Facing an Ancient God for a Year

“As the head of Yuan Financial Group in this region, I have always held the Academy in high regard,”

Without further ado, Jia Yi, the person in charge, led Fu Qian and another person inside to a chaotic murder scene strewn with debris.

“So, when we rashly ask for the Academy’s assistance, please believe that we are not making an unreasonable fuss.”

As Jia Yi spoke, he unzipped a body bag.

Hisss!

Almost instantly, Fu Qian heard Lanaia in front of him gasp for air.

...Inside the body bag was a bloodied, unrecognizable corpse.

From top to bottom, the body was covered in crisscrossing wounds, its original appearance almost indiscernible.

Most of the bones were likely broken—was the perpetrator making minced meat?

After a quick glance at the wounds, Fu Qian understood why Lanaia reacted the way she did.

Although there were countless gashes, they were clearly made by sharp blades…

Sword wounds?

Once Jia Yi confirmed that both of them had noticed the abnormality, he signaled his subordinates to open the other body bags as well.

As expected, each corpse was torn apart by similar crisscrossing sword wounds.

“A total of six people died, including three guards, one supervisor, and two staff members.”

Jia Yi’s expression was as hard as iron, seemingly struggling to suppress his anger.

“All the transcendent materials in the warehouse have been lost.”

“You have seen the wounds on their bodies, which is why I requested the Academy’s assistance immediately.”

“If it can be resolved properly, we wouldn’t want to escalate it to the Night Watchman.”

…

“What were the abilities of the deceased?”

Witnessing this scene, Lanaia’s complexion was grave, aware of why the committee took the matter so seriously.

In this world, not many who enter the transcendent realm through Sword Dao are left, and the vast majority of them are concentrated in the Swordsmanship Department of the Academy.

And not far from here, a group of people died under fierce sword wounds, and transcendent materials were stolen—indeed, the Academy found it hard to clear itself of suspicion.

Looking at Jia Yi, it seemed he was on the verge of pointing fingers at the Academy and demanding they turn over the murderer.

“The three guards were between the Seventh and Eighth Phases, but the supervisor was just short of the Fifth Phase.”

Jia Yi straightforwardly said.

Just short of the Fifth Phase—that’s a decent level of ability.

Fu Qian thought to himself quietly.

If someone could kill so many at once, if it was the work of a single individual, their ability must be quite formidable.

“There should be surveillance footage here, right?”

After thinking to herself for a moment, Lanaia then asked.

“Yes.”

Jia Yi clearly had everything prepared in advance, and soon someone came forward to play a video.

The time was probably at night, and a figure appeared on the camera, wearing a mask and fully concealed from head to toe.

Facing the guards, who were on guard from the get-go, the figure didn’t hesitate for a moment, their long sword creating a chilling killing intent, drenched in spurting blood in an instant.

From the footage, it was evident that after taking out the nearly Fifth Phase supervisor first, who had the fastest reaction, the assailant chopped off the camera with a single stroke, and the video came to an end.

Even through the screen, one could almost feel the brutality in the sword swings.

This…

After watching the video, Lanaia fell silent for a long while.

Later, she exhaled and looked at Jia Yi.

“I’ll contact the Academy about this.”

Shortly after, Lanaia returned.

“I have reported the situation, and the Academy will assist fully in the investigation. Until there are results, Fu Qian and I will stay here to prevent any further incidents.”

Shouldn’t she have consulted me before making such a statement? When did I agree to stay here?

Fu Qian thought to himself.

However, he could understand Lanaia’s reaction.

Although the video was short, it was enough to indicate that the deed was done by a master of Sword Dao.

Looking at Brother Jia Yi’s expression, he seems to have already concluded it was someone from the Academy.

As the regional head responsible for this area, the pressure on him due to such an incident is undoubtedly tremendous; naturally, he hopes to catch the murderer as soon as possible.

Approaching the Academy directly and using the Night Watchman to spur them on is indeed the most efficient method.

And the fact that the Academy’s committee sent someone over so quickly clearly shows that they also hope to handle the matter properly.

Lanaia’s initiative to offer to stay is essentially a gesture from the Academy itself.

“Thank you both for your hard work.”

Seeing Lanaia speak this way, Jia Yi’s expression also eased slightly.

“Then we will wait for news from the Academy.”

…

“How soon do you estimate we will have results?”

In the rest area arranged by Jia Yi, Fu Qian looked at Lanaia, who was serious.

“It won’t take long. I’ve already applied to the committee to send someone to check the records of yesterday’s movements,” Lanaia replied confidently in response to Fu Qian’s question.

“While there are quite a few of such capable individuals in the Academy, the range narrows significantly once we focus on those practicing Sword Dao. It will be much easier to find.”

“Although the Swordsmanship Department has grown rapidly in recent years, cultivation is a gradual process, and we don’t have that many Middle Tier individuals yet.”

“Additionally, with the Sword Pavilion open, most of the people’s movements are quite concentrated, so we should have results soon.”

“We are waiting here now both to prevent another incident from occurring and to guard against the Yuan Clan doing something rash that could escalate the situation.”

At this point, Lanaia snorted.

“These years have been smooth sailing for them, and their temper has grown quite a bit.”

“The best outcome would be to eliminate the suspicion on the Academy’s part, and then let them go cry to the Night Watchman.”

It was clear that she did not like being coerced.

…

As Lanaia had said, considering the nature of the incident, the Academy was obviously very efficient.

In less than an hour, Lanaia received an encrypted file.

After quickly reading through it, her expression suddenly stiffened.

“Is there someone whose itinerary matches up?”

Seeing her unusual expression, Fu Qian curiously asked.

“No.”

Lanaia involuntarily shook her head, letting Fu Qian look over the information that was sent to her.

“Not only those capable of delivering that sword strike, but all individuals from the Swordsmanship Department above Middle Tier have been screened. Everyone on the list has been cleared of suspicion.”

So why do you still look so troubled? Isn’t this what you wished for?

Fu Qian casually flipped through the information, his eyes quickly scanning over each piece of data.

Although nominally an instructor at the Academy, he didn’t have much of a concept of it in his mind and was even less familiar with the Swordsmanship Department.

However, after a brief perusal, Fu Qian seemed to realize a problem.

Isn’t someone missing?

“What about Li Weixuan? He uses a sword, doesn’t he?”

“Yes,” Lanaia replied softly.

“Secluded for meditation, no response.”

“He began his meditation a month ago, in preparation to break through to Demigod.”

Fu Qian understood why Lanaia looked so upset now.

If he remembered correctly, this person was an influential figure within the Academy.

If it turned out that he was involved with this incident, the problem would be significant.

In the midst of this silence, a sudden and urgent knocking on the door rang out.

Without waiting for a response, the door was pushed open from outside, and Jia Yi strode in with an expression so dark it looked like it could drip water.

“Another place has been robbed!”