Chapter 221: Scared Now?

Xuan Ji and Yan Dangmo both showed a look of realization after hearing this.

“Could it be… the Yun family…” Xuan Ji suddenly looked up, clearly thinking of something.

He did know about the shocking massacre that shook the entire city over a decade ago.

“That’s right, it’s the Yun family!”

Yun Lian’s voice carried an uncontrollable excitement as she quickly chimed in, the rims of her eyes turning red.

“Fifteen years ago, my entire Yun family was wiped out… I was young then… I didn’t know who the enemy was… Now, I want to uncover the truth and find the murderer to avenge my family.”

Xuan Ji and Yan Dangmo exchanged a glance, their expressions immediately turning extremely solemn.

“I see…”

Xuan Ji pondered for a moment, nodding, then agreed: “Since it’s for this matter, naturally there’s no problem. The Yun family had some business dealings with our Xuan Clan back then. Their massacre was indeed investigated by our clan at the time.”

“In that case, there’s no time to waste. Come with me. The records are stored in the secret hall.”

Xuan Ji turned to lead the way.

Hearing this, Yun Lian was overjoyed.

Chen Yuyang also breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing the agreement and respectfully cupped his fist toward Xuan Ji: “Thank you, Senior, for your help.”

“No need to thank me.”

Xuan Ji waved his hand, turned to Chen Yuyang, and revealed a playful smile: “But… you brat, and your junior sister, coming specifically to participate in my Xuan Clan’s secret realm trial—was this your plan all along?”

Chen Yuyang smiled calmly, noncommittal: “You see through everything, Senior.”

Xuan Ji gave a resigned bitter smile: “If I had known it was for such important business, there was no need to go through all this trouble. You could have simply told me directly. I am not so stubborn and inflexible.”

Chen Yuyang just smiled, not responding.

‘But,’ he thought, ‘for something like this, until the last moment, who knew if the other would agree?

What if he turned out to be a stickler for rules?

Wouldn’t asking outright just be asking for trouble?’

Yan Dangmo, listening from the side, nodded repeatedly.

A look of appreciation grew in his eyes as he watched Chen Yuyang.

‘This kid, going this far for his junior sister—he’s truly loyal and righteous. Having Luobo follow him, I feel at ease!’

Xuan Ji led Chen Yuyang and Yun Lian through layer upon layer of corridors.

Although the paths looked ordinary, Chen Yuyang sensed many formation restrictions hidden within.

If ordinary people stepped in, they would likely be trapped within moments.

Finally, the three stopped before a large hall without a plaque.

Although this great hall had no name, Chen Yuyang felt that the formation restrictions here were much stronger than elsewhere.

“You two wait a moment. I will fetch it.”

Xuan Ji said to the two, then stepped forward, gently pushed open the door, and entered.

Shortly after he went inside, the door slowly closed again.

Chen Yuyang and Yun Lian waited quietly by the stone steps outside the hall.

They waited for half an hour.

Yun Lian was full of anticipation at first.

But as time passed moment by moment, the anticipation on the girl’s face was gradually replaced by anxiety.

She clutched her clothes and swallowed several times.

Finally, she couldn’t help but whisper to Chen Yuyang: “Senior Brother, why is it taking so long? Could it be that Senior… he’s changed his mind and doesn’t want to give them to us?”

“No, Junior Sister, rest assured.”

Chen Yuyang patted the girl’s shoulder and comforted her:

“I imagine it’s been many years, and the storage location is rather remote. It might take a while to find.”

Even so, Chen Yuyang couldn’t help but feel a twinge of doubt.

With Xuan Ji’s cultivation, his divine sense could cover the entire secret hall.

Even if there were restrictions inside, it should be very quick to search.

Just as Chen Yuyang was thinking, the hall door slowly opened.

Xuan Ji then walked out.

However, Xuan Ji’s expression was no longer as relaxed as before.

It carried a hint of solemnity and seriousness.

“Senior, did you find it?”

Chen Yuyang quickly stepped forward and asked in a low voice.

Xuan Ji’s face showed apology.

He slowly shook his head and sighed lightly: “I’m sorry, young man, young lady. I carefully searched the secret hall several times, but I couldn’t find the relevant records at all…”

As he spoke, Xuan Ji frowned, also baffled: “It doesn’t make sense. After the Yun family incident back then, I specifically ordered them to investigate thoroughly… That record should exist… But why can’t it be found?”

The more he thought, the more Xuan Ji felt something was off.

His own clan’s records management was strict; for thousands of years, no records had ever been lost.

And now, precisely when Yun Lian needed it, the crucial record could not be found.

Hearing this, Chen Yuyang also tightly furrowed his brows.

He could sense Xuan Ji’s spiritual fluctuations; it didn’t seem like he was lying.

And with Xuan Ji’s status and position, there was really no reason for him to deceive two younger generations in such a matter.

Yun Lian’s face turned pale upon hearing this.

All her previous expectations were doused with cold water.

The girl wilted completely, and her voice carried a sob: “Senior Brother, then… what do we do?”

“Don’t panic, Junior Sister.”

Chen Yuyang comforted her, but his eyes remained on Xuan Ji: “Senior, could it be that over the years the clan has done some reorganization or cleaning of the secret hall and accidentally lost the record?”

“Absolutely impossible.”

Xuan Ji immediately shook his head and said with utmost certainty: “All my Xuan Clan’s records have been stored in this secret hall ever since they were sealed. There has never been any reorganization or relocation. Moreover, only successive clan heads and a few core elders are qualified to enter and access the secret hall. Management is extremely strict. Not to mention accidental loss, even a Mahayana Realm powerhouse would inevitably alert me if they tried to stealthily steal a record from it!”

