Chapter 67: A Series of Humiliating Slaps

Crane in the Clouds had no idea that his well-intentioned act had touched upon the interests of the martial artists present. As a thoroughgoing egoist, he had never wanted to perform such a charitable deed. Yet he was left with no choice.

Moments earlier, he had repeatedly failed to grasp the Blacksteel Token, stumbling at the most crucial moments, again and again. Once could be dismissed as coincidence. But twice, three times—such repeated failures made the truth clear: the Blacksteel Token was not destined to belong to Crane in the Clouds. Even if he seized it by force, after much circling and turning, it would ultimately end up in the hands of its true owner.

He had to admit the power of the protagonist's aura. Since some things were destined to remain unchanged, it was better to go along with the flow and do a favor. When that mongrel was down and out, he could lend a timely helping hand and form a bond of goodwill. If troubles arose in the future, he could send the mongrel out in front, while he remained safely behind the scenes, orchestrating everything.

After entrusting the mongrel to Xie the Smoker, Crane in the Clouds turned and swept his gaze over the crowd.

He saw the flicker of mockery in all their eyes. They couldn’t believe a beggar could amount to much, let alone become Xie the Smoker’s disciple. They were all waiting to see a joke—waiting for the day when Xie devoted all his efforts to teaching the mongrel martial arts, only to find that, no matter what, the latter could never learn.

That would truly be a laughingstock.

Crane in the Clouds read all their expressions, his eyes lowered, a trace of ridicule in his gaze. “A group of frogs in a well, unaware that there are always greater heights and stronger men beyond their little world.”

He was confident that Dog Brother’s martial aptitude, coupled with Xie the Smoker’s personal tutelage, would ensure Dog Brother’s boundless future. One day, he would slap the faces of everyone present.

“The matter is settled. Gentlemen, it’s time you all left,” Crane in the Clouds said with a smile.

The crowd exchanged glances, then gradually dispersed.

“Sister, it’s time for us to set out for the Snowy Mountain Sect to visit Yu’er,” Shi Qing said to Min Rou.

He was referring to their son, Shi Zhongyu.

At the mention of her son, Min Rou’s face softened with a mother’s gentle smile. “I wonder if Yu’er is eating well at Snowy Mountain Sect, whether he’s gained or lost weight.”

Her words brimmed with longing.

As they spoke, their figures grew distant.

Nearby, Crane in the Clouds listened to the siblings’ conversation, his eyes tracing over them and the mongrel in turn. Seeing the pair about to vanish from sight, he quickly used his lightness skill to catch up.

“Please wait, both of you.”

Shi Qing and Min Rou stopped at the sound, raising their swords defensively before the scrawny, bamboo-like figure blocking their path.

“Scoundrel, out of the way, or don’t blame me for being merciless!” Min Rou snapped, gripping her sword, its blade half-drawn, glinting coldly.

She looked at Crane in the Clouds with unbridled disgust, abhorring his vile reputation for corrupting innocent women.

Shi Qing’s face was equally grim, his hand tight on his sword hilt, ready to strike at any sign of danger.

Though Crane in the Clouds was highly skilled, the Black-and-White Swordsmen were not cowed.

“Don’t be rash. I merely wish to convey some news,” Crane in the Clouds said, ignoring their blade-sharp glares. Fearing they would attack without further warning, he hurried to speak his piece in one breath: “It concerns your son.”

Yu’er?

What had happened to him?

When it came to her son, Min Rou grew exceedingly sensitive, and her composure crumbled.

With a ringing sound, her sword was fully drawn.

A flash of cold steel swept before Crane in the Clouds’ throat.

“Speak now, or I’ll kill you.”

“Calm yourself, please, calm yourself!” Crane in the Clouds felt the icy blade pressing against his skin, stinging sharply. He hastily pleaded.

Shi Qing, seeing his sister’s agitation, tried to soothe her: “Sister, have patience. Yu’er will be safe at Snowy Mountain Sect.”

Shi Qing was Min Rou’s anchor. Hearing his steady voice, her agitation slowly ebbed.

Throughout, her sword never wavered from Crane in the Clouds’ throat.

Her gaze grew only harsher.

Had she not wanted to know what Crane in the Clouds was plotting, she would have stabbed him through a dozen times already.

Shi Qing was about to speak when Crane in the Clouds anticipated his question and interjected, “It concerns the whereabouts of your other son.”

At those words, Shi Qing and Min Rou stood rooted in shock, their minds overwhelmed by a single thought:

Our other son is still alive!

Joy flooded Min Rou’s heart, her hand trembling uncontrollably from the surge of emotion.

At last, her grip loosened.

With a clang, the sword fell to the ground.

Crane in the Clouds, watching the sword drop, patted his chest in relief. Looking at Min Rou, her face streaked with tears, he felt a pang of sympathy.

Her weeping stirred a feeling of pity, as though one should hold her close and comfort her.

But Min Rou, still lost in the news of her son’s survival, did not notice the change in his expression.

“Crane in the Clouds, what is your aim?” After a long pause, Shi Qing regained his composure, his eyes wary.

He retained some reason. Their eldest son had been abducted at birth and remained missing. How did Crane in the Clouds know of this? Had he been the abductor all along?

“I merely wish to see you reunited with your long-lost son, to enjoy the happiness of family,” Crane in the Clouds replied, a smile deepening at his lips.

No sooner had he finished than Shi Qing stepped forward, his sword flashing from its scabbard, its gleam chilling to the core as he thrust it at Crane in the Clouds.

“I see you’re the one who took my son!” Without another word, Shi Qing slashed at Crane in the Clouds’ head. “Give me back my son!”

Crane in the Clouds dodged aside, protesting, “This has nothing to do with me! Don’t wrongly accuse the innocent!”

He looked as aggrieved as a bullied daughter-in-law.

He had only wanted to reunite their family—how had he ended up wearing such a heavy hat? To whom could he appeal?

Meanwhile, Min Rou, recovering from her joy, joined her brother in attacking.

Crane in the Clouds, unwilling to fight, only defended himself, never striking back.

After dozens of rounds, their fierce sword energy had torn his clothes into rags, making him look even more a beggar than the mongrel.

At last, unable to endure further, Crane in the Clouds gathered his inner strength and struck forward with his palm. The force sent the Black-and-White Swordsmen staggering several steps back.

“Are you finished? I told you this has nothing to do with me. Believe it or not—your choice!”

He had no desire to entangle himself further and turned to leave.

“Scoundrel, halt!” Min Rou shouted hatefully at his retreating figure. “If you don’t return my son, you won’t leave here alive today!”

With that, she stamped the ground and soared up like a startled swan, sword leveled to stab at Crane in the Clouds’ back.

He caught the motion in the corner of his eye, but did not pause, unconcerned.

Just as her blade was about to pierce him and he was preparing to counterattack, another figure suddenly appeared, blocking her thrust.