C40 (1/2)
The sky was still snowy, and the first rays of the morning sun illuminated the slumbering Green Hill. The clear morning mist was fragrant, and it was a brand-new day. Yes, another day, only nine days left. Time flowed between his fingers like a stream. Quietly, silently, quickly, but at the same time, it was seeping through his skin.
Hundred miles of bamboo forest, the most beautiful and tranquil scenery of the QIng Qiu Mountains, the people of QIng Qiu Mountain who grew up there left behind beautiful memories. It was the first time that he had wandered the bamboo forest with Gu Xueluo. It was also the first time that he had discussed the Six Realms with Zhu Jiuyin and talked about their heroic looks. It was also the first time that he had forged a relationship with Zhu Jiuyin. Of course, the darkest and saddest moment of his life had also happened here. That snowy and peaceful afternoon, that strange and dark mass of fiendish black fog, that short moment where the devil in his heart had suddenly appeared, and those ghosts that had died tragically under his sharp sword, had all become memories that he would never be able to erase in his life.
But now, it was imperative to find clues.
The scene of the tragedy was a mess. Other than Yang Mingfei and Dao Sha's corpses being brought back, the bodies of Taixuan's disciples, devil disciples, demons, and immortals were lying all over the ground. There were bloodstains on the ground, and thick bamboo shoots could be seen everywhere. Some of the bamboos even had clear sword gleams left on their bodies, and the bamboo leaves that had been chopped down by the swords fell to the ground. The sharp sword gleams did not even miss the bamboo leaves that fell.
Ning Xuemo, Gu Xueluo, and Zhu Jiuyin carefully examined the scene. Every one of the corpses were fatal. Some pierced through the chest, some pierced the throat, some hit the middle of the eyebrows. They did not leave any chance for retaliation. There were countless broken swords on the ground, and the sharp edges of the sword were obvious. Only the Hidden Azure Sword could slash out such a sharp sword light.
”This is not Junior Brother Concealed Spirit's method.” Ning Anshi sized up the scene, shaking his head repeatedly with a look of surprise on his face. ”One strike for one to kill, his moves are brutal, Taixuan's sword art has never been so sinister and ruthless.”
Zhu Jiuyin turned his head, listening to the analysis of the period of peace. He rubbed his nose with the fan in his hand, seemed to be deep in thought, and then said, ”That's right, Taixuan's sword arts have always focused on opening and closing, the atmosphere. Furthermore, although the Hidden Spirit Azure Concealment Sword is advanced, it has not reached the point of perfection. ”So, I suspect that the murderer is someone else.”
Gu Xueluo did not care about the analysis of the Nine Yin Whip, but was surprised at his familiarity with the Hidden Spirit Sword Technique. She said in surprise: ”Young Master You's analysis is correct, I didn't think that you would have such a thorough understanding of the Hidden Spirit Sword Technique's realm and moves, it makes us who have always been by your side feel ashamed.”
He was still able to maintain his calm as he apologized, ”Haha, as a human being, I believe that in terms of martial arts attainments and body tempering, I am slightly stronger than an ordinary person. Anyone who uses a few moves or slashes in front of me will be able to guess that their martial arts cultivation is about seventy to eighty percent, and their skills are insignificant.”
Gu Xueluo laughed heartily. ”Young master is being modest. How could such a gifted martial art be an insignificant skill? We are greatly encouraged to have someone as meticulous as you here today.”
At this time, the fifth Hidden Spirit was squatting on the ground, frowning as it stared at the bottom of a green bamboo. A clear black mark was left on the body of the bamboo. The mark was long and sharp, like a dark ray of light in the daytime. It was clearly visible. However, such a dark seal was actually hidden at the bottom of a bamboo. If it wasn't for his sharp eyes and his body entering the bamboo, no matter how much effort he put in, it would still be useless.
Everyone gathered around and looked at the black mark, their eyes staring at it. Ning Xuemo remembered the strange black fog baleful qi mentioned by the hidden spirit, and asked, ”Why are there suddenly black seals on this green bamboo, Junior Brother, do you think the black fog baleful qi is similar to the black seal?”
He murmured, ”This is exactly what I want to suspect. This strange black seal is no different from the black fog. I imagine that during the fierce battle surrounded by the black fog, the hundred sword beams that I shot out would strike the black fog and seal it here.”
Gu Xueluo's eyes were completely bright and her face was full of surprise. She joyfully said, ”This is truly a gift from the heavens. We've finally found it. This green bamboo is the evidence, we must carefully guard it.”
