Chapter 132: Something Happened

“Excuse me,” Su He muttered, then his form dissolved into a stream of light as he headed south.

Suddenly, Mo Ruyuan, carrying his sword, silently followed him, moving so fluidly between rises and falls that he left no trace.

When they reached the southern edge and descended, it became clear that the incident had occurred in a small village.

The village was modest, with about fifty to sixty residents.

Yet at this moment, all lay dead.

Su He was about to enter when Yi Qingchen emerged from a farmhouse.

“Miss Yi, so you’re here after all?”

Seeing it was him, Yi Qingchen hurried forward. “Did you come from that direction? Have you seen a group of mysterious figures in black?”

“No,” Su He replied, his gaze sweeping over the corpses in the courtyard. He stepped forward to examine them. “Miss Yi, when did you arrive here? And who are these black-clad figures?”

With that, he bent down to carefully inspect the wounds on each body.

Examining one, then another; finishing one household before moving to the next.

Yi Qingchen followed closely behind until he straightened and said, “I haven’t been here long either.”

Su He asked, “How did you get here, Miss Yi?” He glanced toward the inn—quite a distance to cover on foot.

“I had no intention to sleep, so I sat and waited while reading. Suddenly, I saw a shadow flicker outside the window and chased after it.

The person was incredibly fast, and I lost their trail beyond the village outskirts.

Then I heard screams from the village. Before I could enter, I saw a group of mysterious black-clad people emerge from a farmhouse and scatter outward.

I chased for several miles but couldn't catch them. Turning back, I found everyone in the village already dead.

That’s what you see now.”

Su He nodded, his brow furrowing slightly. He grabbed a handful of wild grass to wipe his hands. “This area falls under the King's City jurisdiction. Help will arrive soon. Since you reached here first, Miss Yi, did you discover anything?”

“I…” Yi Qingchen had yet to answer when a sudden white light flared behind them, illuminating the surroundings as if it were midday.

Turning, they saw rows of armored guards escorting a man. On closer inspection, he bore some resemblance to Xian Ge Yue, though appearing more mature and composed.

Before the man spoke, the lead guard barked, “Seize them.”

Without a chance to protest, they were captured.

Yi Qingchen, being a woman and disliking being touched, immediately pushed away the two guards holding her, scolding, “How dare you!”

The lead guard, named Zhou Yi, a protector of the Brave King, scowled at her defiance. “How bold! To meet His Highness without bowing and then speak so arrogantly—clearly, you two are no good.

I suspect the massacre at Little Zhou Village was your doing.”

His accusation enraged both Yi Qingchen and, despite his usual calm, Su He felt a genuine flare of anger.

“Sir, do you have evidence to back your claims? If not, how can you so easily slander us, especially as you serve His Highness?

Tell me, is this your personal vendetta, or an order from the prince?”

The Brave King had initially planned to watch from afar, to see how the situation unfolded and whether these two were implicated.

But unexpectedly, the fire of suspicion had now leapt to him.

Yet he remained unshaken; though lacking the extraordinary talents of his younger brother, he was bold and meticulous—qualities that entrusted him with the city’s security.

He gave Zhou Yi a signal to step back and said, “Please do not take offense. I apologize on his behalf for any rudeness.

But before that, there are some questions I must ask. If I speak improperly, I ask for your forgiveness.”

---

Su He exchanged a glance with Yi Qingchen. “Your Highness, may I ask which son of the Sovereign you are?”

“I am the Brave King.”

“So it is His Highness. I am Baili Su He, I apologize for any discourtesy.” He then introduced Yi Qingchen. “This young lady is the newly appointed head of the Shuxing Tower. If she has offended you, please forgive her.”

The Brave King smiled. “Not at all.” Then he instructed Zhou Yi, “Take your men to inspect the scene and then bring the bodies to the coroner.”

Though displeased, Zhou Yi efficiently organized his men.

“Two of you, may I have a word?” the Brave King said.

Su He nodded, and the three stepped out of Little Zhou Village.

They walked along a fishpond lined with willow trees. The night breeze stirred the leaves, brushing lightly against their faces, adding a chill.

The Brave King brushed aside a willow branch and said as they walked, “I’ve heard of the Baili family. Miss Yi, you are a heroine among women.

It is an honor to meet you.”

Yi Qingchen remained silent; Su He replied, “Your Highness is too kind.”

“I heard you two were staying at the Wang Yun Inn, but in the dead of night you both left. Why?”

“To be honest, Su He and I were resting at the inn. But we were disturbed and led here. We arrived just moments before Your Highness.”

“Oh? Do you know who led you out?”

“The one who led Su He was Mo Ruyuan of the Spring and Autumn Hanmo Sect. As for Miss Yi, we left separately, so I cannot answer.”

The Brave King nodded, believing his words. Since entering the city, he had kept an eye on the Wang Yun Inn to prevent these high-ranking individuals from causing havoc or destroying the city.

