Guiyun City was an ordinary small town, but it became the most famous place in the Chaotian overnight.
Since the early morning, countless gazes, flying dedans, and sword lights had been landing in the town one after the other.
The atmosphere in the town was extremely depressing; even the dogs didn't dare to bark, hiding in holes with their tails tucked between their legs.
The wet green stone slabs on the ground reflected innumerable figures, and countless people were moving around amid streets and alleys, searching for clues.
The Pure Heaven Bureau was engaged in investigating the case, and they forbid any local resident leaving the town. The ruined small courtyard was a forbidden place now, and nobody was allowed to go near it.
The treasure lights could be seen once in a while in the ruins, and the labored breathing of the hunting dogs could be heard occasionally.
The disciples of the Center Sect guarding the ruins in the vicinity had eyes full of anger and sadness, which also displayed a hint of bewilderment if one looked carefully enough.
How could our Big Brother have died like this? It was unbelievable!
A skinny old man, hovering above the other ruined residential house about one hundred feet away, showed a face that look extremely terrible as a gloomy energy exuded from his entire body.
He was Ren Qianzhu, an elder of the Center Sect, one who had reached an unimaginably high Cultivation state; in fact, he had reached the upper level of the Godly State long ago.
Anybody could imagine the negative effect of Luo Huainan's death on the Center Sect and what mood Ren Qianzhu was in at the moment.
People were afraid of even glancing at him, let alone saying some comforting words to him.
Ren Qianzhu retrieved his energy abruptly, and said while looking at a spot where the sun rose, "She's here."
The official by his side was startled a bit upon hearing this, and then approached the incoming person along with Ren Qianzhu.
The official's name was Zhang Yi'ai, the chief commander of the Pure Heaven Bureau, and an important figure in the imperial court. He came here in a hurry when he had heard the bad news.
Like the chief commanders of the Pure Heaven Bureau before him, he was from the Center Sect as well.
A small sedan with a green curtain landed with the morning sunlight behind it.
Zhang Yi'ai didn't know the identity of the person in the sedan, wondering why the Center Sect Master couple hadn't shown up during such a significant event.
Ren Qianzhu had a high Cultivation state and status, but he showed an immense respect to the person in the small sedan with green curtain, saying, "Thanks for coming all the way, Senior Master."
The morning breeze tousled the green curtain, and a gentle and mild voice came out from the sedan, "My condolences to the Cultivationists of the Center Sect". She then expressed her intention to examine the scene in private.
Ren Qianzhu led the small green-curtain sedan personally to the ruined small courtyard, and then took the disciples of the Center Sect away to the street outside.
Zhang Yi'ai asked in a whisper, "Big Brother, who is she?"
"The great grandmaster of the Water-Moon Nunnery," Ren Qianzhu replied.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yi'ai was astonished, thinking that the status of the great grandmaster of the Water-Moon Nunnery was so noble that it must be the Center Sect Master who had invited her in person, which is why she could come to Guiyun City so quickly.
He gazed over the half-collapsed courtyard wall at the small sedan with green curtain, and kept his hope up. Since the killer had concealed his energy so well, the Pure Heaven Bureau had used many magic treasures to search for the clues without any success. Though the assassin was probably an experienced killer in the assassination business, the Water-Moon Nunnery would definitely find something by employing their Two-World Connection.
"Why were there so many Cultivation practitioners in town last night?" asked Ren Qianzhu.
Zhang Yi'ai had already received report from his subordinates, and he told Ren Qianzhu about the auction at the Precious-Ware House.
Ren Qianzhu said icily, "I'd like to meet those people."
Zhang Yi'ai thought this could be a troublesome matter, and he said in a hushed voice, "The others are no problem, but the Shenmo Peak Master of the Green Mountain Sect is among them; so Big Brother should be careful."
Startled, Ren Qianzhu asked, "Why is she here?"
The small sedan with green curtain left the ruined small courtyard.
Zhang Yi'ai walked to the front of the sedan along with Ren Qianzhu before he had time to answer Ren Qianzhu's question.
