Xuanqing Guard

Chapter 268: Chapter 268: Accident

However, although Wind Bell and Xiao Hai had guessed that this was the Sword Emperor’s Tomb, they didn’t understand the situation of the Cloud Sword Domain nearly as well as Nie Yun did before.

Whether it’s the Cloud Sword or the Lesser Cloud Sword, these two were extremely cautious and didn’t dare touch anything, afraid of following in Yu Shengjue’s footsteps.

But after asking about Yu Shengjue, the two of them didn’t leave the corpse—instead, exchanged a short glance, maybe even performed a little secret transmission.

A moment later, it was Wind Bell who spoke first, smiling as she asked, "Hundred Households of Shen, I’ve had some dealings with Deacon Nie Yun before. It’s been a while since we met; do you know how he’s been lately?"

Shen Hao cupped his fist. "I usually mix around within the Xuanqing Guard and rarely return to the sect. Only a few days ago did I see Master Nie and had a drink with him. He seemed well in every aspect. Thank you for your concern."

"Heh, so Hundred Households of Shen and Deacon Nie Yun are quite close, then."

"So-so. My position as Named Disciple was granted by Master Nie himself."

After a few more sentences, Wind Bell suddenly changed the subject, saying, "Hundred Households of Shen, you’d better let Deacon Nie know and find a reason to return to the sect and lay low. Otherwise, you might be in trouble."

Shen Hao frowned slightly, saying, "Why do you say that? Why would I be in trouble?"

Wind Bell pointed at the corpse on the ground and said, "Hundred Households of Shen, do you know this person’s identity?"

"I didn’t know before, but earlier I heard you both say, this person is from the Celestial Toad Sect—name is Yu Shengjue."

Wind Bell continued, "Then Hundred Households of Shen must have also heard the identity of this Yu Shengjue, as Master Xiao and I just discussed?"

"I heard."

The dignified great-grandson of Yu Ao Feng, Great Elder of the Celestial Toad Sect—good heavens, Shen Hao was honestly startled by this identity. He compared it to the Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute, which was on par with the Celestial Toad Sect—being an Elder in such a first-class sect would require at least Profound Sea Realm cultivation. Such a boss was way out of his league.

"As long as you know. The Celestial Toad Sect’s people act erratically, always doing as they please regardless of reason, and they’re extremely protective of their own. Yu Shengjue was the precious great-grandson of Great Elder Yu Ao Feng. If he dies here, Yu Ao Feng will likely fly into a rage. By then, I’m afraid Hundred Households of Shen will get dragged into it as well."

Shen Hao understood. Though he kept a listening expression, he was cursing secretly: they’re trying to scam me?

Wind Bell continued, "Actually, it’s not just you—even Master Xiao and I will definitely be marked by the Celestial Toad Sect when the time comes. Don’t doubt it, Hundred Households. If Deacon Nie were here, he’d surely agree with me: the Celestial Toad Sect isn’t a place that talks reason, unless your fist is bigger."

Shen Hao could only play along, so he asked, "Then according to you, what should we do?"

"Cover it up," she said.

"Cover it up? How do we cover it up?"

"Just pretend you didn’t see anything, don’t know anything, understand?" Wind Bell smiled. "Besides, aren’t you curious how many treasures are on a full-fledged Celestial Toad Sect disciple? I see the body hasn’t been touched—were you concerned before, Hundred Households? Now the three of us can work together—it’ll be much easier to keep this under wraps."

"But... if the Celestial Toad Sect investigates..."

Shen Hao hadn’t finished when Xiao Hai of the Red Flame Sect cut him off with a booming voice: "What are you afraid of? I said the body and every trace will be handled by me and Wind Bell. You just need to keep your mouth shut. So, in or out—make up your mind."

Shen Hao was cursing to the heavens inside—he counted everything but missed how easily greed overtakes people. He could force himself not to steal from corpses due to the risks, but could he expect others to have the same self-control?

