novelraw Chapter 240 - 108: City Lord Mansion [First Update]
Chapter 240 - 108: City Lord Mansion [First Update]
He contemplated for a moment, then took out two Concealing Talismans from the Qiankun Ring, handing one each to Yun Ran and Zhuo Tingqiu, indicating for them to apply the talismans on themselves. Afterwards, he took one for himself, infused it with Spiritual Power, and patted it on his body; gradually, the three figures vanished.The Black Feather Crow on the tree branch tilted its head slightly, a hint of perplexity flashing in its eyes, as if not understanding how the people who were just there suddenly disappeared.
Since the people were no longer visible, the Black Feather Crow stopped staring at that spot and instead closed its eyes, ready to rest.
Yue Zhao felt the malicious gaze vanish and gestured to Yun Ran and Zhuo Tingqiu, the three quietly heading into the courtyard.
The City Lord’s courtyard was initially shrouded in darkness, but suddenly, a room illuminated faintly, though still capturing Yue Zhao and the others’ attention. They immediately advanced towards that room.
Through the window, Yue Zhao saw a person entirely cloaked in black, holding a lamp. Behind him, what seemed to be a bookshelf was slowly closing. It was evident that this was a secret chamber!
Moreover, Yue Zhao’s nose twitched as he detected a faint scent of blood in the air, which gradually dissipated as the bookshelf closed.
His expression grew solemn; he had a vague inkling that this secret chamber might be linked to the bizarre occurrences in Canghui City.
Inside, the cloaked figure appeared to notice something, suddenly extinguishing the candle, plunging the room back into darkness.
Yue Zhao signaled Yun Ran and Zhuo Tingqiu to remain still.
Their Concealing Talismans still active, the trio stood quietly. Even if the cloaked figure emerged, as long as he didn’t make contact, he wouldn’t discover their presence.
"Creak!"
A soft creak of the door opening made Yue Zhao and the others tense up, eyes fixed on the entrance.
As expected, the cloaked figure cautiously emerged, glancing around and seeing nothing. Still doubtful, he edged closer, nearly brushing against Zhuo Tingqiu.
Fortunately, at that moment, some faint noise from inside the room diverted the cloaked figure’s attention. Reluctantly, he returned inside.
Yue Zhao and the others sighed in relief. Although they wanted to investigate further, they chose to leave cautiously to avoid discovery.
Once outside the City Lord Mansion, Yun Ran and Zhuo Tingqiu finally exhaled deeply.
"Brother Yue, that cloaked figure earlier?" Yun Ran looked at Yue Zhao, asking with a hint of uncertainty.
"We’ll talk later." Yue Zhao glanced around, shaking his head at Yun Ran.
Understanding immediately, Yun Ran and Zhuo Tingqiu nodded, the three swiftly departing.
Moments later, a Black Feather Crow appeared at the spot where they had been, curiously sniffing around but finding nothing, then flew back to the City Lord Mansion.
...
Gu Qingqing and Jun Wu were the first to return to the inn, followed by Nan Hua and Mu Chen, while Yue Zhao and his group returned last.
The group gathered in Yue Zhao’s room, as before. Nan Hua set up an array to encompass the room, ensuring that nothing inside could be detected from the outside, before looking at Yue Zhao and the others.
"Our findings in the West District were quite lacking; the situation aligns with what we previously heard. Aside from the incisions where the victims’ organs were removed, there were no other wounds or signs of poisoning, nothing out of the ordinary," said Gu Qingqing, pulling out a pastry from the Storage Bracelet and stuffing it into her mouth as soon as she finished speaking.
"Our side had similar findings to yours—no other wounds, missing organs, no poisoning, and the victims died instantaneously without signs of struggle," Mu Chen, who was well-versed in this area, reported their discoveries.
Yue Zhao nodded and began recounting their group’s findings.
"The victims’ conditions were similar to what you found, but we went to the City Lord Mansion at night. I discovered a Black Feather Crow there and a cloaked figure in the City Lord’s study, where a secret chamber was apparent. There was also a faint scent of blood, suggesting potential clues, and given what I found, it’s likely the City Lord has been controlled," Yue Zhao briefly described their findings.
Upon hearing this, Gu Qingqing and the others were somewhat surprised.
"No wonder the City Lord’s plea for help to the White Tiger Sacred Land and the information here seemed odd. If the City Lord is indeed controlled, it all makes sense," Gu Qingqing murmured, recalling the mission brief in the Jade Scroll.
Nan Hua nodded, contemplatively saying, "If the City Lord is controlled, our mission becomes quite complicated."
"Didn’t they say an elder accompanies us? Should we inform the elder?" Yun Ran looked at Yue Zhao, then at Gu Qingqing and the rest, and asked.
