Chapter 445 - 268: The Artful Mind

Chapter 445: Chapter 268: The Artful Mind

"I’m aware of that. If Li Ye was able to obtain such a trump card from the Cyan Cloud Sword Immortal, it’s only natural that you were able to meet him as well."

Su Xing said with a nod.

"Yes. It was because he made an appearance in the Cyan Cloud Secret Realm that I dared to orchestrate this scheme, unworried about causing some unmanageable disaster."

"Ancestor Cyan Cloud knew that someone in the shadows was constantly trying to force his hand, so he always remained hidden. However, the arrival of Li Ye and Tong Yinyin prompted him to secretly contact me."

"Only after he and I corroborated our information did we finalize this play to lure the snake from its hole. Not only did Ancestor Cyan Cloud bestow that power upon Li Ye, but he also gave me a Cyan Cloud Token."

Ling Zhongxing explained with a smile. While he was confident in his own plan, he couldn’t guarantee it would be a hundred percent successful, so there was always a possibility of failure. Fortunately, the Cyan Cloud Sword Immortal’s appearance covered for that last variable.

"The Cyan Cloud Token?"

Su Xing asked in confusion. Though he didn’t know what it was, he figured that if Li Ye had mentioned it, it must be something extraordinary.

"The Cyan Cloud Token is the personal insignia of the Cyan Cloud Sect Leader. Seeing it is the same as seeing the Sect Leader himself. It’s just... this token should be with Gu Che. I don’t know when Ancestor Cyan Cloud took it and then gave it to me."

Ling Zhongxing said with a smile and a shake of his head.

"Ancestor Cyan Cloud must have given something so important to you, Elder Ling, so you could resolve the crisis when the time came. It can truly be called a Stabilizing Needle."

Su Xing nodded in understanding.

’If Ling Zhongxing produced this token, everyone else in the Cyan Cloud Sect would understand it was all authorized by Ancestor Cyan Cloud. They naturally wouldn’t give him any trouble, and the matter would be successfully resolved.’

"It was precisely because I had the Cyan Cloud Token in hand that I was able to get the Cyan Cloud Sect to abandon its investigation after explaining the whole story."

Ling Zhongxing stated frankly, "At the very least, the Cyan Cloud Sect will no longer act against Yin Crow or Li Ye. Furthermore, they will certainly be on their guard against Jile Valley."

"Did everything really go that smoothly?"

Su Xing asked, somewhat confused. Ever since he’d known Ling Zhongxing, things had seemed to go a little *too* smoothly. Especially the matter with Li Ye. ’How can such a great hatred be put aside so easily?’

"The only thing that didn’t go smoothly, I suppose, was my request to be relieved of my position as a Cyan Cloud Sect Elder. So, Zhongxing is no longer an Elder of the Cyan Cloud Sect. You don’t have to call me ’Elder’ anymore, Elder Su."

Ling Zhongxing said this while shaking his head nonchalantly. ’The Cyan Cloud Sect is a massive organization, one that can even incite conflicts over Sword Qi. The position of Elder must come with countless benefits, but Ling Zhongxing doesn’t seem to care about it in the slightest. Or perhaps, the position itself means nothing to him.’

"Heh. Since you already resigned as a Cyan Cloud Sect Elder, Brother Zhongxing, why didn’t you tell me sooner? You made me call you ’Elder Ling’ a few more times for nothing, didn’t you?"

"HAHAHA! After all, I’ve been hearing those two words, ’Elder Ling,’ for so many years. Now that things have come to this, I couldn’t help but want to hear them a few more times."

Ling Zhongxing said with a laugh.

"But since you’ve resigned from your position as Elder, Brother Zhongxing, what do you plan to do now?"

Su Xing asked.

"I have no particular plans. Perhaps I’ll just maintain my identity as an ordinary disciple of the Cyan Cloud Sect and roam the world. For you to ask me this, Elder Su... could it be you have some matter that requires my strategic counsel?"

"Of course. The world is chaotic and unpredictable. Having the help of a man of your great intellect, Brother Zhongxing, would be for the best. I hope I can count on your guidance in the future."

"Heh. Of course."

"However, I can’t return to Cang City with you just yet. Once I’ve finished handling things here with the Cyan Cloud Sect, I will definitely come find you in Cang City."

Ling Zhongxing finished. Su Xing listened without objection and simply clasped his fist in his palm, saying:

"Then I shall await your arrival, Brother Zhongxing."

"But are you really returning directly to Cang City, Elder Su?"

"Returning to Cang City...?"

Su Xing thought about how so much time had passed since he’d arrived—in what felt like the blink of an eye—and how much he had experienced. Finally, he nodded and said:

"I need to return to Luocheng for something. There’s a funeral that needs to be held. After that, I should be heading straight back to Cang City."

"I see."

After a moment’s thought, Ling Zhongxing said, "Although Li Ye and Yin Crow didn’t tell me the details, I can guess that they left on their own because they have some other unfinished business."

"If you have some spare time, you might consider taking a trip to Hang Lake. That city has a very famous lake, and you should be able to find them there."

"..."

Su Xing was stunned for a moment. He didn’t understand why Ling Zhongxing was suddenly telling him this, but recalling Ling Zhongxing’s past actions, he simply nodded and said:

"I’ll go take a look."

’Besides, a trip to Hang Lake isn’t far—only a three-hour bullet train ride from Cang City. It’s not like I have anything urgent, and the enemies back in Cang City probably aren’t on high alert.’

’Besides, Su Xing wasn’t the type to ignore others’ words. On the contrary, he was very willing to listen to the advice of intelligent people. For Ling Zhongxing to suggest this, they must truly need his help with something.’

Thinking of the two people he had fought alongside just a few days ago, Su Xing became determined to go see them. He clasped his fist in his palm and said:

"Then I’ll take my leave. I’m going to Luocheng to take care of my business, and after that, I’ll head straight to Hang Lake. I hope I won’t be too late."