"There are some traces of the devil flames, and the residual energy of the Bloody Devil Style; so they should belong to the evil followers of the deviant sects. However, I don't quite understand two other energies."
The gentle and mild voice in the small sedan with green curtain trailed off, as if this great grandmaster of the Water-Moon Nunnery even felt it odd.
Zhang Yi'ai and Ren Qianzhu didn't dare miss any words uttered by the old lady, their expressions turning more serious.
"One of the sword wills is very light, but…belongs to the Green Mountain. And the other sword will is obviously unfamiliar, but I have the feeling that I have seen it somewhere."
Having heard this, Zhang Yi'ai felt the morning breeze blowing over his face had suddenly turned icy cold, as if cutting into his flesh.
The assassination attempt on Zhao Layue in the Mingcui Valley by the elder of the Center Sect in the Yuanying State triggered significant unrest a few years ago.
Yet, this time, it was Luo Huainan who was killed!
Zhang Yi'ai hailed from the Center Sect and was an official of the imperial court, so he didn't want another massive unrest due to this event.
Ren Qianzhu's expression had become even more unsympathetic, more apathetic, after hearing this. He bowed to the small sedan with green curtain, saying, "Thank you very much, Senior Master."
A sigh could be heard coming out from the inside of the small sedan with green curtains. The small sedan then took off along with the morning wind, gradually disappearing amid the morning sunlight.
Zhang Yi'ai didn't hesitate and turned around to stand in front of Ren Qianzhu, blocking his path. Staring into his eyes, Zhang Yi'ai said, "Big Brother, please calm down."
Ren Qianzhu shook his sleeves angrily and snorted.
Zhang Yi'ai couldn't block him with force, and stepped aside helplessly.
Ren Qianzhu's body had suddenly shrunk, vanishing from its original spot.
…
…
Half a minute later.
A gust of wind occurred in the Precious-Ware House a few miles away from the ruins.
Ren Qianzhu appeared outside the Precious-Ware House. He looked up and yelled sternly, "Zhao Layue, get out!"
The loud yelling was like a thunder, and the booming echo lingered for a while.
A violent wind rose inside the building, and the beams of the building let out the squeaking sounds, the plaques falling down, dusts rising up, as if the building were going to collapse.
The boss of the Precious-Ware House had just arrived hurriedly in the early morning, and he was worried about the current event. So he got really angry when he thought someone was making a fuss. As he came to the railing and looked down, he instantly knelt down on the floor with a changed expression when he saw Ren Qianzhu stand in front of the building.
The rest of the Cultivation practitioners had guessed the identity of the old man when seeing the scene, and they looked up at the top floor of the building reflexively as they bowed and walked away with fearful expressions.
The sound of a door being opened could be heard on the top floor.
Zhao Layue walked out, followed by Gu Qing.
She walked to the railing and looked down at the elder of the Center Sect, her expression calm and unconcerned.
…
…
"Where were you around midnight yesterday?" Ren Qianzhu asked while staring at Zhao Layue, his eyes icy cold.
Midnight was the time confirmed by the disciples of the North-Brook Sect who guarded the small courtyard outside when the whole Guiyun City heard the loud sound.
It should have been around the time when Luo Huainan died.
Zhao Layue didn't say anything.
"Are you asking for help or interrogating a suspect?"
Gu Qing took a step forward and came to the railing, continuing, "If it's the former, I can consider cooperating with you, but if it's the latter, what makes you ask such a question?"
Ren Qianzhu didn't heed Gu Qing, as he said to Zhao Layue with a harsh tone, "One of those responsible for my Junior Master Luo's death has left behind a trace of sword will of the Green Mountain. How would you explain it?"
Upon hearing this, the Cultivation practitioners in the building and the caretakers of the Precious-Ware House were quite shocked, wondering what was going on.
"Because you had a grudge with our Center Sect and you happen to be in this small town for no reason, it's only natural that I come with questions."
