Chapter 44: Night Assault

After Elder Xuan Yin departed, only Yin Tianfang and Little Dot remained in the courtyard. Seated cross-legged on the ground, Yin Tianfang silently replayed every word the elder had spoken, his brow gradually knitting in thought. Meanwhile, Little Dot curiously surveyed the surroundings before fluttering her wings and gleefully scampering off to play.

Pushing open the door, Yin Tianfang entered the house. The room was spotlessly clean, evidently a place Elder Xuan Yin frequented to tidy. Yet, Yin Tianfang could not discern truth from falsehood in the elder’s words. If it was true, how did the elder know his identity? If it was a lie, what was the purpose?

He felt lost. In the past, in his ignorance, any mention of his parents would have filled him with hope—he might have chosen to believe. But after the ordeal with Daoist Wuchen, Yin Tianfang could no longer bring himself to trust anyone lightly, nor believe any claim at face value.

He returned to the courtyard and sat quietly on the threshold, gazing up at the sky. He remained there, unmoving, for a long while. Only when Little Dot, having run her circle of play, bounded back, did Yin Tianfang rise to his feet and exhale a long, slow breath.

“Let’s go. We’re heading out!” Passing once more through the waterfall, Yin Tianfang returned to the cave by which he’d entered. Forming seals with his hands, he pressed them against the wall before him; glowing lines gradually emerged, outlining a rune. Yin Tianfang strode forward, his body passing through the stone as if it were mist, emerging outside.

After a moment’s contemplation, he set off toward the summit of the northern peak. He intended to seek out Elder Xuan Yin. Though he was still uncertain about the man’s words, he was sure the elder meant him no harm. Had Xuan Yin wished him ill, he would have had no chance to resist—perhaps he’d not have even left Xuandao Sect alive, nor would the elder have brought him into that mysterious space to reveal so much.

Upon the northern peak, before the great hall at its summit, Elder Xuan Yin was already waiting, as if he’d foreseen Yin Tianfang’s return. When Yin Tianfang approached, the elder’s face broke into a faint smile; he turned and led the way into the hall.

Inside, Xuan Yin slowly knelt and bowed. “Xuan Yin pays his respects to the young master!”

Yin Tianfang was utterly astonished. He hurriedly helped the elder up, shaking his head with a wry smile. “I’m just the child of an ordinary family, not anyone’s young master. In fact, whether I am truly whom you believe remains to be seen.”

“There’s no mistake,” Xuan Yin replied, voice trembling with emotion. “After the master departed all those years ago, the mistress took the young master and left as well. I never saw any of you return. Only recently, upon seeing you here in Xuandao Sect, did I realize that the master and mistress must have left you behind.”

“But thankfully, you are safe. Otherwise, when the master and mistress return, I would have no way to answer to them.” Elder Xuan Yin’s voice quivered with relief.

“Do you know where they went?”

“There was a cataclysmic battle that year,” Xuan Yin replied, “and after that, all trace of the master vanished. But he was powerful—he should be unharmed. I believe you will see him again one day. For now, what matters is that you grow strong as quickly as possible. Rest assured, young master, you are safe here in Xuandao Sect. Train well.”

After a brief conversation, Yin Tianfang left the great hall, his heart weighed down with new thoughts as he returned to his quarters. He was now certain Elder Xuan Yin posed him no threat; staying in Xuandao Sect was a wise choice. The recent grand tournament had shown him that even in the mundane world, there were many powerful cultivation clans.

Only by becoming stronger himself could he hope to find out where his parents had gone.

As dusk fell, Yin Tianfang sat cross-legged in his room, but he could not settle his mind to cultivate. Eventually, he left his room and wandered into the courtyard.

So much had happened today, but what truly unsettled him was the news of his parents. He had once believed them gone from this world, and had also doubted they still lived. But now, he knew for certain—they were alive. That meant there would be a day when they would meet again.

In the silent night, a streak of black light darted soundlessly toward him. Startled from his reverie, Yin Tianfang tensed and sprang backward with a tap of his toe.

With a metallic ring, a dagger plunged into the spot where he had just stood, its force driving it deep into the earth. In the darkness, a shadow flickered and vanished into the night.

“You think you can escape so easily?” Yin Tianfang’s expression turned cold. He slammed his foot into the ground and shot forward in pursuit.

He had not gone far before he abruptly halted. Ahead, the fleeing figure, seeing Yin Tianfang had stopped following, slowed as well. Yin Tianfang sneered.

“You wish to lure me out, to spring some trap? Do you take me for a fool?” He turned and headed back. The hidden assailant, seeing he would not be drawn out, paused for a moment before quickly departing.

On the northern slopes of Xuandao Sect’s main peak, a dark figure slipped silently into a secluded residence. This was Lin Tian’s dwelling. Earlier that day, having lost to Liu Feng in the arena and seen the closeness between Yin Tianfang and Nuolan, Lin Tian had left in a jealous rage.

Inside, Lin Tian sat, his wounds not yet healed, his face pale and cold with malice.

The door opened and a figure hurried in.

“How did it go?” Lin Tian asked without turning.

“Master, that boy is too cautious,” came the reply.

“Cautious? Can’t you find another way?” Lin Tian erupted, slamming the table in fury.

“Your servant is foolish—please instruct me!” The man dropped to his knees, trembling in fear.

Lin Tian’s face darkened. He had orchestrated the attack on Yin Tianfang, but he had not expected his target to remain so composed, refusing to give chase. Even his own agents were at a loss as to how to proceed, which left Lin Tian himself troubled. If the boy remained holed up in his quarters, there was little he could do.

After a moment’s thought, Lin Tian’s eyes lit up as an idea took shape.

“Nuolan, oh Nuolan… I have loved you so deeply, yet you show me no favor. If that’s how you wish it, don’t blame me for what comes next. Not only will I claim you for myself, but I will also make you watch as your beloved dies by my hand!” Lin Tian muttered darkly, a sinister smile twisting his lips.

He strode to the bookshelf, retrieved a scroll, and handed it to his servant. “Bring me the person depicted in this painting!”