Blood River

Quiet Contemplation Teahouse.

The teahouse master sat at the long table, frowning in deep thought for a long while before finally taking out an incense stick from his robe and placing it in the burner before him. With a light flick of his fingers, the incense ignited, and he closed his eyes.

Mu Yumo entered the room at this moment and frowned slightly at the scene. "Ghost Incense Tracking?"

Su Changhe nodded and gestured for her to be quiet.

Mu Yumo tiptoed to Su Muyu's side. Su Muyu glanced at her, and Mu Yumo shook her head lightly.

Suddenly, the teahouse master opened his eyes, swiped his hand violently to disperse the wisps of smoke before him, and a flash of purple light gleamed in his eyes as he roared, "Appear!"

The tendrils of smoke wavered in the air for a moment before dissipating completely.

"Track!" The master immediately bent down and tapped the ground lightly with his finger. A massive blood-red spider materialized there. With a wave of his hand, the spider scurried rapidly toward the door. Just as it reached the threshold and everyone rose to chase it, the spider abruptly froze.

The Head of Mu House narrowed his eyes. "The reaction was so clear just now—it should have found the trail."

"The Blood Spider was certain it had picked up the scent, but then quickly doubted its own judgment. Something significant must have changed during the process," Mu Yumo observed, staring at the spider. "Who were you having it track?"

"Poison Flower," the Head of Mu House replied, lifting his head. "Among Dark River, Mu Xuewei is the most unique—perhaps even unparalleled. I used a distinctive poison unique to her as the guide, directing the Blood Spider to follow its scent."

"Xuewei?" Mu Yumo frowned slightly. "Xuewei is missing?"

"No," the Head of Mu House shook his head. "It's not that Xuewei is missing—it's that Xuewei was never in this Quiet Contemplation Teahouse to begin with."

Mu Yumo was taken aback. "How can that be? Shouldn't she and Qingyang have arrived in Jincheng long ago?"

The Head of Mu House nodded. "My informants are spread throughout Jincheng, and none of them have seen the family head or Poison Flower enter the city. Therefore, something must have happened to them as soon as they arrived."

"A demonic flower drenched in deadly poison, and the young head of the Mu Family, most skilled in esoteric arts—what kind of person could have ambushed them?" Su Muyu mused, exchanging a glance with Su Changhe.

Su Changhe stroked his short beard. "The Tang Sect?"

The Head of Mu House's expression shifted slightly. "The Tang Sect?"

"Before entering Jincheng, to avoid provoking the Tang Sect's displeasure, they would have first met with someone from the Tang Sect," Su Changhe explained. "Could it be that Tang Linghuang fellow... Yumo, did you infiltrate the Tang Sect tonight?"

The Head of Mu House was startled. "Infiltrated the Tang Sect?!"

Mu Yumo nodded. "I went in, but I was quickly discovered."

"If one could truly move undetected through the Tang Sect, then the Tang Family Fortress would be a joke," Su Changhe remarked. "So, did you see Tang Lingyue?"

Mu Yumo shook her head. "No, but I ran into his disciple."

"Disciple?" Su Muyu frowned slightly. "What a coincidence.""Yes. That little apprentice is quite adorable too. His name is Tang Lian, the 'lian' meaning lotus flower. He said his master has been in seclusion, entered the Lament Moon Pavilion, and hasn't come out for a long time," Mu Yumo replied.

Su Changhe took out his small dagger, twirling it between his fingers. After pondering for a long while, he shook his head: "Something's wrong!"

Su Muyu also nodded: "Indeed, something's amiss."

Mu Yumo was puzzled: "What's the problem?"

Su Changhe began pacing around the room: "Tang Lingyue is the Black Tortoise Envoy of Heaven Revelation City. The Black Tortoise Envoy is responsible for guarding the city's safety. Apart from the Vermilion Bird Envoy Sikong Changfeng who left long ago, the other three envoys have always resided in Heaven Revelation City. Even though Tang Lingyue temporarily left the city due to Second Master Tang's affairs, it's been far too long now. Even if he's still in Tang Sect's stronghold, it must be because of some important family matters keeping him occupied—not because he's in seclusion!"

"There's been a change in Tang Sect!" Su Muyu concluded.

Mu Yumo quickly realized: "Then doesn't that mean Tang Lingyue is in danger? No, I must go save him!"

"Miss Yumo." The Head of Mu House pressed his hand on Mu Yumo's shoulder, narrowing his eyes slightly. "How do you plan to save him? By charging into Tang Sect just like that? It doesn't matter if you throw away your own life, but there are still over a dozen of our Dark River disciples in Jin City. Don't drag them down with you."

"Yumo, don't rush." Su Changhe moved the Head of Mu House's hand aside. "But we do need to take a look inside Tang Sect. Head of Mu House!"

The Head of Mu House stiffened: "What are your orders, Family Head?"

"Help us think of a way," Su Changhe said quietly. "To infiltrate Tang Sect."

The Head of Mu House gave a bitter smile: "Is that something I can come up with?"

Inside Tang Sect.

Tang Lian had originally switched night watch duties with someone else and was lying in bed, but he couldn't shake off his unease no matter how much he thought about it. Eventually, he couldn't resist getting up. As if guided by spirits, he walked to the entrance of Lament Moon Pavilion, where a jovial, plump man and three young men dressed in black stood.

"Uncle Fulu," Tang Lian said with a bow.

Tang Fulu remained cheerful: "Little Tang Lian, still awake so late?"

Tang Lian looked up at the plaque of Lament Moon Pavilion: "I miss my master, so I came to see. Does Master still have no plans to come out of seclusion?"

Tang Fulu chuckled, stroking his beard: "When your master goes into seclusion, how long each session lasts is beyond our control. After all, your master is a top-tier expert who could make the Supreme Ranking—how could we possibly estimate it? Just wait a little longer, it shouldn't be too much longer now."

Tang Lian was puzzled: "But doesn't Master have many important matters to attend to in Heaven Revelation City? Recently, while organizing his letters, I found quite a few from Heaven Revelation City. Since they involve important secrets, I couldn't read them, but it makes me anxious for Master."

"Oh? Heaven Revelation City is still sending letters to your master?" A glint appeared in Tang Fulu's eyes.

Tang Lian nodded: "Master has always had a special correspondence with Heaven Revelation City."

Tang Fulu continued smiling: "How special?"

Tang Lian shook his head: "I don't know. The letters just appear there suddenly—I don't know how they arrive.""I see. Then keep it for your master." Tang Fulu repeated his earlier words, "It won't be long before your master comes out."

"Understood, Uncle Fulu." Tang Lian took another glance at the plaque of Lament Moon Pavilion before turning to leave. However, after walking a dozen steps, he suddenly stopped and shivered. "Why is it particularly chilly around this Lament Moon Pavilion?"