As soon as dawn broke, I returned to Mo Manor. The servants were beginning to prepare for the funeral of their masters. I asked them where I could find the young Master Mon Xuan Yu. They vaguely pointed to one of the pavilions at the end of the garden.

I went towards it.

As soon as I entered, I smelled blood. The floor had been rinsed with water, but an incantation circle was still visible. The writing, however, was illegible. There were protective talismans everywhere. Whoever lived here was afraid of something or someone! Looking at the talismans a little closer, it became obvious that they bore the imprint of demonic cultivation!

Mo XianYu was indeed a disciple of my Beloved. But there was no trace of either of them.

I returned to the main building. One of the maids told me that she had seen the young Master Mon leave before dawn, but she did not know where. Knowing that I would learn no more, I returned to the inn where the disciples were waiting for me.

The second part of our expedition began. I was to lead them near Mount Dafan on a hunt for soul-devouring monsters.

The drive to the foot of Mount Dafan was peaceful and pleasant. Things started to change as soon as we started to take the trails winding up its slopes.

We soon came across some farmers trapped in "god nets". They told us that the young master of the Jin Clan had scattered hundreds of such nets in the mountain and that this left them no chance to catch the soul devouring monster! After checking that they were not injured, we went on our way. After the 3rd group was free of these nets, I would throw Bichen to go around the mountain and destroy all the "god catchers" that were preventing the lesser level cultivators from having a chance in this monster hunt.

This would also teach a lesson to young Master Jin Ling who was sometimes a bit too proud! As well as to his uncle whose strong presence I could feel behind him!

We continued on our way, when at the bend of a path, I saw young Master Jin rush towards a man dressed in black with a sword. He was about to hit him in the back. I summoned Wangji and sent a wave to divert the sword from its target.

The man turned around in amazement and went to hide behind a tree.

We walked towards young Master Jin Ling and his uncle Jiang Cheng.

So I wasn't mistaken!

"Second Master Lan" said the latter with a pinch.

"Chief of the Jiang Clan" greeted my disciples.

"Han Guangjun, you are living up to your reputation appearing where chaos is! So today you find time to wander around this remote forest? Are you planning to steal all the credit for this hunt or are you looking for someone? ...I heard that you have traveled a lot in the past 16 years.

"Jiang Clan Chief, what do you mean by that?" said Jingyi

"What do I mean? Your second master Lan knows very well what I am referring to! "

Of course I knew, for the past 13 years I had been trying to be the first to arrive at the place where my beloved would reappear. I always managed to beat you to Jiang Cheng, and you finally found out!

SuZhui spoke to Jin Ling.

"Young Master Jin, this hunt is supposed to be a fair competition, but you have set up so many nets that it is difficult for other competitors to participate because of these traps. Isn't that against the rules of hunting? "

Jin Ling walked over to join the conversation and answer SiZhui.

"They fell into these traps because they are stupid. Is it my fault? And then we only have to talk about it again when I capture my prey. "

This child was really proud like his uncle. He talked too much for his age and without being asked by an adult. He couldn't hold his tongue... I think a little silence would do him a world of good! I turned my gaze towards him.

Jin Ling suddenly became silent. He waved to his uncle, indicating his sealed lips.

"Lan Wangji, what does this mean? It's not your place to discipline Jin Ling! Lift the spell immediately! "

SiZhui intervened again to explain that the young master was in no danger and just had to wait for the spell to lift by itself.

A servant of the Jiang clan came running in; Jiang Cheng grimaced. I knew what he was going to tell him. Bichen had done a good job!

"What bad news do you bring? "

"Gods catching nets have just been damaged by a sword with a blue aura"

"How many were hit? "

"All the nets" Jiang Cheng looked back at me!

He had deserved what happened... but I must admit that I was savoring this moment as a personal revenge... When I got home, I would have to copy Guzu Lan's rules of conduct 10 times!

Jiang Cheng looked furious. I hadn't listened to anything he said! But I noticed that he was clenching his fist while looking at Zidian. He had to restrain himself from using it against me! He took a deep breath and began to lecture his nephew.

"What are you still doing standing there? Waiting for your prey to commit suicide right before your eyes? If you don't catch that monster today, don't come back for me later.

Jin Ling greeted us and silently picked up the scabbard of his sword and went hunting again.

SiZhui assured Jiang Cheng that the Lan Clan would reimburse him for the damaged nets, but Jiang Cheng rejected the proposal and followed Jin Ling.

I watched him leave, then turned slightly to my disciples and sent them on a monster hunt, telling them to be careful and not to take any risks.

A movement on the side of the tree on my left reminded me of the reason for our intervention. I turned halfway to the man who was hiding there. He was wearing a mask and looked scared. I understood him. Jin Ling had almost killed him by thrusting his sword into his back! He hid again. He seemed to be afraid of me, but I had helped him?

So as not to frighten him further, I decided to leave it at that.

I had to keep an eye on Jiang Cheng!

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)