Hurriedly we reported back on the incident. "Master," Lin Jian bowed, his face drawn, "The accident at Jade falls... it was no mere mishap."
Master Xinyue's brow furrowed with concern, barely acknowledged Lin Jian's report before turning to me. "Tell me everything, child."
I recounted the events, my voice tight with the weight of the truth. A chill ran down my spine as Master Xinyue's gaze lingered on me, searching, questioning. "And who do you suspect, child?"
"I... I believe the culprit might be within our sect," I stammered, my words hesitant, my heart pounding.
A flicker of displeasure crossed his face. "Do not speak lightly of such matters, child. False accusations are a grave offense."
"Master hear me out," I protested, "The wounds on the bodies bore similar cuts of a weapon I once forged. Perhaps.." He placed a hand on my shoulder before I can finish, his touch gentle. "That's yet an assumption of yours. Before we make accusation, let me confirm it."
His gaze held a strange depth, a mixture of concern and something else, something I couldn't quite decipher. It was as if he was both protecting me and holding me back at the same time.
"Master," I pleaded, my voice catching, "Let me help. I will give you the truth."
He shook his head, his voice firm yet tinged with sadness. "You will do nothing of the sort. The investigation is in my hands. The truth will eventually come out, creating accusations will only create havoc, Yinuo." He said my name for the first time after years. He stopped calling me by my name at the age of 8 and had always called me "child", after taking me under his wings. Master adored and spoiled me in terms of food. I looked up to him as a parent and he treated me like his own, that is perhaps why, some is envious with me. I don't blame them, master is good and had always protected me.
"Child, promise me, you'll stay out of this? Alright?" he broke the silence. He was shielding me, yes, but from what? Just the dangers? Perhaps the truth? A knot of determination tightened within me. Master Xinyue might think he was protecting me, but I will find the truth, even if it meant going against his wishes. I would find the evidence, even if it meant I had to do so in secret.
I went back to my chambers, immersed at the situation, I crafted an approach when Lin Jian hove into the view of my window. "You! Don't sneak in like that, you can use the door!" my words with a mixture of anger, relief and surprise.
"Oh," he chuckled slightly knowing he scared me, " I wanted to be mysterious. Besides it's not appropriate for a junior to come at the seniors' quarters. Have you forgotten? I'm a junior, miss senior Yinuo. " He addressed sarcastically, leaning on the wall.
I paused at his point. Looked up at him, I hate to admit it but he had so much potential and is as talented as me, maybe even more, why isn't he a senior disciple yet? He's admitted and trained in our sect since he was 14 years old. Its been 6 years, it was enough time for him to reach senior level, some reached at a span of 5 years at most. Me, 8 years; our time at the sect doesn't define seniority, strength and power does. It took a lot of time for me but it's okay. I wasn't really bright as a child yet my passion and perseverance ushered to work hard until I got here.
"What? Are you really mad at me? I don't mean that, I just meant to tease you." he uttered, untangling his crossed arms, seemingly worried that I was mad at his remark?
"Did you find anything from your investigation?" I asked, my gaze now fixed on the flickering candle that illuminated the room. "That's it! I was worried for a second." he sat down across me, relieved. Somehow after the incident we had seen, we tried to actually work together, this time for real. Like me, he wanted the truth. So, before taking action, he told me his plan. I bought him time, I was the best candidate to distract my fellow seniors, and he investigated.
Lin Jian's face was etched with weariness as he talked "As I sneaked into the mortuary today, the body.." his voice hushed, "Such brutality it chilled me to the bone." Although we were cunning, we weren't evil.
"How can you say that?" I curiously asked.
He hesitated, then launched into a detailed account of his findings. He spoke of the intricate workings of the murderer and how the energy threads is derived from the body of the victims. For the most part, it was all quite mundane, devoid of any tangible leads.
"It seems that demons near the Jade falls are the culprit, else why would they need energy threads from humans?" Lin Jian concluded, his voice tinged with exasperation.
"I don't think so," I countered, my tone firm. "I believe the culprit is far more human than you think."
I outlined my own theory, the one that had been gnawing at me since the news of the murder reached us. My suspicions centered on Hua Lin, a senior swordswoman from the second faction of ranks. Her blade - a weapon that I crafted - bore a chilling resemblance to the wound on the victim's body.
Lin Jian listened intently, a flicker of understanding crossing his eyes. "What's your plan?"
"Find evidence." I said with determination.
"But getting closer to Hua Lin would mean crossing paths with the turf of the Shadow Walkers. I and you," he pointed at himself and me, "we are not Shadow Walkers! Even if your a senior, you can't just run around at their turf. Aren't they tight about that? We cannot risk it." he warned.
"I know," I sighed, the weight of our predicament heavy on my shoulders. "Which is why we need Yueqing." Yueqing was an old companion who brought me up, yet ever since he became a senior we drifted apart. He was a shadow walker, he can put our plans into action. "He's the only one who can possibly bridge the gap between us and Hua Lin. "
We spent the rest of the night strategizing. We needed Yueqing's help, with his connection to the Shadow Walkers it'll be easier for us to get to Hua Lin. It was a dangerous gamble but one that held on that chance .
"I'll go to Yueqing tomorrow," I declared, a resolute glint in my eyes. "I'll tell him everything. Hopefully, he will see the urgency in this."
Lin Jian nodded, his gaze filled with a strange mix of apprehension and worry. "You're...really something," he said, his voice a low murmur. The flickering candlelight cast long shadows on the wall, mirroring the darkness that loomed over our mission. But we were not daunted.