Chapter 100: A Change in Attitude

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A ruthless glint flashed in Crane Amid Clouds’ eyes. If Ren Woxing insisted on persisting in this entanglement, then even at the cost of severe injury, he would make the other pay a bloody price. Just as this thought crossed his mind, the scene before him suddenly blurred. Looking closely, Ren Woxing had suddenly appeared before the two of them.

White East’s delicate face grew serious, her body tense. If Ren Woxing showed any intention to strike, she would act immediately. Crane Amid Clouds looked at Ren Woxing, a boundless ferocity erupting deep in his gaze.

The three exchanged their auras, pulling and countering each other. The atmosphere thickened with tension. Finally, it was Ren Woxing who broke the silence.

However, before he could speak, Crane Amid Clouds interrupted him directly. “If you still intend to say that you’ll only spare us if I hand over the Northern Darkness Divine Skill, I advise you to save your breath.” “With White East and me united, you have no hope of leaving.”

Ren Woxing smiled: “You misunderstand. I only want to clarify one matter.” A faint, somewhat friendly smile curved his lips.

Seeing this, Crane Amid Clouds grew wary. What scheme was this old fox plotting now? His mind raced, but his expression remained calm. “Ask whatever you wish, but I may not answer.”

At these words, White East’s body tensed to the extreme. Anyone daring to speak to Ren Woxing in such a manner had but one path: death. Yet what neither White East nor Crane Amid Clouds expected was that Ren Woxing’s expression did not change; instead, his tone grew somewhat uneasy.

“I wonder which of the four great protectors of the Ming Cult you serve under?” Upon hearing this, White East widened her eyes and glanced at Crane Amid Clouds. When did he get involved with the Ming Cult?

Crane Amid Clouds understood instantly. No wonder Ren Woxing’s attitude had changed so drastically — it was because Xie Xun had shown him the secret mechanism map of the Sun Moon Divine Cult, mistakenly identifying him as a member of the Ming Cult.

Had he known the Ming Cult’s name was so useful, he would have revealed it long ago. No need to make things so complicated now.

“Whether I am or not, your answer is already clear in your heart. Why ask me?” Crane Amid Clouds said this casually, hands clasped behind his back, feigning ignorance.

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Ren Woxing was naturally suspicious. If Crane Amid Clouds admitted it outright, it would only raise suspicion. The more ambiguous the answer, the more Ren Woxing’s certainty grew.

Sure enough, after hearing Crane Amid Clouds’ reply, the killing intent on Ren Woxing’s body began to ebb. He looked at Crane Amid Clouds, clasped his fists, and said, “I did not know Your Excellency’s rank before. Please forgive my earlier offenses.”

Hearing this, Crane Amid Clouds felt considerably gratified. Beside him, White East was thunderstruck, unable to believe what she had just heard.

In her impression, Ren Woxing had always been aloof and imperious. Since when had he ever spoken in such a tone? Could it be that Ren Woxing had some leverage over Crane Amid Clouds?

No. If there was leverage, Crane Amid Clouds would have revealed it long ago. Why wait until now?

Wait a moment! Ming Cult? There had long been rumors in the martial world that the Sun Moon Divine Cult was a branch of the Ming Cult, though the truth was always uncertain.

Judging by Ren Woxing’s shifting attitude toward Crane Amid Clouds, the rumor was true.

No wonder Ren Woxing had been expanding the Sun Moon Divine Cult for years. It was not merely to dominate the martial world and carve out a grand empire, but rather to use this as a means to reclaim the Ming Cult.

At that moment, disciples of the Sun Moon Divine Cult caught up, surrounding White East and Crane Amid Clouds in a tight circle.

White East swept her gaze sharply, her expression grave. Now they were truly trapped, unable to escape even if they spread their wings.

She had just learned news of her younger sister but had no chance to meet her. She could not die yet, nor did she wish to.

Just as she was about to break through and escape, Crane Amid Clouds stopped her.

He glanced at White East, pulled her behind him, and as they brushed past, a faint voice whispered into her ear: “Do not act rashly. Leave everything to me.”

The man’s warm breath brushed against White East’s delicate earlobe, and instantly, a blush tinted her fair cheeks.

White East no longer resisted but her internal energy still flowed steadily, prepared to move at a moment’s notice.

Years of experience in the martial world had taught her that to survive, one could only rely on oneself. Entrusting one’s life to others was the height of folly.

The intimate closeness between the two caught Ren Woxing’s eyes, and a chill flashed deep within them.

Unexpectedly, Crane Amid Clouds was such a lecherous scoundrel, indiscriminate in his desires, indulging in both men and women.

As this thought flickered through his mind, a disciple of the Sun Moon Divine Cult, unable to stand it any longer, shouted angrily: “At the brink of death, and these two grown men are still snuggling like lovers — utterly disgusting!”

“Let me escort you to hell, where you can continue your little tryst.”

Saying this, he swung a heavy broadsword toward Crane Amid Clouds’ head.

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Watching Crane Amid Clouds about to be struck down by his blade, the man’s smile widened uncontrollably.

If he killed Crane Amid Clouds and the deputy leader White East, he would surely earn the leader’s favor, and wealth and honor would be within easy reach.

Many held such ambitions.

But a few had already seen through the situation and quietly slipped to the back of the crowd.

No matter how the situation unfolded, preserving their own lives was paramount.

Facing the descending broadsword, Crane Amid Clouds showed no fear and did not raise a hand to block, allowing the blade to fall.

At the instant the broadsword was about to strike his head, a giant hand suddenly appeared out of thin air before him.

Bang!

The broadsword struck like it had hit forged iron.

The man’s face darkened with rage; seeing his chance for glory slip away was unbearable for anyone.

He needed to see who had ruined his plan.

Looking up, his eyes widened in disbelief.

At that moment, Crane Amid Clouds’ voice rang out, chilling him to the bone:

“Leader Ren, is this how you manage your subordinates?”

Crane Amid Clouds’ calm laughter was like deadly poison.

“Lea—” The man barely uttered a word before Ren Woxing grabbed his throat and slammed him to the ground, lifeless.

He would die without ever understanding what he had done wrong.

“Your Excellency, please forgive the disturbance. This is hardly the place for conversation. Let us move elsewhere.”

These words caused a stir throughout the crowd, more shocking than Ren Woxing’s public execution.

Who exactly was Crane Amid Clouds? Why had the leader’s attitude toward him shifted so dramatically?

Amid many speculations, Ren Woxing led Crane Amid Clouds and White East away, swiftly disappearing from sight.

In a room fragrant with sandalwood, Crane Amid Clouds sat in the seat of honor. Ren Woxing’s gaze turned to White East beside him.

“I never expected that after all these years in my Sun Moon Divine Cult, I had not realized you were a woman!”