Chapter 56 – The Truth Carved in Flesh

  Xu Yun and Lu Jianhong traveled in silence.

  Xu Yun grew more anxious the closer they got to the inn.

  Lu Jianhong took this time to really look at Xu Yun. She had a higher cultivation than him, but she looked fragile—harmless, even. Yet right now, as she rushed down the mountain, her eyes held a determined focus, laced with fear.

  "Stop staring at me and move faster!" Xu Yun snapped, picking up speed.

  "Xianren, wait up!" Lu Jianhong hurried to keep up with her.

  Xu Yun was obviously faster. She was about to reach the gate separating the city from the mountain when she noticed a group of people gathered there.

  She halted before they could see her and signaled to Lu Jianhong behind her to hide.

  They listened carefully, eavesdropping on the murmuring crowd.

  "When are the officials going to get here?"

  "Are they really going to climb the mountain?"

  "That noise was so loud—the whole city felt it!"

  Xu Yun looked at Lu Jianhong. "We need to avoid those officials. Our priority is saving my friend."

  Lu Jianhong didn’t share her need for secrecy. "Those officials are most probably Enforcers from the Imperial Cultivation Enforcement Bureau (ICEB). We, Ziyu Sect, are on good terms with them."

  He continued, "I’m sure Shizun was already in contact with them when he arrived at Baishan City last week."

  Xu Yun persisted. "Maybe, but I need to get to my friend as soon as possible. I have no time for socializing."

  Lu Jianhong also persisted. "Then they could help." He was about to step out from their hiding place, but Xu Yun stopped him.

  "Wait. Listen."

  Lu Jianhong stayed silent and went back to eavesdropping.

  "Did you hear?"

  "About the mountain? Of course, everyone did."

  "No, the inn—something happened there too."

  "Wait, what? What do you mean?"

  "People were killed. Lots of them."

  "Are you sure?"

  "I heard someone say the bodies… they had holes. Clean through. Like—"

  "Don’t say it."

  "Are there any survivors?"

  "Not sure. Someone mentioned two, but who knows if that's true."

  Xu Yun’s eyes widened. She looked at Lu Jianhong, who understood immediately.

  "We need to find out where the survivors are."

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  "Xianren, please trust me. ICEB Enforcers are very capable people. Shizun always told us to maintain good relations with them. They are good people," Lu Jianhong said confidently.

  Xu Yun was still anxious to find Lin Qian, but she thought Lu Jianhong had a point.

  She sighed and nodded. "Okay. I don’t really believe you, but I trust Gu Zhenren."

  Lu Jianhong smiled. "But you are right about one thing—we need to avoid those crowds."

  The two of them sneaked in with ease. Lu Jianhong led Xu Yun to the Baishan City local yamen office.

  The Imperial Cultivation Enforcement Bureau (ICEB) was an independent agency with the sole purpose of controlling the cultivators in the Wusheng Empire. Enforcers were the Emperor’s weapon to ensure that cultivators did not rule over the Empire. They operated directly under the Emperor and had no real power in court.

  The Head of ICEB, Han Zhaofeng, was an Immortal Saint widely known for his rare public appearances and his strict control over the Enforcers. Members of ICEB were trained like soldiers and conducted themselves as if they were part of the military.

  Enforcers were all cultivators. Any cultivator could apply to become an Enforcer, but being accepted was a different matter. To become an Enforcer, applicants had to pass a series of tests that evaluated not only their cultivation level and talent but also their moral values and character. Because of this, there were not many Enforcers.

  Inside the local yamen, in their morgue, Bai Xunli stood examining the bodies that had holes in their abdomens. She had been sent to investigate rumors about Fanjing Pills and core extractions.

  Most cultivators were highly competitive, constantly striving to surpass one another. They fought over cultivation resources, and at times, their battles affected innocent and weaker humans. That was when the Enforcers intervened.

  But never in her career as an Enforcer had Bai Xunli seen physical evidence of core extraction. This was a heinous crime, punishable by death or core destruction. She had only ever heard rumors and never expected them to be true.

  She had arrived in Baishan City about a week ago and met with a cultivator from Ziyu Sect—Gu Tianzhu—and his second disciple. They too had come because of the rumors.

  Ziyu Sect and ICEB had always maintained a strong relationship. Ziyu was fair and cooperative with ICEB, and they had worked together on several cases before. Bai Xunli respected Gu Tianzhu deeply.

  A few days ago, Gu Tianzhu told her he was going to investigate Bai Mountain after receiving information that ‘spirits’ had appeared on the mountain in the form of floating fires. But that was four days ago, and she hadn’t heard from him since.

  "I hope they’re okay," she murmured while continuing to examine the bodies.

  In front of her was Chen Wei’s body, a gaping hole in his abdomen. Bai Xunli closed his eyes. "Please rest in peace. I will definitely catch whoever did this."

  She felt sorrow for the fallen victims and fury toward the culprit. She was determined to catch them. She was positive that, with Gu Tianzhu’s help, she would succeed.

  But who would dare to do this? Gu Tianzhu believed it to be Lingxu Sect, or at least someone from within Lingxu Sect.

  Bai Xunli didn’t believe it. Lingxu Sect was already officially ahead of Ziyu Sect as the number one Immortal Sect in the Wusheng Empire. She dismissed Gu Tianzhu’s suspicions as him being unable to accept defeat.

  Yan Zhen entered the morgue. Bai Xunli had assigned him to interview witnesses from the inn massacre. The task hadn’t taken long—no one had seen anything worth further investigation.

  "Captain," Yan Zhen bowed to Bai Xunli. He wore the ICEB uniform, black robes with silver embroidery, looking imposing. His tall stature did nothing to soften his appearance. His face held a perpetual scowl, as if he had never known what it meant to smile.

  "Hmm, how was it?" Bai Xunli didn’t lift her gaze from Chen Wei’s body.

  "No one saw anything, Captain. As expected, all of the inn’s employees and owner died as well. None of the neighbors or passersby witnessed anything worth investigating further."

  "Not surprising if the culprit was a cultivator," Bai Xunli said, unfazed.

  "Yes, Captain. We expected that." He paused, glancing around.

  "Luo Heng is waiting at the infirmary. The two survivors are in bad shape," Bai Xunli said, knowing Yan Zhen was looking for him. "Come here, look at this wound, tell me what you see."

  Yan Zhen stepped forward, bending down slightly to examine Chen Wei’s gaping wound.

  "There’s no doubt. The core was here, and it was extracted perfectly. The wound on the abdomen looks like the flesh was torn, but the cut surrounding the core is precise."

  Yan Zhen straightened. "This isn’t the first time the culprit has performed a core extraction. They’ve done this multiple times."

  Bai Xunli nodded. "Which means we have our work cut out for us. Someone out there is extracting cores."

  "Excuse me, Captain Bai, Enforcer Yan," a yamen official called from outside the morgue.

  Yan Zhen opened the morgue door. "What is it?"

  "A cultivator by the name of Lu Jianhong is here. He’s looking for the Enforcer in charge of the case."

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