Chapter 166: Senior Brother, The Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell
Inside a room, Li Longling sat before a desk, feeding millet to her young phoenix spirit beast while listening to a mansion guard’s report. Xiao Yunluo was still beside her, helping out.
“Two nights ago, the Jiang Mansion in Du Chun City was robbed and then suddenly caught fire. Young Master Jiang Yu and his wife, Pei Lianxue, both perished in the blaze.”
Both women, who had been previously focused on their desks, looked up in shock upon hearing this.
Li Longling remained relatively calm, but Xiao Yunluo beside her couldn’t help but slam the table and stand up, confirming, “Wh-wh-what?! What did you say? How could this happen… Why didn’t you report this yesterday?!”
“This…” The mansion guard, looking apprehensive, quickly nodded and replied, “We thought Lord Li was busy with affairs recently, so we planned to report it together after the matter was investigated.”
Seeing Xiao Yunluo’s face turn pale, Li Longling gently patted her shoulder, signaling her to calm down.
Xiao Yunluo looked at her expression and, after a moment, calmed down. She pinched her nose. That’s right, how could it be true? It must be Ye Anping and Lian Xue’s plan for the golden cicada to shed its shell. How could they possibly die at the hands of thieves…
“Continue,” Li Longling said calmly, raising her hand to signal. “The details?”
“Yes, we had the coroner examine them. Jiang Yu and Madam Pei had been stabbed twenty-five times and died on the spot. The thieves then dumped their bodies on the bedding in their bedroom and deliberately knocked over the candles, setting the room ablaze. The servants inside were already asleep, and by the time they realized what was happening, the fire had already spread…”
“And the thieves?”
“We found their bodies in the mountains, five in total, with cultivation levels ranging from Qi Refining Completion to Mid Foundation Establishment. They usually worked as a group. Based on the traces at the scene, we deduced it was an internal conflict due to unequal distribution of spoils. A small portion of the stolen goods was recovered, but most of it was taken by the last survivor.”
“What was his name?”
“He should be called Wang Hushan. He was originally part of the group of five thieves. They were bandits from Mount Yuhu in Xi Province, accustomed to robbing people. Both rogue cultivators and disciples from many sects had been robbed by them. It seems these people learned about the Demonic cultivators in Chi Long Mansion and came from the neighboring Xi Province specifically to find work.”
Li Longling found herself inexplicably wanting to laugh upon hearing this. Senior Ye’s methods were just like those of people who had been in the black market for years. She couldn’t imagine the seemingly gentle and upright Senior Ye coming up with such a somewhat “dirty” plan.
But then again, Senior Ye’s move not only allowed him to shed his shell but also left her a gift. Xi Province. Xi Province was right next to Chi Long Mansion and was actually in competition with it, neither giving way to the other. But after this incident, she could righteously take advantage of Xi Province.
Coincidentally, Xi Province had sent a letter a few days ago, sarcastically offering congratulations to her as the new Mansion Lord. Although the letter, at first glance, expressed regret and sorrow for Chi Long Mansion’s encounter with Demonic cultivators, the word “blind” was mentioned at least thirty times, making her extremely uncomfortable. Hmph…
Li Longling pondered for a moment, then frowned and said, “Send Commander Zhou with the mansion guards to Xi Province and demand an explanation. The bandits from Mount Yuhu are already entangled with those in Xi Province. Young Master Jiang and his Dragon Slaying Society were meritorious in dealing with the aftermath of this demonic cultivator chaos. This matter cannot end here!”
“Yes!” The mansion guard bowed, then turned and left.
After she left, Xiao Yunluo frowned, still looking worried. “Junior Sister Li, it can’t be Ye Anping and the others, right? How could they…”
Li Longling covered her mouth and smiled, retorting, “Senior Sister Xiao, do you have so little faith in Senior Ye?”
