Chapter 95: Able to Pinch and Calculate

In a critical moment, Yun Zhonghe had no time to ponder. He spun on his heel and unleashed a palm infused with qi.

Boom! Their palms met, sending a surge of qi rippling outward. Both of their bodies carved long grooves into the ground before they managed to steady themselves.

Yun Zhonghe raised his head, his gaze brimming with astonishment.

Though the strike had been delivered in haste, its power was no small matter. The opponent had still managed to repel him, revealing how formidable their martial prowess truly was.

Apart from Ren Yixing and Dongfang Bubai, he had never imagined that such an expert existed on Blackwood Cliff. It seemed his plan to abduct Dongfang Bubai this time was doomed; he would have to seek another opportunity later. With his own abilities, any clash would stir up a great commotion.

His thoughts swirled, and retreat began to take root in his heart.

Even as he observed his foe, the attacker was scrutinizing him as well.

Who was this person? Their martial arts were not inferior to Ren Yixing’s.

Could Ren Yixing have foreseen this and, during his seclusion, summoned a master to guard him?

Her brows furrowed deeply, her eyes brimming with resentment. She had finally found the chance to strike while Ren Yixing was secluded, capturing the Cult Leader’s wife and Ren Yingying. She intended to disrupt his cultivation to drive him mad, then seize control of the Sun-Moon Holy Cult. Yet all her efforts had come to nothing.

If Yun Zhonghe had learned of her innermost thoughts, he would have been stunned. Their goals were identical.

Seeing the opponent halt, Yun Zhonghe narrowed his eyes and studied them. Unfortunately, the face was masked, exposing only a pair of eyes, leaving their identity impossible to discern.

“Friend, I wonder—do you wish to assassinate Ren Yixing or Dongfang Bubai?” he asked tentatively.

A flicker of surprise crossed the masked person’s eyes. They examined the man before them carefully and finally recognized him.

“I was about to ask you the same. The famed Yun Zhonghe, scaling Blackwood Cliff at night to steal women?”

Her voice dripped with disgust as she spoke, clearly contemptuous of his deeds.

Hearing that voice, Yun Zhonghe felt a strange unease. Clearly, the opponent had deliberately lowered their tone, afraid of being recognized.

His mind shifted. He subconsciously stroked his smooth cheek. He had rushed out too hastily and forgotten to bring a mask.

Was he being too conspicuous?

Yun Zhonghe’s thoughts steadied. His gaze turned to the opponent, and a smile curved his lips. “My brother speaks wisely. My goal is Ren Yixing’s wife and daughter. I assume yours is Ren Yixing as well?”

She said nothing in reply or denial.

Yun Zhonghe’s eyebrows lifted. There was hope.

“You and I could join forces, each claiming what we desire. How about it?” he proposed.

According to the timeline, Ren Yixing was at the critical stage of cultivating the Absorption Star Skill. This was the peak of his power.

Yun Zhonghe had no desire to clash with Ren Yixing; avoiding conflict was his priority. If he could find an ally, it would save him much effort—why not?

The masked person did not immediately agree. Their eyes remained locked on Yun Zhonghe, a glint of something unusual flashing within.

“Very well. I accept your offer.” After a long pause, they spoke.

Yun Zhonghe’s face split into a grin. He leaned in closer, lewdly so.

The opponent recoiled at once, body arching backward, face twisted in disgust. “Yun Zhonghe, what are you doing?”

In fury, they forgot to disguise their voice.

Yun Zhonghe froze, staring at the masked figure before him. In his mind he thought, I never expected it to be a woman. Such a lovely voice and such graceful features—she must be stunning.

His thoughts turned. He offered an apologetic smile. “Forgive me. I was abrupt.”

The masked woman realized her outburst had been too much. She cleared her throat several times and lowered her voice once more. “What do you want?”

Yun Zhonghe fell silent for a long moment. The priority was finding Dongfang Bubai; he could not afford distractions.

Deciding against revealing her gender, he asked, “Friend, you have been in the Sun-Moon Holy Cult for many years. May I inquire where Dongfang Bubai is now?”

The masked woman’s heart stirred. It seemed Yun Zhonghe had come to Blackwood Cliff for more than just Ren Yixing.

“Dongfang Bubai is the vice-cult leader of the Sun-Moon Holy Cult. Her martial arts are formidable, yet she has always harbored murderous intentions, scheming to seize the cult leadership.”

“With your skill, you stand no chance against her. Are you courting death?”

As she spoke, her gaze remained fixed on Yun Zhonghe, ready to strike at the first sign of movement.

Not for any other reason—because she was Dongfang Bubai.

“It is rumored that she cultivated the Kunlun treasure manual and became a monstrous creature, neither male nor female. Her power is impressive, but compared to mine, it is still a vast gulf.”

Yun Zhonghe declared proudly, utterly oblivious to the woman beside him, whose face had turned as black as the bottom of a pot.

When had she absorbed the Kunlun treasure manual and transformed into such a hideous monstrosity? How could he not know?

Moreover, the earlier palm clash had shown his own skill was no weakling—perhaps even a draw. Yet he spoke with brazen arrogance!

If the situation had allowed, she would have taught this boastful fool a lesson he would never forget.

Unfortunately, Yun Zhonghe remained lost in his own thoughts and failed to notice.

“Enough. Let us consider how to deal with Ren Yixing.”

Dongfang Bubai suppressed the urge to strike Yun Zhonghe dead and spoke. At that moment she would ensure both Yun Zhonghe and Ren Yixing were injured, allowing her to reap the spoils.

Yun Zhonghe regained his composure. “By now Dongfang Bubai should have already slain Ren Yixing’s wife. Soon she will arrange for Ren Yingying to be captured by the Seven Major Sects.”

“The mantis catches the cicada, unaware the oriole is behind. If we can force Ren Yixing and Dongfang Bubai into open conflict, we stand to gain greatly.”

These words left Dongfang Bubai stunned. This had been her original plan—one she had never confided to anyone else. How did Yun Zhonghe know?

Yet the arrangement had been shattered by his arrival. Still, every detail matched perfectly.

Dongfang Bubai was no ordinary figure; otherwise she could not have lain hidden in the Sun-Moon Holy Cult for years, waiting for this single chance to eliminate Ren Yixing.

She quickly concealed her emotions and sneered. “How did you learn of Dongfang Bubai’s plan?”

She paused, then turned to face him. “Could it be that Dongfang Bubai herself told you?”

“Never! Absolutely not!” Yun Zhonghe shook his head vigorously, brimming with arrogance. “Women are always unable to resist curiosity.”

“What makes you say that?” Dongfang Bubai was genuinely intrigued and pressed him.

“Because I, Yun Zhonghe, can foresee the future; there is nothing beneath the heavens I do not know!”