Beast Tamer Ascension

Chapter 54: No Clear Truth

As the two conversed, a powerful aura surged ahead, and a silver-armored cultivator stopped them in their tracks.

"Snow Moon City is on lockdown. Entry is forbidden!"

Both the Heavenfeather Crane and the white dragon-horse halted. Gao Sheng took out a token and declared, "Gao Sheng of the Demon-Slaying Bureau, here to exterminate demonic forces in Snow Moon City."

Lin Jing also retrieved his token, adding, "Lin Jing of the Beast Taming Sect, here to investigate the beast disappearances."

The silver-armored cultivator looked at the two—riding Foundation Establishment mounts despite being only at the ninth and fourth levels of Qi Refinement—and was at a loss for words.

Gao Sheng glanced at Lin Jing. You're here for demon hunting too? You think I’m weak... but you’re only at the fourth level!

"Greetings. Your horse is truly magnificent," Lin Jing commented.

"This is a dragon-horse. Don’t get any ideas, you from the Beast Taming Sect," Gao Sheng replied defensively.

After inspecting their tokens, the silver-armored cultivator reported their arrival. Before long, a middle-aged man with a face covered in thick, snow-white whiskers personally came to meet them.

Lin Jing recognized the man from portraits: Tang Qinghan, the City Lord of Snow Moon City.

Lin Jing was momentarily stunned. He hadn't expected to receive the same treatment as Senior Brother Ouyang—personally greeted by a Golden Core cultivator!

"Young Master Gao… Why are you here? How is your esteemed father?" the City Lord asked warmly, ignoring Lin Jing entirely.

"City Lord Tang, let’s not confuse matters. I am Gao Sheng of the Demon-Slaying Bureau, not simply the son of the Gao family. I am here to solve this case and eliminate demons," Gao Sheng replied sternly. "This is my first case with the bureau, so I ask for your full cooperation."

"Snow Moon City will fully support the Demon-Slaying Bureau," the City Lord assured him. Only then did he turn to Lin Jing.

Lin Jing looked skyward, while the Heavenfeather Crane chimed in, "Beast Taming Sect! We’re from the Beast Taming Sect!"

"Oh, a disciple of the Beast Taming Sect… It is my dereliction of duty that your Senior Brother Ouyang Hao met his end in my city. I promise to find the culprit within a month and give your sect a proper explanation," the City Lord declared solemnly.

"Thank you, City Lord. We’re here to assist with the investigation," Lin Jing replied. "I am a disciple of Danxia Peak. I’ve studied toxicology under my master for over two decades. The sect's patriarch determined that Senior Brother Ouyang was poisoned, so I’ve been sent to investigate."

"Very well. Please, both of you, follow me into the city," the City Lord said as the snow fog dispersed, revealing towering walls ahead.

---

At the City Lord’s Manor, the City Lord intended to extend his hospitality to the two guests. However, Gao Sheng waved it off.

"Let’s skip the formalities. City Lord, I’ve already gathered enough information about Snow Moon City’s situation and have a preliminary idea of who the culprit is!" Gao Sheng proclaimed. ȑ₳ΝȫBΕș

"What?!" The City Lord was taken aback. Lin Jing, too, was surprised. Could this brother really have figured it out so quickly, even before the Divine Pine sensed anything?

"First, Snow Moon City’s property has been damaged, and a major sect disciple was attacked. These incidents create serious security concerns. Who suffers the most from this? The answer is obvious—City Lord Tang. If these issues worsen, your political career will undoubtedly take a hit," Gao Sheng explained. "Thus, while this may appear to be the work of demons, it’s also possible that one of your enemies is disguising themselves as a demonic force!"

"I conducted a detailed investigation before coming here. Lotus Pavilion’s Branch Master, Hua Qiandao, came to this desolate city only to see his business severely hindered by your policies. His promotion prospects are dim. Just now, Brother Lin of the Beast Taming Sect mentioned that Senior Brother Ouyang was poisoned… and Lotus Pavilion primarily deals in medicinal pills. Only they have sufficient knowledge of poisons!"

Gao Sheng concluded confidently, "City Lord Tang, I urge you to arrest Lotus Pavilion’s Branch Master Hua Qiandao immediately!" He fanned himself with an air of elegance as he spoke.

City Lord Tang’s expression turned odd. "Young Master Gao, while it’s true that I had past disagreements with Hua Qiandao, we’ve since reconciled. Snow Moon City and Lotus Pavilion have established deep cooperation through formal contracts. If I were to fall, so would he. We now share the same fate."

Gao Sheng fell silent, continuing to fan himself. "Well… just pretend I didn’t say anything."

Lin Jing cupped his hands and excused himself. He was beginning to doubt this Demon-Slaying Bureau operative’s usefulness.

"Senior Divine Pine… is there anything unusual about the City Lord’s Manor?" Lin Jing asked once outside, opening his palm to reveal a pine cone.

A voice emanated from the pine cone. "No anomalies detected. The City Lord himself is not the problem. However, I now know what poison afflicted your Senior Brother."

"What is it?" Lin Jing asked, startled.

"Follow my guidance," the Divine Pine instructed.

Lin Jing quickly complied, following the pine’s directions until he reached a snowy grassland. He brushed aside the snow, uncovering several purple plants.

"What do you see?" the Divine Pine asked.

Lin Jing stared at the plants, lost in thought. After rifling through his mental compendium of botanical knowledge, he suddenly noticed red spots forming on his hand. "Split petals, serpentine leaves, causing rashes upon contact… This is Feathered Insect Grass."

"Correct," the Divine Pine affirmed. "Do you know where it thrives?"

"In areas abundant with venomous insects, particularly near the Yunhai Mountain Range. Are you suggesting that my Senior Brother was harmed by venomous insects?"

"Not just any venomous insects. The poison affecting him isn’t something that would stump a Golden Core elder or a Nascent Soul patriarch," the Divine Pine explained. "This poison… it belongs to the Gu God Sect. Only their peculiar Gu insects could produce something this insidious. Your Senior Brother must have been poisoned by a Child Gu. Find the Mother Gu, and the Ice Gu poison can be neutralized."

---

"Brother Lin!" Gao Sheng suddenly appeared, catching up to Lin Jing.

Lin Jing stashed the pine cone and regarded the privileged youth. "Brother Gao, what brings you here?"

"I’ve had a new revelation! So I ran away from the City Lord’s Manor," Gao Sheng replied, looking anxious. "I suspect the culprit may be the Gu God Sect! My father once mentioned that the sect has been increasing its influence in our region by using Gu poison to control people. City Lord Tang might already be their puppet! After all, his cultivation technique and the Ice Gu poison seem to align suspiciously. The mastermind behind everything could be him!"

Lin Jing: ?

"Brother Gao, do you have any evidence?" Lin Jing asked.

"None."

"Then why are you even saying this?!" Lin Jing sighed. "If the City Lord were breeding Gu insects with beasts, given the Tang family’s resources in Snow Moon City, would he need to steal snow rabbits from the Beast Taming Sect?"

"Uh… Brother Lin, you have a point," Gao Sheng muttered, falling deep into thought again.

"Brother Lin, do you think it’s possible…" He suddenly eyed Lin Jing warily, taking a step back.

"Let me guess. You’re about to suggest that the Beast Taming Sect, often dubbed the ‘Beast Demon Sect,’ might have internal collusion with demonic sects, harming itself to eliminate suspicion and cry wolf?"

Gao Sheng was stunned. "How did you know?!"

"Brother Gao, perhaps you should just go home and inherit your family’s legacy!" Lin Jing retorted.

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