Hearing this, Chen Yuyang nodded again and fell silent, but his mind was pondering.

Since it wasn’t lost and the possibility of theft by an outsider was very slim, why would the record vanish into thin air?

Then the only possibility was… someone had hidden it or destroyed it.

And according to Xuan Ji, only some of the Xuan Clan’s elders or the clan head could have done this.

Xuan Ji thought about it, suddenly realizing the hidden conspiracy in this.

His expression grew even more grim, and his eyes flashed with cold light: “Young man, I promise you this: no matter who is behind this, I will investigate to the bottom, dig three feet into the ground to find them, and show no mercy!”

Chen Yuyang’s heart tightened, and he solemnly cupped his fist toward Xuan Ji: “Thank you, Senior.”

“Sigh…”

Sighing, Xuan Ji’s face showed a trace of guilt: “Since I couldn’t fulfill my promise, young man, you two should still follow the rules and choose the trial rewards. I can’t let you come all this way for nothing.”

Chen Yuyang shook his head with a bitter smile.

He turned to look at Yun Lian beside him, whose eyes were red and head hung low, then said to Xuan Ji: “Senior, let’s talk about the reward later.”

Seeing the girl like this, Xuan Ji also gave a helpless bitter smile, knowing that anything he said now would be useless.

“Enough, I will personally check the entry records of the secret hall and see who has entered over the years. I will definitely find some clues!”

Chen Yuyang cupped his fist in thanks again without further words, gently put his arm around Yun Lian’s shoulders, and led her out.

The two quickly returned to the square outside the secret realm.

Upon seeing them, Yan Dangmo immediately hurried over: “Young man, how did it go? Did you get the records?”

Chen Yuyang stopped, shook his head with a wry smile: “The records… have probably been lost. Elder Yan, my junior sister and I have urgent matters to attend to. We’ll take our leave now.”

Saying this, Chen Yuyang didn’t linger and quickly left the Xuan Clan’s territory with Yun Lian.

Yan Dangmo watched their receding figures, frowning, lost in thought.

“Grandfather!”

Just then, an urgent voice rang out.

Yan Luo hurried over and asked anxiously: “Why did Yuyang leave?”

“He has things to do.”

Yan Dangmo said in a deep voice.

Yan Luo pouted, looking a bit aggrieved: “Then… did you tell him about the trial? I was hoping…”

“I haven’t said it yet. Now is not the time.”

Yan Dangmo interrupted her, his expression turning serious: “Luobo, he has more important matters to attend to now!”

Seeing her grandfather so serious, Yan Luo realized that Chen Yuyang’s matter was not simple.

Although the girl still felt a bit disappointed, she could only reluctantly agree and bring it up later.

Meanwhile, after leaving the Xuan Clan’s territory, Chen Yuyang and Yun Lian walked in silence.

Finally, the girl could no longer hold it in.

The pent-up emotions burst forth, tears streaming down like broken pearls, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed.

Chen Yuyang didn’t stop walking, nor did he comfort the girl. He just said in a low voice: “What are you crying for?”

Yun Lian raised her tear-filled eyes, her voice choked with sobs: “My family… my family’s matter… the real murderer… will they never be found?”

“Don’t worry, lass.”

Chen Yuyang’s voice softened a bit: “

I actually have some leads and conjectures about this matter.”

“Huh?”

Yun Lian was momentarily stunned, her crying abruptly stopped.

She asked in confusion: “But, without the records… how do you have leads?”

“The problem lies in the absence of the records.”

Chen Yuyang’s gaze sharpened: “The Xuan Clan’s management is strict; records cannot be lost without reason. Then the most likely explanation is that someone deliberately hid or destroyed it. But this clearly points the finger at those within the Xuan Clan who have the authority to enter the secret hall.”

“Ah?”

Yun Lian covered her mouth in shock, her face turning pale: “Then Senior Xuan Ji… could he… could he be the murderer?”

“He probably isn’t. When I asked him just now, I secretly monitored his soul fluctuations. There was no abnormality. The possibility of him lying is very small. It should really be unrelated to him.”

Chen Yuyang continued: “

But aside from him, the Xuan Clan’s elders and clan head… all are suspects!”

“Then… what do we do?”

Yun Lian suddenly thought of something and nervously grabbed Chen Yuyang’s arm: “Since the Xuan Clan’s high-ranking members are suspects, and I just made such a public request… Now, if they know I’m still alive, won’t they come to kill me to silence me?”

Hearing this, Chen Yuyang suddenly smiled: “But as long as he comes, won’t we be able to know his identity?”

Yun Lian was completely stunned, looking at the light in the young man’s eyes.

At that moment, Yun Lian suddenly realized that this might be exactly what Chen Yuyang wanted.

Was there a faster way to find the murderer than luring the snake out of its hole?

“But… but…”

Yun Lian’s voice couldn’t help trembling: “But, with our strength… if it really is a Xuan Clan high-ranking member, they are at least at the Nascent Soul stage or above… or even at the Merging Body stage… Even if we find out their identity, what then? We are no match for them!”

Yun Lian tightly grabbed the young man’s sleeve: “We will die, Senior Brother! Perhaps… perhaps we should just forget it… I won’t investigate anymore. Let’s just run away before he comes looking for us!”

The more she said, the more afraid Yun Lian became, and her body couldn’t help trembling slightly.