Staring at Zhao Layue, Ren Qianzhu said sternly, "Is it that you can't answer me, or that you won't? You shouldn't think you are a peak master of the Green Mountain beyond punishment."
Some Cultivation practitioners for the auction wanted to explain why Zhao Layue was here, but they couldn't speak out under the intimidation of the elder in the Godly State.
The chief commander of the Pure Heaven Bureau finally got here along with a gust of wind, and he walked directly to the back of Ren Qianzhu, talking to him in a hushed voice.
Ren Qianzhu narrowed his eyes slightly, the intimidating energy emitted by him diminishing a bit.
The disciples of the Center Sect and the officials of the Pure Heaven Bureau had also caught up and learned of the reason.
One of the auctioned items at the Precious-Ware House last night was a Three-Purities Grass.
The whole Cultivation circle knew that Zhao Layue needed the Three-Purities Grass to break through the Free Travel State. It was only natural that she b present here.
The Green Mountain Sect had been looking for the Three-Purities Grass for some days by now.
"The order of appearance must be considered. We were here first."
Gu Qing said calmly, "Senior Master should ask why Big Brother Luo Huainan happened to come to this town last night, not why we are here."
Gu Qing's remark seemed reasonable, but also unreasonable.
It was because Luo Huainan had already died, so he couldn't answer any question.
"How do you explain the trace of sword will of the Green Mountain?"
Though Ren Qianzhu reduced his energy, he still could mount a quick attack as he stared into Zhao Layue's eyes.
He was a swordsman in the upper level of the Godly State, so Zhao Layue would face death, no matter how talented she was in Cultivation, if he attacked.
The disciples of the Center Sect also looked up at the top of the building, caution and anger showing in their eyes.
Zhao Layue didn't respond to the question; instead, the Center Sect heard countless whistling sounds created by the flying swords.
Whoosh!!! Whoosh!!! Whoosh!!!
Dozens of sword lights illuminated the sky over Guiyun City.
The disciples of the Green Mountain had arrived.
Guiyun City was an ordinary small town, but it became the most famous place in the Chaotian overnight.
Since the early morning, countless gazes, flying dedans, and sword lights had been landing in the town one after the other.
The atmosphere in the town was extremely depressing; even the dogs didn't dare to bark, hiding in holes with their tails tucked between their legs.
The wet green stone slabs on the ground reflected innumerable figures, and countless people were moving around amid streets and alleys, searching for clues.
The Pure Heaven Bureau was engaged in investigating the case, and they forbid any local resident leaving the town. The ruined small courtyard was a forbidden place now, and nobody was allowed to go near it.
The treasure lights could be seen once in a while in the ruins, and the labored breathing of the hunting dogs could be heard occasionally.
The disciples of the Center Sect guarding the ruins in the vicinity had eyes full of anger and sadness, which also displayed a hint of bewilderment if one looked carefully enough.
How could our Big Brother have died like this? It was unbelievable!
A skinny old man, hovering above the other ruined residential house about one hundred feet away, showed a face that look extremely terrible as a gloomy energy exuded from his entire body.
He was Ren Qianzhu, an elder of the Center Sect, one who had reached an unimaginably high Cultivation state; in fact, he had reached the upper level of the Godly State long ago.
Anybody could imagine the negative effect of Luo Huainan's death on the Center Sect and what mood Ren Qianzhu was in at the moment.
People were afraid of even glancing at him, let alone saying some comforting words to him.
Ren Qianzhu retrieved his energy abruptly, and said while looking at a spot where the sun rose, "She's here."
The official by his side was startled a bit upon hearing this, and then approached the incoming person along with Ren Qianzhu.
The official's name was Zhang Yi'ai, the chief commander of the Pure Heaven Bureau, and an important figure in the imperial court. He came here in a hurry when he had heard the bad news.
Like the chief commanders of the Pure Heaven Bureau before him, he was from the Center Sect as well.
A small sedan with a green curtain landed with the morning sunlight behind it.
