Chapter 30: Unexpected Answers

Chapter 30: Unexpected Answers

30

Unexpected Answers

I

Tian Jin stared up at the man in golden robes on top of the magical cloud, his eyes narrowing. An inner elder of the Blazing Light Sect was at least at the fifth level of the Red Spiritual Realm. Tian Jin didnt have any confidence facing a fourth-level redsoul, let alone a fifth-level. He glanced at Hao Zhen and Duo Lan and saw that they were both also frozen in pace, their eyes on the inner elder.

Fighting wasnt an optionthat much was clear. Even if they all acted together, they wouldnt be able to do anything to an inner elder. Running away wasnt an option, either. Even if they could somehow put enough distance between themselves and the elder to take off running, the man would be able to catch up to them in moments. Not even an eleventh-level redsoul could outrun a magical cloud.

At that thought, Tian Jin went still. They didnt need to run. Tian Jin had his own magical cloudthe one that used to belong to Ke Li. It was just that he hadnt thought much about it these last few days, as they hadnt needed it. Tian Jin tightened his hands into fists, thinking fast, the beginnings of an plan forming in his head.

The inner elder finally stopped his magical clouds descent a few feet above the ground, his golden robes lightly swaying in the wind. His expression somber, the man first looked at Tian Jin, then at Duo Lan, before shaking his head. It truly is a pity that two promising disciples like you two have to die, he said, sounding genuinely regretful.

The next moment, before Tian Jin could react to the elder's word, Hao Zhens voice sounded in his head. Ill buy us time. Try to think of something. If theres something you havesome kind of trump card or secret weaponplease use it.

A sound-transmission.

Startled, Tian Jin glanced over at Hao Zhen, just in time to see him moving his right hand into his pocket. The next moment, the other boy spoke up.

Im sorry, Elder, but Im not quite sure what youre talking about, Hao Zhen said, his voice a little shaky. He was looking straight up at the elder, his expression a little pale, a frown on his face.

The inner elder, who so far hadnt looked in Hao Zhens direction even once, gave the shorter boy a glance. Dont play the fool, boy, he said, his voice turning severe.

Hao Zhen became even paler. I he trailed off, shaking his head. Why are you working for Du Qing? he said instead.

Tian Jin returned his attention to the inner elder. The man was frowning, giving Hao Zhen a look of distaste, as if he had just eaten something bitter. I am not working for Du Qing. I am not that boys lackey like the six fools you three just killed. Make no mistake, I simply agreed to do him a favor.

Hao Zhen maintained an impassive expression as the elder admonished him, and once the man was done, he simply asked, Then why are you doing him a favor? It was clear that Hao Zhen was putting on a strong fronthis pale skin, trembling hands, and shaky voice gave it away. Tian Jin was still surprised at how well Hao Zhen was doing, howeverand that he was even doing this in the first place.

Having been around Hao Zhen for a couple of days nowand even lived with himTian Jin had already caught on that Hao Zhen hated being the center of attention. Right now, however, that was exactly the position the other boy had put himself in.

Hao Zhen was doing his bestdoing his part. Now Tian Jin had to do his. He began wracking his head. Hao Zhen had told them to use any trump cards they had. Tian Jin didnt have any idea what a trump card was supposed to be, but based on the rest of the sentence he guessed that Hao Zhen was asking him if he had any secret weapons.

Tian Jin went through all of his possessions in his head, but nothing that could turn this situation around came to mind. In his spatial ring, he only had a few barrier, fireball, and explosion talismans. In terms of pills, he only had recovery, healing, and cultivation ones, and the only magical artifact he had was the sword he useda common red-grade sword. Everything he had, he acquired after joining the Blazing Light Sect.

The only thing he owned that he hadn't gotten in the last two to three months before was the plain, rusty ring his master had given him right before passing away, but as far as Tian Jin could tell, it wasnt even a magical artifact. He inspected it thoroughly in the days following his masters death and found nothing special about it.

But Tian Jin had to think of something. There had to be some way out of this situation. He refused to believe otherwise. He couldnt just give up and wait for his deathnot when all he needed was a way to delay the elder or keep him occupied just long enough for him, Duo Lan, and Hao Zhen to get on his magical cloud and fly away.

Tian Jin gritted his teeth. He had gone through too much to simply die here. Everything else aside, his family had yet to be avenged, and he wouldnt rest until Chi Huo and the Chi Clan paid for what they had doneuntil they were dead and buried.

No matter what, he could not die here. He wouldnt accept that.

