Chapter 429 - 260: The Plan

Chapter 429: Chapter 260: The Plan

"So, the one who shouted about an assassination must have been that Liu Li, right?"

Su Xing asked.

"The very same."

"His accusation, combined with Gu Yan’s death, made it impossible for me to defend myself. From that moment on, I was branded a traitor of the Cyan Cloud Sect."

"Later... Ling Zhongxing examined Gu Yan’s corpse on my behalf. He discovered a strange power faintly emanating from her body. This power seemed capable of sealing space, constricting it into a human-sized cage that held Gu Yan firmly in place, unable to move."

"This proved they intended to frame me from the very start,"

Li Ye said slowly.

After hearing Li Ye’s words, Su Xing was astonished. There weren’t many people capable of manipulating space to such a degree. Yao Yixiao was one, but as for anyone else, Su Xing couldn’t think of a soul.

Then again...

Su Xing vaguely recalled that Chi Yu also possessed some spatial power. He had sealed the space at Dragon Gate, rendering all spatial abilities completely useless. However, Su Xing wasn’t sure if Chi Yu was capable of such delicate spatial manipulation.

But,

none of that mattered for now.

Su Xing’s thoughts drifted for a moment before returning to the matter at hand. He looked at Li Ye and finally asked, "This Liu Li must be an Elder too, right? Why would he do something like this?"

"Heh. He’s an Elder of the Qi Sect. I was brought in by Ling Zhongxing and should have been a member of the Qi Sect, yet I was set to marry the sister of Gu Che from the Sword Sect. Naturally, that made me a traitor in their eyes."

"It’s not strange that they wanted to get rid of me."

Li Ye gave a helpless laugh, but his words took Su Xing by surprise. He had never imagined that the seemingly peaceful Cyan Cloud Sect was in such a state, that the rivalry between the Sword and Qi Sects had escalated to the point where they would take a life without a second thought.

Seeing Su Xing fall silent, Li Ye took a couple of steps, continuing to mutter to himself:

"But like Zhongxing, I’ve never cared for the distinction between Sword and Qi. My own skills are derived from both sects. Still, reality is often frustrating... Perhaps the feeling of standing above everyone else is just too intoxicating."

"So, who was the real assassin?"

Su Xing asked, looking at Li Ye.

"The Black and White Impermanence you encountered. Chi Yu."

Li Ye said flatly, "When you were at Dragon Gate, I fought him with my identity concealed. Perhaps he was too arrogant to look closely, as he didn’t recognize me. That’s how I confirmed it."

’No wonder...’

The moment Su Xing first met Li Ye, he had sensed the scent of blood on him. At the time, Su Xing assumed it was from a long history of killing. Now, it seemed more likely he was injured from his fight with Chi Yu.

Still, the fact that he could fight Chi Yu and escape unscathed meant Li Ye’s strength was quite formidable. During the battle at the gates of the Cyan Cloud Sect, he must have been holding back significantly.

"So it was him?"

Su Xing sighed. "With his level of power, if he wanted something done, he could have just done it. Why go through so much trouble?"

"We don’t know much about that either. Ever since that incident, we’ve been investigating in secret. We’ve gathered some information, but much more remains hidden beneath the surface. I’m ashamed to admit it, but I only confirmed Chi Yu was the real culprit after the events at Dragon Gate."

Li Ye shook his head. After a long moment, as if a thought had struck him, he looked at Su Xing and asked:

"Elder, do you know where Tong Yinyin and I went after being wrongfully accused?"

"Jile Valley. I’ve heard the name."

Su Xing thought for a moment. "Is there something noteworthy about Jile Valley?"

"Yes, there is. We actually saw Chi Yu in Jile Valley. He appears to be one of the Valley Master’s subordinates. In fact, our coming to the Cyan Cloud Sect this time was also at the Valley Master’s behest."

"The Valley Master of Jile Valley?"

Su Xing found this character who had suddenly popped up to be rather strange. His knowledge of the Extraordinary World was limited, and he didn’t know much about its various factions. He realized he had never even heard of this "Valley Master" before.

All he knew was that Jile Valley was a haven for the most vicious and wicked criminals. As such, many of the most wanted fugitives from special organizations eventually ended up there.

"That’s right. For years, Jile Valley has remained in seclusion. People like us, once we enter, are typically never allowed to leave."

"Recently, however, the Valley Master has taken to tacitly allowing its inhabitants to leave. This means that in the future, more of these rarely seen, heinous criminals might start appearing in the world again. It’s also why Chi Yu has resurfaced."

"When Zhongxing learned of this, he began to wonder if there was a connection between these events. And he actually found one, related to the founder of the Cyan Cloud Sect—the Cyan Cloud Sword Immortal."

At this point, Li Ye paused. He glanced at Ling Zhongxing, who understood immediately and picked up the narrative:

"You may not be aware, Elder Su?"

"Aware of what?"

Su Xing was a little confused by the cryptic question. ’I know practically nothing.’ He didn’t even know if the Cyan Cloud Sword Immortal was still alive. But from the way they were speaking, it seemed he undoubtedly was.

"The Cyan Cloud Sword Immortal is in the Capital City."

Ling Zhongxing said slowly, "In fact, very few people even within the Cyan Cloud Sect know this. Everyone assumes the Cyan Cloud Sword Immortal passed away long ago. But really, how could a Tier Nine Great Power perish so easily?"