Food Fairy Lord

Chapter 851 The Bright Light Fades, Demons Lurk (Part 4)
The rain had lessened in the early morning, but the light was still dim.

Pei Ye got up and went downstairs. Several men and women from Tianshan were already in the hall. Shi Zanxue seemed to be waiting for him: "Last night, Mei Gu Qu Yingshi was killed in front of Zhao Long's mourning hall. The Six Plum Secret Swords were stolen. The murderer is suspected to be Zhao Long's son."

Pei Ye didn't stop and got down: "The new 'Six Plum Secret Sword' hasn't been copied and given to the Immortal Platform yet, has it?"

“No,” Shi Zanxue said. “Xiao Chixia is still waiting. If she incorporates martial arts manuals from other schools, it will be even more difficult to make a judgment.”

Pei Ye looked at Yang Yifeng in the hall: "Master Yang, I think this person must be apprehended as soon as possible."

"I have already sent Junior Brother Lu Yunsheng there."

Pei Ye clasped his hands in a fist salute.

“Besides that, twelve new bloody incidents occurred in Yutian City this night,” Shi Zanxue said. “After yesterday, all the factions became more vigilant and on guard, and half of the attackers were captured and killed instead.”

"I imagine the outcome will be the same."

"Yes, regardless of which side dies, the two factions are now at loggerheads."

Ying Yuetian said, "All of you junior brothers and sisters have taken charge of these bloody matters and gone to handle them. We few plan to visit the various families in the city today."

Pei Ye glanced around. Apart from Ying Yuetian and Yang Yifeng, the only people left in the hall were Qun Fei and Ning Xuanyan. Although Shuang Cheng and Bai Yi were ranked higher, they were probably more suitable for pursuing criminals.

"What are your plans for today, Young Master Pei?" Yang Yifeng asked.

Pei Ye clasped his hands in a fist and smiled, "To be honest, I'd like to post a notice."

"What notice?"

"I would like to convene all the current factions of Yutian City for a meeting in the central city tomorrow at noon. I wonder what your thoughts are?"

Yang Yifeng and Ying Yuetian exchanged a glance and both smiled: "Then it seems that Young Hero Pei and we have the same idea."

"Is it?"

“Our purpose in visiting and touring today is to try our best to draw out the various sects. Tonight, Grandmaster Xi will arrive. He knows a great deal about this snow lotus. If there is a way to suppress it, it will not escape his notice. If we do find a way, we will make it public tomorrow. We must start preparing today,” Yang Yifeng said. “Young Master Pei should think the same way.”

“Yes, the calamity in the Western Regions originated from the growth of the Snow Lotus, and its eradication should also come from the eradication of the Snow Lotus. Therefore, we have been hoping for Senior Xi. When I went to Yetian City with Miss Lu last time, I advertised it to the martial arts world in the Western Regions. I entered the city yesterday, but I have not yet informed the heroes.” Pei Ye said, “Things must be explained.”

“However, Senior Xi Baodu has not yet arrived, and we have not truly obtained this method.” Ying Yuetian hesitated for a moment. “But if we wait until everything is properly arranged before we summon them, the situation may still be out of control, and people may not be willing to come.”

Pei Ye nodded: "Yes. The situation is extremely precarious. If we lose even a day or two, it may be beyond saving."

Yang Yifeng smiled and said, "Since we have similar views, then we will go and tour the city, and Young Hero Pei can go and post notices."

Just then, a voice came from upstairs: "Do you need help putting up a notice? I can help too."

Pei Ye turned around and saw Lu Yuque standing on the stairs, who also looked up and hesitated as he looked down.

“This is Miss Lu,” Pei Ye said with a smile. “Miss Lu, these are the Foster Maidens of Tianshan. [Zideng] Ying Yuetian, [Daoli] Yang Yifeng, [Gongzi] Qunfei, [Yulun] Ning Xuanyan.”

Lu Yuque greeted them one by one with some trepidation.

"In that case, shall we summon the guests to the Heavenly City tomorrow at noon?"

“Alright.” Pei Ye clasped his hands in a fist salute. “Thank you all for your hard work.”

"It's your job."

"Does Young Master Pei wish me to accompany you?" Shi Zanxue asked.

"No need for today."

"it is good."

Several of the top disciples from Tianshan took their swords and left.

Lu Yuque came down and sat down next to the man, eating the warm buns on the table together.

"Where are you going to post the notice?" Lu Yuque asked.

Pei Ye looked up at her: "What?"

“If you go to the north of the city, I’ll go to the south; if you go to the east, I’ll go to the west,” Lu Yuque said. “Is that alright?”

I thought you were coming with me.

"Then I'm not helping you, I just... I just want to follow you." Lu Yuque smiled, "Hurry up and choose."

“I’m not really going to post them. That would require writing so many copies.” Pei Ye finished her porridge and smiled. “If you want to go and notify people, go ahead, but you’ll have to write the notices yourself.”

"...You haven't finished editing it yet."

