"The situation is critical. Wang Huang's death is already confirmed, so any further discussion is pointless," Gu Wang stated. "Sect Elder Luo, I need you to return immediately and order a lockdown of the Wu Mansion. No one must be allowed to leave. At the same time, convince the public that Wu Yuan never left the mansion. He was merely in secluded cultivation.”
"What?" Sect Elder Luo was perplexed but quickly nodded. "Alright, consider it done."
"Also, do not disturb Wu Yuan," Gu Wang added seriously.
The sect leader, Gu Wang, and the Finance Hall's hall master held the highest positions within the Cloudstride Sect after the Grandmasters. Other Savant experts generally followed their commands. Though Sect Elder Luo didn't fully grasp the situation, he could tell by Gu Wang's expression that it was urgent, and proceeded to carry out his orders immediately.
"Hall Master Gu?" Zhang Changsheng was somewhat confused.
"Sect Elder Zhang, let's keep our questions to ourselves for now," Gu Wang shook his head slightly. "We two are the only ones who know the full story. Therefore, it's best for us to formulate our own theories and deductions. This way, when we meet the hierarchs later, we can each present our individual conjecture, aiding the Hierarchs in making well-informed judgments.”
Elder Zhang quickly grasped the situation. "I understand."
The duo made their way slowly to the outskirts of the Wu Mansion, neither heading inside nor summoning Wu Yuan. Both of them remained silent, deep in contemplation of the day's events.
After returning, Wu Yuan pacified his family and clan members, who were in a state of panic, before retreating to the second floor of the mansion.
Sitting in a lotus position, a flicker of worry crossed his eyes. Gu Wang and Zhang Changsheng did not ask to speak to me privately? Have they discerned something?
Just moments ago, Wu Yuan had braved injuries to slay Wang Huang, kept the sect’s Savant experts at bay with throwing knives, then took a roundabout route at maximum speed to return to the Wu Mansion.
But it was still too late. By that point, Sect Elder Luo, along with a large group of sect disciples, had already begun their search for Wu Yuan.
At that time, I had three choices. First, claim that I was abducted by Wang Huang and subsequently rescued by Shadow Blade. However, that explanation would be riddled with logical inconsistencies. Why would Shadow Blade come to my aid? And why did he conveniently appear just in the nick of time? Suspicion would still arise.
Second, admit that I am Shadow Blade. But the risks would be astronomical. The higher-ups of the Cloudstride Sect might understand, but what about Great Jin? If they were to find out, they'd go ballistic and a Heavenly Ranker might even be dispatched to hunt me down. Wu Yuan shook his head gently.
Ultimately, Wu Yuan chose the third option - to say he was simply out for a stroll. Slipping away right under the noses of two Savant experts? A flimsy and rather absurd excuse, but it was the one he went with.
The Cloudstride Sect isn't made of fools. Logically, Gu Wang and the others should have come to see me as soon as possible. At least, Sect Elder Luo would have checked on me.
Yet, not a single Savant expert came personally to see Wu Yuan. Only one thing slightly reassured him.
The sect elder suddenly announced to the public that I’ve been meditating in a secret chamber?
Evidently, they were attempting to cover up Wu Yuan's absence from the mansion during this period.
Forget it! Overthinking won’t get me anywhere. Even if I were given a chance to redo everything today, I would still choose to kill Wang Huang. A cold glint flashed in Wu Yuan's eyes.
By threatening his family, Great Jin had crossed Wu Yuan's bottom line!
If they ultimately don't expose me, I will simply act accordingly. Wu Yuan's composure returned. If it does get exposed, everything will depend on the sect's attitude.
Things were different now. Back in Li City, any Savant expert could have easily eliminated him. He had to be extremely cautious not to reveal any connection between his different personas. But now?
My combat power is not far off from that of a Great Grandmaster. Wu Yuan's eyes hardened like chips of ice. Even if Emperor Jin wants me dead, he may not succeed.
With the aid of the blood-red mist, Wu Yuan believed no Land Ranker could catch up to him given his endurance and physical strength. And with Soul Force, it was almost impossible for Wu Yuan to be ambushed.
So what if he were exposed? With his strength, he no longer feared the Cloudstride Sect turning against him. Even if Bu Yu and Huan Jian joined forces, capturing him wasn’t going to be easy.
Based on my observations of The Rain Hierarch, she is a wise individual. Even if she confirms that I am indeed Shadow Blade, she would likely opt for cooperation rather than opposition. At the same time, she would do her best to conceal any connection between Wu Yuan and Shadow Blade.
