Chapter 57

Lin Yushao has emerged from her seclusion, Yan Zhaoge had already known this.

Lin Yushao was coming to Dongtang, and Yan Zhaoge had also known this beforehand.

Although he was somewhat troubled by the historical issue left by the original owner of his body, Yan Zhaoge did not pay too much attention to it.

Whether Lin Yushao came because she heard that Ye Jing was trapped in Zhenlong Abyss or for Yan Zhaoge himself, it wasn't that important.

But what Yan Zhaoge never expected was that Lin Yushao was actually dead.

Moreover, according to his subordinates, she wasn't killed by an accident but by someone.

Yan Zhaoge was stunned for a long time before he came to his senses: "Not Xiao Sheng or Chao Yuanlong?"

This was Yan Zhaoge's first reaction upon hearing the news, but since the black-robed warrior did not mention the Great Sun Holy Sect first, it probably wasn't them.

"…Did she encounter a desperate bandit who was after her beauty?"

Although it seemed absurd, this was indeed the only possibility Yan Zhaoge could think of besides Xiao Sheng and the others.

As far as he knew, Lin Yushao didn't have any mortal enemies, at least not any with a grudge that would lead to her death.

Even if she was blamed for Yan Zhaoge's actions, there wasn't a particularly deep-seated enmity outside of the Great Sun Holy Sect.

On the other hand, in the area around Linyuan City and Zhenlong Abyss, there were often all sorts of people entering and exiting Zhenlong Abyss for adventures, including many who were bold, ruthless, and unscrupulous.

Lin Yushao, although a disciple of Guangcheng Mountain, might have encountered one of those who lived for the moment, enjoying life to the fullest.

In such situations, one could only rely on their own abilities.

The black-robed man shook his head and said softly, "It's said that only Miss Lin's body was found, and the murderer could not be determined. Miss Lin's clothes were intact, and she didn't appear to have been violated."

Yan Zhaoge tilted his head slightly, his brows gradually furrowing as several thoughts flashed through his mind.

Although he had a deep connection with the original owner of his body, Yan Zhaoge had never even met Miss Lin since he came to this era.

Hearing of her death, he didn't feel sad, but he did feel a slight sense of regret.

After all, a young life had withered away.

After a long while, Yan Zhaoge exhaled deeply, "Let's talk about it when we get back."

The group continued on their journey and finally gradually left the Luliao Mountains.

As they approached the edge of the mountain range, on the road leading to Linyuan City, they saw a Guangcheng Mountain warrior coming towards them.

The leading master, upon seeing Yan Zhaoge, couldn't help but change his expression slightly, "Nephew Yan."

Yan Zhaoge recognized him as one of Xu Chuan's subordinates and nodded, "Is there something you need to discuss?"

The other person lowered his voice, "Elder Xu asks you not to enter the city for now and to meet him at the ancient pavilion ten miles outside the city."

Yan Zhaoge remained calm, "There's no need for that. Please have Elder Xu come and talk with me. We can discuss things on the way, as I need to hurry to the capital of Dongtang."

The middle-aged warrior hesitated for a moment but then nodded and left.

Yan Zhaoge looked into the distance and saw someone observing them from afar. Upon seeing them emerge from the Luliao Mountains, the person immediately turned and left.

Clearly, they were informing the other side.

Yan Zhaoge didn't stop them and continued on his way.

Zhao Shilie, Zhao Yuan, and the others gradually sensed something was amiss. After all, they were members of the Dongtang royal family, and few things in Dongtang could escape their notice.

After sending someone to inquire, they soon received news, and their expressions varied.

Zhao Shilie appeared calm but kept stroking his beard, Zhao Sheng seemed to be enjoying the show, and Zhao Yuan looked worried.

Zhao Hao, on the other hand, seemed indifferent and watched coldly from the sidelines.

Soon, Xu Chuan, looking worried, personally came out from Linyuan City and met Yan Zhaoge and the others halfway.

"Welcome back, Nephew Yan, and also Prince Jing, the First Prince, Third Prince, and Sixteenth Prince. It's been a long time."

