Immortal of the Nine Realms

Chapter 69: Escaping from the Capital

Lying in the Shadow Courtyard was a tightly-bound daoist.

The daoist opened his eyes and found himself lying by the corner of a room. He immediately lost his temper and cursed under his breath while trying to free himself from his ropes.

What lousy place is this? Why did they make a move on me for no reason? Those people are audacious! If they know Im a cultivator, theyd kneel before me and call me grandpa! Luckily, no one will know about this. If others learn that I was knocked out by a mortal Goddamnit! I dont think anyone will believe me even if I share it with them!

I believe you, a voice sounded.

The daoist was startled. He turned over and saw a young man looking at him with a smile.

How long have you been there? The daoist was shaken up. He couldnt believe that he didnt sense the young mans presence. How could this be possible?

Cultivators had extremely sharp senses, not to mention that he was a fifth stage Ki Refinement cultivator. He should be considered a top-notch expert here!

I have been here all this while. Fang Chen smiled. How should I address you?

Were you the one who attacked me? What do you want? The daoist looked at Fang Chen with wintry eyes.

Just then, a bolt of lightning blasted a deep hole right next to the daoists leg, causing the daoist to shudder in fright. He stared at Fang Chen in disbelief. You are a cultivator?

How should I address you? Fang Chen asked once more.

I am Ming Jing, Ming Jing hesitantly replied.

Li Daoye said that youre after his life. Is that true?

Youre in cahoots with him! Ming Jing finally understood why he had been knocked out.

Li Daoye is going to do something for me. If possible, Id like to resolve the grudge between the two of you, Fang Chen said.

Grudge? What grudge? Ah, I get it! That brat is spouting nonsense again! Ming Jing widened his eyes in fury. I am an elder of the Eight Trigrams Sect, and Li Daoye is our young master. His father found a partner for him and hoped that he could marry into the womans clan, but that brat escaped. Im here to drag him back to fulfill the marriage!

I see Fang Chen nodded in realization. But Li Daoye has offended the Blood Spirit Cult. Will he bring trouble to your Eight Trigrams Sect if he returns like that?

W-what?! Ah, there has been a misunderstanding. The person Im looking for is Li Baoye, not Li Daoye. I must have gotten to the wrong place. Ill take my leave right now! Ming Jing clasped his fist and anxiously tried to leave.

You might bump into a Blood Spirit Cultist if you leave like that, Fang Chen said.

Ming Jings footsteps halted. He slowly turned around and asked with eyes filled with horror, There are Blood Spirit Cultists here?

Fang Chen nodded. They are intending to forge Blood Spirit Divine Pills here. Li Daoye bumped into them by coincidence and even killed one of their cultivators

Sss! Ming Jing gasped. His body trembled nonstop. I really dont know any Li Daoye. I have nothing to do with him or the Eight Trigrams Sect at all!

When Li Daoye killed the Blood Spirit Cultist, he said something along the lines of having an elder in his sect to back himMing Jing or something, I believe. The Blood Spirit Cults lackey should have heard it loud and clear, Fang Chen said.

Wheres he right now? Is he hiding somewhere safe? Can you bring me there to seek refuge too? Ming Jing asked with a ghastly pale face.

The place hes at isnt safe but if you dont mind, I can arrange for you to stay at an inn first. Its unlikely that the Blood Spirit Cult will come knocking at your door yet. Ill find an opportunity for you to meet Li Daoye. You can bring him back then, Fang Chen said.

Ill be counting on you. Ming Jing nodded in gratitude.

A few people silently appeared to take Ming Jing away and check him into an inn, but as soon as they left, Ming Jing secretly kept his luggage and fled from the capital.

Those people returned to the Shadow Courtyard and reported to Fang Chen, Young master, the daoist has escaped from the capital.

I doubt hell return anytime soon. Fang Chen smiled. He waved his hand and said, You may leave now.

While Fang Chen was making his way back to the Fang Manor, he bumped into Xu Ge and Huangfu Jie. He smiled at the latter and said, Its been a while, Huangfu Jie. Have you made any advancements in your martial cultivation over the years?

War God Fang, I have reached pinnacle Ki Control after five years of hard work, Huangfu Jie proudly replied.

He hadnt reached Ki Manifestation despite being older than Fang Chen, but putting Fang Chen aside, his talent was definitely top-notch across Great Xia.

You prefer to stay in the south. What brings you to the capital? Fang Chen asked.

Something huge has happened. I came here today to seek War God Fangs advice. Itd be best if you could dispatch some of your top investigators to the south, Huangfu Jie said grimly.

Tell me about it, Fang Chen replied.

One of the Four Great Sects of our southern region, the Heavensword Mountain Villa, has been massacred overnight. The deceased have been reduced to withered corpses, as if they have died for many years, but its young master was still drinking and sparring with me just a few days prior to the incident, Huangfu Jie said with a suppressed voice.

Something is really weird about this matter. Even our Profound Saber Sect doesnt have the strength to wipe out the Heavensword Mountain Villa in a single night, let alone leave them in such a bizarre state.

Shortly after, a few other minor sects were massacred too. Only a handful of disciples who happened to be out of the sect when the massacre happened escaped the ordeal.

This incident plunged our southern region into turmoil. The Valiant Defenders there were unable to find the culprit either. Many people have turned their fingers to our Profound Saber Sect, saying that were the ones rocking the boat. If we dont get to the bottom of this matter, even the Valiant Defenders might make a move on us soon.

You mentioned withered corpses? Fang Chens face darkened.

Yes, withered corpses. I saw it with my own eyes! Huangfu Jie nodded.

Xu Ges eyebrows shot up. He already had an idea what was going on.

A while back, Master Xu Hui told Qin Dong that his Senior Bei had temporarily headed elsewhere to attend to some matters, and he brought the others with him. My guess is that Senior Bei is the leader of the Blood Spirit Cultists stationed here.

It could be possible that they passed by the southern region on their way back, so they conveniently absorbed the blood essence of the martial artists there to further their cultivation. Alternatively, it could also be the doing of another Blood Spirit Cultist returning in advance.

Regardless, its almost certain that the Blood Spirit Cultists are the culprit behind the deaths happening in the southern region. Ill have the Court of Great Brilliance send some rectifiers and constables to the southern region with you, Fang Chen said.

Thank you, War God Fang! Huangfu Jie clasped his fist and expressed his gratitude. If its convenient, Id actually like to ask War God Fang to make a personal trip there. Im much more confident in your ability to crack cases.

Ill head there after dealing with Longdu, Fang Chen replied with a nod.

Thats great! Huangfu Jie was overjoyed.

He was confident that Fang Chen could crack this case.