104 The trail left by a blind man (1/2)

The following day, Xinlie still stood across the valley in deceptive calm. But that was currently the least of the cultivators' worries.

Inspired by Tu Caihe's stories of unknown horror that lay beyond the city gates, the cultivators labored at a solution. They rushed back and forth, hauling in rare materials to build their weapons of choice.

But Peng Zhugen was occupied with another matter.

He was shadowing the movements of Tu Caihe, who was supposedly spending his time resting. He sent in a prying spell in the shape of praying mantis. Carefully, he made sure to keep out of Tu Caihe's sights and not alarm him too much. Peng Zhugen liked to believe that he was cautious and discrete but that didn't mean he should overestimate his own abilities and relax.

Although the man had suffered much from battle, he did not seem particularly weak of body and made sharp movements, navigating without trouble despite being newly blinded.

”How is it going?” Liu Suye croaked from his bedside, frowning at the bitter medicine he was meant to swallow.

The poison luckily was not that bad and Liu Suye should be fully recovered come the morrow, so long as he kept to the doctor's orders. Peng Zhugen was there to make sure his idiot of a friend kept to that promise. Plus, he was exempt from the task of preparing for their second attempt at attacking the black city.

”You asked that less than half an hour ago, do you truly believe that developments would happen so quickly? Have patience.”

”Okay, Sect Leader Peng,” Liu Suye hummed teasingly. ”But if it truly Tu Caihe that is behind all this, then what do you reckon happened beyond the gates of Xinlie?”

”...I wouldn't believe him so readily,” Peng Zhugen said, ”His story was without any details until the very end.”

”Then what about that Xia An? Is she equally as suspicious in your eyes?”

Peng Zhugen thought about it before answering, ”No. The ending of Tu Caihe's story, after her appearance, was the only part of Tu Caihe's story that was described with any solid details. I believe that part truly happened as was explained.”

”Hmm,” Liu Suye hummed, ”This became a lot more complicated than I expected. So much for taking the north quickly.”

”It's hardly been that long,” Peng Zhugen scoffed at the bedridden Huamian-jun. ”Stop your ceaseless complaining”.

Huamian-jun laughed pleasantly, ”Have I been ceaselessly complaining? But you think my company is pleasant. Why else would you spend your time with me?”

”...Shut up. Even if your company is grating, at least you're trustworthy.”

”A compliment from the icy Sect Leader Peng Zhugen? I feel extremely honored!”

It was better to ignore this annoying Huamian-jun in the end. He closed his eyes and focused on the spell that crept along in Tu Caihe's tent.

The man was currently sitting in his bed. He was eating some seaweed soup that Xia An had delivered to him earlier.

Peng Zhugen watched him patiently as he spilled not even a single drop, moving with pinpoint elegance despite not having his sight.

It was truly curious. Peng Zhugen's mantis crept closer.

When the food was finished, Tu Caihe pushed the bedside table aside. He brought his hand up and formed a few hand seals.

Peng Zhugen's eyes went wide, he cursed as his connection with his praying mantis was cut off.

”What's wrong?” Liu Suye asked, noticing how his friend jolted from his spot.

Peng Zhugen cursed in response, ”Silence. Do not interrupt me.” He closed his eyes again and narrowed his focus. He carefully wove his way through Tu Caihe's barrier, finally re-establishing a connection with his praying mantis.

But he couldn't see Tu Caihe anymore! He was no longer in bed. Cautiously, Peng Zhugen moved the praying mantis around the tent and found that it was empty. How could that be?

Though his target was no longer in sight, Peng Zhugen could at least take the chance to freely explore the room. So he did as such, poking and prying through Tu Caihe's personal belongings.

From the neatly folded robes, talismans, and other magical tools. Everything seemed to be in order.

Peng Zhugen relentlessly continued to search, until he came upon a small black, elongated box that was carefully hidden below Tu Caihe's bed. There was no way for him to pry the bed open with a tiny praying mantis. But there was no mistaking the subtle trace of demonic energy that lingered around the box.

But it wasn't just any demonic energy…in fact, it was the same energy that Peng Zhugen felt emitting off the black arrow that Chen Leike plucked off the fields…!

Peng Zhugen pushed himself up from the stool next to Liu Suye's bed.

”Ah, I'm guessing you found something interesting. Are you going to report to my uncle?”

”Not yet. I need more evidence, but I am quite certain that Tu Caihe is not innocent. Be careful around him.”

”How kind of you to warn me! Alright, I'll listen to Senior Peng's words while I wallow uselessly in bed.”