You Have Money, I Have Guns

Wang Mingyue sat back down, her gaze sweeping over Zhang Yang with uncertainty and suspicion.

Even after a long while, she still could not believe that the man sitting before her was actually the acting sect master of the Azure Cloud Sect.

She knew something of the Azure Cloud Sect's past, and precisely because she knew, she found it unbelievable.

Only after a long while did her expression return to normal. She slowly said, "I believe you are qualified, but there are reasons the Azure Cloud Sect has fallen to its current state. Your sect master has not even resolved his own problems, yet he dares promise to give me a foothold? I imagine that even if I do not say it, you can guess that my problems are far from simple."

Zhang Yang nodded.

He knew full well that even Wang Mingyue's name was false. She had a powerful servant at her side, had come to the Cloud Mountain Empire from a foreign land, and was seeking a place to establish herself. Every sign pointed to trouble brewing behind her.

Without waiting for Zhang Yang's reply, Wang Mingyue continued, "Besides, I truly cannot see what future there is in a Qingyun Market."

Zhang Yang smiled faintly and asked, "The Azure Cloud Sect has existed for five thousand years. Do you know what it was like at its peak?"

"I have heard a little," Wang Mingyue nodded.

Zhang Yang said calmly, "Although the Azure Cloud Sect suffered some upheavals that led to its decline, the previous generation of leadership was also stubborn and closed-minded, adopting a policy of shutting the country away from the world and causing the sect to plummet. But the Azure Cloud Sect's foundations remain."

Ling Yunzi, seated nearby, shot Zhang Yang a sidelong glance. The previous generation of leadership meant them, did it not?

As though he had not seen Ling Yunzi's expression, Zhang Yang continued, "If the Azure Cloud Sect's foundations were gone, how could Azure Cloud Sect still exist today? It would have long since been carved up and devoured by everyone.

What Azure Cloud Sect lacks is the confidence to reform.

As long as it has the confidence to reform, Azure Cloud Sect's former glory may yet return.

When Azure Cloud Sect takes flight once more, all four corners will come to pay homage. By then, do you think Qingyun Market will still be some tiny little market?"

Ling Yunzi sighed softly from the side. "A thousand years ago, there was an Azure Cloud City, a hundred times larger than present-day Anqing City!"

The blue-robed middle-aged man nodded slightly, making it clear that he too had heard of such a colossal city.

Yet Wang Mingyue remained unmoved. She said evenly, "Everything you said may be true, but right now, even some petty city lord dares make things difficult for Azure Cloud Sect. If you cannot even cross the hurdle before you, then talk of Azure Cloud Sect taking flight is nothing more than floundering a few times in a mud pit."

Zhang Yang smiled. "I admit there are many short-sighted people who do not think highly of Azure Cloud Sect. But precisely because such short-sighted people exist, the greatest opportunity exists. Think about it: when everyone acknowledges Azure Cloud Sect, would Azure Cloud Sect still care for them?"

Wang Mingyue glared fiercely at Zhang Yang. Was this fellow insulting her in roundabout fashion?

Her tone could not help turning colder. "Your slogans are quite loud, but even selling talismans requires you, the acting sect master, to personally step forward. That shows Azure Cloud Sect has no one capable to use. With no people to speak of, yet dreaming all day of reviving Azure Cloud Sect—you are simply dreaming in broad daylight."

"Miss Wang Mingyue, what do you think of the talent of gathering qi in two days?" Zhang Yang suddenly asked.

Wang Mingyue did not know why Zhang Yang had suddenly brought that up. She froze for a moment before honestly answering, "That counts as genius-level talent! Back then, it took me three days to successfully gather qi, and that was with help from my elders. If someone can gather qi in two days, they are more outstanding than I am."

She seemed to realize something and looked at Zhang Yang. "Even if you gathered qi in two days, you alone cannot change Azure Cloud Sect's situation."

Zhang Yang broke into a brilliant smile. "Azure Cloud Sect has eighty-seven such geniuses!"

"Impossible!" Wang Mingyue instinctively refuted him.

But she felt that Zhang Yang would not show off with such an obvious lie.

Then a cold smile appeared on her face. "Have all the geniuses in the world been swept into Azure Cloud Sect?"

