God is on their side.
Another Young Master arrived at the scene right on time to lend his assistance.
As he stepped into the chaos, the crowd dispersed like ants, hastily scurrying away to begin their investigation.
In the midst of the commotion, Yun Qingjue quietly lowered himself into a squat, his keen eyes surveying the lifeless body before him.
The corpse lay still, bearing no marks of a sharp weapon; instead, it showed the signs of heavy, brutal strikes.
Frustration flickered in his eyes as he rose to his feet, a sense of urgency driving him forward.
He moved toward another lifeless form a short distance away, the air thick with the scent of blood.
This body, too, bore the cruel weight of violence—the wounds fresh, a grim testament to an untimely death. It was clear that this one had succumbed only three to four hours prior. Who could have committed such a heinous act?
As he surveyed the gruesome scene, it became evident that the innocent bystanders had been mercilessly slaughtered by sharp weapons, their lives extinguished without a thought.
A chilling question echoed in his mind:
Could the clash have been between humans?
The lifeless forms around him told a story of two opposing sides.
The fallen warriors bore the unmistakable marks of the Central Golden Domain, but there was no trace of any from the Northern Domain.
It was all so strange, an unsettling puzzle waiting to be unraveled.
He continued his investigation, moving carefully through the wreckage of the scene, until he finally crossed paths with Xue Wuya.
As he approached, Young Master Yun Qingjue couldn't help but notice the instability in Xue Wuya's demeanor.
The marshal stood there, his skin taut with discomfort, an unusual silence enveloping him. His gaze remained locked on Yun Qingjue, tinged with a flicker of curiosity.
"Wuya? Is something bothering you?" Yun Qingjue asked, his voice steady and direct, cutting through the tension that hung heavy in the air.
Xue Wuya met his gaze, his eyes betraying a depth of emotion that flickered just beneath the surface.
In that moment, Yun Qingjue could see the turmoil within him—a storm of thoughts and feelings that he struggled to suppress.
The air between them crackled with unspoken words, and Yun Qingjue sensed that the answers he sought lay not only in the chaos around them but also within the troubled heart of his friend.
"The Young Lady, you know her?"
Yun Qingjue narrowed his eyes, keenly analyzing the implications of Xue Wuya's question.
A flicker of understanding crossed his mind, and he recognized the depth of concern behind it.
"Ah, you mean the beautiful lady you've been keeping close?" he replied with a hint of curiosity lacing his tone. "Why do you ask if I know her?"
Xue Wuya's expression shifted momentarily, revealing a mixture of apprehension and hope.
The silence that followed grew heavy as the significance of the inquiry loomed between them.
Yun Qingjue couldn't help but wonder what lay hidden beneath the surface of his friend's words—a connection that transcended mere acquaintance, perhaps something deeper.
"She's missing," Xue Wuya said, his voice low and urgent. "She left the palace this morning, and Xuelang Lingzu returned alone. I'm not mistaken; she set foot in this place and survived. Lingzu delivered the message—she's badly hurt."
A wave of concern washed over Yun Qingjue as he processed the urgency in Xue Wuya's words. The weight of the situation pressed down on him, a heaviness that made his heart race.
"After this investigation, come with me," Xue Wuya continued, his gaze intense. "Help me find her."
Yun Qingjue nodded, determination igniting within him.
He could feel the gravity of the moment, the unspoken bond between them strengthening in their shared urgency.
"Of course, we'll find her," he promised, ready to delve into the unknown, driven by the hope of bringing her back to safety.
Looking around, Yun Qingjue's gaze fell upon the scattered corpses that lay strewn across the ground, each one a grim testament to the brutality that had unfolded.
Amidst the carnage, a flicker of relief surged within him;
Yu Xiao had survived. But how had she managed to escape in such a dire situation? Everyone knew she was merely a mortal, vulnerable and exposed in the face of such violence.
Yun Qingjue's mind raced with questions, curiosity gnawing at him.
What hidden strength had allowed her to evade such a horrific fate? Had she encountered some kind of fortuitous circumstance, or perhaps a stroke of luck?
He couldn't shake the thought of her fragile form navigating through the chaos, her spirit resilient against overwhelming odds.
The more he pondered, the more he felt an urgent need to uncover the truth behind her escape.
Aside from the swirling questions in his mind, one detail caught Yun Qingjue's eye—a small piece of white cloth lying on the ground, starkly splattered with blood.
An unsettling feeling crept over him as he strode toward it, aware that Xue Wuya was close behind, his presence a steadying influence in the midst of chaos.
Without wasting a moment, Yun Qingjue bent down to pick it up, recognizing it as a woman's face veil. The delicate fabric seemed out of place among the brutality surrounding them.
"A veil?" he mused aloud, turning it over in his hands, the stains vivid against the pale cloth.
