Bai Lin invited Liu Xing inside. As expected, the inside was small and cramped, with shelves full of jars containing dried leaves, powders that were probably herbs, and many other things. Liu Xing sat in a chair while the old man prepared tea. After it was ready, they both sat around the table to enjoy it.

As Liu Xing drank the tea, its bitter and fresh flavor washed over his tongue, giving him energy and making him more alert.

"How is it?" Bai Lin asked.

"It's good tea."

Hearing Liu Xing's answer, Bai Lin smiled.

"That tea was my grandson's favorite. For me, it's too bitter. I'm glad that other people find it good too."

Liu Xing glanced at a small altar in the corner of the room. There was a picture of a young, handsome guy frowning, as if he didn't want to be painted. This altar looked new, and Liu Xing wondered if his hunch was correct.

"Was your grandson killed?"

"How did you know? Yes, my grandson was killed about two weeks ago. He wasn't a cultivator but wanted to be one. Sadly, talent isn't something you can ask for. Two weeks ago, I asked him to deliver herbs to Mystic Moon City. He never came back."

Liu Xing watched Bai Lin's eyes. They showed deep sorrow. But unlike the woman from the Qian clan, Bai Lin seemed to have made peace with his grandson's death.

"Were his arms left behind?"

Bai Lin pressed his lips together. "Yes. I found his right arm near the river. Do you perhaps know what killed my grandson?"

"No, I don't, but your grandson's death isn't the only one. Other people have been killed too, and the killer seems to be leaving behind the arms of their victims."

Bai Lin clenched his fist. "Are you trying to investigate this matter?"

Liu Xing was silent for a moment. He was curious about this case. It seemed fishy, and Liu Xing felt certain that either a demonic cultivator or a strange spirit beast was behind it. But Liu Xing was in the middle of a race.

"I'm not. I have another matter to attend to."

"I really hope you would investigate the case and eliminate the root of the problem. This Mystic Moon City is under your sect's protection."

It seemed this old man hadn't truly accepted his grandson's death. He wanted justice, and as Liu Xing had come knocking at his door, he tried to ask for help.

"You need to report your grandson's murder to the city. While this city is under our protection, this matter falls under the city's responsibility."

"That's the problem," Bai Lin said, whispering. "I already reported it, but the city won't do anything about this case."

Liu Xing raised his eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"Do you know the power structure of this city?"

Liu Xing shook his head. While he had heard of Mystic Moon City, he didn't know much about it. It was just another city under Purple Moon Sect, nothing more and nothing less.

"This city is led by a mayor, chosen by agreement of the city's three clans: Qian clan, Xiao Clan, and Wei clan. There are many smaller clans besides these, but generally, they serve under one of these three."

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Liu Xing nodded. "What's the connection between this power structure and these murders happening around the city?"

"The current mayor is from the Wei clan. A man named Wei Yi. He's a young mayor, only sixty years old, yet he's already in the Core Splitting realm fourth core. He's a very talented youngster, but recently I heard his growth has been tremendous."

Liu Xing understood what Bai Lin was trying to say. He suspected Wei Yi had killed his grandson.

This was a heavy accusation, implying that his grandson's death was tied to Wei Yi's tremendous growth, meaning he was accusing Wei Yi of being a demonic cultivator.

"Wasn't your grandson a mortal?"

"Indeed he was, but not a mere mortal. He had... a certain bloodline that made him special. You said you've heard of other deaths similar to my grandson's. May I know who you're referring to?"

Liu Xing licked his lips. He thought for a moment and decided to hear what Bai Lin was trying to say.

"Do you know Duan Hai from Shadow Wolf Gang and Qian Biaou from the Qian clan?"

Bai Lin's eyes widened. "I knew it! To answer your question, yes, I know them. Duan Hai is infamous for raiding in broad daylight. He's a menace, and Qian Biaou is also infamous for his greedy ways. But what's less known about them is that they both have bloodlines. Duan Hai has a Night Wolf Bloodline, while Qian Biaou has a Brown Bear Bloodline. I always keep track of bloodline carriers in this city, since my grandson also had one. His was called Serpent Sun Bloodline."

Liu Xing rubbed his chin. Bloodlines were unique physiques. There were many bloodlines in this world. Some were weak, some strong. Some gave unique techniques, some gave certain talents. The most famous bloodline in this world was held by Burning World Sect, one of the five great sects. They had a unique sign in the form of a golden horn on their forehead, and while the full extent of their bloodline was shrouded in mystery, their most certain ability was absolute control of fire. He had heard from an outer disciple unlucky enough to encounter them that fighting them was like fighting a volcano.

"While their deaths might be connected because they have bloodlines, I still don't see how it's connected to Wei Yi," Liu Xing said.

Bai Lin nodded. "I heard a rumor about Wei Yi a few years ago. He got an inheritance from the ruins of an ancient sect. While I don't know for certain what he got, I'm pretty sure it was a technique from a demonic sect."

"What makes you so sure?"

"Mainly because I know what technique he got from the ancient sect. The technique is called Blood Wing Sacrifice: Bloodline Variant."

When Liu Xing heard that technique name, his eyes widened. That technique name was similar to Ji Dongyang's sect. Could this technique actually be from Blood Wing Sect?

"You seem surprised," Bai Lin said. "Do you know this technique?"

"No, it's just that recently I fought a cultivator who claimed he annihilated the Blood Wing sect. Do you know where these ancient ruins are located? Are they in the north?"

"They are indeed in the north. In the empire called Blue Wind Empire."

Liu Xing's heart started beating faster.

"Seems like I've piqued your interest," Bai Lin said.

Indeed he had. Everything remotely connected to Ji Dongyang interested Liu Xing. Mainly because Ji Dongyang used what he called a 'shadow'. There was a possibility that this shadow was the darkness that Nui mentioned. This was the only lead he knew.

"Are you interested in investigating this technique? If you are, then I can give you a reward if you can solve my grandson's murder."

Bai Lin's old face suddenly gained more energy. His eyes burned and he clenched his fist. From this face, Liu Xing understood how deep his love for his grandson was.

"If you can settle this matter, then I can give you a Heaven Grade Technique."

Liu Xing's eyes widened. "Are you serious?"

A Heaven Grade technique wasn't a trivial matter. Even Liu Xing, an outer disciple from one of the five great sects, never had a chance to get his hands on a Heaven Grade Technique. And this Bai Lin, only at the second stage of Lock Opening realm and living alone, claimed he had one. It was absurd. But Liu Xing couldn't disregard his claim. Sometimes, a river had something an ocean didn't. And if that something was a Heaven Grade Technique, then Liu Xing was very interested in Bai Lin's matter.

"I can't use it at full power, since I'm merely a weak cultivator. But I'm sure you would find this technique useful. It's a technique that allows me to observe some people even from a distance."

Liu Xing rubbed his chin. Even if the technique wasn't for combat, Liu Xing still wanted a Heaven Grade Technique. He wanted to accept Bai Lin's request to solve his grandson's death on the spot, but logic made him think a bit more.