"No need, the elders will be watching us. When we can’t handle it, he will naturally appear," Mu Chen licked his lips, his expression somewhat wicked, "Besides, isn’t this more interesting?"
It was the first time Yun Ran saw Mu Chen like this, and she didn’t know why, but she felt that Mu Chen was very dangerous at this moment.
Yue Zhao and Nan Hua exchanged a glance and simultaneously revealed a smile that only they understood.
"Alright, the investigation time is over. Everyone should rest well and protect themselves tonight." Yue Zhao stood up, elegantly tidying up his clothes, and spoke to the others.
Gu Qingqing and the others nodded. After Nan Hua lifted the array, they returned to their respective rooms to rest.
...
The first night in Canghui City passed quickly, and when the sun rose, Gu Qingqing and the others also woke up one after another and came out of their rooms to the inn’s lobby.
The recent events had left the people of Canghui City in a state of fear, worried about becoming the next victim. Even at night, they were anxious and scared, and hardly anyone got a good rest, except for Gu Qingqing and her companions, who were truly resting. At least the innkeeper and the staff were on edge the entire night, fearing something might happen.
When everyone arrived at the lobby, the innkeeper yawned as he climbed up from the counter, envious of how vibrant Gu Qingqing and her companions looked.
He could tell that, although these young people staying at his inn appeared young, they seemed to have quite impressive cultivation.
For some reason, their presence gave him an inexplicable sense of security, which made the innkeeper treat Gu Qingqing and the others with much warmth.
After the innkeeper brought breakfast to Yue Zhao’s room, they habitually set up a barrier in the room, and while having breakfast, they discussed the day’s plan.
"After breakfast, I’ll take Nan Hua and Mu Chen to the City Lord Mansion, Geng Geng, you all head to the East District," Yue Zhao swallowed a mouthful of porridge and said to Gu Qingqing and her companions.
"Going directly to the City Lord Mansion? Wouldn’t that alert them?" Gu Qingqing asked curiously and somewhat worriedly.
"What we need to do now is alert them. Currently, we have too few clues. Only when they start moving can we find more flaws. Besides, we are still in the competition, and the time spent completing this mission should also be counted in the score, so I don’t have much time." Yue Zhao patiently explained to Gu Qingqing, and of course, to the others as well.
"The person behind this hasn’t stopped killing yet, which means he hasn’t succeeded in what he wants to do. Since he dared to send a rescue request to the White Tiger Sacred Land, it means the other party wants us here. We must resolve this before they succeed, or it will be disadvantageous for us!" Jun Wu spoke slowly after watching Gu Qingqing eat the food he placed on her plate.
"Exactly, we must catch them off guard," a hint of appreciation flashed in Yue Zhao’s eyes as he looked at Jun Wu.
With the two of them expressing this, the others, not being fools, naturally understood and nodded in agreement.
After finishing breakfast, they split into two groups to take action.
Yue Zhao, Nan Hua, and Mu Chen went to the City Lord Mansion together. The inn wasn’t too far from the mansion, and the three of them moved quickly, soon arriving at the mansion’s entrance.
There were guards even at the entrance of the City Lord Mansion during the day. Upon seeing the three, the guards immediately stepped forward to block their path.
"Who goes there? This is the City Lord Mansion, no trespassing!" the guard on the left shouted loudly.
Yue Zhao’s group did not speak immediately. Instead, they frowned while observing the two guards, noticing a black mark on each of their foreheads, giving off an ominous feeling.
"Who are you? Report your names quickly." The guard on the right, growing impatient at their silence, was even tempted to make a move.
"Sirs, we are disciples from the White Tiger Sacred Land. Our Saint Master received a rescue request from the City Lord, intending for us to investigate this matter." Nan Hua stepped forward, a faint smile on his face, and quickly explained.
The two guards were evidently familiar with the White Tiger Sacred Land. Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flickered in their eyes as they exchanged a look, showing a mix of doubt and curiosity towards Yue Zhao and his companions.
"Do you have anything to prove your identity?" The left guard, evidently more experienced, didn’t believe them just on their words and asked suspiciously.
"Here is the rescue request we received and the response from the Sacred Land. You can show it to the City Lord." Yue Zhao’s eyes flickered as he took out a jade scroll and a letter and handed them to the left guard.
"Wait here, I’ll go ask the City Lord." The left guard signaled to the right guard, received the items from Yue Zhao, instructed them to wait, and quickly walked into the City Lord Mansion.
The remaining guard put away his weapon and watched Yue Zhao and the others, clearly indicating they were to wait in place.
Yue Zhao and his companions stood patiently, waiting for the guard who left to return.