Chapter Four: Shadow Behind

Luochen sighed faintly as she gazed at the three imposing characters “Moyang City” etched onto the city gate’s plaque.

Su Yue turned her head, blinking curiously. “Did you bring Chen Ruan here, Senior Sister?”

“Yes, I escorted Miss Chen here before returning to the sect.”

“They say Li Wansheng, who vanished for years, reappeared right here and slew Ye Yuli.”

Su Yue wistfully traced the miniature Chixiao sword hanging from her waist. “Senior Sister, weren’t you there at the time? Did you see him?”

There’s no such thing as a Sword God, my silly junior sister. The mastermind—no, the unsung hero—was actually me, your senior sister!

However, Luochen certainly couldn’t voice this truth, not only because explaining it would be troublesome, but also because she didn’t want Su Yue to worry.

“I wouldn’t know about that. I was knocked unconscious by the aftershocks of the battle and only regained awareness after returning to the sect.”

“Still, to defeat Ye Yuli in that state, they must be an exceptionally formidable individual.”

Damn it, this fellow is starting to toot her own horn again.

“Let’s not dwell on that. We should first search for any clues regarding Miss Chen.”

They inquired at the inn where she had stayed and the surrounding shops, but naturally, their efforts yielded nothing.

Though she hadn’t held much hope to begin with, Luochen couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment when faced with such an outcome.

Yet, with things as they were, eating seemed the most logical next step.

As night descended, the two women made their way towards the inn where they planned to rest.

“I’m so tired.”

Luochen stretched, letting out a yawn.

Su Yue gritted her teeth. “That’s what happens when Senior Sister mistakes a brothel for a regular tavern and even orders a girl to accompany her to bed!”

That vixen!

“Junior Sister, I truly thought she was just asking for a tip!”

Luochen felt on the verge of tears.

“I’m not listening!”

Recalling the evening’s escapade, even Luochen, who prided herself on her thick skin, felt her cheeks flush with heat.

Not only had she entered a brothel mistaking it for a restaurant and ordered a girl, but the most mortifying part was realizing her mistake and then, in a panic, grabbing her junior sister and fleeing.

Consequently, the madam, believing them to be freeloaders, chased them for two streets.

Or was it three?

It doesn’t matter. In any case, my lifelong reputation is utterly ruined.

I only pray no cultivators witnessed it.

Otherwise, the news of Feibai Sect’s Senior Disciple, just days after descending the mountain, taking her junior sister to a brothel would surely become headline news across all the major sects.

Such a thing, absolutely not!

The evening breeze rustled, and the dark alley seemed to hold only Luochen and Su Yue.

Or did it?

“Junior Sister, someone is following us.”

Luochen whispered into Su Yue’s ear.

“I sensed it too,” Su Yue nodded.

Their eyes met, a silent understanding passing between them.

Though their steps remained unhurried, their pace imperceptibly quickened.

They were using ‘Shrink the Ground into an Inch’.

At a fork in the path, Ning Yao finally lost sight of them.

Disregarding the need to conceal herself, she swiftly stepped out of the shadows, eager to pinpoint their location.

“Don’t move.”

Ning Yao felt a chilling sensation against her neck. She looked down.

A sword lay horizontally there, its blade glowing with a faint crimson hue.

Luochen emerged from in front, using her sword to flick back the hood of the person before her.

A single strand of severed hair drifted slowly to the ground, revealing a face that was pure yet tinged with fear.

A girl?

Luochen was somewhat taken aback.

“Who are you, and why are you following us?” Luochen’s voice was sharp and cold.

“You’d best tell the truth,” Su Yue stated, applying a touch more pressure with her wrist, causing the Chixiao sword to leave a faint red mark on the tender skin.

Ning Yao knew that if the person behind her applied any more force, it would be more than just a superficial cut.

“Um, I… I’m from Chiyun Sect. I even watched your competition at Feibai Sect before.”

“Senior Sister Luochen, Senior Sister Su Yue, I know you both.” Fear made her words tumble out incoherently.

Luochen gestured for Su Yue to lower her sword, her tone no longer as stern as before. “Then why were you following us?”

