For where they were running to, the forest was getting thicker. Luo Yang and Wan Qiang, at this point, were sure that they were up to a lead. Their swords wasted no time to swipe through the multitude of branches sticking like skeleton arms.
Wu Huan was also running behind concentrating harder on the voices which had magically become silent the moment they had started running.
Their lamps were extinguished just in case it was the enemy so he could only follow the hurried lumps of figures, his heart beating in his chest.
And suddenly, he was snatched.
Something cut through the inner skin of his neck.
But, as soon as that happened, it has stopped no sooner because Wan Qiang has come to rescue him with her flying kick.
Wu Huan and the enemy flew back a few feet together and then came Luo Yang's voice. "Hua'er?"
"..."Wan Qiang glared intensely into the dark figure flustered.
The sword at Wu Huan's neck didn't move but the person was frozen in his spot. Needless to say, Wu Huan was quick to turn over and grabbed him in place afraid that he would wheeze away almost subconsciously.
"W-what the?" It was a hoarse voice. And definitely not Shi Lihua's.
It was Wu Huan's turn to freeze.
"Yin...Yin Fan?" Wan Qiang sounded so squeaky and weird.
[Yin Fan?]
"Yin Fan!?" Luo Yang yelled, storming pass Wan Qiang. "What the hell?"
"Let me go first," he growled.
Wu Huan dropped his hands immediately from shock and he stabbed his sword to the ground to hold himself up. What had he done? He didn't even have the face to apologize.
"Young master, what are you doing here?"
The so-called young master looked at Wan Qiang, "I should be asking you, Qiang Qiang. What are Taohua disciples doing here in my Sect's territory?"
[Qiang Qiang?]
They looked at each other. Wan Qiang spoke up, "We stumbled across a murder scene down the road and thought of searching for the killer. Have young master perhaps found out too?"
"It's obvious." He not-so-nicely glared at Luo Yang who mirrored the same action back. "You're looking for Shi Lihua?"
Luo Yang's pupils widen but he quickly concealed his face. "Why would we? He's at Taohua managing affairs while Master Cui is in isolation."
Yin Fan turned his attention to the young man near his side, his face was a mixture of disgust and suspicion. "Who is this guy?"
"I'm Wu Huan, a junior disciple of Lai Yun Peak."
Embarrassed face and an awkward posture. Must be nobody important.
"Get out of here. This is Yin Dragon Sect's affair. No outsiders should get themselves involved."
There was no words to be exchanged. Once Wan Qiang bowed fair well and obediently turned the other way, the other two followed. Everything felt too wrong. And in a situation like that, just followed the leader.
They finally found their way back to the crime scene. Wu Huan was dying to speak after feeling that the heavy air has lifted. "That was really nasty of him. I think he might have figured out about Shixiong. His face said it all."
"So what if he finds out? Even if it was really Shi Lihua, I doubt he can do anything. I don't doubt the cunning rascal is up to something shady."
Wan Qiang didn't speak but her eyes never strayed away from where they just came from. It grazed over the distance and it didn't go unnoticed.
"That's right. What was that back there? Did you get possessed? How were you so..." Luo Yang trailed off from the glare. She seemed like she knew the questions were coming so she hurried to leave, disappearing into the dark with her red rope like a lady in the forest you never wanted to encounter.
The two men were reluctant but they came back to the inn and rested till daylight. In the afternoon, Wan Qiang took them to visit the Yin Dragon Sect to pay formalities, or else the disciples of Taohua would be frowned upon.
The Sect was nothing like Taohua. To be fair, no Sect could be compared to Taohua when it came to the interior or the atmosphere. Wu Huan has heard the story before; Taohua was criticized seldom for its laidback nature in contrast to the strict and rigid manner to what most felt like the finest way to cultivate disciples. The ancestors had continued to defend their nature for generations. For the creator of Taohua was known for his unforceful and carefree mannerism; his dreams and ideals were that to create a place where people can find discipline with the independence of the mind and soul at the same time.
Hence, the Sect's motto: Disciplined and independent.
Such simple words but Wu Huan was afraid it might have been too idealistic for someone such as himself. To be trained with discipline and respect for traditions, but have a mind of your own to stand up for yourself and your beliefs that may go against traditions.
Had Shi Lihua achieved this?
Yin Dragon Sect gave off the impression that the sky would crack and fat raindrops would shower the ground from days to nights. He wondered if it were the sinister-looking dragon embellishments on almost everything there.
Sect leader Yin was a quiet man. He would remind Wu Huan of someone who was constantly distracted by his own thoughts. When they had greeted him, his eyes had barely grazed the faces of the young disciples. No questions, nothing. Just a nod.
The three were told to follow disciples to their assigned guest rooms.
At night, they sat together on a round table in the courtyard.
"Should we leave tomorrow to Tian Jao mountain? He HAS to go there at some point."
Wu Huan was quiet but he agreed. He had hoped to stay longer for the news of last night but he had a strong feeling they would never hear of it again.
"We're staying here. And I'll be writing to master for permission."
Luo Yang gaped, "Why? And do we even need permission to stay another night? Listen-"
"Not permission to stay. Permission to investigate."