Chapter 838: Chapter 24 The Light of Tranquility_4
At this time, roused by the sounds of talking, Miao Fei awoke as well, and with confusion, he said, "Elder Yue, do you think it could have been done by people from the Assassin’s Guild? Only they have the ability to infiltrate Yan Shi’s home undetected."
Upon hearing the Assassin’s Guild, Ah Dai’s body involuntarily trembled, recalling those assassins who had sent Owen to his doom; he couldn’t help but clench his fists tightly.
Moon Scar shook his head and said, "It doesn’t seem like it. It’s probably not the work of someone from the Assassin’s Guild. Although the assassins from the guild are incredibly ruthless and don’t discriminate in their targets, they don’t have the habit of committing treacherous murders. They usually take out their targets cleanly and promptly make their escape. The culprit must be someone very familiar with the Yan Shi family. I estimate that it could very well be someone from their tribe. There must be a deep-seated grudge against Yan Shi."
Ah Dai’s emotions gradually settled as he said, "But, Big Brother Yan Shi once mentioned that the people of the Pu Yan Tribe are all very simple and honest!"
Yue Ji snorted and replied, "You can’t judge what’s in a person’s heart. Even in a pot of sweet porridge, there can be grains of sand. Who knows for sure? Don’t forget, the Yan Shi residence is at the tribe’s center. During the day, the Pu Yan Tribe is bustling with people; even if one were to fly in, it would be quite difficult for an outsider to go unnoticed by the Pu Yan people. Thus, only their own tribe members could sneak into his home without alarming anyone."
Miao Fei, with his head lowered, said, "I hope the Pu Yan Clan Leader will be able to wisely identify the culprit, so that we’re not made scapegoats. Elder Yue, I’m going to switch places with Wan Li, to let him rest for a bit."
Moon Scar nodded, and Miao Fei swiftly leaped out. The carriage came to a halt, and after Wan Li got on, they continued on their way.
Once Wan Li was aboard, he said, "I just heard from the Pu Yan tribespeople that Yan Shi seems to have awakened. He’s not making any noise or fuss and appears to have become dumb. He doesn’t utter a single word."
Moon Scar sighed and said, "There is no greater sorrow than a dead heart. The death of his wife has dealt Yan Shi a blow far too profound."
Ah Dai looked towards Moon Scar and said, "I want to go see Big Brother Yan Shi, to see if I can console him."
Moon Scar was taken aback and replied, "Your going would be futile. Better not to, lest it cause misunderstandings."
Ah Dai shook his head and said, "No, I want to see him. I know the taste of losing a loved one. It’s truly too painful."Having said that, he ignored Moon Scar’s dissuasion and jumped off the carriage. Surprisingly, Xuan Yue, who usually liked to keep Ah Dai in check, seemed as if she had not seen anything and closed her eyes, lost in thought.
As Ah Dai jumped off the carriage, he saw that the surroundings were filled with Pu Yan Tribe Warriors carrying Long Knives, all wearing light armor, encircling the carriage he had been on in the center. Behind this carriage, there was an even more spacious one surrounded by a dozen warriors exuding a somber aura, and despite the bright sunshine, their faces were all marked with a hint of darkness. Presumably, Yan Shi should be in that carriage.
At that moment, the carriage behind had already approached Ah Dai. Ah Dai addressed the leading warrior, "Big Brother, I heard that Big Brother Yan Shi has woken up. I want to see him; may I?"
The warrior frowned and said, "Brother Yan Shi has just recently awoken; it’s better not to disturb him. Magician, please return to your carriage. When we arrive at the Clan Leader’s place, truth and justice will prevail."
Before Ah Dai could speak, a fast horse came galloping from ahead, carrying a brawny man on its back, who was the one currently standing at the Yan Shi family’s doorstep. He had changed into a set of black armor, similarly carrying a long knife on his back. He approached the warriors in front of the carriage and asked, "What happened?"
The warrior saluted the brawny man and said, "Brother Yan Ju, this magician sir claims he wishes to see Brother Yan Shi."
Yan Ju glanced at Ah Dai and smiled, "That day, we owed our lives to you and that lady magician’s magic, but alas," he sighed, "Yan Shi’s injuries are just too severe. I have tried talking to him too, but with his current state... Anyway, since you wish to see him, go ahead. But don’t talk to him for too long, he needs rest."
