Chapter 25: A Life for a Life: The High Priest’s Murder

That very evening, Elder Mu, who had gone to the High Priest to fetch some medicinal ingredients, discovered his already rigid corpse. He immediately reported the matter to the Sect Master.

The heterodox faction revered the Witchcraft Sect, and the High Priest served as their spiritual leader, holding immense prestige within the sect, second only to Ji Wushuang.

Therefore, his death sent shockwaves through the disciples. Under mounting pressure and rising panic, Ji Wushuang ordered a thorough investigation into the incident.

The Hall of Punishments interrogated numerous individuals throughout the night. Despite extensive inquiries, no valuable clues emerged.

The only finding was that merely three people had visited the High Priest’s chambers that day: his personal medicine boy; Axi, a disciple under Elder Mu; and Elder Mu himself.

Given Elder Mu’s standing, the Hall of Punishments dared not act unilaterally. They specifically reported the matter to the Sect Master, awaiting his judgment.

Ji Wushuang promptly summoned Elder Mu for a confrontation. Elder Mu initially denied everything. However, upon learning that his beloved disciple was also one of the three suspects, his face paled dramatically.

After a moment of stubborn resistance, he suddenly changed his testimony, admitting to poisoning the High Priest.

The elders of the Hall of Punishments were utterly astonished, scarcely believing their ears. Ji Wushuang, however, remained serene, as if he had long anticipated this outcome.

He lowered his gaze, pondering for a long while, then ordered guards to escort Elder Mu to the dungeon to await his punishment.

After Elder Mu was led away, Ji Wushuang dismissed the elders of the Hall of Punishments. He composed himself, his expression solemn, and sat quietly by the couch, lost in thought.

“What is your assessment of this matter?” Two *kekezhong* later, he turned his head, glancing sideways at his twin sister, and slowly inquired.

“Elder Mu did not do it,” Ji Wushuang’s twin sister stated with absolute certainty.

“Indeed. Elder Mu possesses a straightforward nature. If he intended to kill the High Priest, he would first issue a challenge for a death match, never resorting to a cowardly act of poisoning. Moreover, their past grievances were not severe enough to warrant such a fatal blow.”

Ji Wushuang lowered his eyes, articulating the doubts.

“Precisely. And did you notice? He initially denied it vehemently, only to quickly recant later. This behavior is entirely uncharacteristic of him,” Ji Wushuang’s twin sister added.

“If not Elder Mu, then who killed the High Priest?” Ji Wushuang’s eyes flickered, his tone brimming with intrigue.

“Could it be…” Ji Wushuang’s twin sister hesitated, leaving the latter half of her sentence unspoken.

“Poisoning, no resistance, a single decisive strike—this requires not profound martial arts, but merely an exceptionally sharp mind.

Tell me, among these three, who else possesses the ability to kill the cautious High Priest?” Ji Wushuang showed no trace of anger over the murder of a high-ranking subordinate; instead, his eyes sparkled with interest.

“It was the boy,” Ji Wushuang’s twin sister affirmed with conviction.

“Heh~” Ji Wushuang curved his lips into a low chuckle, nodding. “Aside from him, I truly cannot think of a second person. Elder Mu’s swift confession was likely an attempt to shield him.”

“But why would he kill the High Priest?” Ji Wushuang’s twin sister still harbored doubts. “How should we handle this matter?”

“Why? The reason is likely known only to the boy himself. For the High Priest to die at the hands of a mere child, he can only blame his own inferiority. His death is his own making.”

Ji Wushuang’s tone was cold and ruthless. Yet, when he thought of the boy, the harshness in his eyes softened abruptly.

“Since Elder Mu has already confessed, this matter is concluded. Handle it according to the sect rules. After all, he is still one of the ten elders; even bearing the charge of murder, at most, his martial arts and position will be abolished.

It’s nothing major. If the investigation were to lead to the boy, it would be different. Even with my authority as Sect Master, I wouldn’t be able to protect him.”

Between Elder Mu and the boy, Ji Wushuang unhesitatingly chose the latter.

Ji Wushuang’s twin sister, however, appeared somewhat hesitant, sighing, “Are we truly sacrificing Elder Mu like this? He has been our loyal confidant from the very beginning, balancing the power of the other elders. To abolish him seems a pity.”

“If Elder Mu is abolished, I will personally mentor the boy. Leaving Elder Mu’s elder position vacant, and then, after a few years, elevating the boy to it, amounts to the same outcome.”

Ji Wushuang waved his hand, his tone nonchalant, though a surge of secret delight welled within his heart.

Though inherently cold and detached, he was fiercely protective of those who found their way into his inner circle. The boy had clearly become the person he valued most, his concern for him subtly surpassing even that for Wolf Girl. Elder Mu was simply incomparable.

Ji Wushuang’s twin sister also held great affection for Shui Jingxuan, making the same decision. Realizing that Elder Mu was taking the fall for Shui Jingxuan, she mused, “I wonder if the boy will feign ignorance tomorrow or confess voluntarily.”

If he were to feign ignorance, then… The sentence remained unfinished.

“No matter his reaction,” Ji Wushuang began, his gaze lost in the profound darkness of the night, his voice seemingly casual, yet his heart was stirred by his sister’s words. He started to contemplate.

“—he is exceptionally astute. If nurtured, ten Elder Mus combined would not equal him.”

On one hand, if the boy were to confess to save Elder Mu, it would prove that Elder Mu was immensely important to him, more so than his own life.

