Crow Immortal
Chapter 38: Awaiting Judgment

"Lu Yun?"

"Li Quan?"

Among the six names, these two made Disciple Ji, Disciple Hua, and the other menial disciples feel it was impossible.

These two simply didn't seem like the type who would kill anyone.

Lu Yun was like a lecher reborn - despite having decent potential with three spiritual roots, he spent all his time amusing himself in bizarre ways. Someone who didn't even care much about cultivation or the Spirit Fields, would he actually kill someone?

As for Li Quan, there was even less to say - a decrepit old man with five spiritual roots, probably weaker than some mortal servants. Could he really have killed Wei Kunyi, a cultivator?

If anything had happened, it was likely the other four who did it.

Following Steward Wang's orders, Disciple Ji called over two menial disciples and began searching. After inspecting two stone houses, they went to Lu Yun's dwelling, kicked open the door, and dragged out the half-naked Lu Yun.

The entire Spirit Fields area erupted in laughter, even the female disciples turning red-faced with mirth.

Just as expected, Lu Yun remained his usual eccentric self.

Disciple Hua also chuckled before taking two other menial disciples to search Li Quan's stone house.

He emerged shortly after with a grim expression: "Senior Brother Wang, there's trouble!"

"This bastard learned the evil techniques of the Demon Blood Sect and killed Wei Kunyi!"

The crowd immediately erupted in shock.

That old Taoist Li who looked like he wouldn't last much longer actually learned demonic cultivation techniques and killed Wei Kunyi?

"Is this true?" Steward Wang asked with a livid face, striding forward.

"Absolutely, Senior Brother Wang. Wei Kunyi's corpse is inside, her vital essence completely drained. This is clearly the Demon Blood Sect's handiwork," Disciple Hua reported.

Steward Wang first felt regret - he should have known that old bastard wasn't to be trifled with. He shouldn't have listened to Wei Kunyi yesterday and pushed so hard. That woman was all about shady deals and pleasures instead of proper cultivation, and now she'd paid with her life.

Then came anger - how long had that old bastard been secretly learning demonic techniques right under my nose? When Steward Lu investigates, I'll surely be punished!

Reaching Old Li's doorway and seeing Wei Kunyi's withered, ghastly corpse, Steward Wang gritted his teeth: "That beast couldn't have escaped through the main gate - he must have fled to the market district to change his appearance."

"Junior Brothers, this is urgent. I propose chasing Li Quan to the market first before reporting to the Steward's Office. What do you think?"

Disciple Ji and Disciple Hua exchanged glances but didn't agree.

"If Senior Brother insists, we won't stop you. But we should still inform the Steward's Office first, shouldn't we?"

Steward Wang could bully menial disciples but couldn't be unreasonable with fellow outer disciples. Relenting, he said: "Junior Brother Hua, please report to the Steward's Office for me. Put in a good word that I rushed to capture the demonic cultivator Li Quan without delay."

Disciple Hua nodded.

Steward Wang continued: "Junior Brother Ji, please oversee the Spirit Fields and menial disciples. No one leaves until I return or the Steward's Office sends someone."

"Yes, Senior Brother Wang."

After Disciple Ji's acknowledgment, Steward Wang summoned his banana leaf and flew toward Green Sprout Market.

Disciple Hua also produced a seven-foot-long treated leaf as a flying artifact and hurried back to report.

Seeing this, Han Yu thought this would likely involve Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Steward's Office again.

Without hesitation, he quietly activated the Spirit Refining Technique to refine his fire spiritual root.

Previously, each activation required three days of blood essence recovery. Now, aiming to rapidly deplete his reserves, he activated it repeatedly.

After five activations, Han Yu felt utterly exhausted. His blood energy continuously dispersed to repair damage, maintaining his outward appearance while rapidly consuming his vital essence.

When his reserves fell critically low, even the blood talisman at his Danzhong acupoint wavered.

Han Yu steeled himself - once past this crisis with Old Li, no further inspections would come. Recovering his essence would take mere weeks. For safety's sake, the sacrifice was necessary.

Moreover, this expenditure wasn't wasted - it enhanced his aptitude through the Spirit Refining Technique.

Releasing the blood talisman fully, sharp pain shot through his Danzhong acupoint, nearly making him vomit blood.

His first layer of Blood Refinement cultivation collapsed entirely, erasing all traces of his practice.

Soon after, a grim-faced Steward Lu in purple robes arrived with two inner disciples, several outer disciples, and Disciple Hua.

After inspecting Old Li's dwelling, Steward Lu returned coldly.

"Wang Hui's fine work! Were you two just watching idly?"

"We were incompetent," Disciple Ji and Disciple Hua bowed, not daring to argue.

"Who knew this Li Quan best? Step forward!" Steward Lu demanded.

Silence.

Han Yu glanced at Sun Kang and Liu Lan.

Sun Kang signaled with his eyes to stay put.

Liu Lan's eyes reddened, grieving Wei Kunyi's sudden death.

"What? No one knew him? Not even those who interacted with him regularly?" Steward Lu pressed: "Who spoke with Li Quan within the past month?"

At this, Han Yu, Sun Kang and Liu Lan knew they couldn't remain hidden and stepped forward.

Sun Kang explained: "Our fields were near his, so we exchanged greetings mornings and evenings."

Steward Lu scrutinized them impatiently: "That's all?"

"Li Quan was reclusive," Sun Kang added. "When I reminded him about harvest recently, he ignored me."

Still unsatisfied, Steward Lu prepared to interrogate further.

Han Yu thought admitting he traveled here with Old Li would invite intense scrutiny - despite his preparations, it was too risky.

Just then, Steward Wang returned hastily on his banana leaf.

"Steward Lu, disaster! Green Sprout Market must harbor Demon Blood Sect elites! Li Quan was their product!"

Steward Lu scowled: "That's obvious! A mortal obtaining demonic techniques could only come from the market!"

"Wang Hui, your negligence is grave—"

Steward Wang cried: "Punish me later! More menial disciples were killed!"

"What?"

Steward Lu leaped onto the banana leaf: "More killings?"

"Yes, four more menial disciples yesterday - also by Demon Blood Sect methods!" Steward Wang wailed.

"Which division?"

"Also... also from our Spirit Fields," Steward Wang trembled.

Enraged, Steward Lu kicked him off: "Your magnificent work!"

"Kneel and await judgment!"

Steward Wang barely landed safely using Wind Riding, then knelt motionless.

Steward Lu took a deep breath, ordering two inner disciples: "Alert Green Sprout Market to track Li Quan's last movements and contacts. Detain any suspects."

"Kill resisters."

The inner disciples departed swiftly.

Steward Lu then examined Sun Kang, Liu Lan and Han Yu, focusing on Liu Lan: "Last time with that Spirit Beast Sect incident, you were involved too?"

Liu Lan stammered fearfully: "Steward, I... I know nothing!"

Finding her aura pure, Steward Lu nodded: "You're clean."

To all present: "No one moves. I'll report to the Sect Master for judgment!"