Zhang Yi'ai didn't know the identity of the person in the sedan, wondering why the Center Sect Master couple hadn't shown up during such a significant event.
Ren Qianzhu had a high Cultivation state and status, but he showed an immense respect to the person in the small sedan with green curtain, saying, "Thanks for coming all the way, Senior Master."
The morning breeze tousled the green curtain, and a gentle and mild voice came out from the sedan, "My condolences to the Cultivationists of the Center Sect". She then expressed her intention to examine the scene in private.
Ren Qianzhu led the small green-curtain sedan personally to the ruined small courtyard, and then took the disciples of the Center Sect away to the street outside.
Zhang Yi'ai asked in a whisper, "Big Brother, who is she?"
"The great grandmaster of the Water-Moon Nunnery," Ren Qianzhu replied.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yi'ai was astonished, thinking that the status of the great grandmaster of the Water-Moon Nunnery was so noble that it must be the Center Sect Master who had invited her in person, which is why she could come to Guiyun City so quickly.
He gazed over the half-collapsed courtyard wall at the small sedan with green curtain, and kept his hope up. Since the killer had concealed his energy so well, the Pure Heaven Bureau had used many magic treasures to search for the clues without any success. Though the assassin was probably an experienced killer in the assassination business, the Water-Moon Nunnery would definitely find something by employing their Two-World Connection.
"Why were there so many Cultivation practitioners in town last night?" asked Ren Qianzhu.
Zhang Yi'ai had already received report from his subordinates, and he told Ren Qianzhu about the auction at the Precious-Ware House.
Ren Qianzhu said icily, "I'd like to meet those people."
Zhang Yi'ai thought this could be a troublesome matter, and he said in a hushed voice, "The others are no problem, but the Shenmo Peak Master of the Green Mountain Sect is among them; so Big Brother should be careful."
Startled, Ren Qianzhu asked, "Why is she here?"
The small sedan with green curtain left the ruined small courtyard.
Zhang Yi'ai walked to the front of the sedan along with Ren Qianzhu before he had time to answer Ren Qianzhu's question.
"There are some traces of the devil flames, and the residual energy of the Bloody Devil Style; so they should belong to the evil followers of the deviant sects. However, I don't quite understand two other energies."
The gentle and mild voice in the small sedan with green curtain trailed off, as if this great grandmaster of the Water-Moon Nunnery even felt it odd.
Zhang Yi'ai and Ren Qianzhu didn't dare miss any words uttered by the old lady, their expressions turning more serious.
"One of the sword wills is very light, but…belongs to the Green Mountain. And the other sword will is obviously unfamiliar, but I have the feeling that I have seen it somewhere."
Having heard this, Zhang Yi'ai felt the morning breeze blowing over his face had suddenly turned icy cold, as if cutting into his flesh.
The assassination attempt on Zhao Layue in the Mingcui Valley by the elder of the Center Sect in the Yuanying State triggered significant unrest a few years ago.
Yet, this time, it was Luo Huainan who was killed!
Zhang Yi'ai hailed from the Center Sect and was an official of the imperial court, so he didn't want another massive unrest due to this event.
Ren Qianzhu's expression had become even more unsympathetic, more apathetic, after hearing this. He bowed to the small sedan with green curtain, saying, "Thank you very much, Senior Master."
A sigh could be heard coming out from the inside of the small sedan with green curtains. The small sedan then took off along with the morning wind, gradually disappearing amid the morning sunlight.
Zhang Yi'ai didn't hesitate and turned around to stand in front of Ren Qianzhu, blocking his path. Staring into his eyes, Zhang Yi'ai said, "Big Brother, please calm down."
Ren Qianzhu shook his sleeves angrily and snorted.
Zhang Yi'ai couldn't block him with force, and stepped aside helplessly.
Ren Qianzhu's body had suddenly shrunk, vanishing from its original spot.
…
…
Half a minute later.
A gust of wind occurred in the Precious-Ware House a few miles away from the ruins.
