CHAPTER 2 It was not Young Master Fu who killed Young Mistress Yuemin.

Qin Yan’s arrival had a heavy impact on Fu Changling. He was shocked into losing his sense of direction. Pressing on his broken rib, he instinctively turned around with the intention to run towards the outside.

His movements came abruptly to those who hadn’t come back to their senses. Before the long sword in Qin Yan’s hand receded, he once again shot it out. The long sword flew into Fu Changling’s direction and abruptly head dived and paused in front of Fu Changling, catching his neck by its razor-sharp tip. It forced him to stop still where he stood, no longer able to take another step further.

“Don’t… Don’t move!”

At this moment, the rough voice of a young man came from not far off. Everyone turned to look into the direction of the voice and saw that, not far off, a young man was hurrying over to the group of people as he panted.

He looked about fifteen to sixteen. He had a round face that looked extremely lovable. The ornaments on his clothes matched his eyes. He was also wearing a white robe with wide sleeves. There was a round jade tassel hanging by his waist, but his hair was bound with a hair tie instead of a jade guan. There were patterns of flowers on his wide sleeve, instead of white cranes.

He didn’t stop running until he stopped in front of Qin Yan, both hands in front of his chest, he bowed in courtesy as he panted, “Shi… Shixiong[7]!”

Qin Yan nodded his head. That young man let himself breathe for a moment before he leaned back up straight and swept the strands of hair that had fallen on his shoulders to the back of his head. Then, he said, “Shixiong, take a rest, and let me handle it.”

Qin Yan continued nodding his head. He raised his hand from the side of his body, and the sword that stopped in front of Fu Changling behaved like a spiritual beast who was summoned by its master. It turned back and fell steadily into Qin Yan’s hand. Qin Yan gave Fu Changling a look, but he hadn’t looked for long, even though Fu Changling felt like he was being stared at for a very long time. He couldn’t help being frozen on the spot by it. Before he could return to his senses, Qin Yan turned around and walked towards Yue Mingsi’s direction.

Fu Changling stares at Qin Yan’s backside in a daze. At this moment, that young man walked towards Fu Changling. Bowing, he said, “Young Master Fu, this inferior one is a disciple of the Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng, Yun Yu who happened to pass by this area with Qin Yan Shixiong. We saw Young Master being pursued, and so came with the intention to help.”

Fu Changling’s senses were reeled back to the present by this young man. He turned around and fixed his gaze on Yun Yu.

What situation were they in now? Other than annihilating his sect, he even brought a Shidi[8] along with him now?

Could this man also be a future demonic lord?

Fu Changling thought over it for a while. He recalled nothing of someone by the name of Yun Yu. Perhaps this person either died early or his talents were only mediocre, maybe that was the reason why Fu Changling had no impression of him.

Faced before some side character who hadn’t even left behind a bit of fame, Fu Changling relaxed himself a little and nodded his head at Yun Yu, appearing to thank him. Yun Yu knew, too, about the law of the Fu Clan before their core formation stage. So he smiled, and dug out some bottles from his spiritual sachet and gave it to Fu Changling, saying, “Please apply some medicine on yourself first, Young Master Fu. Shixiong has gone to discuss with the Mister from the Yue Clan, and soon we will take our leave with you.”

These words gave Fu Changling a strange feeling. He allowed himself to be guided by Yun Yu as they walked, at the same time he wrote a row of characters, “Why bring me away?”

The words he wrote floated in the sky glittering in gold. After Yun Yu read it, he patiently explained, “We should help one until the end. You had met with misfortune here. We would not leave you here after we have rescued you.”

“Why rescue me?”

These words made Fu Changling even more doubtful. I’m not even related to you, so why are you being so nice to me?

These words were a little bit intruding, but Yun Yu hadn’t taken it to heart. He helped Fu Changling sit, then gave him some medicine, and began using his spiritual energy to heal Fu Changling’s wounds.

He healed him as he explained further, “The Fu Clan had always been in a good relationship with the Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng. So be it if we hadn’t seen it, but since we did, there is no reason for us to let you be.”

