Chapter 042 – Feigning Illness
Before long, Wen Xiaoqiao returned. The imposing young woman strode through the wind and snow like a tank, four blade-wielding menial workers trailing behind her, looking every bit the image of authority.
“How did it go?” Li Yuan asked.
She paused, then teased, “Oh, so now you want to hear what I saw instead of checking for yourself, Young Master Li?”
With a sweet smile that clashed with her solid build, she continued, “Everything looks just as a live market would. Most of the goods are either numb with fear or shivering. Some do cry, but the moment they start, the merchants punish them. So the place goes quiet again soon enough.”
Li Yuan felt his heart jolt, though not over the cruelty of the scene but at how eerily familiar it felt, reminding him of horror stories from his past life. Places thick with misery and dampness were prime breeding grounds for malevolent spirits. A black market matched both conditions perfectly.
Wen Xiaoqiao went on, “Tonight, I’m going to station all the menial workers here and keep watch. Want to join me?”
“Stand guard, huh?”
“If we solve this missing-persons case, it would be a huge achievement,” she said, sounding eager. “You might not know it yet, but with enough merit in the Blood Blade Sect, we can shorten the three-year assessment period. A big success like this, and in a few months, we might be promoted to outer disciples.”
She made an expansive gesture. “This place is an island in the middle of a lake, wide open on all sides. If any threat approaches from outside, we’ll see it coming. And if it’s an inside job, well...Senior Li is stationed here, so what’s there to fear?”
Her gaze flickered mischievously. “Could it be that this spooky little story of two missing associate members has you frightened? I mean, you’re the only entry rank martial artist among us, right? If word got out that you were scared—”
She was clearly trying to goad him into participating. Having an entry rank martial artist on her side would give her some peace of mind.
But just then, Li Yuan turned and bowed his head, letting out a soft cough. With a flick of his fingers, a small pouch about the size of a fingernail slipped into his mouth. It was filled with pig’s blood—one of several precautions he’d prepared, along with items like lime powder and iron nails.