Chapter 532: Withered Wood Blooms

Shen Mizhi had originally only hoped that Duan Rong could offer her a pointer or two regarding her sword techniques, but she had not expected Duan Rong to point out the flaws in her cultivation in a single sentence.

In truth, as far as Duan Rong was concerned, he had done so unintentionally. Because his perspective was now different, he had seen the overall crux of Shen Mizhi's cultivation at a single glance, rather than getting entangled in and pointing out minor details as he had in the past.

Shen Mizhi gained much, and with flickering eyes, she looked at Duan Rong and said, "A teacher of a single word!"

Duan Rong only smiled slightly and prepared to leave.

Just as he turned to leave, his expression suddenly froze. He remembered one thing: Zhu Xiaoqi was still in Shenyun Prefecture. Counting the days, it had already been over two months. That little girl had been left by him alone at Shenyun Prefecture; who knew how she might be cursing him every day?

Now that Xiao Yu had been rescued from the Tower Forest, it was time to bring her into the Sect to reunite with Xiao Yu.

Thinking this far, Duan Rong suddenly turned around, looked at Shen Mizhi, and smiled, "I have a matter to attend to and may have to trouble Miss Shen to make a trip to Shenyun Prefecture."

"Please just give the order, my lord!" Shen Mizhi cupped her hands, then suddenly said with a cold gaze, "My lord, do not forget that this life of Shen Mizhi's has long since belonged to you."

Duan Rong smiled slightly and said, "It does not involve life or death! It is just a small matter. I need to trouble Miss Shen to go to Shenyun Prefecture to pick someone up and bring them into the Sect."

"Pick someone up?" Shen Mizhi's eyes shifted, and she asked, "Pick up whom?"

"Zhu Xiaoqi!" Duan Rong smiled.

Immediately, Duan Rong went to Yunfu Peak, wrote a letter in his own hand, stamped it with the official seal of the Inner History Department, sealed it with the official stationery and wax of the Inner History Department, and handed it to Shen Mizhi to give to Zhu Zhengfu.

Zhu Xiaoqi was staying in the Separate Courtyard of Zhu Zhengfu's home; to have Shen Mizhi take Zhu Xiaoqi away, one had to at least greet Zhu Zhengfu.

Shen Mizhi took Duan Rong's letter, brought her own Sect Cloud Token, and headed toward Shenyun Prefecture.

Xiao Yu and Ximen Kankan were busy with the construction of the courtyard on the hilltop and could not get away for the time being. If he sent someone else, Zhu Xiaoqi would not recognize them, so he had no choice but to let Shen Mizhi make the trip.

After Shen Mizhi left, Xiao Yu and Ximen Kankan became even busier.

Ximen Kankan led some people to tinker with the construction of that hidden channel.

Xiao Yu, meanwhile, began supervising the crowd with the History Supervisors to sink large pillars at the corresponding positions. This step was extremely critical; it was equivalent to laying the foundation.

Although Duan Rong acted as a hands-off Manager and focused only on his own cultivation, he would still come to this hilltop every few days to see Xiao Yu and Ximen Kankan, which could be considered a gesture of concern.

This day, on Wuliang Cliff.

Yang Sixuan was standing in the pavilion at the top of the cliff, looking at the churning clouds and mist in the valley, his brows locked in deep thought.

Over these past few days, the people from the Ruling Sect Justice Division had already conducted a carpet-style search of Wuliang Cliff from top to bottom.

The first characteristic of Yang Sixuan's case-solving was being steadfast.

This point was also the most important thing he had taught Yang Yi.

The most important thing in solving a case was patience and steadfastness; how could there be so many brilliant deductions? A carpet-style search and steadfast investigation were the foundation of everything.

Only with patience and steadfastness could one solve a case; this was Yang Sixuan's principle. It was also the style he had implemented in the Ruling Sect Justice Division for many years!

With the carpet-style search and investigation, the information had basically been gathered. Yang Sixuan was currently looking at the churning clouds and mist, pondering those scattered and seemingly unrelated information puzzles...

These messy pieces of information were just like the churning clouds and mist before his eyes; he had to see through this mist to the things behind it.

Although he did not always succeed, there were many times when he was like this, seeing a little bit, then seeing a little bit more, and finally piecing together a blurred outline...

Just as Yang Sixuan was deep in thought, he saw a figure walking over from the cliff wall.

The person who came was Yang Yi.

