Death for You, Life for Me

After the gray-robed man left.

An old man in embroidered robes emerged from the shadows.

"Young Master, this matter likely wasn't Cheng Yang's doing. He wouldn't have the nerve."

"But he was the only one who knew you were coming here, so we should still investigate."

The old man spoke in a low voice.

"Elder Yue, Qingcheng City has thrown us a few surprises!"

"How is the investigation into the situation at Qin Cui Mountain going, Elder Yue?"

Yan Mu asked.

"It has thrown us some surprises. This Bai Tianyu appeared out of nowhere, and we've managed to uncover little about him."

"From questioning some of the Lei Family survivors, we learned that two people—a man and a woman—seem to have entered the valley to investigate."

"They were spotted by Lei Yao and the men he brought with him. Lei Yao and his men pursued them, but in the end, they were killed instead."

"From the bodies, it appears one of the intruders used a sword, and the other a blade."

"But that man and woman aren't the main concern. What matters is the person Lei Yao brought into the valley. That's the person we need to investigate. I suspect they were from the Cold Moon Sect."

"I've already sent people to investigate everyone Lei Yao had contact with!"

"But, Young Master, I'd like to visit the Golden Wind Fine Rain Tower. They're the local power in Qingcheng City and may be able to help us find that person."

"I'd also like to meet Bai Tianyu."

The old man spoke.

"Elder Yue, since you've already deduced that the person who went to see the Blood Demon Flower was from the Cold Moon Sect, that means our bait has been taken. We just need to wait for them to show up in the valley."

"Why bother investigating who they are? We might expose ourselves."

Yan Shu said.

"From the intelligence we've gathered, Zi Hanyue has been in Lingnan Commandery for several years, but we've never managed to track her movements."

"That shows how cautious and calculating she is. The Blood Demon Flower is important, but she may not go there herself!"

"If she doesn't go, then our whole plan will fail, and all our efforts will be wasted."

The old man in fine robes spoke.

"Understood. I'll inform my father and have him send another group of people over!"

Yan Mu nodded.

They couldn't let all the effort they'd put into setting this trap go to waste.

Elsewhere.

The Canteen Hall, main hall.

Qin Tianhan sat in the central seat, wiping blood from the blade on the tip of the banner-spear in his hand.

Dugu Hao, the Canteen Hall's deputy hall master, stood respectfully before Qin Tianhan.

His heart trembled with fear.

Yesterday, Qin Tianhan had entered their Canteen Hall alone and started killing. By the end, only he and one other member of the hall's senior staff were left.

Now that other man was lying right in front of him.

Blood still gushed from his throat.

Qin Tianhan had just pierced it with the banner-spear in his hand.

"Hall Master Dugu, have you found out who attacked my younger brother?"

Qin Tianhan looked at him and asked.

His voice was icy, and Dugu Hao was drenched in cold sweat.

"Second Young Master, I haven't found any leads. But based on what I've learned, I suspect Su Chen attacked Third Young Master."

Dugu Hao spoke softly.

Boom!

As soon as he said those words,

Qin Tianhan vanished from his seat and shot toward him.

He grabbed Dugu Hao by the throat and said coldly, "Are you saying my younger brother was weaker than Su Chen?"

"Cough, cough—no, no!"

Dugu Hao hurriedly replied.

"Second Young Master, that's just my guess. Su Chen dared to make a deal with Bai Tianyu to wipe out Lei Hall. He could also have hired someone to kill Third Young Master."

Dugu Hao spoke.

He hadn't found out a thing, but he knew he couldn't stay silent.

If he said nothing, he'd die today. If he spoke up, he might still have a chance to live.

At that moment, with death staring him in the face, a thought had flashed through his mind: Su Chen.

So he'd named Su Chen.

That was death for you, life for me.

Better to save his own skin first.

Besides, his reasoning was sound. He could only take a gamble.

Hearing Dugu Hao's words,

Qin Tianhan released his grip on Dugu Hao's throat.

"You make a good point. Bring Su Chen to the Canteen Hall!"

"I want to see him here tonight!"

"If he isn't here, you can join your brothers."

After speaking, Qin Tianhan turned and walked out of the Canteen Hall's main hall.

Thud!

Dugu Hao, who had barely been standing, fell to his knees.

He didn't get up. Instead, he wiped the sweat from his forehead. Only after a good while did he stand, walk over to a chair, and sit down, gulping down a cup of tea from the table.

"Someone!"

Once some color had returned to his face, he called out.

A moment later, two Canteen Hall disciples came in. Seeing the corpse on the floor, their legs went weak.

Stammering, they asked, "What orders do you have, Hall Master?"

"Dispose of the body. Don't let this get out. Also, investigate Su Chen and find out where he is. Report back to me as soon as you know."

"Yes!" The two disciples carried the body out, then went to investigate Su Chen's whereabouts.

At that moment.

Su Chen left Su Mansion and headed for Yuchun Courtyard. He wanted to ask Liu Wumei what she knew about the Northern Commandery.

In less than half an hour,

Su Chen arrived at Yuchun Courtyard.

When Aunt Gui saw him, she came forward to greet him. "Young Master Su, you've been neglecting our Qin Lan these past few days, leaving her to live by herself outside, while you keep coming to my Yuchun Courtyard. How about I pay to buy Qin Lan back?"

Aunt Gui had spent a long time training Qin Lan.

It was such a waste to let Su Chen leave her out there.

"I've already bought her freedom. She's her own person now. What she does is up to her."

Su Chen said softly.

To him, Qin Lan had only been a first-time fling. She was free to go wherever she wanted.

He had no intention of taking her with him or living together with her.

Sometimes, women could slow down the speed of your draw.

"Then I'll find some time to get in touch with that girl, Qin Lan!"

Hearing Su Chen say this, Aunt Gui smiled.

"May I ask what brings you here this time, Young Master Su?"

"I want to see Madam Liu. Please let her know. I believe she'll see me."

When Su Chen mentioned Madam Liu, Aunt Gui didn't go in to announce him. Instead, she led him into the rear courtyard.

In the rear courtyard.

Madam Liu was as beautiful as ever.

When she saw Su Chen, the coldness vanished from her face, replaced by a faint smile. She waved Aunt Gui away.

"Are you here to agree to join my Changhen Palace, or to ask about the Northern Commandery?"

"I could join your Changhen Palace, depending on what position you offer me. I haven't found anything about the Northern Commandery. Do you have any leads?"

Changhen Palace had powerful backing, and joining wouldn't interfere with his status as a disciple of the Mountain River Sect. It was certainly an option.

Besides, Madam Liu held some standing in Changhen Palace.

"Little brother, so you've agreed? Good. Leave the rest to your big sister."

"I've nearly finished looking into the Northern Commandery. The person who came is Yan Shu, son of the Northern Commandery commander in Lingnan Commandery."

"Yan Shu himself isn't that important. What matters is the person who came with him: Lie Xin, a lay disciple of the Buddhist Esoteric School and known as the [Burning Heaven Hand]."

At that, Su Chen recalled the information in his mind.

Buddhism was divided into two major branches: Chan Buddhism and Esoteric Buddhism.

Esoteric Buddhism was further divided into the Vajra school and the Esoteric School, with its influence centered mainly in the frontier regions and beyond the passes.

The Vajra Sect in Qingcheng City belonged to the Vajra school.

[Burning Heaven Hand] Lie Xin was not only from the Esoteric School, but also one of the three top experts of the Northern Commandery in Lingnan Commandery.

He hadn't expected someone like that to come to Qingcheng City. It showed just how seriously they took Zi Hanyue.