The Villain Marked the Protagonist's Fiancée (Through the Book) - Chapter 49

Yun Xiao hesitated for a moment before coldly replying, “I’ll go, but you must promise not to interfere, no matter who we find.”

Fang Zhiluo stiffened. A’Xiao still suspected her master.

She unconsciously tightened her grip on her hands at her sides, her voice trembling as she agreed, “Alright.”

If the Hong Gu Yun was indeed on her master, she would report it truthfully to the Sect. The Hong Gu Yun wouldn’t have attached itself to him without reason.

Yun Xiao retrieved the Soul-Tracking Compass, which contained the Red Valley Spirit Aura. She channeled a wisp of spiritual power into it and followed the direction indicated by the compass.

As they ventured further off course, Fang Zhiluo pulled out a map to compare their route. She murmured to herself, “Clearwater Town is just ahead. Could the incidents there be connected to Red Cloud Valley?”

“Whether they’re connected or not, we’ll find out soon enough.” Before she could finish speaking, Yun Xiao had already quickened her pace.

If the Soul-Tracking Compass could pinpoint the Hong Gu Yun’s exact location, she wouldn’t have needed to rely on a Flying Spirit Tool for travel.

After two quarters of an hour, Yun Xiao and Fang Zhiluo dismounted from the Flying Spirit Tool.

A Kaiyang Sect disciple, who had been searching for clues nearby, hurried over and demanded, “Who are you? Why have you come here?”

Yun Xiao ignored the disciple and strode into the town.

Fang Zhiluo, wanting to avoid any misunderstanding, displayed her sect token to prove her identity.

The disciple, unfamiliar with Fang Zhiluo’s token, recognized the characters for “Azure Cloud Sect” as genuine and ceased questioning them.

Yun Xiao withdrew her Divine Sense, puzzled. “Logically, if an entire town died violently, even without lingering spirits, there should be a bl00d aura. But look—Clearwater Town is completely clean, devoid of any trace of bl00d aura.”

Fang Zhiluo focused her senses and confirmed Yun Xiao’s observation. The town was indeed spotless, as if nothing had ever happened.

Retracting her gaze, she cast an Amplifying Art Technique and called out, “Azure Cloud Sect disciples, report!”

Moments later, a female disciple hurried over. “Greetings, Martial Ancestor Fang.”

“Have you cleared the bl00d aura from this place in the past few days? And where have you placed the villagers’ bodies?”

“Reporting, Martial Ancestor, we haven’t cleared any bl00d aura from the town. Senior Brother in charge has already reported this matter to the Sect,” the disciple replied, lowering her head and stammering. “The villagers’ bodies have been cremated.”

Fang Zhiluo frowned slightly. “Have you found any useful clues in the past few days?”

“We found traces of the Demon Clan’s aura in the town, along with bite marks on several villagers,” the female disciple said, clenching her fist in anger. “This was definitely the work of the Demon Clan.”

Yun Xiao rolled her eyes. “How many Demons have you seen eating people?” she retorted. “And what about the Demon you suspect? Have you captured it?”

“A Senior Brother skilled in painting has already created a portrait of the Demon Cultivator based on descriptions provided.”

Fang Zhiluo took the portrait from the disciple, waved her away, and turned to Yun Xiao. “What do you make of this?” she asked softly.

Yun Xiao stared at the Soul-Tracking Compass in her hand, a faint smile playing on her lips. Since entering Clearwater Town, the compass’s needle had been swinging wildly. She hadn’t understood its meaning before, but now she suspected Hong Gu Yun had lingered here.

Taking the Soul-Suppressing Bottle from her Storage Pouch and removing its seal, she cut straight to the point with Old Qiu: “What happens to ordinary people when you steal their Luck?”

“Hmph, what else? They die.”

A cold glint flashed in Yun Xiao’s peach-blossom eyes, but her voice remained steady. “If a thousand households in a town all die within a short time, leaving behind no souls or bl00d aura, is that your doing?”

“If he’d had this courage sooner, we would have completed the Master’s mission long ago,” Old Qiu said through gritted teeth.

After reapplying the seals to the Soul-Suppressing Bottle, Yun Xiao stored it away. She glanced sideways and saw Fang Zhiluo standing frozen in place. “If you’re afraid, you can stay here and wait for news,” she said with a dismissive snort.

