Legend of The Young Master

Chapter 129: The Demonic Clans Reward Generously

Wuyi meticulously combed through the snow with his sword, using it as if it were a rake, sifting through old branches hidden beneath the thin layer of frost. Within moments, he uncovered a bow—a magnificent weapon of war—sturdy, sleek, and still in good condition despite its exposure to the elements.

Jin, meanwhile, was diligently casting his spiritual senses in widening circles, using his beast master abilities without restraint. Given that he had the body, the blood, and the quiver, it was only a matter of time before he found the fatal arrow, unless it was far removed from the scene.

As it turned out, the arrow was near the road they had traversed, almost directly in their path, buried under a half-foot of snow. Frozen blood still clung to the ground where the arrow had been yanked from the wound. The arrow was nearly identical to the fifteen others in the quiver.

"Hmm," Wuyi mused.

They took turns keeping watch on the surrounding forest while the other stripped the lifeless body of its chain, shoes, belt, and knife—leaving it bare. The dead man was a warrior and a wealthy one at that; it was a waste to leave these items on him here.

"Why hasn't any creature feasted on him?" Jin inquired.

"Too much spiritual energy here; it would scare off any animal unless it's a spirit beast," Wuyi responded. "But what puzzles me is why the person who killed him didn't loot the body. Why leave the arrows and the knife? These are Qi weapons, not mortal weapons." He shook his head, perplexed. "I must admit, Jin, this is baffling."

Jin kept his gaze lowered. "There are many who dwell in the Wildlands who do not accept the empire's rule and live as free beings. Even though they lead lives akin to demonics, they can be very disciplined in their beliefs."

"I'm well aware of those who reject the empire's rules," Wuyi retorted, raising an eyebrow. "I hail from the desert territories. I used to see those who live beyond the civilized lands every day, across the sand. Entire villages of them. Sometimes they raided our towns, sometimes we raided them; other times, we traded.

But none of them were disciplined enough or not greedy enough to not rob, especially a rich corpse."

Jin shrugged. "The man who killed him, or this man, isn't one of them." He looked up at Wuyi, as if bracing for a confrontation. "He's one of those rebels who aim to overthrow the ruling and nobility. They claim that once they do, they'll be free." His voice was oddly neutral, almost detached. Wuyi could feel that Jin, with all his belief in righteousness, despised the nobility.

Wuyi essentially embodied everything Jin should dislike. He was a noble who did not believe in heaven or the righteous path, while Jin believed deeply in heaven and despised the nobles. This amused Wuyi—how Jin's heavens had led him to serve someone whose beliefs were so diametrically opposed to his own.

Examining the leaf-shaped talisman and the bow, Wuyi frowned. "He's one of those special demonic cultivators, isn't he? I've heard the legends." Shaking his head and looking at Jin, he continued, "I know there are people who want to topple the righteous clans and sects. If I were born like they are, I'd be out there with my weapon right now.

But tell me, these demonic warriors, these men dedicated to fighting for their beliefs—who sponsors them? How do they gather followers? It's baffling." He shrugged. "Frankly, I always thought demonic cultivators did not have any beliefs or rules that they follow. I believed cultivators like these were just rumors."

Jin shrugged. "There is no smoke without fire, no rumors without some truth to them. It is high time someone took a stand against the greedy nobles." His gaze shifted away from Wuyi's.

"Are you harboring some secret rebellious tendencies, Jin?" Wuyi locked eyes with him.

Jin sighed. "Does it make me a traitor to admit that sometimes the endless unfairness of this empire makes me want to rebel?" His eyes dropped, and his anger seemed to dissipate. "I don't act on it, but I understand the renegades and those who live beyond the borders."

Wuyi grinned. "Finally, something you and I can agree on." He rolled the frozen body and used the deceased's sharp dagger to cut open his garments, stiffened by frozen blood. Beneath the body, he found another pouch containing precious stones. After retrieving the remaining items the dead man owned, he took out his storage bag and filled it with the dead man's possessions.

He tossed the storage bag to Jin. "Go acquire some hounds and wolves," he instructed.

Stripped bare, the dead man hardly resembled a cultivator from some malevolent group. The thought caused Wuyi to purse his lips. He leaned over the lifeless body—its skin as pale as the surrounding snow—and examined it once more.

The fatal wound was under the arm, aimed straight at the heart, inflicted by a slender blade. Wuyi studied it meticulously.

"His assailant returned to finish the job, yet was so frantic they didn't realize their target was already dead," Wuyi mused.

"Already dead?" Jin questioned.

"Minimal blood. Observe his garment. The entry point is there, along with some blood, but not much." Wuyi crouched, deep in thought. "This is a conundrum. What do you make of it, Jin?"

"His equipment surpasses ours," Jin observed.

"The demonic clans reward generously, or perhaps they simply honor their commitments," Wuyi mused. "Regardless, this isn't our primary objective. We should return to the path and continue our search for the beast." He paused, eyeing Jin. "I understand for demonics, but I have heard that righteous assassins use Cursebane too. How do righteous assassins use Cursebane talismans?

If someone is affected by it, how do the righteous heal it? Isn't that something evil that might harm their righteous Qi?"

Jin took a few steps, pondering. "Many say it's impossible, but it's not. It's akin to cleaning a stable; you just try not to get muck on yourself."