Tian Jins felt his heart racing in his chest, a hot feeling building up inside him. He took in a deep breath.

Even if Heaven wanted him dead, he would not die.

A burning sensation in his hand drew Tian Jins attention, and he glanced down at his right hand. His eyes widened. The ring his master had given him, which usually just sat there, motionless, was shaking.

Just what

Tian Jin looked at Duo Lan blankly. He had absolutely no idea what was going on. He turned to look at Hao Zhen to see if the other boy was making any sense of the situation, and saw that Hao Zhen was gaping at Duo Lan, his expression one of shock.

Then Hao Zhen abruptly turned toward him. Do you Have you also experienced that? he asked, his gaze piercing.

At that, Duo Lan gave Hao Zhen a rather startled look, before also shifting her gaze to Tian Jin.

Now Tian Jin really had no idea what was happening. What do you mean?

What Duo Lan just said about others ignoring things that they were supposed to find strange, Hao Zhen said. Tian Jin had never seen him look so serious, so intense. Has that ever happened to you?

I dont Tian Jin paused, the rest of his sentence dying in his throat as he took a moment to actually consider the question. Although he had never paid attention to it before, he could remember a few instances in which something like that happeningsuch as when he accidentally slipped a secret of his to another clanmate but they didnt react to it, or when he told his parents about something his master had told him but they simply glossed over it as if they hadnt heard.

He had never really paid attention to events things before, but now

I think it has, Tian Jin said, his confusion becoming even greater, though now for a completely different reason. There was clearly much more to the situation than he had originally assumed.

Hao Zhen inhaled sharply, his eyes widening. Oh, Hao Zhen said, an overwhelmed look on his face. Oh. Oh. He reached a hand up to his face and rubbed his forehead, shaking his head, his eyes still on Tian Jin and Duo Lan. So you two I see. I mean, that explains some things, but how Why Hao Zhen murmured. It was as if he was having a conversation in his head and only saying snippets of it outloud.

Er Hao Zhen? Tian Jin said, now not just confused, but also concerned for his friend. What are you talking about? Whats going on?

Duo Lan was looking at Hao Zhen oddly.

Hao Zhen closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, before shaking his head. I Where do I even No. Hao Zhen paused, shaking his head again. Then he focused on Tian Jin. Look, remember when you asked me before why I was acting strange, and I told you I couldnt tell you the truth yet because I didnt really understand what was going on?

Tian Jin nodded his head, thinking back to the conversation they had on their first day back on the sect after returning from the mission, just after leaving Duo Lans house.

Well, its related to that, Hao Zhen said. And I still dont really know whats going on, but I think it might be better to tell you anyway, he continued, before glancing at Duo Lan. And you too. But its something well, big. Really, really big, and I dont think nowwhile were running away from an inner elderis the right time to tell you. I also still need some to think of how to say it. He paused, his expression thoughtful. Once weve dealt with the matter of the inner elder, once were no longer in any immediate danger, Ill tell you. Can you wait?

This was something Tian Jin had been curious about for a while nowsomething that occupied his mind even more than Duo Lans real identity. But he had waited this long, so he could wait a little bit more. All right, Tian Jin said.

Thank you. Hao Zhen then turned toward Duo Lan. Now, theres just one question left. Who exactly are you?

Duo Lan blinked at him. Then she furrowed her brow. Wait, how come I have to tell my secrets, but you can

Because I dont know what effect what I have to say will have on you two, Hao Zhen cut in, looking straight at her, so Id rather not take any chances and leave it until were not running for our lives. Your identity, on the other hand, is something we do need to know right now, because it might just be the key to turning this situation around.

Duo Lan blinked at Hao Zhen, giving him a blank stare, clearly taken aback. Tian Jin also looked at Hao Zhen in surprise. Hao Zhen had never stood up to Duo Lan like this before.

Hao Zhen, however, ignored their looks of surprise and pressed on. So?

You Duo Lan hesitated, before cutting herself off as if thinking better of it. Then, to Tian Jins surprise, she sighed. All right. She took in a deep breath, then said, My names actually Lan Yue.

Tian Jin stilled. Lan, that surname, wasnt that You are

He and Hao Zhen had already theorized that she was someone who belonged to the upper echelons of the sect, but if she was surnamed Lan, then there was only one person she could be related to.

She nodded at him, her nose crinkling in distaste.

Yes. My father is Lan Xing, the leader of the Blazing Light Sect, Duo Lanor rather, Lan Yuesaid.

She didnt soundor lookhappy about it.