The mere thought of this possibility made Ji Wushuang’s heart tremble with a mix of anticipation and something akin to jealousy.

On the other hand, he also disliked the idea of the boy abandoning Elder Mu, as it would indicate a selfish and heartless nature. This would create a barrier between them in the future.

In essence, Ji Wushuang’s mood fluctuated wildly, his feelings beyond words. He remained entirely unaware that his every joy and anger, his every action, were gradually being swayed by this child, beyond his own control.

He steadied his emotions and, with a few casual words, extracted a great deal of information from the disciple of the Hall of Punishments elder.

He immediately realized that Elder Mu had likely guessed his actions and was taking the blame for him.

“How can this be? My master is absolutely not that kind of person,” Shui Jingxuan said anxiously to the Hall of Punishments disciple. “I wonder if you, Amu, could make an exception and allow me to see my master?”

As Elder Mu’s senior disciple, his request was perfectly natural. Furthermore, the Sect Master had not issued any orders forbidding visits.

Amu, who was also the senior disciple of a Hall of Punishments elder, held some authority. Thinking of the favor he could do for his senior brother Axi, he agreed without a second thought.

Led into the dungeon, reeking of putrid odors and thick with miasma, Shui Jingxuan’s already furrowed brows deepened, his face turning a dark, gloomy shade.

He had just killed someone, and his master arrived immediately afterward, taking the blame for him. Was this some cruel joke from the heavens?

However, Shui Jingxuan had always disliked being manipulated, and even if the manipulator was fate itself, he would find a way to twist his destiny.

He was the one who committed the murder. His master had nurtured him for two years, dedicating himself to every aspect of his well-being, caring for him meticulously.

Unless he was utterly devoid of conscience, worse than a beast, he would never abandon his master.

“Master, I’ve come to see you.” Arriving before a relatively clean cell door, Shui Jingxuan called out to Elder Mu, who was meditating cross-legged in the corner.

“Why are you here? Go back at once!” Elder Mu suddenly opened his eyes. Sensing no sect members monitoring them, he sternly reprimanded him.

“Master, I killed the High Priest.” Shui Jingxuan ignored Elder Mu’s harsh tone and came straight to the point.

Although Elder Mu had already suspected, he couldn’t help but be momentarily stunned. After regaining his composure, he lowered his head and chuckled softly, thinking,

‘This matter was indeed done by my disciple! Excellent. I could only barely contend with the High Priest, yet my disciple managed to kill him instantly. My disciple’s future is limitless; saving him today is truly worth it.’

With that thought, he wiped his face, concealing the relief in his eyes, and his tone grew several shades sterner.

“The High Priest was killed by me. What concern is it of yours? Do not try to take the blame for me out of some master-disciple sentiment. Now get out!”

“Who is taking the blame for whom, Master knows well enough. Your disciple only came to tell you that I will definitely get you out. Please wait patiently.”

He gripped the wooden bars of the cell door tightly, his voice solemn, like a vow.

Despite having only known each other for two years, Elder Mu treated him as his own child. Even with a heart as hard as iron, Shui Jingxuan felt it melt at this moment.

“Your master does not need you to save me! You must not act rashly and ruin your own future, do you hear me?”

Elder Mu grew anxious, rushing to the cell door, wanting to grab his beloved disciple’s sleeve to earnestly dissuade him.

However, his disciple had already slipped away a step earlier, leaving without turning his head. His resolute and determined back filled Elder Mu with unease.

Returning to his room, Shui Jingxuan locked the door and sat alone, quietly contemplating a strategy.

He rested one hand on his forehead, lightly tapping the nearby tabletop with the other. Amidst the slow, yet rhythmic tap-tap sound, his thoughts gradually cleared: Escape from prison? Impossible.

He lacked the capability; not only would it harm Elder Mu, but he would also be unable to escape. Confess? Elder Mu would be fine, but death awaited him. He needed to consider this more carefully.

After sifting through all feasible options, Shui Jingxuan lowered his head and gave a bitter smile, sighing inwardly, ‘It seems the only course of action now is to take a dangerous gamble, to face death to find a way to live.’

He would go confess to Ji Wushuang! He already had a plan in mind for how to confess in a way that would soften Ji Wushuang’s heart and spare his life.

Ji Wushuang rarely took notice of anyone, but once someone caught his eye, he would fiercely protect them. Over the past two years, Shui Jingxuan believed he had indeed caught Ji Wushuang’s attention, and he was willing to bet on that affection.

If he won, everyone would be happy. If he lost, he was still somewhat confident in escaping from the demonic sect alive.

Acting on his thought, Shui Jingxuan smoothed the wrinkles from his robes and unhurriedly made his way to Ji Wushuang’s residence.

Upon hearing the servant report that Axi requested an audience, Ji Wushuang froze.

A surge of jealousy, mixed with the realization that ‘the boy truly values loyalty and righteousness,’ simultaneously assailed his heart, momentarily disorienting him.

Ji Wushuang’s twin sister, however, burst into laughter, praising loudly, “Good, excellent! Truly worthy of my regard! So loyal and filial, marvelous! Let him in!”

From Ji Wushuang’s twin sister’s joyous tone, it was clear she was extremely pleased with Shui Jingxuan’s actions. She did not harbor the same peculiar thoughts as her younger brother.

In her eyes, the boy was not only exceptionally gifted and intelligent, but also possessed loyal and righteous character—a rare and excellent subordinate, worthy of her full cultivation.

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