Chapter 115: The Bedraggled Chiyanzi

Even if she was unwilling to believe it, seeing the senior brothers like this, Lingxiang had no choice but to believe.

"He... his cause of death is..."

Fuyin Zhenren sighed: "Just like the Outer Disciple from last time, killed by a single blow to the back, dead by a Demon Blade..."

"What!" Lingxiang was greatly shocked, "You still haven't found the true culprit of that incident?"

Once this question was asked, it truly left the Elders unable to save face. Qianyuan Zhenren could not help but speak up: "We were busy with the Xuancang Cave matter these past few days, so this affair was delayed. The Sect Leader also tried to divine it, but could not obtain even the slightest clue from the hexagrams. Since it involves the Demon Race, I suppose it is not something easily divined."

"Indeed," Chengxin Zhenren also spoke up at this moment: "These days we have also arranged for a group of disciples to step up patrols, all to catch the true culprit, but who could have imagined that even so, they still succeeded. It seems this matter must have someone from the Demon Race behind it."

The words of the two senior brothers were certainly not false; it stood to reason that the Demon Race must have had a plan in mind to be able to evade the patrols.

"Could it be..." Lingxiang said, weighing her words: "Could it be related to Bai Wuchang..."

The Elders' expressions turned stern upon hearing this. Ever since the White-Faced Asura appeared during the last martial exercise, he had made no further moves. Instead, two murder cases occurred among the Outer Disciples, and both were wounded by a Demon Blade. It was hard not to link him to this matter.

"I, however, believe it has nothing to do with him." Donghui Zhenren pondered: "Based on Bai Wuchang's temperament, although he is meticulous, he is extremely arrogant. He would certainly not stoop to touch the affairs of Outer Disciples. If he wanted to take action, he would target us fellow brothers instead."

Qianyuan Zhenren stroked his beard upon hearing this: "Junior Brother Donghui's words are indeed not false."

"Arrogant? I cannot agree with Fourth Senior Brother on that." Lingxiang said as she stepped down from the Hunyuan Platform, "If he were arrogant, how could he have acted like that during the Second Martial Exercise? Everyone says he is meticulous; who knows if this isn't just a cover to distract us while he makes other moves?"

Shangqing Zhenren opened his eyes at this moment, staring unblinkingly at the Hunyuan Instrument. The Hunyuan Instrument currently showed not even the slightest sign, which truly left him unable to fathom the situation.

It was ultimately because his own cultivation was not refined enough. If it were in the past, Master would surely have been able to detect some clues from the minute details.

He could not help but sigh in his heart and said in a deep voice: "What Lingxiang says is reasonable. You fellow brothers also know about that White-Faced Asura. Since we crossed paths last time, he must be plotting something. If this matter is truly related to him, I fear there is a follow-up plan; we must be on guard."

"Does the Sect Leader mean..." Qianyuan Zhenren asked.

Shangqing Zhenren was silent for a moment before replying: "The incident fourteen years ago was plotted by him for the Demon Lord. This person is treacherous and cunning; it is difficult to guess his intentions. Now that such a thing has happened, to avoid repeating the same mistakes, the sect must be on high alert."

"Senior Brother, wait..." Fuyin Zhenren suddenly spoke up, "I, however, think it is not advisable to startle the snake for now. Not to mention whether this matter is related to him, the fact that there is a mole within the sect is certain. Even if we are on high alert, if the mole is not removed, we will eventually collapse from within."

"Hmm..." Shangqing Zhenren pondered: "Junior Brother Fuyin's words are reasonable... In your view, how should we lure this mole out?"

"This..." Fuyin Zhenren pinched his chin and lowered his eyes, "I don't have a good method for the moment..."

Just as everyone was at a loss, they saw Hanyang walking in from outside the hall, bowing toward the Hunyuan Platform.

"Reporting to Master, a wandering Daoist has arrived at the foot of the mountain, saying he has an urgent matter to discuss."

