Chapter 723: A Clean Room

Chapter 723: A Clean Room

Liu Shuqin heard the sound of a dagger dropping but didn’t turn around because Lin Nuo didn’t allow her to.

She waited for Lin Nuo to speak, determined not to look back without his command.

She was that obedient.

Along with the clattering sound of the dagger, she heard Lin Nuo’s self-deprecating remark, though she didn’t understand why he said that.

“Junior Martial Brother, what’s wrong…?”

“It doesn’t matter what you see, it’s all just an illusion. Rest well and forget about it. You can turn back now.”

After saying this, Lin Nuo jumped away, disappearing from sight.

“Junior Martial Brother…”

Liu Shuqin turned around, only to see Lin Nuo’s retreating figure and the sharp dagger on the ground.

She gently swayed her head, slightly bent down, and picked up the dagger, using a handkerchief to wipe it clean.

“Did it belong to Junior Martial Brother? Will it be inconvenient for him without this dagger?”

After cleaning the dagger, Liu Shuqin tucked it away, planning to return it to him when they met again.

In the end, Lin Nuo still hadn’t opened up to her, leaving her with her back turned, and then he vanished.

It was quite regrettable.

She was very obedient to Lin Nuo’s words, but when he said to forget about it, she didn’t follow through.

She couldn’t forget; this matter couldn’t just end here.

This should be Junior Martial Brother’s secret, the key to unlocking his heart.

Junior Martial Brother, I will definitely explore your secret and won’t let you walk down the path of calamity.

……

Qin Dao’s plan failed, Zhao Kuo was killed, leading to a rift between the Zhao family and Dong Wei. Huang Yun, who struck, also met a bad end, facing condemnation and punishment from Dong Wei.

After Zhao Kuo’s incident, Qin Dao didn’t appear at the Qin family; he went in search of the mage Wu Zhao.

He had many connections and sources, and soon contacted Wu Zhao.

Qin Dao hurried to meet Wu Zhao to report this matter.

“Master, your curse went wrong; it wasn’t Qin Shili leaking the Demon Qi, but Zhao Kuo.”

“Hmm? Zhao Kuo? Zhao Kuo isn’t a cultivator of demons, how so?”

Wu Zhao stroked his beard, deep in thought, finding it quite unreasonable.

“It appears someone is stirring the pot, deliberately causing trouble.”

“Master, I believe that person is Lin Nuo.”

Qin Dao speculated,

“It seems he knows my location and deliberately looked towards me, also mocking me. I don’t think this is mere coincidence.”

“That boy who saved Qin Shili at Ziyuan Mountain, right?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“If he can achieve this, it’s quite terrifying. But that’s all just conjecture. Where is Zhao Kuo’s body?”

“It was sent to the Zhao residence, but I intercepted it; it’s hidden away now. Just waiting for you to examine it, Master.”

“Hmm, good. Please lead me to take a look.”

Wu Zhao said, and Qin Dao promptly led him to the secret chamber where Zhao Kuo’s body was hidden.

Wu Zhao first conducted a superficial inspection; on the surface, it truly looked like his Demon Qi had exploded without suppression, with signs of demonization manifesting in purple skin and distended veins.

But that was merely superficial because many people had checked the body, and one couldn’t deduce anything from mere appearances.

Thus, they needed to observe in detail, using techniques to examine the internal condition of Zhao Kuo’s body for any clues.

Wu Zhao searched thoroughly, and he was able to perceive some clues.

He furrowed his brows, stroking his beard.

“The curse has been transferred. This was the curse I placed on Qin Shili, but it ended up on Zhao Kuo.”

Wu Zhao said sternly. Upon hearing this, Qin Dao felt the weight of the situation.

“But Zhao Kuo doesn’t practice the demonic arts and has no Demon Qi, yet…”

“It’s not his; it’s Qin Shili’s that transferred over onto Zhao Kuo. And when you played the flute, the effect was on Zhao Kuo, creating the illusion of him practicing demonic cultivation, causing a release of Demon Qi and Cold Energy.”

“This also transferred over Qin Shili’s Demon Qi and Cold Energy… This technique is too brilliant…”

Qin Dao marveled, pondering how someone could manipulate Wu Zhao’s curse so adeptly.

“Then Master, can you find out who did this?”

“I cannot; I can only discern the methods. However, that boy is highly probable.”

“Yes. Moreover, he has become Qin Shili’s husband, always by her side; it must be him.”

Qin Dao agreed, and while Wu Zhao continued his examination, he made another new discovery.

He found that the body had deliberately left a message, with a hidden vein containing a trace of minute Demon Qi.

However, it had been encrypted with demonic techniques, requiring decryption.

But for Wu Zhao, this was not a difficult task; he quickly unraveled the secret of the minute Demon Qi.

He only received six words:

This is merely the beginning.

Just those six words, filled with mockery and provocation, clearly a challenge to Wu Zhao.

“Hahaha, good, good!”

Wu Zhao stroked his beard and laughed heartily, leaving Qin Dao dumbfounded.

What’s happening, Master? Is there good news?

“Master, what have you… discovered?”

“This only has six words: This is merely the beginning.”

“Merely the beginning? Such arrogance? This is a provocation, showing no regard for us.”

“Ha, quite good. It’s been a while since I encountered such an impudent youth. He truly has talent. However, his intentions are unclear. Being a cultivator of Xuanyun Sect yet well-versed in the demonic arts, able to transfer curses and conceal Demon Qi—if he truly sought to benefit the world, he could have made the Refining Demon Sect struggle to survive, but that’s not the case.”

“So, he actually has ulterior motives? But now there are rumors everywhere about him, the rising hero, achieving countless feats, astonishing many.”

“We needn’t speculate on his thoughts. Since he has spoken out, we can accompany him to the end; I want to see what other skills this boy possesses.”

Wu Zhao continued stroking his beard, feeling that the situation was becoming increasingly interesting; such talents still existed in the world.

As the Demon Star approaches, what will he do? It truly piques one’s interest.

……

Lin Nuo returned to Tianling Mountain, a place he hadn’t set foot in for a long time.

Considering the time, he should stay at Tianling Mountain; after all, in his last life, he hadn’t had many chances to roam free. A weak cultivator wasn’t qualified to go out, only staying in the mountain for quiet cultivation.

This quiet cultivation, however, had been rather lonely; he hadn’t improved, and Han Fairy was leaving him to fend for himself, showing no progress at all.

Spending a lifetime in Tianling Mountain, idly waiting for death, wasn’t too bad.

But he was destined for instability; being weak was one thing, but people came looking for him to take the fall.

Fine then, I’ll just wait here at Tianling Mountain for you to come trap me.

He hurried back to his room; having been away for so long, it was likely dusty and dirty.

He even somewhat missed when Ruo’er was his maid.

However, upon entering the room, he found it incredibly clean, spotless, with the sheets and quilt washed and aired out, feeling as if he had stepped into a new room.

“Did I walk into the wrong place?”

He glanced at the room number; it was indeed 110.

“Young Master, Young Master~ you’re back~!”

Hearing a familiar voice, Lin Nuo turned in time to have a small white fox girl leap into his arms.