Chapter 198 — The Labyrinth
The Sword Questions the Heavens · Page 2 of 6
Once it was moved, a figure was indeed revealed beneath the rubble and debris, and at the same time a low moan escaped him. The crowd rejoiced and pressed around—then, a moment later, drew back in astonishment: for this was not Tian Buhui, nor Daoyan Zhenren, the sect master of Canglan, but Lin Jinghong, the disciple of Dragon Ridge Peak who had all this while kept vigil at the Ancestral Shrine.
Half his garments were soaked red with blood; plainly he was wounded, and gravely. His face was deathly pale, and he seemed still to be unconscious, giving no response at all to those who knelt beside him and called his name.
The joy faded slowly from Su Wan's face, replaced by a greater dread and anxiety, while Master Shuijing stood at her side and comforted her gently. Elder Yang's face was livid; he looked about him. The Ancestral Shrine of Canglan was one of the foremost holy places of the sect, well-nigh to be named in the same breath as the Illusory Moon Grotto-Heaven. That it should have come to such a pass was a thing unseen in a thousand years—and more than that, the two most important men in the sect seemed to have vanished with it.
"Nephew Xiao," Elder Yang said, turning to Xiao Yichen, "are you certain the sect master was here?"
Xiao Yichen gazed at the unconscious Lin Jinghong, and his expression gradually steadied. After a moment's thought he said, "Yes. These past days my honored master has indeed been here at the Ancestral Shrine and nowhere else. When I had matters to consult him on, or reports to make, it was always here that I sought him."
Elder Yang was plainly vexed and at a loss what to do. Xiao Yichen coughed twice, stepped slowly closer, and lowering his voice, said softly, "Uncle-Master Yang, this matter must not be let drag on. For so many junior brothers to gather here and see the holy shrine in ruins can do no good. Moreover, from what Uncle-Master Su Wan has said, there would seem to be some hidden matter between my honored master and Uncle-Master Tian Buhui of Dazhu Peak, and I fear it has some bearing on what has happened here. Better that we send them out first, and then settle each matter one by one. What say you?"
Elder Yang came to himself and nodded again and again. "These things are beyond me," he said. "The sect master has always trusted you, and it is you who manage all affairs day to day. Do as you see fit now, on your own judgment." With that he shook his head and sighed, walked off to one side, and fell into low conference with the white-bearded Elder Fan.
Xiao Yichen nodded to Elder Yang in acknowledgment of the charge, then turned and said in a clear voice, "Uncle-Masters all, junior brothers all: the Ancestral Shrine has this day suffered a great calamity, and I fear an enemy from without has broken in. It is not too late to mend the fold after the sheep are lost—we must not sit and wait for death." Here his brows lifted, and he addressed one among the gathered disciples of the Peak That Touches Heaven. "Junior Brother Qin, take ten men and go at once to guard the outer precincts of the shrine. Let no one enter. And should any enemy still be lurking here, report to me at the front mountain the moment he is found."
A tall disciple stepped out from among the Peak That Touches Heaven's followers and saluted with clasped hands, his face grave. "As you command." He turned and called to those at his left and right, counted off several men, and went out briskly.
The Ancestral Shrine fell quiet. Xiao Yichen alone stood at the center; though several elders outranked him and stood nearby, at this moment he alone seemed the backbone of the Canglan Sect.
"Junior Brother Chang," Xiao Yichen said again.
From among the disciples stepped a man of resolute countenance—none other than Chang Jian, who in years past had led Zhang Qingyue and the others up the mountain for the martial trials, and had once fought Song Dayi, chief disciple of Dazhu Peak.