The geniuses who were normally so hard to encounter had all run to Azure Cloud Sect?

Would the Azure Cloud Sect fail to notice such an obvious problem?

The blue-robed middle-aged man also looked at Ling Yunzi in astonishment. No way? Could this generation of Azure Cloud Sect leaders be so incompetent that they could not spot such an obvious problem?

Ling Yunzi remained expressionless and said nothing.

Zhang Yang looked at Wang Mingyue with a cheerful smile, without speaking.

Wang Mingyue grew uncomfortable beneath his gaze. Somewhat embarrassed and annoyed, she asked, "What are you looking at?"

"You are very smart." Zhang Yang nodded. "But... have you heard of Infernal Affairs? Have you heard of The Message? Do you want to witness how Azure Cloud Sect takes flight in such circumstances?"

Wang Mingyue was dumbfounded.

What was wrong with The Message?

What kind of great Dao was Infernal Affairs?

It was not only Wang Mingyue; everyone else was equally bewildered, since they had never heard of any of these things.

Seeing Zhang Yang's confident smile, Wang Mingyue suddenly felt an urge to visit Qingyun Market.

Although she did not understand, she could imagine that the Azure Cloud Sect would soon see winds and clouds shift in turbulent change.

Especially the fellow before her—he understood all of it and wore such a confident expression. She truly wanted to see how he would make Azure Cloud Sect take flight. If he really succeeded, it would surely be spectacular.

But her reason overcame her impulse, and she did not agree lightly.

"I can go to Qingyun Market and take a look before making my decision," Wang Mingyue finally said. "We can discuss it further after I have decided."

Zhang Yang chuckled. "I have already shown the value of cooperating with Azure Cloud Sect. Why does Miss Wang Mingyue not show a little of her strength as well?"

"I have money!" Wang Mingyue smiled proudly. "More money than you can imagine!"

"Having money is good!" Zhang Yang could not help rubbing his fingertips together in secret. "Qingyun Market welcomes Miss Wang Mingyue!"

She looked like a rich lady.

Was she an exiled princess, the child of a ruined great Lineage, or perhaps the inheritor of a great sect that had been destroyed?

Whatever her identity, as long as she had money, things would be easy to discuss!

"Hehe." Wang Mingyue smiled faintly. "Do not celebrate too early. Things may not turn out as you wish."

After saying that, she rose and left.

Only after Wang Mingyue had departed did Ling Yunzi say seriously, "That girl is not simple. The servant by her side is an expert."

Zhang Yang asked curiously, "Martial Uncle, you cannot see through him? If you fought, could you win?"

Ling Yunzi smiled proudly. "There are not many people who can defeat me!"

Elsewhere, Wang Mingyue returned to the small courtyard and looked at the blue-robed middle-aged man. "Uncle Qin, how much of what he said do you think can be trusted?"

The blue-robed middle-aged man thought seriously for a moment before saying, "I do not know. But Azure Cloud Sect truly is different from the past; that much is certain. Also, there is no need to question that boy's identity. Anyone able to have Ling Yunzi protecting him must be an important figure in the Azure Cloud Sect."

Wang Mingyue asked curiously, "Uncle Qin, you know Ling Yunzi?"

The blue-robed middle-aged man smiled and shook his head. "No, but only the Azure Cloud Seven Sons remain from the Azure Cloud Sect's generation. That man's aura is sharp, and he most likely cultivates the sword Dao. Of the Azure Cloud Seven Sons, only Ling Yunzi cultivates the sword Dao, so naturally it should be him."

"Which of you is stronger?"

The blue-robed middle-aged man smiled helplessly. "Miss, although the Azure Cloud Sect has declined, they were once immensely prosperous! They possess top-tier cultivation techniques, top-tier inheritances of magical treasures, and top-tier understanding of the Dao. As for me... if it were a battle to the death, I would certainly be no match for him. Even so, it would take more than a hundred moves to decide the victor. I still have that much confidence."

"So strong?" Wang Mingyue muttered. "Uncle Qin, do you think I should cooperate with the Azure Cloud Sect?"

The blue-robed middle-aged man shook his head. "My task is to protect you. A matter as significant as cooperation must still be decided by you yourself."

Wang Mingyue pondered for a long time, and a decision gradually formed in her heart.