A wandering Daoist? This was strange. What business could a wandering Daoist have at the Yuanqing Sect?

"Did he report his Daoist name?" Qianyuan Zhenren asked.

Hanyang hurriedly replied: "It was this disciple's negligence. The visitor said his Daoist name is Chiyanzi."

"Senior Chiyanzi?" Lingxiang was extremely surprised, and the Elders were also very astonished. This Chiyanzi was said to have little to do with the Yuanqing Sect, but he had a very close relationship with Tumi Fairy. Yet he had never set foot in Yuanqing; why would he visit now?

"Junior Sister knows this Chiyanzi?" Donghui Zhenren heard something unusual in Lingxiang's words.

"We could be considered to have shared adversity..." Lingxiang said, recounting the events of traveling with Chiyanzi after the Taishang Sect.

Fuyin Zhenren suddenly spoke up upon hearing this: "Back at Youran Abode, you only said you were saved by an expert. Was this expert Chiyanzi?"

Lingxiang nodded and confirmed it. Seeing this, the Elders all sighed in their hearts—

This must be fate...

"Since Daoist Chiyanzi has come to visit, why don't you go and meet him, Junior Brother, to see what he has come for." Shangqing Zhenren instructed Qianyuan Zhenren.

Lingxiang hurriedly wanted to follow upon hearing this. Shangqing Zhenren considered that, after all, his Junior Sister had received the man's favor, so she naturally ought to go and thank him. He gave a few instructions and granted her request.

Chiyanzi sat in the hall in rags, drawing a crowd of disciples outside. These disciples were also extremely curious; he was clearly a proper practitioner of the Dao, so how could he have ended up in such a state?

The hall entrance was packed tight. Just as the disciples were jostling to watch, they suddenly heard a shout.

"Gathering like this, does everyone have nothing to do? What kind of decorum is this for disciples of a great sect!"

It was none other than Qianyuan Zhenren's Head Disciple, whose Daoist name was Shouyi.

Upon hearing this, everyone hurriedly scattered to the sides, clearing the path, and stood with their hands down in a Daoist salute.

"Still standing there for what? Have your lessons been completed? Has the courtyard been swept properly?" Shouyi saw that the crowd was still standing and not dispersing, and shouted again.

The group of disciples hurriedly scrambled away like monkeys. Shouyi bowed to Qianyuan Zhenren and Lingxiang, inviting the two to enter.

As Lingxiang walked past, she patted Shouyi on the shoulder and teased: "Shouyi is becoming more and more like a disciple of a great sect. It seems Second Senior Brother is good at teaching disciples; there is hope for the future!"

Shouyi laughed sheepishly and bowed: "Junior Aunt, please don't make fun of me. You should hurry and follow Master to see the guest." As he spoke, he gestured for them to enter.

Lingxiang laughed loudly as she entered the hall, but stopped abruptly after seeing the person on the dais.

This...

This Senior Chiyanzi's appearance was truly a bit...

Too miserable to look at...

"Senior Chiyanzi... what have you... did you raid a nest of immortal robes? Why... why are you so disheveled..."

Qianyuan Zhenren hurriedly scolded Lingxiang for having no manners, then turned to apologize to Chiyanzi, saying that Lingxiang was young and so on. But Chiyanzi laughed out loud, saying it was no matter, no matter.

"Little friend Lingxiang, it has been a long time. You are still as outspoken as ever."

Lingxiang scratched her head and laughed: "Not at all, it is just that you, Senior, are indulgent toward this junior, which is why you allow me to be so unruly."

"Speaking of which, you can no longer call me Senior." Chiyanzi exchanged a Daoist salute with Qianyuan Zhenren, then laughed.

Lingxiang was puzzled upon hearing this. If she didn't call him Senior, what else could she call him?

Seeing her like this, Chiyanzi and Qianyuan Zhenren exchanged a look, and then Qianyuan Zhenren laughed:

"According to seniority, you should call him Senior Brother. His master is your mother, Tumi Fairy."

"What!?"