Immortalis

Yin House Case - Part 1

"So the Manor Lord's intention is still for us to continue searching for Longevity Palace?"

When the three of them ascended the mountain again, the Sword Manor had already returned to peace. However, Manor Lord Zhuang Tianyou still hadn't made an appearance. The one receiving them was no longer Green Rain Sword, but Zhao Songjiang, the eldest among the Seven Swords, who wielded the Longyin Sword.

Rumors said that Dong Zhu and Dong Lu, father and son, were currently imprisoned on the back mountain to reflect on their mistakes. Before the Manor Lord officially emerged from seclusion, the other six swords couldn't decide the pair's ultimate fate.

Speaking of which, what exactly was wrong with this Zhuang Tianyou? Green Rain Sword used to be his most favored disciple. Having committed such a grave mistake, why was he still so fixated on opposing Longevity Palace?

Or was it that he couldn't save face after this case of the thief crying "stop thief"?

Yang Wujian sneered inwardly, but maintained a very amiable expression: "The Manor Lord isn't blaming us, is he... The past few days, for the sake of investigating the case, we were indeed acting recklessly..."

Compared to the amiable Green Rain Sword, Longyin Sword had a more rigid personality. It was said he was originally responsible for disciple discipline on the mountain. Now that such a major incident had occurred, only he could take charge of the overall situation.

Hearing this, he looked sternly at Yang Wujian without smiling: "Miss Yang, it's precisely because you were investigating the case that the Manor Lord showed leniency regarding that day's events. Otherwise, even if you weren't disciples of Boundless Sword Manor, causing a midnight disturbance in the Sword Manor would warrant forty punishment strokes... However, the three young masters did indeed demonstrate keen observation. If not for you, those three sword attendants and the Yu siblings would have died without knowing why, and Boundless Sword Manor wouldn't have been able to clean house. Considering your merits offset your faults, the Manor Lord doesn't wish to be harsh. He only hopes you can quickly find clues about Longevity Palace, after all..."

He paused, his expression stern: "Even if the disappearance of the sword attendants wasn't done by Longevity Palace, everyone knows about that martial arts catastrophe fifteen years ago. As long as Longevity Palace remains undestroyed for a single day, those wrongfully killed by Longevity Palace won't rest in peace. Therefore, with the Four Seas Alliance reorganizing this time, eliminating Longevity Palace is the top priority."

So there really was something wrong with this Zhuang Tianyou.

Yang Wujian narrowed her eyes.

Under normal circumstances, with her lightness skill, investigating the back mountain shouldn't be a problem. Unfortunately, Boundless Sword Manor had just experienced an incident, and the back mountain was heavily guarded with Sword-Wielding Disciples everywhere - not even a bird could fly in.

Then Shen Qingshi asked: "So how should we proceed with the investigation? Senior, could you offer some guidance?"

Zhao Songjiang handed over a letter - actually a joint document from Immeasurable Manor, White Rainbow Tower, Jade Pavilion, and Medicine King Mountain. Looking at Zhou Huai, he said: "Although your father didn't attend this reorganization of the Four Seas Alliance, we sent him a letter, and he replied yesterday."

"What did my father say..."

Zhou Huai thought about how he had previously used White Rainbow Tower to spread rumors, and couldn't help feeling a chill run down his spine.

But Zhao Songjiang merely said calmly: "Regarding the campaign against Longevity Palace, the leaders of several factions have already signed the alliance document. If needed for future investigations, just present this alliance document when you visit, and they'll naturally assist. As for clues, the Manor Lord said you should start investigating from the most notorious cases in recent years. Besides the original case of the missing sword attendants from the manor, there's also the Yin House Case where Chang San the Heroine from Jade Pavilion had her tongue cut out and was skinned alive, and the White Dog Case where Medicine King Mountain's female disciple Yin Quer went mad and killed six people in succession... Jianghu rumors say they're all related to Longevity Palace."

"Seems like only my family has been quite peaceful..."

Zhou Huai let out an awkward dry laugh at the inappropriate moment.Though he was well aware that White Rainbow Tower had few affairs to manage because, despite its vast operations, Zhou Jinglei was the sole person in charge.

It was said that in his youth, to win the approval of his father-in-law Qi Yanbai, Zhou Jinglei had diligently practiced White Rainbow Swordplay. But being a craftsman at heart, he simply lacked the aptitude. In the end, not only did he fail to master it, but he also injured the tendons in one leg, leaving him with a permanent limp in his left leg.