Ning An's face turned cold as he stammered, ”It's still too early to say if it's evidence. We don't know what this Dark Seal is yet, so why don't we report it to Master?” As soon as he finished speaking, a green light was released from the sword. With a crackling sound, the Heaven Shocking Emerald Bamboo was cut off from the bottom of the green light and the bamboo was carefully put into the cloth bag he was carrying.
Having discovered the small clue of the bamboo festival, Gu Xueluo's confidence was boosted greatly. She said, ”Let's go. If we go further in, we might discover something new.”
The capital of the Spiritual World — Ling Chuan, it was peaceful and tranquil. Within the Spirit Palace, as the lord of a realm, Mu Lengqing actually felt uneasy. The tragic case of the Hundred Miles Bamboo Forest in the mortal world kept appearing in her mind, causing numerous loyal souls to die tragically. The murderer was actually the fifth Hidden Spirit.
”Ever since returning from Taixuan yesterday, Master's mind has been in turmoil. Are you still worrying about the tragedy at the Hundred Miles Bamboo Forest?” He didn't know when, but the Moon Spirit Child, Wang Qingchuan, was already standing behind him. He said with a glowing face, ”We have been working together with the Supreme Mystery. Now that the Supreme Mystery has met with such a calamity, should we lend a helping hand?”
Mu Xianqing turned around and said calmly, ”I've been thinking about the Hundred Miles Bamboo Forest case. I don't think it's as simple as hiding one's spirit and it might be a conspiracy.”
Wang Qingchuan understood after hearing Mu Sangqing's tone. He said, ”Yes, I don't believe that the fifth Hidden Spirit is the culprit. Although this man is usually aloof and arrogant, but his heart is simple and honest.
Mu Lengqing's eyes narrowed. ”That's why there's such a conspiracy. The mastermind is able to manipulate the fifth hidden spirit to reach the heavens. His goal shouldn't be as simple as just creating a tragedy.”
Wang Qingchuan said, ”Then what should we do now?” After asking this question, she was also prepared to go to the Qing Qiu Mountains.
Mu Sangqing said in a serious tone, ”It's hard to do even with the Xuan Qi, we can't just stand by and watch. Moreover, if we don't stop this conspiracy, it will eventually affect the Spirit World.” Qing Chuan, you are meticulous and meticulous. Immediately bring some people to the Qing Qiu mountain and help Elder Yin out. ”
With one hand on his chest, Wang Qingchuan kneeled on the ground and said, ”Qingchuan, take my orders!” Even in the most urgent of moments, she would not neglect the authority and edict that was unique to the Spiritual World.
Mu Lengqing instructed again, ”Remember, we are going to help. We need to pay attention to everything and not get involved in any conflicts of interest.”
Wang Qingchuan led his men and galloped away. Everyone was dressed in fresh clothes, and their horses looked like dragons. This was a white horse that was a specialty of the Spirit World. Because it only ate Spirit Rivers and Spirit Grasses, its fierce and robust body was light and agile. It could travel thousands of miles a day without stopping.
A few hours later, Wang Qingchuan was on his way to Taixuan. Everyone rode on their horses, and dust and dirt flew on the road. At a long fork in the road, the white horses galloped, and they couldn't avoid it in time, knocking Black Donkey and his donkey out of the road.
Suddenly, something happened. The donkey rider screamed ”Ai, ai” and almost fell off the donkey.
Wang Qingchuan quickly stopped his horse and looked back. He saw a man and a woman swaying from side to side on the donkey, and they almost fell down. He could not help but want to laugh.
The man in the yellow shirt shouted, ”Hey, how can you ride like this? Even if you're in a hurry, you can't run around on the dock. It's so dangerous. Luckily, I reacted fast. Otherwise, can you afford to hit this donkey?”
Wang Qingchuan thought to himself, this person is very talkative, we can't mess around here. He said, ”I'm sorry, we are indeed in a hurry to get to Taixuan, please forgive us if we offend you.” Saying that, he spurred his horse forward.
Upon hearing about Taixuan, the yellow robed man's eyes lit up, and he said quietly: ”Luckily you met me today, you know, you took the wrong path! ”Well, we should follow the road to Taixuan.” With that, he pointed to the other side of the road.
The woman also blurted out, ”That's right, this forked path leads to Father Shang's Hundred Miles Bamboo Forest.”
Wang Qingchuan was suspicious. He was so focused on Shi Yan that he didn't know if he should believe it or not.