"The murderer has not been identified and is still on the loose. How will Master Ting rest in peace?" Jiang Ning said mildly. "Elder Ting Feng, I believe this isn't what you want for Master Ting." The elder's face was slightly pale. He didn't say a word and simply stared at Jiang Ning silently.

"Both of us know that the murderer is someone else. Do you not wish for Master Ting's death to be avenged and his murderer brought to justice?"

"There's no murderer." Elder Ting Feng shook his head, his voice clearly trembling when he spoke.

He was filled with obvious aggrievement and resentment.

Jiang Ning could tell.

"Our chief's death was a result of an accident during his training. He got out of control and suffered grievous injury to his meridians. No one killed him. There must have been a misunderstanding," droned Elder Ting Feng as he spewed words that he found unbelievable.

But he had to say them.

The elder didn't speak again. With a Buddhist gesture and a slight bow, he indicated that it was time for them to leave.

Jiang Ning smiled wordlessly, got up and left.

Liu Zong and Liu Heng followed him with mild confusion.

They didn't voice their bewilderment as they followed Jiang Ning out of Buddha Sect.

When the three of them reached the foot of the mountain, Liu Zong finally blurted out. "Master Ting was clearly murdered. Why is Elder Ting Feng trying to conceal the truth?"

The truth was plain for all to see. His attempts at concealment weren't going to change what had happened.

"He's trying to protect Buddha Sect," said Jiang Ning.

That was equally plain to see.

The elder must know whom the murderer was, but he dared not incur the latter's wrath. The deaths might stop at Ting Chan if he kept his distance from the murderer. Otherwise, it could mean the destruction of the entire Buddha Sect.

Jiang Ning would have done the same. When you were not powerful enough, this was what you had to do sometimes. You had to swallow your pride even when someone was pushing you around. But this was their chief's death that they were talking about. Ting Chan had been the pillar of Buddha Sect.

"We won't be able to find any clues if Elder Ting Feng refuses to tell us anything," said Liu Heng. "But his statement does clear Brother Jiang of all suspicions. No one can be the murderer if there's no murderer in the first place."

He had been cleared of all suspicions but the real murderer was still out on the loose. Who could guarantee that he wouldn't kill again?

Jiang Ning gave the brothers a look and without a word, found a flat slab of rock and sat down.

He wasn't in a hurry to leave.

Liu Zong and Liu Heng were still in a heated discussion about making further preparations in case anything unexpected happened.

After some time, they realized that

Jiang Ning didn't seem to have any intentions of leaving. Realization struck them after a moment of surprise.

"Are we going back to Buddha Sect?"

Jiang Ning nodded.

"Let's wait a while." "Alright."

The brothers had spent quite some time with Jiang Ning. They had realized what was going on within moments. They didn't say a single word and instead, sat there quietly and waited for the skies to turn dark.

The moon rose into the night sky. Jiang Ning opened his eyes.

"Wait here for me."

"Alright. Please be careful, Brother Jiang," said the brothers as they nodded.

Jiang Ning disappeared into the

night. Vanishing along with him were

all

and Diu Heng were blown away by what they had just witnessed.

al of his presence. Liu Zong © 2024.

They couldn't sense Jiang Ning's presence at all.

"He's amazing," said Liu Zong. "I doubt even the Senior Elder can do that. Where did we find the nerve to offend him?" Shivers of terror coursed through Liu

Heng.

They would have been dead if Jiang Ning had decided to take their provocation seriously.

Fortunately, Jiang Ning hadn't taken their childish antics seriously. This was the first time they felt thankful for being a kid.

The brothers listened to Jiang Ning, sat there obediently and waited.

Under the cloak of darkness, Jiang Ning made his way swiftly to Buddha Sect.

He arrived at the altar and was greeted by the sight of Elder Ting Feng, who was keeping vigil alone.