novelraw Chapter 327: Revisiting Old Debts
Chapter 327: Revisiting Old Debts
This novel is translated and hosted only on Bcatranslation.
“Sister Yu, the scene has been destroyed, and the clues are gone. What should I do now?”
Ji Han Zhou’s tone was heavy, and his brow furrowed in frustration. His sorrow wasn’t for failing to complete the sect’s assigned task but for the unjust deaths of the Black Tortoise Hall disciples.
“Stay focused. There’s still a chance.”
Yu Zhao glanced at him coolly.
Ji Han Zhou’s talent in the Sword Dao was undeniable, but his lack of experience left his temperament unstable. If it were Senior Sister Liu Zheng of the Heavenly Sword Sect standing here, she would never have uttered such discouraging words.
“Sometimes, it’s not about finding clues by yourself. Learn to leverage others.”
After leaving him with this cryptic advice, Yu Zhao headed east.
Ji Han Zhou followed, still puzzled but obedient. Half a day later, they arrived at a bustling city.
Once inside, they waited until nightfall before Yu Zhao led him to a location marked by a faint yellow sign.Walking through the Dark Pavilion’s passageways, Ji Han Zhou’s eyes gleamed with realization. He silently berated himself for not thinking of buying information from the Dark Pavilion earlier.
However, his oversight wasn’t entirely his fault. Sect training emphasized self-reliance and a disdain for outside interference, let alone resorting to simply paying for solutions.
Yu Zhao, on the other hand, had survived a prolonged escape and understood the harsh realities of the cultivation world.
Inside the Dark Pavilion, Yu Zhao requested an audience with Daoist Wen.
Soon, a maid led them into a private room.
Click.
A wooden panel on the wall slid open, revealing a plaque etched with the character “Wen.” Yu Zhao nodded at Ji Han Zhou, who stepped forward and wrote his question on the back of the plaque before returning it to the opening.
After three breaths, the plaque was returned unaltered, accompanied by a tray holding ten middle-grade spirit stones.
Ji Han Zhou froze, his expression darkening.
The news of the Black Tortoise Hall’s destruction had spread far and wide, and the Dark Pavilion, being the largest intelligence network, couldn’t possibly know nothing. Yet, they declined the inquiry, offering compensation instead.
Holding the plaque, Ji Han Zhou nearly threw it to the ground in frustration.
Yu Zhao deftly flicked her finger, retrieving the plaque. She erased his question with her spiritual energy and wrote a new one before sending it back into the crevice.
Thud.
Ji Han Zhou’s ears twitched at the sound of something heavy falling, followed by hurried footsteps outside the quiet room.
The door reopened, and the maid reappeared, her smile strained. “Honored guests, please follow me.”
Ji Han Zhou instinctively looked at Yu Zhao, who smiled faintly. “Lead the way.”
“Yes, right away.”
As they walked, Ji Han Zhou couldn’t resist his curiosity. Using Sound Transmission, he asked, “Sister Yu, what did you write on the plaque?”
Yu Zhao’s lips curved. “Oh, nothing much. Just revisiting an old debt.”
The Dark Pavilion had once accepted a bounty to hunt her down, a grievance she hadn’t forgotten. Although other matters had distracted her, she now had the perfect opportunity to test their intentions.
After passing through a narrow corridor and several intersections, the maid stopped before a door. “Daoist Wen is expecting you.”
Yu Zhao stepped forward, and the door opened of its own accord.
Inside, a short man sat on a deliberately raised chair, smiling at her. Yu Zhao returned the smile politely.
When Ji Han Zhou entered, the door closed behind him, and Daoist Wen’s demeanor instantly changed. He leapt from his chair, bowing repeatedly.
“Daoist Yu, Daoist Yu! The bounty was a foolish mistake on the Dark Pavilion’s part. Please, with your magnanimity, forgive us. We sincerely apologize.”
As he spoke, he discreetly pushed a storage pouch into her hands, his smile ingratiating.
Yu Zhao didn’t hold back, examining the pouch’s contents briefly. The dazzling array of items inside made it difficult to claim the Dark Pavilion lacked sincerity.
Still, her focus remained on her mission.
“Daoist Wen, your apology feels insincere,” she said with a meaningful tone.
Daoist Wen’s heart sank. He internally cursed Yu Zhao’s greed but maintained his smiling façade. “Daoist Yu, if there’s anything you find unsatisfactory, please let me know. I’ll do everything within my power to address it.”
Since joining the Dark Pavilion, Daoist Wen had never stooped so low. But facing Yu Zhao, hailed as the most formidable young cultivator of their time, he had no choice.
Worse still, the Pavilion’s previous error, misjudging her potential due to misinformation from Master Qing Yan, had led to an ill-advised bounty that severely offended her. The Pavilion Master had since issued strict orders to repair their relationship, no matter the cost.
“If the Dark Pavilion truly regrets its actions, why withhold an answer?” Yu Zhao gestured, and Ji Han Zhou’s earlier question hovered in the air.
Daoist Wen looked troubled. “This…”
Yu Zhao’s gaze bore into him, the room growing increasingly tense.
Ji Han Zhou watched the silent standoff, his unease mounting.
“Daoist Yu,” Daoist Wen finally sighed, his face weary. “If not for your presence, even the elders of the Heavenly Sword Sect wouldn’t have received an answer. The Dark Pavilion is bound by its own code.”
He exhaled heavily, the lines on his face deepening.
Yu Zhao’s stern demeanor softened into a welcoming smile. “Daoist Wen, let’s sit and talk.”
Relieved, Daoist Wen climbed back into his chair. “The truth is, our knowledge is limited. What we do know is that the perpetrators weren’t lone wolves but an organized group with specific motives. They were decisive in their actions and seemed to have a morbid habit of collecting corpses. The bodies of the Black Tortoise Hall’s leader and elders were taken.”
“Who are they?” Ji Han Zhou asked anxiously.
Daoist Wen shook his head. “They wear masks and remain elusive, making it impossible to identify them.”
He refrained from mentioning that the Pavilion had sent several teams to investigate, none of whom returned. This failure had prompted the Pavilion to classify the group as a taboo topic, refusing to disclose any details—a decision that had led to Ji Han Zhou’s earlier rejection.
Yu Zhao and Ji Han Zhou exchanged a glance. The trail had gone cold again.
“There is one oddity,” Daoist Wen added. “Before the attack, the Black Tortoise Hall’s two leaders mysteriously died of sudden causes.”
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