Jiang Shengwu has been in a foul mood recently.
First, his most trusted lieutenant, Shen Jiu, died at the Azure Dragon Temple, and then Zhen Juncheng went missing.
Also missing along with them were Shen Jiu’s disciple, Pei Quan’an, and several elders.
At first, Jiang Shengwu didn’t make much of it. After all, Zhen Juncheng was quite capable, plus he had the help of other elders; it really didn’t seem like something would go wrong.
But after waiting for over ten days, there was still no word from Zhen Juncheng and the others.
Only then did Jiang Shengwu start to feel uneasy. After some investigation, he found out that Pei Quan’an had gone to escort a female disciple from the Nangong Family back home.
As for why Zhen Juncheng and the others also went along, Jiang Shengwu didn’t know the exact reason, but he could guess it was certainly related to interests.
At the time, Jiang Shengwu was quite frustrated.
He felt that Zhen Juncheng’s actions were somewhat unscrupulous.
It was as if he was afraid that Jiang Shengwu would take a share of the spoils, leaving without saying a word.
He waited for their return.
Jiang Shengwu secretly resolved to teach Zhen Juncheng and the others a lesson.
Otherwise, they wouldn’t take him, the master of Wanghai Tower, seriously at all.
But after waiting another twenty days, Zhen Juncheng and the others still hadn’t returned.
Jiang Shengwu finally sensed that something was amiss.
They had been gone for more than a month; they should have been back by now, no matter how far away.
Could it be that after seizing their interests, Zhen Juncheng and the others decided not to return to the sect, leaving without a word?
That shouldn’t be the case!
One should know that Zhen Juncheng held a prestigious and powerful position in Wanghai Tower.
Especially after Shen Jiu’s death, his status had considerably risen, becoming one of the leading figures in Wanghai Tower.
So it didn’t make sense that he would abandon him for some trifling interests.
Could something have happened?
As this thought crossed his mind, Jiang Shengwu could no longer sit still.
Although he felt that the situation wasn’t that dire, it was the only reason that could explain why there had been no word from Zhen Juncheng and the others for over a month.
Losing one Zhen Juncheng wasn’t a big deal; what worried Jiang Shengwu the most was not knowing who had secretly struck.
Although the Azure Dragon Temple was the most suspected, their chances were rather slim after shutting their doors and closing the mountain.
This meant there was another force he didn’t know about, lurking in the shadows, eyeing Wanghai Tower with malice.
If that were the case, Wanghai Tower’s situation would be extremely perilous.
The more Jiang Shengwu thought about it, the more serious it seemed, so he immediately led a team down the mountain to investigate the disappearance of Zhen Juncheng and the others.
The journey from Wanghai Tower to the Nangong Family was quite lengthy, but there weren’t many routes to choose from.
Jiang Shengwu chose the shortest route, investigating as he went.
Though a month had passed, many traces still remained along the way, proving that Zhen Juncheng and the others had indeed traveled here.
Walking and stopping like this, Jiang Shengwu and his entourage soon arrived at the tea stall where Zhen Juncheng and the others had rested.
The same middle-aged man still ran the stall, selling tea.
Seeing Jiang Shengwu and his group coming and going like a whirlwind, seemingly Immortals, the middle-aged man shrank back in fear, not daring to even greet them, hoping they would leave quickly.
Yet contrary to his wishes, Jiang Shengwu, upon finally encountering living people, wasn’t about to let the opportunity pass.
With just a glance, he had someone step forward to question the man sternly.
A moment later, the person returned to Jiang Shengwu’s side and respectfully said, "Master, the questioning is complete. The tea seller confirmed that a group indeed stayed here a month ago, and from his description, it can only be Elder Zhen and the others."
"Good!"
Jiang Shengwu nodded, and without further delay, led his people onward.
This time, it didn’t take long before they discovered the campsite where Zhen Juncheng and the others had stayed in the forests.
Though only a month had passed, the tents were mostly damaged and the ground overgrown with weeds due to lack of care, creating a scene of complete disarray.
Standing among the campsite, Jiang Shengwu’s expression was gravely serious, his eyelids twitching uncontrollably.
The thing he feared most had indeed occurred.
Zhen Juncheng and the others had met with misfortune.
Otherwise, they would not have left their tents behind without taking them.
The question now was, who could have perpetrated this black deed?
Zhen Juncheng’s skills were not top notch in the Beyond the World, but he was considered first-rate.
With several elders assisting him, no ordinary force could have toppled them.
Was it another sect from the Twelve Sects Beyond the World?
Jiang Shengwu’s heart grew heavier as the thought lingered, and then he gave a grave command.
"Search, even if you have to dig three feet deep, find me some clues."
Those accompanying Jiang Shengwu were top experts from Wanghai Tower, so they moved swiftly.
The overgrown grass was quickly cleared, and the ruined tents were all turned over.
Then Jiang Shengwu stood in front of a pit about a meter deep, his face exceptionally grim.
Though over a month had passed, traces of the explosion remained.
Many areas revealed the horrific scene of that time.
But there were no bodies.
This wasn’t surprising, for in a month, waves of wild beasts could easily devour any remains.
Yet, Jiang Shengwu found it hard to believe.
Could an explosion like this truly have wiped out Zhen Juncheng and all the elders of Wanghai Tower?
"Expand the search area, don’t let any suspicious spot go unchecked," Jiang Shengwu continued to instruct.