Flying Cloud Divine Skill

The next morning.

The trees in the mountains were serene, the water flowed with a gurgling sound, and birds chirped.

After leaving the borders of Mount Heng last night, Zhang Yu had traveled about forty to fifty miles east.

By the time dawn broke, he had left the main road and entered the mountains.

Yue Lingshan had walked for most of the night. Her embroidered shoes and white socks were covered in mud, and her dress was snagged with cobwebs and leaves.

Her black hair was disheveled, her face was haggard, and the arrogance from last night was gone, replaced by a touch of pitiable vulnerability.

"You little thief, where are you taking me?"

"To Blackwood Cliff, of course."

"Why... why are we going to Blackwood Cliff?"

"I've captured Sect Leader Yue's daughter, which is a way to restore the Divine Cult's honor. I'll present you to Eastern Cult Master as a concubine. If he's pleased, he'll surely promote me."

Yue Lingshan said angrily, "You wish! I'd rather bite off my tongue and die, or jump off Blackwood Cliff, than be a demon's concubine."

"That's not up to you."

Seeing her face flush red with anger, Zhang Yu couldn't help but pinch her cheek. It felt like a peeled egg, smooth and tender.

She really is the junior sister from The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, Linghu Chong's eternal white moonlight. She feels great.

"You lecher, I'll bite you to death!"

Zhang Yu retracted his hand quickly, but he still got a bloody scratch from her sharp teeth.

"Are you a dog?"

Zhang Yu knew he was in the wrong, so he didn't fight back and continued to drag her along.

Yue Lingshan thought of going to Blackwood Cliff, which in the martial arts world legends was like a demon's lair, a hellish place. She was both angry and scared.

"Little thief, my father must know I'm in trouble by now. He'll chase after me. You should let me go and escape on your own."

Zhang Yu chuckled, "You don't need to worry. I dropped your handkerchief by the side of the western road. Mister Yue might think you went back to Mount Hua first."

Yue Lingshan gritted her teeth in hatred but was helpless. Since she was young, she had been doted on by her parents and protected by her six senior brothers. She had never suffered any hardship. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, and tears welled up in her eyes.

After walking about fifteen to sixteen miles through the mountains, they came across a Guanyin Nunnery.

Seeing that Yue Lingshan was too exhausted to walk and he himself was tired, Zhang Yu entered the temple to rest.

The temple had been abandoned for a long time.

The statue of the Bodhisattva on the altar was missing. Only the small statues of Sudhana and Longnü, covered in dust, sat facing each other in silence.

After Yue Lingshan sat down, her tears began to fall like a broken string of pearls.

"What? Missing your parents?"

Zhang Yu used the Longnü statue as a pillow and leaned back on a pile of straw.

Seeing her crying like a pear blossom in the rain, he found it amusing and couldn't help but mock her.

"Heroine Yue was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. It would have been best for you to stay on Mount Hua, learn needlework, embroider mandarin ducks and butterflies, marry a good husband, and raise children. That kind of life is envied by many. Why did you have to get involved in the troubles of the martial world?"

Yue Lingshan didn't speak, only wept loudly.

"What are you crying about?"

Yue Lingshan glanced at him and sobbed, "I've been walking all night, and this heroine hasn't eaten yet."

"Endure it! This is a desolate place. Where am I supposed to get food for you?"

Yue Lingshan continued to cry.

Zhang Yu closed his eyes. He also felt hungry and uncomfortable. Blackwood Cliff was at least two hundred miles away. He wouldn't be able to make it without eating.

He remembered there was a mountain stream not far from the Guanyin Temple, only two or three miles away. He should be able to catch some fish and shrimp.

"You're too loud. Stay here and don't move. I'm going to find something to eat."

After Zhang Yu left, Yue Lingshan immediately stopped crying. She moved to the altar and quickly began to rub the ropes binding her hands against the sharp edge of the table leg...

The mountain stream was about twenty feet wide and over three meters deep in some places. The water flowed gently, and some aquatic plants grew in the crevice between two green rocks.

