A Third Jade {Mo Dao Zu Shi}

♬Chapter 42♬

The group left and was walking through a forest.

"The legs were suppressed by both the sabre spirit and normal corpses. I might never have been able to find them if not for the Curse Mark. He played his cards really well" Wei Ying speculated before he continued explaining, "Experiments were conducted in Huaicang Hill 11 years ago. The next year, the Sabre Hall ran into trouble. The timeline matches. Those grave robbers must have ran into sacrificial warriors. Just like what happened to the Nie Clan disciples tonight, their bodies were melted, leaving behind pools of blood. But more importantly... That person has finally resurfaced after 14 years"

Chen Hong seemed to understand Wei Ying's explanation. While traveling around, he did hear lots of stories about the Yiling Patriarch's "crimes" when he was alive. Back then, Chen Hong was against the Yiling Patriarch, but at the same time, he thought maybe the Yiling Patriarch himself had no choice but to choose the demonic path for reasons.

Now, Chen Hong believes that the Yiling Patriarch is actually innocent after observing what he had seen so far. Lastly, he suspects that Mo Xuanyu is actually Wei Wuxian.

"That person is familiar with the sword technique of Gusu Lan Clan" Lan Zhan stated, "He even covered up his sword to keep us from recognizing it" Lan Anhe added. "Lan Zhan, Lan Mei, is he someone you might know?" Wei Ying asks the siblings. "No" Lan Zhan simply answered as Lan Anhe shook her head, "I do not know"

"This is getting more complicated. I've examined Wen Ning's memory before, where a disciple of Gusu Lan Clan appeared beside Jin Guangshan. Do you think they are the same person?" Wei Ying asks.

"Gusu Lan Clan?" This made the Lan siblings more confused.

"Do you two know who he is?" Wei Ying asks again, Lan Zhan shook his head, "Not yet. But speaking of Jin Guangshan..." Lan Zhan explained to Wei Ying what he knew.

"You mean Wen Ning didn't lose control in Nightless City?" Wei Ying questioned. Lan Anhe shook her head, "Back then, from what Brother Wangji told me, Jin Guangshan was eager to kill you. But the Yunmeng Jiang Clan defended you. Brother Wangji and Brother Xichen as well as Clan Leader Nie also thought that the truth behind the Ulcerating Curse should be investigated first"

"Therefore, he used Wen Ning to drive a wedge between me and the Gusu Lan and Qinghe Nie Clans" Wei Ying added as he sat down on a tree stump, "Jin Guangshan was a shrewd schemer! Then could he be the one who set up the Spirit Lure Array?" Wei Ying asked, "No evidence. But I wouldn't rule out that possibility" Lan Zhan answered.

"No evidence...?" Wei Ying sighed, "So many people wanted me dead. How can I tell who did it? I shouldn't have been so conceited that I wouldn't even listen to you. That was why others were able to take advantage of me"

"Wei Ying" Lan Zhan called his name out.

' I knew it! I freaking knew it! ' Chen Hong happily shouted in his head.

Lan Zhan went on one knee in front of Wei Ying, "You never intended for that to happen. I know that you tried your best" Wei Ying smiled at him, "Right. Those mistakes had already been made. No use regretting anymore. But thankfully, we still have clues. In any case, the mastermind behind the forbidden Sacrificial Ritual that summoned me must know the truth about everything. If we uncover the identity of the ghost hand's owner, perhaps the mystery will be solved"

♬♬♬

The group went to an inn at the Qinghe Borders.

Wei Ying and Lan Anhe were playing their flutes while Lan Zhan was playing his Guqin, suppressing the ghost hand as Chen Hong was watching in the background in awe.