Fu Changling no longer asked. He had no other purposes to, because this reason sounded too unconvincing. If he asked further, Yun Yu would not give him honest answers.

As for that other person, Qin Yan, even if you died by the side of the streets he would not even look at your corpse. So let alone throwing out his sword in aid with a single glance from the streets.

Since when has he grown so bored?

Additionally, if the Fu Clan and the Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng shared a good relationship, then didn’t the Yue Clan also share a good relationship with the Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng?

All the ruling powers in Yunze were differentiated into one palace, three sects, and four clans.

The one place would be the Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng. The Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng contained the richest collections of ancient scripts in Yunze. Every one of its members, from the Palace Lord to its elders, were all elected from all under the heavens. All disciples who are younger by one generation could be chosen to pursue their education in Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng. It was the most prestigious, the most powerful, as well as the most diplomatic cultivation sect in Yunze.

Who wouldn’t be on good terms with a sect such as them? Why would they side themselves with him, Fu Changling, instead?

Fu Changling didn’t ask further. After Yun Yu healed his wounds, Qin Yan led Yue Mingsi into their direction. Next to Yue Mingsi stood a middle-aged man who looked more than forty years old. He had sturdy facial features and wore a blue robe with an upper white shirt. His eyes were brimmed red.

Fu Changling could tell that this was the patriarch of the Shangguan Clan, the father of Shangguan Yuemin, Shangguan Yuan.

“They said you killed someone,” began Qin Yan, his voice calm and smooth. “Is that true?”

This voice stunned Fu Changling. Presently, Qin Yan’s voice was very clear. It was different compared to Qin Yan’s voice from their last life. The Qin Yan from their last life had never spoken too loudly. His voice was a little hoarse, and every word he articulated felt like it would scrub at your heart.

But Fu Changling quickly made peace with himself. Because at this time, Qin Yan was only seventeen years old. It was only after that, when Qin Yan received sixty-four bone-piercing nails to his body, one of them had pierced his throat, and it was because of that, he wounded his throat.

“Young Master Fu?”

Qin Yan called out to him again and brought Fu Changling’s senses back. Fu Changling heard Qin Yan’s call. As his senses reeled back, he frantically shook his head and raised his hand to once again write golden letters in midair: “When I woke up, she was already dead next to me.”

“Lies, all of it!” Shangguan Yuan angrily barked, “Yesterday you had conflict with Yuemin, and today, she died on your bed. You dare say you’ve had nothing to do with it?”

Fu Changling mockingly smiles, then looked at Shangguan Yuan’s eyes before he understood everything. This gaze made Shangguan Yuan ball his fist nervously.

Fu Changling could not bother himself with speaking too much.

It was fairly easy to prove that he wasn’t the one who’d killed Shangguan Yuemin. Only that, in his last life, he didn’t know the benefits Yue Mingsi had promised Shangguan Yuan to make him so certain that it was Fu Changling who’d killed her. He had even brought out plenty of witnesses and evidence, and so Fu Changling had no chances of rebuking in such a situation.

Anyways… it’s not like these people would be surviving past tonight.

As he thought until this moment, Fu Changling’s heart sank. He looked at the colour of the sky and stole a glance at Qin Yan.

He needed to search for a chance to leave this ridiculous place.

Fu Changling mulled and began brewing a new plan in his heart.

According to his memories, it did not matter whether or not Qin Yan was here to annihilate the sect, something sinister would certainly show up tonight. That malevolent entity was not powerful enough to take down Qin Yan, but the Shangguan Clan would most certainly be in chaos for a while. It was his best chance to take advantage of that evil entity’s appearance and escape when everyone was too occupied.

His only worry was that it took both time and strength to build the transportation array. Since the malevolent entity would only be appearing after some time, what he needed to do now was to assemble the array and wait for the opportune time.

Fu Changling made up his mind and smiled once more. He raised his hand and was prepared to write in midair. Upon watching this, Yue Mingsi took a step forward, and said, “Eldest Young Master, there is no need for you…”

“Let him speak.”

Qin Yan raised his hand and immediately cut off Yue Mingsi’s words. Yue Mingsi’s response to that was a terrible look, and as Fu Changling watch him shrink back, he couldn’t help feeling a little happy. Leaning against the tree, he raised a hand in midair and wrote two words, “Examine the corpse.”

