Heaven’s Shadow

Chapter 190: Bloodsucking Worms

He Yi’s sudden and harsh action against the renowned Su family in Kunwu City seemed abrupt and forceful. It inevitably led to speculation about personal vendettas or intentional framing.

Various rumors quickly spread. However, after Su Qingjun descended the mountain and met with her father, and gathered information through trusted allies within the sect, she had a clearer understanding of the situation.

Firstly, while He Yi did indeed detain Su Mo and the Su family’s three brothers, it was only a temporary measure with no formal charges or torture. He Yi merely questioned them.

There was a world of difference between questioning and charging, and while the Su family remained resentful, they were somewhat reassured. The reason He Yi focused on the Su family, rather than others, was given with a strong and irrefutable justification.

Before He Changsheng’s incident, the Su brothers had publicly beaten and humiliated him in the Liuxiangpu Garden, and not long after, He Changsheng was dead. This made the suspicion almost undeniable. Upon learning this, Su Tianhe and others were speechless. However, being family, the Su family could not truly abandon the matter, so they made every effort to leverage their connections within the Kunlun Sect to plead for their release.

Unfortunately, their usual methods proved ineffective this time. He Yi was impervious to their pleas, and other high-ranking and respected sect elders declined to get involved, unwilling to become entangled in the controversy.

Su Qingjun even approached her master, Mu Yuan Zhenren, who replied that: First, if there was no wrongdoing, there would be no consequences, and they would be released without any personal vendetta involved; second, the matter was complicated, and even True Lords were paying attention, so ordinary people, including Nascent Soul experts, were reluctant to get involved.

Feeling a mix of anxiety and anger, the Su family resolved to seek retribution against He Yi in the future. However, their anger soon turned to surprise. During the interrogation, He Yi asked the three brothers where they were the night of He Changsheng’s death. While Su Qian and Su Wen provided valid alibis, Su Mo’s responses were unexpectedly disproven—he had lied!

Su Mo claimed he was alone in his residence that night, but evidence soon showed he had been seen elsewhere. When pressed about his later whereabouts, Su Mo was left dumbfounded and could not provide an answer.

This situation was obviously problematic! Unsurprisingly, Su Qian and Su Wen were released, but Su Mo alone was detained. This time, he was not treated lightly but was confined in a secluded room, essentially imprisoned.

Further news became scarce, but rumors began to darken. It was said that He Yi, eager to achieve results, had either started or was planning to use torture on Su Mo.

—

“Instant karma, instant karma!” 

Lu Chen arrived at Lao Ma’s sparsely attended Black Hill Pavilion in Kunwu City. Hearing Lao Ma speak with a hint of glee, Lu Chen couldn’t help but shake his head and say, “Don’t get too happy; the reliability of this news is uncertain. It’s all based on rumors.”

“Doesn’t matter,” Lao Ma replied cheerfully. “I’ve always disliked Su Mo. It’s best if he suffers a bit more. Unfortunately, my status limits me; otherwise, I would really like to see it firsthand.”

Lu Chen waved his hand, not wishing to argue about it. After sitting in contemplation for a moment, he said, “He Yi’s sudden action was unanticipated, and no one knew in advance. It seems strange, like he suddenly got hold of some information and began a vigorous investigation.”

Lao Ma frowned, his smile fading slightly. With a trace of worry, he asked in a low voice, “Is there any danger?”

Lu Chen shook his head. “Not necessarily. Let’s wait and see.” After a pause, his gaze suddenly shifted. “Could it be information from the Sacred Tomb?”

Lao Ma went to the side and returned after a while, handing him a letter. “Take a look yourself.”

Lu Chen glanced at the envelope, which lacked a sender or recipient, and opened it. There were two sheets of paper. After reading, he nodded and sighed lightly. “The bald man said he will return in the three to five days before the next full moon.”

Lao Ma smiled. “See, I told you. The True Lord still favors you. Even if you’re unsure, he’s willing to trust you.”

Lu Chen did not comment but remained silent for a moment. He then stood up, walked around the room, and said to Lao Ma, “Keep an eye on He Gang these days. It’s best to increase surveillance and make sure he doesn’t suddenly disappear.”

Lao Ma’s eyes narrowed slightly. “What are you planning?”

