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Chapter 476: I Am Grieving on Behalf of the Sect Leader

"A lonely grave thousands of miles away, with no place to speak of sorrow—[1]"

At the Red River Sect estate just outside Myriad Poison Mountain, white funeral banners fluttered in the air as everyone dressed in mourning clothes attended a funeral.

An elder with a long beard knelt before the coffin, his wails of grief filling the air, his heart clearly shattered. Those around him couldn't help but glance his way, sighing with sympathy.

"Elder Chen and the sect leader's wife... they must have shared an unbreakable bond."

Seated quietly in the place of honor for the bereaved family was Zhao Duanyang, the leader of the Red River Sect. He was a quiet person who appeared to be in his forties or fifties with a very dark complexion. Anyone who could lead a sect in the dangerous Myriad Poison Mountain had to be ruthless and cold.

Watching Elder Chen's display of grief, Zhao Duanyang held back for a while before finally letting out a cold "hmph."

There was nothing wrong with mourning for the sect leader’s wife, but six people had died in total, and the fact that Elder Chen was only crying for the sect leader’s wife seemed a bit odd...

It was as if Elder Chen had heard him, for he then wailed, "And my pitiful... young sect leader! You were only in your twenties, never even had the chance to see the world, and now you've fallen to such a cruel fate..."

"Why must the heavens make the old bury the young...?"

Someone nearby, unable to watch any longer, quietly approached and whispered, "Elder Chen, the sect leader is watching right there."

"Ah—" Elder Chen suddenly snapped out of it, hurriedly shouting, "I am grieving on behalf of the sect leader!"

"Hmph!" Zhao Duanyang flicked his sleeve. He wanted to stand up and leave.

He had always suspected that something was going on between his wife and Elder Chen, but he couldn't prove it. Just as he started digging for answers, the unthinkable happened, and now, there was no one left to confirm the clues he'd found.

But judging by Elder Chen's behavior, anyone would be suspicious.

One might have thought it was Elder Chen’s own wife and child who had died.

Just as he was about to stand up, someone rushed in and announced, "Sect Leader, Jiang Yuebai from Mount Shu is at the gate, requesting to see you."

"Someone from Mount Shu?" Zhao Duanyang's eyes flashed with anger at the mention of the name, and he instinctively wanted to refuse her entry. But after a moment of thought, he said, "Let her in."

The Mount Shu Sect was, after all, one of the sects in the Divine Nine. Even if they relied on the Imperial Supervisory Bureau to punish the culprit, the Red River Sect would still have to coexist with the rest of the cultivation world in the future.

It would always be difficult for small sects to stand firm in the cultivation world.

Upon being announced, Jiang Yuebai gracefully approached the funeral chamber, offering a respectful bow to the row of coffins.

Elder Chen, upon seeing her enter, angrily stood up and shouted, "How dare someone from the Mount Shu Sect set foot in the Red River Sect! The murderer of our sect leader’s wife and the other five come from your sect! You—"

"Old Chen!" Zhao Duanyang scolded sharply before stepping forward. His gaze locked on Jiang Yuebai as he continued, "I wonder what brings Fairy Jiang here today. I’ve heard that the criminal Chu Liang has already been captured by the Imperial Supervisory Bureau, yet he has not been punished. Until justice is served, we have no interest in any dealings with Mount Shu."

"I am here today precisely for this matter," Jiang Yuebai responded. "The Red River Sect tragedy has caused outrage throughout Mount Shu as well. If Chu Liang truly is the culprit, Mount Shu will not protect him. But we want to thoroughly investigate the situation to determine who the real murderer is."

"What’s there to investigate!" Elder Chen wailed. "So many people saw it, the evidence is irrefutable! Who else could the murderer be but Chu Liang? You talk about investigation, but you’re clearly here to cover for him! Don’t think we don’t know—everyone’s heard about your relationship with that boy! He should pay with his life! You should feel the pain of losing a loved one too!"

As he spoke, his lips trembled, his beard quivered, and he clutched his chest, looking as though he might faint at any moment.

It seemed he was truly overwhelmed with grief.

"Are you really in that much pain?" Zhao Duanyang asked coldly from behind.

"I...," Elder Chen gritted his teeth, tears in his eyes, "I’m grieving on your behalf, Sect Leader!"

"In that case, take a rest." Zhao Duanyang rolled his eyes and instructed the people around him, "Take Elder Chen away to rest!"

Several disciples obeyed and led Elder Chen away, and as he left, he continued shouting, "Sect leader! Don’t give in to Mount Shu’s threats and bribes! Madam and our young leader must not have died in vain—"

...