He didn’t know how Shangguan Yuemin died, but regardless, there would more or less be traces of how they died on their corpse.

Fu Changling’s suggestion was supported by Yun Yu, who immediately said, “Right, right, right. Let’s examine the corpse. All would be clear if we examined the corpse!”

Qin Yan nodded. He then turned around and looked up at Shangguan Yuan and Yue Mingsi, and said, “Let’s examine the corpse.”

Both of them didn’t look well. Shangguan Yuan had been stifling it for half a day before he finally howled loudly and scolded, “My daughter is already dead. Can you not let her rest in peace? The murderer is Fu Changling, and there is nothing to examine! Someone had already seen him bringing my daughter into his room yesterday night!”

“In Shangguan Manor, if someone saw someone else dragging Young Mistress Shangguan into their room, why hadn’t they stopped him?”

Yun Yu froze on the spot when he heard it. Fu Changling turned his head around to give a soundless laugh, and Shangguan Yuan looked extremely embarrassed. Just as he wanted to explain himself, Qin Yan calmly spoke, “If no one dared to examine the corpse, then I will be bringing it away.”

As he listened to this, Shangguan Yuan’s expression turned uglier and uglier. Just as the both parties froze right there, among the group of people, a young man weakly said, “Dad…”

Everyone turned around to look upon hearing that voice, only to see a young man of fifteen to sixteen years old. He wore a blue, long-sleeved robe, and as if he’d mustered his courage under Shangguan Yuan’s furious gaze, he swallowed and suppressed the shakiness in his voice as he said, “Mom said… it’s best if... sister’s death is given a clear investigation….”

Fu Changling lifted his gaze into his direction, and after a moment of thought, he recalled that this should be Shangguan Yuan’s eldest son, Shangguan Mingyan.

Upon hearing his son’s words, Shangguan Yuan glared at Shangguan Mingyan. Shangguan Mingyan daren’t look back at him, but he’d made a gesture. “Master Immortal, my mother invites everyone to her place. This way.”

Qin Yan nodded his head. He turned his head into Fu Changling’s direction. After watching Qin Yan’s gaze, Yun Yu quickly pulled Fu Changling up, and while clasping him in his arm, he said, “Shixiong, lets go!”

Qin Yan nodded. Fu Changling leaned against Yun Yu and rolled his eyes before Yun Yu brought him, still clasping his arm, and walked towards the rear courtyard.

Lazily, Fu Changling leaned against Yun Yu as if his entire skull had shattered, making everyone else let down their guard on him. He used his spiritual consciousness to scan the entire Shangguan Manor. Discreetly, he used that little golden fan of his to draw a line across his finger. Each time they arrived at an appropriate spot, he would drip a bead of blood onto the ground.

He quietly pondered over the entire structure of the Shangguan Manor as he came, along with everyone, to the rear courtyard.

An ancestral hall has already been built in the rear courtyard. Shangguan Yuemin hasn’t yet been placed into a coffin. She was lying near the rear of the ancestral hall and a woman wearing white clothes was standing before the main gate as if she had been waiting for them.

She looked around early forties and was very thin. She had the gentle beauty commonly seen in women from the South. Qin Yan walked up and bowed towards that woman, then he greeted her, “Madam Shangguan.”

“Master Immortal.” Madam Shangguan returned his bow, then she turned around to look at Yue Mingsi and Shangguan Yuan. “Yue Zhenren, my Lord[9].”

“What is the meaning of this?”

Shangguan Yuan didn’t look happy. “Didn’t I tell you to take care of the ancestral hall? What are you doing meddling with events occurring in the front courtyard?”

“Min’er[10] is gone.” Madam Shangguan lowered her head with tears. “I should know how she left. Since the Master Immortals from Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng had come, then let them help us out. It should be fine.”

As she spoke, it was as if Madam Shangguan knew that Shangguan Yuan would say, she didn’t give him the chance. She turned around and spoke to Qin Yan, “This way please, Master Immortal.”

