The Legendary Master’s Wife - Chap 77

Chapter 77: Confrontation

That night, You XiaoMo didn’t wait for Ling Xiao to return and just went to sleep. After rushing about the whole day, when his head touched the pillow, he soon fainted into a dead sleep. He didn’t even know when Ling Xiao returned.

The next day, before daylight, You XiaoMo was awakened by a loud banging at the door along with a familiar voice calling out. It was so noisy that his two ears started to buzz loudly. With his eyes closed, he used one of his hands to cover his ears and continued to sleep.

Ling Xiao opened his eyes and lowered his head , catching sight of a downy black head again using his chest as a pillow. The owner of that head was again like the previous night, like a eight legged octopus wrapped around his body. Outside, the banging sound was like a gong and yet he was sleeping like a dead pig. Ling Xiao glanced outside the window and saw that it was still dark. On top of that, he slept relatively late last night, no wonder he was fast asleep.

Ling Xiao carefully moved You XiaoMo aside. After getting off the bed, he wrapped the quilt around his body. Having lost the warm cozy heat source, You XiaoMo’s body shivered involuntarily and buried half his face into the quilt. The other exposed half was bright red and extremely eye-catching. Ling Xiao couldn’t stop himself from giving him a pinch. The soft and silky feel almost made him not want to leave.

After tucking him in, Ling Xiao slipped on a set of clothes and went to open the door.

The person knocking on the door was Luo Xia. Probably because something big happened, he was so anxious that his whole head was covered in sweat. When Ling Xiao opened the door, he almost couldn’t stop himself from knocking on his chest. Seeing him come out, he immediately shouted out almost spraying his saliva, “Da Shixiong, it was really bad. Elder Jiang is in trouble!”

“Hold on a second.” Ling Xiao’s expression changed a little. He uttered those words and immediately turned around and headed into the inner room to change into a different set of his clothes.

Upon entering the inner room, he immediately saw that You XiaoMo, who should have been sleeping snugly in the quilt, now had one arm hanging out. The delicate fair arm looked like a woman’s, slender and even like a lotus root. One look and it was obvious that he had not undergone physical training before.

Ling Xiao was suddenly displeased that he was so thin and weak. If he was this weak, what would happen if he couldn’t run away from enemies?

A certain someone at this moment in time completely didn’t realize that he had started to worry endlessly about You XiaoMo’s future.

Right then, You XiaoMo, who was fast asleep , suddenly crawled and sat up. Both his eyes were at a loss as he looked at Ling Xiao who was standing in front of the wardrobe. Ling Xiao obviously did not expect him to suddenly wake up. He had just taken off his clothes and had yet to put on another set. His strong sturdy chest was simply exposed in mid-air.

Ling Xiao saw that he didn’t make any move after getting up so he was just about to say something when he heard You XiaoMo’s questioning voice, ” W as there someone knocking on the door just now?”

” … ” Ling Xiao thought that this reaction was a little too slow.

You XiaoMo didn’t wait for him to reply and looked out the window at the sky outside. Seeing that it was gray and overcast with no sign of the sun, he pulled up the quilt and laid back down. The whole process happened fluidly, the bulging quilt only revealing a tuft of black hair.

Ling Xiao, ” … ”

After a while, Luo Xia, who was shut outside the door, knocked lightly, “Da Shixiong, are you ready?”

Ling Xiao quickly finished dressing up and walked out of the room, closing the door gently behind him before leaving with Luo Xia. Luo Xia was here under the orders of the Grand Master to bring Ling Xiao over to talk about the situation with Elder Jiang. On the way, Luo Xia told Ling Xiao everything he knew.

In brief, Elder Jiang probably ran into some trouble. Yesterday, after the competition ended, Elder Jiang and Grand Master left together. The both of them talked about matters relating to the competition for an hour before Elder Jiang left. The Grand Master had thought that Elder Jiang should have returned to his room. Actually, everyone thought the same.

Unexpectedly , that morning, before daybreak, a disciple went to his room to call him and found that he was not in his room.

Elder Jiang was in charge of the competition , so there was a lot of things for him to do. Hence, he usually got up rather early. That disciple discovered that Elder Jiang still had not woken up when it was already six thirty in the morning, so he went to wake him.

Discovering that Elder Jiang was not there and also not with the other Elders, that disciple realized that something was not right and went to inform the Grand Master. The Grand Master immediately sent people to go find him. In the end, they found Elder Jiang’s jade tablet on an overhanging cliff. The Grand Master and the other Elders suspected that Elder Jiang was most probably killed so they called everyone together. Ling Xiao , as the Grand disciple, of course must attend.

“You all must already know why I called all of you here today. I want to hear what you all think with respect to the disappearance of Elder Jiang.” Tang Fan spoke calmly. His expression completely didn’t reflect that the Tian Xin Sect had just lost an important Elder. After saying this, his eyes fell onto the first position on his lower right, Ling Xiao, “Xiao-Er, you go first.”

Ling Xiao stood up and cupped his hands while speaking, “Grand Master, I feel that we must first make sure whether Elder Jiang was missing or whether he has already been killed. Your disciple knows too little and so has no way of judging for now.”

