Chapter 630: Missing

Inside Lian Dan Tang.

He Caifei found Yan Buji, and the two took their seats.

"What brings you, Fellow Daoist He?"

"Can't I just come chat with Hall Master Yan if I have nothing else?" He Caifei said with a smile.

"Then it seems this is your matter. I thought we had agreed not to interfere with each other," Yan Buji said lightly.

He could see at a glance that He Caifei probably wasn't coming under Yao Wen's orders, but because of his true identity.

He Caifei raised his eyebrows, looking around: "How about we find a quiet place to talk?"

"No need." Yan Buji waved his hand, a vast flow of magical power covering the room, and asked: "Go on, what's the matter?"

"It's a bit troublesome, and this matter actually concerns Hall Master Yan." He Caifei chuckled, then turned serious: "Ye Lin went to the outer forest on a mission, but ended up missing."

Yan Buji frowned: "Is it related to you?"

He Caifei gave a noncommittal reply: "So this matter is troublesome; if Elder Pang of the Inner Gate finds out, neither of us will be able to escape investigation."

Yan Buji chuckled lightly: "What does it have to do with me? I'm not one of you."

"But what if I insist that Hall Master Yan is involved with us?"

Yan Buji narrowed his eyes, staring at He Caifei.

He Caifei smiled, saying nothing.

"Five hundred thousand spiritual stones, I'll settle this matter."

"Deal."

He Caifei smiled: "But I want to ask Hall Master Yan how you plan to handle this? Ye Lin discovered something he shouldn't have, and silencing him won't be easy."

"Just have your side hand over a few people to cover up what you've done, right?" Yan Buji said, stroking his beard.

"No need for you to say that."

"Although I don't know what you're planning, Ye Lin might not know what you intend either; as long as we gain his trust first. Since you don't want to act against Ye Lin, do you now know where he is?"

"Long Qi Cheng."

"Alright."

Yan Buji rose: "Do as I say, tell me the information about Ye Lin's current hiding place, and I'll make arrangements later."

He Caifei raised his eyebrows: "Fine."

After receiving the news from He Caifei, Yan Buji proactively went to the Internal Affairs Hall.

Soon, Yan Buji found Yang Yunshu.

Seeing Yang Yunshu's anxious appearance, Yan Buji smiled: "Fellow Daoist Yang."

"Hall Master Yan?!" Yang Yunshu frowned: "What are you doing here?"

"I heard Ye Lin went missing?"

Yang Yunshu narrowed his eyes: "Speak plainly."

"Are you sure you're here?"

Yang Yunshu glanced at the noisy Internal Affairs Hall, nodded: "Please, this way."

Yan Buji followed Yang Yunshu into a room, saw him put up a soundproof seal, sat down, poured a cup of tea, and took a sip.

"What do you know? How did Ye Lin go missing?!"

"You should know this better than I do. Ye Lin probably got your message and went back to investigate some things, but because of those matters he lost his trail, which could very well wash out my earlier investment." Yan Buji took a sip of tea and said lightly.

Yang Yunshu snorted coldly: "It couldn't be you doing this on purpose, could it?"

"Am I sick? Why would I need to move against a disciple who also has a powerful backing? Do you think this could be tied to me, really thinking we're on the same rope?" Yan Buji looked at him contemptuously.

Yang Yunshu's face darkened: "Then why did you come over?!"

"Of course I'm asking if you can find Ye Lin. I've invested so much in him, waiting for him to enter the Inner Gate and gain some karmic affinity, but you've gone and sent him into danger!"

"You haven't also had the idea of boosting his merits on Ye Lin so he'd feel grateful to you, have you?"

"I wouldn't do something as foolish as you; I said let him train a bit, not actually put him in danger!" Yan Buji snorted coldly.

"You!"

Smack!

Yang Yunshu slammed the table, glaring at Yan Buji.

Immediately he calmed his anger, looking at Yan Buji: "Then do you know what's going on?"

"If I needed to know, I'd go find him myself; why bother coming to you? Don't you understand the principle of sending charcoal in the snow?" Yan Buji said coldly.

Indeed.

Although Yan Buji had indeed invested heavily in Ye Lin, appreciating his talent and background to gain greater development in Paolong Sacred Land, judging from his actions and results, it aligns with my own intentions.

Moreover, isn't it common in the cultivation world for fathers to rely on their sons' status? Young people have more room to grow, while these old-timers just need to know how to nurture talent and make use of resources.

So although Yang Yunshu suspects this matter is related to Yan Buji, in fact his actions and purpose are obvious, and Yang Yunshu can find no reason for Yan Buji to secretly harm Ye Lin.

However, even if Yang Yunshu believes Yan Buji genuinely wants to find Ye Lin, where is Ye Lin now?

No one knows what exactly happened to him; even if Yang Yunshu had previously considered following Ye Lin to guard him, the Internal Affairs Hall had too many matters to finish in time, and he had thought there wouldn't be any danger...

It seems we still underestimated those with ulterior motives inside the gate; likely many have been infiltrated!

Yang Yunshu thought of this, looking at Yan Buji: "Do you know what's happened in Paolong Sacred Land lately?"

"Aren't there many disciples in the sect who have gone into qi deviation? What's going on?"

"It's because of a supreme treasure called the Spirit-Evil Suppressing Heaven Seal; the sect is now working to control this artifact, and has already seen initial success."

"Then what?"

"Then, inside the Inner Gate's forbidden grounds, they sealed a peerless ferocious demon!"

Huh?

Yan Buji, looking curious, asked, "What is it?"

"It's said to be called the Sin-End Corpse King, a heavenly corpse king from the ancient era!"

Sin-End Corpse King?

Yan Buji frowned; it seemed that this heavenly corpse king was likely the target of He Caifei and his companions.

Could they be trying to free this heavenly corpse king?

But Paolong Sacred Land has so many great talents; could they really allow a heavenly corpse king to defy the heavens?

"So what does all this have to do with Ye Lin's disappearance?" Yan Buji asked.

Seeing Yan Buji's expression still quite bewildered, Yang Yunshu looked around and whispered, "I guess the Sin-End Corpse King's subordinates have already slipped into the sect, plotting to release the Sin-End Corpse King!"

"What?!" Yan Buji, shocked, said, "Why wasn't this told to the Inner Gate elders?"

"Do you think they don't know?" Yang Yunshu frowned. "Even someone of my standing can see that many people in the Outer Gate harbor ulterior motives; how could the Inner Gate elders be unaware? That's why I'm worried that Paolong Sacred Land has already been completely infiltrated, perhaps the higher‑ups have already reached some agreement with them, which is why I'm concerned."

"So you mean Ye Lin was also taken by these people?"

"Taken… I'm not sure. After all, Ye Lin has decent talent and a mind, and carries several trump cards from Elder Pang, but we don't know where they are." Yang Yunshu sighed.

Then it seems the water of Paolong Sacred Land isn't simple.

Yan Buji looked at Yang Yunshu; the fact that he already knew about He Caifei's group's oddities meant that the whole Paolong Sacred Land might have already taken on a different form.