"There should be fish here."

Zhang Yu took off his clothes, put on the Green Jade Thumb Ring, and dived into the water. Seven or eight minutes later, he surfaced again, a lively carp and five or six crabs impaled on his sword.

"Not many fish, but plenty of crabs. Still, it's enough to eat."

"With this Green Jade Thumb Ring, I can hold my breath underwater for fifteen minutes even without internal energy. If things get really bad, I can just become a fisherman on the rivers and lakes."

Zhang Yu hummed a tune and walked back towards the Guanyin Temple, carrying his sword.

He stepped over the threshold and glanced at Yue Lingshan, who was still not giving up. He chuckled softly.

"Stop trying. Those ropes are made of sinew. Wood can't wear them down."

Yue Lingshan glared at him. Her tear-streaked face looked dejected as she sat down in front of the altar.

A pile of firewood was lit in the temple.

The carp was gutted, skewered on a branch, and slowly roasted over the fire. The crabs were even simpler; they were wrapped layer by layer in leaves and mud, then cooked in the embers, preserving their natural flavor.

The aroma of roasting meat filled Guanyin Nunnery.

Yue Lingshan secretly swallowed.

"There's the beggar's chicken of old, and today, the beggar's crab. The world's greatest delicacies often come from nature."

Zhang Yu smiled as he broke open the mud casing and tore away the leaves. The sweet, fresh scent of crab meat wafted out.

He lifted the shell, revealing a treasure trove of crab meat and roe, still glistening with juice.

These mountain crabs, raised in the stream, were truly delicious.

Unfortunately, each one was only about the size of a duck egg, with little meat and roe.

Zhang Yu, having devoured four of the six crabs, still felt unsatisfied.

Yue Lingshan slowly shuffled closer to the fire, her eyes fixed on the crabs, practically shining.

Zhang Yu asked, "Want some?"

Yue Lingshan nodded.

Zhang Yu opened a crab and brought it to her lips. She hesitated for a moment before lowering her head to eat it in small bites, her lips and teeth brushing against his palm.

He didn't have any ulterior motives. Yue Lingshan was still a young girl of fifteen or sixteen, about the age of a middle schooler. However, with her internal energy, if she were unbound, he might not be her match.

One crab wasn't enough to fill her stomach; it only whetted her appetite.

Yue Lingshan pointed to the fire and whispered, "There's still one left... the beggar's crab. You've already eaten four!"

After the crabs were finished, the carp was almost cooked.

Yue Lingshan waited eagerly, and in the end, she was given the head and tail, which she ate with relish.

Zhang Yu ate until he was full. Suddenly, he heard the faint sound of weapons clashing.

He drew his sword and stood up, ready to go out.

Yue Lingshan also heard the sounds from outside, her eyes lighting up with anticipation.

"It must be my father! Hurry and let me out. I'll beg him to spare your life."

"Stay put."

Zhang Yu turned back, tore off a strip of his sleeve, and tied it over her mouth, securing her to the leg of the divine altar table. He then stomped out the fire until not even a spark remained before leaving Guanyin Nunnery with peace of mind.

The further he walked, the louder the clang of metal became.

Zhang Yu hid in the bamboo forest.

Two men were locked in combat in the clearing outside the forest.

"He's not dead yet?"

One man, around forty, wore a silk robe and wielded a double-ringed broadsword. His movements were incredibly agile and graceful, retreating and scattering like flowing clouds, making him unpredictable to his opponent.

There were two bloody holes in his left leg, crudely bandaged, and blood was flowing profusely.

His opponent was a long-faced man in red, wielding a steel sword. He was struggling to defend himself, with three or four new cuts on his body.

Each time he intentionally attacked the long-robed man's wounded left leg, he could neutralize the opponent's offensive.

"'Great Song Yang Hand' Fei Bin."

Zhang Yu recognized the red-clothed man fighting Hall Master Wu.

"Why must you press me so hard?" Wu Lianjiang swung his saber again, forcing Fei Bin back five or six steps. He leaned on his saber, his left leg trembling uncontrollably.

