Chapter 3: A Battle of Life and Death

As these words fell, the wind gradually stilled, the leaves ceased to sway, and the atmosphere became stifling, filling the heart with dread.

“I am Qiu Chuji, a humble Taoist. I am willing to learn from Granny Sun’s esteemed skills.”

Crane in the Clouds' eyes narrowed slightly—Qiu Chuji intended to handle matters personally.

“Granny...?” he called out with concern.

Granny Sun waved him off, her gaze fixed intently on Qiu Chuji.

Though his martial arts surpassed hers, if he thought he could simply snatch Crane in the Clouds from under her nose, he was sorely mistaken.

With this thought, before Crane in the Clouds could react, she moved, and the two were instantly locked in combat.

It wasn’t until the clash of sword and staff rang out, the sound of metal upon metal echoing, that Crane in the Clouds realized what was happening and hurriedly focused his attention on the duel.

Qiu Chuji was, without doubt, the most accomplished martial artist among his peers. In just a few exchanges, Granny Sun’s footwork had already become disordered as she attempted to parry his blows.

If this continued, her defeat was only a matter of time.

Before this thought had finished, Qiu Chuji gave a soft shout, seized upon an opening, and struck Granny Sun’s shoulder with his palm.

Her face turned ashen from the blow, and she staggered back several steps.

Barely propping herself up with her staff, she managed not to collapse, but once steady, a surge of blood and energy churned within her chest, and she could not suppress a mouthful of blood from spilling forth.

Her already pale complexion turned almost translucent.

Crane in the Clouds, face stricken with worry, rushed forward. “Granny, are you alright? Are you hurt?”

With a trembling hand, Granny Sun wiped the blood from her mouth. “Don’t fret, boy. This old woman’s not finished yet.”

She looked toward Qiu Chuji. “Old Taoist, let us have another round!”

Without waiting for a reply, she raised her staff and swung it at Qiu Chuji.

As a man of the cloth, Qiu Chuji was bound by compassion. Seeing Granny Sun so grievously wounded, he could not bring himself to take advantage of her weakened state. Thus, he only defended, refusing to attack.

Relief washed over Crane in the Clouds; it was clear Qiu Chuji would not be able to take him away today.

He felt a measure of luck—thank heavens it was Qiu Chuji who came today, not Sun Bu’er.

Sun Bu’er was as resolute as her name implied, her words as unyielding as iron. Had it been her, he and Granny Sun would both have perished here today.

As this thought faded, a flash of white light darted before his eyes, sending a chill through his heart. Whipping his head around, he saw that Zhao Zhijing, that scoundrel, had somehow crept up beside him, sword poised to pierce his side.

Damn it!

Zhao Zhijing, you rotten coward!

A sneak attack!

Crane in the Clouds tried to dodge, but his injured leg hindered him. With death looming, he had no choice but to cry out, “Granny, save me!”

At that moment, Granny Sun was still entangled with Qiu Chuji. Hearing his desperate cry, her heart lurched. She looked back and her face contorted with alarm.

She immediately abandoned her contest with Qiu Chuji and leapt toward Crane in the Clouds.

Zhao Zhijing, sensing his chance, quickened his sword.

Crane in the Clouds watched the blade draw ever nearer to his throat. Granny Sun was too far away to intervene; even if she wished to save him, she could not.

Despair overwhelmed him.

This time, he was truly doomed.

But in that moment, a gentle gust struck his chest, sending him tumbling out of harm’s way.

Before he could comprehend what had happened, Qiu Chuji’s stern cry rang out: “No!”

With a thud, Crane in the Clouds crashed to the ground just as a flash of white streaked by.

With a sickening sound, he watched the sword pierce through Granny Sun’s body.

Blood dripped steadily from her wound.

This scene shook Crane in the Clouds to his very core.

In all his lives, past and present, he had never witnessed death unfold so intimately before him.

Granny Sun had first saved him out of duty, but now she had taken a blade for him of her own accord.

It was clear she truly cherished him as family.

“Granny!” he screamed, voice raw with anguish, the tears that had welled in his eyes finally bursting forth in a flood.