Damn it, if this person knows about me and Su Yue going to the brothel and being chased for several streets, then she’ll have to stay here permanently.

“I—I was originally on a mission with my senior sister. Last night, she was attacked by a demonic beast and is now on the brink of death, but our sect’s aid is still en route.”

“I was hoping to find some useful medicinal herbs, and then I saw you and Senior Sister Su running through the streets…”

“Wait a moment,” Luochen interrupted her. “Do you know why we were running?”

Ning Yao shook her head blankly. “No, I don’t.”

Fortunately, she didn’t see it.

Luochen let out a long breath.

“Continue.”

“I know Senior Sister Su is skilled in alchemy, so I wanted to ask for some spirit pills,” Ning Yao stammered, not daring to meet her gaze, her eyes fixed on the floor, hands tightly clutching the hem of her clothes.

“Why didn’t you just tell us your intentions directly?” Su Yue interjected.

“Well… that was my plan, but you discovered me while I was still trying to muster my courage.”

“Social anxiety,” Su Yue deadpanned, rolling her eyes.

“Lead us to your senior sister,” Luochen said, lightly tapping Su Yue’s head as a sign for her to stop talking.

“Mm-hmm, follow me.”

Ning Yao brightened, quickly leading the way.

“Oh, Junior Sister,” Luochen whispered, leaning close to Su Yue’s ear.

“What is it?”

“Can you turn off your sword’s dazzling glow? It’s quite terrifying in the dark of night.”

“I’ll try.”

Su Yue channeled spiritual energy into the sword, fiddling with it for a moment before finally turning the blade pure white.

“Original skin,” she said playfully, winking at Luochen.

“Truly teachable,” Luochen nodded with satisfaction.

In a room heavy with the scent of blood, Luochen finally met the senior sister Ning Yao had spoken of.

She possessed a cool, refined appearance, but at present, she looked rather disheveled.

Two stark blood holes marred her arm, from which purplish-black, tainted blood dripped incessantly.

“Senior Sister!” Ning Yao’s nose stung, and she rushed over, a hint of panic in her voice.

“Cough, cough, Junior Sister, didn’t I tell you not to come back? This poisoned blood is contagious.”

Liu Yue’s eyes, somewhat unfocused, fluttered open. “And these two are?”

“They are Senior Sister Luochen and Senior Sister Su Yue from Feibai Sect. I’ve asked them to come and save you.”

“I’ve heard of you, but this poison of mine is not something ordinary people can cure. You should… cough, cough.”

Luochen leaned closer, observing her carefully. She noted the slight swelling of Liu Yue’s body and her purplish lips, indicating she likely wouldn’t survive the night.

“By the time your sect’s rescue arrives, they’ll likely only be collecting a corpse.”

“How can that be?” Ning Yao’s pupils trembled. “Senior Sister Su, your alchemy is so formidable, you can surely save my senior sister, right?”

Her voice was laced with a desperate plea.

“I’m very sorry,” Su Yue shook her head. “This appears to be the venom of a King Rat Snake, and I currently cannot concoct an antidote for it.”

Upon hearing this, Ning Yao collapsed to the floor, her lips trembling uncontrollably.

“No… no…”

Her eyes had lost their vitality, and she merely repeated the words mechanically.

Luochen drew nearer, examining the two blood holes, then dipped a finger into a trace of the tainted blood and sniffed it.

It is indeed a King Rat Snake. My junior sister could tell just from the size and shape of the blood holes.

“You’re insane!” Liu Yue tried to stop her, but her weakened body left her without the strength to even lift her hand.

“Don’t worry, don’t worry,” Luochen reassured, patting Liu Yue’s shoulder. “This kind of poison poses no threat to me.”

“I can save you,” she stated. “Provided you follow my conditions.”

Before Liu Yue could respond, Ning Yao had already rushed over, clutching Luochen’s leg. “Senior Sister Luochen, please, you must save my senior sister! I’ll agree to any condition!”

Hearing this, Luochen shivered involuntarily.

What kind of terrible line is that!