Now it was clear—Wind Bell and Xiao Hai intended to strip Yu Shengjue’s body. The only reason they explained so much to him was that he was a Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute disciple and held a Xuanqing Guard title; after hearing him call Nie ’Master’, maybe it even scared them a bit.

Otherwise, they might have already made a move on him earlier.

Shen Hao looked very frustrated, appearing forced and helpless. He was acting, but the frustration was real. Forced? That was debatable—he killed the man himself, so what was there to be forced about? He just didn’t expect things to play out like this.

Now it looked like they were letting Shen Hao choose, but in fact, there was no choice at all.

Daring to covet the dead man’s wealth meant, if things got desperate, killing a Named Disciple from Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute wasn’t impossible.

"I’ll follow your arrangements," Shen Hao said reluctantly, fitting the situation. Of course, his mind was still rapidly calculating what would happen next.

Wind Bell smiled even prettier when she saw Shen Hao agree and told him to wait aside and keep watch for them—they’d be quick in taking care of the body and traces.

The one in charge of covering up evidence was Xiao Hai—and the method was burning.

After stripping Yu Shengjue’s corpse, they suspended it in the air and summoned a ball of flame out of thin air to wrap it. Whatever that fire was, its heat was clearly far beyond normal flames; in just ten-something breaths, the body was completely burned to ash. What little bone dust remained was swept up by Wind Bell’s sleeve with a gust of wind—nothing left behind.

Not just the corpse—whatever could be burned was burned; whatever couldn’t was taken away.

Beside them, Wind Bell and Xiao Hai were refining the Storage Bag taken off Yu Shengjue’s body.

After about half an hour, Shen Hao was summoned back. To be honest, if he hadn’t witnessed the entire body-destroying process himself, he never would’ve guessed there’d been a corpse here just a bit ago.

"Hundred Households of Shen, you’ve worked hard. Take these spirit stones,"

Wind Bell smiled sweetly, handing him a large box. There was a Celestial Toad Sect insignia on the box—very eye-catching; no need to ask, this definitely came from Yu Shengjue’s Storage Bag.

So this is about making everyone complicit?

Shen Hao understood Wind Bell’s intent—the insignia marked this as tainted loot from the dead; taking it meant there was no getting out clean, not taking it would make him look suspicious. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm

But after opening the box, Shen Hao’s heart still skipped a beat.

The entire box was full of Mid-grade Spirit Stones!

Arranged perfectly—should be a hundred pieces in all.

The last time Shen Hao saw mid-grade crystal stones was back when Prince Shou summoned him in Tu Kui City, trying to win him over. He offered two boxes—forty stones total—which Shen Hao turned down, but Shen Hao still regretted it for a long time after.

Wind Bell watched Shen Hao’s country-bumpkin reaction with satisfaction. Of course, she’d never tell Shen Hao that the hundred Mid-grade Spirit Stones in Yu Shengjue’s storage bag weren’t anything special—barely average, really. She took them out just to keep Shen Hao’s mouth shut.

"Much obliged, both of you." Shen Hao pretended to be excited as he accepted the box of crystal stones, while also quietly glancing at the white Storage Bag still in Xiao Hai’s hand.

Seeing Shen Hao take the goods, Wind Bell finally turned to Xiao Hai and nodded. Then, with a wave, she dismissed Shen Hao; they also started searching deeper into the Cloud Sword Domain.

"Master Xiao, you sure are generous—one hundred Mid-grade Spirit Stones, given away just like that?" As Shen Hao left, Wind Bell’s smile slowly faded.

"Hmph, killing’s not an option. Spending a hundred Mid-grade Spirit Stones to tie him—and Deacon Nie Yun—to us, is it a loss?"

"Hee hee, that Deacon Nie Yun isn’t someone you can just tie up at will, Master Xiao."

Xiao Hai snorted, "You really think Nie Yun just hands out Silver Gourds to anyone he meets? That Shen Hao’s not ordinary."