Chapter 1254: Giving False Direction
When the sun rose, Shen Yuan gathered once again with the elders of the Purple Lotus Sect, Elder Qin, and Elder Yu in the City Lord’s Manor. They gathered to discuss the information they had obtained since yesterday.
"There is not much information I got since yesterday. Now I can see why those people had difficulties tracking the assassins, or I wonder if they can even be tracked at all," Elder Yu commented.
"I see. That is to be expected, as this time the assassins from God Tarius’ followers are truly formidable. Even after searching for their traces all day, I almost could not find them. I have to say that Tarius’ followers really managed to find themselves some great assassins," Shen Yuan said.
His words made the two elders look at him in surprise. They were surprised because they caught the detail in his words.
"Almost? So Young Sect Master found something regarding the assassins?" Elder Qin asked.
Shen Yuan smiled and nodded.
"Yes, I did. Even though I found it by luck, from this clue, unfortunately, just as many predicted, it looks like they have already left the city. But the good news is that I think I know where those assassins went."
Elder Qin and Elder Yu’s expressions brightened.
"Let us hear what you found," Elder Yu said.
"First, let’s hear my conclusion based on what I found. From my investigation and deductions, the assassins number at least three people, and they arrived at the same time as the envoy of our god. They are most likely people from the higher heavens just like the envoy," Shen Yuan replied.
"The assassins’ target was not only the envoy’s group but also to create chaos here. After killing every high-ranking official in the city, they then moved on to another city to continue creating chaos."
"It looks like the assassins were able to quickly gather information about this city by bribing some of its officials. With their capabilities as assassins, they could easily obtain information regarding any high-ranking official in the city, including those from the temple."
"With only a few hours of gathering information, they already obtained everything they needed, and that very night they executed their plan. At the same time, a grand tournament was being held in this city, making it the perfect opportunity to carry out the assassinations. By conducting the assassinations during the grand tournament, they could confuse the pursuers, especially Lord Breuze’s group later on."
"Lord Breuze would be confused about the origin of the assassins and their true intents. It would also make the chaos even greater, achieving one of the assassins’ objectives."
"After successfully completing their mission of creating chaos and weakening Lord Breuze’s group, they then moved toward the city of Larne in the north. Why there? Because that city is one of the most important cities in the Zhu Family’s realm, serving as one of the main hubs for herb distribution. If chaos were to break out there, it would be quite devastating to the Zhu Family’s realm."
Shen Yuan paused slightly. The two elders looked enlightened.
"Now let’s hear what kind of proof led me to all those conclusions," Shen Yuan continued.
"Why at least three assassins? This is based on the pattern of the previous attacks. They were able to strike three different locations almost at the same time—"
Shen Yuan then began presenting all the evidence, which was, of course, completely fabricated. However, he mixed in some truths, even though those truths had no connection to the case itself. If anyone investigated his claims, they would still find that his reasoning appeared sound, and they would follow the false direction he had already pointed out.
He was confident that no one would become suspicious, not even Breuze and his group. They would surely follow the results of his investigation like donkeys. Even if they did not find anything in Larne City, he could still come up with plenty of reasons to make it clear that it was not his fault that nothing had been found.
After hearing all of Shen Yuan’s explanations, the two elders looked at him with admiration. They sighed in amazement.
"As expected of you, Young Sect Master. You are truly the pride of our sect. To think that you could make all those deductions when we have not even spent a full day here," Elder Qin said.
"Indeed. The Sect Master is truly fortunate to have you as his disciple. You are also the only person worthy of becoming his disciple, and he is the only one worthy of being your master," Elder Yu added.
"You elders are exaggerating. I am merely doing my part as best as I can, and I cannot guarantee that what I said is actually the truth. After all, this case is special. Even the envoy of our god has been unable to solve it," Shen Yuan replied with a smile.
He was already used to flattering words and the constant attempts of others to curry favor with him, so he responded with his usual standard procedure.