Upon realizing the truth, turning against Wu Yuan meant the sect would make a formidable enemy. If the status quo was maintained, it would mean an additional powerful enemy for the Great Jin Empire, making them allies of sorts.
For now, I can only wait. Wu Yuan calmed his mind.
He closed his eyes, quietly absorbing spiritual qi while blood-red mist emanated from his upper dantian lobe. The two both worked to heal his injuries.
Hmm? Less than twenty breaths later, Wu Yuan's brow furrowed slightly, and his eyes opened spontaneously.
He sensed a powerful vital aura rapidly approaching. A Grandmaster!
Is it The Rain Hierarch? Or The Sword Hierarch? Wu Yuan speculated silently.
In his soul sense, the newcomer had just made contact with Zhang Changsheng and Gu Wang.
In a courtyard not far from Wu Mansion, less than 30 breaths after Wang Huang's death. [1]
"Hierarch." Zhang Changsheng and Gu Wang greeted respectfully.
"What exactly happened?" The Rain Hierarch stood in the courtyard, her voice retaining its characteristic gentleness. "I want a comprehensive account. Leave no details out."
Other than the three of them, no one else was present in the courtyard.
"Hierarch, allow me to start," said Zhang Changsheng. "Today, both Hall Master Gu and I were positioned on either side of Wu Yuan's residence..."
Zhang Changsheng and Gu Wang each recounted what they had observed and heard. At the same time, Gu Wang also detailed the countermeasures he had proposed.
"Excellent." The Rain Hierarch looked at Gu Wang with evident appreciation and sighed, "Gu Wang, when it comes down to it, you're more suitable for the position of sect leader than Lu Feng."
"Hierarch, you jest." Gu Wang shook his head slightly. "Being a hall master is troublesome enough."
The Rain Hierarch nodded slightly. Savant experts each had their pursuits. Some sought wealth and pleasure, while others aspired for the pinnacle of martial arts. Different pursuits led to different outcomes.
"Share your assessments of the situation," The Rain Hierarch instructed. She didn't immediately disclose her thoughts, opting to hear the opinions of the two Savant experts first.
"I'll go first then," Zhang Changsheng intoned solemnly, "First, judging from the location of the battlefield and the manner of their demise, it is highly likely that Grandmaster Wang Huang and the Savant experts came here with the intent of assassinating Wu Yuan. Besides Wu Yuan, there's no other target in Cloudhill Province who warrants a Grandmaster taking action personally. Xu Hui may be brilliant, but he's not talented enough to incite such desperation from Great Jin."
The Rain Hierarch nodded, "Go on."
"Secondly, the first wave of assassins was likely composed of Qi Zai and the other Savant experts. However, they were detected by Grandmaster Shadow Blade and subsequently slain," Zhang Changsheng stated. "With the three Savant experts dead, Grandmaster Wang Huang flew into a rage, confronted Grandmaster Shadow Blade, and was eventually killed by him. This is Disciple's conjecture," Zhang Changsheng stated.
"Do you believe that Shadow Blade just so happened to be near the Wu Mansion and stumbled across the three Savant experts attempting to assassinate Wu Yuan?" The Rain Hierarch calmly questioned.
"Disciple suspects that Grandmaster Shadow Blade is secretly protecting Wu Yuan," Zhang Changsheng solemnly replied.
"What about Wu Yuan?"The Rain Hierarch softly asked. "If we go by your assumption, Wu Yuan would not have been kidnapped at all. He should have remained in the mansion."
"Given Wu Yuan's skill level, it is possible that he managed to elude both myself and Hall Master Gu... perhaps," Zhang Changsheng hesitated slightly.
"No, that cannot be correct." The Rain Hierarch shook her head, "If Shadow Blade was secretly protecting Wu Yuan, he would have departed from the Wu Mansion at the same time as Wu Yuan. So why then was he able to eliminate the three Savant experts beforehand? According to Wu Yuan's account, he was strolling in the opposite direction of the Grandmaster's confrontation."
Zhang Changsheng fell silent. After a moment, he spoke slowly. "Could it really be a coincidence? Shadow Blade and Wu Yuan are unrelated, they just happened to encounter Great Jin's experts attempting to assassinate Wu Yuan?"
The Rain Hierarch smiled faintly and turned her gaze to Gu Wang, "Hall Master Gu, what do you think?"
1. one breath = six seconds ?