Lu Chen replied calmly, “I haven’t decided yet, but I’ve been considering a strategy that might serve two purposes. If He Yi indeed pursues Su Mo relentlessly, and at the same time, his only brother in Kunwu City faces an unexpected incident, what would be the outcome?”

Lao Ma pondered silently for a moment before suddenly inhaling sharply, looking at Lu Chen with a hint of uncertainty about what to say next.

Lu Chen calmly said, “The strategy of killing two birds with one stone is likely intended to make He Yi suspect that it was a Kunwu City family, specifically the Su family, who committed the crime in retaliation for his brother’s death. This would deepen the enmity between He Yi and the Su family. On the other hand, upon hearing this news, the Su family would inevitably think that He Yi is furious. So, who would he take his anger out on?”

Lao Ma nodded and said, “Clever move. Very good…”

Lu Chen continued, “Although Su Mo is both foolish and annoying, his identity is unique. As the legitimate son of the Su family patriarch Su Tianhe and Su Qingjun’s brother, the Su family cannot tolerate anything happening to him.”

“However…” Lao Ma seemed to want to say something but was interrupted by Lu Chen.

Lu Chen, without raising his voice, simply said, “In the next few days, you should arrange for someone to handle it discreetly.”

Lao Ma was silent for a moment before nodding, “Alright.”

—

“Oh, and one more thing,” Lao Ma suddenly changed the topic. “About that three-eyed monster worm you mentioned last time…”

Lu Chen responded with interest, “Did you find any clues or information about it?”

Lao Ma’s expression grew serious, and he looked at Lu Chen with a strange gaze. “I investigated this creature, but it seems it has been extinct for thousands of years, completely vanished from the world.”

Lu Chen was taken aback, “What did you say? What exactly is this creature?”

Lao Ma replied, “Based on its described appearance and traits, I initially couldn’t find any similar beast. However, after delving into some ancient texts, I finally found a creature similar to it in the oldest manuscript.”

“The ‘Bloodsucking Worm,’ that’s the name,” Lao Ma said.

“Bloodsucking Worm?” Lu Chen frowned and thought for a moment, “It seems I haven’t heard of it before.”

“That’s normal. Even I had never heard of such a creature before. When I saw the Bloodsucking Worm in the ancient manuscripts, I was quite worried about you.”

Lu Chen asked, “Why is that?”

Lao Ma countered with a question, “Do you remember the legend about the Kunlun Sect’s founders, Kun Yuanzi and Tie Luo, who established the sect in Kunlun Spiritual Mountain?”

“Yes, I remember,” Lu Chen said. This story had been told so many times by seniors in the sect that some might forget.

Lao Ma nodded, “It’s related to that legend. According to the tale, when Kun Yuanzi and Tie Luo established the sect, they drove all the animals off the mountain, leading to a chaotic proliferation of beasts. But that wasn’t the main issue. There was an unusual celestial event, and a divine dragon descended, passing down the sect’s teachings for thousands of years. Meanwhile, evil spirits appeared on the mountain, attacking living beings with numerous monsters, including the Bloodsucking Worm.”

Lu Chen frowned and asked, “If this creature is so terrifying, why is it unknown in the Kunlun Sect?”

“Because this creature was completely exterminated three or four thousand years ago,” Lao Ma said with a bitter smile, then added in a low voice, “That’s why I said you might be encountering a ghost. A creature that has been extinct for thousands of years suddenly causing trouble for you.”

Lu Chen shook his head, “So according to you, these Bloodsucking Worms should have been extinct for millennia?”

“Exactly.”

“They emerged with the evil spirits in Kunlun Mountain and endangered the world?”

“That’s what the books say at least,” Lao Ma shrugged, “I don’t know much about events from thousands of years ago.”

Lu Chen slowly stood up and said, “It seems that the forbidden area indeed harbors many mysteries.”

“What do you mean?” Lao Ma asked, following up.

Lu Chen shook his head and said, “Given the increasing number of issues on Kunlun Mountain, I might not be able to come down frequently. Keep an eye on He Gang. If you see a good opportunity, you might want to deal with him yourself.”

Lao Ma’s eyes narrowed slightly. “I’m curious to see if He Yi’s brotherly affection will lead him to desperate measures, escalating the situation with the Su family. If he goes all out, things could become even more chaotic, and perhaps the traitor will reveal themselves.”

He stood up, smiled at Lao Ma, and then withdrew his hand from his sleeve, feeling the charred remains of the Bloodsucking Worm.

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