"Then let us inform Lord Breuze about your investigation. Even though some parts of it cannot be proven with physical evidence, what you have discovered is already more than what anyone else has uncovered during the past week," Elder Yu said.
They then went to visit Breuze, who was still staying at the temple. He spent most of his time sitting in meditation before the giant statue of Avergis.
After they met and greeted Breuze, Shen Yuan explained everything once more, just as he had to the two elders. Breuze then fell into thought.
"Hmmm, what you said makes sense, but I will send my subordinates to check first. If I find no problems with your conclusions, then we can try looking for the assassins in Larne City. While we wait for confirmation, you had better strengthen the security there," Breuze said.
"We will do that," Shen Yuan replied.
"The Purple Lotus Sect has truly raised a dragon. Now I can see why so many people say that you are a prodigy who appears only once in a million years. You truly have a sharp mind and can think outside the box. I really like people of your type, those who can solve problems with creativity." Breuze look at Shen Yuan with approval.
"Thank you for the compliment, Your Excellency. I am only doing my best to help," Shen Yuan replied with a slight bow.
Breuze nodded.
"Although, in my opinion, some of your deductions lack evidence, your explanation makes more sense than anything our investigation has uncovered during the past week. It is far better than having no clues at all."
Breuze then called for Icorus. Once the man arrived, he gave his orders.
"Icorus, bring your group and verify everything Shen Yuan has already investigated. If you find no problems with his investigation, your group will proceed to Larne City. Do not make yourselves obvious and act like ordinary cultivators. You will use disguises and investigate the assassins who have most likely already escaped to that city."
Breuze then looked at Shen Yuan.
"You will guide them. Help them track down those assassins all the way to Larne."
Shen Yuan bowed in response.
"As you command, Your Excellency."
Breuze nodded, and not long after, Shen Yuan and the others left the temple. Breuze remained there and continued sitting in meditation before the statue of his god. He closed his eyes and calmed his mind.
Yet a thought surfaced in his mind.
’Is it my imagination, or is there something wrong with Shen Yuan’s explanation? His explanation almost seems as though he wants to divide our manpower and attention between Larne and several other places.’
After a few moments, he took a deep breath.
’Let’s see how things develop first. I also need to wait for my lord’s guidance.’
After that, his mind fell silent.
---------------------------
In another place far away from Su City, inside what appeared to be a massive training room with an enormous open space and numerous weapon artifacts placed along the walls, a middle-aged man sat in meditation with a beautifully engraved black sword resting before him.
His face was clean-shaven, free of both beard and mustache. His short black hair was as dark as the night, and he wore a black robe that matched its color. With his eyes closed and a serene atmosphere surrounding him, he circulated his energy.
His aura at peak Immortal Saint Stage occasionally leaked out, and each appearance of that aura was as sharp as a sword. The area around him seemed to have become a domain filled with countless swords.
After a few minutes of silence, countless slash marks suddenly tore open the space throughout the training room. It was as though innumerable invisible swords had cut through space itself. Each tear revealed the void behind it.
There were no spatial storms, and the torn spaces quickly closed on their own. Once space returned to normal, not a single trace of damage could be seen.
It was as if nothing had happened.
Throughout all of this, the man did not move even an inch.
But then he suddenly sensed something from within his pocket, causing his concentration to break. He slowly opened his eyes, took out a small crystal from his pocket, and crushed it.
A voice soon echoed within his mind.
The Highest Star has arrived at the Second Heaven. He is currently within the Zhu Family’s realm, inside the Purple Lotus Sect’s domain in the Eastern Region.
The Highest Star wishes to meet us.
The man’s eyes widened in shock before his expression turned joyful. Without waiting any longer, he instantly stood up and rushed out of the room.
Outside was a beautiful garden, and a man in a white robe stood guard beside the door. The guard was stunned to see the middle-aged man suddenly emerge. Before he could even ask what had happened, the man spoke first.
"Xendric, we are departing for the Eastern Region immediately."