Without waiting for a reply, she activated the Light Body Technique and continued her journey, following the direction indicated by the Soul-Tracking Compass.

To prevent Wuwei and the others from being swayed by fragmented reports from disciples, she sent a message to Yuheng, relaying the answers she’d obtained from Old Qiu and the remaining doubts.

As for Hu Kun, she planned to keep him in the dark for a couple of days, using the opportunity to observe his intentions.

Fang Zhiluo still followed, her voice firm. “Regardless of the final outcome, I won’t let personal feelings cloud my judgment.”

She owed an explanation to the thousands of residents of Clearwater Town.

Yun Xiao sensed the resolve in Fang Zhiluo’s words. She glanced at her in surprise, and for a moment, she seemed to see Fang Zhiluo from five hundred years ago—the one who had stood firmly by her side against Xie Yunfan.

“The Sect’s reputation… your Master’s honor… do you really want to throw all that away?” Yun Xiao asked, a hint of anticipation in her voice that even she hadn’t realized was there.

Fang Zhiluo’s eyes reddened, her entire body trembling. She tilted her head back to gaze at the sky, her voice choked with emotion. “Protect the Sect, prioritize its reputation above all else—these were her teachings to me.”

Wiping away the tears that stubbornly streamed down her face, she waited for her emotions to settle before speaking again, her voice trembling. “I hope we’re mistaken.”

If it were true, what would become of all the years she had dedicated to upholding these principles?

Yun Xiao hummed in acknowledgment, a self-deprecating smile flickering across her face where Fang Zhiluo couldn’t see it.

What are you hoping for? Even if Yu Hui is responsible, Fang Zhiluo will never forget the debt of gratitude she owes her mentor, nor the resources the Sect provided her.

Two days later, Yun Xiao arrived at a desolate mountain. The Soul-Tracking Compass in her hand swung wildly.

Hong Gu Yun was nearby.

She exchanged a glance with Fang Zhiluo, and they silently erected a barrier around the mountain, ensuring Hong Gu Yun had no escape.

Releasing her Divine Sense, Yun Xiao surveyed the entire mountain.

She found no trace of Hong Gu Yun, nor any other person.

Withdrawing her Divine Sense, she lowered her head to stare at the Soul-Tracking Compass. Could Old Qiu have lied to me?

Suppressing her doubts, Yun Xiao released her Divine Sense again, meticulously searching every inch of the mountain.

Still nothing.

“No one’s here. Let’s go,” Yun Xiao said, already dispelling the barrier and striding away.

Fang Zhiluo watched Yun Xiao’s retreating figure for a moment, suspicion dawning. Yun Xiao’s temperament wouldn’t allow her to give up so easily.

In other words, Yun Xiao had realized she’d been deceived by Old Qiu, yet she remained unnervingly calm.

Therefore, Yun Xiao’s words were meant for someone hiding in the shadows.

Fang Zhiluo played along, glancing back repeatedly as she followed Yun Xiao off Wild Mountain.

The pair didn’t venture far. Instead, they concealed themselves in the air, their eyes fixed on the mountain’s movements.

Fang Zhiluo handed Yun Xiao a Spirit Fruit, saying softly, “Hong Gu Yun knows we’d use the Soul-Tracking Compass to find him.”

Yun Xiao accepted the fruit, wiped it on her sleeve, and chewed thoughtfully. “Not only does he know, he also heard the message transmitted by the compass.”

Fang Zhiluo gasped. “You mean we were used by Old Qiu?”

Yun Xiao tossed the finished fruit core aside with a mischievous grin. “Not entirely. At least the Soul-Tracking Compass did help us locate him.”

She pulled out Thunderclap Orbs forged at the Azure Cloud Sect and began tossing them below like toys.

Unconcerned about Hong Gu Yun escaping, she had already enveloped the entire Wild Mountain within her Killing Domain.

Today, she intended to force Hong Gu Yun and whoever was helping him flee into the open.

Realizing Yun Xiao’s plan, Fang Zhiluo deployed her Divine Sense, doubling her defenses to prevent Hong Gu Yun’s escape.

Nine Thunderclap Orbs had already been hurled down, leaving the Wild Mountain utterly devastated by Yun Xiao’s assault.

