Back To When The Demon Lord Was A Beggar - Chapter 29

Zhi Shiyi wanted to say something more, but before he could speak, a piercing scream erupted from outside, instantly snapping their attention away. A sense of foreboding rose within the group. After a brief period of chaotic noise, a heavy silence fell. They exchanged looks, moved to the edge of the door, and gripped the frame to peer out. They saw the disciples of the Yunshan Sect gathered in a tight circle, surrounding something lying on the ground.

The townspeople had long since scattered and fled during the commotion. Now, the only people left outside in the town were those from the Yunshan Sect and their small group. Chu Nanzhen noticed that the hands of some disciples were trembling slightly, thinking to herself that someone must have died.

After all, the only thing capable of terrifying the common folk lately was the string of brain-stealing incidents. Sure enough, a moment later, Yun Guitu’s voice rose from the crowd, sounding frustrated: “Master, how many deaths does this make? Are we still not going to investigate?!”

As soon as those words were spoken, many others chimed in. One person said, “Sect Leader, our original intention in coming to the Yunshan Sect was to heal and save the people. Are we truly going to stand by and watch them die without doing anything?”

They didn’t understand. So many lives had been lost to this matter, yet as the only cultivation sect near Mount Yun, why were they staying on the sidelines? Since its founding a century ago, the Yunshan Sect existed not just for fame, but to snatch lives back from the clutches of death.

“Master, though we are not skilled in combat, it doesn’t mean we cannot take up spears and swords.” Perhaps fearing the Sect Leader had some hidden grievance or reason for her inaction, Yun Guitu’s voice softened. He sighed and continued his persuasion: “The friends A-Li brought yesterday can all help us. As long as we catch that monster, we can avenge our fellow disciples and give the people an answer.”

The Sect Leader was completely shielded by the crowd, so Chu Nanzhen couldn’t see her expression. After a long silence, the leader let out a heavy sigh and said, “Bury this person properly. Guitu, return to the sect, and bring Shangli and her friends to see me.”

“Hmph. Wouldn’t budge earlier, wouldn’t budge later, but now that enough people are dead, she finally opens her mouth,” Lin Fengye said irritably.

Wuxiang added, “Exactly, exactly.”

By the time they returned to the Yunshan Sect, it was already noon. They followed Yun Guitu to the Yunshan Hall, where the Sect Leader was already seated in the main chair, waiting for them. Once they were seated, she spoke: “Since we rose early today to worship the Mountain God, I fear you all haven’t had breakfast. I had the kitchen prepare extra, please, eat your fill.”

As she spoke, Chu Nanzhen had already picked up her chopsticks without ceremony, her eyes shining at the delicacies on the table. She had just stuffed a few pieces of crispy fried meat into her mouth and hadn’t even swallowed when she heard the Sect Leader say to Yun Guitu: “I grant you permission to investigate this case. Today, you will leave the mountain with these honored guests. There is no need for you to return to the sect.”

At those words, Chu Nanzhen choked violently. Disbelief flashed in her eyes, as it did in the eyes of the others.

Yun Guitu stood up abruptly, looking utterly bewildered. He didn’t know what he had done wrong for his Master to heartlessly expel him from the sect. It couldn’t just be because he insisted on investigating the case! Likely due to his panic, his words came out stuttered: “Ma, Master, why is this… is there somewhere your disciple has fallen short?”

Shen Shangli was also anxious: “Guitu is entirely devoted to the Yunshan Sect, you have seen this yourself. Moreover, his talent is excellent. Expelling him from the sect is simply too much…”

The Sect Leader looked at him with obvious reluctance in her eyes, forcing a faint smile: “When did I ever say I was expelling Guitu from the sect?”

Everyone present breathed a collective sigh of relief. Chu Nanzhen didn’t dare continue eating, fearing another terrifying sentence like the last one would literally choke her to death.

“In the past, it wasn’t that I intentionally stopped you from investigating, but that I feared you would meet with an accident. I also didn’t intentionally use money to silence the victims’ families, but that was the only way to save their lives. This matter is not as simple as a mere monster.”

She sighed, sounding self-reproachful: “It’s my own lack of ability. I fell into someone’s trap, and by the time I realized it, it was too late. I have failed my deceased disciples, the people at the foot of the mountain, and their families. But if that person discovers we are investigating this, it wouldn’t take a night, in just an instant, the Yunshan Sect would cease to exist.”

The group understood now.

So that was the reason why disciples were forbidden from mentioning the matter, it was to protect their lives.

“Master, what do you mean by a special constitution? I don’t understand…” Yun Guitu said.

He didn’t understand, and the Sect Leader couldn’t explain clearly, eventually only shaking her head gently. However, they now understood that everything around Mount Yun was being orchestrated by someone behind the scenes. Since the culprit had the power to destroy an immortal sect in an instant, their strength must far exceed everyone present.

Chu Nanzhen thought for a moment and asked, “Who is ‘that person’ you are referring to, Sect Leader?”

The leader opened her mouth, but the words she wanted to say wouldn’t come out. She could only shake her head helplessly. Seeing this, Zhi Shiyi frowned. After a long while, he spoke up: “Sect Leader, if a restriction has been placed upon you, please nod your head.”

