Chapter 408 - 224: Where Are You Going to Run?

Chapter 408: Chapter 224: Where Are You Going to Run?

"Pay them a visit?"

Xie Yuan’s brow furrowed. He glanced at him, then at Zhang Junyi, and fell into thought.

Although the three of them were exceptionally talented young geniuses, and the other two had powerful backgrounds, they were still young. All of them were currently at the Qi and Blood Second Transformation Realm. Even if they were three masters of the Third Transformation Realm, it would still be nowhere near enough to demand answers from the Yao family, one of the eight great families.

But then he saw Huie Jue’s smiling face. His expression shifted, and he said slowly,

"Paying them a visit doesn’t necessarily mean we have to use the front door, right?"

"Precisely."

Huie Jue sighed.

"This humble monk has always acted with honor and integrity. It’s just a shame that our group has a wanted fugitive and a hothead. I doubt we could get in the front door, so I suppose I’ll have to let you two lead me astray. Amitabha, may the Buddha forgive me."

Xie Yuan couldn’t be bothered with him and just continued to think. Zhang Junyi, however, shot the monk a few glances, as if he were seeing this fair-skinned monk for the first time.

’Hmph, looks like I was right to try and cut him down from the start.’

Xie Yuan thought for a moment, then nodded slightly.

’If the investigation hits a dead end, I’d probably have to infiltrate the Yao Mansion eventually anyway.’

’Going alone would be incredibly dangerous.’

’But if I bring Huie Jue and Zhang Junyi along... Two disciples of Grandmasters, both of comparable strength to me, and they must be carrying treasures—after all, when the direct disciples of the two greatest Sects in the world travel, they have to have something for protection, right? With a lineup like this, we should be able to walk all over anyone beneath the Grandmaster realm.’

’Most importantly, even if things go south, the two of them can just reveal their backgrounds. The Yao family wouldn’t dare touch them, even if they had a hundred times the nerve. Assassinating an Outer Courtyard steward is one thing; killing the direct disciples of Major Sects is another entirely. Especially when those two Sects are Prajna Temple and the Xuanzhen Sect, and their masters are ranked second and third on the Celestial Dragon List.’

Xie Yuan felt that bringing them along was a bit like taking two hostages, leveraging the emperor to command the nobles. If the Yao family discovered two direct disciples together on their property, it would be a massive headache for them. At worst, they would just be asked to leave, right? Never mind the Yao family; even the Langya Wang family, the first among the eight great families, wouldn’t dare provoke Prajna Temple and the Xuanzhen Sect at the same time.

’This makes it much safer for me, too... Yes, we should definitely investigate.’

Having made up his mind, Xie Yuan said to the other two,

"In that case, let’s infiltrate the Yao family estate in Jinling tonight and see what this thousand-year-old family, so brilliant on the outside, is really like on the inside. Ahem, I have a technique that should allow us to evade the detection of most experts."

Huie Jue put his palms together.

"Amitabha. This humble monk’s ’Four Elements are Empty’ Heart Method can also lend Benefactor Xie a hand."

Zhang Junyi was silent for a moment.

"Then I will follow you two."

Xie Yuan glanced at him and nodded slightly, but Huie Jue, with an innocent expression, said,

"Benefactor Zhang, the Xuanzhen Sect must also have advanced techniques for evading detection, right?"

Zhang Junyi’s face grew slightly warm.

"Well, we do..."

"Then why don’t you demonstrate one, Benefactor Zhang? We wouldn’t want to put too much pressure on Benefactor Xie."

"...*Ahem*, I’m still learning it."

Zhang Junyi’s face turned bright red as he spoke, embarrassed.

"Oh, so you haven’t mastered it yet."

Huie Jue said with a beaming smile.

"You damn baldy..."

Seeing Zhang Junyi looked ready to draw his sword, Xie Yuan sighed and stepped in to smooth things over.

"Monk Huie Jue and I have used up a fair bit of energy. We’ll head back to rest and recuperate. We should be ready by midnight. Let’s agree to meet back here then."

Although he and Huie Jue had expended a great deal of energy, neither had sustained any serious injuries. After returning to take some medicine to replenish their Qi and Blood, they would be recovered by nightfall.

The other two nodded. They agreed to meet back here at midnight before heading back to their respective lodgings to rest.

Xie Yuan returned to the Sword Sect’s private courtyard. The moment he stepped inside, he saw Qin Zhenyang approaching.

"Junior Brother Zhang... are you alright?"

Qin Zhenyang asked, his brow slightly furrowed.

Xie Yuan shook his head and pulled Qin Zhenyang toward a room to talk privately.

In the hallway, they happened to see Lin Zhen and Ning Zi. Lin Zhen was excitedly pulling on Ning Zi’s arm, seemingly eager to go out.

"Junior Brother Zhang, you’re just getting back? Did you see the commotion outside?"

Ning Zi greeted him upon seeing him.

Xie Yuan didn’t immediately understand.

"Commotion? What commotion? Isn’t the Young Dragon Tournament still a few days away?" 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ

"You didn’t hear that shout?"

Lin Zhen chimed in,

"Master Xie defeated Huie Jue from Prajna Temple!"

"Ah..."

It dawned on Xie Yuan. He let out a noncommittal "ah" and shook his head.

"I didn’t see anything. It was probably just some bored person shouting nonsense."

Hearing this, Lin Zhen pressed her lips together, her face falling.

"But what if it’s true? Senior Sister Ning, let’s go out and see!"

"Fine, fine, let’s go! It’ll be good to get some fresh air!"

Ning Zi shot Xie Yuan a glare, as if she thought he was being a killjoy.

Xie Yuan turned his head and met Qin Zhenyang’s inscrutable gaze. He gave a light cough and walked into the study.

After closing the door, Qin Zhenyang was the first to ask,

"Junior... Brother Zhang, what was all that just now?"

Xie Yuan organized his thoughts and said in a low voice,

"I ran into Huie Jue, and then..."

He gave a rough summary of what had happened, focusing on the plan to infiltrate the Yao Mansion with Huie Jue and Zhang Junyi that night to see if they could uncover the truth behind Wang Zhiyi’s murder.

After listening, Qin Zhenyang was in a daze. He remained silent for a long time, his expression blank.

’He... he actually managed to defeat Huie Jue?’

’Huie Jue, the disciple of the second-ranked master on the Celestial Dragon List, the true heir of Prajna Temple, who entered the Bodhi Institute at such a young age?’

Qin Zhenyang had met Huie Jue before, at the ruins of the Slaughter Tower in the West Desert. Although he hadn’t seen Huie Jue in action much, he could tell from the monk’s perpetual calm and his utter fearlessness in the face of a Third Transformation Realm master that his strength was not to be underestimated. It lived up to his background and his talent.