51. Another Death

That night.

The April night was still chilly, and the wind through the woods cut sharply against the face like knives.

Xie An trailed Zhang Lin from behind, maintaining a steady distance of fifty meters.

This particular distance was carefully calculated by Xie An: even if the Plum Blossom Monster discovered him, it would give him enough time to escape safely without any risk.

Now, it was just a matter of whether the Plum Blossom Monster would appear.

As the night deepened, numerous merchants and buyers made their way along the mountain path into the black market.

At first, these merchants and buyers were somewhat fearful. But upon seeing the Tiger-Wolf Sect disciples patrolling in their uniforms along the route, they felt much more at ease.

Hidden in the shadows, Xie An roughly estimated the crowd.

It was about twenty percent less than before.

Some of the more timid merchants and buyers had stayed away, but the rest had succumbed to the lure of profit.

Though business had dipped slightly, the decline was not severe.

As long as the situation did not worsen, the Blood Ridge Black Market could hold steady.

Xie An, the overseer of the Blood Ridge Black Market, could continue to develop it safely here.

However, if the Plum Blossom Monster kept causing trouble and business continued to deteriorate... that would be problematic.

Mindful of this, Xie An remained vigilant, opening his senses to monitor the distant mountain path.

He stayed concealed for several hours.

By the early evening, as dawn faintly broke, the black market closed. A large crowd of merchants and buyers left, torches flared along the mountain trail, and people streamed out in a lively manner.

Xie An grew even more alert.

“Closing time is when many merchants leave with full pockets; this is the peak period for crises. There’s no room for carelessness even for a moment.”

Xie An weaved quietly through the thorn bushes along both sides of the mountain path, finding nothing unusual.

Before long, daylight fully arrived, and the path quieted again.

Only scattered groups of Tiger-Wolf Sect disciples patrolled the area.

The Plum Blossom Monster had previously targeted only merchants; now that they had all dispersed, there was no reason for it to appear.

Xie An emerged from the thickets and met Zhang Lin on the path.

Zhang Lin was in high spirits. “The Plum Blossom Monster didn’t cause any trouble today. Perhaps its last spree of killing and looting was a spur-of-the-moment act, not a deliberate attack on our Blood Ridge Black Market.”

Zhou Xing tightened his grip on the dagger at his waist. “That must be it. After all, our Blood Ridge Black Market belongs to the Tiger-Wolf Sect. How dare the Plum Blossom Monster keep targeting us? It must not want to live.”

Xie An was less optimistic.

Thanks to his cultivation and health practices, Xie An had extraordinary senses. He had seen Wei Dian’s injuries firsthand at the hall entrance last time and knew the Plum Blossom Monster was formidable and ruthless.

That creature had grievously wounded even the incense master; how could it fear a mere black market?

“Everyone, don’t let your guard down. Let’s continue checking the surroundings—see if any merchants have been harmed,” Xie An instructed Zhou Xing, then returned with Zhang Lin to the black market’s separate courtyard.

Zhang Lin lit the stove and boiled water to brew tea, chuckling softly. “Old brother, you’re probably overthinking. The Plum Blossom Monster held back today because it saw us patrolling together and dared not act recklessly.”

Xie An replied, “Even the incense master Wei was seriously injured by the Plum Blossom Monster, so we must remain cautious. By the way, Zhang, do you know the incense master’s strength?”

Zhang Lin did not conceal anything. “Wei has rarely come to the Blood Ridge Black Market in recent years, so I haven’t interacted with him much. But three years ago, during the headquarters’ assessment, he displayed great skill—he had already reached the peak of the Bronze Skin Realm then.”

Three years ago, at the peak Bronze Skin Realm.

That was no weak power.

Bear in mind, Fang Baiyu, the head of the White Feather Hall, was only a martial artist at the second tier of the Refined Flesh Realm. His four major incense masters should each be formidable.

Xie An reckoned that with his current strength, he could probably contend with Wei Dian as he was three years ago.

As for Wei Dian’s power today, three years later, Xie An could not estimate.

However, another matter caught Xie An’s attention.

“Headquarters’ assessment?”

Zhang Lin explained, “Yes. The Tiger-Wolf Sect values talent. Every three years, they hold an assessment. Outstanding disciples from each branch have the opportunity to participate. Those who perform well can be promoted to steward. Stewards who excel in the assessments can become senior stewards or incense masters. Top-performing incense masters can advance to deputy hall master, then hall master, and so on.”

Xie An nodded, appreciating this selection method.

It gave many older men or those without influential backgrounds a chance to rise.

But he also realized the assessments must be stringent; otherwise, even someone as powerful as Wei Dian wouldn’t have remained merely an incense master. Of course, other reasons might be involved.

“The next assessment will be in three years. Unfortunately, I’m already old and haven’t improved much,” Zhang Lin sighed helplessly.

Then he looked at Xie An. “But old brother, you grow stronger with age. In recent months, I’ve felt you becoming even more vigorous. Maybe in the assessment three years from now, you’ll soar.”

Xie An smiled modestly. “Zhang, don’t flatter me. I’m old too. I just want to make a living. I hope the black market runs smoothly and peace prevails.”

Zhang Lin grinned. “Old brother, you’re efficient, honest, and capable. Since you came here, the black market’s business has visibly grown. Everyone can see it. Your future will be far brighter than mine.”

Though Xie An agreed inwardly, he remained humble. “Thanks to your help, Zhang, the black market has flourished. Let’s hope the Plum Blossom Monster stays away and stops causing trouble.”

Zhang Lin smiled broadly. “It’s been calm today; the Plum Blossom Monster probably won’t come back…”

Before he finished speaking, Zhou Xing burst in, breathless and alarmed. “Steward, chief… there’s trouble.”

Zhang Lin sprang up in shock. “What happened?”

Zhou Xing’s face went pale. “Another stall owner was killed. A red wooden plum blossom was left at the scene…”

Far from the Blood Ridge Black Market, seven miles away at a mountain path entrance.

A man in his forties lay on the ground, his head severed from his neck, blood staining the surrounding area several meters wide.

Five or six black market dagger disciples guarded the scene, barring outsiders and preserving the site.

“The Plum Blossom Monster strikes again…” Zhang Lin turned pale upon arrival, his hand trembling on the dagger’s hilt.

Xie An remained calm, crouching down to examine for some time before standing and scanning the disciples around him.

He ordered, “Zhou Xing, bring the body back. Everyone else, keep this quiet—say it was bandits causing trouble, nothing to do with the Plum Blossom Monster. Zhang, please verify the identity of the deceased.”

Seeing Xie An’s clear and methodical arrangements gave everyone confidence and prevented panic. They all complied.

After half a day’s inquiries, Xie An learned the victim’s identity:

A traveling merchant, name unknown, who sold medicinal herbs, with booming business in recent days.

“Zhang, what was the deceased selling yesterday?” Xie An tried to discern the Plum Blossom Monster’s pattern.

Zhang Lin was discouraged. “Yesterday’s victim sold secret manuals and was also doing well. There’s no connection between the two cases, no clues. Old brother, should we report this to the incense master?”

Xie An was not in a hurry. Sitting in the guest hall’s grand chair, he pondered deeply, then suddenly his eyes brightened. “There is still a trace to follow…”

End of pages.