Chapter Seventy-Seven: Separation

After hearing Xu Yangfeng’s explanation, the anxiety in the gray-clad man’s eyes deepened.

He had originally seized upon a flaw in Liu Pan’s story, convinced it was foolproof, for what Liu Pan had recounted sounded far too much like an improvised tale. Yet, to his surprise, not only did Liu Pan produce enough spiritual herbs, but even Xu Yangfeng managed to fill in the gaps of the narrative with clarity, leaving him unnerved.

What troubled him further was Elder Yang’s demeanor—clearly, Elder Yang believed Xu Yangfeng’s explanation. How could he not feel anxious?

What should he do? Overcome by tension, a cold sweat began to bead on the gray-clad man’s forehead.

He took a deep breath to steady his frantic heartbeat, once again focusing his thoughts on the story Liu Pan had told.

He understood that everything hinged upon this tale; his only chance lay in finding an unexplainable loophole within it. Only then could the outcome possibly shift to what he desired.

Liu Pan, Xu Yangfeng, Xu Xiaozhan…

He analyzed every possibility within the story. Suddenly, his gaze sharpened and he turned to Elder Yang, saying, “Elder! I believe there is still an unresolved issue here!”

At this, Elder Yang’s face darkened instantly. He thought this disciple was far too bothersome, always creating trouble for him, whether warranted or not.

Perhaps realizing Elder Yang’s mood would be less than pleasant, the gray-clad man did not wait for the elder to question him. Instead, he turned his gaze to Liu Pan and said, “You claim that when you purchased the spiritual herbs, you suspected something was amiss, so you bought two first. After returning to the inn, you showed them to Liu Kuang, and upon confirming they were genuine, you returned to buy all of them. My question is…”

He paused, then shifted his gaze to Liu Kuang, finally asking, “What were you doing at the time? He was holding spiritual herbs—were you not curious about their origin? Did you not go with him to Xu Xiaozhan’s stall to investigate? Did you simply let him purchase so many herbs on his own?”

Seeing the gray-clad man suddenly direct his question at Liu Kuang, Liu Pan was momentarily taken aback, but soon realized this was the flaw the gray-clad man had discovered.

Liu Pan could not help but sigh—this man’s mind was indeed sharp. Yet, he was facing a protagonist of no little wisdom, and the one who had created that wisdom.

Though he didn’t hold much hope for the gray-clad man, Liu Pan was curious about his origins. Was he not merely a bit player, but perhaps a clever character from his own writings?

As the gray-clad man turned the question to Liu Kuang, Elder Yang was also briefly taken aback. If there was anyone present that he cared most about, it was undoubtedly Liu Kuang, who possessed spiritual power.

Thus, when the gray-clad man’s question targeted Liu Kuang, Elder Yang’s expression softened somewhat. He cared about Liu Kuang, so matters had to be handled “cleanly.”

Liu Kuang, surprised to become the focus, was momentarily stunned, then replied, “Regarding this question, I had intended to explain it when verifying the story’s truth earlier, but was interrupted.”

Upon hearing Liu Kuang’s words, the gray-clad man felt a sense of impending doom. This was the only significant flaw he had managed to find; if this too was patched up, he would truly have no chance.

“Why was I unconcerned about the spiritual herbs?” Liu Kuang’s tone held a hint of ambiguity. He looked the gray-clad man up and down, then continued, “If I were to say I was in my room studying the fundamentals of array formation and had no time to bother with such matters, would you believe me?”

The gray-clad man was dumbfounded, then fell into a daze, unconsciously turning his gaze to Elder Yang.

Elder Yang, upon hearing Liu Kuang’s answer, was also briefly stunned, but only for a moment. The gloomy look on his face vanished, replaced by a hint of delight.

Studying the fundamentals of array formation? What did that imply? It showed a desire to learn the art of arrays! And before even entering the sect, this was expressed to Elder Yang, the array master of Cloudstream Sect—such intention, such “intention”!

“No, I don’t believe it, unless you—”

The gray-clad man suddenly opened his mouth, attempting to argue, but it was as if his throat were clamped shut—no sound came forth.

At that moment, Liu Kuang produced a thick sheepskin tome from the storage pouch he’d bought days ago, waving it before the gray-clad man. On its cover were the words “Fundamentals of Array Formation.”

When Liu Kuang mentioned studying array formation, Liu Pan understood what he was thinking. Liu Pan found Liu Kuang’s actions almost cruel—not even allowing the gray-clad man to finish his denial before presenting the book, utterly extinguishing any hope. It was almost “ruthless.”

