MTLNOVEL Chapter 27: Investigation at the Door
Chapter 27: Investigation at the Door
In a short time, the modest ancestral home was filled with more than a dozen cultivators dressed in matching robes.
They instinctively split into two rows, leaving the center space for two young men whose attire was noticeably more luxurious.
The two youths – one tall and heroic-looking, the other short and repulsive – were none other than Wu Cheng and Wu Ping, who had been sent earlier to investigate the disappearance of Uncle He .
Wu Ping was ugly and short. Setting aside the longstanding grudge between You Su and their master, there was no way he could ever befriend You Su. Every time he saw You Su’s handsome appearance, he wanted nothing more than to trample him into the filthiest mud. Spotting that You Su was even holding a bedsheet in his hands, Wu Ping couldn’t resist sneering:
“Oh? So the great swordmaster You is going to wash clothes now? How can this be? These hands of yours are meant to wield a sword, not to do servant’s work!”
After he finished speaking, some of the lackeys beside him chuckled, whether genuinely amused or simply playing along with their master’s act.
“Master Ping is wrong. Even washing clothes contains profound wisdom that is useful for controlling one’s spiritual energy. Or perhaps you’d like to ask the servants around you why they’re so much stronger than someone like you who only wields a sword?”
This jibe hit a sore spot for Wu Ping. Unlike his older brother Wu Cheng, Wu Ping was untalented and relied entirely on his genius brother and their father, an elder of the Guardian Firmament Sect, to throw his weight around in Chuyun City. He had even secured a position as an inner disciple of the sect. But when it came to actual strength, he ranked among the lowest in the Guardian Firmament Sect.
He glared viciously at You Su, then carefully scanned the reactions of the nearby outer disciples. If anyone dared to show even the slightest smirk, he would make sure that they regretted it later.
After observing, Wu Ping didn’t immediately lash back at You Su. Instead, he quietly leaned toward his brother and whispered, “Brother, is what he said true?”
Wu Cheng didn’t respond, merely giving his useless younger brother a cold glance. Wu Ping quickly shut his mouth and shrank back.
Wu Cheng pulled out a token from his sleeve, engraved with the words “City Lord”.
With an air of authority, he declared loudly, “Under the authorization of the City Lord’s residence, the Guardian Firmament Sect has come to investigate the disappearance of our disciple, Uncle He! Everyone must cooperate fully and resistance is forbidden!”
You Su narrowed his eyes slightly, furrowing his brow. It was clear that the other side had come prepared.
Previously, Wu Ping and Wu Cheng’s provocations were likely instigated by elders who harbored resentment against You Su’s master. But now, it seemed that You Su’s repeated disdain had escalated the conflict into something personal. Otherwise, their actions wouldn’t have grown increasingly aggressive – from individual challenges in the past to barging into his home today.
As for their so-called investigation, it was obviously nonsense. You Su knew full well that Uncle He had already been devoured by the Lantern Ghost. How could they possibly find him? If they truly cared about Uncle He, they wouldn’t have let him wander around alone in his mentally impaired state.
“How does your sect plan to conduct this investigation?” You Su placed the pile of fabric on the nearby windowsill, his tone icy and dangerous.
“Search every inch of this place!”
Wu Cheng wasn’t at all afraid of You Su. At twenty years old, he was one of the standout talents of the younger generation in the Guardian Firmament Sect. Like You Su, he had entered the Spirit Platform stage at eighteen, but unlike You Su, he was a key disciple being groomed by the sect.
Initially, Wu Cheng hadn’t disliked You Su-or even known him. However, when his master ordered him to challenge You Su and defeat him, he thought it would be an easy task. Yet You Su always avoided confrontation, which frustrated Wu Cheng immensely.
He desperately wanted to fight You Su, but every time You Su would look at him with those arrogant eyes and then slip away. Later, Wu Cheng resorted to ambush tactics, hoping that You Su would retaliate.
But this turtle-like youth seemed devoid of bloodlust, effortlessly dodging his attacks and escaping without ever fighting back, as if he completely looked down on him.
To others, Wu Cheng was a polite and talented prodigy. But when it came to You Su, he felt himself becoming increasingly twisted. You Su had become his mental demon. He longed to see the usually calm and composed youth show an expression of despair and remorse.
Fortunately for Wu Cheng, he wasn’t the only one in the city who despised You Su. And he intended to be the first to successfully humiliate him, a thought that filled him with satisfaction.
The outer disciples obeyed Wu Cheng’s command and moved like water to turn the old house upside down.
“I’ll see who dares!”
You Su’s sudden shout stopped everyone in their tracks. However, the strain caused his still-healing internal injuries to flare up, and he began coughing violently, losing all momentum.
Seeing this, the crowd burst into laughter, thinking that You Su was not saying “see who dares” but rather “see who doesn’t dare”.
Ji Lingruo did not like strangers and had initially stayed out of sight. But upon hearing You Su cough, she rushed out, sticking close to his side. With concern, she supported his arm and gently patted his back.
Once You Su recovered slightly, he glared at the intruders and snapped, “Is this how you investigate? Aren’t you cultivators? Do you really have to rummage through everything just to find someone?”
When Ji Lingruo appeared, her beauty like a celestial maiden, Wu Ping stared in awe, realizing for the first time that You Su’s hidden junior sister was such a stunning beauty. Seeing that Ji Lingruo didn’t even care that her chest was pressed against You Su’s arm – he gnashed his teeth in jealousy.
However, Wu Cheng remained calm and righteous. He had paid attention to You Su before and naturally knew about Ji Lingruo. The first time he saw her, he thought she was a beauty far beyond what this small city deserved.
He knew that she was You Su’s junior sister, but he didn’t know her name.
Many times, he bitterly wondered why someone like her could be related to You Su-a blind man who didn’t deserve to appreciate such natural beauty. This added yet another reason to his growing list of grievances against You Su.
“Young lady, you make a good point. I could indeed use spiritual means to search. But You Su, the blind one, is no ordinary person. Who knows if he used some sinister technique to conceal my Uncle’s presence? That’s why we have to search with our own eyes,” Wu Cheng calmly explained, then smiled and added, “May I ask which room you are in, young lady? Point it out, and I will ensure that no one trespasses. After all, you surely have nothing to do with what that blind man has done.”
Ji Lingruo laughed bitterly, her gaze sharp as a dagger as she stared at the hypocritical man before her: “Blind fool! My senior brother and I share the same breath, the same destiny. Can’t you even see that? Get lost!”
Ji Lingruo was wholeheartedly loyal to You Su and couldn’t be swayed by these bullies who constantly harassed him. She had already figured out that these people weren’t here to investigate – they were here to cause trouble.
Wu Cheng maintained his composure, unperturbed by the girl’s insults. He replied calmly:
“Young lady, please calm down. After we finish searching, we will draw our conclusions. If we find no clues, I will personally apologize to you. But if we find something incriminating, then your senior brother will be in quite a predicament…”
“Search!”