Tang Fan didn’t nod or shake his head. He looked at the others, “Do you all also think this way?”

Hearing this, the Shidis who usually had a good relationship with Ling Xiao all nod their head and express their agreement. As for Lei Ju, who was next to Ling Xiao, his face showed a rather obvious look of disdain.

“Lei Ju, you don’t seemed to have the same opinion as Xiao-Er. Are you saying that you have a different viewpoint?” Tang Fan was the first to notice Lei Ju’s expression , but he didn’t show any displeasure.

“Replying to Grand Master. Lei Ju thought that it didn’t matter if Elder Jiang is missing or killed. It is enough to show that there are some people that harbor evil intentions here. Everyone here are must still remember the pandemonium that occurred not too long ago. It was said that many sects rooted out demon spies from among their ranks. Although no demons were discovered in the Tian Xin Sect, it doesn’t mean there aren’t any. So in my opinion, Elder Jiang’s disappearance is probably connected to the demons.” Lei Ju cupped his hands towards Tang Fan, his eyes were filled with the intention to steal the spotlight . He then looked at Ling Xiao in a threatening way.

“What Lei Ju said is reasonable, but one mustn’t be too impulsive to avoid making everyone anxious.” Tang Fan was calm, not revealing the tiniest bit of his thoughts. On the surface, he agreed with his viewpoint but underneath he attacked. This move was with one called a hidden flame.

“Thank you for the guidance , Grand Master.” Lei Ju cupped his hands once again, not the least bit of discomfort showing on his face. Instead , he glanced smugly at Ling Xiao. Compared to the brief words from Ling Xiao that didn’t seem to say anything, he felt that his was a better answer.

After Lei Ju sat down, Elder Xiao on the opposite side, who was also his shifu, opened his mouth. “Da Shixiong , Grand Master, I suspect that there are spies in the Central Lineage. Elder Jiang’s disappearance must be taken seriously.”

Tang Fan’s gaze swept across everyone that was present, saying, “We found signs of fighting where Elder Jiang disappeared. One of those involved was Elder Jiang. I’m afraid it looked more grim than hopeful. But for this person to actually be able to match Elder Jiang’s strength, I suspect that the murderer is one of us here.”

Hearing these words, everyone in attendance showed varied expressions.

The shrewd and experienced elders didn’t show any change in their expressions. As for the few younger disciples, all their thoughts were written on their faces.

Elder Du who was next to Elder Xiang laughed like the Laughing Buddha, as if unaffected by the atmosphere. Stroking his tuft of gray beard, he easily broke the tense atmosphere, “Among us, the ones that can match Jiang-shidi’s strength, other than us, are only Lin- shizi and Lei – shizi.”

“Du YunCai, what are you implying? Are you saying that my disciple is the killer?” Elder Xiao immediately spoke up angrily.

“Elder Xiao, there is no need to get angry. You know very well that I am just talking about the possibilities.” Du YunCai laughed until his eyes narrowed into slits as he spoke.

Elder Jiang still wanted to object but was cut off calmly by Tang Fan, “What Elder Du said is reasonable. Lin Xiao and Lei Ju have outstanding talent, indeed able to go one round with Elder Jiang. In order to prove that they have nothing to do with the disappearance of Elder Jiang, we only have to ask them where they were when Elder Jiang disappeared. That would be good enough.”

“I’ll go first.” Lei Ju was the first to stand up.

“Elder Jiang must have disappeared about half past seven. So from then to midnight where were you, and is there anyone who can confirm it?” Tang Fan’s eyes were like cold blades, gleaming coldly at Lei Ju. The calmness from before changed instantly to subtly threatening.

Lei Ju’s expression changed sharply, saying seriously, “During this time I was with a few of my Shidis. We were talking about the the next day’s competition right up to ten past seven . After that , I returned to my room. At that time, the one rooming with me, Jiang Liu-shidi , was already in the room. He can confirm that after I returned to the room I was in deep meditation, not taking a single step out.”

“Elder Du, I’ll have to trouble you.” Tang Fan nodded towards Du YunCai.

The Laughing Buddha Elder Du felt rather regretful that he could no longer enjoy this drama. But he knew the seriousness of the matter , so he got up , cupped his hands towards Tang Fan, and left the main hall to look for Jiang Liu.

“Next is Lin-shizi’s turn.” Elder Xiao’s threatening gaze turned towards Ling Xiao who was sitting at the top seat.

From the time Ling Xiao entered until now, his performance was worthy of praise. Not too noticeable yet not insignificant. No sign of panic or unease. Leaving no breadcrumbs for the few people that were constantly observing him.

Hearing Elder Xiao’s words, Ling Xiao stood up and said easily, “Answering Grand Master. During that time, I was together with You-shidi. At that time he was refining magic pills next to me. He can serve as my witness.”

“Elder Xiao, I’ll have to trouble you to bring You XiaoMo here , ” said Tang Fan.

“Yes, Grand Master!” Elder Xiao stood up and cupped his hands. Before leaving the main hall, he looked inscrutably at Ling Xiao.