Chapter 27: Murder Case (Part 3) Part 1

◎How do you know my surname is Jiang?◎

Inside the Yang Medical Office, there happened to be a complete bird’s-eye-view map of the sect. It was perfectly useful right now. The Eldest Senior Sister and the swordsmanship teacher appearing together inside the medical office immediately drew curious gazes. Some even wanted to approach and speak, but were dissuaded by the young attendant accompanying them.

Xiao Yuanming’s eagle-sharp eyes swept across the map several times. He traced out several areas with his finger: “These locations could all potentially hide the murderer.” Most of the regions he circled were in the mountain forests. The Divine Zenith Sect covered a vast territory. Many places had surveillance installed, but inevitably there were still gaps. The large swathes of forest could indeed conceal someone.

Xiao Yuanming said, “I’ll contact the other teachers shortly and try to gather some people. Jinxue, go find Xingfeng. Have him summon all the disciples of the various Elders to guard the workers who have no spiritual power to defend themselves.” Within the Divine Zenith Sect, besides the handyman disciples, there were also many ordinary mortals who had come seeking work and a means to earn a living. Normally, other sects loved to boast that their territories were rare paradisiacal lands, suggesting that even the firewood choppers within were cultivators who could wield spiritual power, thereby flaunting the rich cultivation resources of their sect. The Divine Zenith Sect, however, was free of such pretenses. They didn’t bother with these superficialities. They even openly recruited mortal artisans and laborers, which helped solve some local employment issues. This was one reason the Divine Zenith Sect was widely respected.

Yun Jinxue voiced her agreement, then asked, “Is this killing method exclusive to Mad Red Hall?” The premature emergence of this term left her deeply unsettled. Xiao Yuanming said, “A killing method with such distinct characteristics can basically be concluded as theirs. I’ll send someone to inquire about Mad Red Hall’s recent news shortly. We should have clarity soon.” Yun Jinxue said, “That’s good.” Xiao Yuanming added, “There could be other possibilities as well. In any case, we cannot let our guard down.”

Noticing the two young women following behind her, he softened his tone slightly. “Who are these two?” Yun Jinxue rolled out her standard explanation: “They are two new handyman disciples I’ve taken in.” Xiao Yuanming said, “Good. Having people by your side to take care of you means you’re not so solitary.” Even the swordsmanship teacher said so; it seemed this Eldest Senior Sister’s previous life had indeed been quite lonely and reclusive.

But mentioning the two behind her stirred a rare desire to show off within Yun Jinxue. She held it in for a long while but ultimately couldn’t resist. She said, “Both of them have already achieved Core Formation. I plan to have them participate in the Apprentice Ceremony.” Xiao Yuanming’s eyes widened slightly. “Oh? Both have formed their cores at such an age? Such talent surpasses even yours at that time, Jinxue.” This swordsmanship teacher was indeed very direct, speaking whatever came to mind. If the original Eldest Senior Sister had heard such blunt comparisons of talent, she might have been somewhat devastated. But to Yun Jinxue’s ears, it made her utterly delighted. Ah! Now she finally understood the psychology of those parents who loved to show off their children! When the little ones under her wing were praised, the feeling was just soaring!

Yun Jinxue suppressed a smile. “I also encountered them by chance during my travels abroad. I never expected they were both temporarily dust-covered pearls. I thought to bring them back and nurture them. If they prove to be talents, they can contribute to the sect’s development.” Xiao Yuanming’s face finally broke into a slight smile. “Traveling abroad, yet still thinking of seeking new blood for the sect and expanding our strength. Very good. Worthy of the Sect Leader’s daughter.” Even though the current Sect Leader was despondent and incapable of handling affairs, his words held no mockery of the Sect Leader. It was simply because their generation had essentially all been raised by the Sect Leader. They had experienced the early years when the Sect Leader was still full of high spirits, witnessing or hearing many tales of Yun Ding’s elegance and heroic deeds in slaying demons and exterminating ghosts. Even if he had changed later on, such impressions could not be easily altered. Perhaps to outsiders, Yun Ding, that utterly failed Sect Leader, was already completely worthless—the satirical poems about him were numerous enough to compile into a volume. But the devil-subduing struggle was long; failure was the norm. Deep down, many within the Divine Zenith Sect always felt that one day in the future, the Sect Leader could restore his former glory and once again lead everyone forward.

They confirmed the map’s details once more, sorted out the tasks to be done next, and then split up to act separately.

A red Secret Swift Flame ignited in Yun Jinxue’s palm. She sealed the tasks the swordsmanship teacher had just assigned to Tuo Xingfeng into it and transmitted it to him. Then, she took the two young women to go search the forest.

Stepping on fallen leaves produced a crunching sound. The dense forest was deep; sunlight was unusually thin. Even under the bright day sky, it was like a ghostly grove. Yun Jinxue drew her sword from its sheath, meticulously inspecting every possible hiding place. Her heart hung suspended, high and tight. The aftermath of Spring Crossing—whenever a battle was about to begin, or even just possibly begin, she felt as if she were back in that small town again. Shrouded in mist, constantly on edge, trapped in endless tension and fear. Sigh. A constitution too prone to psychological scars was completely unsuited for surviving in this kind of environment! Yun Jinxue slightly released her spiritual power, like extending countless sensitive fingers, probing for any possible spiritual fluctuations within the woods. She listened intently, her nerves gradually drawing taut.

