Chapter 9: Hao Datong Strikes

Crane Among the Clouds spoke with deliberate provocation, stoking Hao Datong’s fury until he could restrain himself no longer and stepped forward. Qiu Chuji, seeing this, leaped onto the platform, positioning himself between Hao Datong and Crane Among the Clouds. If his junior brother truly gave in to wrath and struck down Crane Among the Clouds, there would be no turning back from that path.

“Senior brother?!” Hao Datong glared at Qiu Chuji, his eyes seething with rage and disbelief.

“A duel of life and death leaves each man’s fate to Heaven; none of us may interfere,” Qiu Chuji said with gravity. “If blame must be cast, let it fall on Zhijing himself—his skills were lacking, and none but himself bears responsibility.”

“So you would simply let Crane Among the Clouds leave the mountain?” Hao Datong clenched his teeth. “What face remains to the Quanzhen Sect then?”

“Crane Among the Clouds brought shame upon us, a humiliation only blood can wash away!” Hao Datong’s voice trembled with fury.

“Brother, restrain yourself a little longer. I have my own way of dealing with Crane Among the Clouds,” Qiu Chuji replied, his words finally pulling Hao Datong back from the edge of reason.

Turning to Crane Among the Clouds, Qiu Chuji struggled to suppress his killing intent. “Zhijing died by your hand because he was outmatched; the fault lies not with others. As agreed before, all past grievances are to be set aside.”

A smile flickered across Crane Among the Clouds’ face. He sheathed his sword behind his back with a flourish and cupped his hands in salute. “Master Qiu, worthy indeed of a sect leader—your magnanimity and composure command my respect.”

Qiu Chuji ignored the flattery, his tone icy. “Your quarrel with Zhijing is resolved. Now explain yourself—why did you grievously injure another of my disciples?”

Crane Among the Clouds had anticipated this question and replied unhurriedly, “Your disciple insulted the woman dearest to my heart. In a moment of anger, I struck harder than intended. I ask Master Qiu’s forgiveness.”

Before Qiu Chuji could respond, Hao Datong could bear it no longer and bellowed, “You villain steeped in wickedness! My disciples only sought to rescue Miss Long from your vile clutches and were met with your cruelty! Even now, you twist truth and falsehood before the whole martial world, tarnishing Quanzhen’s honor. How can I let you live?”

With that, he stamped the ground and shot forward, palm surging with inner strength, striking at Crane Among the Clouds. A fierce wind bore down, making Crane Among the Clouds’ robes snap and flutter, his chest tight as if pressed by a heavy stone, breath nearly stilled.

Just as Hao Datong’s palm was about to land, a figure in white flashed forward, intercepting the blow—Little Dragon Maiden.

Their palms met with a deep, resonant sound, a wave of invisible energy radiating outward. Hao Datong staggered half a step back, his gaze falling on Little Dragon Maiden, shock etched in his eyes.

Crane Among the Clouds leaned in close, whispering softly, “Long’er, are you unharmed?” His warm breath brushed her neck, sending a shiver through her and bringing a flush to her cheeks.

Hao Datong’s eyes narrowed in anger. “Miss Long, our sect has shown you forbearance out of respect for your master’s ties with us. If you shield Crane Among the Clouds again, do not blame me for being ruthless!”

Little Dragon Maiden composed herself, regaining her usual glacial calm. “Crane Among the Clouds and I are of one heart. I was with him at the time and can vouch for his words.”

Though her voice was soft, it fell like a thunderbolt. For a heartbeat, silence reigned over the square, as if countless hearts shattered in that instant, followed by an uproar as the crowd broke into whispers and exclamations.

All eyes turned to Quanzhen’s Five Elders, whose faces darkened with dismay. They were now riding a tiger; any mishandling would bring ruin upon the sect’s reputation.

Hao Datong knew well the gravity of the situation and quickly retorted, “That is merely your word against ours. Unless you produce irrefutable evidence, it cannot be believed.”

Crane Among the Clouds gave a cold laugh. “So you wish for proof? Very well.” He fixed Hao Datong with a piercing stare. “If I present evidence, what then?”

“If I have judged wrongly, I have no face to live on in this world—I shall take my own life as penance!” Hao Datong declared. Then his tone sharpened as he met Crane Among the Clouds’ gaze. “But if you cannot give proof, what will you do?”

Though Quanzhen was but a few generations old, its strict precepts and chivalrous disciples had made it renowned throughout the martial world, never tainted by villainy. Hao Datong was certain Crane Among the Clouds was slandering them out of spite before his death.

He glanced at the corpse of Zhao Zhijing, heart heavy with sorrow. “As your master, I will see Crane Among the Clouds sliced to pieces to avenge you!”

Crane Among the Clouds swept his gaze over the assembly, voice ringing out, “May I ask, who among the disciples stationed at the foot of the mountain is present? I demand to confront them!”

Hao Datong, seeing Crane Among the Clouds still defiant at death’s door, gave a bitter laugh. “Very well, I shall see you die with understanding!”

Soon, the remaining disciples from the foot of the mountain arrived before Crane Among the Clouds. Hao Datong addressed them sternly, “Tell us exactly what happened below the mountain—leave nothing out!”

The disciples nodded in unison.

“Reporting to the elders: Crane Among the Clouds boasted at the foot of the mountain that he would use today’s contest to trample Quanzhen beneath his feet and make his name in the martial world. We could not bear his arrogance and fought him, thinking to teach him a lesson, but he suddenly attacked with lethal force!”

As soon as these words left the disciple’s mouth, Hao Datong pounced, “The evidence is clear—what have you to say now?”

But Crane Among the Clouds showed not a flicker of panic, though others saw only a facade of calm. He fixed his gaze on the speaker, who, unable to withstand it, shifted his eyes away in guilt.

“I’ll ask you one more time—are your words true?” Crane Among the Clouds’ gaze blazed, his momentum overwhelming.

“Look into my eyes. Say it again!”

His voice resounded like a great bell, shaking the very air. His eyes, deep and unfathomable, seemed to hold a strange power that drew the disciple in. Under his unrelenting stare, the disciple’s eyes gradually grew vacant.

Sensing the time was right, Crane Among the Clouds’ lips curled into a strange smile. “Now go explain the truth privately to your master. Remember: those who lie will descend to Avici Hell after death, never to be reborn!”

A naked threat.

Hao Datong, seeing Crane Among the Clouds threaten his disciple so brazenly, flew into a rage. “Enough talk—prepare to die!”

As his palm was about to strike Crane Among the Clouds, and Little Dragon Maiden readied to intervene, a commanding voice rang out behind Hao Datong: “Hold!”