Jin appeared beside Wuyi, likely waiting for the tension to dissipate.
Wuyi sensed an unsettling aura before Jin revealed what he held, a triangular-shaped tallic sothing wrapped in enchanted paper of so sort. Jin had enchanted the paper to hold the thing.
"I found this in her back," Jin said, revealing the thing in the enchanted paper. It looked like a grotesque version of an arrow, carved with thorns and darkened with blood.
"A curse-bane arrow," Jin identified.
Wuyi had seen it in the past, and it was generally used by demonic archers.
Wuyi held the object briefly. "So, what are we looking at?" he asked, feigning indifference. Most of the ti, before others could explain things to Wuyi, the statue of knowledge would figure out things for Wuyi. Not to disclose his well-kept secret, Wuyi pretended to be curious about things and would ask questions.
"She was struck in the back with this curse-bane while still alive. Then her face was torn away," Jin said, his eyes narrowing.
Wuyi nodded and returned the object to Jin. The mont it left his hand, he felt a sense of relief for so reason. Even though his hands were covered with Qi, they itched where the thorns had pricked him, as if tainted by so malevolent energy. But the relief was not because he disliked the energy. He could feel that the statue of shadow liked this energy in the curse-bane arrow.
His two statues, Valor and Shadow, preferred devouring demonic beings compared to righteous ones. If righteous beings were a humble al for the statues, then demonic beings were like spicy feasts.
"Curious," Wuyi mused at the arrow. iying was observing him closely, noting his every reaction.
" Won and their keen senses", he thought.
Her smile elicited a smile from him in return. The tension in the garden seed to lift.
Wuyi asked them to stay alert; with a monster-aided murderer on the loose, staying alert was imperative.
Wuyi approached his horse. Yun Ming joined him. "That woman is a problem," Yun Ming comnted.
"As is Baijian," Wuyi retorted.
"No other group would have accepted her," Yun Ming frowned.
Wuyi glanced at him. "Co now, Yun Ming. Who else would take Baijian? He's more dangerous to his own than any demonic cultivator."
Yun Ming looked away. "I don't trust her. Also, she is too obsessed with you."
"I understand. Let's move," Wuyi said, opting to mount his horse without any theatrics. "Your distrust stems from her being a woman, or that she doesn't listen to you either?" he added, placing his foot in the stirrup.
He leapt into the saddle. Yun Ming took his position in the formation.
Wuyi noticed Jia watching them. "Sothing on your mind, young Jia?" he inquired.
"What was that object, Young Master?" Jia, being his personal attendant, had the privilege to ask questions.
Wuyi pondered for a mont. "A curse-bane arrow. The victim was a high-ranking pavilion elder," he finally said. "Until soone shot her in the back with it."
"An elder? Of the Pavilion? Who could have done this? Are you suggesting that even beasts have demonic cultivators as allies? We are facing demonic beasts and warriors both?" Jia asked, astonished.
"It's all part of the job, kid," Wuyi nodded. "Stay close."
He guided his horse around the courtyard, aligning the shattered front door with the garden entrance. He looked over his shoulder multiple tis, contemplating the grim scene.
"Yuei!" Wuyi beckoned.
Yuei materialized. "What's the matter now?" he grumbled. Yuei, one of his warriors who joined Wuyi before the dungeon incident, had also beco a talented archer.
Over the years, Yuei had developed a personality. Being iying's subordinate for years, he disliked Baijian. The fact that Baijian, who joined after him, was given more value by Wuyi than him, really bothered Yuei.
Wuyi gestured towards the two doorways. "From what distance could you accurately shoot an arrow through the front door?"
"You an, through the entire house?" Yuei questioned. Wuyi nodded.
Yuei shook his head. "Not from a great distance. Any elevation and the arrow would hit the door fra." He squashed a bug he found on his cloak.
Their eyes t. "The archer would have to be close."
Wuyi nodded. "Jin!" he called out.
Jin was outside, examining a large reptilian footprint with his stick. "Yes, Young Master?"
"See if you and Yuei can find any traces at the back. Yuei will indicate where an archer might have positioned himself."
"Why always ? Let Tao handle it," Yuei muttered.
Wuyi's calm gaze settled on Yuei for a mont, making him wince.
Turning his horse, Wuyi sighed. "Join us as soon as you find the tracks," he instructed.
He signaled to Yun Ming. "We're heading to the fortress to et Lady Xueyan." With a gentle touch of his spurs, Haruki snorted and reluctantly moved forward into the rain.
The remainder of the journey along the Qinglian River towards the fort was uneventful. They finally stopped near a fortified bridge, overshadowed by the towering stronghold walls.
Linen tents sprouted like soiled white blossoms in the muddy field as Wuyi's pavilions were unloaded. Warriors began digging pits for camps, while various camp followers—ranging from craftsn to cooks—set up wooden barricades that served as temporary walls and towers.
The coachn, indispensable to any company, filled in the gaps with their wagons. Horse lines were established, and guards were posted.
The Yushan stronghold gatekeeper had firmly denied entry to any mbers of the Black Brotherhood.
This was expected, and the group was already assessing the wall's height and the feasibility of scaling it.
Two seasoned mbers of the brotherhood—Qian, the group's unofficial legal advisor, and Rui, who was always munching on sothing—stood near the camp's freshly built wooden gate, discussing the chances of mingling with the young female disciples of the Lotus Pavilion in their Sleeping Quarters.
Wuyi couldn't help but smile as he rode past them, acknowledging their salutes. He ascended the steep gravel path that led from the fortified town, winding through switchbacks until he reached the fortress's inner courtyard. Behind him, his banner bearer, and followers dismounted quietly, standing beside their steeds. Wuyi took off his brotherhood mask that he had put on.
Wuyi gave his mask to his Zhen, and another attendant carried his sword.
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