Xu Chuan greeted them formally but quickly used his qi to send a message to Yan Zhaoge, "Young Master Yan, have you heard about Lin Yushao, your fellow disciple, being murdered?"

Yan Zhaoge's eyes remained calm, but he deliberately put on a sad expression and slowly nodded, "I've heard about it, but I don't know who did it."

Xu Chuan's face turned a bit bitter, "There are rumors that it was you, Young Master Yan…"

Yan Zhaoge's brows immediately knitted together, "How could that be? Who is spreading such nonsense?"

"There are rumors that Lin Yushao was in seclusion for a long time, and your feelings for her have cooled," Xu Chuan clicked his tongue, the rumors were even more scandalous, suggesting that Yan Zhaoge had grown tired of Lin Yushao, but he certainly didn't dare repeat that to Yan Zhaoge.

"The rumor is that this time, you came to Dongtang and took a liking to Fellow Disciple Sikong."

Yan Zhaoge was both angry and amused, "Is that the impression I've given?"

Xu Chuan glanced at Feng Yunsheng, who was playing with a small black dog behind Yan Zhaoge.

Yan Zhaoge immediately held his forehead.

Xu Chuan didn't dare to provoke him further and continued dryly, "The rumor is that after Lin Yushao emerged from seclusion and heard about you and Fellow Disciple Sikong, she was worried about losing your favor and came to Dongtang."

"After you met, an argument broke out, and you, annoyed by her纠缠, ended up…"

Xu Chuan couldn't continue because Yan Zhaoge's face had turned as black as the bottom of a pot.

Yan Zhaoge said irritably, "How can such baseless rumors be believed?"

Xu Chuan smiled bitterly, "But there are rumors that Lin Yushao was killed by the Douluo Palm…"

Yan Zhaoge's pupils suddenly constricted, "Douluo Palm?"

Xu Chuan nodded heavily, "Her body was first discovered by Elder Yan Xu's subordinates, and it is now under their custody, making it difficult to examine it closely in the short term."

"However, it's said that there was a large wound on her chest and abdomen, with the flesh burned, clearly caused by a fire-based martial technique."

"But the rumor is that Lin Yushao was killed by the Douluo Palm."

He looked at Yan Zhaoge with some concern.

While there were other Guangcheng Mountain warriors who could use the Douluo Palm, not just Yan Zhaoge, he was the only one with a motive.

Although that motive was somewhat absurd.

But the fact was that such scandalous news about a love triangle and murder spread easily.

Under the influence of public opinion, Yan Zhaoge's image inevitably suffered.

It was one thing for it to be just a scandal, as the public often enjoyed stories of beauty and heroism, but a love triangle and murder was a different matter.

Especially with such news, even if the truth was clarified later, the public might not believe it.

Yan Zhaoge narrowed his eyes slightly.

The person spreading the rumors probably had more in mind than just ruining someone's reputation.

Yan Zhaoge vaguely felt that this might be some kind of setup…

After a moment of thought, Yan Zhaoge shook his head, "It indeed has nothing to do with me. The truth of Fellow Disciple Lin's murder must be thoroughly investigated."

"But I have urgent matters to attend to in the capital of Dongtang, which are related to the foundation of Guangcheng Mountain. I am also saddened by Fellow Disciple Lin's death, but I must prioritize the public interest over personal matters."

"Elder Dongzhou is also on his way to the capital of Dongtang, and I will meet up with him there."

Xu Chuan was taken aback, originally thinking that Yan Zhaoge was just trying to avoid the situation, but since Elder Dongzhou was coming, it seemed there was indeed something significant.

"Elder Yan is in Linyuan City and has ordered that you be brought to see him as soon as you arrive. Fellow Disciple Lin's body is also in the city," Xu Chuan hesitated for a moment and then whispered.

Yan Zhaoge pursed his lips, "Old people often forget things. He forgot that I'm no longer under his jurisdiction."

"If he has something to discuss, let him come to the capital of Dongtang with us."