Inner Traitor

The shopkeeper sighed. "Senior Sister Yun returned to the valley half a month ago. At first, everything was normal. She reported her experiences in the Northern Frontier to the Valley Master and the elders, as well as... her suspicions regarding the Shadow Council token."

"The Valley Master attached great importance to the matter. He summoned Senior Sister several times and ordered a secret investigation. But three days ago, the atmosphere in the valley suddenly became somewhat... strange."

"How strange?"

"This old man does not know the details, but the guards seem to have become much tighter, and some areas that were originally open have been temporarily sealed off."

"Some herb-gathering disciples I know said in private that they seemed to have overheard scattered words such as forbidden grounds, ancient decree, and traitor. People are becoming restless. Since Senior Sister Yun entered the Hundred Herbs Hall three days ago to report to the elders, she has not appeared in public again. Her residence, Clear Moon Pavilion, has also been temporarily sealed, with word that Senior Sister had gained some insight and entered secluded cultivation, declining all visitors." Worry surfaced on the shopkeeper's face. "But this old man cannot shake the feeling that something is wrong."

"Senior Sister Yun had only just returned to the valley. Even if she intended to enter seclusion, she should have finished handling the matters at hand first, and she would usually leave word with those close to her. Yet this time, it happened so suddenly. And the guards outside Clear Moon Pavilion are not Senior Sister's usual medicine attendants, but... disciples of the Punishment Hall."

The Punishment Hall! Lu Chen's gaze sharpened.

The Medicine King Valley's Punishment Hall was responsible for enforcing the law and administering punishment within the valley. Its authority was considerable.

Yun Qingyue