Though Su He’s side remained trouble-free, this remote Little Zhou Village had suffered first.

He studied Yi Qingchen closely. She had a reputation, and meeting her confirmed it—she was indeed exceptional.

Yet...

Though still harboring some anger, Yi Qingchen restrained herself and said, “I chased a man in dark clothing beyond the village but lost his trail.”

“So no one can vouch for your innocence?” the Brave King asked.

Her face darkened with helplessness. “No.”

The entire village had been slaughtered; where could proof be found?

“That complicates matters. We may have to ask for your cooperation.” The Brave King suddenly stopped, implying detention.

Su He frowned. “Is there no leniency?”

The Brave King stood with composed dignity, a grace no one else could imitate.

“Mr. Baili, please rest assured. We only ask Miss Yi to stay at Ruijin Palace for a few days, with me personally attending. She will be treated with respect.

If the coroner finds her unrelated, she will be sent back to the Wang Yun Inn.”

Su He looked to Yi Qingchen, seeking her thoughts.

At that moment, Zhou Yi approached. The Brave King noticed a flicker in Yi Qingchen’s eyes and turned to him. “Is everything handled?”

“Yes. We searched nearby. Only footprints belonging to this young lady and the victims were found. As for him,” Zhou Yi glanced at Su He and then Yi Qingchen with lingering hostility, “his footprints appear only where we met and near two houses. No others.”

Though begrudging, Zhou Yi’s words indirectly confirmed the Brave King’s suspicions: Baili Su He’s involvement was limited to sect grievances, unrelated to this case.

Recalling Yang Yun’s earlier words, the Brave King felt a weight in his chest.

It would be easy to summon Yi Qingchen to Ruijin Palace, but the difficulty lay in her status—not just an ordinary immortal, but head of Shuxing Tower, backed by the vigilant Lord Qi.

Lord Qi was fiercely protective; if he learned Yi Qingchen was detained in the palace, it would be hard to appease him.

As he pondered, Su He asked, “Sergeant Zhou, how can you be certain these are the young lady’s footprints and not others’? If mistaken, wouldn’t that damage our relations?”

Su He’s doubt was understandable. Yi Qingchen had said a group of mysterious people emerged from the houses. If her footprints were found, theirs should have been too.

Yet Zhou Yi said none were found. How could Su He not be suspicious?

Zhou Yi replied coldly, “The public security has its methods. Must I report everything to you?”

“Sergeant Zhou, no offense meant. It’s just that Miss Yi said she saw a group of mysterious black-clad people emerge, and heard screams.

If her footprints were found, shouldn’t theirs also be detected? Why is only Miss Yi suspected?”

The Brave King frowned and asked Yi Qingchen, “Miss Yi, is this true?”

She sighed softly. “Yes. I chased for several miles but lost them. Then I searched the village for survivors. You have seen the result—none survived.”

She then said to Zhou Yi, “If you doubt, you can find my footprints a few miles from here.”

The Brave King glared at Zhou Yi. “Go see for yourself.”

Though annoyed, Zhou Yi led men to the spot Yi Qingchen indicated. They found the prints and compared them. His expression darkened.

“Boss, she isn’t lying. Could we have made a mistake?”

Another said, “Yes, the two footprints match perfectly.”

Zhou Yi glanced at the prints, displeased. Remembering Yi Qingchen’s words, he said nothing and returned to report.

Upon hearing the report, the Brave King’s brow furrowed deeply.

If so, they had no solid reason to detain Yi Qingchen. Yet after the investigation, suspicion against her was strong.

Releasing her outright was also problematic.

Zhou Yi, having served him for years, understood his mood. Seeing the king troubled, he said, “Your Highness, these two sets of footprints prove nothing. How do we know she’s not cunningly fabricating this to mislead us?

She claims mysterious black-clad people, but how do we know she’s not making it up to escape guilt?”

He paused, then looked at Su He. “You say you can vouch for her, but you two are accomplices. How can your words be trusted? Most importantly, who can prove you two?”

Su He wanted to argue but was stopped by Zhou Yi’s rebuke and fell silent.

Zhou Yi was right—who could prove them?

Rarely did impatience show on Yi Qingchen’s brow, but now a flicker of irritation and displeasure appeared.

The Brave King’s eyes shifted, and he quickly smoothed things over.

Though the situation was unfavorable, Zhou Yi had no right to shout at her.

“Miss Yi, please don’t be angry. Listen to me.”

He gestured to Zhou Yi. “He is from Little Zhou Village and has known the villagers for years.

Naturally, he is unsettled by their deaths and speaks sharply.

Miss Yi, being a victim herself, should understand his feelings.”

Then he commanded Zhou Yi, “Wait for the coroner’s report before judging right or wrong. Now come apologize to Miss Yi.”

Though he understood the Brave King’s intention, Zhou Yi’s pride would not permit it.

He refused to apologize.

The atmosphere instantly grew tense and heavy.