Suddenly, a pffft sound. She whipped her head around and saw a flicker of flame in Jiang Yanyu’s hand, gone in a flash. Her taut nerves relaxed slightly. Yun Jinxue asked, “What is it?” Jiang Yanyu curled her fingers, as if savoring the afterimage of that flame. “That technique Senior Sister used to send the message just now… I’ve learned it.” This was far too clever. Could she grasp the key just by watching? Yet for the Little Villain, it didn’t seem strange at all.

Yun Jinxue smiled lightly. “So who did you just send a message to?” Jiang Yanyu withdrew her hand, clasping it behind her back. She smiled. “To that friend of mine. I wanted to remind him that the sect is a bit dangerous right now, to be careful.” Yun Jinxue said, “The same friend you mentioned earlier when… when you applied medicine for me? He’s in the rear kitchen, right?” Jiang Yanyu replied, “Yes.” The current Little Villain was really still quite kind-hearted. When something happened, her first thought was for her friend’s safety. If not for the pain of shattering her core at the Apprentice Ceremony and the agony of Eldest Senior Sister’s betrayal, perhaps she could have remained this naive forever.

Yun Jinxue reassured her, “Then don’t worry. Uncle Xiao just said he’d have other Elder’s disciples go protect them.” Jiang Yanyu nodded. “That’s good.” This interruption seemed to ease her nervous mood considerably. Yun Jinxue continued deeper into the dense forest. Yet even after completing their designated search route, they still hadn’t seen a single person.

When they emerged from the woods, it was nearly noon. Facing the sunlight, they could see the two colossal humanoid statues at Thousand Birds Peak Forest, along with the massive, broad platform—exceptionally majestic and imposing. Every time she saw this sight, Yun Jinxue would recall the sense of awe she’d felt visiting the Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang. A flame ignited in her palm as Yun Jinxue gazed at the two giant statues. While relaying the situation on their end to Xiao Yuanming, she walked towards Thousand Birds Peak Forest. To return to Demon Viscera Hall, there happened to be a shortcut just beneath the peak forest that could bypass the main route.

“Uncle Xiao, I’ve finished checking this side. No anomalies. Your side…” Walking to the base of Thousand Birds Peak Forest, rounding a few tree shadows, Yun Jinxue looked up. Amidst the hazy, blinding light of the high sun, she saw three crimson objects.

Yun Jinxue squinted. The moment she made out what they were, the flame in her palm instantly dissipated. “That…” She nearly buckled at the knees. “What… is that?” On the mudflat not far away, it appeared as if three people were standing there. But looking more carefully, they were nothing more than corpses. Below their calves, only spotlessly clean bone remained, driven straight into the soil. Large swathes of flesh had been carved from their bodies. Because the wounds were still fresh, blood trickled down, pooling in small puddles on the ground. The three bodies resembled three incense sticks, planted in the earth as an offering, paying obeisance to Thousand Birds Peak Forest.

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Due to the discovery of fresh bodies, the situation immediately escalated in urgency. All student lessons were suspended. The workers halted their labor. Everyone was organized into orderly groups and gathered together. Until the hidden murderer was found, no one was allowed to separate. Watching teams of people being led up the mountain by the young attendants, Xiao Yuanming instructed, “Just say that with the Apprentice Ceremony approaching, we need to clean up the sect interior. Do not mention the murders. Be careful not to incite panic.” Tuo Xingfeng replied, “Understood, Teacher Xiao.”

The murders, happening practically one after another, still left Yun Jinxue’s heart trembling with lingering fear. Xiao Yuanming asked, “Are you alright?” Yun Jinxue said, “I’m fine.” Xiao Yuanming said, “The other teachers will arrive soon. Don’t be anxious.” As soon as he finished speaking, Two young teachers arrived and bowed. “Greetings, Teacher Xiao.” One was a teacher of soul techniques and the Ghost Path, named Wu Lan. She wore a long robe of pitch black. Beneath her thin eyebrows, her pupils were extremely dark, and the corners of her mouth turned down slightly, giving her a rather gloomy appearance. The other was called Jian Zhi, who taught foundational cultivation knowledge. He looked quite refined, dressed in a long lake-green robe. His complexion was fair, his build slender, like a weeping willow in early spring.

Xiao Yuanming exchanged brief greetings, then explained the details of the situation. Wu Lan frowned, saying quite seriously, “It is indeed the handiwork of a Deviant Cultivator.” Jian Zhi asked, “Do the murdered disciples share any common characteristics?” Xiao Yuanming said, “I sought out students to ask just now. The first two whose bodies were discovered were friends; they frequently bullied their peers. The three newly discovered bodies haven’t been identified yet. I’ve already sent Tuo Xingfeng to take roll call.” Jian Zhi asked gently, “Could it possibly be a revenge killing among disciples?” Wu Lan let out a cold laugh, saying bluntly, “To be frank, among our disciples, there isn’t a single one capable of killing five people in a row right under our noses, completely unnoticed.” Jian Zhi rubbed the tip of his brow. “Has Teacher Xiao sent anyone to inquire about news from Mad Red Hall?” Xiao Yuanming nodded. “A person has already been dispatched. We should have word soon.”