Ren Qianzhu appeared outside the Precious-Ware House. He looked up and yelled sternly, "Zhao Layue, get out!"
The loud yelling was like a thunder, and the booming echo lingered for a while.
A violent wind rose inside the building, and the beams of the building let out the squeaking sounds, the plaques falling down, dusts rising up, as if the building were going to collapse.
The boss of the Precious-Ware House had just arrived hurriedly in the early morning, and he was worried about the current event. So he got really angry when he thought someone was making a fuss. As he came to the railing and looked down, he instantly knelt down on the floor with a changed expression when he saw Ren Qianzhu stand in front of the building.
The rest of the Cultivation practitioners had guessed the identity of the old man when seeing the scene, and they looked up at the top floor of the building reflexively as they bowed and walked away with fearful expressions.
The sound of a door being opened could be heard on the top floor.
Zhao Layue walked out, followed by Gu Qing.
She walked to the railing and looked down at the elder of the Center Sect, her expression calm and unconcerned.
…
…
"Where were you around midnight yesterday?" Ren Qianzhu asked while staring at Zhao Layue, his eyes icy cold.
Midnight was the time confirmed by the disciples of the North-Brook Sect who guarded the small courtyard outside when the whole Guiyun City heard the loud sound.
It should have been around the time when Luo Huainan died.
Zhao Layue didn't say anything.
"Are you asking for help or interrogating a suspect?"
Gu Qing took a step forward and came to the railing, continuing, "If it's the former, I can consider cooperating with you, but if it's the latter, what makes you ask such a question?"
Ren Qianzhu didn't heed Gu Qing, as he said to Zhao Layue with a harsh tone, "One of those responsible for my Junior Master Luo's death has left behind a trace of sword will of the Green Mountain. How would you explain it?"
Upon hearing this, the Cultivation practitioners in the building and the caretakers of the Precious-Ware House were quite shocked, wondering what was going on.
"Because you had a grudge with our Center Sect and you happen to be in this small town for no reason, it's only natural that I come with questions."
Staring at Zhao Layue, Ren Qianzhu said sternly, "Is it that you can't answer me, or that you won't? You shouldn't think you are a peak master of the Green Mountain beyond punishment."
Some Cultivation practitioners for the auction wanted to explain why Zhao Layue was here, but they couldn't speak out under the intimidation of the elder in the Godly State.
The chief commander of the Pure Heaven Bureau finally got here along with a gust of wind, and he walked directly to the back of Ren Qianzhu, talking to him in a hushed voice.
Ren Qianzhu narrowed his eyes slightly, the intimidating energy emitted by him diminishing a bit.
The disciples of the Center Sect and the officials of the Pure Heaven Bureau had also caught up and learned of the reason.
One of the auctioned items at the Precious-Ware House last night was a Three-Purities Grass.
The whole Cultivation circle knew that Zhao Layue needed the Three-Purities Grass to break through the Free Travel State. It was only natural that she b present here.
The Green Mountain Sect had been looking for the Three-Purities Grass for some days by now.
"The order of appearance must be considered. We were here first."
Gu Qing said calmly, "Senior Master should ask why Big Brother Luo Huainan happened to come to this town last night, not why we are here."
Gu Qing's remark seemed reasonable, but also unreasonable.
It was because Luo Huainan had already died, so he couldn't answer any question.
"How do you explain the trace of sword will of the Green Mountain?"
Though Ren Qianzhu reduced his energy, he still could mount a quick attack as he stared into Zhao Layue's eyes.
He was a swordsman in the upper level of the Godly State, so Zhao Layue would face death, no matter how talented she was in Cultivation, if he attacked.
The disciples of the Center Sect also looked up at the top of the building, caution and anger showing in their eyes.
Zhao Layue didn't respond to the question; instead, the Center Sect heard countless whistling sounds created by the flying swords.
Whoosh!!! Whoosh!!! Whoosh!!!
Dozens of sword lights illuminated the sky over Guiyun City.
The disciples of the Green Mountain had arrived.
