Ling Tian Sword God

Chapter 757: Chapter 755 Behind_1

Hanmei Villa was located on the northern side of the Taoyue Mountain Range, perched atop a mountain several hundred meters tall. The climate here was quite cold; even before the year’s end, the mountaintop was already covered in a thick layer of snow, a vast expanse of white.

All around Hanmei Villa, brilliant plum blossoms flourished, wafting a faint, aromatic scent that mingled with the frigid air, making one feel refreshed and uplifted upon smelling it.

At this moment, Ling Chen and his three companions had arrived at the entrance of the villa with Miaoyin and her group. Witnessing the scenery before him, Ling Chen’s eyes couldn’t help but light up in admiration.

In the past few days, he had been constantly engulfed in bloody turmoil. Ever since crossing the Chaotic Mind Canyon to reach the Nine Provinces Land, he hadn’t known a single day of peace. Seeing such a tranquil scene now, he instantly felt a refreshing change.

However, Shen Qianlang’s expression was rather grim. He still couldn’t understand why Ling Chen had proactively agreed to Miaoyin and her group’s absurd demand to come to Hanmei Villa. Wasn’t this walking straight into the lion’s den? Getting in might be easy, but getting out looked to be incredibly challenging.

As for Ling Yin and Luo Xian’er, they had more or less guessed Ling Chen’s intentions. Shen Qianlang’s lost ring likely contained clues about the Sword Immortal Poetry Fragment. Ling Chen had agreed to help investigate the true culprit merely because he was interested in acquiring those clues.

”We’ve arrived.”

Miaoyin glanced at Ling Chen’s group with some surprise. Initially, she had thought Ling Chen might try some trick, but contrary to her expectations, he had followed them to Hanmei Villa quite openly. Throughout the journey, she had observed Ling Chen and found that he didn’t seem to be a cunning or evil person. In fact, she had never truly believed Shen Qianlang capable of murdering Hanmei Villa’s Young Villa Owner. However, the incident had occurred, and someone had to take the blame. Shen Qianlang happened to be the perfect candidate to be the scapegoat. Still, how they would ultimately deal with Ling Chen and his group depended on their performance. If they could expose the true murderer, she would naturally treat Ling Chen and his companions as honored guests and forgive all past grievances. Conversely, if Ling Chen couldn’t find any clues, she wouldn’t hesitate to turn on them.

”Ling Chen, I’m giving you three days. If you can’t find the killer within that time, Shen Qianlang must accept our punishment,” Miaoyin threw Ling Chen a cold glance and stated coolly.

”Of course,” Ling Chen nodded with an agreeable expression. ”If I cannot locate the culprit in three days, Your Excellency can deal with Shen Qianlang however you see fit, and I will not interfere.”

Hearing this, Shen Qianlang’s face paled slightly, his expression turning ugly. Find the killer within three days? Did Ling Chen think he was some master detective? This was simply toying with his life! If Ling Chen failed, the Villa certainly wouldn’t let him off easily. This time, he feared Ling Chen had truly tricked him.

”However, if we complete the task within three days, please return Brother Shen’s ring to us, untouched.”

Ling Chen didn’t seem to notice Shen Qianlang’s change in expression and continued addressing Miaoyin, a sharp light glinting in his eyes. ”If Hanmei Villa dares to break its promise, while I might not be a match for your Master Mei, I believe making Hanmei Villa pay a painful price is still within my capabilities.”

”Such arrogance! Utterly oblivious to your own limits!”

Ling Zhen snickered. He clearly thought Ling Chen was just boasting. No one would take such words seriously—at least, he didn’t.

”Junior Brother Ling Zhen, refrain from being disrespectful.”

Miaoyin lightly scolded Ling Zhen, then turned to Ling Chen and said, ”Rest assured, Hanmei Villa never goes back on its word.”

With that, she turned to Xuan Yu beside her and instructed, ”Junior Sister Xuan Yu, take them to the guest wing to rest first.”

”Yes, Senior Sister.”

Xuan Yu gave Ling Chen an unfriendly glance, then gestured somewhat gruffly toward Ling Chen and his group. ”This way, please.”

”Thank you.” Ling Chen gave a slight bow and, with the other three, followed her.

After Ling Chen and his group had departed, Ling Zhen sidled up to Miaoyin and whispered via voice transmission, making a throat-slitting gesture, ”Senior Sister, now that they’re in Hanmei Villa, on our territory, shouldn’t we take this opportunity to... eliminate them?”

”Absolutely not.”

Miaoyin’s delicate brows furrowed as she firmly rejected Ling Zhen’s suggestion. She was rather displeased with this junior brother of hers, who favored devious tricks and underhanded maneuvers, methods she found quite distasteful.

”Let’s just see what they can come up with in three days.” Miaoyin looked in the direction where Ling Chen’s group had disappeared, a glint flickering in her beautiful eyes. She felt a faint sense of anticipation—what could Ling Chen achieve in these short three days? He had accepted this three-day limit with such confidence; surely, it wasn’t just blind optimism.

Though his suggestion was rejected, a shadowy glint flashed deep in Ling Zhen’s eyes. However, his face still wore a broad smile as he said, ”Since Senior Sister has spoken, let’s give him three more days then.”

Despite his words, Ling Zhen harbored different thoughts. He even looked down on a core disciple like Miaoyin. His status was different from hers; he was the nephew of Hanmei Villa’s owner, Mei Fangzhi. Now that the Young Villa Owner was dead, he had become the most likely successor to the position of Villa Owner. In the future, even core disciples of Hanmei Villa like Miaoyin and Xuan Yu would become his servants, forced to follow his orders.

Under Xuan Yu’s guidance, Ling Chen and his companions arrived at the guest quarters. Ling Chen also managed to learn some information from her regarding the deceased Young Villa Owner.

The deceased Young Villa Owner of Hanmei Villa, Mei Fang, was not only the Young Villa Owner but also a renowned young talent in the entire Yizhou Martial World.

At only twenty-five, Mei Fang had already reached the Sky Apex Fourth Layer Realm through his cultivation, making him a leading figure among Hanmei Villa’s younger generation of disciples.

Regrettably, he had been murdered. The idea that Shen Qianlang was his killer was unbelievable, not just to others, but likely even to Shen Qianlang himself.

”Miss Xuan Yu, could you take us to inspect your Young Villa Owner’s body?” Ling Chen asked, looking at the frosty-faced woman before him.

They currently had no clues and could only start by examining the body of the Young Villa Owner, Mei Fang.

”Of course. The Young Villa Owner’s body hasn’t been prepared for burial yet and is still in the morgue. However, that might not be the case in a couple of days. Follow me.”

Xuan Yu didn’t intentionally make things difficult for Ling Chen. Even though she utterly loathed him because of past events, she, too, wanted to know who had truly murdered Mei Fang. Since they had set a three-day deadline with Ling Chen, they would make a decision then.

”Xiao Yin, take the others to rest first. I’ll be right back,” Ling Chen said, turning to Ling Yin.

Ling Yin and the others couldn’t help much with this. From here on, whether he could solve the mystery and find the true killer depended entirely on him.