Chapter 267 – Gaining Trust, Deepening Chaos, and Relocating to Cloudpeak Province - Part 1
By the next morning, cold sunlight fell across the barren cliffs and open plains.
The surviving disciples of the Holy Tree Temple regrouped, their faces still etched with lingering terror. All around them lay gruesome remains on the dusty earth—flayed and dismembered corpses of every sort. Their stomachs churned at the sight, and with undisguised fear, they hurried to withdraw.
Only when they caught up with Jing Banfeng, Cui Wuji, and Li Yuan did they finally let out a shaky breath of relief.
Jing Banfeng’s expression was grim. He glanced warily into the distance, too frightened to extend his senses. After a brief pause, he addressed the remaining disciples in a low voice, “We’ll leave this place first and then figure out exactly what happened.”
Although Cui Wuji’s face was pale, he spoke up, “Wait, Clan Head Jing. Maybe we should examine the bodies and see how they died. We might glean some useful clues. Otherwise, this entire trip will have been for nothing.”
Jing Banfeng hesitated. “What if we provoke another attack? Cui Wuji, you should know we still have no idea what caused that ambush.”
“We survived once already,” Cui Wuji countered. “Even if it happens again, we’ll be better prepared. Abandoning our investigation now would be a waste. The bodies are still fresh. Wait too long, and they’ll be worthless.”
Jing Banfeng glanced at the traumatized disciples. “Look at them. Who would even want to do this?”
Cui Wuji’s voice was firm. “Most necessary tasks are ones no one wants to do.”
At that, Jing Banfeng turned to Li Yuan. “What about you, Master Li? What do you think?”