I Can Devour Spirits

Chapter 331 - 287: Faint Traces of Blood

Xia Shuangshuang cried for a while in Xia Zhongyang’s arms, gradually calming down.

She lifted her head, wiped her tearful eyes, and suddenly saw Xueqing standing by the carriage.

Xueqing was twisting her handkerchief with both hands, her face noticeably strange.

Xia Shuangshuang’s heart suddenly trembled.

She remembered the painting of herself just now in which the birthmark near her navel was nearly identical to the real one on her body.

Normally during her baths, only Xueqing attended to her closely, and only when wiping her body could she see the birthmark so clearly!

Xueqing was standing right behind Xia Shuangshuang when she unfolded the painting; at that moment, Xia Shuangshuang was shocked and furious while Xueqing was panic-stricken!

Xia Shuangshuang gazed sharply at Xueqing and leaned over to whisper in Xia Zhongyang’s ear.

As Xia Zhongyang listened, his expression changed, and he abruptly turned around to glare at Xueqing by the carriage.

Seeing father and daughter suddenly looking at her, Xueqing became even more flustered.

Xueqing’s panic was clearly seen by Xia Zhongyang, and a cruel glint flashed across his iron-green face. "I personally nurtured this girl. Never thought she’d end up self-destructing like this!"

After a commotion, the luggage of each family was finally loaded onto the official carriages!

Before mounting the carriage, Duan Rong’s hand was held by Ximen Yong, who expressed profound gratitude, for he had seen how Duan Rong came forward when Kankan was in trouble, and now treated Duan Rong like family.

At that moment, the Ximen family servant, Shi Kang, suddenly came, panting, and handed a sword sheath to Ximen Yong.

Ximen Yong glanced at the sheath and personally fitted it onto the Minghong Saber at Duan Rong’s waist!

Duan Rong’s sheath had been ruined earlier when blocking Xia Shuangshuang’s spear. The delay in exerting his strength caused the sheath to be shattered by the spear’s Inner Breath.

Unexpectedly, in such a short time, Ximen Yong had Shi Kang find a suitable sheath and personally put it on him.

"Dear nephew, as you go to the sect on this journey, be careful!"

"Thank you, uncle! Please take care! Duan Rong bids farewell!"

After speaking, Duan Rong leapt onto the carriage, sitting next to Ximen Kankan, while Xiao Yu sat not far away.

Her curious eyes sized up Duan Rong, really not expecting such a deep relationship between him and the Ximen.

This farewell, Ximen Yong spoke more to Duan Rong than to his own son, Ximen Kankan. What kind of relationship is this?!

Seeing the luggage and people in place, Zhu Qunxiang glanced at the sun dial near the city gate. The shadow of the pointer showed it was just about to be Si hour; they hadn’t missed the auspicious departure time.

Zhu Qunxiang was about to call for departure when Fan Yuanhai walked over, smiling, "Brother Zhu, you go first! I have private matters to attend to. Once done, I’ll quickly catch up with you."

Zhu Qunxiang eyed Fan Yuanhai oddly, thinking what private matters he could have in this backwater place, but still replied with a chuckle, "Brother Fan, attend to your matters. Just catch up with us before we reach Divine Cloud Prefecture."

Fan Yuanhai laughed heartily, "Brother Zhu, don’t joke about it. How could it take that long? I’ll definitely catch up with you before nightfall."

Zhu Qunxiang laughed, "I’m teasing you. With these two carriages loaded with luggage, we won’t be fast. If you ride a fast horse, you’ll catch up soon."

"I understand. Thanks, Brother Zhu." Fan Yuanhai finished and left with a cupped fist salutation.

Then, Zhu Qunxiang instructed the government constables to light a few strings of firecrackers, and under their crackling sound, the four imposing tall carriages set off through the East City Gate of Xianggu County.

In the foremost carriage sat the Sect Envoy, Zhu Qunxiang, Lu Qingfeng, Wang Shanshan, Lv Qingzhu, and Ah Mo, with only Fan Yuanhai absent due to his leave.

The second carriage carried the seven newly registered sect disciples: Tao Rong, Ximen Kankan, Duan Rong, Xia Shuangshuang, Shen Mizi, Xiao Yu, and Jiang Qingyu.

The last two carriages were filled with luggage, their hardwood wheels rolling over the ground with a creaking sound.

Meanwhile, Fan Yuanhai was moving against the flow, departing from the bustling carriages and crowd, walking alone towards the County Office via West Main Street.

Earlier, upon hearing Qin Shuban inform him of Jie Daohan’s death, Fan Yuanhai felt a pang of sorrow, reminiscing about the time spent with Jie Daohan.

He suddenly recalled the night before the Talent Selection Conference began, when he met with Jie Daohan at the Eight Treasures Building.

At that time, not only did Fan Yuanhai want to catch up over drinks, but he also intended to inquire about the Jie Lei and Xu Ruhu case.

Fan Yuanhai’s keen interest in this case stemmed from his downfall being tied to its mishandling. This is why he was marginalized by the sect, handing such trivial tasks like supervising the Talent Selection Conference to him.

With this trend, advancing to Inner Sect Disciple seemed bleak.

Fan Yuanhai remembered that night, the drunken Jie Daohan mentioned he would endlessly pursue this case, never giving up!

During the six months away from Xianggu County, countless times, Fan Yuanhai found himself unconsciously replaying the details of the Jie Lei and Xu Ruhu case in his mind.

Much like a deeply entangled, unsolvable riddle, it kept resurfacing in his thoughts spontaneously.