Chapter 82: Delivering a Message

A powerful aura radiated from Crane Among the Clouds, enveloping the entire room. Linghu Chong’s face changed dramatically; he felt an overwhelming pressure bearing down on him, as if a mountain were crushing his chest, making even breathing a struggle.

He was, after all, the most accomplished martial artist among the younger generation of Mount Hua. Even though this oppressive force was not directed at him specifically, it left him utterly disheveled—how much worse must it be for Lin Pingzhi, whose skills were far inferior? Lin Pingzhi seemed to be suffocating, his face flushed red, and he would surely die if this continued.

Linghu Chong stared at Crane Among the Clouds in terror, astonished at his newfound strength, which rivaled even the master’s. Remembering his previous confrontation with Crane Among the Clouds, Linghu Chong realized that had the master not intervened, he would already be dead.

Just as this thought crossed his mind, an equally formidable aura emanated from Master Yue Buqun. At his intervention, the pressure from Crane Among the Clouds vanished like mist. Linghu Chong gasped for breath, his face reflecting the relief of surviving a calamity.

Lin Pingzhi fared even worse, collapsing to the floor like a heap of mud, gulping air and coughing violently.

“Crane Among the Clouds, you are going too far!” Yue Buqun’s eyes blazed with fury as he reprimanded him sharply.

“Is Master Yue seeking to test his skills against mine?” Crane Among the Clouds’ gaze grew steely. “I welcome it—I’ve always wanted to learn more about your school’s Purple Mist Divine Art.”

“Crane Among the Clouds, you know very well that a forced union bears no fruit. She is, after all, my daughter!”

Crane Among the Clouds was well aware that a forced union was unwise, but it quenched his thirst nonetheless.

Moreover, his ambitions extended not only to Yue Lingshan but also to her mother, Ning Zhongze.

His thoughts turned, and he changed his tone. “Master Yue, you jest. As the saying goes, parental command and the matchmaker’s word!”

“Besides, feelings can be cultivated. I assure you: if Miss Yue is unwilling, I will never force her to do anything she dislikes.”

At these words, Linghu Chong could no longer remain silent. If this continued, his master might be swayed by Crane Among the Clouds, pushing Little Sister into the fire pit—ending any hope for himself and her.

“Master!” he called out anxiously.

As soon as he spoke, Linghu Chong felt a sharp gaze lock onto him. Instantly, his skin prickled; another word, and it seemed he would perish without a trace.

Yue Buqun noticed the murderous intent Crane Among the Clouds directed at Linghu Chong and quickly rebuked him, “Enough! This is not your place to speak!”

He had raised Linghu Chong from childhood, treating him as his own son; he could not stand by and watch him come to harm.

Linghu Chong understood his master’s intentions, but with Little Sister involved, he could not give up so easily.

“Master!” Linghu Chong called again.

“That’s enough! Say no more. Get out!” Yue Buqun struck Linghu Chong with his palm, sending him flying out the door, crashing heavily to the ground.

The disciples waiting outside rushed to help him to his feet.

“Senior Brother, are you all right?” asked his junior, Lu Hou’er.

Linghu Chong got up, ignoring the blood at his lips, and knelt abruptly. “I know my mistake, Master. Please quell your anger.”

Under the puzzled gazes of the disciples, he kowtowed three times loudly, then rose and left.

The disciples were bewildered and wanted to follow him for answers, but were stopped by Mistress Ning Zhongze.

“Don’t chase after him. Let Chong calm himself.”

“Yes, Mistress,” they replied in unison.

Second Senior Brother Lao Denuo, however, glanced at the room where Crane Among the Clouds remained, then at Linghu Chong’s retreating figure, deep in thought.

Ning Zhongze sighed, her gaze filled with worry as she looked toward the room. She feared that Yue Buqun’s actions would lead Mount Hua down a path of ruin.

Inside, Yue Buqun’s anger had vanished. Only by acting thus could he ensure Linghu Chong’s survival. If Crane Among the Clouds were to become enraged, Linghu Chong would surely die.

“Master Yue, your affection for your disciple is touching,” Crane Among the Clouds sneered.

Yue Buqun ignored the mockery, replying bluntly, “Let it be as you say. But if I discover you mistreat Shan’er in the slightest, don’t blame me for turning ruthless.”

Crane Among the Clouds, whose face had been gloomy, now broke into a smile.

“Thank you, Father-in-law, for your approval.”

Had Yue Buqun shown even a hint of hesitation, Crane Among the Clouds would have struck, capturing Mount Hua with Xie Xun’s help.

In that case, Mount Hua would fall completely under his control.

Now that things had reached this point, his hopes for any future with Yue Lingshan and Ning Zhongze were gone.

This was not the outcome Crane Among the Clouds had hoped for, but at least matters had not deteriorated completely.

“Then, please keep your disciples in line, Father-in-law. If anyone dares approach my future wife, don’t blame me for being merciless.”

He spoke with a smile, but the words chilled the heart.

Yue Buqun recognized this as a final warning, answering with a cold snort, “That is not your concern.”

“Better worry about how to help Mount Hua become the leader of the Seven Schools Alliance.”

“That, too, is none of your business!”

With that, Crane Among the Clouds rose and departed.

Lin Pingzhi, who had been cowering in the corner, quickly followed Crane Among the Clouds, fleeing as if escaping disaster.

When everyone had left, Yue Buqun could no longer contain his rage and slammed his palm onto the table.

Bang!

The table splintered into pieces.

“Crane Among the Clouds, once I ascend as Alliance Leader, annihilate the Demon Sect, and obtain the Sunflower Manual from the Invincible East, your death will surely follow!”

Meanwhile, Crane Among the Clouds had noticed Lin Pingzhi trailing behind and asked casually, “After joining Mount Hua, it seems your days haven’t been easy.”

Lin Pingzhi was unsure of his meaning, and since his life was in Crane Among the Clouds' hands, he answered cautiously, “Aside from the strictness during martial arts instruction, I’ve not suffered any real hardship.”

Crane Among the Clouds inwardly scorned Yue Buqun’s hypocrisy—he clearly wanted to kill Lin Pingzhi for the Sword Manual, yet outwardly maintained the guise of a strict teacher, leaving no room for criticism.

But the mask worn too long will eventually slip.

After a short distance, Crane Among the Clouds halted, took a bottle from his sleeve, and tossed it to Lin Pingzhi.

“You’ve done well. This is the Leopard Fetus Meridian Pill.”

Lin Pingzhi gratefully accepted it; after the last dose, his skills had soared, and his martial arts progress was swift.

“I have another task for you—pass a message to Lao Denuo for me,” Crane Among the Clouds instructed.