After his father-in-law and wife passed away, Zhou Jinglei completely abandoned martial arts training. Over the years, he had no confidants, no disciples, and often remained secluded behind closed doors. He managed White Rainbow Tower entirely through his Mechanical Arts contraptions. Of the tower's command tokens, only two existed in the entire world—one kept by him, the other by Zhou Huai.

Yet for some reason, even though Zhou Huai had long since reached adulthood, Zhou Jinglei showed no intention of letting him take over the tower's affairs. Tasks like collecting debts or pressing for payments were all outsourced to hired help, leaving Young Master Zhou so idle that he could only come to the Four Seas Alliance to investigate cases.

"You'd best not get involved in such matters, Young Master Zhou. With your timid nature, if your household encountered something involving flaying or tongue-cutting, I doubt even filling your room with candles would help you sleep at night."

Yang Wujian thought the timing was perfect. He had heard of both cases—whether it was Chang Xiuyun's tragic death or Yin Quer's murder—these renowned orthodox sects always used the same excuse... collusion with evil cults.

And they still dared to call for investigations? Were these people truly without guilt?

He smiled as he took the alliance document. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Shen Qingshi seemed to recall something, lost in thought.

Ever since he saw the mark on her back and learned that Shen Qingshi was actually a woman, Yang Wujian hadn't known how to face her these past two days.

After all, before this, he hadn't even dared to imagine that the child he watched stumble out through the secret passage over a decade ago was still alive.

How had she survived all these years? And how did she end up becoming a Zhaoming Guard?

And since she was a woman, why did she show no feminine characteristics whatsoever, with a voice that was indistinguishable between male and female?

Yang Wujian had many questions, but he still didn't dare reveal his identity. He knew all too well that the Old Palace Master's actions that day were truly unforgivable. Even though he had been softhearted and let her escape back then, Yang Wujian was almost certain Shen Qingshi wouldn't forgive Longevity Palace because of it.

Had she come to the Four Seas Alliance as a spy to seek revenge for her childhood enemies?

The more Yang Wujian thought about it, the heavier his heart grew. Just then, someone suddenly pushed his shoulder. Zhou Huai said coolly, "Excuse me, has Young Hero Shen's face grown money or something?"

Snapping back to reality, Yang Wujian realized not only was the displeased Young Master Zhou staring at him, but Shen Qingshi was also quietly watching.

Most of the time, Yang Wujian couldn't sense any emotion from her—as if... she were a blank sheet of paper without a single ink stain.

The three had already exited Sword Nurturing Pavilion. Just as Yang Wujian expected, security on the mountain had tightened over the past few days. The path to the back hills was completely sealed off—no one could go to the back hills without permission from the Immeasurable Seven Swords.

Shen Qingshi asked, "Where should we start investigating first?"Yang Wujian pondered for a moment: "I'm aware of both incidents. Ten years ago, although Chang San the Heroine died in the Yin House Case, it didn't happen within the Jade Pavilion's territory... It's said that Chang San the Heroine violated the Jade Pavilion's major prohibition by eloping with a man, and the two even planned to secretly marry in Jingyang City near the northern pass. However, on their wedding night, both Chang San the Heroine and her lover were skinned, had their tongues cut out, and even their internal organs removed. When discovered, only two bloodied skeletons in wedding attire remained."

"..."

Zhou Huai's handsome face turned deathly pale.

The Longyin Sword hadn't provided such detailed descriptions earlier, and he never imagined the case would be even more tragic than he thought.

Folklore says red is a yang color, and red-clothed ghosts resemble living spirits, easily causing hauntings.

Considering how Chang San the Heroine and her lover both died tragically on their wedding night, Zhou Huai dared not imagine how immense their resentment must be.

Seeing his reaction, Yang Wujian found it amusing and moved closer to play with Zhou Huai's exquisitely crafted White Rainbow token.

As the world's finest craftsman, even the tokens Zhou Jinglei made resembled mechanical boxes. When held up to light, shadowy layers seemed visible inside.

He chuckled: "Moreover, since their tragic deaths ten years ago, Lei Shuang, the leader of Jade Pavilion, has kept that house standing as a warning. It's still there now, and they say if you go at night, you can still see a vengeful spirit in wedding dress crawling on the ground."

"What? That house is still haunted?"

Zhou Huai couldn't help but shudder.

Jianghu rumors claimed Young Master Zhou had an exceptionally weak spiritual constitution, and his Evil Sickness resulted from possession by vengeful spirits from the Hero's Tomb. Thus, Zhou Huai had never dared approach such "unclean" places since childhood, let alone investigate a case inside one.

