Gu Ming

The Sect Master of Yulin Hundred Flowers Sect, Gu Ming.

Hearing that name, Jiang Shuo narrowed his eyes.

He had been in the sect for quite some time, but the Sect Master was as elusive as a dragon. This was the first time Jiang Shuo had heard his name, let alone seen what he looked like.

"Master Gu has been in seclusion lately and doesn't concern himself with sect affairs, so naturally you haven't seen him." Seeing the confusion on Jiang Shuo's face, Feng En explained, "Master Gu has profound Inner Force and exceptional Martial Arts. He has a divine technique called Indra's Claw. His claws strike without a trace—it's incredibly powerful."

Jiang Shuo thought, So that's why. As for why the name had been crossed out, the reason was obvious.

If Gu Ming were the killer, how could Feng En have cooperated so fully with Dream Red Pavilion's investigation into the murders? Besides, the Hundred Flowers Sect's purpose was to heal the sick and save lives. Gu Ming held an exalted position and was highly respected; naturally, it couldn't have been him.

"Then, Master, I'll head to Dream Red Pavilion first." Jiang Shuo tucked the thin sheet of paper into his robes, planning to look over the names one by one when he had time.

"By the way, Sun Daoming is also investigating at Dream Red Pavilion now. Keep an eye out for him." Before Jiang Shuo left, Feng En added. Although he knew that all the misdeeds Jiang Shuo had listed against Sun Daoming were true, without solid evidence, he had no grounds to reprimand him.

Jiang Shuo furrowed his brow slightly and casually said he understood, but didn't take it to heart. After what happened last time, he didn't believe Sun Daoming would still act as recklessly as before.

Ten disciples had died in one go. No matter how well-connected Dream Red Pavilion was, it couldn't keep the news completely under wraps.

The Imperial Court had gotten involved, and constables from the County Office were participating in the investigation. After hearing the rumors, guests feared drawing trouble upon themselves and stopped coming to Dream Red Pavilion for entertainment.

After a while of dismal business, with only a few customers trickling in, Dream Red Pavilion simply announced a temporary closure for several days under the pretext of renovations. The killer had known the dead disciples' movements inside and out. It was quite possible they had disguised themselves and mingled with the customers to gather information.

The main entrance had been sealed, so Jiang Shuo circled around to the back courtyard. Two female disciples stood at the rear entrance and immediately stopped him. "Who are you?"

"I'm Jiang Shuo of the Hundred Flowers Sect. I've come to pay my respects to—" Jiang Shuo had barely begun introducing himself when a voice came from inside. "Let him in."

"Yes, Pavilion Master." The disciples guarding the entrance stepped aside and cleared the way.

Jiang Shuo walked into the courtyard. Liu Ruyan came out of the room to meet him, a trace of worry lingering on her face. "You've only just been able to get out of bed. Why aren't you lying down and resting?"

"I heard something had happened, so I came right over." Jiang Shuo got straight to the point. "I want to see the scene."

"Very well." Liu Ruyan agreed, then personally led Jiang Shuo to the spot. "These ten disciples had gone to the Wang family in the south of the city to celebrate a birthday. They were ambushed on their way back."

It was a street-corner alley. The bodies had already been removed, and at first glance, the place seemed utterly ordinary. If not for the faint bloodstains left on the wall, one could hardly imagine a massacre had taken place here a few days earlier.

Jiang Shuo searched the area carefully from afternoon until dusk, but found nothing. With famine breaking out and plague spreading, it was a troubled time. Before nightfall, the residents had all gone home and locked their doors. The spot lay deep within a maze of narrow lanes, extremely secluded. Aside from the people from Dream Red Pavilion and Jiang Shuo, not a soul remained in sight.

"Jiang Shuo, let's go back," Liu Ruyan said, seeing the faint twilight spreading through the air.

Jiang Shuo frowned. He was still reluctant to give up, but his vision was being impaired, so he had no choice but to agree.

"Crash—" Just as they turned to leave, roof tiles shattered overhead with a loud crack that rang especially sharply through the silent alley.

"Who's there!" one of the Dream Red Pavilion disciples beside Liu Ruyan shouted. They reacted with clear coordination: two stayed behind to protect Liu Ruyan, while the other two leaped up to check the rooftop.

The two Dream Red Pavilion disciples had only made it halfway up when a clatter of breaking tiles came rushing closer, faster and faster. Then a dark figure, accompanied by two or three broken tiles, tumbled from the eaves. The two, already on edge, said nothing; one of them struck out with a palm, slamming it toward the figure.

Jiang Shuo's heart stirred. The dark figure looked vaguely familiar, but the light was dim and the movement too swift for him to make it out clearly. On the other side, Liu Ruyan's eyes narrowed. "Stop!"

Once an arrow left the bow, there was no taking it back. Though they heard Liu Ruyan's cry, the two were still in midair, their attacks already unleashed and impossible to withdraw. In the nick of time, Liu Ruyan flicked up her slender hand. The shawl draped over her shoulders shot out like an arrow and wrapped around the dark figure before they could reach it. Then she gave her wrist a gentle shake, and the shawl, like a floating cloud, carried the figure down slowly.

When the figure touched the ground, Jiang Shuo took a closer look and couldn't help being startled.

It was none other than Taohong.

Taohong was in terrible shape. Her face was deathly pale, her lips had turned blue, and great patches of blood bloomed through her clothes. She was gravely wounded. Jiang Shuo had seen the Dream Red Pavilion disciples' Martial Arts before; even the ordinary disciples were quite formidable. Taohong, who was always by Liu Ruyan's side, was undoubtedly even more capable. If even she had been so badly injured, one could only imagine how powerful the assailant's Martial Arts were.