This man was Wu Lianjiang, the Hall Master of Cloud Water Hall in the Demonic Cult's twelve halls, known in the martial world as the Flying Cloud Divine Ape.

Fei Bin said, "Evil disciples of the Demonic Cult are to be punished by all."

"Do you want to take my head and achieve fame for your 'Great Song Yang Hand'? Come if you're not afraid of death."

Fei Bin sneered sinisterly, "If you hadn't been hit twice in the leg, I wouldn't dare."

"Even a tiger fallen to the plains is not to be bullied by mere rats!"

Wu Lianjiang hesitated for a moment, then pressed two acupoints on his leg, slightly stopping the bleeding.

He leaped into the air, his iron saber spinning as he moved back and forth.

Fei Bin's vision was instantly filled with four or five afterimages, and five or six blade shadows attacked him from the air. He knew it was bad. This was the Flying Cloud Divine Ape's signature skill, 'Cloudy Waves Crossing'. He hadn't expected Wu Lianjiang to be able to use it in such a wounded state.

"Jade Enters Heavenly Pool!"

Fei Bin drew a circle with his long sword, thrusting it upwards from below directly into the center of the afterimages.

This was 'Jade Enters Heavenly Pool' from the Mount Song's seventeen sword techniques. It was originally suitable for countering Wu Lianjiang's 'Cloudy Waves Crossing', possessing a certain spirit of "no matter how many moves you throw, I'll meet them with one."

However, Fei Bin's resolve was not firm enough, and his sword strike lacked speed. Not only did he fail to hit Wu Lianjiang, but Wu Lianjiang also found an opening and sent his sword flying with a single saber strike.

"Die!"

Fei Bin's face turned pale with fright, and he quickly retreated.

When Wu Lianjiang was young, he was pursued by enemies and fell off a cliff. By chance, he survived and landed on a stone platform on the cliff face. There, he found a skeleton and the Flying Cloud Divine Skill carved into the stone.

Among the twelve Hall Masters, his martial arts ranked in the bottom three, but when it came to agility and movement techniques, he was number one.

"Chasing Clouds and Lightning!"

Like a phantom, Wu Lianjiang appeared before Fei Bin. His ghost-head iron ring saber pierced Fei Bin's chest. In his haste, Fei Bin grabbed the saber's back with his left hand and forcefully struck Wu Lianjiang's chest with his right.

"Bang!"

The two quickly separated. Fei Bin pressed down on the wound, glanced at the still-standing Wu Lianjiang, and thought to himself that his Great Song Yang Hand strike, which had used his full power, seemed to have had no effect on him.

Could it be that he practiced an external martial art like the Vajra Shield, or perhaps he has a protective item like the Golden Silk Undergarment.

"It must be so."

Fei Bin pressed several acupoints on his chest to stop the bleeding and retreated.

Wu Lianjiang stood in place, suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, then turned and disappeared into the forest...

"Your subordinate, Zhang Yu, Deputy Flag Master of Cloud Water Hall, has arrived late to protect you. I beg the Hall Master's forgiveness."

Zhang Yu knelt on one knee, surveying the forest.

Wu Lianjiang had tricked Fei Bin; he was clearly at the end of his rope and couldn't have escaped far.

"Tell me your origins," a voice echoed through the forest.

Zhang Yu rejoiced inwardly. "Your subordinate is from Meixi Village in Pingding Prefecture. I joined the cult in the seventh year of Yousheng, under Incense Master Song Chuke and Flag Master Yu Hu. In the eighth year of Yousheng, I distinguished myself in the battle to annihilate Gushan Fortress and was promoted to Deputy Flag Master. I was originally stationed at Iron Soldier Mountain, but six months ago, I was transferred back to Blackwood Cliff, stationed at the second checkpoint of Baizhang Cliff."

As soon as he finished speaking, a figure descended from a tree.

Wu Lianjiang's face was ashen, blood trickling from his seven orifices. He leaned against a tree and slowly sat down.

