Chapter 2: Granny Sun

Zhao Zhijing saw that Crane in the Clouds had been frightened to the point of delirium, his mouth constantly spewing incoherent words, and felt even more pleased. His sword swept horizontally, about to sever Crane in the Clouds’ vile root.

At that critical moment, several silver needles shot through the air, striking the sword with a ringing clash like metal upon jade. The force contained in the needles deflected Zhao Zhijing’s sword three inches to the left, stabbing into the root of Crane in the Clouds’ thigh.

Crane in the Clouds’ eyes widened in agony as a wave of excruciating pain crashed over him.

Zhao Zhijing, if I don’t grind your bones to dust, I’m not worthy of the name Yun! As that thought flashed through his mind, darkness consumed his consciousness, and he lost all awareness.

“Who is skulking in the shadows, launching a sneak attack?” Zhao Zhijing gripped his sword tightly, scanning the surroundings with vigilance. “Show yourself to this poor Taoist at once!”

His deep voice, laced with inner energy, reverberated through the forest, shaking leaves from the trees and sending startled birds fleeing in all directions.

Yet as the echo faded, no one appeared. Zhao Zhijing’s expression darkened as he strode in the direction from which the needles had come.

He had only just moved when a cacophony of buzzing assaulted his ears, as if thunder had exploded nearby. Whipping around, he saw a swarm of delicate jade bees with slender proboscises racing toward him, so dense their numbers made his scalp tingle with dread.

He swung his sword wildly in an attempt to drive them off, but their numbers were overwhelming; all he could do was shield his face from their stings.

The jade bees carried venom, and wherever they stung, the skin swelled red and itched unbearably, tormenting him with pain.

Cursing under his breath, Zhao Zhijing dared not linger. He leapt into the air and disappeared into the distance.

…

Slowly, the darkness faded.

Crane in the Clouds struggled to open his eyes and, by the faint candlelight, took in his surroundings. The stone chamber was sparsely furnished: the bed he lay upon, a table and chair, and nothing more.

So I have the protagonist’s luck after all.

A burst of laughter escaped him just as he heard movement at the doorway. The stone door swung open, and a figure stepped inside.

Startled, Crane in the Clouds quickly shut his eyes, turning his thoughts to guessing the visitor’s identity.

“Since you’re awake, why pretend to sleep?” came an aged voice.

Crane in the Clouds opened his eyes, propped himself up, and forced a sheepish smile toward the figure before him.

The old woman leaned on a staff, her hair silvery white, her face deeply lined and rather homely.

“Thank you for saving my life, honored elder. I am deeply grateful,” Crane in the Clouds said with a bow.

“Enough with the formalities,” she replied, rapping her staff sharply against the stone floor. “My surname is Sun. You may call me Granny Sun.”

Crane in the Clouds’ eyes widened at her words.

So it was Granny Sun who intervened and brought me to the Ancient Tomb.

But why would Granny Sun save me?

Recalling the system’s earlier notification of increased favor with the Ancient Tomb Sect, Crane in the Clouds understood.

So favorability has such effects. I wonder what would happen if it reached the maximum?

“Young man, tell me, why was the Quanzhen Sect hunting you?”

Now gravely injured and uncertain of his next steps, Crane in the Clouds considered seeking refuge with the Ancient Tomb Sect. There would be beauty to accompany him, martial arts to master, and the opportunity to exact revenge on Zhao Zhijing. Why not pursue two goals at once?

Having made up his mind, he pinched hard at his wound while Granny Sun wasn’t watching, sending a wave of pain crashing over him. He gritted his teeth to avoid crying out.

Raising his head, his eyes brimming with tears, he began to pour out his troubles in a wretched voice:

“I am Crane in the Clouds. My father died before I was born, and my mother passed away from illness when I was seven. Since then, I wandered the martial world to survive, sometimes forced into wrongdoing. Recently, I heard Quanzhen Sect was recruiting disciples. I wanted to study and find a place to settle down. But Zhao Zhijing is narrow-minded, calling me immoral. Ashamed, I didn’t argue, but he verbally pressed me, even insulting my ancestors. I lost my temper and retorted, which enraged him. He drew his sword to kill me—and that wasn’t enough! Before killing me, he planned to castrate me to vent his spite.”

All the while, Crane in the Clouds watched Granny Sun’s face for any change in expression.

Her gaze softened, filling with compassion.

Seeing this, Crane in the Clouds pressed his advantage, ignoring the pain in his leg as he knelt before her.

“Granny Sun, you saved my life. I have nowhere left to go. Please, let me stay by your side and serve you, as repayment!”

“Good child, good child, get up quickly,” Granny Sun urged, helping him to his feet.

A troubled look crossed her face. “It’s not that I’m unwilling to keep you, but…”

Crane in the Clouds, hearing this, showed a look of regret. “I was too presumptuous. I shouldn’t have made things difficult for you. When I recover, I’ll leave on my own.”

Before Granny Sun could reply, a commanding voice, resonant with powerful inner strength, penetrated the stone walls as if spoken right beside his ear.

“I am Qiu Chuji of the Quanzhen Sect, seeking Miss Long. I ask that you grant us the antidote for the jade bee venom and hand over the lecher Crane in the Clouds.”

Crane in the Clouds’ face changed. He hadn’t expected the Quanzhen Sect to arrive so quickly.

Granny Sun smiled at him, patting him on the shoulder. “Rest here, boy. I’ll go see what they want.”

A surge of warmth filled Crane in the Clouds’ heart. “No, the Quanzhen Sect is here for me. A true man takes responsibility for his actions!”

Granny Sun nodded approvingly. “If you’re determined, I’ll go with you.”

“Don’t worry. As long as I’m here—” She rapped her staff on the ground, her stance as firm as her words. “Those old Taoists from Quanzhen won’t lay a finger on you.”

Supporting the injured Crane in the Clouds, Granny Sun led him to the entrance of the ancient tomb. As the stone door slowly rose, two figures came into view.

The leader was an elderly man in Taoist robes, holding a horsetail whisk.

Moonlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on their faces, allowing Crane in the Clouds to see the man’s features clearly. His hair and beard were snowy white, yet his face showed no signs of age—his skin was smooth and supple, nearly glowing in the moonlight.

“Lecher, you were lucky to escape last time. This time you won’t be so fortunate. Surrender now!” Zhao Zhijing’s furious shout shattered the silence of the night.

Crane in the Clouds glanced over. Zhao Zhijing’s eyes blazed with venomous hatred. If looks could kill, he would have died a thousand deaths.

“Granny…” Crane in the Clouds half-hid himself behind Granny Sun and called softly.

Before Granny Sun could react, the elder barked, “Zhijing, enough! Stand down!”

He stepped forward, forming a seal with his left hand as he bowed to Granny Sun. “I am Qiu Chuji. Please, Granny Sun, grant us the antidote.”

Granny Sun produced a small porcelain bottle from her robes and looked at Qiu Chuji. “Agree to my condition, and the antidote is yours.”

Qiu Chuji glanced at Crane in the Clouds, then clasped his hands. “Pray, state your terms, Granny Sun.”

“I want your Quanzhen Sect to never trouble Crane in the Clouds again.”

At these words, Qiu Chuji refused sternly. “That is impossible!”

Seeing Qiu Chuji’s unyielding stance, Crane in the Clouds felt a chill run down his spine. To have the famed Qiu Chuji fixated on him day and night was no small danger.

As these thoughts raced through his mind, Granny Sun let out a soft laugh. “If you think you can snatch him from me, let’s see how much skill Wang Chongyang’s disciples truly possess!”