Sword Aura to the Heavens
Chapter 192 - 188 Background

Chapter 192: Chapter 188 Background

The assassination incident in Seven Star Alley stirred up quite a commotion.

A Condensed Core Realm Sword Cultivator assassin—hiring someone of this caliber to risk their life must have come at a hefty price. Who could Zuo Tu have offended?

Moreover, Zuo Tu has two Demons by his side, both transformed into beautiful women, especially Yue Qingqiu, who was completely unnoticeable in daily life.

How could such a woman possibly be a Demon?

This Zuo Tu certainly has peculiar tastes.

The next day, Liu Ji’s injuries improved somewhat, but they still affected her. It would probably take some more time to fully recover.

If not for having absorbed the Jiao Long Pill earlier, she might not have been able to withstand a strike from a Condensed Core Realm Sword Cultivator.

For Liu Ji, it was like a brush with death.

"How is the wound?" In the room, Li Fan asked Liu Ji.

"No major issues, don’t worry about me. But that assassin—we must get to the bottom of their identity," Liu Ji replied from her bed. Without clarity, she would remain uneasy.

"Hmm." Li Fan nodded. This was the first time Liu Ji, after following him, had suffered such severe injuries.

Over the past year, Liu Ji had been tirelessly tending to his life, and he never treated her as a Demon Servant.

"Young Master Zuo."

A voice came from outside; it was Lu Yuhuan.

"I’ll go out and take a look," Li Fan said. "You rest well."

"Hmm." Liu Ji nodded. Li Fan exited the room and went to the courtyard, where Lu Yuhuan looked at him and said, "We’ve found out the assassin’s identity. The assassin is named Liu Xiao, a Loose Cultivator with an Initial Stage of Condensed Core cultivation. He’s always been seeking breakthroughs in Sword Dao. This assassination attempt was likely commissioned by someone who offered a price he couldn’t refuse, possibly something aiding his Sword Dao breakthrough."

"Can we find out who?" Li Fan asked.

"The Lu Family is trying, looking into people Liu Xiao has had contact with recently. However, given the large number of Sword Cultivators traveling through Chi Xiao City and the complex nature of these interactions, it might be challenging. Young Master Zuo should be mentally prepared," Lu Yuhuan said. "But regardless of the outcome, our Lu Family will try our utmost to investigate."

"Thank you, Miss Lu." Li Fan nodded. "Thank you also to the Lu Family for yesterday’s assistance."

"This is Seven Star Alley, our Lu Family’s territory. It’s our duty to act when someone attempts an assassination here. Young Master Zuo need not be concerned. Instead, with this incident occurring, our Lu Family also bears some responsibility."

"Since coming to Seven Star Alley, I’ve hardly interacted with the outside world. The only person I might have enmity with is Su Chen. It might be worth focusing the Lu Family’s investigation on him," Li Fan suggested.

"Understood. We’ve already assigned people to keep an eye on Su Chen and will inform Young Master Zuo immediately upon having results," Lu Yuhuan said.

"Alright, thank you for your effort." Li Fan nodded, and Lu Yuhuan took her leave.

At this time, Yue Qingqiu approached Li Fan and whispered, "Should we capture Su Chen?"

Li Fan looked at her.

Yue Qingqiu softly said, "I can help you interrogate him."

"Do you possess abilities like a Demon Saint?" Li Fan was taken aback, looking at Yue Qingqiu.

The Demon Saint was adept in illusion techniques, and Yue Qingqiu was as well.

Additionally, the Demon Saint excelled in the Soul Capturing Technique, capable of interrogating the Divine Soul. Perhaps, Yue Qingqiu had this ability too?

"I learned some from the Demon Saint," Yue Qingqiu replied softly.

Li Fan looked at her strangely—was Yue Qingqiu’s true form a Snow Fox?

Yesterday, she had manifested a Demon Fox shadow, which also had nine tails.

Could she be a Nine-tailed Heavenly Fox too?

Currently, among their group, Yue Qingqiu was indeed the strongest in combat capability.

Since Yue Qingqiu is skilled in the Soul Capturing Technique, it would be worth capturing Su Chen to try it out. If he’s guilty, he will be killed.

The next day, Lu Yuhuan brought information about Su Chen to Li Fan.

"Su Chen, from the Da Li Imperial City."

Lu Yuhuan said to Li Fan.

Li Fan showed a hint of surprise—Sword Cultivators from that Imperial City?

"The Da Li Dynasty—although Chi Xiao City is a Sword Dao Sacred Land, the Da Li Imperial City is truly where the world’s most powerful forces gather. There are many ancient and top families there, whom even the royal family needs to win over."

Lu Yuhuan continued, "Su Chen hails from the Imperial City Su Family. Though not the most elite family, they are still among the top tier, with a Seventh Realm Practitioner. After entering the Green Cloud List, he has made his identity public and has a Fifth Realm Practitioner by his side."

"No wonder he’s so arrogant and proud—it turns out he has a major family background."

"Have we found any links between him and the assassin?" Li Fan asked.

"No," Lu Yuhuan shook her head. "Su Chen’s activities are not secretive. He’s been active in Chi Xiao City and has appeared on the Green Cloud List, but that doesn’t clear the suspicion. He could have had someone do it on his behalf, so we’ll continue to keep an eye on him."

