offer us both?”

Crane in the Clouds looked at Ren Woxing and proposed his terms.

This time, Ren Woxing fell silent.

Though Crane in the Clouds’ martial skills were not quite on his level, the gap was not vast, especially since Crane in the Clouds was protected by the Northern Darkness Divine Skill.

He felt a certain wariness.

If no agreement could be reached, Crane in the Clouds’ earlier words would prove true.

With his skill and Eastern White by his side, leaving Blackwood Cliff would be unstoppable.

Ren Woxing dared not ponder too long, fearing Crane in the Clouds might exploit the opportunity to upset the arrangements.

Any rash move now could shatter the entire game, no matter how brilliant the strategy.

“Your Excellency is highly skilled and knowledgeable; I truly cannot think of what I might offer,” Ren Woxing began, lavishing Crane in the Clouds with flattery, nearly elevating him to the highest pedestal.

Crane in the Clouds felt a surge of pleasure but quickly regained composure.

Sweet words were pleasant, but a concealed dagger lay within.

Seeing Crane in the Clouds calm, Ren Woxing felt a twinge of disappointment but admired his strong will.

He had thought highly of Crane in the Clouds, yet still underestimated him.

Eastern White, sharp as ever, immediately saw where the problem lay.

Yet she did not warn Crane in the Clouds; though they were allies, she wished for a deadly conflict between him and Ren Woxing.

She intended to reap the benefits of their strife.

Crane in the Clouds was no fool; his calm revealed he too had grasped the issue.

So, you cunning old fox—though you need me, you dare to play tricks?

“Grandmaster Ren, there’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world. If you keep dodging, our cooperation cannot continue!”

Ren Woxing knew he couldn’t deceive Crane in the Clouds but still clung to hope.

Now, with Crane in the Clouds’ words, his last illusion vanished.

“If this matter succeeds, I am willing to offer the sect’s treasured martial manual, the Sunflower Manual!”

At these words, Crane in the Clouds’ eyes brightened.

After all the circumnavigation, the old fellow finally touched upon the critical point.

Feigning doubt, he asked Ren Woxing, “Since it is the sect’s treasure, I presume you have cultivated it yourself?”

No sooner had he spoken than Ren Woxing’s gaze turned astonished, his voice trembling, “Your Excellency, how do you know that is a martial arts manual?”

This secret was only known to the successive grandmasters of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect.

The Sunflower Manual was profoundly arcane; each grandmaster had devoted great effort to studying it, yet to no avail.

Ren Woxing himself had once attempted cultivation, but ultimately failed.

He then switched to practicing the Absorbing Star Technique.

How had Crane in the Clouds come by such a secretive matter within the sect?

A twitch in Crane in the Clouds’ eyelid betrayed that he had inadvertently revealed too much.

Yet he did not panic. “I am adept at divination; few things in this world can escape me.”

Ren Woxing gave him a look that clearly said, Do you expect me to believe that?

Crane in the Clouds was rendered speechless.

Still, he was not without proof; all previous preparations finally bore fruit.

At that moment, Eastern White, who had remained silent, spoke up to vouch for Crane in the Clouds.

“It’s true. He informed me of my younger sister’s whereabouts.”

Now it was Ren Woxing’s turn to be shocked.

Eastern White had spent years searching for someone’s whereabouts, conducting it in utmost secrecy, yet he was aware of some details.

He had once considered finding the person before her, using it to threaten her.

But years passed with no success.

“No wonder such a proud person chose to stand by Crane in the Clouds’ side.”

A question that had long puzzled Ren Woxing finally found its answer.

Then his gaze fixed on Crane in the Clouds.

“So, Your Excellency’s purpose tonight is to infiltrate Blackwood Cliff and steal the Sunflower Manual.”

Crane in the Clouds nodded; he couldn’t very well say he had come for Eastern White herself.

If he did, Eastern White would have confronted him on the spot.

With both sides reaching an accord, a smile crept across Ren Woxing’s stern face.

One could imagine how delighted he was.

Years of yearning were about to be fulfilled.

At that moment, Crane in the Clouds poured cold water on the occasion.

“Grandmaster Ren, don’t rejoice just yet; we have not finished negotiating the terms.”

At these words, Ren Woxing’s smile froze, his tiger-like eyes brimming with murderous intent as he stared at Crane in the Clouds.

A fierce aura filled the room, as if a peerless beast was slowly awakening from slumber.

“Crane in the Clouds, what do you mean by that?”

The already heavy atmosphere solidified completely at his words.