Chapter 175

"Is that so?" the Black Judge's voice suddenly rose, carrying a threatening tone, "I heard that the Qin family's ancestral treasure cauldron has been making a fuss lately? Could it have sensed something of the same origin? Like, the two little fellows from the Medicine Sect who inherited the legacy?"

Qin Yueyao's eyes flickered imperceptibly, but her face remained calm: "The Shennong Cauldron is a holy object of the Qin family; occasional fluctuations are nothing surprising. As for what you said about Medicine Sect inheritors, the Qin family knows nothing. If you, Black Judge, intend to forcefully intrude the Qin family, you'd better weigh the consequences."

Just as the two were exchanging verbal blows, the atmosphere tensed.

Not far from the Qin family manor, on a high-rise rooftop, two blurred shadows lurked in the darkness like sculptures—none other than Zhang Jun and Lin Xue, who had quietly rushed over.

"Tsk tsk, this Qin Yueyao really has some skill; facing that old ghost Black Judge, she shows no fear at all." Zhang Jun whispered in admiration.

Lin Xue said nothing, merely focusing her senses to feel the aura inside the Qin family manor.

As Qin Yueyao's words fell, deep within the Qin family manor, several faint yet extraordinarily powerful auras slowly rose. Some were ancient, some sharp; though subtle, their strength was in no way inferior to the experts brought by the Black Judge, and there were even a few that hinted at depths even more unfathomable!

The Qin family—indeed, its foundations are profound!

The Black Judge naturally also sensed those several auras; his face beneath the hood grew even darker. He knew that this bone of the Qin family was far harder than he imagined. If they really tried to force a breach, even if they could take it, his side would surely gain nothing, and would completely push the Qin family into opposition, ruining the "Supreme One's" entire plan.

"Good! Very good!" the Black Judge stared at Qin Yueyao, letting out a chilling laugh, "Since Miss Qin says so, today this old man will give the Qin family this face!"

He shifted his tone, his voice turning grim: "However, the person, I am certain to find. I hope Miss Qin won't bring disaster upon herself by playing with fire. This old man will still come 'visit' again!"

Having said that, the Black Judge fiercely flicked his sleeve, turned, and led his men away like a retreating tide, quickly disappearing at the end of the street.

Qin Yueyao watched their departing direction, her eyes icy; only after confirming they had gone far did she slowly turn and order the elder behind her: "Strengthen the guard; report any sign of disturbance immediately!"

"Yes, Miss!"

The Qin family gate slowly closed once again.

On the rooftop, Zhang Jun let out a breath: "Damn, finally gone. That old dog, the oppression is too strong."

He had just been about to leave with Lin Xue.

Suddenly!

Lin Xue's body trembled slightly, and the hand gripping the Yin Yang Jade Pendant shot up.

Only see that the half-piece of icy-blue, translucent jade pendant was now trembling ever so slightly, a faint chill almost imperceptible spreading along her arm.

Even more strangely, within the pendant, the slowly swimming yin-fish pattern seemed to have received some signal, flickering extremely faintly for a moment!

A fragmentary, vague yet clearly guiding thought crossed the spatial barrier and directly entered the depths of her consciousness!

This transmission was not from elsewhere; it actually originated from inside the Qin family manor, whose gate had just been closed!

"What's wrong?" Zhang Jun snapped his gaze toward Lin Xue.

She raised the hand holding the jade pendant; the half-piece of icy-blue jade pendant trembled slightly.

Lin Xue said nothing, closed her eyes, and focused intently to discern.

It wasn't words; rather, it felt like waves of fragmented emotions, urgent, deeply hidden, and tinged with… a plea for help?

She opened her eyes: "It's not Qin Yueyao."

"It comes from deep within the Qin family manor; it's very weak, as if hiding from something."

Zhang Jun's mind raced: "Inside the Qin family? Someone trying to secretly contact us? Could it be those old-timers dissatisfied with Qin Yueyao?"

Lin Xue shook her head: "Not really."

"The source feels pure, lacking the corrupt, greedy aura of those old-timers."

"It's somewhat… like sharing the same origin, yet different."

"Same origin?" Zhang Jun frowned.

Anything that could be linked to the Yin Yang Jade Pendant, besides the two of them, would only be related to the Medicine Sect, or a person or thing with a deep, frightening connection to the Medicine Sect. The Qin family guards the Shennong Cauldron; the cauldron might sense something, but as an inanimate object it wouldn't actively transmit thoughts.

"Could there be someone hidden in the Qin family who's on our Medicine Sect's side, or perhaps someone who dislikes Qin Yueyao's collusion with the 'Shadow'?" Zhang Jun guessed, "Is this signal a plea for help? A warning? Or a trap dug waiting for us to jump in?"

Lin Xue also pondered: "Hard to say."

"This thought is fragmentary, heavily interfered with, and sent with great difficulty."

This sudden transmission muddied the waters even further.

Is it a pit, or an opportunity?

If there truly is someone inside the Qin family wanting to make contact, perhaps we could discern the Qin family's true attitude toward the Medicine Sect's inheritance, and even uncover the secret of the Shennong Cauldron.

But if it's a trap set by the Black Judge or Qin Yueyao, responding would be handing over our heads.

"Let's do it!" Zhang Jun gritted his teeth, "Fortune favors the bold; hiding forever isn't an option! Let's cautiously reply and probe what medicine they're selling in their gourd!"

Lin Xue looked at him and nodded: "Okay."

She closed her eyes again, focusing completely, and very carefully activated the Yin Yang Jade Pendant.

She didn't speak directly, but sent over a faint, almost non-existent thought, tinged with "doubt" and "vigilance," like tossing a single hair into a deep pool to lightly probe.

This thought was so weak it was more like a gamble, hardly qualifying as communication.

The thought sent out sank like a stone in the sea.

No response.

Zhang Jun was about to deflate, wondering if he'd overthought it.

That faint thread of connection suddenly reappeared, and even became a bit clearer!

The other side received it! They seemed about to transmit something—

Suddenly!

Buzz!

That connection was like being ruthlessly severed by an invisible blade!

The yin-fish pattern inside the pendant jolted violently, instantly falling dead silent; all sensation vanished completely.

Lin Xue let out a muffled groan, her body swayed, and her face paled a bit.

That backlash just now also cost her a bit.

"What's wrong?" Zhang Jun hurriedly steadied her.

"It's broken." Lin Xue furrowed her brows tightly, "Very sudden, as if some force had ruthlessly severed it."

「Inside the Qin family, they're watching even more closely than we thought! 」

Zhang Jun's expression also looked grim: "The person who just passed us the message... wouldn't that have exposed us?"

This turn of events left a layer of gray over both of their hearts.

The Qin family's waters are unfathomable.

Who is that person who secretly sent the message? What did they want to say? How are they now?

It's all a mystery.

Meanwhile, another more concealed stronghold elsewhere in the capital.

Black Judge listened to his subordinate's report about the standoff in front of the Qin family's gate, his face grim.

"Sir, the Qin family's defenses are as tight as an iron barrel; forcing a breakthrough would be too costly. Moreover, those old immortals of the Qin family are hiding, not showing themselves, their depths unknown." A shadow guard reported in a low voice.

"Hmph, the Qin family..." Black Judge sneered, "Do they think hiding like a turtle makes them safe?"

"Issue the order!"

"Contact those in the city who dislike the Qin family and covet the Medicine Sect's treasures!"

"Tell them, my Shadow Organization can help them get rich together!"

"As long as we can take down the Qin family, the Shennong Cauldron and the Medicine Sect's secrets, we'll all share the blessings!"