Chapter 1390: Extracting Information

Xiao Han stared fixedly at the mirror, saying not a word; those around him, unaware of what had happened, all held their breath in tense silence.

Yet Ning Chen saw Xiao Han's sorrow at a glance; he patted Xiao Han's shoulder: "The dead are gone; what we can do now is drag the murderer out and bring him to justice."

Miss Hongxiu knew exactly how close Xiao Han had been to the Sect Master; a chill of desolation rose from her heart. After the Sect Master's departure, Xiao Han had suffered far too much; he had done nothing at all—why should he bear all this?

Miss Hongxiu turned her head aside and covered her face, weeping.

Gu Yanqi stepped forward and drew Miss Hongxiu into her embrace: "Sister Hongxiu, if you want to cry, then cry; let it all out, and your heart will feel better."

Miss Hongxiu wiped away her tears and shook her head; how could she cry? The one who should be most sorrowful ought to be Ah Han.

But Xiao Han could not cry; having endured so many tribulations, he long knew that tears were the most useless thing; he could not cry, nor was he allowed to.

Xiao Han let out a deep sigh, set the mirror in his hand down; he would surely avenge his Master.

Night gradually fell, and the plan proceeded in an orderly fashion.

Xiao Han stood ready to strike at any moment, while Ning Chen led the others to search for the location of the Second Elder.

Normally at this hour, the Second Elder would sit in meditation for a time; whether he truly meditated was unknown.

Ning Chen arrived at the meditation chamber first, found a hidden corner, and hid there.

Not long after, the Second Elder walked over, with several disciples following behind him.

"Remember, do not let anyone else approach this place."

After instructing the disciples, the Second Elder entered the meditation chamber.

The disciples stood on either side of the door; to Ning Chen's surprise, not long afterward, a woman with a graceful figure walked over.

"I have come to see the Second Elder."

"The Second Elder has been waiting for you." After the disciple spoke, he opened the door, and the woman swayed her hips as she entered inside.

Clearly, this had happened more than once; the disciples appeared already accustomed to it.

Not long after, indescribable sounds came from inside the room.

The disciples outside grew bolder as well, beginning to discuss matters openly and without restraint.

"Tell me, Master—could he be discovered doing this?"

"I think it's possible; every time Master seeks a woman to gather Yin and supplement Yang, this itself violates our Men Sect's Daoist principles."

"I know, I know; I've heard Master has cultivated some other technique."

"Sigh, I even feel like transferring to another Elder's branch; since joining the Second Elder's branch, he teaches us nothing; moreover, he constantly uses us as laborers."

"Don't speak of it; I'm also depressed. I've been in the Men Sect for five years already, yet I've learned almost nothing. I have a friend who entered the Third Elder's branch; this year he can already fly on a sword. Clearly, we entered at the same time."

"Enough, enough, don't speak further; if we keep talking and the Second Elder discovers us, we'll all be in serious trouble."

Ning Chen, who had heard the entire exchange outside, raised an eyebrow; it seemed this Second Elder was unpopular within the Men Sect; moreover, he actually dared to cultivate other Daoist arts.

Merely this matter alone would be enough to expel him from the Men Sect, but Ning Chen and his companions' aim was not simply to expel him from the Men Sect.

Time ticked by minute by minute; after roughly two quarters of an hour, the woman emerged from the room, her steps somewhat unsteady.

Not long after, the Second Elder also came out of the room; he appeared refreshed and full of spirit.

"Did anyone come just now?"

"Master, no one came."

"Very well, I understand; you may go."

The two disciples, having received the order, hurriedly left this place of trouble.

Ning Chen followed the Second Elder all the way; the Second Elder returned to his private courtyard.

Near the private courtyard, Lin Yi and Gu Yanqi were on guard; upon seeing Ning Chen, both were somewhat excited.

Ning Chen gave the two a hand signal, indicating that one of them should go remind Xiao Han to be ready to act at any moment.

To prevent any mishap, Miss Hongxiu had earlier lit Soul-Calming Incense in the Second Elder's room.

A normal dose of Soul-Calming Incense can make a person fall asleep quickly, while an overdose causes mental confusion.

The Second Elder was already a cultivator, so Soul-Calming Incense had little effect on him; therefore, Miss Hongxiu immediately added a large dose of Soul-Calming Incense to his room.

Ning Chen climbed onto the roof, pried open a tile, and from this angle could see the entire situation inside the room.

He saw the Second Elder strip off his outer clothes, put on his undergarments, get into bed, and within moments fall asleep.

Ning Chen activated his ability to probe the Second Elder's condition; seeing that he was truly asleep, he gave Gu Yanqi a signal, allowing Xiao Han to act.

"I was wrong; I was truly wrong."

Just as Xiao Han approached the doorway, suddenly the Second Elder sat upright, muttering something.

This sudden development startled everyone; Xiao Han quickly concealed himself in the darkness nearby.

Ning Chen observed the Second Elder's condition from the roof; he saw him with eyes closed, hands flailing wildly in the air, repeatedly muttering "I was wrong."

From this situation, it appeared the Second Elder had fallen into a nightmare.

Ning Chen leaped down and came to Xiao Han's side: "He must have fallen into a nightmare."

Xiao Han thought for a moment, then spoke: "It must be that Miss Hongxiu's Soul-Calming Incense took effect."

"Then do you still want to go in?"

"Of course; this has nothing to do with whether I go in or not." Saying this, Xiao Han walked inside.

Ning Chen returned to the roof to stand guard; to be safe, he even activated his ability to probe the surrounding situation.

He saw Xiao Han approach before the Second Elder; after saying something unknown, suddenly the Second Elder opened his eyes and looked at Xiao Han in terror.

"Y-you, y-you, how are you here?" The Second Elder could not speak clearly; his whole person seemed plunged into immense fear.