When no movement came from below, Yun Xiao called out, “I can’t promise anything else, but I have plenty of Thunderclap Orbs. Even if I use up all hundred-plus I have now, I can refine more.”

Hearing this, Fang Zhiluo’s lips twitched into a faint smile, but she couldn’t bring herself to laugh.

She had sensed her Master’s aura moments ago.

Now she could no longer deceive herself: her Master had not only taken Hong Gu Yun away but had also allowed him to plunder the entire town of Clearwater Town’s Luck.

She couldn’t understand why her Master would do such a thing.

Those were the lives of thousands of people!

After a long struggle, Fang Zhiluo said in a muffled voice, “I sensed my Master’s aura.”

Yun Xiao’s hand froze mid-throw, and she involuntarily turned to look at Fang Zhiluo. She saw tears welling in Fang Zhiluo’s eyes, her lips pressed tightly together, her shoulders trembling uncontrollably as she desperately suppressed her emotions.

Fang Zhiluo gazed at Yun Xiao helplessly. “A’Xiao, why? Why would she do this? What does this mean for the Azure Cloud Sect?”

She stumbled back a step, her voice breaking. “Isn’t the Azure Cloud Sect’s reputation the most important thing to her? Why would she do this?”

Yun Xiao’s brow furrowed deeply, her heart clenching with pain.

She wanted to rush over and embrace Fang Zhiluo, to tell her that she wasn’t alone. But the situation wouldn’t allow it; she hadn’t captured Hong Gu Yun yet.

If Hong Gu Yun dared to recklessly plunder the Luck of the entire population of Clearwater Town this time, next time he might target the Luck of an entire city.

Having become involved in this matter, both for public duty and personal reasons, she had to capture Hong Gu Yun.

Shifting her gaze, she continued to hurl Thunderclap Orbs downward while maneuvering her Killing Domain closer to Wild Mountain.

Damn it, he’s still not coming out.

Could he have escaped underground?

Thinking of this, Yun Xiao tossed the Soul Piercer to Fang Zhiluo. “Remember the innocent lives lost in Clearwater Town. We can’t let Hong Gu Yun escape.”

Right, we can’t let Red Cloud Valley escape.

Fang Zhiluo caught the Soul Piercer, wiped away her tears, and activated it, hoping to use the artifact to locate her Master and Hong Gu Yun’s hiding place.

Yun Xiao’s Thunderclap Orbs rained down not only on the ground but also on the two adjacent mountains.

After the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, spiritual energy fluctuations finally emanated from below.

The Spirit Treasure concealing their forms and the Top-Grade defensive Magic Artifact were destroyed, forcing Yu Hui to emerge in a disheveled state. Her face darkened as she glared at Fang Zhiluo hovering in the air, accusing, “You seek to destroy your Master!”

Fang Zhiluo’s face turned deathly pale, her body swaying slightly.

The charge of “destroying one’s Master” was too grave for anyone to face calmly.

Hiding the worry in her eyes, Yun Xiao scoffed. “Spare me. If you truly considered her your disciple, you wouldn’t have taken Hong Gu Yun away, let alone allowed him to drain the Luck of an entire town. Whether in the past or now, you’ve only ever cared about yourself. Your so-called Sect responsibilities and reputation are meaningless compared to your selfish desires.”

Before Yu Hui could retort, she continued, “A person who allies with Demonic Cultivators is unworthy to be a teacher. Your own Sect should be ashamed of you.”

“Lies!” Yu Hui glared fiercely at Yun Xiao, hatred blazing in her eyes. “It’s all your fault! You forced me into this! Only by killing you can my beloved disciple return. You deserve to die!”

That ferocious expression perfectly matched the Master Fang Zhiluo remembered.

In her memories, Master had first punished her with that same look after learning her Cultivation had regressed and her old injuries were incurable.

Terrified, she had wept and begged forgiveness, only to receive harsher punishment.

Five hundred years ago, she had risked her life to retrieve medicine from the Secret Realm to cure Master’s old injuries, hoping the Master who smiled and praised her would return, believing those painful memories would finally fade. But the Master she yearned for never came back.

Yu Hui turned her gaze to Fang Zhiluo. “And you! You claim a teacher is like a mother for life,” she pointed at Yun Xiao, “yet you’ve defied me repeatedly for this beast!”