Chapter 079: A New Discovery

Xue Ze let out a sigh, tinged with sorrow. “Though these people were condemned prisoners, to have their lives drained in such a way is pitiful. This place is well-ventilated and filled with light, but the corpses are already decaying and cannot be carried out. Perhaps I should deal with them myself?”

“That would certainly be an act of kindness!”

Xue Ze nodded. In truth, beyond comforting the departed souls, she also wished to probe the truth behind all this. Only by cremating or freezing the bodies could the stench be removed and further clues found.

She cast the spell her master had taught her for a long while, but nothing happened; she tried to use her ice and snow techniques to freeze the place, yet not even the corpses responded.

Faced with this, Xue Ze was taken aback, looking at her own hands in confusion and fear.

“Miss, there’s no need to fret. I’ve heard that disciples from Tianshan lose most of their magical power when they descend the mountain—barely one-tenth remains. Perhaps you simply cannot wield such advanced techniques right now. Why not consider another approach?”

Xue Ze shook her head. “The spell I just used is no less taxing than this one; why shouldn’t it work here?”

“You breached the thick wall with a single move—remarkable! That must have been a high-level technique. Perhaps…” Gao Hai hesitated, unsure how to comfort her, and said softly, “Perhaps you’re just a bit fatigued after so much spellcasting?”

“No, I feel perfectly fine!”

“Then… could it be that this place is too gloomy? Or perhaps the geomancy is colliding with your power?”

Xue Ze didn’t answer. She held her breath, quieting her mind to sense the energy here. “It’s not a matter of what I’ve learned, but rather the aura of this place is too strange—it’s blocking my magic…”

“Are you alright, miss?”

Opening her eyes, Xue Ze looked at Gao Hai and replied calmly, “I’m fine. Though I cannot cast spells here, my magical tools still obey me. Please step back, lest you be harmed by accident.”

“Alright!”

Gao Hai retreated several steps, and once again the familiar silver light shimmered.

In the cold wind, a silver needle darted through the air, brightening the space with its gleam. As the light spilled forth, dust swirled, and a chill set in. The glare was blinding, the swirling dust suffocating; Gao Hai could barely keep his eyes open and had to muster all his strength to stand his ground.

Gradually, the spinning dust thickened and settled, falling to the ground and forming a smooth, round clod of earth.

Seeing this, Gao Hai couldn’t resist stepping forward to glimpse the silver needle more clearly. In a flash, the icy wind pushed him back, its sharpness tossing his hair and blowing away the gauze scarf he wore, which vanished into the wind.

Startled, Gao Hai realized he hadn’t smelled the expected odor; instead, the air was thick with dust and the faint tang of scorched paper.

“What’s that smell?” Gao Hai straightened his clothes and stood up; the cold wind had stilled.

He walked to Xue Ze’s side, astonished by the scene before him. “Where are those people?”

“They’re sealed in this bottle. Their deaths were unjust, and their souls have not yet dispersed. Had we come any later, we would not have found mere corpses.”

Gao Hai shuddered, eyes wide. “Their souls linger? Would they have become vengeful spirits?”

Xue Ze laughed as she spoke. “Indeed. Thankfully, you called for an investigation, or the palace would have become a haunt of restless ghosts.”

“Truly, you have my deepest thanks, miss. But why did the gauze scarf you gave me…”

“Oh, it’s nothing. It was merely an illusion. The foul air here is now sealed in earth and will dissipate in time; you have no further need of it. Let’s carefully inspect this place to see if we can find anything else.”

Gao Hai bowed his head, his heartbeat gradually steadying. “Miss… just now, you laughed at me—was it something I said or did that made me seem foolish? If so, please pardon me, and don’t tell the Emperor…”

“Why would I do that?” Xue Ze smiled serenely. “I only laughed because you seemed afraid of ghosts—what has that to do with the Emperor? Besides, we’ve only just met; why would I report you?”

Gao Hai paused, then gave an awkward smile. “As long as you’re not offended. This matter is of no concern to the Emperor; I only worried I might have failed in my duty and made you laugh at me. After all…”

“No need to say more. Let’s focus on the traces here.”

In the Bamboo Grove, a messenger dove flew into the house, landing on Celestial Master Qian Gui’s hand.

“A letter from Xue Ze?”

Qian Gui took the slip from the dove’s leg and read it carefully. Before she finished, Lan Shui entered.

