Investigating the Case at Their Door

Within a short while, the modest Sect Residence was packed with more than a dozen cultivators dressed in matching Daoist robes.

They divided themselves neatly to either side, leaving the middle to the two youths dressed in far more luxurious clothes.

One of the youths was tall and dashing, while the other was short and wretched-looking. They were none other than Wu Cheng and Wu Ping, who had previously come out to investigate Uncle-Master He's disappearance.

Wu Ping was ugly and very short. Setting aside the grudge between You Su and the two of their masters, it would have been impossible for him to become friends with You Su anyway. The moment he saw You Su's gorgeous skin, he wanted nothing more than to stomp him deep into the filthiest mud. When he noticed that You Su was even carrying a bedsheet in his arms, he could not resist sneering.

"Yo, Great Swordsman You, are you off to do the laundry? How could that be? Those hands of yours are meant to wield a sword! How could they do the work of a servant?"

After he finished speaking, some of the lackeys beside him let out snickering laughter. Whether they had genuinely found it funny or were merely playing along with their master's performance was anyone's guess.

"Master Ping, you're mistaken. There is profound learning in washing clothes, and it greatly helps with controlling Mystic Qi. Otherwise, why don't you ask these servants beside you why they're so much stronger than Master Ping, who only needs to hold a sword all day?"

The remark struck Wu Ping where it hurt. Unlike his elder brother Wu Cheng, he had abysmal talent. Every day, he could only throw his weight around in Chuyun City by relying on the reputation of his genius elder brother and his father, an elder of the Sky Guard Sect. He had even managed to secure a position as an inner disciple of the Sky Guard Sect. But when it came to hard strength, he could only be considered bottom-tier within the sect.

He viciously glared at You Su, then began observing the reactions of the Outer Disciples beside him even more carefully. If anyone dared reveal an unusual expression, he would make sure they suffered when they got back.

After observing them, he did not immediately curse back at You Su. Instead, he stealthily moved up beside his elder brother and asked in a low voice, "Brother, was what he said true?"

Wu Cheng did not answer. He merely cast a faint glance at his good-for-nothing younger brother. Wu Ping quickly shut his mouth and shrank back.

Wu Cheng took a token from his sleeve. The words "City Lord" were engraved on it.

With a smug expression and booming voice, he declared, "The Sky Guard Sect has received permission from the City Lord's Mansion to investigate the case of Sky Guard Sect disciple He Qimiao's disappearance! Everyone is to cooperate fully. Do not resist!"

You Su narrowed his eyes, his brows knitting slightly. Clearly, the other side had come prepared this time.

Previously, when Wu Ping, Wu Cheng, and the others had made things difficult for him, they had probably been acting on the instructions of elders who had suffered humiliation at the hands of his master. But by now, his repeated contempt had likely transformed the conflict between the older generations into their own feud. Otherwise, their actions could not have grown increasingly aggressive—from challenging him one-on-one in the past to coming straight to his door now.

As for their so-called investigation, it was naturally complete bullshit. You Su knew that Uncle-Master He had long since been eaten by the Lantern Ghost. How could they possibly find him? If they had truly cared so much about Uncle-Master He, they would not have let the addled man wander around outside alone.

"How does your sect intend to investigate?" You Su placed the bundle of cloth in his hands on the nearby windowsill, his tone cold and dangerous.

"What do you think? Search the place!"

Wu Cheng was not afraid of You Su in the slightest. He was twenty years old this year and one of the foremost talents among the younger generation of the Sky Guard Sect. You Su had entered the Spirit Platform Realm at eighteen, and so had he. He was even one of the sect's current key disciples under cultivation.

In fact, Wu Cheng had not initially disliked You Su. He had not even known him. It was only because his master had ordered him to challenge You Su and crush him. He had assumed it would be a simple task, but You Su avoided the fight every time. Unable to fulfill his master's expectations, Wu Cheng suffered greatly and became increasingly desperate to fight him. Yet every time, You Su would look at him with those eyes that saw no one, then run away. Later, Wu Cheng began using sneak attacks and all sorts of methods, hoping only that You Su would strike back. But that turtle-like youth seemed to have no blood in his veins. After easily dodging Wu Cheng's attacks, he would flee without ever retaliating, as though he disdained him.

In front of others, he was a refined and courteous young genius. Only when facing You Su did he feel himself growing more twisted. You Su had become like a heart demon to him. He desperately wanted to see that youth, who was seemingly forever calm as still water, reveal an expression of frustration and regret.

Fortunately, he was not the only person in the city who hated You Su. He would become the first among them to successfully crush You Su, and the thought filled him with immense satisfaction.

At the command of the Outer Disciples, they moved like a flowing stream, preparing to turn the dilapidated old residence upside down.

"Let's see who dares!"

You Su's explosive shout halted everyone's movements. But it tugged at his still-healing internal injuries, and he unexpectedly began coughing, his imposing momentum leaking away in an instant.

Seeing this, everyone burst out laughing. They felt that You Su had not just shouted, "Let's see who dares," but had instead asked, "Let's see who doesn't dare."

Ji Lingruo disliked seeing strangers, so she had not appeared at first. But when she saw You Su coughing, she hurried out. She pressed herself tightly against his side, supporting his arm with a concerned expression and even patting his back for him.

Once You Su had eased up somewhat, she glared furiously at the intruders. "What kind of investigation is this? Aren't you cultivators? Do you really need to rummage through everything just to find one person?"

When Wu Ping saw Ji Lingruo appear, beautiful as a heavenly immortal, he became utterly lovestruck. It was his first time learning that You Su's hidden junior sister was such a beauty. He did not even care that her ample chest was pressed against You Su's arm. He was so jealous that he gnashed his teeth.

Wu Cheng, on the other hand, appeared extremely restrained, still wearing an upright expression. He paid close attention to You Su, so naturally he had seen Ji Lingruo before. The first time he caught sight of her, he had felt that she possessed a beauty this small city had no business containing. He only knew that she was You Su's junior sister, not her name. More than once, he had resentfully wondered: What right did a woman like her have to be You Su's junior sister? What qualifications did a blind man like him have to appreciate such a naturally born beauty? He now had one more reason to hate You Su.

"Young lady, what you said is perfectly reasonable. I could have used a Spirit Tool to search directly. But this blind man You Su is no ordinary person. Who knows whether he used some evil art to seal away the aura of my Uncle-Master He? In that case, we'll have to search with our own eyes." Wu Cheng explained leisurely, then smiled. "Which room is your boudoir? Point it out, and I absolutely won't let them barge in. After all, whatever you and this blind man have done surely has nothing to do with this matter."

Ji Lingruo was so furious that she laughed instead. She glared fiercely at the sanctimonious man before her. "You useless thing with eyes but no vision! My senior brother and I share the same breath and fate, standing together through thick and thin. If you can't even see that, what do you think those dog eyes of yours will find? Hurry up and get lost!"

Ji Lingruo was wholeheartedly on You Su's side. How could she let this villain who often bullied him drive a wedge between them? She had long since seen that these people had not come to investigate a case at all, but had come specifically to cause trouble.

Wu Cheng's expression remained perfectly controlled, and he was not angered in the slightest by the girl's insults. He said unhurriedly:

"Miss, please calm down. Once we finish searching, the truth will naturally come to light. If we find no clues, I will personally apologize to you. But if we discover anything suspicious, your senior brother will be in trouble..."

"Search the place!"