Artifact Chapter 50: Narrowly Escaping Danger

Chapter 50: Narrowly Escaping Danger

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Karai

 

When all the first-tier disciples gathered in front of the main hall, Yun Luan and Yun Che appeared before them. Yun Che spoke solemnly, “One of our fellow disciples was killed for no reason, and the only thing left at the scene was this first-tier disciple’s waist token. Gathering everyone here is to check if you’re carrying your waist tokens. If not, you’ll be suspected of killing our fellow disciple.”

Upon hearing this, the disciples’ expressions changed. The first-tier disciple’s waist token was crucial; it was needed for accessing various places within the sect. Losing it was rare. Finding a first-tier disciple’s waist token near a body likely meant it was related to the incident.

Yun Che continued, “Alright, everyone, take out your waist tokens.”

The disciples complied, quickly unsealing the enchantments on their tokens and presenting them. Lu Ming stood uncertainly, silently praying that Jing Mo’s plan would work. Suddenly, a shout came from the crowd. The person angrily accused, “Zhao Ziqing! You killed our fellow junior!”

Everyone was shocked and turned to look. Zhao Ziqing, usually mild-mannered, was now flushed with anger and fear, stammering, “I-I didn’t do it!”

“Then where is your waist token?” someone demanded sharply.

Zhao Ziqing’s eyes reddened with anger. He stomped his foot and retorted, “I’ve been with you in the Secret Realm all the time, where would I find the time to kill someone?!”

The accuser paused, then muttered, “Yes, since entering the Secret Realm, we’ve been together all the time. How could I not know if you committed a murder under my nose? It doesn’t make sense.”

“Based solely on the waist token, we can’t determine the real culprit,” someone else spoke up from the crowd. “Mine is also missing, probably lost while fighting beasts. Let’s all check if our waist tokens are still with us.”

After hearing this, the disciples who hadn’t presented their tokens earlier due to nervousness now came forward, admitting their tokens were missing. Yun Lun quickly counted, finding seven missing tokens, including Lu Ming’s and Jing Mo’s.

Master Fu Chen, standing aside, spoke up, “I’ve heard there’s a spirit fox in the Water Swamp Secret Realm. Though small, it’s agile and fond of stealing treasures. Similar incidents have occurred in previous trials. Sect Leader, we need to investigate this thoroughly. Relying solely on a waist token won’t reveal the real culprit.”

Yun Luan nodded, assigning the investigation to Fu Chen, urging him to capture the culprit quickly.

Yun Che watched with a dark expression, realizing his plan was going awry. However, he noted that the person eavesdropping on their conversation hadn’t exposed himself yet. He wasn’t worried; the person wouldn’t reveal themselves without solid evidence. But time was ticking, and their plan needed to proceed sooner than expected.

With the current situation settled, Fu Chen ordered the removal of the dead body, and everyone dispersed. Lu Ming breathed a sigh of relief, realizing he almost fell victim to Yun Che’s scheme. He knew he needed to be more vigilant from now on.

Lu Ming and Jing Mo returned to their room, and Lu Ming recounted what he overheard to Jing Mo. Jing Mo frowned, realizing Yun Che would likely make further moves, either attempting to assassinate Yun Luan or continuing to target Kunlai disciples. They needed to act before Yun Che’s plans escalated.

Lu Ming agreed, acknowledging Yun Che’s cunning and the danger he posed to Kunlai. They couldn’t allow such a sinister person to take over the sect. Lu Ming also thanked Jing Mo for his breakthrough in the Secret Realm, which allowed them to evade the crisis temporarily.

Upon hearing this, Jing Mo suddenly remembered Lu Ming’s sudden departure in the Secret Realm, his face darkening with displeasure. “It’s all because my brother left me suddenly. I got angry and went to kill beasts everywhere. I didn’t expect to disturb the White Sky Beast, and in my anger, I ended up killing it. Unexpectedly, this breakthrough allowed me to advance to the Nascent Soul stage.”

Lu Ming, upon hearing this, inexplicably recalled scenes of mutual assistance with Jing Mo, and his cheeks flushed red. He awkwardly turned his face away, trembling as he poured himself a cup of tea and brought it to his lips, stammering, “It, it’s considered a blessing in disguise.”

Jing Mo chuckled at Lu Ming’s shy demeanor, finding it adorable. However, knowing his brother’s thin skin, he didn’t tease him further. Instead, he changed the subject with a smile. “So, brother, have you figured out how to deal with Yun Che?”

Lu Ming’s expression turned serious, his eyes devoid of warmth. After a moment of silence, a glint appeared in his eyes, and he said with a slight smirk, “I won’t give him the chance to harm anyone anymore.”

Jing Mo asked softly, “Have you come up with a plan, brother?”

Lu Ming smiled faintly, a cold light flashing in his eyes as he replied, “Fight fire with fire. I’ll make him confess his crimes himself.”

Meanwhile…

A man in a black robe stood by the Xuan Yue Mirror Lake, his expression dark. Beside him was another man also dressed in black, his face obscured in the darkness.

The man in the black robe was Yun Che. He spoke in a low voice to the other man, “Is everything arranged?”

The man nodded, lowering his voice. “Fu Chen has been investigating the disciple’s murder these days, leaving no time for anything else. Jing Mo, He Qingci, and Shen Shuyan have shown no abnormalities in the past few days, focusing solely on their cultivation methods. Yun Luan has been asked by the North Gate Sect Leader to teach Daoist techniques and won’t be back for about seven days.”

Yun Che coldly said, “Good. You must kill a few more disciples in these days. Before Yun Luan returns to Kunlai to take charge, we must thoroughly destabilize Kunlai. By the time Yun Luan returns, it will be too late.”

The man smirked, “No matter how powerful Yun Luan is, he would never expect his junior to betray him. Nor would he imagine that the debts he owes will one day require him to pay with his life.”

Yun Che, puzzled, asked, “Why do you hate Yun Luan so much?”

The man replied flatly, “Blood feuds are irreconcilable.”

Yun Che didn’t press further. They discussed some arrangements for their plan and then left Xuan Yue Mirror Lake. However, they didn’t realize that all their conversation had been overheard by Lu Ming and Jing Mo.

Jing Mo said solemnly, “Brother, as expected, Yun Che plans to continue killing Kunlai disciples. Moreover, after his disturbance in the main hall, all eyes will be on us, the seven disciples who lost their waist tokens. Nobody would suspect Yun Che as the mastermind.”

Lu Ming pondered, “I’m more interested in knowing who the man hidden in the darkness is. From their conversation, it seems he has an irreconcilable feud with our Master.”

Jing Mo’s face suddenly changed, and he subtly signaled Lu Ming. Then, he casually said, “It sounds like an old enemy.”

Lu Ming was startled, a possible answer emerging in his mind, leaving him uncertain. After a while, he smiled and said, “Our Master is the Sect Leader of Kunlai, and he must have done many things in his duty to exterminate evil and uphold justice, which could have made him enemies. But what the mysterious man said may not be true. It could be a diversion. We’ll wait until Master returns and ask him carefully.”

 

 

 

 

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