“It’s not that I don’t have faith, it’s just…” Xiao Yunluo pouted and, after a moment’s thought, complained, “He could have come and told us first! Hearing something like this suddenly, how could those who care about him not worry? I bet if I tell Junior Sister Feng later, she’ll rush straight to the coroner… Always doing whatever he wants, never telling anyone anything…”
“Hah–” Li Longling shrugged, watching Senior Sister Xiao’s childish display of temper. She found it surprisingly childlike. She had only heard her voice before and thought Senior Sister Xiao was a very reliable elder sister. But now, seeing that she was half a head shorter than herself, she felt she was more like a dependable younger sister.
Just then, another maidservant entered. “Miss, the Young Miss of Moon Shadow Sword Sect and her junior brother are here to see you.”
“Hm?” Li Longling was momentarily stunned. After thinking for a moment, she stood up from her seat, carrying her young phoenix spirit beast, and walked out. “I’ll go out and meet them.”
“Yes…” Li Longling was no longer as timid as when she met Yun Xi last time, needing Xiao Yunluo to support her. She strode out of the Main Hall’s door, but intentionally closed her eyes, pretending not to see.
Yun Xi, who was waiting outside, bowed first out of courtesy when she saw Li Longling emerge, then greeted her with a smile, “Young Master Li, you have trouble with your eyes, why did you come out? Couldn’t we just come in?”
Li Longling looked at Yun Xi’s respectful bow, quite surprised. Yun Xi didn’t seem to treat her as a blind person or treat her perfunctorily. Her bow was very standard. However, the “junior brother” behind her was not so good. Although he bowed, it seemed somewhat perfunctory.
Li Longling hesitated for a moment and asked, “Young Master Yun, your accent is…”
“Official speech… In formal occasions, I have to speak like this… What? You don’t understand?”
“I know, but it always feels a bit strange.”
“Then I’ll switch back.” Yun Xi smiled. “We’ve come to ask if Young Master Li has considered our proposal. And also, do you have any news about my brother and sister?”
Li Longling smiled and shook her head. “Young Master Yun, I appreciate your kindness, but I’m afraid I cannot agree to the request in that Jade Slip. Chi Long Mansion is, after all, the only thing my father left me.”
“Is that so?” Yun Xi shrugged, not surprised, and took out a jewelry box from her Storage Bag. “It seems Young Master Li already has a plan to deal with it? I guess this was unnecessary, but if Young Master Li ever faces any difficulties, you can always send me a letter. These are a pair of Empty Mountain Jade bracelets, just as a token of friendship.”
Li Longling hesitated for a moment before reaching out to accept.
Then, Yun Xi asked again, “What about my brother and the others? Have you found them?”
Li Longling paused and replied, “I found the two people Young Master Yun mentioned, but they have already left Chi Long Mansion and their whereabouts are unknown.”
Yun Xi furrowed her brows, examining Li Longling’s expression. “Sister Li, this matter is very important, you wouldn’t trick me, would you?”
“Every word is the truth. They left without saying goodbye.”
“Alright, then we won’t stay long. Moon Shadow Sword Sect sent a letter a few days ago, asking me to return quickly.”
“Mm, be careful on your way. And also…” Li Longling turned to face Yun Xi’s junior brother and smiled, “Esteemed senior, in formal occasions, I still suggest that you don’t be so perfunctory when bowing.”
Upon hearing this, the junior brother paused slightly, then his eyes widened in surprise. “Ah? This…”
Yun Xi also paused and then reacted, looking at the young phoenix on Li Longling’s shoulder, she suddenly understood. “So that’s how it is…”
“Yeah, Sister Yun, your clothes look so grand.”
“Hah– Fine, fine. If Sister Li has time to visit me in the future, I’ll treat you to hot pot. We won’t stay any longer.”
Yun Xi bowed again, waved her hand, and then turned, leading her junior brother down the steps and leaving.
After they were long gone, Li Longling let out a soft sigh and looked towards the west, murmuring, “Hundred Lotus Sect… I must visit there sometime.”
… …
