10 Storm Rages On (2/2)
Lin Xuanyuan stood rooted to the ground, completely at a loss. His disciples were none the wiser about Pei Yuan's background, but he knew better that her family wasn't one to be provoked. Now that she had fallen into such a terrible state, how was he going to explain?
He had already interrogated Pei Yuan's servants, but they simply insisted that it was a black shadow that had jumped out of her house and that they knew nothing more.
It was unfortunate that the sudden downpour had erased all traces of evidence.
The wrinkles on Lin Xuanyuan's face had evidently deepened overnight. He looked toward the sky with a heavy heart.
”Perhaps the heavens want me dead?”
His eyes swept past the dark guestroom, and a thought struck him. 'Something like this happens immediately upon his arrival. Could it be...'
He quickly dismissed that suspicion. The advisor rarely went out and had always been friendly with Mystic Essence Sword Sect. There were no discernible motives, and Pei Yuan's injuries had already been assessed by the physician – half a section of her right pinky finger had been chopped off. Judging from the jaggedness of the cut, the culprit must have employed a kind of convulsive sword technique. Someone, presumably from Yun Family, must have sent an assassin over to hurt her.
Only... her identity was unknown to members of Mystic Essence Sword Sect. With a big frown on his face, Lin Xuanyuan decided that he had better explain everything clearly to Pei Yuan's family.
”No sleeping tonight, everyone. Go out and find someone for me. I've already engaged the troops guarding respective junctions. The perpetrator couldn't have fled down the mountains in this storm. You guys better keep him up here!”
His disciples immediately obeyed. Looking at the storm that was still going strong, Lin Xuanyuan warned, ”This is a life and death situation for Mystic Essence Sword Sect, so remember, I need that person, dead or alive!”
”Yes!”
A black figure penetrated the thick rain walls like an arrow leaving its bow. Because of its speed, it seemed to leave a remnant shadow wherever it passed.
The figure dashed straight to the back mountain. Mystic Essence Sword Sect was built along the mountains, and the area after the manor was the most disadvantageous place to guard against enemies.
It was quiet as usual at the back mountain. Shadows could be seen trekking up a strayed path. Having explored the whole mountainous area, she knew that there was a valley behind this particular mountain and that there was a cave in the valley, which would lead her out of Xuanyuan mountain range.
As she sprinted, the sword under her belt started emitting a slight jade-green light.
Jade-green was a color representing a swordsman's ability to break through the fourth level of Cleaving Nine Heavens and to break through all soft, internal Yin energy.
Not only had Yuan Zhaoxu's internal energy assisted Meng Fuyao in recovering her original skill level, but it had also pushed her to break through the third gate, at which she had been stuck for the longest time.
Entering the fourth realm doubled her speed, which had allowed her to leave that beautiful cross on Pei Yuan's forehead earlier, despite the latter already being aware of her presence.
It was a pity that Pei Yuan had been so determined to fight a deathmatch. Not ready to die young, Meng Fuyao had no choice but to slip away, even though the aftermath could be troublesome.
In front, on a faint black colored mountain, lush trees were swaying vigorously along with the wind. Overall it seemed that no one had passed by.
Meng Fuyao exhaled gently and a slight smile formed on her face.
She strode forward.
”Clang.”
Something felt strange under her feet, as though she had just kicked a little rock.
Meng Fuyao wasn't convinced that it was a rock, of course, so she instantly turned around and fled!
The low-lying bushes rose suddenly like snakes. Upon closer inspection, it was a giant net, cast from behind, that had uprooted all the plants. Whistles filled the sky as a green light, hidden amid the bushes, shot out from the mesh and toward Meng Fuyao!
”Sh*t!” Meng Fuyao cursed at the old fox Lin Xuanyuan for being so efficient, but more so at herself for failing to notice this all these while.
The giant net covered an area of about 30 square meters. Because her internal energy had started to dissipate, there was no way for her to make an instant escape. Green light flickered as the black net started expanding. Meng Fuyao closed her eyes in despair.
”Hey, asleep?” A low and graceful voice floated above her ear.
Meng Fuyao opened her eyes in surprise.
A distance before her stood Yuan Zhaoxu, tidy and elegant, as if ready to enter a palace. His clothes were dry in spite of the crazy storm. She felt as though the bright moon had just risen above the distant cliffs, amid a lush green landscape.
He stood so far away and did not appear one bit anxious, which could logically mean that it was too late for her to be saved. Nevertheless, his presence made her feel at ease and that in this moment of life and death, nothing was too frightening to handle.
Before her lips could curl up completely, she caught Yuan Zhaoxu throwing her a smile.
He moved suddenly.
His movement was extremely fast and powerful, like an avalanche, making the storm in the background seem even more majestic. The grass beneath started to rustle and was quickly uplifted, forming stacks of walls to intercept the incoming net.