But he liked it.

With the presentation of the “Fundamentals of Array Formation,” there was no further need to pursue the matter. In truth, since the major flaws in Liu Pan’s story had been filled so perfectly, most people were convinced of its authenticity, and there was no need to continue.

“All right, disperse. Go about your business,” Elder Yang said, sweeping his gaze across the crowd.

“Elder, what about them…” Hearing the order to disperse, the Cloudstream Sect disciples who had restrained Xu Yangfeng and Xu Xiaozhan were unsure what to do and quickly asked Elder Yang.

Elder Yang frowned and turned his gaze to Liu Kuang. “Xu Yangfeng ambushed you earlier—how do you think they should be handled?”

Liu Kuang was silent for a moment, then bowed respectfully to Elder Yang, saying, “I believe offending me is minor, but offending Cloudstream Sect is grave. Since these two have antagonized the sect, even if spared, they must pay a heavy price, or else the sect’s prestige will be diminished. Thus, how they are dealt with should be for you to decide, Elder.”

Elder Yang’s eyes showed a hint of appreciation at Liu Kuang’s reply.

From Elder Yang’s perspective, Liu Kuang’s brief silence before answering indicated he was not impulsive.

Though Liu Kuang did not explicitly state how Xu Yangfeng and Xu Xiaozhan should be handled, his seemingly unnecessary yet subtly suggestive “even if spared” made his opinion clear.

He addressed the matter as one affecting himself, yet prioritized the sect’s prestige, giving a veiled hint of his wishes, and ultimately left the decision to the elder with due respect. Such a manner of response was nearly flawless.

Nodding, Elder Yang turned his gaze to Xu Yangfeng, brows furrowed, as if considering how to handle the Xu family.

If not for Liu Kuang’s subtle words, Elder Yang would not have cared for the fate of the Xu family—offending Cloudstream Sect would have meant immediate execution.

Yet since Liu Kuang had discreetly expressed his view, Elder Yang would consider it further. For a cultivator possessing spiritual power, such a person was truly special and worth deliberation.

“Senior! I am willing to merge all of the Xu family’s enterprises into Cloudstream Sect’s holdings, serving the sect henceforth. I hope you will consider our family’s talent in business and spare us.”

Elder Yang was still pondering when Xu Yangfeng spoke up.

Xu Yangfeng understood well that, now exposed, the Xu family’s sixty-plus covert businesses in Cloudstream City could not survive, regardless of whether the sect pursued the matter.

Thus, it was better to merge all their businesses into Cloudstream Sect’s domain. Though the Xu family would henceforth be under the sect’s control, this also meant finding a protector that no one would dare challenge in the city.

Moreover, by binding themselves to the sect, it would become far easier for Xu family members to join Cloudstream Sect in the future.

Looking further ahead, such restrictions would gradually fade with time, and by then, the Xu family would still be the Xu family. Why not take advantage of it?

Elder Yang immediately understood Xu Yangfeng’s intent and said, “You are quite clever. Very well, let it be so.”

The reason Elder Yang so readily accepted the proposal was simple: it was a good deal.

After all, the “ambush incident” was now clarified—the Xu family had not intentionally offended Cloudstream Sect, and Liu Kuang had discreetly advocated mercy. Thus, handling the Xu family could not follow the sect’s usual methods.

Xu Yangfeng’s proposal meant the Xu family’s businesses would join Cloudstream Sect’s, and serve the sect. It was as if the sect had suddenly gained a skilled laborer for free.

As for the Xu family members joining the sect more easily afterward—Elder Yang had little interest in such matters. The quality of ordinary disciples was not his concern.

And even if they did join, if their talents were lacking, they would eventually be expelled. Overall, Cloudstream Sect would lose nothing.

With the decision made, Elder Yang wasted no time. He greeted Liu Kuang, then flew by sword toward the sect’s headquarters.

Liu Kuang glanced at Liu Pan, then at Xu Yangfeng and Xu Xiaozhan, and retrieved a common broadsword from his storage pouch, flying after Elder Yang.

Watching Liu Kuang disappear from view, Liu Pan felt a trace of inexplicable emotion.

When he first came to Cloudstream Sect, Liu Pan had not expected that the two would part ways before even entering the sect. Though he would eventually join himself, Liu Pan knew their paths were different, and they would likely drift ever further apart.

After a moment, Liu Pan shook his head, dismissing thoughts of Liu Kuang, and turned to look at Xu Xiaozhan, standing nearby…