Lan Shui glanced at the dove, then at the letter in Qian Gui’s hand. He couldn’t help but ask, “Master, is that word from my junior sister?”

“Yes, it is!” Qian Gui said no more, finishing the letter before passing it to Lan Shui, then sitting down in meditation.

Lan Shui took the letter with anticipation and read:

Master, all is well with Xue Ze; please do not worry. Last night, there was a strange smell in the Imperial Garden. I went to investigate and encountered a female ghost, whom I have subdued. This morning, by order of the Empress Dowager, I went to the forbidden mountain, escorted by imperial guards. All is well. The forbidden ground is indeed mysterious; the cave has changed and now contains more traps. Inside, the corpses are decayed, and the souls remain unquiet. I have sealed them in a bottle. The air is strange here, with traces of fire and lingering masculine energy. It seems the monster was cultivating here, and though it was alone, it had an accomplice. My magic works freely outside, but here only my ice needle can be used—and I have learned how to wield it, which is good. Still, the strangeness of this place troubles me. I hope, Master, you will consider it and offer guidance!

“Master, what do you make of this?”

Qian Gui shook her head. “Go give medicine to Lianzi. I will ponder this matter.”

“Yes!”

Lan Shui took the medicine box into the secret chamber, where Ji Lin and Lianzi were chatting and laughing.

“Senior brother is here!”

“Senior brother, finally! This Lianzi—”

“Don’t say it!” Lianzi clapped a hand over Ji Lin’s mouth.

Lan Shui smiled at them, handing the medicine to Ji Lin. “Prepare it and bring it here.”

“Senior brother, do you have news of our senior sister?”

“I do.” Lan Shui considered. “Take your medicine first, then I’ll tell you.”

“After nearly dying, must you two always treat me like this? Can’t you just be direct?”

Lan Shui was taken aback. “What have we done to you?”

“You won’t tell me about senior sister, and second brother keeps teasing me!”

“I’ll tell you in a moment—after you get well, so you don’t let Xue Ze down. Don’t forget how she risked everything to save you, using her artifact to heal you first. If you don’t recover, how can you face her?”

Lianzi’s heart softened, her worries fading. “Of course I know that—she and I are soul sisters! I’ll take my medicine, don’t worry!”

“Then do your best to recover before she returns, so she won’t be upset. By the way, you said your second brother was teasing you? How so?”

Lianzi’s smile vanished. She glared at Ji Lin, who was preparing the medicine. “It’s nothing—just a grudge between us. I’ll settle it when I’m well.”

Lan Shui seemed to understand and reminded Lianzi calmly, “In the Bamboo Grove, seniority is respected. Don’t bully your second brother.”

Ji Lin immediately put down his work and laughed. “At last, senior brother is on my side, haha!”

“Senior brother, you—”

Lan Shui smiled. “If you don’t tell me what happened, I can only follow the rules.”

Ji Lin finished the medicine and handed it to Lianzi, whispering, “If you want senior brother’s help, it’s not hard. Just tell him about you and Feng Xing, and he’ll surely care about you!”

“What?” Lan Shui caught the hint of a secret, his expression growing serious. “What is going on between you and Feng Xing?”

Lianzi shook her head in panic and looked away. “Nothing, senior brother, don’t listen to his nonsense!”

Lan Shui looked at Ji Lin, then back at Lianzi. “To fall for a mortal is a grave offense. Don’t risk yourself!”

“Oh, senior brother!” Lianzi could say no more, only sighing. She turned to Ji Lin and shouted, “Second brother, explain yourself!”

“Alright, alright, you’re not well, so I won’t provoke you anymore!” Ji Lin laughed, sitting down and explaining to Lan Shui, “While I was taking care of Lianzi, I heard her talking in her sleep—listing off many names: Xue Ze, Celestial Master Qing Lian, Master Yu, our teacher, you, me… and Feng Xing!”

“So?” Lan Shui pondered, replying calmly, “She was recalling everyone she’s met. What’s strange about that?”

“Yes, except she wasn’t just recalling!” Ji Lin chuckled, glancing at Lianzi. “Other names she said once and moved on, but with Feng Xing, she went on and on, laughing and muttering. What do you think that means?”

Lan Shui looked at Lianzi and saw a flush rise to her cheeks, so he looked away.

“You two love to joke, but you must know your limits. If master hears about this, it won’t end well. Behave yourselves. Ji Lin, make sure she takes her medicine. I’ll go ask about Xue Ze’s situation.”