Chapter 31: The Dragon Vein of the Great Qing

Su Xinghe’s gaze fell upon Ding Chunqiu, and an uncontrollable surge of hatred welled up in his eyes.

“You traitor, who murdered your own master!”

Ding Chunqiu, catching sight of Su Xinghe’s murderous glare—wishing nothing more than to tear him to pieces—could not help but tremble.

In the next instant, Su Xinghe sprang to his feet, darting toward Ding Chunqiu with alarming speed, so swift that it left others unable to react.

Crane in the Clouds, too, was startled by this scene, never expecting Su Xinghe would, before the watching crowd, seek to purge his master’s house and avenge Wuya Zi.

Regaining his wits, he seized Ding Chunqiu by the scruff like a chick, lifting him easily, and with a light tap of his toes, retreated swiftly.

Su Xinghe, striking in fury, unleashed a forceful blast of inner energy so tangible that explosions erupted wherever it passed, stirring clouds of white smoke.

Crane in the Clouds halted and stared at the scene, secretly amazed. Had he not reacted in time, old Ding’s head would have ended up like a smashed melon.

Ding Chunqiu, eyes full of terror, clung desperately to Crane in the Clouds, refusing to let go. Though he could not fathom why Crane in the Clouds both intended to hand him to Su Xinghe and yet prevented the latter from killing him, one thing was clear: his life was now in Crane in the Clouds’ hands.

“Are you alright, Brother Yun?” Azi hurried forward, but seeing Crane in the Clouds shake his head, she turned her gaze to Su Xinghe, a flash of coldness in her eyes. “Old man, you must have a death wish!”

“Azi, mind your manners. Apologize to the elder at once,” Crane in the Clouds sternly rebuked, stopping her impulsiveness.

Hearing her beloved speak, Azi’s fierce expression quickly faded, and she nodded obediently, though to expect her to apologize was utterly impossible.

Su Xinghe ignored Azi’s reproach, turning instead to Crane in the Clouds, and asked, “Why stop me from purging this traitor from my master’s house?”

Crane in the Clouds clasped his hands in salute. “There is no hurry in this matter. Let me first unravel the Zhenlong Chess Game. Once I have seen Elder Wuya Zi, Ding Chunqiu will be left to your disposal.”

Hearing this, Su Xinghe revealed a trace of surprise in his eyes. Before he could respond, angry voices erupted all around.

“Crane in the Clouds, you lecherous villain, have you grown weary of life? How dare you meddle here—today I shall rid the martial world of your scourge!”

“Wretch, mark my words: a year from now will be the anniversary of your death!”

“Prepare to meet your end!”

The crowd’s wrathful outcry filled the air. Murong Fu cast a sidelong glance at Crane in the Clouds, his eyes flickering with calculation.

If he could eliminate this great menace from the martial world, the Murong family’s prestige would soar, and when the time came to raise his banner, the restoration of Great Yan might truly be within reach.

But standing before the crowd, who clamored to kill him in the name of justice, Crane in the Clouds showed no fear. Instead, he smiled faintly. “So many of you wish to kill me, but I have only one life. Perhaps you should discuss among yourselves who will claim it.”

At this, a ripple of agitation swept through the crowd. To rid the martial world of this evil was a golden opportunity for fame and fortune—no one would willingly let it pass. The glances exchanged grew wary and hostile.

At that moment, Murong Fu stepped forward and declared in a clear voice, “Let none fall prey to this villain’s schemes!”

Thus reminded, the crowd snapped to their senses, and hostile glares once again focused on Crane in the Clouds.

What a cunning scoundrel—he had nearly tricked them into letting him escape.

Seeing his ruse exposed, Crane in the Clouds’ expression did not change. He turned his gaze upon Murong Fu and smiled. “To die by the hand of Brother Murong would be my honor.”

“Such a menace to our world—he deserves death at the hands of all!” Murong Fu drew his sword with a metallic ring, pointing it at Crane in the Clouds.

“I possess only modest skills, hardly a match for Southern Murong,” Crane in the Clouds protested, waving his hands as if in fright.

His fearful demeanor gave Murong Fu a sense of satisfaction. “Since you know your limits, surrender now and spare yourself needless suffering.”

“That would be a mistake,” Crane in the Clouds replied, slowly shaking his head.

“What do you propose?” Murong Fu was in no hurry to strike; he was supremely confident that Crane in the Clouds could not escape his grasp.

Stroking his chin, Crane in the Clouds glanced at the Zhenlong Chess Game carved on the stone wall. “Shall we make a wager?”

“I’m listening.”

“If I cannot solve this chess game, I will submit to your disposal.”

His gaze then drifted to Wang Yuyan behind Murong Fu, and his lips curled into a sly smile. “But should I succeed, I would ask for a night of passion with Lady Wang.”

At these words, Azi’s face darkened with rage. How dare Crane in the Clouds flirt so openly with another woman in her presence?

Just wait—I’ll see to it that little hussy’s face is ruined.

Duanyu, seeing Crane in the Clouds dare to flirt with his goddess, was about to lunge at him in fury, but the guards hurriedly restrained him, intent on bringing their young lord home without further incident.

The onlookers now watched Murong Fu with keen interest.

As a well-bred lady, Wang Yuyan had never been so brazenly teased before, and for a moment, she was at a loss, casting a pitiful glance at Murong Fu and calling out plaintively, “Cousin…”

Murong Fu’s face was dark as thunder, and a murderous glint appeared in his eyes as he looked at Crane in the Clouds.

“You’re courting death!” he barked.

Crane in the Clouds only smiled, lips sealed, throat vibrating slightly as he sent a strange syllable drifting into Murong Fu’s ear.

“Whether you win or lose this wager, I will reveal to you the whereabouts of the Qing Dynasty’s imperial veins. With that treasure, you could restore Great Yan!”

Murong Fu’s pupils shrank to pinpoints. Not only had Crane in the Clouds used a secret transmission of sound—requiring profound inner strength—but his words carried far greater weight.

“How do I know you speak the truth?” Murong Fu replied in the same secret manner.

Crane in the Clouds’ smile grew wider; he had judged correctly—Murong Fu was indeed tempted.

All his life, Murong Fu had sought only the restoration of Great Yan. If there was the slightest chance, he would pursue it.

“I hold the Eightfold Sutra of Forty-Two Chapters,” Crane in the Clouds added.

Murong Fu stood there, eyes lowered in deep thought, weighing the credibility of Crane in the Clouds’ claim.

His own reputation mattered little; the restoration of Great Yan was paramount. As long as there was even a sliver of hope, he could not let it go.

After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Murong Fu finally made his decision.

“Let it be as you say. I am eager to see what you are truly capable of!”

At these words, an uproar swept through the crowd as all eyes turned to Murong Fu in utter disbelief, doubting their own ears.