"It seems you are genuine."

"Incense Master Song has already died at Damaoling. This time, I was betrayed by Yang Lianting. Less than one percent of the Cloud Water Hall disciples remain. For you to have escaped, you must be exceptionally fortunate."

Zhang Yu said indignantly, "That dog Yang Lianting is despicable and shameless! Your subordinate will risk his life to escort the Hall Master back to Blackwood Cliff to report to Eastern Cult Master and eliminate the traitors around the ruler."

Wu Lianjiang said with a bitter smile, "You are right, Yang Lianting is a wicked villain! But Dongfang Bubai is not a wise ruler either. Otherwise, why would he allow such villains to run rampant?"

"It's a pity that our Sun Moon Divine Cult's century-old foundation is about to be destroyed by their hands. Only by welcoming back Cult Master Ren Woxing can we hope to turn the tide."

"Your subordinate will obey the Hall Master's every command."

Wu Lianjiang coughed up blood clots and said with resentment, "If not for the sword wound on my leg, Fei Bin would need another ten years of practice to even touch an inch of my clothing."

"Hall Master, I will escort you back to the Divine Cult. There are many renowned physicians in the cult, and they will surely be able to heal your injuries."

Wu Lianjiang shook his head, "My heart meridian is already broken; there is no hope for recovery. Fortunately, I met you before I die, so at least there is someone I can entrust things to."

Zhang Yu lowered his head, squeezing out two tears.

"Hall Master's command is my death sentence,"

"I have one matter to entrust to you."

"I have a granddaughter named Hanyu, hidden in Qingniu Village, fifty li northeast of Pingding City. I fear Yang Lianting will harm her if he learns of her existence."

"Hall Master, rest assured. I will find the young lady and secretly protect her."

"Good... good... you are a loyal person."

Wu Lianjiang vomited blood in large gulps. The internal energy from the Songyang Palm was still tearing at his internal organs.

"After today, Cloud Water Hall will cease to exist. When you return, go see the Hall Master of Wind Thunder Hall, Tong Baixiong, and tell him, 'The old friend who drank flower wine with you in the Jade Courtyard of Hengshan City years ago has taken the first step. I hope you take care.'"

"Although Tong Baixiong is a staunch supporter of Dongfang Bubai, he is a man of integrity and will look after you."

Zhang Yu, who had initially been three parts sincere and seven parts feigned, was now moved by Wu Lianjiang's genuine concern for him on his deathbed.

Wu Lianjiang's face was now as pale as gold paper. Trembling, he took out a booklet from his robes.

"My renowned ultimate skill is called the Flying Cloud Divine Skill. The upper part is the internal energy cultivation method, and the lower part is the movement technique. I give it to you today, so it will not be buried with my death."

After speaking, Wu Lianjiang's face suddenly regained some color. He tidied his clothes, faced east, and the rising sun shone upon his face.

"Remember, do not let... the Mount Song Sect find my body."

As soon as he finished speaking, Wu Lianjiang breathed his last.

Zhang Yu sighed, carefully folded the booklet recording the Flying Cloud Divine Skill, tucked it into his robes, and couldn't deny his happiness.

After half a year of scheming, I've finally obtained an internal cultivation manual. The Demonic Cult's Twelve Hall Masters are not ordinary people. Even if the Flying Cloud Divine Skill is not as good as top-tier martial arts manuals like the Sunflower Manual or the Great Star Absorbing Technique, it is still considered first-class in the jianghu.

He felt a slight pang of melancholy. He slung Wu Lianjiang's body over his shoulder and walked into the deep mountains for two hours, finally finding a cliff.

The location was secluded and the scenery beautiful, with a river flowing eastward in the distance.

After digging a pit, the red sun in the sky rose to its zenith.

"The sun and moon shine impartially on loyal bones, the land is fortunate to have a saber as a monument."

"Hall Master Wu, rest in peace. I will do my best to fulfill my promise."

Zhang Yu stuck the ghost-head saber into the mound of earth and turned to leave.