Fu Changling and Yun Yu followed Qin Yan to the rear of the ancestral hall. Yue Mingsi and Shangguan Yuan exchanged glances and Yue Mingsi discreetly shook his head before following Qin Yan into it.

The group of people arrived at the rear of the ancestral hall. Madam Shangguan swallowed, putting her emotions into control before walking forwards to lift the white cloth from Shangguan Yuemin’s head to her chest. Then, hoarsely, she said, “Come and take a look, Master Immortal.”

Qin Yan nodded his head. He walked forwards and his gaze gave the corpse a one-over.

Shangguan Yuemin was wearing a pink-coloured long dress. Her hair was perfectly combed and she was lying on the bed. Both her hands were placed on her stomach. Her eyes were tightly shut. Her face was pale green, twisted into a painful expression. There were very obvious finger prints on her neck, but other than that, there were no other scars.

“Min’er was discovered this morning in Young Master Fu’s room. When she was discovered, Young Master Fu and her were laying on the bed. There weren’t any clothes on her, and throughout her body were these scars. The coroner said that she was strangled to death…”

Qin Yan listened patiently as Madam Shangguan recalled the process of Shangguan Yuemin being found. As he listened, he used a hand to flip her eyes open. Shangguan Yuemin’s eyelids rolled up, and there weren’t any oddities to it. After that, he pulled open Shangguan Yuemin’s clothes to examine her limbs. When he found nothing wrong with them, his gaze fell upon her sash.

He appeared to be pondering over something. Shangguan Yuan realized where he was looking at, and anxiously barked at him, saying, “What are you thinking of doing?!”

Qin Yan said nothing. He quietly looked at Shangguan Yuemin’s stomach.

Fu Changling followed Qin Yan’s gaze and he froze.

Shangguan Yuemin’s stomach was quivering at an extremely weak, slow and inconspicuous frequency not obvious to the human eye.

The quivering had been too faint. Under her clothes, it looked like an animal resembling a snake slithering through her stomach. If not for someone as skilled as Qin Yan who frequently practiced martial arts all year long, normal people might not have noticed such a movement.

Fu Changling jabbed his elbow at Yun Yu, who was standing next to him. Yun Yu abruptly turned around, and Fu Changling wrote three words, “The Yin Sensing Compass[11].”

Although Yun Yu didn’t know what Fu Changling meant, he took out a Yin Sensing Compass from his sleeve and passed it to Fu Changling. Though, he asked in puzzlement, “What… what do you want to do with this?!”

As Yun Yu took the Yin Sensing Compass and saw how wildly the needle on it was moving, he gave it a slap, only to see that the needle hadn't stopped moving. He instinctively raised his head to look at Qin Yan who was standing in front, and said in panic, “Shixiong, the Yin Sensing Compass looks like it’s broken. It doesn’t point in a direction, but it’s spinning very fast!”

Qin Yan said nothing. He fixed his gaze on Shangguan Yuemin’s stomach, his sword already unsheathed by half a cun.

Fu Changling slapped the little fan that he’s always had with him close, then quietly took half a step forward and watched Shangguan Yuemin who was lying atop the wooden board.

It happened to be the time of sunset. The sun was quietly falling behind the mountains, and the birds soared into the air. The black mist within the forest had begun to surge violently towards the Manor of Shangguan, and wherever it passed, the grasses wilted.

“I was thinking,” Qin Yan glared at Shangguan Yuemin, the calmness in his voice filled with warning. “The one who killed Young Mistress Yuemin is not Young Master Fu.”

“Who is that?”

Madam Shangguan gave off a sharp and extremely calm demeanor. Both her hands in her sleeves as she glared at Qin Yan. Fu Changling’s hand, still dripping with blood, twisted itself into an incantation seal. He used his spiritual consciousness to observe what was outside.

At the moment when the sun fell from the sky, and darkness would envelop this place, a sharp, piercing cry sounded from the outsider. Qin Yan’s long sword swept past and calmly said, “Here it comes!”

Author’s Notes:

Question: How did Fu Changling have an argument with Shangguan Yuemin? Isn’t he mute?

Answer: He types very fast, trained from being a keyboard warrior usually.