Xue Wuya stepped closer, curiosity etched on his face. "Do you think it belongs to Yu Xiao?"
Yun Qingjue's mind raced with possibilities, uncertainty clouding his thoughts.
To confirm its origin, he knew they would need to seek out the Duan siblings.
The twins were renowned for their knowledge of fabrics and attire, and they had provided many garments for Yu Xiao.
If anyone could identify this piece of cloth, it would be them. Determination set in; he would not rest until he uncovered the truth behind Yu Xiao's fate.
In order to clarify the situation, Yun Qingjue made a statement to himself.
If this face veil belonged to Yu Xiao, it indicated that she had been at this very location before.
The fact that it lay abandoned there suggested that she had encountered the attackers and witnessed the brutality firsthand.
Xuelang Lingzu's report stated that Yu Xiao was badly hurt, further affirming that she had somehow managed to escape and survive the massacre.
But that left Yun Qingjue grappling with a larger question:
Who was the real villain behind the slaughter?
His mind raced with possibilities, contemplating the tensions and rivalries that lurked within the shadows of their world.
There was so much at stake, and with each passing moment, the need for answers grew stronger.
He needed to uncover the truth, not just for Yu Xiao's sake, but to bring justice to the fallen and put an end to the chaos that threatened to consume them all.
Xue Wuya began to speak, his voice steady yet tinged with concern.
"It's possible she escaped and survived. Before she left, I gave her the jade pendant. It's designed to protect its bearer at any cost."
Yun Qingjue turned to him, his expression softening with understanding.
The jade pendant was a powerful charm, rumored to shield its owner from harm and misfortune. It was reassuring to know that Yu Xiao had been given such a safeguard before her departure, yet uncertainty still hung in the air.
"Do you think it was enough to keep her safe?" Yun Qingjue asked, his brow furrowing in thought.
The realities of their world weighed heavily upon them—protection could only go so far in a place where danger lurked at every corner.
"I hope so," Xue Wuya replied, a flicker of hope igniting in his eyes. "But we need to find her, to ensure she is truly safe. We can't leave anything to chance."
The urgency in his words resonated deeply with Yun Qingjue, and together, they would move forward to unravel the truth and find Yu Xiao.
"Alright, let's manage this situation first, then we'll find her," Yun Qingjue said, his voice firm. "Have you forgotten? The corpses of the warriors are from the Central Golden Domain, all dominated by Zhou Xuanyuan. I fear they may have taken her."
Xue Wuya's expression darkened as he processed Yun Qingjue's words.
"As we know, Zhou Xuanyuan has a penchant for collecting pure women for his personal use. This is more than just a battle; it's about control and possession. We may now be in a race against time to see who can find her first."
He gestured around at the fallen warriors, the evidence of Zhou Xuanyuan's influence unmistakable.
"Look closely—their insignias are clear; these are his people. I can't be wrong; he's settling a grudge right now. And Yu Xiao, still pure and remarkable, is undoubtedly under their hunt."
Yun Qingjue's heart sank at the realization. The stakes had never been higher.
They needed to act swiftly, not only to uncover the truth behind the massacre but to protect someone they both cared for deeply.
"We'll find her, Wuya. We won't let them take her without a fight."
Determination ignited in his chest, and he prepared to navigate the precarious path ahead, one that would lead them into the heart of danger.
"I never expected that you care for her too,"
Xue Wuya remarked, a hint of surprise in his voice as he observed Yun Qingjue's unwavering conviction.
"I care, you care. The twins do, too—along with the Palace Lord. Yu Xiao is a good person," Yun Qingjue replied earnestly. "Even in the brief moment I spent with her, I could tell what kind of person she is. What do you think?"
Xue Wuya studied Yun Qingjue's expression, recognizing the sincerity behind his words.
"You're right," he conceded, a sense of camaraderie blossoming between them. "She has a warmth about her, a kindness that draws you in. It's rare in our world, and it makes her all the more deserving of protection."
A shared understanding was passed between them, reinforcing their determination.
Together, they would not only fight against the odds but also stand up for someone who embodied the goodness they both valued—someone worth risking everything for.
"Let's finish up the affairs now," Yun Qingjue demanded, his tone resolute as a sense of urgency filled the air. "Then we can leave to find her."
With a shared nod of determination, both of them split off to tackle their respective tasks.
Each warrior moved with purpose, driven by the need to gather information and ensure that nothing was overlooked.
The weight of responsibility hung heavy, but their resolve only strengthened as they navigated the aftermath of the chaos.
Time was of the essence; every moment counted. They knew that every detail they uncovered could be crucial in the search for Yu Xiao, and they were committed to finding her before it was too late.
Together, they would put an end to the threat looming over her and bring her back to safety.