Zhao Zhijing’s expression remained unchanged, though murderous intent flickered in his gaze. “Granny Sun pleaded for you out of kindness, and yet you repay her by making her take a sword for you, you lecherous wretch! You’re no better than a beast, unworthy of life. I’ll kill you now and avenge her!”

Crane in the Clouds lifted his head slowly, his face impassive, betraying no emotion. Yet anyone could sense the storm raging beneath that calm exterior.

“Zhao Zhijing, shall we make a wager?”

“I bet you still won’t be able to kill me!”

Zhao Zhijing sneered. “Then you’re doomed to lose!”

He swung his sword, a white arc slashing toward Crane in the Clouds’ head.

Just as Zhao Zhijing was about to strike, a white silk ribbon shot from the tomb’s entrance at lightning speed.

“Zhijing, beware!” Qiu Chuji warned.

Zhao Zhijing looked up just as the ribbon shattered his sword into fragments and sent him flying with a surge of immense force.

As the broken pieces of sword clattered to the ground, Crane in the Clouds felt his heart settle. He turned to the entrance and shouted, “Miss Long, you must avenge Granny Sun!”

At that, a figure in white appeared at the tomb’s threshold.

She was a woman of peerless beauty, her air cold and distant, skin as pale as snow, glowing in the moonlight with ethereal radiance.

Her presence, her bearing, her figure—all put the starlets of the entertainment world to shame.

“Granny, do you have any last wishes?” Xiao Longnu knelt gently before Granny Sun and asked in a cool, soft voice.

Granny Sun turned with great effort, her gaze settling on Crane in the Clouds’ tear-streaked face. With breath weak as gossamer, she pleaded, “Child, I hope you will care for this boy all his life.”

Crane in the Clouds, seeing Granny Sun thinking only of him in her final moments, was overwhelmed with gratitude—and a murderous hatred for Zhao Zhijing flared up within him.

Xiao Longnu saw the earnest plea in Granny Sun’s eyes and could not refuse. “Granny, I promise you.”

A hint of relief softened Granny Sun’s features. Summoning her last strength, she took Crane in the Clouds’ and Xiao Longnu’s hands and placed them together.

With a smile, she departed this world.

“Granny!” Crane in the Clouds clung to her lifeless body, overcome with grief.

Xiao Longnu’s face remained composed, betraying little sorrow. She rose and gazed at Qiu Chuji. “A life for a life. Will you take your own, or must I do it for you?”

Her voice was cold, her expression tranquil, as though discussing something trivial.

Qiu Chuji looked at the departed Granny Sun, shame clouding his face. “We never wished to harm her. If you would give us the antidote, I promise Crane in the Clouds will not be troubled again.”

“If you will not, then do as you must.”

With that, Xiao Longnu summoned her inner strength. A white ribbon shot from her sleeve, striking straight for Qiu Chuji’s face.

“Miss Long, I truly do not wish to fight you,” Qiu Chuji protested, though his hands moved without hesitation.

The two exchanged several swift blows. In Xiao Longnu’s hands, the white ribbon danced like a living thing, wrapping Qiu Chuji until he resembled a trussed zongzi.

A tearing sound rang out.

Crane in the Clouds looked over.

Qiu Chuji summoned his formidable strength, energy bursting forth to shatter his bonds in an instant. The ribbon was torn to shreds, fluttering to the ground like so many scraps of silk.

Clearly, Xiao Longnu was not Qiu Chuji’s equal; it was time to disengage.

Crane in the Clouds’ mind raced, his gaze landing on Zhao Zhijing.

Hadn’t he always wanted to kill him?

He would give him that chance.

“Miss Long, stop!”

Xiao Longnu, hearing his voice, halted her attack, though she did not turn.

Qiu Chuji, seeing Xiao Longnu cease, breathed a sigh of relief. He truly wished to avoid further bloodshed.

“All this began because of me. Let’s settle it like this: three days from now, Zhao Zhijing and I will duel.”

“The outcome will decide not only victory or defeat, but life and death.”

“After that, all past grievances will be wiped clean.”

He turned to Zhao Zhijing, a cold, murderous glint in his eyes. “Well, Taoist Zhao, do you accept?”