Chapter 385 - 220: [Floating Light and Shadow Sword: (???/???)]

Chapter 385: Chapter 220: [Floating Light and Shadow Sword: (???/???)]

Someone like that was murdered? ’Then the killer must have been an expert.’

Xie Yuan’s brow furrowed. The murder of a manager of one of the Sect’s branch courts, if perpetrated by another power, was tantamount to a provocation—even a signal to begin a war.

Li Xingtuo nodded grimly:

"Yes. And we have no clues about the killer. We don’t know the motive, nor do we know which faction is responsible."

Xie Yuan slowly nodded.

"So, the Sect Leader is sending me to uncover the truth?"

’He really thinks highly of me. The Wu River case must have left a deep impression on Li Xingtuo.’

Li Xingtuo grunted in affirmation.

"That’s right. We have no leads on this matter yet. Jinling is a sensitive place with a complex web of powers. Sending an elder might cause complications. Your previously demonstrated alertness and sharp mind make you a suitable candidate for this mission. That’s the first reason."

Xie Yuan raised an eyebrow. ’There are other reasons?’

Li Xingtuo’s expression was distant and somewhat inscrutable.

"A while ago, Wang Zhiyi reported to me that the great families in Jiangnan seemed to be acting strangely. He didn’t go into detail, only saying that he was still investigating."

The head of a branch court, naturally, also had the duty of gathering intelligence and observing major trends.

Understanding dawned on Xie Yuan, his brow furrowing slightly. ’Did he find something he wasn’t supposed to?’

But even if he had stumbled upon a few secrets, most factions wouldn’t have touched him, if only out of respect for the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect. This had to be an exception. The secret must have been a matter of life and death, something that couldn’t be exposed even at the risk of open conflict with the Sect. After all, given the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect’s power, no faction in the world could afford to ignore them.

’So, what could that secret be?’

Xie Yuan immediately thought of the missing persons case at the Wu River, and a thought struck him.

’Could they be connected?’

’The Sect Leader probably suspects the same thing.’

Li Xingtuo confirmed his suspicion.

"You previously picked up the trail of the Yongyang Qian and the Jinling Yao at the Wu River. I suspect Wang Zhiyi noticed something unusual with the Yao family in Jinling as well, and it’s likely connected to the Wu River incident. Since you’re already familiar with the case, it’s best not to bring in someone new. That’s why, after receiving the news yesterday, I gave it some thought and decided to send you to investigate."

Xie Yuan now understood the full story of why he had been summoned.

’So it really had nothing to do with the Little Hidden Dragon Assembly. Instead, there’s this hidden conspiracy. A case to investigate in Jiangnan, huh...’

Remembering the tragic events he’d witnessed at the Wu River—the successive fires, the heaven-shaking cries—Xie Yuan’s expression turned grave. He cupped his fist and stood straight.

"This disciple obeys!"

Xie Yuan had agreed without a moment’s hesitation.

He had personally experienced the ruthless methods of the great families at the Wu River, and with Situ Qin’s repeated warnings, he already had a clear idea of what to expect.

Any great family that could last for a thousand years concealed terrifying power in the shadows, possessed suffocating methods and meticulous plans, and was virtually unassailable.

Even when disrupting their plans in Yunzhou, he and Situ Qin had faced a life-or-death crisis together. To say nothing of going deep into Jiangnan, where these families had been entrenched for a millennium, to investigate. The danger would be far greater.

But still, Xie Yuan did not hesitate.

The Wu River stronghold was broken, and their forces in Yunzhou were uprooted by Situ Qin. But if he didn’t get to the bottom of this, the tragedy of the Wu River could be repeated elsewhere.

Now even a manager from the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect had been murdered, but in doing so, they had shown their hand again. If he didn’t seize this chance to catch them and uncover the truth, he might never get another opportunity to stop them.

’But a mission like this will be incredibly dangerous. I have to be careful. Exceptionally careful.’

’This won’t be like playing a role at the Sword Sect, some kind of child’s play. I can’t afford to reveal a single flaw...’

As Xie Yuan was lost in thought, Li Xingtuo suddenly tossed something to him.

He caught it with both hands out of reflex, only to find a small sword in his grasp. It was shorter than his palm and unsharpened, like a child’s toy or a decoration.

"This journey is extremely dangerous; I can’t let you go unprepared. This little sword contains a sliver of my Floating Light and Shadow Sword’s Sword Intent. You can use it if you face a life-or-death crisis. You must remember, it’s a one-time use item. Do not use it unless it’s your absolute last resort. If you do use it, retreat as soon as possible."

Li Xingtuo instructed him seriously.

After saying all that, he saw no reaction from Xie Yuan and raised an eyebrow, muttering:

"What’s with him? Is he already planning his escape? With my Sword Intent in hand?"

Xie Yuan snapped back to his senses. He hadn’t heard Li Xingtuo’s muttering, and said with barely suppressed excitement:

"Thank you, Sect Leader! This disciple will not fail this mission!"

A line of text, still shimmering faintly before his eyes, made it difficult for Xie Yuan to regain his composure. He found it impossible to concentrate.

[Floating Light and Shadow Sword: (???/???)]

’This... What is this?!’

"No need to be that moved, is there? You look completely overwhelmed."

Li Xingtuo grinned, then said in a solemn voice:

"This journey will also be a trial for you. Your first priority is to protect yourself. Your second is to uncover the truth, so that our fallen Sect member may rest in peace!

"Of course, the Sect always rewards merit; we won’t let you sweat and bleed for nothing. If your investigation yields results, given the level of this secret, you can enter Sword Peak again to seek enlightenment. Hmm, staying for eighty-one days would be fine too."

Hearing this, Xie Yuan’s eyes lit up slightly.

’Sword Peak?’

’The Black Celestial Book!’

Every advancement of the Black Celestial Book had brought him what could be called a massive increase in power.

However, the Black Celestial Book now required a thousand points to advance. Although he was slowly accumulating them over time, his training also consumed a great deal of his effort, so he couldn’t gamble everything on the book.

But if he could enter Sword Peak, he was sure his progress would advance by leaps and bounds. The next breakthrough should be no problem at all.