Chapter 80: A Shift in Attitude

Cloud Crane’s words sent shockwaves rippling through the crowd.

Everyone present wore expressions of shock, their eyes flitting between Yue Buqun and Cloud Crane. None had expected such a transaction to exist between the two. Nor did they anticipate that, in his pursuit to become the leader of the Seven Great Martial Sects, Yue Buqun would pay such a steep price—willingly offering his own daughter to a notorious lecher like Cloud Crane.

Yue Buqun’s face was livid; his hand gripping the sword trembled uncontrollably. To outsiders, any words he spoke now would merely seem like feeble excuses. If he were to lash out at Cloud Crane, it would appear as nothing more than a desperate attempt to silence him after his plans had been exposed.

He found himself at an impasse, unsure what to do.

Beside him, Ning Zhongze was furious as well, eager to act, but Yue Buqun blocked her. She glanced at her senior brother—Yue Buqun—wondering if they would really let Cloud Crane slander them so brazenly.

Cloud Crane, smiling, looked at Ning Zhongze and offered a courteous bow. “Your son-in-law greets you, respected mother-in-law.”

As he lifted his head, his gaze swept upward, sizing her up. One had to admit, Ning Zhongze possessed an alluring charm—her every movement exuded a mature and refined grace.

“Bah!”

Ning Zhongze, spirited by nature, caught the strange look in Cloud Crane’s eyes and spat at him in disgust, her beautiful eyes flashing with anger.

Yue Buqun was nearly beside himself with rage. This shameless scoundrel—Cloud Crane—not only toyed with his daughter, but now dared harbor lecherous thoughts toward his wife. Did he think Yue Buqun was invisible?

Just as Yue Buqun resolved to strike Cloud Crane regardless of the consequences, the latter suddenly leaned close and whispered in his ear, “Master Yue, what is more important: uniting the martial world and glorifying Mount Hua, or your personal reputation? Think carefully before you answer.”

Yue Buqun’s face betrayed his inner turmoil. He had dreamed for years of uniting the martial realm, fulfilling his master’s last wish, and elevating Mount Hua to its apex.

His thoughts raced, and he made his choice.

His gaze turned cold as he looked at Cloud Crane, gritting his teeth. “You’d better keep your word, or I’ll make you pay dearly!”

Cloud Crane seemed entirely unfazed by the threat. “I have already shown my sincerity.”

He glanced toward Lin Pingzhi, who stood silently in the corner. “Once we obtain the Evil-Expelling Sword Manual and master its techniques, if anyone dares to gossip, we’ll simply kill them.”

Yue Buqun followed Cloud Crane’s gaze and nodded slowly.

Lin Pingzhi sensed he was being watched. He looked up to see Cloud Crane and his master, Yue Buqun, staring at him, and instinctively lowered his head, avoiding their eyes.

After a moment, Cloud Crane turned back to Yue Buqun. “This is no place for conversation. Let us move elsewhere.”

Yue Buqun’s expression darkened at these words—now he realized this was not the place for talk, but what had he been thinking earlier? Upon reflection, he understood that Cloud Crane was trying to bind him to this scheme.

He did not yet know Cloud Crane’s true aims, but as long as he could use him to dominate the martial world, it was enough.

“Please,” Yue Buqun said. Cloud Crane walked ahead, and Yue Buqun followed.

Ning Zhongze, ever perceptive, noticed her husband’s change in demeanor and grew suspicious. Had the two reached some kind of agreement? But how could that be possible? After so many years as husband and wife, she knew her senior brother’s temperament well. He despised evil and always acted swiftly against the wicked—what was happening today?

Yue Buqun’s acting was truly superb; even his long-time companion had not glimpsed his true nature. Ning Zhongze’s confusion deepened, especially regarding Cloud Crane. Lately, rumors about him had circulated in the martial world, and she had heard them as well. They said he was close to Hong Qigong and Ye Kai, the successor of Little Li Flying Dagger. Hong Qigong, in particular, was a venerable figure, and even passed on the legendary Dragon-Subduing Palm to Cloud Crane. Was it possible that all the rumors about Cloud Crane were false?

And when did her senior brother promise to marry Yue Ling Shan to Cloud Crane? She had never heard of it.

Her doubts grew, but given the current situation, she could not press for answers. She resolved to ask her husband later in private.

With that thought, she watched as her senior brother led Cloud Crane and another man—who had been following Cloud Crane—toward the quarters assigned to Mount Hua Sect.

Shock flickered across Ning Zhongze’s face. Had her senior brother lost his mind? To do this in front of the other sect leaders—now even the Yellow River couldn’t wash away the stain.

Without time to think further, Ning Zhongze hurried forward, catching up to Yue Buqun and signaling him repeatedly.

After years together, Yue Buqun understood what his wife wanted to say. He shook his head slightly, indicating she should not act impulsively and assuring her he would explain everything later.

Trusting her husband, Ning Zhongze refrained from further questioning.

When the disciples of Mount Hua saw Cloud Crane appear, their faces twisted with disgust.

The eldest disciple, Linghu Chong, stepped forward and shouted angrily, “You lecherous scoundrel, how dare you!”

Cloud Crane sized up Linghu Chong’s attire, recognizing him immediately, and offered a playful smile. “He is your master, and my father-in-law—he invited me here.”

Linghu Chong’s brow furrowed tightly, his gaze toward Cloud Crane flickering with murderous intent.

“Scoundrel, cease your nonsense!”

Before he could act, a voice rang out, thick with anger.

Cloud Crane followed the sound and saw a delicate figure in green, her beautiful face flushed with rage. Her chest heaved with emotion, making for a striking sight.

Linghu Chong noticed the peculiar way Cloud Crane looked at his junior sister and lost control of his emotions, attacking in fury.

As the protagonist, Linghu Chong had his own sense of dignity—his strike was swift as the wind, his sword aura fierce.

To Cloud Crane, this scene was hardly worth his attention. He stood unmoving, making no effort to defend.

Linghu Chong, seeing this, assumed Cloud Crane had been frightened senseless and forgot to resist.

He believed this strike would end Cloud Crane’s life, bringing glory to Mount Hua, pleasing his master and mistress, and ensuring his junior sister would be promised to him.

With this thought, the distance between them closed in a blink.

Just as the sword tip was about to pierce Cloud Crane, a tremendous force deflected Linghu Chong’s blade aside.

Linghu Chong, caught completely off guard, was struck by the force and sent tumbling to the side.

Once he recovered and tried to attack Cloud Crane again, Yue Buqun’s stern voice rang out.

“Chong’er, stand down! Do not act disrespectfully!”

Hearing his master’s command, Linghu Chong looked at Cloud Crane with unwilling rage, but could not disobey and grudgingly lowered his sword.

Turning, he saw Yue Buqun and his mistress enter the temporary quarters arranged by the Songshan Sect.

Yue Buqun rebuked Linghu Chong. Now that Cloud Crane possessed formidable martial arts, even Yue Buqun himself could not guarantee victory against him.

Moreover, he did not want to antagonize Cloud Crane and risk undermining their cooperation.

But Linghu Chong cared little for these concerns and immediately questioned his master.