NOVEL WEB Chapter 7: Conspiracy
Immediately after Elder Jin left Mei Lin allowed herself a faint smile. She had played her part perfectly, knowing full well how precious his son was to him. Now came the crucial step.
Waiting until Elder Jin was out of sight, she quickly scanned the room. On his desk lay a small, intricately carved jade seal—a symbol of his authority within the sect. With ease, she slipped it into her sleeve, ensuring it remained hidden. Then, slipping unnoticed through a side exit, she made her way to the sect's Communication Chamber.
Inside the dimly lit chamber, Mei Lin activated a dormant communication formation. A shimmering portal opened before her, connecting her to the intended recipient. From her sleeve, she withdrew a scroll, inscribed with a message signed using Elder Jin's stolen seal.
"The time has come," she whispered to herself as she placed the scroll within the formation. Moments later, the transmission was complete, and the portal closed.
Far away, in a secluded valley bathed in moonlight, a man with striking blue hair received the message. His pale fingers traced the seal at the bottom of the scroll, his lips curling into a cruel smile.
"So, Elder Jin? Has he lost his mind or something, daring to threaten me?"
A glint of killing intent flashed in his eyes as he read further. Whatever the contents of the message contained, it clearly struck a nerve. Rising from his seat, he composed a reply and sent it back through the same formation.
When Elder Jin received the initial news of the destruction of the Violet Mountain City branch, his reaction was not one of blind rage but calculated caution. He knew better than to rush headlong into danger without first assessing the full scope of the situation. The loss of such a strategically important branch—and worse, the disappearance of his only son—was devastating, but he refused to let emotion cloud his judgment.
Arriving at Violet Mountain City, Elder Jin surveyed the devastation. The once-thriving beach lay in ruins, its walls shattered and its training grounds reduced to ash. Bodies littered the ground, some charred beyond recognition, others bearing signs of brutal combat. Yet, there was no trace of his son—or indeed, anyone who might have survived the attack.
"This is... impossible," Elder Jin murmured, his voice tight with suppressed fury. "Who could do this? And why?"
His mind raced, piecing together fragments of information. The timing, the methodical execution, the complete absence of survivors—it all pointed to someone far more cunning and ruthless than any ordinary enemy. Then, just as he began to suspect foul play, the message arrived.
It came through a simple scroll delivered by a messenger bird, its contents terse and chilling:
"Meet me at Sound Soul Valley. Come alone."
The seal at the bottom of the message was unmistakable—a mark he recognized instantly. It belonged to none other than the very same individual who had commissioned the extermination of the Jiang family.
This man had clearly orchestrated this entire ordeal. By taking his son hostage—or so Elder Jin believed—he sought to lure Elder Jin into a trap—a meeting where he would undoubtedly face death or worse. But Elder Jin wasn't about to fall prey to such a ploy so easily.
Returning to the Shadowclaw Sect's headquarters, Elder Jin sought out Mei Lin immediately. Finding her in the main hall, reviewing scrolls and maps, he approached her with a grave expression.
"We are in a dire situation. Our branch at Violet Mountain City has been destroyed, and my son is missing, something is not right, I feel like someone is playing with us."
Mei Lin looked up from her work, her sharp gaze locking onto him. "Explain further, Elder Jin. What makes you suspect this isn't merely an attack by the Righteous Sects Alliance or another rival faction?"
Elder Jin hesitated for a moment before producing the scroll he had received earlier. "This message arrived shortly after I surveyed the ruins. It bears the seal of the individual who commissioned the extermination of the Jiang family— You know the man identity very well, He requests that I meet him at Sound Soul Valley... alone."
He paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle between them. "I believe this is a trap, designed to lure me into a confrontation where I will surely perish, He probably want to silance us and wants to eliminate me first. However, I cannot ignore it entirely—not when my son's life hangs in the balance."
Mei Lin studied the scroll carefully, her brow furrowed in thought. After a moment, she nodded slowly. "Your suspicions are valid, Elder Jin. This could indeed be a ruse to eliminate you. But if we play our cards right, we might turn this situation to our advantage."
"How so?" Elder Jin asked, leaning forward slightly.
"I will accompany you to Sound Soul Valley. Not openly, of course. I will remain hidden, watching from the shadows. If this man reveals himself as a threat—or if he attempts to ambush you—I will strike without hesitation."
Elder Jin exhaled slowly, relief washing over him. "Thank you Sect Leader, This old man won't forget this favour."
"Prepare yourself, Elder Jin," Mei Lin said, rising to her feet. "We must act swiftly if we are to prevent any further disasters."
As night fell, Elder Jin set out for Sound Soul Valley, accompanied only by Mei Lin's silent presence lurking in the distance. The valley itself was a desolate place, At its center stood a lone stone platform, bathed in moonlight.
There, waiting patiently, was a man with piercing blue hair, wearing a purple precious robe. When Elder Jin approached, the man tilted his head slightly, amusement flickering in his eyes.
"So, Elder Jin," the man said, his voice smooth but laced with menace, "you've come. I must admit, I expected you to bring an army."
Elder Jin forced himself to remain composed, though his heart pounded fiercely. "You underestimate me if you think I would walk into a trap unprepared. Why have you summoned me here?"
The man chuckled softly, stepping closer. "Why? Oh, let's just say I wanted to see your face. You leaked false information to Li Fang, ensuring his failure. And now, you want to pin the blame on me ?"