Chapter Sixty-Four: Blackwood Cliff

“Didn’t I tell you before that I know of a place with many martial arts manuals?”
Dongfang Bubai carefully fed Yang Wenhao the medicine, bit by bit.
Yang Wenhao was speechless; it was something he could easily drink himself, yet Dongfang Bubai insisted on feeding him.
“You did say that,” Yang Wenhao nodded, already understanding where she meant.
“You’re injured now and need to recuperate. Why not come with me to that place?” Dongfang Bubai said. “I know it well, and there you can rest and heal in peace.”
Hearing this, Yang Wenhao hesitated, but considering the vast collection of martial arts within the Sun and Moon Sect, he nodded in agreement.
Seeing his consent, Dongfang Bubai smiled.
That was precisely what she wanted.
After a brief preparation, the two quickly set off towards Blackwood Cliff.
As they neared Blackwood Cliff, Yang Wenhao rode his horse, while Dongfang Bubai rode a white one beside him.
“Yang Wenhao... There’s something I want to tell you.”
“Hmm?” Yang Wenhao turned to look at Dongfang Bubai.
“In truth, the place we’re heading to is Blackwood Cliff,” Dongfang Bubai said.
“Blackwood Cliff?” Yang Wenhao replied. “Isn’t that the headquarters of the Sun and Moon Sect? Don’t tell me you’re... part of the Sun and Moon Sect!”
Dongfang Bubai was momentarily stunned, then quickly regained composure. She had intended to hide this from Yang Wenhao, but once at Blackwood Cliff, his intelligence would surely expose her.
So Dongfang Bubai decided to reveal her true identity to Yang Wenhao.
The reason for her honesty was Yang Wenhao’s earlier words: the so-called demon sect and righteous sect were not so different after all. The righteous ones were not always just, and the demon sect was much the same.
This was why Dongfang Bubai chose to confide in Yang Wenhao.
Now, Yang Wenhao’s acting skills would be put to the test.
After Dongfang Bubai disclosed her identity, Yang Wenhao appeared utterly shocked, as if he had never suspected she was the Sun and Moon Sect’s leader, Dongfang Bubai.
Seeing his reaction, Dongfang Bubai smiled.
Yang Wenhao did not display any disgust, and that was enough.
Truthfully, Yang Wenhao himself felt little toward the distinction between righteous and demonic sects.
To him, anyone he needed to kill could be counted as demonic.
Position determines perspective.
Accompanying Dongfang Bubai up Blackwood Cliff, Yang Wenhao found that Dongfang Bubai was indeed a king without a crown.

Even Yang Wenhao was treated with respect by the entire Sun and Moon Sect.
No one dared show him a sour face.
Dongfang Bubai kept her promise and led Yang Wenhao into the sect’s treasury.
Within were many legendary weapons, but none compared to the alloy sword in Yang Wenhao’s hand.
It was no joke—a sword forged of alloy would, in ancient times, slice through iron as if it were mud.
Thus, those legendary weapons held little appeal for him.
Yang Wenhao cared only about martial arts techniques.
Unfortunately, the sect’s martial arts offered him few benefits.
In the end, he spent five hundred points to fuse some techniques and improve his mastery.
As for the Sunflower Manual, Yang Wenhao was keen to take a look, but whenever he asked, Dongfang Bubai would deflect with some excuse.
Yang Wenhao could only sigh.
He was genuinely curious how Dongfang Bubai, a woman, had mastered a skill meant only for eunuchs.
He pondered for a long time, unable to figure it out.
During this period, Yang Wenhao met the sect’s Saintess, Ren Yingying.
Yet Ren Yingying showed little interest in him, often leaving the Sun and Moon Sect.
Though Yang Wenhao stayed at Blackwood Cliff, Dongfang Bubai never restricted him; he could ask and learn whatever he wished.
One day, Yang Wenhao casually asked if anything significant had happened.
He received several shocking pieces of news.
First, the Mount Song Sect’s leader, Zuo Lengchan, intended to merge the Five Mountain Sword Sects.
Second, the Hengshan Sect’s Abbess Dingyi and Abbess Dingjing had died.
Third and most important, Saintess Ren Yingying had rescued Ren Woxing, and it was Linghu Chong who aided her.
The first two bits of news surprised Yang Wenhao, but the last left him utterly astonished.
Linghu Chong, stripped of his original opportunities, still encountered Ren Yingying; this was unexpected.
Apparently, he had played a part in the Hengshan Sect’s incident as well.
Ren Woxing’s escape was of great concern to Dongfang Bubai.
She immediately dispatched people to capture Ren Yingying and Ren Woxing.

A few days later, Yang Wenhao received even more interesting news.
Lin Pingzhi had joined forces with Zuo Lengchan.
Seated, Yang Wenhao stroked his chin, pondering whether it was time for him to leave seclusion.
His wounds were long healed; he had spent this time honing his swordsmanship and practicing his musical skills.
As Yang Wenhao pondered, the door suddenly swung open.
It was none other than Dongfang Bubai.
She was still dressed in gentleman’s attire; for some reason, Yang Wenhao had never seen her in women’s clothing.
“How many times have I told you?” Yang Wenhao shot Dongfang Bubai a glance. “You should show some manners and knock before entering.”
Dongfang Bubai smiled faintly. “The entire Blackwood Cliff belongs to me. Do I need to follow such rules in my own home?”
“Even if it’s all yours, you shouldn’t just barge in,” Yang Wenhao said, exasperated. “What if you see something you shouldn’t?”
“What could there possibly be that I shouldn’t see?” Dongfang Bubai chuckled, then asked, “Are you interested in coming down the mountain with me?”
“Down the mountain?”
“Yes,” Dongfang Bubai nodded. “Recently, we’ve discovered the whereabouts of Ren Woxing and Ren Yingying, so I plan to capture them myself.”
Yang Wenhao looked troubled. “This is a matter for your Sun and Moon Sect; I shouldn’t get involved.”
He was still hoping to attend the Five Mountain Sword Sects’ tournament.
He had no interest in capturing Ren Woxing.
After this task, perhaps he could finally return home.
Dongfang Bubai considered for a moment and said, “If you feel it’s inappropriate, then from now on, you are a consecrated elder of the Sun and Moon Sect. That makes it perfectly appropriate for you to accompany me.”
“That’s not what I meant,” Yang Wenhao said, confused by Dongfang Bubai’s logic.
“Weren’t you interested in seeing the Sunflower Manual?” Dongfang Bubai said. “If you help me capture Ren Woxing this time, I’ll let you read it. What do you say?”
(End of Chapter)