Legend of the Divine Archer

After what felt like an eternity in the suffocating darkness of the cell, Yan Jin was finally led out, his appearance disheveled and far from his usual elegant and composed self. His fine robes were crumpled, his hair hung in loose strands, and his eyes, though blank, held a certain edge that made those who looked at him uneasy.

The dark cell had stripped away his outward facade, revealing the raw edge of a man whose mind never ceased its calculation.

He was escorted into a sterile interrogation room and pushed into a cold metal chair. In front of him sat Nie Li, the golden-haired captain of the city guards, eyeing him with a mix of suspicion and curiosity. Nie Li's sharp gaze traced over Yan Jin's worn-out appearance as if trying to peel away his secrets layer by layer.

Nie Li leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms with a smug smile. "You must have heard by now, Yan Ming is dead." He let the words hang in the air, watching for any flicker of emotion or surprise in Yan Jin's face.

Yan Jin remained utterly impassive. His face gave nothing away—no shock, no grief. He simply sat in silence, as though the news carried no weight at all. This lack of reaction clearly irked Nie Li. He narrowed his eyes and leaned forward slightly. "So, you knew this was coming, didn't you?"

Yan Jin tilted his head slightly, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips. "I didn't know for certain. But knowing Yan Li's character, it was only a matter of time before he disposed of any inconvenience in his way."

Nie Li studied him for a long moment, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table. "And what do you know about the series of murders around Pine City? Bodies drained of blood, their essence completely sucked dry. Don't tell me you haven't heard about them."

Yan Jin raised his brows, his expression finally showing a flicker of surprise. "This is the first time I'm hearing of such things."

Nie Li frowned. "If that's the case, then how did you predict Yan Ming's death so accurately? You were quick to warn him, even made veiled threats against Yan Li."

Yan Jin's smile faded, and he straightened slightly in his chair. "There was no prediction. Yan Li's temperament is predictable. He would never miss an opportunity to rid himself of a burden, especially one that could damage his standing within the family."

Nie Li's frustration was beginning to show. He leaned across the table, eyes narrowed dangerously. "You're hiding something. You may think you're untouchable, but I can lock you away in here for the rest of your life if I need to. You'll rot in this hole, blind or not."

Yan Jin met Nie Li's gaze calmly, his voice steady. "If you think that would serve your justice, then do it. But I'm not hiding anything about these murders."

Nie Li paced the small room, his golden hair catching the light as he moved, a sharp contrast to the dull, grey surroundings. His frustration was evident in the tightness of his jaw and the deliberate slowness of his movements. After a moment, he stopped and turned toward Yan Jin, leaning over the table to stare directly into the blind man's blank eyes.

"You say you don't know anything about the murders," Nie Li said, his voice calm but underlined with a dangerous edge. "But all signs point to the Yan Clan. You're deeply tied to them, aren't you? You expect me to believe that someone as clever as you hasn't caught wind of what's going on?"

Yan Jin remained seated, his posture relaxed, though his senses were heightened. He could feel Nie Li's hostility more clearly now, like a predator waiting for an excuse to pounce. His lips curled into a faint, almost imperceptible smile.

"Believe what you want, Captain," Yan Jin replied evenly. "I have no knowledge of these murders. If you think I'm involved, then I pity your investigation. You're wasting time barking up the wrong tree."

Nie Li's expression hardened, his fingers tapping against the edge of the table. "You've always been good with words, Yan Jin. Always slipping out of trouble, always staying just out of reach. But this time..." He trailed off, his eyes narrowing. "This time, you're not going to walk away so easily."

Yan Jin tilted his head slightly, his expression remaining calm despite the mounting tension. "I've done nothing wrong, Captain. If you have evidence that says otherwise, I suggest you present it. Otherwise, this is all just empty threats."

Nie Li let out a bitter chuckle, stepping away from the table and pacing again. "Evidence? Who needs evidence when the whole city knows about your connections to the Yan Clan? You walk in their shadows, Yan Jin. Don't pretend like you're some innocent bystander."

Yan Jin raised an eyebrow, sensing the captain's true intentions. "You've already made up your mind, haven't you?" he said quietly. "You don't care about finding the truth. You just want to lock me up because it's convenient."

Nie Li stopped pacing and turned sharply, his eyes flashing with anger. "And why shouldn't I?" he snapped. "You're involved with that vipers' nest of a family. You've caused trouble wherever you've gone. It's only a matter of time before you step over the line."

Yan Jin leaned forward slightly, his tone dropping to a whisper. "If that's how you see things, then by all means, put me away. But remember this, Captain—if you jail me on nothing but your suspicions, you'll be revealing just how desperate you are to solve this case, no matter the cost. It won't be long before everyone realizes you're grasping at straws."

Nie Li clenched his fists, clearly furious but holding himself back. "You think you're clever," he growled. "You think you can talk your way out of this. But I've seen men like you before. Always dancing around the truth, always slippery with your words. You think this is just a game.

But the moment I find the proof I need, you'll rot in this cell for the rest of your life."

Yan Jin smiled faintly. "Then I suggest you focus on finding that proof, Captain. Because until you do, I'm not the problem you're looking for."

Nie Li's eyes flashed with fury. "You're not walking free this time, Yan Jin. Mark my words."

Just then, the guard entered, whispering about the discovery of Gu Sha's body. Nie Li's expression darkened even further. He stood, glaring at Yan Jin one last time. "It seems like that clan is full of surprises. "

Nie Li leaned back in his chair, eyeing Yan Jin with suspicion. "Tell me about Gu Sha," he began, "What do you know of him and his son, Gu Zhun?"

Yan Jin, maintaining his composure, replied, "Gu Sha is a hunter from Little Creek Village. We never crossed paths after the Celestial Disaster. He was a violent and greedy man, someone who knew how to survive in the wilderness. After that, we went our separate ways. The next time I encountered his son, Gu Zhun, had already become a retainer in the Yan Clan."

"And when was the last time you saw either of them?" Nie Li pressed.

"You are funny, captain how can a blind man see? It's been months since I last came accross Gu Zhun" Yan Jin said calmly. "Gu Sha? Even longer. I had no deep connections with either of them even before we parted ways."

Nie Li leaned forward, narrowing his eyes. "And yet, they ended up in the Yan Clan, a place you seem to have some history with. Coincidence?"

Yan Jin met his gaze without flinching. "I don't live within the Yan Clan. We have no deep ties. If you're insinuating that I had something to do with their relocation in the Yan Clan, you're grasping at straws. My relationship with the Yan Clan is hostile at best."

Nie Li grinned slightly. "Hostile, yet you just happen to be entangled with their people."

Yan Jin sighed. "Gu Sha was a greedy man . If his son joined the Yan Clan, it was not for survival, maybe for prestige, not because of any bond with me. We are not allies, nor do I involve myself in their affairs."

Nie Li's grin faded. "You can talk circles around this, but the fact remains—people around the Yan Clan who you coincidentally have enmity with keep dying. If you think I'll let you walk out of here because of your clever words, think again."

"How come you don't think that the Yan Clan, has other enemies? I certainly can't kill from withing this cell"

Yan Jin nodded once with a smug smile on his face, calm but his mind racing. He knew Nie Li wasn't going to give up. He wasn't after the truth—he was after a convenient scapegoat. And for now, Yan Jin was his favorite target.

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