“Why would the Sect send the two of you on an external mission? Isn’t that usually the responsibility of Lingjian Peak’s disciples?”
Lin Yin asked curiously. She had been away from the Sect for over a year, almost two, and had no idea how things had changed.
The two disciples exchanged a glance. The taller one, Wan Yanfeng, politely bowed and respectfully replied.
“Senior Sister Lin, allow me to answer. Regarding this…”
His tone faltered slightly, as if reluctant to speak and mindful of Lin Yin’s face. Then he glanced at Qin Zifeng.
Qin Zifeng, having been a Registered Disciple for several years, understood the implications immediately.
He cupped his hands toward Lin Yin and respectfully said, “Senior Sister Lin, I will take my leave now. You may continue your conversation.”
Lin Yin waved her hand in acknowledgment, and Qin Zifeng bowed before leaving.
“Senior Sister Lin, as I was saying, during your absence, many disciples of Lingjian Peak… have indeed left.”
“Some have transferred to other First Seats’ commands, and the remaining disciples are few.”
“Currently, the only one capable of undertaking this mission outside the Sect, the Second Senior Sister Bai Rushuang, is in seclusion preparing for the upcoming Sect Martial Gathering. We really have no available personnel.”
Xu Yan stood silently nearby, his cold and expressionless face barely changing, but he gave a slight nod to support Wan Yanfeng’s words.
Lin Yin recalled how, when she had said goodbye to the Sect Master, she entrusted Sect affairs to Bai Rushuang. She wondered how she was doing now.
“What about the others?”
“Senior Sister, I believe there were a few other Senior Sisters, but they have already gone out for experience. They return only briefly before leaving again.”
“As for the Junior Brothers, one remains in the Sect cultivating, while the other left for experience three years ago and has not returned since.”
“Still not back?”
Lin Yin suddenly remembered. After expelling Jiang Che from the Sect, a few days later, her youngest Junior Brother Zhao Zi’ang asked to leave for several years of experience.
Though this was an unusual move—his cultivation was weaker than simply staying in the Sect—Lin Yin, troubled at the time, agreed.
“I see. But you two aren’t here just to pay a simple visit, right? Is there something else?”
Wan Yanfeng’s face showed hesitation, as if the matter was even harder to voice.
“Well…”
“Let me explain, since it was my idea,”
Xu Yan, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke in a clear, steady voice. His young, handsome face remained unreadable, as if by nature.
“Senior Sister Lin, I, Xu Yan, will add. We have come on Sect orders to investigate recent cases of children disappearing in Shenxiao Town.”
“According to our investigation, this is not an ordinary kidnapping. There is clear evidence that evil practitioners are behind this. Their methods are bizarre and most likely involve a Ritual Array Master.”
“The Sect has ordered the two of us to resolve this matter at all costs.”
Lin Yin pursed her lips upon hearing this. She knew all too well how dangerous the Xie Xiu were and nodded thoughtfully.
“Do you two require assistance from me?”
Wan Yanfeng quickly replied, “We wouldn’t dare trouble Senior Sister to intervene personally! We have already uncovered some clues. The main culprit is a Foundation Establishment Stage Ritual Array Master. We captured one of his accomplices, an ordinary person unaware of the Ritual Array Master’s whereabouts.”
“We believe the accomplice is being used to distract by carrying out the kidnappings, preventing the Sect from noticing.”
Lin Yin understood immediately. “Since you have captured a key figure, rescuing the children and the captives is the priority. What are your plans?”
Wan Yanfeng and Xu Yan exchanged a glance before Xu Yan spoke again.
“Respectfully, Senior Sister, our plan is to use this child in your care as bait.”
Wan Yanfeng hurriedly added to prevent misunderstanding.
“That Ritual Array Master is extremely cunning and skilled at hiding. He already holds at least one child and a captive woman.”
“The situation is urgent. Only by this method can we accurately locate his hideout quickly, lure him out, and eliminate him—thus saving the hostages once and for all!”
Hearing this, Lin Yin’s previously furrowed brow softened somewhat.
She had initially disliked the idea of using a child as bait; as a disciple of Shenxiao Sect, she could not accept such ruthless means.
But knowing there were hostages, and with her plan to find Jiang Che still in mind, she silently agreed.
Looking down at the child in her arms, she finally said, “Then I’ll leave it in your hands.”
With that, she handed the child over to Xu Yan.
“We won’t fail your trust, Senior Sister!” Xu Yan took the child and bowed respectfully.
“Then I shall begin preparations,” he said before turning to leave.
Originally, the plan was for both of them to go together, but with Lin Yin unexpectedly appearing in Shenxiao Town, the plan would need some adjustment.
Wan Yanfeng spoke up beside her.
“Senior Sister Lin, now that you have returned to Shenxiao Town, why not come back to the Sect with us? The Sect Master surely misses you.”
At the mention of the Shenxiao Sect Master, a kindly face immediately appeared in Lin Yin’s mind.
Moreover, by seniority, the old Sect Master was her senior uncle.
After her master’s passing, Lin Yin had become the Head of Lingjian Peak—the youngest First Seat in Shenxiao Sect.
She sighed deeply.
“No. I still have matters to handle. Once finished, I’ll return quickly.”
“In that case, I’ll go back to the Sect to deliver this good news to the Sect Master. I take my leave.”
“Mm.”
After Wan Yanfeng left, Lin Yin found herself with nothing to do.
No matter how she searched with her Shen Shi, she could not sense Jiang Che’s whereabouts.
But Jiang Che could not have hidden himself so completely for so long.
After much thought, Lin Yin decided to go out looking for him. The first person she thought of was Qin Zifeng, who had been searching for her around town earlier and might have seen Jiang Che.
“A blind child with difficulty walking?” Qin Zifeng stroked his beard and considered briefly before answering, “I saw such a child this morning heading out of town. That should be the person you’re looking for, Senior Sister.”
Lin Yin guessed Jiang Che might want to return to his old village. A bitter feeling welled in her chest.
Despite everything, he would rather go back than stay with her.
After a brief farewell, Lin Yin headed out of Shenxiao Town.
Her mind raced, wondering how she would speak when they met.
But after only a few steps, just as she was about to leave Shenxiao Town, she sensed something was wrong.
No!
Something about these people…
Earlier, she had rushed out in a flurry of thoughts to find Jiang Che, but now, steadying her mind, she noticed the atmosphere around her was disturbingly strange.
The street was not empty; people were still there.
But their movements were stiff and puppet-like, every step following a fixed rhythm, neither speaking nor showing any expression.
When she tried to look closely at their faces, they twisted into unrecognizable shapes.
“Who’s there! Show yourself!”
“Just as expected of the Head of Lingjian Peak. You sensed it without any precautions—what a pity you ruined the beautiful dream I carefully crafted for you!”