Elated, Ah Dai said, "Thank you, Brother Yan Ju." Having said that, he slipped to the carriage carrying Yan Shi and leaped aboard.
As Ah Dai climbed into Yan Shi’s carriage, Yan Ju’s eyes revealed a strange gleam. He turned his horse around and rode back to the front of the column.
Upon entering the carriage, Ah Dai saw Yan Shi lying flat on one side, his body strapped to a solid wooden board. Yan Shi was staring blankly at the black coffin next to him, his eyes devoid of vitality, his complexion pale as if he still hadn’t recovered from the after-effects of yesterday’s berserking.
In a soft voice, Ah Dai said, "Brother Yan Shi, are you feeling better?"
Yan Shi remained silent, still gazing blankly at the coffin, seemingly not having heard Ah Dai’s words.
Ah Dai sat next to Yan Shi and spoke in a low voice, "Brother Yan Shi, I know you’re heartbroken over Sister-in-law’s death but you have to pull yourself together! The culprit has not yet been caught. If you continue to sink like this, Sister-in-law won’t rest in peace." Ah Dai felt extremely oppressed in his heart, and looking at Yan Shi’s condition saddened him deeply.
Still, Yan Shi made no movement, maintaining the same position as before.
Ah Dai took hold of Yan Shi’s cold hand and said, "Brother Yan Shi, I’m not good with words, but I know Sister-in-law’s death must have shocked you deeply. Not long ago, my uncle who loved me dearly was killed. At that time, my heart was as broken as yours. My uncle was murdered too. But right now, my martial arts are too weak, and there is nothing I can do to avenge him. I was a lonely orphan since childhood, and it was my teacher who took me in. He taught me magic and alchemy. But not long after, I met my uncle who was poisoned. He forcefully took me away from my teacher’s home to the Federation, and began teaching me martial arts. At first, I missed my teacher a lot and resented my uncle. Eventually, after spending a long time with him, I realized he was good to me, and a kind person too. But just when our bond became deep, my uncle’s enemies came, and due to them, my uncle used his combat power excessively, causing the poison to flare up and killed him. I truly miss my uncle. If only he were still alive!" As he spoke, Owen’s image kept flashing before Ah Dai’s eyes, and he couldn’t help but burst into tears, drops falling on Yan Shi’s hand. Yan Shi seemed to move slightly.
After a while, Ah Dai calmed down a bit and continued, "Brother Yan Shi, please be strong. The deep hatred for Sister-in-law’s death still awaits your vengeance. If you drown in your grief, no one would be happier than the killer of Sister-in-law. Just now, Brother Moon Scar analyzed and said that the most likely person to have killed Sister-in-law is someone from your own tribe!"
Upon hearing Ah Dai’s words, a glimmer flashed in Yan Shi’s eyes as he shook his head repeatedly, "No, impossible. It can’t be. Our tribespeople are all so kind-hearted, how could they possibly kill Yun Er?"
Ah Dai echoed Yue Ji’s words, "Even a pot of sweet porridge can contain a grain of sand. These things are hard to say! In broad daylight, only the people from your tribe could have possibly entered your house. Brother Yan Shi, think about it. Do you have any enemies within the tribe?"
Yan Shi shook his head and said, "I get along very well with my tribespeople, how could I have enemies? Yun Er, Yun Er, why did you just leave like that, leaving me alone in this world? How can I continue to live without you? Brother, do you know how important Yun Er was to me? We grew up together since we were kids. Yun Er didn’t have an illustrious background; she was two years younger than me and had been an orphan since childhood, when my father kindly took her in. She always considered herself my maidservant, taking care of my daily needs since our youth. She was so kind, so beautiful, the care and attention she gave me was unparalleled. When I was angry, she comforted me; when I was in pain, she stayed with me; when I fell ill, she looked after me; when I was in a bad mood, she cared for me. She was my forever angel. In my heart, not even the position of the Pu Yan Tribe Clan Leader was as important as she was. When I was eighteen, we fell in love. At first, she refused to accept me. I knew she loved me, from all our years together, I could clearly understand that she had feelings for me too. The reason she rejected me was because she felt unworthy of my status. But what did my love for her have to do with status? I loved her, the person, her kind heart! After my persistent begging, she finally accepted me. Brother, you might laugh at me, but to win her heart, I knelt before her and pleaded! Maybe it was my perseverance that moved her, and she finally opened up her heart to me. We were together."
