Chapter 474 - 407: Investigation

Chapter 474: Chapter 407: Investigation

A disciple’s hushed voice came from outside the door. "Reporting to the Supreme Elders and Elders, there is a man at the door asking to see you. He claims... he is Hua Wuxin."

The instant the voice faded, the expressions of the five people in the room all changed.

The pupils of the three Elders—Jian You, Sword Fear, and Sword Fool—contracted sharply.

Jiang Buyu’s finger, resting on his knee, twitched slightly.

The ethereal Sword Intent surrounding Ye Guhong solidified for a brief moment.

Five days.

They had searched Thunder Shock County for five whole days. The man they had nearly given up hope on had now come to them voluntarily on this rainy night.

Ye Guhong spoke coldly. "Jian You, you’ve seen him before. Go confirm his identity and bring him up."

"Yes."

A chill went down Jian You’s spine. He immediately accepted the command, pulled open the door, whispered a few instructions to the disciple, and headed downstairs.

The candlelight in the inn’s main hall was dim and yellow.

A slight, small figure stood in the doorway. A longsword was slung diagonally at his waist, its scabbard mottled and covered with dark red rust.

Rainwater dripped from his straw cloak, forming a small puddle at his feet.

Four Celestial Sword Sect disciples surrounded him, their hands resting on the hilts of their swords.

The visitor was, naturally, Hua Wuxin.

Several days ago, when the Celestial Sword Sect was creating a huge stir with their wide-scale search of Thunder Shock County Town, he had intended to make contact.

But he was being watched like a hawk by Gossip and Bai San. His cultivation had been completely sealed by Chen Li, and even the few ordinary poisons he had left on him were confiscated by Bai San and Gossip.

He couldn’t even find an opportunity to make a move, let alone leave by himself.

This had forced him to take a desperate risk, using aconite poison to stage his escape.

The moment he followed Jian You into the room, Hua Wuxin’s gaze swept rapidly across the interior.

Two elderly men sat there. Though they weren’t deliberately exuding any aura, their mere presence made them seem like two insurmountable mountains.

Two experts with the auras of Grandmasters stood respectfully to either side, in positions of lower rank.

A strange glint flashed through Hua Wuxin’s eyes, but inwardly, he was delighted.

’If even Grandmasters can only stand to the side, the status and power of these two men go without saying.’

’I had assumed the Celestial Sword Sect would send a few Elders at most to investigate.’

’I never would have imagined they’d send two Supreme Elders.’

’The highest echelons of the Celestial Sword Sect have come in person. A lineup like this is more than enough to deal with that man.’

’It seems my gamble paid off. My judgment wasn’t wrong.’

He took a deep breath to calm the swirling thoughts in his mind, stepped forward, and cupped his fist. "I am Hua Wuxin. Greetings, Seniors."

Before he could finish, a cold snort came from above.

It was Ye Guhong.

A terrifying pressure, as vast as the ocean and as sharp as a sword, slammed down hard on Hua Wuxin.

This pressure contained pure Sword Intent and a murderous aura, so bone-chillingly cold it seemed to pierce straight through to his Divine Soul.

Hua Wuxin felt his breath catch in his throat. His bones seemed to creak under the strain, and his blood felt as if it were about to freeze.

It was as if an invisible sword hung above his head, its tip pointed directly at his Celestial Spirit. The frigid killing intent made his scalp tingle, and it felt as though the blade could fall at any moment to utterly obliterate his Divine Soul.

Breathing became difficult, and every inhalation felt like swallowing shards of glass.

His internal organs quaked under the terrifying pressure. A sweet taste rose in his throat, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

’I’m going to die.’

The thought had barely formed when a soft "Oh?" came from above.

Immediately, the terrifying, soul-crushing pressure that had enveloped him receded like the tide, vanishing without a trace. It was as if the entire ordeal had been nothing more than an illusion.

Sprawled on the floor, Hua Wuxin gasped for breath. He struggled to prop his body up, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with his sleeve, and finally, with great difficulty, got to his feet.

Jian You had already closed the door and returned to Jiang Buyu’s side. He spoke lightly, "These two are the Supreme Elders of my Celestial Sword Sect. Brother Hua, you had best give us an explanation as to why you violated our past agreement."

Hua Wuxin moistened his cracked lips. "It was not my intention to violate the oath. That man is simply too suspicious. I was unable to gain his trust and, in fact, had my cultivation sealed by him. That is why I missed our appointment. If you two Seniors don’t believe me, you are welcome to check for yourselves."

Ye Guhong stared at him, his gaze like a dagger. "Where is he?"

"He’s no longer in Thunder Shock."

Hua Wuxin shook his head. "He left Thunder Shock County almost twenty days ago. I don’t know where he is now."

"Who is he?"

"I don’t know."

"Hmph?" Ye Guhong’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

That heart-stopping pressure descended once more. Though slightly weaker than before, it still made Hua Wuxin’s blood roil in his veins and his breathing difficult.

"I... I truly don’t know. Every word I’ve said is the truth."

Gritting his teeth and forcing himself to endure, Hua Wuxin said hurriedly, "I only know his surname is Chen; I know no other details. However, if you Seniors wish to know more, you need only capture a few of his subordinates and interrogate them. You will surely find out then."

The pressure dissipated.

"Where?"

Ye Guhong’s gaze was like a blade, pinning him in place.

"My cultivation is sealed. I am completely powerless to bring them here."

Hua Wuxin gasped for air, a ruthless glint in his eyes. "If you, Seniors, can undo the seal on my cultivation, I will bring them to you at once."

The room fell silent for a moment.

"Heh..."

Ye Guhong let out a sudden, soft laugh, though its meaning was unclear. His eyes, however, grew even colder. "It has been a very long time... since someone dared to bargain with me."

The voice was level, yet it made Hua Wuxin’s scalp tingle with dread.

He felt an icy killing intent lock onto him, making him feel as if he could be decapitated in the next instant.

The room was deathly silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

After a long while, Ye Guhong finally spoke again. "However, seeing as you came here on your own initiative... this time only. It will not happen again."

"Thank you for your mercy, Senior."

Hua Wuxin let out a sigh of relief. His back was already soaked through with a cold sweat.

"Step forward."

Ye Guhong said indifferently.

"Yes." Hua Wuxin complied, stepping forward and extending his right wrist.