“No,” Pei Ye said. “You are well-read, so writing an article shouldn’t be difficult for you. Just write that we’ve arrived in the city and there are some things we need to discuss with the people of the Western Border.”

"Hmm...okay, but...but what should I write on the signature?" Lu Yuque looked up at him, her bright eyes filled with trepidation. Pei Ye truly appreciated her cuteness at that moment; she was clearly a very dignified girl, yet beneath her skin seemed to lie a little deer.

He smiled and complied with her expectations: "I'll write about Shenjing Peiye and Jiandu Luyuque."

"Alright." Lu Yuque smiled modestly. "Thank you, Young Hero Pei Ye."

"You're welcome. Here, take the kitten." Pei Ye stood up, sword in hand. "See you tonight."

"See you tonight!"

Pei Ye's figure disappeared at the building entrance. Lu Yuque, with a steamed bun in her mouth, took out the martial arts manual from her bosom again. She didn't open it, but stared at it blankly for a while, gently touched it, and then put it aside.

Then she took out a pen, ink, and paper, and spent almost an hour writing many eye-catching notices.

He put down his pen, stretched lazily, and looked at the black cat sitting quietly on the table, muttering to himself, "Why do you always give me the kitten... Are you a magical artifact too?"

She poked the kitten's paw, and its blue eyes lifted up to look at her quietly.

Lu Yuque stared at it for a while, then stopped thinking about it. He carefully put away the "Unexplained Sword Sutra," picked up the copied notice, gently placed the little cat, which didn't like being touched, on his shoulder, picked up his sword and umbrella, and went out the door.

The cold rain felt like mint to her nose and mouth. Lu Yuque wrapped her robe tighter around herself and looked up. This was her first time in this unfamiliar metropolis.

Just as the book says, it is much further west and north than Huazhou, colder and harder, and also appears more spacious and clean.

This city has a sense of weight and history, which can be felt from the stone roads underfoot. In Huazhou, the paving stones are always thin and wide, while here the bricks are small and heavy, tightly packed together, gradually becoming one after being trampled for countless years.

Everything in the city was unfamiliar, so Lu Yuque didn't care about the pedestrians. She walked along the street with her umbrella, thinking about the right place to post her message.

Then, standing at the first intersection, she suddenly realized that the paper was not waterproof.

It can't be stuck on a wet wall.

Lu Yuque stood there for a while, then sighed.

"How incredibly stupid," she murmured sadly, glancing around at the street before turning back to look at the kitten on her shoulder.

“I understand, let’s go to the restaurant,” she said.

Finding a restaurant in a completely unfamiliar city is not an easy task, especially at this time of year and in this weather. There are hardly any people on the streets, and those dressed in江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the world of outlaws and江湖义气, a code of honor among江湖 people) are more wary than anyone else.

After much effort, Lu Yuque finally found a restaurant. She walked in and saw many people drinking inside. She didn't count how many of them were carrying swords and knives. She put away her umbrella and shook out a thin, white piece of paper.

The vibrant color made the voices in the hall quiet down a bit. Lu Yuque turned his head and looked around, choosing a large pillar, and pressed the simple notice onto it.

Looking at the words she had written herself, she felt a strange sensation. It was something she had kept in her bosom for a long time, but it seemed to have only truly come into being when it was seen by other eyes.

A proclamation to all heroes:
Pei Ye, from Shenjing, along with Jian Du and Lu Yuque, have arrived in Yetian City. Tomorrow at noon, they sincerely invite all heroes to gather in the central city to jointly overcome the Snow Lotus calamity. May 20th, Pei Ye and Jian Du's villa.

As Lu Yuque looked at the words, a surge of excitement rose in her heart, confirming once again that she was still alive. Without caring who was looking at her, she turned and walked briskly out, heading towards the next restaurant.

……

……

As Ying Yuetian left Longhe Sword Manor, he opened his umbrella.

Yang Yifeng remained still for the time being, gazing at the horizon in deep thought.

"Dragon Crane Sword Manor shouldn't be making any moves," he said in a low voice.

“Actually, maybe we’ve misunderstood,” Ying Yuetian said.

"Even generations of swordsmiths eventually tire of their craft?"

“We used to think that since the Dragon Crane Sword Manor controlled the metallurgical industry in the Western Region, they had no reason to want chaos, but in fact… they had a desire to go further.” Ying Yuetian looked up at the sky and stepped into the rain.

Yang Yifeng opened an umbrella behind him: "You mean..."

"If one could become the East Sea Sword Furnace, who would want to become the Dragon Crane Sword Manor?" Ying Yuetian sighed softly. "Many sects once seemed to lack ambition, perhaps simply because they lacked the environment to thrive."

“They all have lofty ambitions.” Yang Yifeng held his sword in his arms. “They all want to be the fishermen, but with this momentum, there can only be one winner.”

Everyone wants to take a gamble and see if they are the one.

At this moment, Ying Yuetian looked ahead and said, "Junior Sister Ji."

