Xuanqing Guard

Chapter 307: Chapter 307: Speculation

During this period, Yu Ao Feng repeatedly scrutinized the news of Zhang Lin and the others being brought back from the Sword Emperor’s Tomb. Moreover, every word uttered by the Valley of Love Flowers and Red Flame Sect disciples—Xiao Hai and Wind Bell—who were killed by Zhang Lin and his group, was pondered word by word by Yu Ao Feng.

These two shouldn’t have been killed—they should’ve been kept alive for slow investigation. This way, things wouldn’t have immediately hit a dead end, leaving so many doubts inexplicable.

Because of this, Yu Ao Feng sentenced the other disciple who went to the Sword Emperor’s Tomb—other than Zhang Lin—to five years of wall-facing punishment. That Zhang Lin got away with nothing was only because he was a family member of another Celestial Toad Sect Elder—face still needed to be considered.

From the start, Yu Ao Feng just didn’t believe that two mere second-tier sect disciples would dare take advantage of an opening and slaughter the pride of Celestial Toad Sect. Yu Shengjue’s reputation echoed loudly across Jingxi—he was called one of the "Jingxi Double Eagles." How could those two not know him? If they really killed him, could they bear the consequences?

Furthermore, after killing them and looting their goods, why would such obvious traces be left behind during the disposal of the bodies? That Red Flame Sect disciple was at late-stage Primordial Core Realm, and reportedly had mastered Red Flame Sect’s mainstream Magic, the Five Elements Fire Skill. With such cultivation, and belonging to a sect famed for fire, how could burning a corpse still leave evidence?

Especially that broken jade box—it was a constant thorn in Yu Ao Feng’s mind that wouldn’t resolve.

The storage bags were all taken away, so why take out only the jade box and smash it? And why, in their final moments, were the Red Flame Sect and Valley of Love Flowers disciples still yelling that the one surnamed Shen was an accomplice, and even split a box of Mid-grade Spirit Stones with him?

Was it that the Red Flame Sect and Valley of Love Flowers disciples were frantically slandering in their dying moments, or had they truly been played?

Or was it just a coincidence?

Yu Ao Feng rarely considered the word "coincidence"—he always felt "coincidence" was a definition far too careless for such matters.

But if the Red Flame Sect and Valley of Love Flowers disciples hadn’t been lying, then how did Yu Shengjue die? Did he just happen to run into those Cloud Sword disciples and seek his own death? Yu Ao Feng didn’t think his great-grandson was such a reckless fool.

There must be hidden secrets, then.

The Red Flame Sect and Valley of Love Flowers disciples were already dead; the only one left was this Shen Hao.

Listening to Yu Ao Feng’s analysis, Zhang Lin’s heart trembled. He too realized that his actions in the Sword Emperor’s Tomb were excessive and ill-considered. But at that time, he’d also been panicked by Yu Shengjue’s death and lost his composure.

"Great Elder, you mean you suspect Senior Brother Yu’s death is related to that Shen fellow?"

"Mm, it is definitely connected. At the very least, he must know something about Shengjue’s death."

There’s a connection, there are secrets, but no matter how suspicious Yu Ao Feng was, he never truly considered that his great-grandson could have died directly at Shen Hao’s hands.

A dignified Primordial Core Realm Perfection cultivator killed by a Gathering Spirit middle or lower stage cultivator? That’s not even funny.

"But now things have changed, we can’t investigate overtly—we must proceed with subtlety."

"You’re worried about those rumors outside today?"

"Enlightenment is not something that’s just a rumor, and I’ve heard even Zhong Hongye from Mountain of Ten Thousand Books was present. That old woman has lived even longer than me, so knowledgeable she wouldn’t be mistaken.

In that case, Shen Hao’s background may change. Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute might make a move, perhaps even make an act real. Not impossible at all."

Zhang Lin: "But you said earlier that sect disciples aren’t suitable for joining the Jingjiu Dynasty’s system..."

"If you had to choose, would you rather continue serving as an official in the mundane world, or enter the sect and focus on cultivation?"

"Naturally I’d choose the sect. Are you saying Shen Hao will likely resign his mundane post and devote himself to cultivation from now on?"

Yu Ao Feng continued, "In fact, it’s not just Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute who may set their eyes on this Shen kid’s post-enlightenment potential. Other sects might as well. If I’m right, tomorrow some sects will begin probing him."

"Stealing people?"

"Correct, poaching. A youth whose cultivation talent originally seemed barely passable now manages to linger in enlightenment for three hours—how could the second and third-tier sects not be greedy? At that time, offering generous benefits may really lure that kid away. Besides, as I suspect, the kid isn’t really from Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute—he’s only there as a nominal disciple under Nie Yun, a cover story. So all the sects have a chance."

"Then how do you suggest we investigate him?"

"Buy intel on the kid from Moon Shadow Tower and get the details on his background. Then, tomorrow, pass word for me—I want to see him personally."

"Huh? Yes!"

Zhang Lin was full of doubt, feeling Yu Ao Feng was making a mountain out of a molehill—going as far as Moon Shadow Tower and even personally stepping out. Could it be that Yu Shengjue’s death had made the old man lose his mind? But these words he kept inside, not daring to show a hint of them.

...

On the other side, within the Sword Washing Pool sealed off by Chang Baifeng, the old woman known as Zhong Hongye by Yu Ao Feng was keeping a vigilant watch on her surroundings. Behind her sat Fairy Qing Wan in lotus position atop the Sword Enlightenment Platform, comprehending Sword Intent.

It had been nearly an hour since Fairy Qing Wan entered her meditative state. Zhong Hongye dared not relax, even though the cultivators scanning the stone wall of the Sword Washing Pool meant no harm or disturbance to them.

As soon as an hour was up, Zhong Hongye smiled and turned, just as Fairy Qing Wan opened her eyes and emerged from her realization.

"Well?"

"Junior Zhong, I did gain something this time, but not as much as I anticipated. Sword Concealed Life’s Sword Intent is indeed formidable, but it doesn’t share the same origin as mine; I can learn its superficialities, but there’s no way to integrate it into my core."

Though Fairy Qing Wan spoke indifferently, as if she’d just casually bent down and picked up a coin, Zhong Hongye was quite pleased and said, "Gaining even a glimpse is good enough. Your master has said, every sword cultivator who comprehends Sword Intent has their own unique path. Even imitating the surface is already a glimpse inside—this will benefit you on your Path of Ten Thousand Swords. So, we didn’t come in vain this time."

"Mm. When are we returning?"

"Eager to leave?"

"Yes."

"No, not yet. Tomorrow is Chang Baifeng’s grand celebration, and as guests, we must wait until it’s over to leave. That’s the way of a guest, and social etiquette; it’s also what your master told you to learn and remember along the journey. Take today for example—you shouldn’t have spoken to that Shen kid. He was trying to trick you into a pit, and yet you didn’t realize it. If I hadn’t been here, wouldn’t you have fallen for him?"

"But the cultivation realm is a place where the strong rule—that’s what Ancestor said. I..."

Zhong Hongye smiled and interrupted, "What Ancestor said is that the strong are those who can disregard all rules—not you, not with your current cultivation. Take the previous Sword Emperor, Feng Bubai—formidable, wasn’t he? On Mountain of Ten Thousand Books, he single-handedly fought eight sect leaders and still walked away. But so what? Didn’t he still die of his wounds in the end?

So, until you are strong enough to ignore every rule, it’s best not to take ’might makes right’ too literally. Otherwise, you’ll only suffer for it."