Several thousand li away, smoke curled upward over towering pagodas, mountain ranges, and rivers. Spiritual platforms perched atop peaks, while cascading springs filled the air with rich spiritual energy
Atop a mountain peak stood a grand hall. Jade statues lined the entrance, their polished surfaces reflecting the bright sunlight. The pillars covered in ornate gold carvings of canines and dragons.
A lone disciple sprints towards the hall, the hidden guards stationed along the mountain cast him a glance of indifference. In the territory of an elder, no one could climb up a mountain without tacit approval of it's master. Their master's overwhelming power had long instilled reverence and fear in all.
The disciple, fear in his eyes threw open the doors. "Erin is dead".
He fishes out a broken piece of jade. Each soul jade contained a fragmemt of its owner soul, shattering upon their death. The sect required every disciple to register one before leaving it's grounds.
Today had been like any other other. He was inspecting the soul jades and thinking up ways to impress his new wife when he had been jolted from his lecherous daydreams.
Initially, he'd assumed it was a foolhardy disciple, desperate to get ahead, who had ventured into uncharted territories. Instead, it was Erin's.
"Oh really?". A low voice echoed in the Hall, sending a chill down the disciple's spine.
Erin was the son of the Grand Elder's, who is currently in seclusion. The Grand Elder pampered his talentless son, excusing all his actions. Only in such debauchery could someone malicious enough to earn the title "Blood moon" be raised. If the Grand Elder learned of this, heads would roll and rivers of blood would stretch far.
Long Wei frowned, though he feared no one -not even the Grand Elder. When the Grand Elder leaves seclusion, there would need to be An explanation. If the Grand Elder erupted, even his master wouldn't be able to contain him.
"Does anyone know about this?" Long Wei's tone was cold, calculated.
"No, I'm the only one in charge".
"Did Erin state where he was going?"
"I'm just an ordinary disciple, he wouldn't share his plans with me". The truth was, he wouldn't dare ask. Stories of what befell those who questioned Erin's whims were well-known throughout the sect.
"Did you hear anything suspicious?" Long Wei wasn't fooled. Ordinary disciples were infamous for being information brokers, quietly observing and collecting scraps of knowledge.
The disciple hesitated before answering."He took leave to visit the Endless Forest".
Long Wei's face darkened, the Endless Forest lay near the mines under the sect's control. Could a dispute have arisen? Considering Erin's nature, had he pissed off the wrong person?
Erin was well-versed in the arts of poison, and with the protective treasures he had, even without a strong power level, he wasn't an easy opponent.
"Did anyone of importance recently go to the mines ?"
"Your Eminence, Yang Yi, the elite disciple was exiled to the mines".
Yang Yi.
Long Wei's expression remained unreadable, though the name rang a bell. Yang Yi, he had been exiled after he had moved against his master's latest disciple.
Erin had gone down to the Endless Forest, near the mines. Yang Yi had been exiled there, could he have dared to kill Erin?
No, Yang Yi wasn't that reckless. he knew the consequences. Exile would be a mercy compared to the Grand Elder's wrath.
Long Wei waved the worker away, ignoring his bows and murmured thanks. For a moment, the hall is silent until a shadow formed.
"Kill him, his family, and anyone who saw him leave or enter".
Long Wei tapped his fingers against the jade armrest, his mind racing. If the Grand Elder erupted, the sect could fracture, undoing years of careful planning.No, this had to be contained at any cost
"Go down the mountain, find Yang Yi". He commanded. "Find out what happened, kill a thousand if you must, but let no one escape". He
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"Elite disciple Yang Yi".
The voice sent a shiver down Yang Yi's spine. He looked up, his stomach sinking. A figure lounged on a throne, behind the throne, the supervisory elder stood trembling, hands visibly shaking.
"Greet His Eminence, Lord Ayong". The Elder roared.
Yang Yi bowed. Ayong. One of Long Wei's henchmen. What was he doing here?
"Do you know where Erin is?". Ayong asked, blowing a strand of hair out of his eyes with an air of casual indifference.
"No".
The room stilled. A burst of crushing aura erupted from Ayong, forcing the supervisory elder to stagger backwards. Yang Yi's knees buckled, sweat beading on his brow as pressure mounted.
"Don't lie to me". Yang Yi grits his teeth, his body trembling as the oppressive force bore down on him.
"Erin is dead". Ayong said finally.
Yi felt the strength leave him, tumbling to the ground. If Erin is dead, and Ayong is here, does that mean they thought he did it?
Does Long Wei think he did it? Or did Ayong? If it's Ayong, he could survive but if it's Long Wei? Next year would be the anniversary of his death.
"I didn't have anything to do with it". Yang Yi blurted. "He lived in the Endless Forest. Always in his chambers, performing experiments".
"Why did you have people watching him?"
A severed head rolled to his feet. Yang Yi's stomach churned, one of his death guards. He swallowed the bile rising in his throat and steadied his voice. "I was curious, nothing more. I wouldn't dare move against Erin. "
Without enough power at least, Ayong knew that. If not for Erin's special identity, Yang Yi would have killed him the moment he arrived.
"I can take you there". Yang Yi offered, his voice barely a whisper.
"Go, bring me back back the body".
Yang Yi retreated from the room, beads of sweat rolling down his back. Damn that fool Erin! Couldn't he have stayed put instead of getting himself killed?"