Chapter 56

Lying on the ground, Lin Yushao gazed blankly at the clear blue sky.

The white clouds drifted leisurely, and the blue sky remained unchanged.

However, her snow-white clothes, now covered in dust, had fallen to the ground, becoming dull.

A huge wound on her chest and abdomen, instead of bleeding, was a patch of black, like charcoal after a fierce fire.

The vitality of the young girl had completely ceased.

In her final moments, the scene from before reappeared before her eyes, and the furious voice seemed to echo in her ears.

"They say you severely injured Junior Brother Lan. Why? What happened?"

"Yan Zhaoge, that scoundrel, has harmed me multiple times. Lan Wenyan is his lackey. I spared his life, which was already leniency!"

"There must be a misunderstanding. Let's go back to the mountain and explain clearly to the elders..."

"Going back to the mountain now is like walking into a trap. Do you want me to die at the hands of Yan Zhaoge and his son?"

"I just..."

"For the last time, are you coming with me, or going back to Yan Zhaoge?"

"Yejing, calm down. I've talked to Senior Brother Yan several times, and he has no intention of targeting you. There must be a misunderstanding."

"… If you're not on my side, you're on Yan Zhaoge's side. Those on Yan Zhaoge's side are my enemies!"

Even at this moment, the shock and surprise in Lin Yushao's eyes had not completely faded.

No matter what, she never expected that their unexpected reunion after a long separation would end in such a result.

Lin Yushao's gaze gradually became unfocused, and a look of relief appeared on her face.

"Perhaps the moment I followed Senior Brother Yan back to Guangcheng Mountain, this outcome was already destined?"

"Is this my fate…?"

That day, the beauty had not yet fully bloomed before it withered.

…………

Outside Linyuan City in the Eastern Tang Kingdom, near Zhenlong Abyss and Luliao Mountains, an old man stood with his hands behind his back.

"Lin Yushao?" The old man turned to look at the person behind him. "I remember she was the female disciple who had a conflict with Yan Zhaoge and Yejing, right?"

The old man was Yan Xu, the chief elder of Guangcheng Mountain in the Eastern Tang Kingdom.

The martial artist behind him nodded. "Yes, she was a very talented young disciple. Unfortunately, when we found her, she was already dead, and there was no way to revive her."

"Can you tell who did it?"

"Unable to determine the specific target, but it can be judged that the attacker practiced a martial art containing extremely intense fire energy."

Yan Xu asked, "Did she come to the Eastern Tang to find Yan Zhaoge or Yejing?"

The martial artist shook his head. "I can't be sure, but it's likely for Yan Zhaoge."

"According to my information, she already knew that Yejing had survived the Zhenlong Abyss when she came to the Eastern Tang."

"Moreover, she had followed Yan Zhaoge before. If she were wise, she should keep her distance from Yejing."

"Since Yejing was known to be alive, and she still came to the Eastern Tang, it's likely she came for Yan Zhaoge."

The martial artist hesitated slightly.

Yan Xu asked calmly, "What is it?"

The martial artist replied, "There are some unverified rumors. It's said that after Yan Zhaoge came to the Eastern Tang, he got closer to another female disciple, Sikong Qing."

"Did Lin Yushao feel threatened by her position? After all, she and Yan Zhaoge are not married. It's normal for young people to have some changes in their thoughts."

Yan Xu fell silent upon hearing this. After a while, he said, "Take me to see the body of that female disciple."

Looking at the wound on Lin Yushao's chest and abdomen, Yan Xu remained silent for a long time. Suddenly, he extended his palm.

His palm was a deep purple, and as the martial energy rose, it seemed to form a real purple flame.

This was the orthodox martial art of Guangcheng Mountain, one of the Eight Supreme Martial Arts, the Doulv Palm.

Yan Xu, expressionless, pressed his palm on Lin Yushao's wound.

The girl's body trembled slightly, and a purple light flashed on her skin.

Yan Xu retracted his palm and turned to look at the martial artist.

"Yan Zhaoge also practiced the Doulv Palm..." The martial artist's heart raced. He bowed his head and said, "When I found Lin Yushao, she was already dead. I don't know who did it, but she died from the Doulv Palm of our sect. The range of suspects is limited. I will investigate immediately."

Yan Xu nodded calmly. "Investigate thoroughly. Although Lin Yushao was still a white-robed disciple, she is still a descendant of our sect. She cannot die without a clear cause."

"Also, search the area where the girl's body was found. There might be clues to Yejing's whereabouts."

"If you can't find him, that's fine. If you do, don't make a fuss. Bring him directly to me. Clean up any traces on the spot, and don't leave any clues for others."

His subordinate martial artist's heart stirred, and he bowed. "Understood."

…………

In the Luliao Mountains, Yan Zhaoge and his group were on their way back.

As he walked, Yan Zhaoge pondered the information he had obtained from Zhao Yuan, Zhao Hao, and others.

"Not only do they have a base in the Eastern Heaven Continent, but also in the Northern Heaven Continent..." Yan Zhaoge thought. "Does this mean that, besides Elder Ghost Axe Han Sheng, this force has other Grandmasters?"

"If there is a Grandmaster like Han Sheng leading the Northern Heaven Continent, is this force a coalition of Han Sheng and a few others, or do they have a higher leader?"

Yan Zhaoge smacked his lips. "They have people in the Eastern Heaven Continent and the Northern Heaven Continent. What about other places?"

"Are there any outside the Heavenly Domain?"

Yan Zhaoge's eyes narrowed slightly. "The Eastern Heaven Continent has the Zhenlong Abyss, and the Northern Heaven Continent has the Cang'an River, both extending from Hell..."

"Elder Ghost Axe's actions are based on the Zhenlong Abyss. If others in this force are active, they are likely also related to Hell."

Yan Zhaoge had a bad feeling.

After the Great Cataclysm, the most significant events that changed the world's landscape were the transformation of the Underworld into Hell and the invasion of the Flame Demon World.

It's no wonder that anything involving Hell would touch everyone's sensitive nerves.

"However, now that their covert activities have been exposed, it will be much easier to find clues," Yan Zhaoge thought, his gaze shifting to Zhao Hao in the crowd.

"How should I handle him? Well, no matter what, I should first inform Uncle Zhao." Yan Zhaoge pursed his lips. Neither his father nor his second master would be happy to see a prince hostile to Guangcheng Mountain become the Crown Prince of the Eastern Tang, let alone the future ruler of the Eastern Tang Kingdom.

While he was thinking, a black-robed martial artist approached and reported, "Young Master, there is an urgent message."

Yan Zhaoge raised an eyebrow. "What, did you find Yejing?"

The man shook his head and whispered, "There is news from Linyuan City. Lin Yushao has been killed."

"What?" Yan Zhaoge felt utterly absurd for a moment.