Watching Elder Chen grumble as he walked away, Jiang Yuebai sighed and remarked, “It seems Elder Chen shares a deep bond with your family, Sect Leader Zhao.”

"..." Zhao Duanyang was silent for a moment before nodding. "Old Chen has been with Red River Sect for many years. Our two families have always been close."

After the small talk, Jiang Yuebai returned to the matter at hand.

"Sect Leader Zhao, I believe you don't wish to become enemies with Mount Shu but rather want true justice for your family and disciples. If Chu Liang is being framed, surely you wouldn't want the real murderer to roam free, right?"

"But right now, all evidence points to Chu Liang as the killer. That seems undeniable." Zhao Duanyang frowned. "So many unrelated witnesses saw it with their own eyes—surely they couldn't all be conspiring to frame him."

Jiang Yuebai shook her head. "Sect Leader Zhao, you don’t really know him. Anyone familiar with Chu Liang knows he wouldn’t commit such acts. Besides, there are still doubts about this case.

"From Red River Sect's perspective, haven’t you considered? Chu Liang had no past grievances with your sect, no recent conflicts either, so why would he strike twice? If the second killing was for treasure, then what was the reason for the first?"

Zhao Duanyang's expression darkened. "Why should I care what the killer was thinking?"

To him, Jiang Yuebai was simply trying to find excuses for Chu Liang.

"My guess is that this is a vendetta against the Red River Sect," Jiang Yuebai said. "Chu Liang just happened to be there and was made the scapegoat. If we don’t uncover the truth, the real enemy of the Red River Sect will continue to exist. Even to eliminate future threats, shouldn't you give us a chance to investigate?"

Zhao Duanyang was silent for a moment before responding, "As long as you aren’t trying to protect him. After all, what can my small sect do against Mount Shu? But with so many witnesses, how can I not believe them?"

"Sect Leader Zhao, you should understand that what one sees with their own eyes isn’t always the truth," Jiang Yuebai said, suddenly turning. "Just as I stand before you now—am I really here?"

"Hmm?" Zhao Duanyang was slightly startled.

He saw Jiang Yuebai’s form shimmer and disappear, leaving only a white butterfly fluttering in place, circling a few times before drifting away.

Then Jiang Yuebai reappeared from the side, saying, "What you saw earlier was an illusion. None of your people noticed. Similarly, the Chu Liang who committed the murders could also be a false image—perhaps the Imperial Supervisory Bureau's methods failed to see through it. It’s difficult, yes, but not impossible."

Zhao Duanyang could only sigh inwardly as he looked at the young woman before him.

As the sect leader of Red River Sect, he had reached the beginning stage of the sixth realm in cultivation. Yet before this junior, he was utterly outclassed.

The strength of these immortal sect prodigies was truly astonishing.

Although Jiang Yuebai was only in the fifth realm, if it came to a fight, he wasn’t sure he’d be a match for her.

"Chu Liang's cultivation is certainly no weaker than mine. If he had truly wanted to kill the sect leader’s son and his companions, he wouldn’t have let them escape so far from the Jade Pot Celestial Plant. And as for treasure, his wealth far exceeds what you might imagine; he has no reason to kill for it," Jiang Yuebai continued. "These may not be solid proof, but they are points worth questioning. That’s why I hope Sect Leader Zhao can help me—and help yourself—find the real culprit."

"What can I help you with?" Zhao Duanyang asked in a deep voice.

"I came here to ask—does Red River Sect have any enemies?" Jiang Yuebai asked.

Since they believed that Red River Sect was the murderer’s target, they naturally had to start by investigating the sect’s enemies.

"We make our living around Myriad Poison Mountain, and daily disputes are inevitable, but none should escalate to such murderous intent..." Zhao Duanyang thought for a moment. "If I had to name a mortal enemy of Red River Sect, it would be Black Pine Ridge."

Jiang Yuebai listened quietly, her gaze firm and determined.

As she thought about Chu Liang suffering in the Imperial Supervisory Bureau, Jiang Yuebai's heart clenched with worry. No matter the obstacles or dangers ahead, she knew she had to uncover the truth as soon as possible.

1. This is a line from a poem written by Su Shi (苏轼) during the Song Dynasty, titled "Song of River City - The Year I-mao, 1st Month, 20th Day". Su Shi wrote this poem in memory of his deceased wife, who was buried in Meishan, Sichuan, which was approximately a thousand miles away from his office in Mizhou, Shandong. It is a mourning poem written specifically for a deceased wife, so it is highly inappropriate for anyone other than the husband to use it. ☜