Chapter 77: The Crusade Against the Sun and Moon Divine Sect

“This is Black Jade Bone Renewal Ointment. It works wonders for Yu the Third Hero’s injuries!” Crane Among the Clouds handed the ointment, freshly taken from his system’s space, to Zhang Cuishan.

Zhang Cuishan was overjoyed at these words and hurriedly accepted it.

Black Jade Bone Renewal was famed for its miraculous power to restore flesh and revive the nearly dead—a peerless and legendary medicine.

With this treasure, Brother Yu’s wounds would surely heal, and he would not have to spend the rest of his life confined to a bed.

“Brother Yun, such immense kindness and virtue—I, Cuishan, will remember always. If ever you need my help in the future, I will go through fire and water without hesitation!”

With these words, he bowed deeply to Crane Among the Clouds, a gesture that came from the very depths of his heart, free of any pretense.

This time, Crane Among the Clouds did not object, receiving Zhang Cuishan’s bow with calm acceptance.

Whatever his motives had been, saving Yu Daiyan was an undeniable fact.

Off to the side, Xie Xun witnessed this scene, his gaze toward Crane Among the Clouds filled with astonishment.

He had never expected that Crane Among the Clouds could produce such an extraordinary medicine.

This only further convinced him that Crane Among the Clouds could help him kill Cheng Kun and avenge his family’s death.

Ye Kai, meanwhile, nodded with quiet satisfaction. He had not misjudged Crane Among the Clouds’ character after all—rumors in the martial world were all false!

After paying his respects, Zhang Cuishan carefully put away the Black Jade Bone Renewal Ointment, then turned to Crane Among the Clouds and bid him farewell, hands clasped. “When I return to Wudang, I shall report the full account to my master. Should you ever visit Wudang, Brother Yun, I will welcome you with the utmost hospitality!”

“You are too kind,” Crane Among the Clouds replied with a cupped-fist salute.

As Zhang Sanfeng’s most esteemed disciple, Zhang Cuishan carried significant weight in his words—had he lived longer, he would no doubt have become Wudang’s next leader.

This was also why Crane Among the Clouds had always been unwilling to make an enemy of Zhang Cuishan.

After a few more polite exchanges, Zhang Cuishan turned and departed.

As Zhang Cuishan’s figure faded into the distance, the smile on Crane Among the Clouds’ face gradually disappeared. Maintaining that smile for so long had begun to make his cheeks stiff.

Judging by the current situation, there was no longer any possibility between Zhang Cuishan and Yin Susu.

Still, he could not afford to be careless; caution was best.

As these thoughts raced through his mind, suddenly a hand fell on his shoulder.

Snap!

Crane Among the Clouds’ body tensed instantly, true energy surging within him, ready to strike.

But he quickly sensed no hostility from the newcomer and slowly relaxed.

All this occurred in a flash, unnoticed by anyone.

When Crane Among the Clouds turned, his expression was as calm as ever.

“I hadn’t thought you’d save Wudang’s Yu Daiyan on your way to the Martial Arts Gathering,” Ye Kai remarked with admiration, then suddenly shifted the topic. “But why didn’t you say so from the start? If you had, none of this would have happened.”

“It was just a coincidence. Must I announce every good deed I do to the whole world?”

At this, Crane Among the Clouds’ lips curved into a slight smile. “Besides, even if I had told them, who would have believed me?”

Ye Kai nodded in agreement and asked no more.

“The excitement’s over. I should take my leave as well.”

As soon as his words fell, his figure vanished without a trace.

Now, the vast square was left with only Crane Among the Clouds, Xie Xun, and the corpses strewn about.

After a long silence, Crane Among the Clouds turned to Xie Xun, breaking the quiet. “Cheng Kun has taken monastic vows, becoming a disciple under the eminent monk Kongjian of Shaolin. His Buddhist name is Yuanzhen.”

At these words, Xie Xun was jolted to realization.

No wonder he had searched the martial world for years without finding any trace of Cheng Kun. It was as if the man had vanished from the earth—he had been hiding in Shaolin all along!

“Cheng Kun, let’s see where you can run this time!”

With that, Xie Xun made to set out for Shaolin Temple to kill Cheng Kun and avenge his family.

He had barely taken a few steps when a stern voice called from behind, “Stop!”

Xie Xun’s stride halted abruptly, his foot hovering in midair.

Crane Among the Clouds’ voice continued, “If you recklessly charge into Shaolin, you’ll not only fail to avenge your family but will also lose your own life for nothing.”

“Even if you survive, you’ll have alerted Cheng Kun and let him escape. In the vast martial world, how easy is it to find one man’s trail?”

At these words, Xie Xun’s bloodshot eyes flickered with turmoil.

After a long inner struggle, reason overcame hatred. He withdrew his step and turned to face Crane Among the Clouds.

Under Xie Xun’s beast-like gaze, Crane Among the Clouds felt a cold chill run down his spine.

The two stared at each other for a long while. Just as Crane Among the Clouds thought Xie Xun might attack, the murderous aura around Xie Xun receded like a swiftly ebbing tide.

To Crane Among the Clouds’ slight surprise, Xie Xun dropped to one knee and spoke with reverence, “I ask my master to devise a plan for me!”

After the initial surprise, Crane Among the Clouds quickly regained his composure. Looking at Xie Xun, he retorted, “If I help you take revenge, what can you offer me in return?”

Xie Xun raised his head, gazing up at Crane Among the Clouds, a thoughtful look in his eyes.

After a moment, he spoke slowly, “I can help you ascend to the position of leader of the Ming Cult!”

Crane Among the Clouds’ face remained calm, but inwardly he was overjoyed.

If he could become the leader of the Ming Cult, he would gain access to the secret passage within Bright Summit and master the Great Transference of the Universe technique.

At that time, he would see who in the martial world dared oppose him.

“Very well. I’ll handle your revenge, but don’t act on your own. I have no wish to clean up your corpse.”

“I understand!”

“One more thing—in front of others, we’ll refer to each other as brothers.”

Crane Among the Clouds helped Xie Xun to his feet and gave this special warning.

If those at Bright Summit learned that one of the Ming Cult’s Four Guardian Kings, the Golden Haired Lion King Xie Xun, had become his subordinate, it would surely invite trouble.

Xie Xun nodded slowly, then as if suddenly recalling something, spoke urgently, “Master, in three days the Seven Great Sects will gather at Mount Song to discuss how to deal with the Sun and Moon Cult. Cheng Kun will surely be there. Why not use the opportunity to kill him?”

Crane Among the Clouds stroked his chin, pondering. The distance to the Songshan Sect was not far—perhaps it was worth going to see the excitement, and to witness the legendary Invincible East.

Having made up his mind, he nodded slowly.

“In that case, you’ll come with me. If we really encounter Cheng Kun, you must restrain yourself and not act rashly. I have my own way to bring about his utter ruin!”

At this request, Xie Xun hesitated for the first time.

“What, you can’t do it?”

Crane Among the Clouds shot Xie Xun a sidelong glance.

His voice was calm as still water, but it sent a chill through Xie Xun’s heart. He quickly stifled any other thoughts. “I will obey!”

Only then did Crane Among the Clouds nod with satisfaction, tossing something to Xie Xun before strolling ahead.

Xie Xun caught it, puzzled, when Crane Among the Clouds’ voice drifted back.

“That golden hair of yours is far too conspicuous. Wear this human-skin mask—it’ll save a lot of trouble!”