246: Investigation of the Yin Demon Sect

Ye Wuyou's figure, just as when she appeared, silently blended into the night and vanished. Peace returned to the courtyard, but the atmosphere was even more solemn than before.

Ji Ruxue walked up to Qin Feng, a rare and clear look of apology on her cold face as she whispered, "I'm sorry, Qin Feng. I didn't expect Senior Sister to find this place... much less that it might expose our tracks."

Qin Feng waved his hand. Though his expression was grave, he didn't blame her. "There's no need to apologize. Your Senior Sister finding us actually serves as a reminder—our current disguises and route might not be absolutely safe. The Blood-Filled Tower's tracking techniques are unique, and your Senior Sister knows you best. Her finding us means..."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone, his voice low and clear. "It means that if the Yin Demon Sect also has similar tracking experts targeting the traits or habits of someone among us, or if they use unconventional methods regardless of the cost, they might find us too. We cannot leave things to chance and assume that changing our path and appearance solves everything."

Tao Yuanyi nodded in agreement. "Junior Brother Qin is absolutely right. While Miss Ye's arrival was a well-intentioned warning, it also indirectly proves we are still in danger. This place is no longer suitable for a long stay."

Cold Peach Blossom didn't speak, but her sharp eyes scanned the dark courtyard surroundings, clearly more alert.

"Then what about us?" Xia Ya shouldered her giant shield, eager yet slightly nervous.

"According to the original plan, but ahead of schedule," Qin Feng said decisively. "As soon as it's dawn tomorrow and the city gates open, we leave Blackstone City immediately and continue north. We'll minimize stops on the way and avoid entering towns unless necessary. Our goal is to reach the Imperial Capital as quickly as possible. Only there, where the crowds are mixed and factions are intertwined, can we truly blend into the masses and get a chance to breathe and plan our next move. Until then, we must avoid anything that might cause complications."

Everyone agreed. Xiao Chun hugged Little Fire tightly and nodded vigorously. The apology in Ji Ruxue's eyes turned into a more determined intent to protect.

The next day, as dawn broke and the gates of Blackstone City creaked open just a crack, two ordinary-looking carriages followed the first batch of merchants and farmers out of the city. They soon disappeared into the dust of the official road leading north, drawing no extra attention... Meanwhile, inside the dark and oppressive main hall of the Yin Demon Sect.

"Boom—!!!"

A loud bang! The hard profound iron armrest turned to powder in Zhongli Wu's hand! A violent, cold aura swept through the hall, the temperature plummeted, and the firelight in the braziers on the walls flickered wildly, nearly going out.

"Bastards! Useless trash!" Zhongli Wu's roar was like a cold wind from the Nine Netherworlds, scraping through the hearts of every scout kneeling on the ground, making them tremble. "I've sent out every Disciple and informant available! Every major 'white' road, town, and village has been combed through like a fine-toothed comb! And the result? Not a single useful clue! You can't even confirm if they've really left Medicine King Valley! What are you all good for?!"

The Corpse Demon Sect Master stood aside, his face equally dark and grim, ghost fire flickering in his eye sockets. "Brother Zhongli, calm down. Medicine King Valley has a deep foundation and is shrouded in Formations. If they were determined to hide people or send them out through some secret passage, it would indeed be difficult for us to detect from the outside. Perhaps... they are still in the valley?"

"Still in the valley?" In the shadow under Zhongli Wu's hood, his gaze was cold as ice. "Then it's even more troublesome. Attack Medicine King Valley? Not to mention that Black Tortoise that just returned to its ancestors and reached the Saint-Grade, even those two old fellows Li Changqing and Sikong Ye, with the help of the local Formation, would be enough to give us a hard time! Unless the main headquarters is willing to send a Saint-Grade Elder..."

He shook his head. How could a Saint-Grade Elder be so easily summoned? For a few Martial King kids, it wasn't worth it. Moreover, the unease deep in his heart grew stronger—Qin Feng and the others had repeatedly sabotaged their plans, and they were full of suspicious points. If not eliminated soon, they would surely become a major threat!

"Pass down the order!" Zhongli Wu turned abruptly, his voice resolute. "Notify all bounty hunter organizations and underground intelligence networks associated with us. Double the bounty! No, triple it! Anyone providing valid clues about Qin Feng's group of four (with clear characteristics) will be rewarded with a million gold coins! If they can directly capture and kill them or provide a fatal clue, reward them with one Earth Rank Cultivation Technique and a choice of rare resources!"

"Yes!" Someone below immediately responded and took notes.

"And one more thing," ghostly light flickered in Zhongli Wu's eyes. "Notify the Gangs we support or control in the secular world... the Green Clothing Gang, the Cao Gang, the Beggars' Gang... tell them to use their low-level eyes and ears to watch for any suspicious group of four, especially young men and women with extraordinary temperaments!"

"Yes!"

When he reached the last name, Zhongli Wu paused, as if remembering something. "...Blood-Filled Tower."

Hearing this, the ghost fire in the Corpse Demon Sect Master's eyes jumped. "Blood-Filled Tower? That assassin organization that only cares about money? Would they take a job looking for people?"

Zhongli Wu didn't answer immediately but fell into deep thought, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the remaining armrest of the bone throne. Suddenly, his tapping motion stopped!

"Wait... I seem to remember... the scattered intelligence from the main headquarters about the destruction of West Lake City and the Southern Border branch mentioned... beside that Qin Feng, in addition to that little girl from Medicine King Valley and the Southern Border barbarian woman, was there also... a black-clothed woman who used daggers and had mysterious movement techniques?"

He looked up abruptly, a terrifying light shooting from his eyes. "Yes! That's right! A black-clothed woman, extremely skilled with daggers, her style ruthless and precise, very much like... a professional assassin!"

The Corpse Demon Sect Master also realized. "You mean..."

"We might have been looking in the wrong direction all along!" Zhongli Wu's voice rose sharply, carrying an excitement and ruthlessness from discovering a new lead. "Qin Feng is cunning and must be good at disguising himself. Tracking the characteristics of the four of them directly might be difficult. But his companions might not all be as cautious as he is! That black-clothed female assassin... if she really is from the Blood-Filled Tower, that's a Breakthrough!"

He stood up suddenly and ordered sternly, "Investigate immediately! Use all connections to check the Blood-Filled Tower's recent mission records and assassin movements, especially female assassins of Diamond Rank or above who are missing or have abnormal movements! Focus on the time periods when they might have crossed paths with Qin Feng! If you can't find clues for Qin Feng, open a gap through this woman! Fast!"

"As you command!" Figures below hurried away. The hall fell back into an oppressive silence, but this time, what churned in the silence was no longer pure incompetent rage, but a cold excitement of being about to lock onto prey.

The Yin Demon Sect's pursuit network, after the initial failure of casting a wide net, quietly retracted like a venomous snake, adjusted its direction, and slowly extended its deadly tongue toward the hidden clue of Ji Ruxue.

On the official road, the carriage rumbled. Qin Feng felt something, pulled back the curtain, and looked back toward Blackstone City, his brow furrowing slightly.

His Sword Heart suddenly made his hair stand on end.

The mountain rain is coming, and the wind already fills the tower.