"Senior Sister, Second Senior Brother."

Ji Jiuying was riding a tall horse, reined in on it in the street.

"Is that such a coincidence? How so?"

"The three murderers in the south of the city have all been captured and just delivered to the Immortal Platform," Ji Jiuying said. "Junior Sister Bai, Junior Brother Gongsun, and Junior Sister Zuoqiu have each captured one of their own. We also have leads on the other junior sisters and brothers, but we still haven't heard anything from Junior Brother Lu Yunsheng—how are things going on your side?"

"I just came out of Dragon Crane Sword Manor. The second master of the manor is not in the manor."

"He refuses to see me or he's not there."

"They're definitely not here."

Ji Jiuying frowned: "Perhaps I should stay here and wait for him."

“No need, it’s pointless,” Ying Yuetian said. “The two of us will go to Xie Tingyu’s place for a visit. He seems to have been staying at home since yesterday, so he’s probably not at his residence anymore.”

“Alright. Then I will go and assist the other disciples.” Ji Jiuying straightened his horse. “I will try my best to bring all the murderers to justice today.”

"Junior Sister Ji, you've worked hard."

Xie Tingyu's place is not far from Longhe Sword Manor; it's just two streets away.

In the current tense situation, Xie Tingyu, an individual with an eccentric personality, is a particularly dangerous factor. Moreover, he has antagonized many parties and is at the top of the power rankings. Compared to a series of bloody incidents, such a person is more likely to affect the nerves of several major sects.

"Why didn't Junior Sister Shi and the others visit here yesterday?"

“They say they’re avoiding us,” Ying Yuetian said. “We must meet them no matter what.”

The woman was clearly qualified to say that. Xie Tingyu was indeed extremely strong, but he was still no match for the leader of the Seven Jades. With Zi Deng and Dao Li arriving together, there were very few people in this city who could refuse.

Ying Yuetian held his sword in one hand and knocked on the door with the other.

It's a small, detached courtyard house in the alley, with a wooden door and iron latch. Xie Tingyu was originally from Yetian City, and this was his former residence, which Tianshan knew about.

After waiting a few moments, no one answered from inside the door.

Ying Yuetian raised his hand and knocked on the door again: "Thank you, senior. I am Ying Yuetian from Tianshan, and my junior brother Yang Yifeng are here to pay our respects."

Still no one answered.

Yang Yifeng raised an eyebrow and glanced at his senior sister, who remained composed and silent.

"Oh, Senior Sister, Senior Xie must be sleeping in the inner room in this weather, he can't hear us." He said loudly, pushing the door open and entering. "Let's come in."

Ying Yuetian casually stopped him: "Yifeng! Don't be rude."

His feet had already stepped inside.

Yang Yifeng stopped in his tracks.

"Really no one?" Ying Yuetian frowned slightly.

“No, that’s not right,” Yang Yifeng said in a low voice.

"Ok?"

The man rushed in like a gust of wind, bursting open the door. Ying Yuetian followed closely behind and entered the room, where he saw the man standing silently.

"What?" She stepped forward from behind and then fell silent.

The bodies of Xie Tingyu and Lin Jingfeng were lined up in a row, sitting stiffly on two chairs side by side. Their eyes were closed peacefully, and there was a line of blood on each of their throats.

"...Did Xie Tingyu bring 'Cloud and Mist Chariot' into the city?" Ying Yuetian asked.

"Junior Sister Shi agrees."

Ying Yuetian closed his eyes, and the surrounding Xuan Qi flowed through him like a gust of wind: "I didn't find it."

"...It was taken away."

……

……

By late afternoon, Lu Yuque had visited almost every restaurant in Yetian City.

When she arrived at the restaurant behind the building, she heard people talking about the notice, but she still didn't go to see it. Instead, she chose a pillar and went over to post the notice.

Clearly, the number of people in the restaurants in the city had increased because of the notice. She wondered if the restaurants would use "Young Master Pei's notice" to compare themselves and raise their status in the future. That would be all her fault for not choosing all the famous places today.

There were still some patches that weren't properly sealed in her clothes, but she felt it was almost done. The weather was very cold, and she hadn't spoken to anyone all day, only talking to herself.

Lu Yuque didn't miss Tianshan Pavilion, which was also an unfamiliar place, but she did miss Young Hero Pei Ye a little. She opened her umbrella and left, listening to the patrons behind her discussing, and many eyes were on her back.

Then she went out and turned into the alley, when suddenly someone called out to her in a low voice from the side.

"Excuse me, what are they transmitting inside?"

Lu Yuque looked up from under the umbrella and saw a young man in tight-fitting clothes carrying a sword. He was soaking wet, his lips and face were slightly pale, and his eyes looked like those of a frightened mouse, but also seemed to carry a hint of ferocity.

She paused for a moment, unable to recall any impression of the face, but the person opposite seemed to recognize her.

“Deer—” he said.

(End of this chapter)