劍問蒼天 - 第88章 死澤 - 翰墨軒

By now Jin Pingyue seemed to know who had come; her expression relaxed slightly, but the wariness in her eyes did not diminish in the least, and her tone was utterly unaccommodating as she said coldly, "I do not know the way."

The figure in the mist seemed taken aback and said nothing for a long while. At last the voice came again: "What is this? By Lady Jin's meaning, am I to understand that the Enchanting Spirit Sect has no interest in the affairs of this place?"

Jin Pingyue gave a cold snort, her eyes fixed ahead. "Three days ago, four disciples of my Enchanting Spirit Sect were murdered six li northwest of King's Village, poisoned with the virulent Black Toad Powder. Was it your hand that did it?"

The figure in the mist seemed to pause. "No."

Jin Pingyue said coldly, "Black Toad Powder is the exclusive property of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect. How do you explain that?"

The one in the mist said nothing, and after a long silence spoke indifferently: "Lady Jin, if I had struck, there would have been no need for poison at all."

Jin Pingyue snorted again, but did not argue—plainly, on this point at least, she had no objection.

The other went on: "But since this concerns both our sects and my name has been dragged into it, once matters here are settled I will naturally give you an accounting. What say you? This journey west has been full of strange occurrences; I fear there is something else afoot. I beg you to weigh the matter carefully, Lady Jin, and put the greater cause first."

Jin Pingyue frowned slightly and pondered for a moment. Then she turned to Xiaowan and said, "Sister Xiaowan, you and your grandfather rest here a while. I am going ahead to discuss some matters with the others; I will be back before dark." She paused, lowered her voice, and said, "That thing I gave you—do you still have it?"

Xiaowan nodded and patted her left hand.

Jin Pingyue smiled faintly, took her hand, and said softly, "The Dead Marsh is full of peril. I will be close by, just ahead; if anything happens, I will be at your side in an instant. But you must on no account wander about, and above all keep away from this place."

Xiaowan nodded. "Rest easy, sister. I understand."

Jin Pingyue smiled, released her hand, and said, "Take care in all things. Call me if anything happens."

With that, she cast one more glance around her, then her body suddenly rose into the air. Beneath her garments a beam of violet radiance appeared, bearing up her lovely figure as she flew forward into the dense fog.

Xiaowan watched Jin Pingyue's form vanish into the mist, then turned and walked over to Zhou Yixuan. He was leaning against the little tree, and with the mosquitoes no longer plaguing him he was much more at ease, though he still grumbled: "If I had known this place was like this, wild horses could not have dragged me here."

Xiaowan laughed. "Nobody forced you. You followed of your own accord."

Zhou Yixuan snorted, then said to Xiaowan, "I say, you would do well to keep your distance from that woman. Have you not heard the tales these past few years—that she has killed countless people, and is utterly wanton besides, having seduced any number of respectable young men..."

Xiaowan spat in disgust, a flash of anger on her face. "Grandfather! How can you say such things!"

Zhou Yixuan stuck out his tongue and said no more.

The two of them waited there, and watched the already overcast sky grow steadily darker, yet still Jin Pingyue did not return. Xiaowan gradually grew worried and was minded to go and look ahead, but mindful of Jin Pingyue's instructions—and lacking any confidence in herself besides—she did not dare go in the end.

After waiting a while longer, Xiaowan could not help feeling fretful. She looked up at the sky and saw the dark clouds thickening; by the look of it, not only was night coming on, but it seemed likely to rain as well.