Chapter 54: The Kindhearted Can Save No One
Chen Yin hadn't been gone for long when he came to a stop, turning back to gaze thoughtfully at the inn.
—For Xiang'er to send him away like that, it was clear she was preparing to take her next steps.
If his guess was correct, it had something to do with the demonic faction.
With the Changli Palace's information still pending from Luo Qiaoqiao and Shen Shuanglian, it was about time for him to shift his focus entirely to the demonic faction.
He found a quiet corner, donned his mask, and disappeared into the bustling streets.
A short while later, he arrived at an unassuming antique shop tucked away in a secluded part of Xiang City.
The shop was eerily quiet, with only an old man wearing thick-rimmed reading glasses seated behind the counter.
The old man's senses appeared dull, his eyes cloudy, and his hearing no better. Despite the bustling foot traffic outside, he seemed oblivious, slumped as though in a perpetual doze.
The door creaked open, and a gentle voice called out, "Excuse me, sir. Do you have any treasures for sale?"
The old man didn't respond. The voice repeated the question.
Only then did the old man slowly open his murky eyes. After casting a sidelong glance at the visitor, he rasped, "Nothing of interest here. Please leave, guest."
"May I browse around?"
"…Suit yourself."
Nodding slightly, the masked Chen Yin began to wander aimlessly through the shop.
Though the shop appeared cramped, it stretched deep into the building. Narrow aisles flanked by shelves extended far into the back.
Feigning a casual demeanor, Chen Yin strolled between the shelves. After a while, he paused subtly in front of a concealed display.
On the shelf sat a jade sculpture.
Chen Yin gently turned the sculpture, revealing a hidden passageway behind it. Glancing back at the old man at the door, he slowly stepped into the passage.
The old man remained as if unaware, continuing to nod off at the counter.
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The passage was narrow, reminiscent of the demonic faction's branch in Liuyun City, and extended deep underground.
Chen Yin descended the long staircase at an unhurried pace, stopping at the entrance to a grand hall at the end of the corridor.
—This place is certainly more impressive than the branch in Liuyun City, he thought to himself.
Pushing the grand doors open, he stepped inside. The hall was completely empty, save for a vacant main seat and some communication jades and scrolls scattered on the floor along the walls.
As soon as Chen Yin entered, a figure emerged lightly from the void nearby.
"Young Master, you're here," said Luo Luo, her tone lively.
"No one has been here at all?"
"Mm-hmm. This branch is so deserted, not even like Liuyun City where there were elders and protectors guarding it."
Chen Yin casually picked up a communication jade and some scrolls from the ground, flipping through them.
After some time, his expression began to change.
"…I see," he murmured.
"Hm?" Luo Luo tilted her head, her tail swishing curiously.
"It's not that no one is guarding this branch," Chen Yin said slowly. "It's that all of them left a few days ago."
The scroll he held bore a line of bold, bright-red characters:
"With the approaching Nether Sacrifice, all elders and above must return to the headquarters."
"Nether Sacrifice?" Luo Luo tilted her head further, puzzled. "What does that mean?"
"I don't know," Chen Yin replied, shaking his head. "Perhaps some kind of demonic faction ritual or event."
For something significant enough to summon all the elders and higher-ups back to the headquarters, it must be large in scale.
"The question is whether this place has any clues about the location of the demonic faction's headquarters."
With that, Chen Yin once again began flipping through the scrolls, searching for any leads that might point him in the right direction.
At that moment, a hoarse voice echoed behind him:
"Young man, are you lost?"
Chen Yin raised his head. It was the hunched old man from earlier at the shop's entrance.
"Yes." Chen Yin cast the old man a fleeting glance before returning his focus to the scrolls, flipping through them aimlessly. "The location of the demonic faction's headquarters is so well-hidden, I've no idea where to even begin searching."
"If you can't find it, why force yourself?"
The old man's dry chuckle carried a sinister undertone. "Aren't you afraid… that you might lose your life in the process?"
In the next instant, an oppressive aura of an Unrestricted Realm cultivator surged forth from the old man, bearing down on Chen Yin like a tidal wave.
But as soon as the powerful aura touched Chen Yin, it dissipated like fire encountering water, melting away without a trace. Chen Yin remained calm, casually flipping through the scrolls, as if entirely unaware of the threat.
"Hmm?" The old man frowned.
How could this be? A mere Cloud Realm cultivator was actually able to withstand his pressure?
The old man grew increasingly unsettled by Chen Yin's indifferent demeanor.
"Who are you? How did you find this demonic faction branch?"
"Who I am isn't important." Disappointed by the lack of useful information in the scrolls, Chen Yin closed it with a sigh. Turning to face the old man, he said coolly:
"But… you are very important to me."
The old man's pupils contracted sharply. A primal sense of danger gripped him, prompting him to instinctively retreat.
However, before he could even move, a beam of pure, milky-white sword light flashed past, transforming into a transparent, resplendent sword. Changming hovered before him, blocking his escape.
"Tell me the location of the headquarters, and I'll spare your life," Chen Yin said calmly.
"Heh, arrogant brat!"
The old man spat bitterly. "You're just a mere Cloud Realm pup! I don't know what kind of treasure you're relying on to act so brazenly, but don't think for a second that you can intimidate me!"
Chen Yin seemed unfazed by his words. Instead, he lowered his head and softly instructed Luo Luo, "Cover your ears and turn around. Don't look."
Luo Luo nodded obediently, pressing her paws over her ears and turning her back to the scene.
In the next instant, a muffled scream erupted. It was a sound of suppressed agony, like someone enduring excruciating pain while desperately trying to stifle their cries.
It was as if every nerve and marrow in the old man's body was being shredded by fine sword energy.
Moments later, Chen Yin wiped the blood from his sword and gently patted the little fox's head. "All done."
Luo Luo turned back, only to find the old man completely gone. The ground was bare, save for a small, shallow pit.
"Huh? Where did that guy go? I thought you'd make him lead us to the demonic faction's headquarters!"
"No need." Chen Yin dusted off the sword casually. "I already know where the headquarters is."
Understanding dawned on Luo Luo, and she stuck out her tongue playfully.
"Young Master is so ruthless…"
"Softhearted people can't save anyone," Chen Yin replied plainly. Without further elaboration, he instructed, "Put everything back where it belongs, and let's go."
"Where to? The demonic headquarters?"
"No rush. The Nether Sacrifice they mentioned won't take place for another half a month. For now, we'll stay in Xiang City and wait for more news."
"Besides," Chen Yin added with a faint smile, "I promised to tell you a story tonight, didn't I?"
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