Yang Sixuan and Yang Yi had a division of labor; Yang Sixuan was responsible for the investigation on the Wuliang Cliff side, while Yang Yi was responsible for the investigation on Jing Chou's side.

Yang Yi had already reported the results of the preliminary investigation on Jing Chou's side to him once before.

Over these two days, Yang Yi had led people to conduct a more in-depth investigation, and coming to see him again now, he must have discovered something.

"Chief!" Yang Yi stood outside the pavilion, cupped his hands, and said in a deep voice.

Yang Sixuan stood there, still looking at the clouds and mist in the valley, with his back to Yang Yi outside the pavilion. He did not turn around, but only said indifferently, "What have you found! Speak!"

"Yes!" Yang Yi said, "Before Jing Chou died, besides coming to Wuliang Cliff to pay his respects to Xiao Qiwu, he also went to see one other person!"

"He also saw one other person?!" Hearing this, Yang Sixuan turned around abruptly.

In his estimation, Jing Chou was clearly a key figure in the Xiao Qiwu case. The person Jing Chou saw before he died was naturally also extremely important. It might even be the breakthrough point of this case.

"Who else did he see?" Yang Sixuan stood in the pavilion, staring at Yang Yi and asking.

Yang Yi said, "Poison Granny of the Purple Bamboo Forest."

"Poison Granny?!" A flash of surprise crossed Yang Sixuan's eyes. "You mean Shentu Ying? He went to see Shentu Ying?"

"Exactly!" Yang Yi answered with a firm tone.

This Shentu Ying was also a Dongming Realm powerhouse within the Taiyi Sect, a hidden Sect Elder.

She possessed a unique skill of Withered Wood Blooms; both the vines and the petals contained deadly poison, which was how she earned the nickname "Poison Granny." As for her original name, many people had likely forgotten it.

But Yang Sixuan had, after all, headed the Ruling Sect Justice Division for many years; he had carefully studied the resumes of all the Dongming Realm powerhouses in the Sect. Moreover, this "Poison Granny" who lived in seclusion in the Purple Bamboo Forest had quite a background and had left a deep impression on Yang Sixuan, so he naturally remembered her name—Shentu Ying.

Yang Sixuan's eyes flickered as he looked at Yang Yi and asked, "When did Jing Chou go to see Shentu Ying?"

Yang Yi said, "Jing Chou first saw Xiao Qiwu, then went to see Shentu Ying the next day, and on the night of the third day, he hanged himself in his room."

A deep, cold glint shone in Yang Sixuan's eyes.

"Xiao Qiwu? Shentu Ying?"

Although these two were a man and a woman, they were both basically in a state of retirement, and it seemed their cultivation had also stagnated, trapped in a bottleneck!

Yang Sixuan believed this was absolutely not a coincidence!

"Has Shentu Ying had any unusual movements in the last few days?" Yang Sixuan suddenly asked.

Yang Yi said, "According to reports from scouts near the Purple Bamboo Forest, Poison Granny has been in the Purple Bamboo Forest these past few days and does not seem to have gone out. However, Poison Granny is a Dongming Realm powerhouse; even if she did make a move, it is estimated that those scouts might not necessarily be able to detect it. Therefore, this piece of information can only serve as a reference."

Yang Sixuan nodded and said, "You may go. Continue to dig deeper into the Jing Chou matter."

"Yes!" Yang Yi cupped his hands in acknowledgment and turned to leave.

After Yang Yi left, Yang Sixuan stood in the pavilion for a long time without moving.

The mountain breeze at the cliff top blew his sleeves and hair; his brows were knit, and he suddenly sighed softly.

This case had suddenly sprouted new complications, dragging the Poison Granny of the Purple Bamboo Forest into it, which really made things difficult for him. If it were someone else, that would be one thing, but this Poison Granny had always been a difficult person to deal with.

Moreover, almost no one in the Sect dared to provoke her.

It is not that she is particularly formidable, but it is said that she was a great beauty in her youth, and primarily, she still has a debt of romantic entanglement with the current Sect Ancestor, Lv Yinlin. It seems she served by Lv Yinlin's side for several years, and when the two later parted ways, Poison Granny—that is, Shentu Ying of those years—even caused a great scene within the Sect Elder Council. It is said this matter caused the Ancestor to lose a great deal of face.

Such a ruthless character, and one whose background involves the Ancestor—if there is no business, who would dare to provoke her?

