After Being Reborn a Hundred Times, I Refused to Be the Villain - Chapter 15:

Chapter 15: Traces

In the main hall atop the central peak of the Heavenly Dao Sect, Sect Master Lin Tianyou’s expression was solemn, and the oppressive aura around him pressed heavily on everyone present. Gathered in the hall were several Law Enforcement Elders, the Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall, and many Spiritual Peak Masters.

“Sect Master, what urgent matter has caused you to summon us here in such haste?” the Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall asked with a trace of confusion.

Master Xueyue also showed puzzlement. After all, Snow Moon Peak rarely involved itself in the sect’s affairs. Typically, when matters arose, they were handled by Ling Yun. Yet this time, the Sect Master had specifically ordered her to attend, which left her quite confused.

“Now, tell everyone what you witnessed,” Lin Tianyou said, turning to the shadow guard.

“Yes, Sect Master.”

Although he was Lin Chuan’s personal shadow guard, only he, Lin Tianyou, and Lin Chuan knew about his true identity. On the surface, he was merely one of the disciples from the Law Enforcement Hall. His mission to follow Ling Yun out of the sect had been an official one, carried out openly, so no one suspected he also had a secret task.

“I received a mission to investigate traces of beast activity in Yunze. On the way past Xiangdao City, I sensed something abnormal nearby. Just in case, I went to investigate.” As he spoke, the shadow guard took out a Shadow Recording Stone from his storage ring and projected the scene he had witnessed before everyone’s eyes.

When they saw what was recorded in the Shadow Recording Stone, everyone present furrowed their brows. A demonic cultivator had appeared so close to the Heavenly Dao Sect and had even engaged in battle with Xu Aozi, ending in both their deaths. This incident was definitely not as simple as it appeared on the surface.

“Who exactly was that demonic cultivator, and why did they target one of our sect’s disciples traveling outside? There are too many unanswered questions. We must investigate thoroughly! Hall Master Xue, you will take full charge of this matter. Leave no clue unchecked!” Lin Tianyou declared firmly.

He had already heard through other channels that demonic cultivators had been stirring recently, scheming in secret. The fact that a demonic cultivator had appeared near the sect and killed someone gave him the perfect excuse to begin a thorough investigation.

“Understood, Sect Master!” The Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall cupped his fists, his face stern.

“Also, this matter is to be kept strictly confidential. No word of it is to reach the disciples!” Lin Tianyou added.

A sect disciple being killed by a demonic cultivator near Xiangdao City was already a blow to the Heavenly Dao Sect’s reputation. With the exchange meeting with the Flying Immortal Sect and the Ten Sects Grand Competition approaching, if this incident were to leak, the sect would become a laughingstock, and unrest would spread among the disciples. For Lin Tianyou, controlling the information was now the highest priority.

“Master Xueyue, the disciple who fought with the demonic cultivator was your former Chief Disciple. We’ll need your assistance with this matter as well.” Lin Tianyou then turned his gaze toward Master Xueyue.

Among everyone present, the one most overwhelmed was undoubtedly Master Xueyue. She clearly remembered her disciple had just bid her farewell before descending the mountain, yet now word had come back that he had died with no remains left behind. It almost made her think someone was playing a cruel joke on her.

Without a word, Master Xueyue stood up abruptly, summoned her flying sword with a wave of her hand, and soared away in a flash of rainbow light.

“Master Xueyue just learned of her disciple’s death. It’s understandable that she’s momentarily unable to accept it. I’ll follow her, in case something unexpected happens,” said the Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall, cupping his fists toward Lin Tianyou before summoning his own artifact and pursuing her.

Outside Xiangdao City, a powerful aura suddenly descended, shattering the defensive formation that the shadow guard had set up. Gazing at the chaotic remnants of the battlefield, Master Xueyue appeared dazed. At that moment, she sensed a familiar aura. With a casual wave of her hand, the broken jade fragments scattered on the ground flew up and landed in her palm.

Looking at the shattered jade token in her hand, Master Xueyue could no longer deny the truth. These were clearly fragments of a jade token from Snow Moon Peak. The battlefield was still thick with the scent of blood. Master Xueyue waved her hand and drew in a strand of blood, which resonated with the aura of the jade token.

The jade token was shattered, no corpse remained, and blood was scattered across the entire battlefield. Master Xueyue lowered her gaze. It seemed Xu Aozi truly had perished without a trace, just as the Law Enforcement disciple had reported.

“Crack… crack…” The fragments in her hand were slowly crushed, and a terrifying aura surged around her body, covering the entire battlefield in a layer of frost.

“Master Xueyue, please wait!” At that moment, a loud voice rang out. The Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall arrived just in time to stop her action.

This place had already been badly damaged from the cultivators’ battle. If Master Xueyue froze it further, any remaining clues would be even harder to recover.

As the Hall Master arrived, another powerful aura rose from within Xiangdao City and appeared before the two of them—it was the City Lord of Xiangdao City, a cultivator whose strength rivaled that of the Heavenly Dao Sect’s Law Enforcement Elders.

“Greetings to both Martial Uncles. May I ask what urgent matter brings you here today?” Seeing the two of them, the City Lord of Xiangdao City quickly greeted them.

Indeed, the City Lord of Xiangdao City was also a disciple of the Heavenly Dao Sect. Without this identity, he would not have been able to hold his current position.

“A demonic cultivator appeared near Xiangdao City and even engaged in battle with a disciple of our sect. Are you saying you knew nothing about this?” The Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall glanced coldly at the City Lord and asked.

The City Lord felt his scalp go numb. He had known that seeing the Hall Master would not bring good news, and sure enough, it was a massive problem. Xiangdao City had been peaceful for so long that their guard had grown lax, and now it seemed a huge mistake had occurred.

“Martial Uncle, I’ve been wronged! The formation detecting demonic cultivators in Xiangdao City has been operating normally. I have never been negligent!” The City Lord quickly defended himself.

Though he had grown a bit lazy, he had never dared to ignore key responsibilities.

Hearing this, the Hall Master’s expression darkened. His worst fears had come true. If the formation had been functioning properly, yet a demonic cultivator still infiltrated this area, then someone must have assisted from within. It meant there was likely a traitor in the Heavenly Dao Sect.

At that moment, the Hall Master’s heart grew heavy. Nothing had happened for so long, and now that something did, it was of such gravity.

However, this incident wasn’t without leads. Why would a demonic cultivator attack Xu Aozi here? The most likely explanation was that the traitor had a grudge against him and used this opportunity to orchestrate an ambush to ensure his death.

If that were the case, perhaps Master Xueyue might know something about it.