Dead Friends, Not This Poor Daoist

After the grey-robed man left.

An old man in brocade robes walked out from the shadows.

"Young Master, this matter shouldn't be Cheng Yang's doing. Cheng Yang doesn't have the guts for this."

"However, the news of the Young Master's arrival here was only known to him, so we still need to investigate."

The old man said in a deep voice.

"Elder Yue, Qingcheng City is a bit beyond our expectations right now!"

"Elder Yue, how did your investigation into the situation within Qin Cui Mountain go?"

Yan Mu asked.

"It is indeed a bit beyond expectations. We don't know where this Bai Tianyu came from, and the information we've gathered is limited."

"Regarding Qin Cui Mountain, we learned from some survivors of the Lei Family that two people, a man and a woman, entered the valley to investigate at that time."

"They were discovered by Lei Yao and his men. Lei Yao and his men pursued them, but were ultimately killed by them."

"Judging by the corpses, one of the intruders used a sword, and the other used a saber."

"However, the man and woman are not the main focus. The key is the person Lei Yao brought into the valley. I suspect that person is from the Cold Moon Sect."

"We are currently investigating the people Lei Yao contacted!"

"However, Young Master, I'd like to pay a visit to the Golden Wind Fine Rain Tower. They are the local power here in Qingcheng City, and they might be able to help us find that person."

"It'll also be a good chance to meet this Bai Tianyu."

The old man said.

"Elder Yue, since you suspect that the person who went to see the Blood Demon Flower is from the Cold Moon Sect, it means they've taken the bait. We just need to wait for them to appear inside the valley."

"Why do we need to investigate who they are? Doing so might expose us."

Yan Shu said.

"From the intelligence we've received, Zi Hanyue has been in Lingnan Commandery for several years, but her whereabouts have never been tracked."

"This shows how meticulous and cautious she is. The Blood Demon Flower is important, but she might not go in person!"

"If she doesn't go, our plan will fail, and it will be all for naught."

The brocade-robed elder said.

"Understood. I'll notify Father and have him send another batch of people over!"

Yan Mu nodded.

This plan was set up, how could it possibly fail?

Elsewhere.

In the Canteen Hall, the main hall.

Qin Tianhan sat in the main seat, wiping the bloodstains from the blade tip of his banner spear.

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

His heart was filled with fear.

Yesterday, this Qin Tianhan had entered their Canteen Hall alone and started a massacre. In the end, only he and one other person remained among the high-ranking officials of the Canteen Hall.

But that person was now lying in front of him.

Blood was still gurgling from his throat.

He had just had his throat pierced by the banner Qin Tianhan held.

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

Qin Tianhan asked, looking at him.

His tone was icy, causing Dugu Hao to break out in a cold sweat.

"Second Young Master, I haven't found any clues, but based on the information I have, I suspect Su Chen might have attacked the Third Young Master?"

Dugu Hao said softly.

BOOM!

The moment he said that.

Qin Tianhan, who was sitting, vanished from his seat and shot in front of him.

He grabbed the man by the throat and said coldly, "Are you saying my brother's strength is inferior to that Su Chen?"

"Cough, cough, no, no!"

Dugu Hao immediately replied.

"Second Young Master, this is just my guess. That Su Chen dared to make a deal with Bai Tianyu to destroy the Lei Hall, so he could also hire someone to kill the Third Young Master."

Dugu Hao said.

He hadn't found anything at all, but he knew he couldn't remain silent.

If he didn't speak, he would surely die today. If he spoke, there was still a chance to live.

Just now, at the brink of death, his mind lit up, and he thought of Su Chen.

So he directly named Su Chen.

This was a case of "let my fellow daoist die, but not me."

He needed to escape this danger first.

What's more, he had sufficient reason, so he decided to take a gamble.

After hearing Dugu Hao's words.

Qin Tianhan released his grip on the man's neck.

"You make sense. Then you will bring this Su Chen to the Canteen Hall!"

"Tonight, I want to see him in the Canteen Hall!"

"If he's not there, you will go join your brothers."

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

Plop!

Dugu Hao, who had barely been standing, collapsed onto the ground.

He didn't get up, but instead wiped the sweat from his forehead. After a while, he finally stood up, walked to a chair, and sat down, taking a large gulp of the tea on the table.

"Someone!"

After his complexion recovered somewhat, he called out.

A moment later, two Canteen Hall disciples entered. Seeing the corpse on the ground, their legs felt weak.

Stuttering, they asked, "Hall Master, what are your orders?"

"Dispose of this corpse and ensure no leaks. Also, investigate Su Chen. Find out where he is now and report back to me as soon as possible."

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

At this time.

Su Chen left the Su Mansion and headed to Yuchun Courtyard. He wanted to find out some information about the Northern Commandery from Liu Wumei.

In less than half an hour.

Su Chen arrived at Yuchun Courtyard.

Aunt Gui saw Su Chen and greeted him, "Young Master Su, you've been neglecting Miss Qin Lan these past few days, leaving her to live alone outside, yet you keep coming to my Yuchun Courtyard. Why don't I spend some money to buy Qin Lan back?"

Qin Lan had been trained by her for a long time.

It was a complete waste for Su Chen to have her living outside.

"I've already bought her freedom. She's a free person now. I can't control what she thinks!"

Su Chen said softly.

Qin Lan was just an experiment for him. She was free to go wherever she pleased.

He wouldn't live with her.

Women sometimes affected the speed of drawing one's sword.

"Then I'll contact that girl Qin Lan when I have time!"

Hearing Su Chen's words, Aunt Gui's face broke into a smile.

"May I ask why Young Master Su has come this time?"

"I'm here to see Madam Liu. Please inform her. I believe she will see me."

Upon hearing Su Chen mention Madam Liu, Aunt Gui didn't go inside to inform her but instead led Su Chen into the backyard.

In the backyard.

Madam Liu was as beautiful as ever.

Seeing Su Chen arrive, the cold arrogance on her face disappeared, replaced by a slight smile. She waved Aunt Gui away.

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

"I can join your Changhen Palace, depending on what position you offer. I haven't found any leads on the Northern Commandery, do you have any clues?"

Changhen Palace had powerful backing, and joining wouldn't affect his identity as a disciple of the Mountain River Sect. It was indeed an option.

Moreover, this Madam Liu held some status within Changhen Palace.

"Brother, you agree? Alright, then leave the rest to your sister."

"I've almost finished investigating the matter of the Northern Commandery. The one who came is Yan Shu, the son of the Commander of the Lingnan Commandery's Northern Commandery."

"This Yan Shu isn't too important. What's important is the person who came with him, Lie Xin, an outer disciple of the Buddhist Secret Sect's Burning Heaven Hand."

Hearing this, Su Chen recalled the information in his mind.

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

The Esoteric school was further divided into Vajrayana and Secret Teachings factions, with their influence mainly in the borderlands and beyond the Great Wall.

The Vajra Gate in Qingcheng City belonged to the Vajrayana faction.

Lie Xin, the "Burning Heaven Hand," was not only a follower of the Secret Teachings but also one of the three top experts of the Lingnan Commandery's Northern Commandery.

He hadn't expected such a powerful figure to come to Qingcheng City, which showed how much importance they placed on Zi Hanyue.