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Chapter 14 - Chapter 11: Case closed

When the disciples and the beast were far enough away, the officer spoke again.

"Shi ZhenXian, who was that?" He said in a very serious tone.

"Yang ZhiYi's brother, Yang ZhiLong."

The officer didn't seem too surprised.

"I overheard some of their conversations, and they actually called him by his name. There was also an Elder of the sect with those disciples. He had the aftereffects of a curse on his hands and face."

"Then he must have been the one who cast the curse as well." The officer replied.

"It's very likely."

"Do you know what curse it is?"

Shi ZhenXian shook his head.

"No, I don't know much about it. But I do know that powerful curses like that have quite a few repercussions on those who cast them."

"How long do you think this has been going on?"

"I was still a child, but as you well know, about twenty years ago there were rumors that the youngest Brother of the sect leader, Yang ZhìYì had betrayed him. As punishment for his actions, it seems he was forced to commit suicide." Shi ZhenXian replied.

"If the story has taken this turn, it means that there must be something more serious underneath." Shi ZhenXian concluded.

"Shi Qianbei" The officer began. "You know that I believe you. But unfortunately we have no proof-"

"I know that well" Shi ZhenXian interrupted him immediately.

"We should have arrived earlier."

"Ah, no, no, you did your best on such short notice. In fact, I am incredibly grateful to you for rushing all the way here."

"Thank you Shi Qianbei, if there is any news, I would be very grateful if you could inform us. Obviously the commitment is mutual." The officer told the soldiers to step away from them for a moment.

"Shi ZhenXian, just between us" The man had come closer and was now speaking in a low voice "The Yang sect has something rotten that spills out from all sides. But with their money and influence they have always gotten away with it. If any evidence comes to light, inform me personally. Even avoiding official channels if necessary." After these words he took two steps back.

"I will certainly do so." Shi ZhenXian could only say.

"Good. Then we will investigate the place. Until next time." After a nod and a bow, the officer and his entourage also walked away.

Shi ZhenXian looked around a bit.

The air was calm, and a light breeze ruffled his hair. Lin JingYu seemed to have disappeared into thin air.

Shi ZhenXian wanted to try to get back into the lair, but since he had almost completely collapsed, it didn't seem feasible.

The officers were also right there investigating.

The Taoist had no choice but to walk towards the exit of the forest.

Maybe he really was buried. What if he had escaped? Well, he's not entirely wrong, I wouldn't have missed an opportunity like that either.

He couldn't help but sigh.

He didn't expect to lose the cultivator after just two days of traveling.

You're losing your touch, Shi ZhenXian!

He said to himself.

Shi ZhenXian continued walking slowly and a little unsteadily. Handling those heavy chains had consumed a lot of his energy. They were no small spiritual tool, his sect didn't have any so powerful and heavy.

That's why they handled them in a group.

By now at the exit of the forest, his vision suddenly blurred. Everything around him began to spin wildly.

He was about to fall to the ground when two hands quickly grabbed him by the shoulders.

He immediately coughed up a mouthful of blood.

"Shi ZhenXian, are you okay?"

It was Lin JingYu's worried voice.

Shi ZhenXian wiped his lips with the back of his hand "You didn't run away?"

"No," the other said, perhaps a little offended. "I was looking for this."

Supporting Shi ZhenXian with one arm, he took an object he had tied to his back with the other.

"What is this…" Shi ZhenXian asked, still a little dazed.

"It's a piece of armor. It was under the mole's body. I recovered it when it ran away from the room. It could be useful, it's not just any piece of armor. Its workmanship is too good, worthy of someone important in the sect, and look." He pointed to some characters.

"Isn't that the name they said before?" He finished everything in one breath. He looked like an excited child telling his mother about his exploits, with the question 'are you proud of me, mother?' in his head. I was good, right!?'.

"Ha ha ha"

Shi ZhenXian reached out to Lin JingYu's back to support himself better and patted him twice on the shoulder.

And here I thought you had already betrayed me.

"Ha ha, well done." He could only say as another clot of blood formed in his throat.

Lin JingYu blinked twice. His nose was dirty with dirt and his eyes were large and shiny, making a contrast to his size.

"Let's go back."

Supporting Shi ZhenXian, the two of them walked towards the inn.

 

Once back, Lin JingYu helped Shi ZhenXian lie down.

He was completely out of strength. Holding that beast down by himself had exhausted him to the bone.

Lin JingYu didn't know exactly what he could do. Apart from taking off his boots and putting him to bed, he wasn't much use anymore.

Also having two completely different styles of cultivation, she couldn't help him meditate even if she wanted to.

Normal rest was the only solution.

 

That night, Shi ZhenXian tossed and turned a bit in bed. His sleep was troubled. Streaks of sweat ran down his forehead.

He woke up with a start and coughed up blood for the second time and felt a little better.

Lin JingYu noticed this and patted him on the back. She also handed him a handkerchief and a cup of water.

Shi ZhenXian, as if he had never woken up, put his head back on the pillow and continued to sleep.

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