Yet, Yang Sixuan dares to conclude that Jing Chou would never go to see Shentu Ying without reason. Moreover, this person first met Xiao Qiwu, met Shentu Ying the next day, and then went and hanged himself!

There must be a great story behind this!

"Even if this Purple Bamboo Forest is a mountain of blades and a sea of fire, I must make a trip there!"

Yang Sixuan suddenly transformed into a black streak of light, shot into the high sky, and streaked toward the depths of the Endless Great Mountains.

Like a meteor, he whistled through the high sky, suddenly drew an arc, and landed in a secluded, enclosed mountain hollow.

That was a shaded mountain hollow, and the hollow was filled with dense, cultivated bamboo.

It is just that within this bamboo forest, miasma permeates all year round, glowing with a faint purple aura, hence the name Purple Bamboo Forest.

Shentu Ying's unique skill, Withered Wood Blooms, contains potent poison, and because she has lived for years in this miasma-filled bamboo forest, she earned the nickname "Poison Granny."

Yang Sixuan is already a powerhouse of the Dongming Realm, so naturally, he does not fear the miasma within this bamboo forest.

His gaze shifted, and he stepped slowly into the miasma-filled bamboo forest.

Yang Sixuan did not use his Divine Sense to investigate; Poison Granny is, after all, a woman, and if he were to rashly probe with his Divine Sense, it would inevitably invite suspicion of peeping.

Yang Sixuan walked for a distance within the miasma-filled bamboo forest when suddenly, two green snakes as thick as fingers shot toward him from the miasma; his gaze flashed, a ripple of space fluctuated, and those two green snakes turned into powder.

"Who dares trespass in my Purple Bamboo Forest!?"

Suddenly, a light shout rang out, and a green shadow flew out from the bamboo forest and stood not far away.

Yang Sixuan narrowed his eyes to look, only to see a woman with skin whiter than snow, light brows, and a delicate nose. This woman was dressed in a light green skirt and looked at Yang Sixuan with an unkind gaze.

That woman saw the appearance of Yang Sixuan, who was waist-deep in the miasma, knitted her brows, and called out: "It is Director Yang?!"

Seeing that the woman recognized him, Yang Sixuan smiled faintly: "You must be Su Xinjue, right?"

Yang Sixuan knew that Shentu Ying had taken in a personal female disciple a few years ago, said to have good talent, named Su Xinjue. Seeing the agility with which this woman had just flashed out of the bamboo forest, Yang Sixuan had already guessed her identity.

Su Xinjue respectfully cupped her hands and said: "This disciple is indeed Su Xinjue. I do not know what business brings Director Yang to my Purple Bamboo Forest?"

Yang Sixuan smiled: "I wish to see your master. I must trouble you to pass on a message."

Su Xinjue's gaze shifted, and she said: "Director Yang, please wait a moment."

After she finished speaking, a green shadow flashed, and she darted into the bamboo forest and disappeared from sight.

Not long after, a green shadow flashed out from not far along the stone path; it was Su Xinjue, who had gone and returned.

Su Xinjue said: "Director Yang, please walk this way!"

Hearing this, Yang Sixuan then walked forward slowly.

Just at this moment, Su Xinjue suddenly pursed her tender lips toward the back and made a series of hissing sounds.

Following this sound, Yang Sixuan suddenly saw that on the green bamboo along the stone path not far away, there were actually quite a few green shadows wriggling and heading toward the depths of the bamboo forest.

Those were actually green snakes, but the color of these green snakes blended with the bamboo leaves and branches, making them very difficult to detect with the naked eye. Moreover, these snakes did not fear the miasma, and it was clear they themselves also contained potent poison.

The green snakes retreated, and Su Xinjue led Yang Sixuan along the stone path toward the depths of the miasma-filled bamboo forest.

After walking for about the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn, the two arrived before a bamboo house.

Su Xinjue gestured toward the doorway where a curtain hung and said: "Director Yang, please enter; Master is inside."

Yang Sixuan nodded, walked over, lifted the hanging curtain, and flashed into the bamboo house.

Seeing Yang Sixuan enter the bamboo house, Su Xinjue walked a bit further away, arriving near a flower garden before standing there. Regardless of what Yang Sixuan had come to discuss with her master, she could not eavesdrop. Walking away like this was naturally to avoid suspicion.

Not far from the bamboo house was a flower garden where some flowers and plants were planted; Su Xinjue was there picking flowers, preparing to put them in a vase to place by her master's side later.

She picked a few types of flowers, arranged them, and placed them into the vase.

