Chapter 57 – Not All Are Lost

  “Did he say why?” Yan Zhen asked.

  “No, Sir. He only said—” Before the yamen could finish, Bai Xunli was already at Yan Zhen’s side.

  “Bring him in.”

  “Yes, Captain.”

  Without turning to Yan Zhen, Bai Xunli murmured, “If I’m not mistaken, Lu Jianhong is Gu Tianzhu’s third disciple. I hope he brings news of his Shizun.”

  Yan Zhen didn’t doubt her words. If Bai Xunli said it, she was certain. She never spoke carelessly, and she never retracted her words—not even if the world stood against her.

  Moments later, Lu Jianhong and Xu Yun were led forward. As they walked, the weight of silence pressed down on Xu Yun. The realization of where they were headed made her chest tighten. A deep unease curled in her stomach, a mixture of dread and urgency tangling inside her. She wasn’t ready to see the bodies, afraid of what she might find—but the fear only fueled her desperation. She needed to find Lin Qian, now more than ever.

  Yan Zhen stood at the morgue’s entrance, watching the two cultivators approach. The female—Xu Yun—carried a stronger cultivation than him, while the male, presumably Lu Jianhong, matched his own level: Mid Immortal Stage 3 .

  Upon reaching the entrance, Lu Jianhong bowed respectfully. “Captain.”

  Xu Yun, however, merely inclined her head in a brief nod.

  Yan Zhen returned the bow. “I’m not the captain, nor am I in charge. Please, come in.”

  Without another word, they followed him inside.

  The scent of medicinal herbs and lingering death clung to the air, thick and suffocating. The cold light of the morgue illuminated a single body lying on the stone table.

  The moment her gaze landed on the lifeless form, Xu Yun’s breath hitched.

  “Chen Wei!” she gasped.

  A sharp pain bloomed in her chest as tears welled up in her eyes. The growing unease that had clawed at her all day crashed into reality, leaving no room for denial. It was real. Chen Wei was dead.

  Her worry sharpened into panic, surging through her like a wave. She had to find Lin Qian. Now.

  Lu Jianhong was taken aback by Xu Yun’s reaction. Just moments ago, she had been calm, composed—nothing like this.

  Bai Xunli and Yan Zhen observed her in silence. When Bai Xunli was certain Xu Yun’s reaction was genuine, she took a step forward. “I take it you knew the victim? His name was Chen Wei?”

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  Xu Yun acted as if she hadn’t heard Bai Xunli’s question. She continued staring at the body, tears pooling in her eyes.

  She sniffled. “I heard there were more victims. Where are they?”

  Yan Zhen wanted to remind her to answer his Captain first, but Bai Xunli stopped him with a subtle gesture.

  Bai Xunli’s voice remained steady. “Look around you, Xianren.” She lifted her hand, gesturing to the room. “All the bodies here are from the inn.”

  Xu Yun turned—and gasped.

  There were more than ten stone tables, each carrying a body.

  Her panic swelled. “I need to find Lin Qian. I need to find Lin Qian.” Over and over, her voice trembled, as if saying it enough times would make it true. She had completely forgotten that if Lin Qian were truly dead, she wouldn’t have left a body.

  Lu Jianhong, stunned, struggled to process what he was seeing. He had never experienced loss before. Watching Xu Yun—who had been so composed—suddenly unravel left him shaken. He placed a hesitant hand on her shoulder. “Xianren, please—”

  Xu Yun abruptly turned to Bai Xunli, gripping her hands. “I heard there were two survivors. Where are they? Take me to them!”

  Yan Zhen clenched his jaw. He had had enough. It didn’t matter that Xu Yun was stronger than him—he hated when people disregarded his Captain’s authority, and that was exactly what she was doing now. No one disrespected his Captain in his presence!

  He grabbed Xu Yun’s hand, attempting to pry it away from Bai Xunli’s. Instinctively, Xu Yun reacted—her spirit energy surged, pushing Yan Zhen back. It was a gentle push, nothing meant to harm, but it was enough to send him staggering.

  Yan Zhen, however, took it as an attack. The moment he steadied himself, his twin crescent blades were in his hands, ready to strike.

  Lu Jianhong sprang forward, conjuring a spirit energy shield to protect Xu Yun.

  Bai Xunli’s voice cut through the tension, calm yet firm. “Stop it, Yan Zhen. Stand down.”

  She placed a hand lightly on Xu Yun’s wrist. “Xianren, please.”

  Xu Yun exhaled sharply, closing her eyes before sighing. “I’m sorry. I lost myself.”

  She released Bai Xunli’s hands, stepping back. “I was just too worried about my friend, Lin Qian.”

  She straightened herself and bowed. “My name is Xu Yun. The three of us are traveling doctors. We came to this city because we heard rumors about a plague and wanted to help.”

  She deliberately left out Lei Wen’s name, knowing he was gone without a body left behind. It would be difficult to explain without exposing their identities.

  Bai Xunli returned the bow. “I’m Bai Xunli, Enforcer Captain in charge of the inn case. This is Yan Zhen, my subordinate. Please excuse him.”

  Yan Zhen, though reluctant, gave a short bow. “I apologize.”

  Lu Jianhong spoke next. “I am Lu Jianhong, third disciple of Gu Tianzhu of Ziyu Sect. I’m here to accompany Xu Yun Xianren in finding her friend. We believe she is one of the survivors. Please help us.”

  Bai Xunli nodded. “The two survivors are currently at the infirmary. One of my subordinates is watching over them. They are safe.”

  Xu Yun’s expression brightened, hope flickering in her eyes. “Really? They’re safe? How are their conditions? Are they injured? Badly? I’m a doctor—I can help them!”

  Bai Xunli gave her a measured look before nodding. “We’ll take you there.”

  Yan Zhen looked unconvinced, but Bai Xunli caught the hesitation in his eyes. Leaning toward him, she whispered, “She’s anxious and unstable. Yet, she didn’t truly attack you. Let’s go and see what happens.”

  With tension still lingering in the air, Bai Xunli turned on her heel and strode toward the exit. The others followed, Xu Yun’s steps growing quicker with every breath. She had to see Lin Qian—now.

  Author’s Note

  If you’re enjoying His Little Chaos, Her Iron Wall, you can read 5 chapters ahead on!

  Arc 1 is now fully completed and available both on and for those who prefer to binge-read.