Chapter 426 - 258: Inside Man (2)

Chapter 426: Chapter 258: Inside Man (2)

With those matters settled, Su Xing gazed up at the sky above the Cyan Cloud Sect. Scene after scene of everything that had happened since he arrived in Luocheng flashed through his mind. Only half a month had passed, and while his Martial Arts Realm hadn’t improved in the slightest, his strength was on a completely different level.

But...

The matter of the Cyan Cloud Sect was still far from resolved.

’Tong Yinyin was indeed a pitiful person back then, but the people who bullied her were long dead. So why would she and Li Ye return to the Cyan Cloud Sect to stir up all this trouble?’

’And they chose such a conspicuous method...’

’If Tong Yinyin was the victim in that incident back then, and the people who now met a tragic end at her hands were either scoundrels or those who had wronged her... Thinking about it that way, it seemed she had never harmed a single innocent person.’

’The ten-day agreement...’

’Is this really for revenge?’

’That’s not right!’

As if he’d suddenly realized something, Su Xing’s pupils shrank. His mouth opened and closed as he murmured:

"I almost forgot... There was always more to that incident that seemed suspicious."

’When I arrived, the Cyan Cloud Sect’s Secret Realm was already heavily guarded. Tong Yinyin’s puppets were certainly lifelike, almost indistinguishable from ordinary people at a glance.’

’But given how heavily guarded the Cyan Cloud Sect was, it should have been nearly impossible for Tong Yinyin to bring Elder Lou’s body to Elder Lu.’

’Following this clue, and connecting it to what happened with Elder Lou, I can be almost certain that someone inside the Cyan Cloud Sect is working with Tong Yinyin.’

’But who could it be?’

Su Xing froze. He suddenly remembered something. Back then, he hadn’t known enough about the Cyan Cloud Sect to suspect anything, but now he realized that on the day the ten-day agreement was made, someone who should have been present was missing.

’After Elder Lou died, Tianming Village, which he had overseen, was temporarily placed under this person’s care.’

’Elder Ling. Without a doubt, he’s the most likely suspect. Or rather, if anyone in the Cyan Cloud Sect could ally with Tong Yinyin and Li Ye, it would have to be Elder Ling.’ 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

’Heh...’

’Su Xing recalled how Elder Ling had acted when they first met, constantly referring to her as a "Demoness." Now, it looked like he was playing a very long game.’

However, even though Su Xing suspected Elder Ling was likely allied with Tong Yinyin and Li Ye, he still didn’t know what their ultimate goal was. He was clearly missing a key piece of the puzzle.

But...

’If I want to know, I can just ask.’

’I don’t need to go through all this trouble anymore. With my current strength, I can afford to take the simple route. If he’s willing to talk, great. If he has other ideas, we can just fight it out.’

At this thought, Su Xing shook his head. His mind made up, he finally found Elder Ling. The elder was reading a book, and Su Xing could vaguely make out that the title seemed to be about military texts and arrays.

He looked up and saw Su Xing arrive. A flash of surprise crossed his face before he smiled and said:

"May I ask what brings you here, Elder Su?"

"Elder?"

Su Xing asked, smiling as well.

"Elder, must you continue this pretense? Even I’ve heard the thunderous tales of what you did at Desperate Gorge."

Elder Ling replied with a smile of his own.

"Thank you for the praise, Elder Ling. However, I’ve come this time just to ask you a few questions," Su Xing said. He didn’t intend to continue exchanging pleasantries; getting straight to the point was the simplest solution.

"What would you like to ask, Elder?"

"Elder Ling once told me that Li Ye was the greatest genius the Cyan Cloud Sect had seen in hundreds of years. So why did he betray the sect?"

Su Xing asked.

"Why have you suddenly taken an interest in this matter, Elder?"

Elder Ling asked with some curiosity.

"I’ve had a few encounters with Li Ye. With the ten-day agreement drawing ever closer, I naturally want to know more about the man."

Su Xing explained.

"I see. Well, that story is common knowledge in the Cyan Cloud Sect. It’s not some well-kept secret, so I have nothing to hide."

Elder Ling set his book down, raised his head to meet Su Xing’s eyes, and spoke slowly.

"One night, over a decade ago, Li Ye snuck into the Sect Master’s Hall to assassinate Sect Leader Gu Che. He never expected that Gu Che wouldn’t be there that day. The only person in the hall was the Sect Leader’s own sister, Gu Yan.

"Whether it was because he was too anxious or the night was too dark, Li Ye failed to recognize her. He killed Gu Yan, Gu Che’s sister, and then fled the Cyan Cloud Sect."

"How do you know that?"

Su Xing asked. Given Li Ye’s speed, it would have been exceedingly easy for him to remain undiscovered, which prompted Su Xing’s question.

"That night, Liu Li happened to be in charge of the sect’s defenses. He spotted Li Ye during the assassination attempt and exposed him on the spot. A few days later, Li Ye retaliated, and Liu Li also met a tragic end."

’Liu Li...’ Su Xing suddenly recalled who this Liu Li was. It was the same name Yao Yixiao had mentioned.

"Gu Yan was Li Ye’s fiancée. Sect Leader Gu Che had betrothed his sister to Li Ye, hoping that this heaven-sent talent would lead the Cyan Cloud Sect to new heights. No one expected it to end this way. It’s truly a shame."

Elder Ling said, his face a mask of regret.

"Li Ye is a Tier Eight Powerhouse, an unprecedented genius in the Cyan Cloud Sect. For someone of his status and power to bungle an assassination of Gu Che so badly... doesn’t that seem a little too careless?"

Su Xing challenged.

’It wasn’t to boast, but with my current strength, killing Gu Che without being discovered would be difficult, but not impossible if I prepared properly. If Li Ye was truly set on assassination, why would he make such an amateurish mistake?’

Su Xing found it hard to believe this was the so-called truth. He took two steps forward and said:

"Perhaps there’s a hidden reason behind it all?"

"Heh heh, and what brilliant insight might you have, Elder?"

Elder Ling said with a chuckle.

"Not a brilliant insight, no. I just think a Tier Eight Powerhouse like Li Ye wouldn’t do something so full of obvious holes. That being the case, it seems more likely that he was framed."

Su Xing stated it plainly. If any other member of the Cyan Cloud Sect had said that, they would have been met with scorn on the spot. But when Su Xing said it, no one would have dared to challenge him—though, of course, Elder Ling was the only one there to hear it.

"Oh?"

"Are you saying that Li Ye was actually framed, and he has returned this time to clear his name?"

Elder Ling said, intrigued.

"I didn’t say anything. I’m merely suggesting a possibility. Could it be that Li Ye and the Yin Crow have returned to clear their names, and that someone inside the Cyan Cloud Sect, unable to stand by, is secretly helping them?"

As Su Xing spoke, his thoughts on the matter grew ever clearer. It was as if he was beginning to understand the full picture.

"Hahaha! It’s been a long time since I’ve met someone as sharp as you, Elder. But the Cyan Cloud Sect is no place for this conversation. Why don’t we meet at the Luocheng Hotel? I’ve already prepared a banquet there in anticipation of your arrival."

Elder Ling laughed as he spoke, already turning and walking away. As Su Xing watched his retreating figure, a thought flashed through his mind. ’He actually knew I would come looking for him today? How could he have possibly known that?’

"..."

Su Xing was silent for a moment, then a slow smile spread across his face. "This Elder Ling," he murmured to himself, "is certainly no simple man."

"Fine. The Luocheng Hotel it is."