45 The Organ Eating Dagger (1/2)
Warning: gory descriptions? maybe??
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When Peng Zhugen died, the cultivation world was swept with a wave of uncertainty. There as no way for Liu Sumeng to forget or escape this event, even now in his new incarnation. He still remembered the details from all the second-hand gossip.
The murder scene was the sect leader's very own study, where he sat slumped over his desk. The stab wound in his back did not look as horrifying at first glance but upon closer inspection, his intestines and stomach had been removed. Blood around the scene was minimal, as though he'd been drained. But there were no signs of struggle, only Peng Zhugen, who was slumped over his own desk, dead.
They found the murder weapon later. It was an abomination of a dagger, with eyes that swirled and blinked up from the handle and a dark jagged blade. It wiggled and crawled around the halls of the Hidden Mist Manor like a creeping stray animal, searching for prey to stalk. The anatomy of the blade's power was dissected and revealed why the corpse of Peng Zhugen was missing both blood and organs and how, even he, the respected leader of the Hidden Mist Sect could be bested so easily. And thus the name Organ Eating Dagger became known.
But it still left some very important questions. For one just who was responsible for the death of Sect Leader Peng?
Was it Peng Jipei, who sat like a mindless doll over the corpse of his late mother, refusing to part with her after her grave had been prepared?
Was it Yuan Xuelan, who came to pay respects to the deceased Cao Hong? Though the boy had left at first possible notice.
It couldn't be Zhao Fanyu, who had already gone a few days prior, after collecting a shocking and envious boon from the Hidden Mist Sect.
Then could it have been the jealous Fourth Elder that always contested Peng Zhugen's right at the head of the Hidden Mist Sect?
Or perhaps the Second Elder who never quite could come to an agreement with the late sect leader.
Some more wild guesses even tossed in the name Liu Suye, who was addressed in the letter he was writing before death. The letter had read: ”I must bring you dire news. We shall meet soon.”
Or maybe it was Yang Sehan, who was addressed in another letter set aside on Peng Zhugen's desk, with a message that read: ”If you don't cease your foolishness, then you will leave me no choice.”
The debate continued about Peng Zhugen's murderer and the cultivation world was wrought with rumors and pointing fingers. It was only years later, at the height of Peng Jipei's folly did he admit to the crime of his own brother's demise.
But one question remained unsolved: Just where did the Organ Eating Dagger even come from?
In his current life, Liu Sumeng was fairly certain.
On a night when Yuan Xuelan returned rather late, Liu Sumeng pretended to be asleep. Like a criminal, the younger cultivator crept up to Liu Sumeng's side and stared.
”Sumeng?” He whispered. Liu Sumeng didn't reply.
”Sumeng?” He tried again and poked him in the cheek. Liu Sumeng twitched but remained still.
”...You're unworthy of my Shijie,” he said this time and waited. Still nothing.”I think your personality is awful.”
”...”
He cleared his throat this time and whispered, ”Sumeng is really pretty.”
Liu Sumeng felt his eyebrow flinch. Wait no, Yuan Xuelan was just trying to rile him up! ”Sumeng, I really like the shape of your hands.”
”...”
”Sumeng's swordsmanship is unrivaled and is the most beautiful.”
”Sumeng is the most handsome guy in the world.” Now he was just having fun with saying random gibberish. Liu Sumeng steeled his nerves, even though his heart was beating wildly in his chest.
”Sumeng… I really don't want to accept that you'll marry my Shijie.” The whisper grew softer, like a confession. Liu Sumeng held his breath.
”...I wish I'd been kinder to you.”
…No, that was fine, really. Liu Sumeng didn't mind at all.
”But I'll definitely repay you in this lifetime. I swear upon it.”
Please don't worry about that…
”Sumeng…I know about that curse on your chest.”
Liu Sumeng flinched. But he still kept his eyes closed. For a moment, Yuan Xuelan was quiet too. Did he figure out that Liu Sumeng was awake?
”Whatever did that to you, I promise I'll tear to pieces. So,” he coughed, ”don't worry about a thing.”