Li Fan frowned. Just monitoring Su Chen might not catch any slip-ups.

"Please gather information on the cultivation realms of the practitioners around Su Chen and his current location for me, Miss Lu," Li Fan asked.

"Alright, leave it to me." Lu Yuhuan nodded, then left again.

Soon, Lu Yuhuan had Elder Cai bring news: Su Chen has a Mid Stage of Condensed Core practitioner with him, and they’re residing at the Yunlai Inn in Chi Xiao City.

"Brother Huang, let’s head to Yunlai Inn," Li Fan told Huang Xiong.

"Alright." Huang Xiong nodded and went to prepare the carriage.

"Is Young Master Zuo leaving?" Mr. Cai saw Li Fan and his group boarding the carriage and asked.

"Going out to stay for a few days. Keep this place vacant for me, as I might return," Li Fan told Mr. Cai. "Also, let Miss Lu know."

"Alright." Mr. Cai nodded, watching as Li Fan and several ladies got into the carriage, with Huang Xiong at the front, driving.

The carriage moved slowly, heading out of Seven Star Alley, watched by many cultivators from afar.

This genius Sword Cultivator who made it to the Green Cloud List was leaving.

There might be excitement to watch.

Mr. Cai also watched the group’s departure, knowing Su Chen comes from a major family yet seeing Li Fan still head toward his inn. Clearly, Li Fan has a significant background too.

Could it be true, as he claimed, that he belongs to some powerful hidden sect?

However, Mr. Cai could tell that Li Fan was humble and not prone to causing trouble, but with someone provoking him now, a storm might be brewing.

This storm began with the Green Cloud List, and what changes it would bring were uncertain.

Chi Xiao City was bustling and lively, with a constant flow of people on the streets.

As the carriage moved slowly through the city streets, passersby on horseback drew exclamations.

"Gu Qiu." Many people looked at the rider—a man of exceptional demeanor, riding a mighty steed, and wielding a longsword.

"That’s the tenth-ranked Gu Qiu on the Green Cloud List," voices spread around.

Li Fan, hearing the outside noise, lifted the carriage curtain and glanced outside, catching a glimpse of a figure galloping past. The rider on the horse seemed aware, looked into the carriage, and met Li Fan’s gaze, with a sharp intent in their eyes.

The two merely passed each other and didn’t stop. Extraordinary figures frequently appeared in this city, many stronger than Gu Qiu, though lacking his Green Cloud List notoriety.

The Yunlai Inn was located in a central area of Chi Xiao City, with convenient access in all directions and teeming with inns and restaurants, hosting a constant stream of travelers.

The carriage stopped outside the Yunlai Inn, and an attendant came forward to greet them.

Li Fan got out of the carriage and looked up at the inn, but out of the corner of his eye, he noticed something and turned his gaze toward the inn’s opposite direction.

There, in a corner opposite the inn, sat a ragged figure quietly, holding a precious sword with an extraordinary scabbard.

Seeing Li Fan looking at the figure, the attendant introduced, "Guest, that person is named Yan Qi, also a renowned Sword Cultivator, who defeated Tang Huan, previously on the Green Cloud List. However, he was unlucky to have encountered Young Master Su, Su Chen. Before securing his position on the list, he was knocked off. Perhaps he holds a grudge against Young Master Su for this. Since Young Master Su took residence, Yan Qi has followed him here, sitting there daily, ignoring Young Master Su’s provocations. Indeed, a peculiar man."

Li Fan showed a hint of surprise, "When did he arrive?"

"Yesterday," the attendant replied.

The day before yesterday night was when Li Fan was ambushed.

Li Fan showed an odd expression and approached Yan Qi. Yan Qi, noticing Li Fan, lifted his head to look at him.

"Why are you here?" Li Fan asked.

Yan Qi didn’t respond.

"Because of me?" Li Fan asked again.

Yan Qi remained silent.

"Why not come stay at the inn with me?" Li Fan suggested.

"No need." Yan Qi shook his head, "I’m used to it; doesn’t matter to me."

Li Fan could tell that despite having accepted his goodwill that day, Yan Qi’s nature was inherent, unlikely to change soon.

"Alright, I’ll handle the Su Chen matter myself, you don’t need to intervene," Li Fan stated.

"He has a Condensed Core Realm Sword Cultivator by his side," Yan Qi said, looking at Li Fan.

"I know." Li Fan nodded, which is why he didn’t want Yan Qi to get involved.

His cultivation realm was only at the Foundation Establishment stage, and with Su Chen’s background, if Su Chen was truly responsible, Yan Qi getting involved might lead to dire consequences.

Li Fan headed towards the inn, while Yue Qingqiu and Lu Yuan also got out of the carriage. The attendant paused a moment and then addressed Li Fan, "Young Master Zuo?"

"You recognize me?" Li Fan asked, puzzled.

"Recently, Young Master Zuo has gained some notoriety in the city," the attendant smiled. "Please, Young Master Zuo."

He hadn’t expected Zuo Tu would also show up.

This could promise some interesting events.

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