Chapter 42: Yue Lingshan

“To be perfectly honest, I have long admired your daughter, and today I have come to ask for her hand in marriage!”

At these words, the entire hall erupted in uproar.

Who in the martial world did not know that Crane Among the Clouds was a lecher without equal? Who could have imagined that this notorious scoundrel, with a lustful heart as bold as the heavens, would set his sights on Ling Shan, and even dare to propose marriage right before her own father?

There is not a father alive who would give his daughter to such a wretch.

Seeing Yue Buqun’s face darken ominously, Crane Among the Clouds did not retreat but pressed on, saying, “I came in haste this time and didn’t have time to prepare betrothal gifts. I ask Father-in-law to grant this son-in-law a few days’ grace. Then, I will send the formal matchmakers and marry her properly.”

Remarkable.

Once again, the crowd was dumbfounded.

Before anyone else could speak, this Crane Among the Clouds was already calling himself family.

At these words, Yue Buqun’s face turned from pale to purple, veins bulging furiously on his forearm, his grip on the Bluepeak Sword trembling ever so slightly.

At this moment, he looked every inch the long-dormant volcano, suddenly stirred to life and ready to erupt at any second.

At a certain moment, Yue Buqun fixed Crane Among the Clouds with a murderous stare and, gritting his teeth, thundered, “Crane Among the Clouds, you shameless lecher! I, Yue, have spent my life ridding the world of evil, and today I will kill you, sparing the martial world your blight!”

Crane Among the Clouds impatiently dug at his ear. He had heard this at least a hundred times—his ears were nearly calloused. If these people were truly capable, the grass atop his grave would have grown three yards high by now.

Clang!

A sword rang out as the three-foot blade was drawn.

Dust swirled up from the ground.

A single move—“The Phoenix’s Arrival”—was unleashed.

In a flash of cold light, Crane Among the Clouds suddenly realized the sword was upon him, his expression shifting instantly.

His flustered state fell squarely into Yue Buqun’s eyes, and a trace of a smile played at his lips.

It seemed the recent rumors were exaggerated; this was just a probing attack and Crane Among the Clouds was already hard-pressed to defend.

Just as the sword was about to slit Crane Among the Clouds’ throat, at the critical moment, he let out a strange cry, his foot slipping so that he lost his balance.

Whether by luck or fate, he inadvertently dodged Yue Buqun’s thrust.

Missing his mark, Yue Buqun was taken aback.

By rights, with the swordsmanship of Crane Among the Clouds, it should have been impossible to evade at such close range.

Yet he had, awkward though his posture was.

Yue Buqun was no fool; he swiftly composed himself, his wrist flicking as the sword spun and thrust toward Crane Among the Clouds’ waist.

Having barely dodged the first strike, Crane Among the Clouds was pounding his chest in terror when the sword came for him again.

Left with no choice, Crane Among the Clouds gathered his strength in his legs, leapt into the air, landed atop Yue Buqun’s sword, and with a rolling somersault, evaded the next attack.

“Father-in-law, even if you wish to test your son-in-law’s martial skills, there’s no need to be so hasty—we’ll have plenty of opportunities in the future.”

Landing lightly, Crane Among the Clouds turned, his eyes full of helplessness as he looked at Yue Buqun.

Yue Buqun’s face was still dark as he silently sheathed his Gentleman’s Sword.

If the first evasion was mere luck, the second was clearly intentional.

This was enough to prove that Crane Among the Clouds’ martial arts were far from as poor as they seemed, perhaps even on par with his own.

If they truly fought, both might end up wounded.

Not knowing Crane Among the Clouds’ true intentions, Yue Buqun chose to bide his time.

“Now, may we properly discuss my marriage to your daughter?” Crane Among the Clouds asked with a smile.

Yue Buqun took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his fury. His eyes shone coldly as he asked in a low voice, “What is it you really want?”

Crane Among the Clouds stroked his chin in thought. “I’m just wondering whether it would be better to marry Ling Shan at fifteen or at eighteen,” he said, turning to Yue Buqun. “What do you think, Father-in-law?”

Yue Buqun did not reply. Beneath the platform, murmurs began to rise.

“Does Crane Among the Clouds really not fear death?”

“Can’t you see? If Yue Buqun could truly kill him, Crane Among the Clouds would already be dead.”

“Suddenly stopping means only one thing: Yue Buqun can’t do anything against him.”

“It’s widely said that Crane Among the Clouds solved the Zhenlong Chess Puzzle, gained an extraordinary opportunity, and his martial arts have soared. Seems it’s true.”

Every word of the crowd’s discussion reached Yue Buqun’s ears, deepening the furrow in his brow.

At that moment, Crane Among the Clouds suddenly leaned in and whispered just loudly enough for Yue Buqun to hear, “If you agree to give me your daughter’s hand, I will help you lead Huashan’s Qi Sect to glory, take command of the Five Mountains Sword Alliance, become the leader of the martial world, and unite the rivers and lakes for generations!”

Yue Buqun stared in astonishment, then sneered, “You? And why should I believe you?”

Crane Among the Clouds was not offended and replied obliquely, “Didn’t you take Lin Pingzhi as your disciple just for his family’s Evil-Resisting Sword Manual?”

At this, Yue Buqun’s expression changed dramatically, staring at Crane Among the Clouds in disbelief.

How did he know about Lin Pingzhi’s apprenticeship?

After a moment of silence, Yue Buqun slowly spoke, “You arranged for Lin Pingzhi to join Huashan.”

Crane Among the Clouds shook his head with a smile. “I’m not so powerful. But the Evil-Resisting Sword Manual is indeed in my hands.”

At these words, Yue Buqun’s murderous intent flared. Just as he was about to strike, Crane Among the Clouds moved faster, reaching out to pat his shoulder.

The instant he touched Yue Buqun, a torrent of inner energy surged from Crane Among the Clouds, like a tiger descending from the mountain, charging into Yue Buqun’s body.

Yue Buqun snorted coldly. Did this fool truly think he could compete with him in inner force?

He unleashed his Purple Mist Divine Skill, his own energy coursing through his meridians.

The two forces collided, sending a wave of invisible shock outward.

The ground where they stood collapsed inward, cracks spider-webbing rapidly in all directions.

Yue Buqun glanced at Crane Among the Clouds, horror in his eyes—as soon as his own energy entered the man’s body, it vanished without a trace, as if cast into the sea.

No matter how he circulated his power, he could not move Crane Among the Clouds’ hand an inch.

Just as he reeled at the fathomless depth of Crane Among the Clouds’ inner strength, the latter smiled and said, “No need to answer now. Consider it carefully and give me a clear reply.”

With that, his energy snapped back like lightning, and he brushed the dust from Yue Buqun’s shoulder.

Having done all this, Crane Among the Clouds strode from the inn, with Violet following close behind.

Huashan.

In a study, Yue Buqun sat behind a desk, his fingers tapping absently on the chair’s back.

At a certain moment, the tightly closed door was pushed open from outside, and a graceful figure darted in like a nimble sparrow.

The sudden sound broke Yue Buqun’s thoughts; following the voice, he saw a young woman in light green robes, her laughter as clear as silver bells, standing before him.

“Father,” Ling Shan called sweetly.