Chapter 2155: Exposed Flaw

Ye Liuyun was merely recounting to Xu Mulin from the perspective of having heard it from others.

"According to those Martial Cultivators, none of the Martial Cultivators who were training inside have emerged; no sign of the living, no sign of the dead—it's extremely strange.

As for why the Soul's oppressive pressure on Soul‑Crossing Mountain vanished, no one can explain it clearly.

They never had the strength to approach Soul‑Crossing Mountain, so they don't know exactly what happened.

Moreover, there are many conjectures, with no unified explanation."

"Oh?

What are the rumors circulating among the public?"

Xu Mulin continued to ask about the situation with a smiling tone.

"Some say Soul‑Crossing Mountain devoured all the Martial Cultivators; others say two strong ones fought, and everyone else suffered.

Those two strong ones refer to the God King and a Yin Soul within the mountain.

Of course, some also claim that the treasure inside Soul‑Crossing Mountain was taken away."

Ye Liuyun continued.

These are the main genuine public conjectures, not something he fabricated.

"Then which version does Zhao City Lord think is more likely the truth?"

Xu Mulin retorted, asking Ye Liuyun.

"Well… they're all public guesses; they may be right or wrong, and I, a mere mortal, dare not guess recklessly."

Ye Liuyun feigned difficulty and said.

Xu Mulin did not give up, continuing: "Has the City Lord ever considered that the treasure in Soul‑Crossing Mountain might have been taken away?"

Ye Liuyun merely shook his head and smiled: "Don't even talk about climbing the mountain; ordinary people can't even get close! Taking the treasure from Soul‑Crossing Mountain is harder than ascending to heaven!"

"Then was it a battle between the Soul King and the Yin Soul?"

Xu Mulin kept probing.

Ye Liuyun shook his head: "The God King had been at peace with that Yin Soul for years, and suddenly they started fighting?

I don't think that possibility is great!"

"So Soul‑Crossing Mountain devoured all those Martial Cultivators?"

Xu Mulin asked with a smile, thinking the claim was rather absurd.

Ye Liuyun laughed along: "Soul‑Crossing Mountain has existed for many years, and this has never happened before.

I estimate that if it could devour Martial Cultivators, none would survive to return!"

"Hahaha!"

Xu Mulin also burst into laughter.

"We'll have to investigate slowly then!"

"But…" Xu Mulin changed tack, asking Ye Liuyun: "Has the City Lord sent anyone out to investigate?"

Ye Liuyun immediately explained: "There's no need to send anyone to Soul‑Crossing Mountain about the disappearance of the Soul's oppressive pressure.

Just outside the city you can already feel that the pressure is gone.

Soul‑Crossing Mountain has always been a stronghold of Soul Cultivators.

If I sent an ordinary person, I'm not even sure they'd make it back; they'd likely be intercepted by those Soul Cultivators halfway.

I am indeed curious about the mountain's changes, but with Soul Cultivators suddenly increasing in the city, I fear causing trouble and cannot abandon my post!"

"Hmm! That makes some sense!"

Xu Mulin nodded and added a remark in agreement.

But from Ye Liuyun's expression, he couldn't tell whether Xu Mulin believed his words or not.

At that moment, the wine and dishes were served, and Ye Liuyun, Xu Mulin and the others continued to eat and chat.

Xu Mulin kept asking Ye Liuyun for details of what the Martial Cultivators described.

He even frequently asked for Ye Liuyun's opinion.

Finally he asked Ye Liuyun: "According to the City Lord, what exactly happened to cause this situation?"

Ye Liuyun could only shake his head helplessly: "I really can't guess! It's beyond comprehension!"

Xu Mulin stopped probing about Soul‑Crossing Mountain, chatted with Ye Liuyun about the situation in Jinghun City for a while, and the meal drew to a close.

Xu Mulin suddenly changed his mind and asked Ye Liuyun: "We still need to trouble the City Lord to let us stay here for a day or two to inquire with the outside Soul Cultivators. Is Chengzhu Fu convenient enough to arrange lodging for us?"

"If it's inconvenient, we'll stay at an inn so as not to disturb the City Lord."

"Convenient! Once you're here, Special Envoy, rest assured, I'll make the arrangements for you!"

Ye Liuyun hurriedly agreed.

But he thought to himself: "Why did this old fellow suddenly decide not to leave?"

Did something I said give him away?

It shouldn't have, right!

Ye Liuyun replayed his earlier words in his mind, found no flaw, and couldn't understand why Xu Mulin insisted on staying.

"Sir… if we don't investigate Soul‑Crossing Mountain, how long will we be delayed here?"

A strong one brought by Xu Mulin used Transmission Voice to ask Xu Mulin.

He had previously been a Leader in the army, extremely rigid in carrying out orders.

"You first reply to the God King, stating that the Soul's oppressive pressure on Soul‑Crossing Mountain has definitely vanished, and have him dispatch troops to guard the mountain.

The other matters we can investigate slowly."

Xu Mulin also used Transmission Voice to instruct that Martial Cultivator.

"Should we first go to Soul‑Crossing Mountain to investigate?"

Shall I bring some people first to check the situation?

That martial cultivator asked again.

Xu Mulín, however, told that martial cultivator: "Also possible."

You bring some people first to check the situation; I'll stay behind to learn more about the situation!

I think this city lord is somewhat interesting; maybe we can get more information from him! You secretly observe his bearing and demeanor—does he seem like a city lord?

That martial cultivator secretly observed Ye Liuyun for a while, but couldn't see any difference; instead, his impression of Ye Liuyun was quite good.

"Sir, what problem did you notice?"

」

Xu Mulín then explained to him: "I feel his bearing and demeanor are not like an ordinary city lord."

Before I came, I inquired from informed people about Zhao Rongde's situation; he should be the type who is especially good at flattering.

But now seeing him, he is refined and elegant, with a lofty bearing, and his analysis is thorough; obviously it doesn't match what I heard.

Of course, it might also be me overthinking! You first bring some people to go check on-site as well!

"Yes!"

That martial cultivator answered with a sound, then immediately took nine martial cultivators, left Chengzhu Fu, and rushed to Duhun Mountain.

Xu Mulín, however, settled down peacefully in Chengzhu Fu; with nothing to do at night, he also went to find Ye Liuyun for tea and casual chat.

Xu Mulín, in his words, was all probing Ye Liuyun's understanding of Jinghun City.

If Ye Liuyun hadn't controlled all the martial cultivators in Chengzhu Fu, he really wouldn't be able to answer some questions.

When he initially killed Zhao Rongde, he didn't perform a soul search that thoroughly, nor understand these minor matters.

He also noticed that Xu Mulín had discovered something, and was deliberately probing him.

"Ginger is indeed old and spicy! Just from some casual chat, he actually suspects I have a problem!"

Ye Liuyun felt both admiration and some worry toward Xu Mulín, not knowing how long he intends to drag this out.

At the same time, he also urged Mengchang Jun, to have those soul cultivators rush back at full speed; unfinished tasks should be directly abandoned, don't waste time.

As long as we wait for these people to arrive, even if he falls out with Xu Mulín, there's nothing to worry about.

If he doesn't wait for these people to return and just leaves, they might eventually be captured by the Central Dynasty, forced to reveal Ye Liuyun's situation.