Chapter 102: A New Mission

“What do I mean?” Yun Zhonghe showed no fear of the terrifying aura radiating from Ren Woxing.
“Exchanging a mere copy of the Sunflower Manual for a chance to return to the Ming Cult? That’s not how this deal works.”
With those words, the cynicism on Yun Zhonghe’s face slowly faded.
An aura as powerful as Ren Woxing’s surged from Yun Zhonghe.
The two auras clashed silently, leaving devastation in their wake.
Before long, no part of the room remained intact except for the chairs beneath the three men.
Even a master like Dongfang Bai strained to circulate his inner energy fully just to resist the overwhelming pressure from these two forces.
Now, the two men locked their energies on each other; any slight flaw would decide the victor.
Yun Zhonghe’s expression grew grave as immense pressure caused his bones to creak and crack.
His internal energy surged to its peak.
Fortunately, he had absorbed some of Ren Woxing’s energy earlier; if Ren insisted on prolonging the struggle, defeat was assuredly his.
Ren Woxing, sensing his own predicament, grew increasingly sullen.
Frustration boiled within him.
Having repeatedly been outmatched by Yun Zhonghe in their encounters, he vowed silently, “Just wait; when the time comes, I will tear you apart and relieve the rage within my heart!”
“Speak. What other conditions do you have?”
Gritting his teeth, Ren Woxing forced the words out.
As his voice fell, his imposing aura vanished abruptly, and he slumped into his chair, seeming to age a decade in an instant.
A victorious smile crept onto Yun Zhonghe’s face as he breathed a sigh of relief.
Thankfully.
If he had truly fought Ren Woxing to the end, both would have been severely wounded.
Then Dongfang Bai could reap the benefits.
He guessed Ren Woxing had considered this as well, which was why he chose to yield.
Regardless of the process, he was the one who ultimately smiled last.
“My condition is simple: you only need to cooperate with me to stage a play before the Seven Sects.” Yun Zhonghe said with a smile.
Ren Woxing was stunned by such a simple request, momentarily lost for words.
He had already prepared to marry Ren Yingying to Yun Zhonghe when he agreed to his terms.
Such a dramatic reversal caused even the usually composed Ren Woxing to momentarily lose focus.

Regaining his senses, fearful Yun Zhonghe might retract, Ren Woxing immediately agreed, “No problem. You say what to do, and I will fully cooperate without question.”
Yun Zhonghe glanced at Ren Woxing, fully aware of his thoughts.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to.
It simply wasn’t the right time.
Raising such a matter now would not help him build a good image before Dongfang Bai.
Dongfang Bai’s impression of him was already poor.
Causing a scene now would only worsen his chances.
Fine.
He admitted that Ren Yingying was still too young; he couldn’t bring himself to cross that line—it would be too beastly.
With that thought, Yun Zhonghe shook his head, dispelling those dark ideas.
He whispered a few instructions into Ren Woxing’s ear.
After hearing them, Ren Woxing’s expression twisted as if he had swallowed a fly.
But since the words were out, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and fulfill Yun Zhonghe’s condition.
“Help me complete this, and I guarantee the Sun Moon Holy Cult will return under the banner of the Ming Cult.”
Fearing Ren Woxing might falter and jeopardize his grand plan, Yun Zhonghe quickly dangled this carrot.
“Remember your own words.”
Having said this, Ren Woxing turned and left the room.
After he had gone, a voice echoed again, “I ask that both of you descend the mountain quickly. No fourth party must learn of today’s events.”
Dongfang Bai watched Ren Woxing’s departing figure and stepped forward. “It seems Ren Woxing truly desires to return to the Ming Cult, agreeing even to such harsh terms.”
Yun Zhonghe was about to speak, but Dongfang Bai’s cold gaze shifted to him.
“However, I suspect that was never your original goal.”
“Your real aim has always been Ren Yingying; you just dare not admit it in my presence.”
Yun Zhonghe’s heart trembled violently.
A woman’s sixth sense was indeed terrifying—she had hit the nail on the head.
“Yun Zhonghe, you truly are a beast, not sparing even such a young child.”
Yun Zhonghe rubbed his nose awkwardly. “Even if I deny it, you’d just accuse me of making excuses and lacking courage to face my actions.”
“You’ve said enough. Is there any need for me to explain further?”
He inhaled deeply, suppressing the sorrow on his face.
“I know the rumors say I’ve plucked countless flowers and am an unforgivable lecher; I have never denied those.”
He paused, then suddenly looked up at Dongfang Bai.
“But I am no longer the man I once was. Do you understand?”
His face was serious, yet inside he shouted wildly:
“When the day comes you fall in love with me, I’ll show you what it means to torment your husband with fleeting pleasure, and what a fiery end chasing him brings.”
Seeing Yun Zhonghe’s act, reason told Dongfang Bai not to trust a man’s empty words.
Yet her feelings stirred a trace of sympathy for him.
“Save your tricks. Others might be fooled, but I am no ordinary woman—I won’t believe a single word you say.”
“Others mock me as mad; I laugh because they cannot see through it!”
With that, Yun Zhonghe ceased his wrangling and turned to leave.
After a night’s passage, everything was unfolding according to plan, methodically and smoothly.
The tightly wound nerves suddenly relaxed, and exhaustion surged like a tide.
Yun Zhonghe needed to return quickly to rest.
Then he could lead the Seven Sects in an assault on Blackwood Cliff.
Since Dongfang Bai had allied with Yun Zhonghe, she naturally followed him back to the Seven Sects.
At that moment, the system’s notification sounded.
[Ding, congratulations host, task complete. The Sunflower Manual has been delivered. Please check carefully.]
[Ding, congratulations host, you have learned the Sunflower Manual.]
The instant the message fell, Yun Zhonghe felt his internal power surge dramatically by a whole level.
Now, facing Ren Woxing, he could easily crush him within fifty moves.
Dongfang Bai, keenly aware of the change, noticed the dangerous aura around Yun Zhonghe grow even more intense.
She widened her eyes.
By her estimation, Yun Zhonghe’s martial prowess now far exceeded Ren Woxing’s.
What puzzled her was why Yun Zhonghe had concealed his true strength all along.
Could it be, as he said, that the staged act with Ren Woxing was to mask other intentions and avoid suspicion?
Unable to understand, Dongfang Bai resolved not to dwell on it. After all, when the year’s term ended, she would find a way to leave.
Yun Zhonghe paid no heed to Dongfang Bai; his thoughts were on the next system task released after completing this one.
He wondered what reward awaited him this time.