"What's wrong, Young Master Zhou scared? I noticed Young Hero Shen didn't even bat an eye hearing this story."

Yang Wujian gazed at the intricately crafted token in his palm, feeling incredulous.

Logically, since Zhou Jinglei had amassed great wealth over the years, his son should have been quite worldly. Yet Zhou Huai not only remained completely detached from his father's business but also possessed an exceptionally pure, almost naive disposition.

Traveling without attendants, relying solely on the token at his waist to journey through the jianghu - how could Zhou Jinglei possibly feel secure letting Zhou Huai wander alone?

Yang Wujian deliberately provoked him, and Zhou Huai took the bait immediately, puffing out his chest: "Who said I'm scared? I've been possessed by ghosts since childhood - they should be calling me their king by now."

Having achieved his goal, Yang Wujian immediately laughed: "Excellent! Then we'll start investigating from the Yin House Case. Jingyang City is closer to us than Medicine King Mountain and serves as the necessary route north through the pass. They say many Northern Desert residents live there... Our funds are limited. If Young Master Zhou is willing, perhaps you could treat us to some mutton then?"

Thus, the three packed their belongings early the next morning and departed for Jingyang.

Originally, horseback riding would have been faster, taking only two days. Unfortunately, Young Master Zhou was accustomed to carriage travel and couldn't endure roughing it outdoors. Reluctantly, Yang Wujian acquiesced to his preference, procuring a carriage. The three took turns driving, finally arriving in Jingyang on the afternoon of the fourth day.As Yang Wujian had mentioned, although Jingyang City was small, it served as the essential route beyond the frontier. Many Northern Desert natives who had surrendered to Datong after the fall of Northern Xiang resided here. Beyond Jingyang City to the north lay a newly established sect called Thousand Cliffs Fortress. Despite being situated in a bitterly cold land of swirling sand, its disciples had only grown in number over the past decade. Not long ago, when Immeasurable Manor hosted a martial arts gathering, Thousand Cliffs Fortress arrived in overwhelming numbers, their momentum so formidable it seemed they aimed to surpass established powers.

The trio first settled in an inn. Zhou Huai proved genuinely generous—seeing that neither Yang Wujian nor Shen Qingshi intended to book premium rooms, he waved his hand and covered both their meal expenses.

"Young Master Zhou, such extravagance!" Yang Wujian’s gratitude was heartfelt.

Longevity Palace wasn’t particularly wealthy; merely concocting blood-tonifying remedies for its members already strained their finances, leaving no room for lavishness.

Yang Wujian adopted a female disguise while traveling the martial world precisely to lure a few gullible libertines into covering his lodging and meals. After all, men understood men best: if his targets developed genuine feelings, he’d withdraw immediately, but if they merely sought fleeting pleasures, he’d drain their purses dry.

Yet, frequent risks inevitably lead to mishaps. Yang Wujian never imagined he’d even swindle the young master of White Rainbow Tower this time.

Though troublesome, at this moment, Yang Wujian gazed at the table laden with braised pork and sliced raw fish, deeply moved.

Bone Shrinking didn’t mean his appetite shrank to a woman’s. Already forced to eat sparingly, if he didn’t indulge in decent meals occasionally, he felt his Blood Deficiency Syndrome would flare up even with continuous medication.

"Young Master, I advise you to eat more too. We’re investigating the haunted mansion tonight—if you eat too little, you might not endure it and relapse."

As the sun began to set, Yang Wujian mumbled through a full mouth, reminding Zhou Huai. Sure enough, the warning made Zhou Huai drop his fish slice.

"M-must we go at night?" Zhou Huai secretly clenched his prayer beads.

In terms of malevolence, the vengeful spirits in Hero’s Tomb might rival those in the haunted mansion, but Zhou Huai wanted neither latching onto him.

"Night is the only option."

At this, Shen Qingshi quietly set down her bowl and chopsticks.

It was only after realizing she was female that Yang Wujian belatedly noticed how little Shen Qingshi ate—like a cat, she barely touched warm dishes, sticking almost exclusively to cold salads and avoiding even hot tea.

No wonder she never drank the tea he poured earlier—it needed to cool first.

As Yang Wujian pondered this, Shen Qingshi added, "I asked the innkeeper earlier. The haunted mansion lies outside the city. No one enters during the day, but a few nights ago, merchants passing by heard strange noises inside. In other words, to investigate the 'haunting,' we must go at night."