Chapter 536: Small Town Case
Translator: Timothy Editor: GlobeGlotter
Ye Mo sought herbs and materials because Luo Yue's public list proved ineffective; some needed materials were found, but no true spirit herbs. He knew spirit herbs grew in dangerous places, were difficult to obtain, and possessed a self-protective instinct, thus necessitating a personal search.
After leaving Luo Yue, Ye Mo first went to Ning Hai. Tang Beiwei, willing to relocate to Luo Yue to help manage Ye Mo's planned spirit herb garden, was delayed by the Purple Heart Vine's critical growth stage. Though he wanted to see Ting Ting, Ye Mo reconsidered, fearing another incident would cause him further conflict with Ning Qingxue and Luo Ying.
After finding more herbs, Ye Mo planned to go to America for weapons and information, specifically, America's most advanced blueprints and prototypes. He also intended to visit Chinatown, asking Peng Yueji and Shi Kaigen about Sister Yan and recruiting people for Luo Yue; he needed many more people.
Wuyang Town.
Ye Mo had been here once before, though he didn't know the town's name then. He and Ning Qingxue stopped here to buy clothes after leaving Shen Nong Jia before he sent her home. His return was due to discovering abundant herbs at Qiu Tuo Peak, making it his first choice given his low supply. He was also replenishing supplies.
Approaching a shop, he saw a crowd and a crying girl. Using his spirit sense, he recognized her—Xiao Yu, a nun from Lian Hang Jing Temple, a sect Luo Xuan had mentioned as originating from their own.
The girl's grief stemmed from the death of her fellow nun, who had accompanied her to an auction. The nun had a needle-sized wound on her neck, indicating a fatal blow from a yellow-stage peak martial artist or higher. This killing in an ordinary town struck Ye Mo as suspicious.
The police arrived, dispersing the crowd. As they did, Xiao Yu saw Ye Mo and called out, "Ye-Qianbei…"
This prompted whispers among onlookers: "'Qianbei'? What era is this?"
Ye Mo, unfazed, decided to help the ancient martial arts cultivator who had recognized him. "What happened?" he asked.
Xiao Yu, realizing "Qianbei" was inappropriate, said, "Brother Ye, my martial sister was killed. I know the police won't catch the culprit…"
This forthright statement, though true, angered the police. They couldn't rebuke her, but their displeasure shifted to Ye Mo.
A police officer stopped Ye Mo: "Go. This is a crime scene."
Xiao Yu, rubbing her eyes, insisted to the police, "But I know you can't catch him; he's very strong…"
A young officer, sympathetic to the innocent-looking nun, but unhappy, said, "We understand, but don't obstruct the investigation. And you, name and ID."
Desperately, Xiao Yu said, "I'm Yan Yu. Brother Ye, please help me."
Ye Mo, to avoid further escalation, produced Han Zaixin's ID. "This isn't an ordinary case. Leave it to me. You can go."
An officer, initially angry, was stopped by a superior who, after examining the ID, said, "Yes, Instructor Ye," and ordered a retreat.
Ye Mo collected the nun, leaving under shocked gazes. "What happened? Your martial sister was a yellow-stage peak cultivator. How was she killed? What were you doing at Shen Nong Jia?"
Yan Yu sniffed, "Two months ago, our sect was attacked. The attacker killed many, including the sect leader. My master, wearing soft armor, survived, but was severely injured. Martial Sister Mei and I went to Shen Nong Jia to get the Tian Dan Flower—"
"Wait," Ye Mo interrupted, "Is this the plant with three differently colored flowers?"
"Yes," Yan Yu replied.
"You found it?" Ye Mo exclaimed.
Yan Yu nodded. "After picking it, it got dark, so we stayed in town. We planned to leave this morning, but…"
Ye Mo understood. Someone had killed her sister for the flower, a low-level spirit herb that cures serious injuries and is a key ingredient in a chi-increasing pill. Taking it was one thing; killing was excessive.
"Why was your sect attacked? And if it was a full-scale assault, how did you and your sister survive?" Ye Mo asked.