Upon hearing this, the Sect Leader immediately nodded.

Chu Nanzhen asked in confusion, “What is a restriction?”

“The Sect Leader knows who the culprit is, but she wants to speak and cannot. She cannot even speak of matters related to this person. If she tries to identify the culprit or acts against them, she will be restricted or punished.” Zhi Shiyi continued, “Simply put, the Sect Leader knows the secret of the person behind this, and this restriction technique is meant to gag her.”

He paused, then added, “This kind of restriction doesn’t exist within the Kingdom of Qiming, it originates from beyond the world.”

Beyond the world meant the End of the World.

Unless one was completely ignorant of worldly affairs, they would know of it. And this was what Zhi Shiyi had mentioned a few days ago: after reaching the End of the World and traveling south, one would reach a certain country.

Chu Nanzhen spoke as she thought, “Are you saying this restriction comes from the ‘Kingdom of Huachao’?”

Zhi Shiyi nodded. “Being able to find such a restriction technique is enough to prove that the person has either been to that country, or perhaps, was once a resident there.”

As he said the last part, he frowned slightly. He would rather it be the former than the latter.

As soon as these words were out, the atmosphere froze. Lin Fengye tapped the table with his chopsticks, looking down with a light laugh: “City Lord Zhi is talking nonsense again. This is hardly the occasion for such tall tales.”

From the beginning, Lin Fengye never believed in legends. Unless he saw it with his own eyes, he wouldn’t believe it no matter what.

“How do you know it’s nonsense? How do you know he hasn’t been there? Just because you don’t believe it doesn’t mean others don’t,” Chu Nanzhen snapped back with a roll of her eyes. This man’s tongue was truly laced with venom; if he ever kissed a partner in the future, he’d probably poison them to death.

Just as she finished speaking, she felt something tugging at her sleeve. Looking down, she saw it was Zhi Shiyi’s hand. She looked up to see him saying to her with a hint of grievance, “Little Chu is so kind. It doesn’t matter if others don’t believe me. As long as you believe me, I am happy.”

Seeing this, Chu Nanzhen gently patted his hand and comforted him: “I believe whatever you say. Don’t pay any mind to those venomous tongues!”

Wuxiang also spoke up: “Feng-er, stop talking. If your mouth is really that bored, the two of us can go outside and have a fight.”

Lin Fengye snorted and turned his head away: “If I beat you to the ground, you’ll probably call me a groundhog again. I can’t be bothered to fight you!”

Hearing this, Wuxiang’s temper flared. He rolled up his sleeves and shouted, “Let’s go then! If I can’t beat you, I’ll take your last name!”

Lin Fengye glanced at him and then turned back. No matter how much Wuxiang shouted, he simply ignored him, refusing to listen or speak.

The Sect Leader and Yun Guitu were somewhat at a loss. Zhi Shiyi rubbed his temples and shouted coldly, “You are too noisy.”

Wuxiang, not wanting to make a fool of himself further, lowered his head and crossed his arms, beginning to sulk.

Suddenly, Chu Nanzhen seemed to remember something and said to the Sect Leader, “Perhaps we don’t need to investigate. A corpse might be the answer.”

The Sect Leader asked, “What do you mean by that?”

Chu Nanzhen spoke loudly, as if intentionally letting “that person” hear: “Among us, there is a very powerful, highly skilled little cat with extraordinary abilities. He can see the visions of the deceased before they died. Perhaps the answer we seek is within those visions.”

The corners of Zhi Shiyi’s mouth curled upward.

And the so-called “very powerful” little cat, upon hearing such praise, immediately lost his anger. His tail popped out out of nowhere, wagging happily.

Seeing that her words were working, Chu Nanzhen immediately shouted, “Where is that little cat!”

“Right here!” Wuxiang stood up instantly without a hint of hesitation, his face full of pride.

There wasn’t much joy on the Sect Leader’s face, only a slight smile as she asked, “Then, is this gentleman willing to help us?”

Wuxiang crossed his arms and huffed twice, spreading his hands: “Of course I’m not willing!” He turned to Chu Nanzhen and said, “I already helped you guys once last time and I haven’t been compensated yet, and now you want me to look again? I don’t do such losing business!”

When put that way, he wasn’t wrong.

While Chu Nanzhen was still thinking of how to get him to agree, Zhi Shiyi suddenly spoke. Zhi Shiyi said, “The prisons in the capital hold many criminals. A few days ago, His Majesty asked me to find time to visit. If you help this time, the eyes in that place will all be yours.”

At those words, Wuxiang’s eyes lit up. He waved at them vigorously and said, “Well, why haven’t you brought the corpse up for me to see yet?!”

Chu Nanzhen said, “No rush. First, I would like the Sect Leader to answer a few questions.”

The Sect Leader said, “Ask away.”

Chu Nanzhen: “Has that person placed any formation points within your sect? If so, nod. If not, you don’t need to move.”

The strange occurrences of recent months all stemmed from those formation points. Thinking of how strange the brain-stealing incidents were, she figured they might be one of those points as well.

Hearing this, the Sect Leader froze for a moment. Though she didn’t know how she knew, she still nodded her head.

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