Chapter 249 Provocation (2/2)

Xiao Chen shoved two Constables aside who tried to bar his way. He would have gotten into a fight with the Constables if not for Murong Xian'er's voice from behind. ”Brother Xiao Chen! Here I am!”

He jerked his head backward and saw his sister fine and well. Feeling slightly consoled, he asked frantically, ”What about Muxue and Senior Sister Luo?”

”We're fine too,” two voices answered him as Li Muxue and Luo Shangyan emerged from the crowd, though they two have suffered light bruises and cuts.

”Is there anyone else who is wounded? What happened here? Who's responsible for all this?” A boiling rage churned within him. This was only the second day since he and his friends reached Tianyuan City, and yet, they were already in danger of being attacked. Struggling against his anger, he swore, ”I must find out who did this and kill him!”

He peered around and saw everyone from the Jade Qing Sect were still well. A girl walked to him and Xiao Chen recognized her as one of the Hidden Fragrance Wafting Under the Moon. ”Where's Qingluan? How are the rest of your sisters?”

”Chief Qingluan has led the rest of us in pursuit of the perpetrator. I must apologize for my inability to protect everyone, Young Master,” the girl reported, sounding distressed.

Xiao Chen calmed her down with a wave of his hand. One of the Constables came over. ”Our apologies for such a mishap, Master Xiao. Rest assured that investigations are already underway. I'm sure we'll be able to provide a satisfactory explanation.”

”You'd better do!” Xiao Chen hissed spitefully at him, his eyes flashing with a blaze of anger.

”All right, all right,” Li Muxue tugged at his arm and said, ”There's no need for such anger. Everyone is fine.”

”I'm sorry...” Xiao Chen growled, suppressing his rage. He was filled with anxiety and concern for his friends and loved ones. The attack had taken place when he was out testing his new skill. It was fortunate that the attack was not in the night or the perpetrators had struck more forcefully, otherwise, he would not have forgiven himself for any losses.

”Did anyone have a glimpse of the enemy?”

Li Muxue shook her head. ”I was meditating in my room when I felt the room collapsing on me. Luckily Qingluan and the others realized something was wrong and they came in to quickly erect a defensive barrier to shield us...”

”Wait here. I'm going in for a look,” Xiao Chen told her, and he leaped into the courtyard of the compound.

There was nothing left in the aftermath of the attack but debris and rubble. It was a total disaster that the lodging house was completely destroyed by fire, as evidenced by the still-burning wood and splinters. It must have been a very powerful fire-based magic used by a conjurer at least at the level of the peak Core Forming Realm.

Moreover, the conjurer had been able to sneak in quietly to work his magic and escape without being injured. But why did the assailant attacked in the day but not under the cover of the night?

There would only be a single reason: this was a provocation; a challenge! The perpetrator had not meant to kill anyone needlessly, but to flush him out for a duel!

”I believe I know whose work this is,” he muttered to himself. He walked out and turned to the direction of the spot where he met the young man from the Fallen Immortals Sect this morning.

”Where are you going? Did you find a lead?” Luo Shangyan asked anxiously as he brushed past.

Xiao Chen smiled benignly. He shook his head. ”Nope. We'll move to the stronghold of the Daoist League later. It should be safer to stay there.”

He would remain quiet, at least for now! He did not fear anyone, not especially the Fallen Immortals Sect. But he could not risk taking action and put his friends and loved ones into the way of more harm. Knowing the best course of option would be to remain wary until their safety was ensured, Xiao Chen elected to lie low for now. There was no need to respond to the provocations of the rabid hounds of the Fallen Immortals Sect until he was ready.

But that was only if Xiao Chen could remain indifferent to their incessant provocations.