Chapter 15: Winning Over Lin Pingzhi

“We can’t stay here any longer. We must leave at once.”
Cloud Crane steadied his breath, casually pointed out a direction, and Lin Pingzhi supported him as the two swiftly departed.

“This place should be safe now. Help me to rest under that tree.”

Lin Pingzhi nodded, carefully settling Cloud Crane beneath the tree. Seeing how weak the latter appeared, his face was full of worry.

“Brother Cloud, your injuries seem severe. Why not let me help you tend to them? Perhaps it might ease your pain.”

A glimmer flashed in Cloud Crane’s eyes. So, the fox’s tail finally shows itself, he thought.

On his face, however, he betrayed nothing, only replying weakly, “Then I’ll trouble you, Brother Pingzhi.”

A subtle, nearly imperceptible smile flickered at the corner of Lin Pingzhi’s mouth. He moved behind Cloud Crane and sat cross-legged. “You’re too polite, Brother Cloud. I’ve been wondering how I could ever repay you for saving my life—this is the least I can do.”

With that, his palms pressed against Cloud Crane’s back, channeling his inner energy smoothly into the other man’s body.

After a careful probe, he discovered that Cloud Crane was indeed suffering from internal injuries.

And they were severe!

“Cloud Crane, you should never have coveted the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual of my Lin family,” Lin Pingzhi said quietly.

“What are you doing?” Cloud Crane’s eyes flew open, panic unconcealed in his expression.

“Die!” Lin Pingzhi gathered all his strength into his palms and struck ruthlessly at Cloud Crane’s back.

A muffled thud resounded.

Cloud Crane, gravely wounded as he was, could never withstand such a blow at full force.

But before Lin Pingzhi’s victorious smile could fully unfurl, an overwhelming power surged from Cloud Crane’s body, a force like a collapsing mountain crashing down, violently throwing Lin Pingzhi aside.

His smile froze on his face.

After a long moment, clutching his chest in agony, he struggled to his feet, his gaze full of shock as he stared at Cloud Crane’s back.

“You… you weren’t…!” Before he could finish, blood surged painfully in his chest. A stabbing ache wracked his body, and he coughed up a mouthful of blood.

Cloud Crane slowly rose, turning to look at Lin Pingzhi on the ground with a faint smile. “I was indeed injured, but I exaggerated my condition. I didn’t think you’d fall for it so easily.”

Cloud Crane stepped forward, his gaze lingering with interest on Lin Pingzhi. “Tell me, what do you think I should do with you?”

Now, panic completely overtook Lin Pingzhi. He still had a blood feud for his parents yet to avenge; he couldn’t die here.

He looked up at Cloud Crane, his eyes wild with fear as he forced himself to remain calm.

“You can’t kill me. If you do, you’ll never obtain the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual!”

This was the only bargaining chip Lin Pingzhi had left to survive.

Cloud Crane raised an eyebrow, regarding Lin Pingzhi with playful curiosity.

He leaned in close, whispering into Lin Pingzhi’s ear, “The Evil-Repelling Sword Manual is hidden atop the main beam in the Lin ancestral shrine, embroidered onto a monk’s robe.”

Lin Pingzhi’s eyes widened, disbelief etched in his face. The hope in his eyes seemed to be snuffed out, little by little, with just a few words from Cloud Crane.

“Time to die!” Cloud Crane’s eyes turned sinister, inner energy gathering in his palm as he struck at Lin Pingzhi.

The wind from his palm howled, the scent of death overwhelming. Yet Lin Pingzhi’s mind grew only calmer.

Everything that had just happened flashed through his mind.

“Wait!”

Cloud Crane’s hand halted a hair’s breadth from Lin Pingzhi’s face as Lin Pingzhi suddenly understood something and cried out.

The wind stirred Lin Pingzhi’s hair, revealing his bloodless, handsome face. Cloud Crane withdrew his hand with indifference, smiling coldly. “Any last words?”

“You won’t kill me, because you still have use for me!” Lin Pingzhi stared straight at Cloud Crane, his voice steady and sure.

“Give me one reason not to kill you.” Cloud Crane’s gaze flickered, neither admitting nor denying.

His ambiguous attitude only deepened Lin Pingzhi’s conviction that his guess was correct.

“If you kill me, you’ll be the only one who knows the manual’s whereabouts. That will bring you endless trouble.”

“Go on,” Cloud Crane seemed unsatisfied with this answer.

Hearing this, Lin Pingzhi exhaled sharply, realizing that—for now—his life was spared.

“I don’t know exactly what you’re planning, but from the way you shifted all blame onto Huo Du, I’d wager you’re hoping to change the martial world’s opinion of you.”

Cloud Crane’s eyes narrowed, his voice lowering. “The people of the martial world are no fools. That move was too forced—they won’t believe it.”

Seeing the murderous look on Cloud Crane’s face, Lin Pingzhi actually smiled. “It doesn’t matter how many believe it. Even if just one person does, you’ve achieved your aim.”

“And to accomplish that, there will be many things you can’t do in the open yourself.”

As he spoke, Lin Pingzhi slowly rose, wiped the blood from his lips, and knelt before Cloud Crane with unwavering resolve. “I am willing to become your blade, to eliminate those you cannot strike at directly.”

Cloud Crane regarded the kneeling Lin Pingzhi with a deep, penetrating gaze, hands clasped behind his back, his tone mocking. “With your pitiful skills?”

“I am weak now, but once I master the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual, I am confident I can serve as your dagger,” Lin Pingzhi replied, his faith in his family’s sword manual absolute.

“As long as you spare my life, I, Lin Pingzhi, swear never to betray you.”

Cloud Crane glanced over his shoulder at the kneeling figure and gave a derisive snort, not taking his words to heart at all.

A man’s promises are but lies.

Still, Lin Pingzhi was right—he did need someone’s help at this moment.

Very well. Since you’re still of use, I’ll let you live for now.

With that thought, he summoned the system in his mind.

Earlier, when Cloud Crane had been gravely injured and unconscious, the rewards from his daily sign-ins had accumulated in his inventory. This morning, he’d glanced through them and thought they’d be of no immediate use, only to find a need for them sooner than expected.

Producing a small black porcelain bottle as if by magic, Cloud Crane tossed it to Lin Pingzhi.

“This is Panther Embryo Reconditioning Pill. Take it and it will strengthen your body.”

Lin Pingzhi did not believe Cloud Crane’s words, but with his life hanging by a thread, he had no choice but to feign gratitude.

“Thank you for your kindness, Master!”

He tipped the bottle and a vermilion pill rolled into his palm. Gritting his teeth, he closed his eyes and swallowed it.

Contrary to his fears, no pain followed. Instead, a pleasant warmth spread through his body, circulating with his blood, soothing and invigorating him.

He opened his eyes in astonishment, glancing at Cloud Crane—only to have a small green porcelain bottle tossed his way before he could speak.

“What is this?”