Chapter 1266: The Activated Teleportation Array

Chapter 1266: Chapter 1266: The Activated Teleportation Array

Standing at the doorway in the night breeze, Liu Xuanji allowed the troops to enter the mansion without obstruction. He could neither stop them nor had the reason to, as the Hongjun Sword Furnace was already under suspicion more so than the other three sects, there was no justification to refuse an investigation.

The Hongjun Sword Furnace, unlike the Clear Wind Talisman Transformation Sect, hadn’t registered every visitor for the Embroidered Robe Envoy to inspect, but under Liu Xuanji’s directive, they didn’t hinder the search of the two teams, merely standing solemnly in the corridor and mechanically replying to each question posed by the Embroidered Robe Envoy.

Pei Yan, however, didn’t even enter the mansion. He walked straight to the solitary figure of Liu Xuanji at the entrance and sat down on the steps, quietly gazing at the wall opposite whilst silently puffing on his cigar.

More than ten minutes later, as the search was halfway through, Shao An emerged from within, standing behind Pei Yan with cupped hands, saying, "Mr. Pei, we are halfway through the search, no suspicious individuals have been found, and no one has used the Teleportation Array outside. Only the hidden Teleportation Array in the annex remains undiscovered."

"Elder Xia, take them to the secret chamber to inspect the sect’s internal Teleportation Array." These words weren’t directed at Pei Yan but to Liu Xuanji himself as the owner of the annex, who, understanding the implication, coughed lightly before issuing the order proactively.

The named individual stepped out from the interrogation team, and after exchanging polite gestures, Shao An was led towards the depths of the annex.

Originally, it seemed tonight’s search would conclude just like that. As Liu Xuanji ruminated on how to deal with the impending troubles from this bane of his life, Pei Yan, before he could exhale a sigh of relief, a commotion erupted from within the mansion. Hearing the growing din, a puzzled Liu Xuanji turned to look inside, only to see Xiang Zixiong, hands stained with blood, racing out excitedly. He knelt with a thud in front of Pei Yan, exclaiming urgently, "My lord, we’ve found a problem!"

"Speak!" Compared to the agitated Liu Xuanji, Pei Yan appeared much calmer, flicking off the cigar ash and quietly emitting a single word.

"The Teleportation Array in the secret chamber has been used. I checked the usage time, which was shortly after the attack incident!" Eager to claim credit, an elated Xiang Zixiong declared.

"That’s impossible! I strictly prohibited the use of the Teleportation Array after the incident!" Liu Xuanji retorted sharply upon hearing the news.

"Elder Liu, at that time, it was I, Shao Canjun of the Divine Martial Guard, and your sect’s Elder Xia who entered the secret chamber. Does the elder suspect our collusion to frame your sect?" Xiang Zixiong rebuffed with a chuckle, raising his head to look at Liu Xuanji.

Under normal circumstances, had Xiang Zixiong spoken in such a sarcastic tone, Liu Xuanji would have lashed out. However, today, the situation was beyond him, and he couldn’t concern himself with such trivial matters. Furrowing his brows, he turned his attention towards the courtyard, loudly inquiring, "Where is Junior Brother Lian? I instructed him to guard the secret chamber, allowing no admittance. Where is Lian Yazi?"

"Elder Liu, I am unaware of this Junior Brother Lian you mention! If you are referring to the individual that Elder Xia embraced upon entering the secret chamber, I regret to inform you, he’s dead." Xiang Zixiong sighed, reporting back on seeing Liu Xuanji’s expression.

"What did you say?" The words left Liu Xuanji feeling dizzy, barely able to stand. Feng Tianhe, observing this, quickly stepped forward to support him, preventing an embarrassing fall.

"Hoo!" Pei Yan extinguished the near-finished cigar, exhaling deeply as he leisurely stood from the stone steps. He expressed no surprise at the happenings within the Hongjun Sword Furnace Mansion. Anticipating any eventuality, nothing that transpired would catch him off guard. Conversely, the shocked Liu Xuanji was a different story. Pei Yan was unsure whether he was genuinely distressed by the sudden change or if his acting skills were just so convincing that he had missed any signs despite his covert observation.

Dusting himself off, Pei Yan turned to Lin Daozi, inviting, "Regardless, we should see the scene for ourselves. Brother Lin, accompany me for a walk."

Lin Daozi, having anticipated his role as a witness, did not refuse, nodding as he followed Pei Yan. Besides him, the elders of the other three annexes followed without invitation, trailing Pei Yan, Lin Daozi, Xiang Zixiong, and Liu Xuanji into the annex.

The annex sprawled widely, but even at a reduced pace, they reached the incident site within minutes. As they entered the courtyard housing the secret chamber, the number of guards noticeably increased. Once inside the loft and into the secret chamber’s passage, Pei Yan saw Elder Xia standing bewildered at the chamber’s entrance, strictly supervised by Shao An.

"Junior Brother Xia, what exactly happened?" Liu Xuanji, upon seeing his junior in such a condition, hastily inquired.

"Senior Brother, Junior Brother Lian, he—!" Elder Xia, confronted with Liu Xuanji’s question, blankly pointed inside the secret chamber, unable to speak coherently for a long time.

In a rush, without waiting for his explanation, Pei Yan was the first to step into the secret chamber. Behind him, Lin Daozi and the others filed in. Compared to the other buildings within the annex, this secret chamber was rather small, making the room appear cramped once they all entered. The Teleportation Array occupied most of the space in the center of the chamber, while the walls were etched with densely packed Rune Arrays, designed to conceal the spatial fluctuations generated by teleportation from outsiders.

After entering, Pei Yan didn’t immediately inspect the Array but focused on the corpse laid flat against the wall, presumably the Elder Lian mentioned by Liu Xuanji. Crouching by the body, Pei Yan noticed the corpse’s pallor and twisted expression, chest stained with dried blood, an overwhelming stench of iron assaulting his senses, suggesting prolonged death.

Pinching his nose, Pei Yan placed a hand on the corpse’s wrist, channeling source energy to investigate. He found that the heart meridian was severely damaged and several vital meridians heavily injured, indicating death from severe wounds. Looking around the chamber, he found no trace of a struggle.

"Judging by the residual warmth of the Teleportation Array and the material dissipation, the usage time should be within the span of two tea burns, certainly within an hour, right after the incident." Situ Maocai, finding someone worse off than himself, eagerly examined the Teleportation Array, reaching a conclusion similar to Xiang Zixiong’s.

Liu Xuanji immediately saw the Array had been recently used. His mind in disarray, he turned to Pei Yan, who stood, inviting Liu Xuanji to inspect Lian Yazi’s position once more. Unconvinced, Liu Xuanji proceeded to examine Lian Yazi’s corpse again, turning visibly grim.