Just at this moment, a furious female voice was heard from inside the bamboo house: "Who I choose to see or not see is not for you to question?!"

"Senior Shentu, I, Yang, have no intention of offending..."

Although Yang Sixuan's seniority and qualifications were not as high as Shentu Ying's, both were cultivators of the Dongming Realm; for Yang Sixuan to address her as 'Senior' was already extremely respectful.

But Shentu Ying clearly did not appreciate it at all!

"Get out!"

Following Shentu Ying's furious shout, Yang Sixuan was already sent flying backward; the bamboo curtain hanging at the doorway of the bamboo house instantly turned into powder. Before he even landed, several vines suddenly shot up from the ground that had been paved with bluestone; those vines were a greenish-purple color and grew upon meeting the wind, with large clusters of flowers falling from the vines. In less than a breath's time, the doorway of the bamboo house was already covered in falling blossoms...

Yang Sixuan knew that these vines and petals were all highly poisonous, so his figure retreated violently, darting several yards away!

"Xinjue! See the guest out!" A cold voice drifted out from inside the bamboo house.

Su Xinjue arrived before Yang Sixuan, her brows arched in anger, and she said coldly: "Director Yang, please!"

Regardless of what Yang Sixuan had said, he had clearly provoked her master's fury. Her master already had a bad temper and was usually prone to scolding and beating; with Yang Sixuan causing such a disturbance, her own task would be even harder to handle, so she naturally held no good feelings toward Yang Sixuan.

Yang Sixuan had no choice but to turn and leave with a livid face.

Truly, hearing of someone is not as good as meeting them! He had not expected this Shentu Ying to be so savage and rude!

However, this woman had some connection to the Ancestor, so it was not convenient for him to push her too hard; otherwise, although her unique skill, Withered Wood Blooms, was somewhat miraculous, it would likely be difficult for her to gain any advantage in Yang Sixuan's hands.

That morning, Duan Rong came again to the hilltop of Shang Xiangyu. Only a few days had passed, but the frame of the courtyard building was already up. Xiao Yu and Ximen Kankan were both busy to the point of exhaustion; when Duan Rong arrived, the two had no time to pay him any mind.

Xiao Yu only greeted Duan Rong, took some fruit for him to eat, and then went back to her work.

While eating the fruit, Duan Rong wandered around, and at this moment, he suddenly saw a figure walking over from the edge of the dense forest in the distance.

Duan Rong's gaze shifted; the person coming was Yang Yi.

Yang Yi had spotted Duan Rong from afar. After walking closer, his gaze swept over the courtyard that was beginning to take shape, and he clicked his tongue in wonder, saying: "Brother Duan, I haven't seen you for a few days, and you have actually started such large-scale construction here!"

Duan Rong smiled: "What large-scale construction? Even a dog needs a kennel, doesn't it?!"

As Duan Rong spoke, he picked a very good piece of fruit and handed it to Yang Yi.

Yang Yi took it, wiped it on his lapel, took a bite, and smiled: "Mm, sweet!"

Duan Rong looked at Yang Yi and smiled: "Brother Yang, I see you don't visit the temple without a reason, do you? Speak if you have something to say."

Yang Yi chuckled happily and said: "Brother Duan, you really do understand me; as soon as I lift my backside, you know what I'm about to drop. It's like this: regarding this Xiao Qiwu case, I must ask Brother Duan to go to the Ruling Sect Justice Division to record a formal statement."

Duan Rong said, "What? Has Sect Master Yang finally remembered me? I thought he had forgotten about me."

Duan Rong remembered that the day he left Wuliang Cliff, Yang Sixuan had said he would interrogate him once more regarding this matter, but more than ten days had passed without any news, and Duan Rong had been feeling uneasy about it.

Yang Yi said, "How could we forget? It is just that your status is special now, Brother Duan, and our Ruling Sect Justice Division dare not interrogate you casually; we must do some preparation before it is appropriate to have you come over, right? Otherwise, wouldn't it be a disturbance to you, Brother Duan, to have things go back and forth?"

Duan Rong looked at Yang Yi's expression, but from that indifferent smile of Yang Yi's, he could not see any information at all. Regarding the Xiao Qiwu case, he considered himself to have handled it very cleanly; even if Yang Sixuan had truly discovered something, there was absolutely no evidence that could lock in his guilt.

At the very least, Xiao Qiwu's corpse had already vanished into thin air, so who could determine whether he was dead or alive?

(End of chapter)