2: The secret of sachets: survival in dire circumstances

A cold wind howled as Chen Feng huddled in the corner of the woodshed, his fingernails digging deep into his palms.

"Zhao Kun wants to kill me..."

The thought clung to his mind like a stubborn disease, impossible to shake.

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.

"The simulator showed I would die in the mine the day after tomorrow, but now... I know in advance!"

This was his advantage!

He quickly analyzed the known information:

Zhao Kun killed the Inner Sect Disciple Wang Yun. The reason was unclear, but that pink sachet was the key piece of evidence.

Wang Yun's identity wasn't simple; otherwise, Zhao Kun wouldn't have risked silencing her.

Su Wanzhao would appear in the mine, but in the simulation, it seemed she had also caught Zhao Kun's attention.

"I must use this information to turn the tables and kill Zhao Kun!"

A flash of ruthlessness crossed Chen Feng's eyes.

Without hesitation, he selected **[Zhao Kun's Aura Perception (Green)]**. Instantly, a strange perception flooded his mind.

—He could vaguely sense Zhao Kun's location!

At this moment, Zhao Kun was in the direction of the Qingyun Sect's inner sect, his aura steady and showing no abnormalities.

"Hah, pretending quite well,"

Chen Feng sneered coldly, then began to strategize.

"Expose him directly? No good. As a mere menial disciple, who would believe me?"

"Escape? Even worse. A menial disciple leaving the sect without permission faces execution if caught!"

"The only way... is to make Zhao Kun expose himself!"

His eyes flickered as a bold plan gradually took shape.

—He would use that pink sachet!

Early the next morning.

The wind and snow had eased. Chen Feng, dragging his exhausted body, followed the group of menial disciples towards the Cold Iron Mine.

Along the way, he secretly observed his surroundings, ensuring Zhao Kun wasn't nearby.

"Zhao Kun's aura is still in the inner sect. Safe for now."

Upon entering the mine, he deliberately slowed his pace, falling to the back of the group.

"Branch Tunnel C-7..."

Recalling the scenes from the simulation, he quietly broke away from the group and felt his way deeper into the mine.

The mine was deep, damp, with frost clinging to the rock walls and a bone-chilling cold.

Chen Feng held his breath, moving forward pressed against the rock wall.

"This is it!"

He abruptly stopped, his gaze fixed intently ahead—

A corpse!

It was Wang Yun!

She lay on her back in a pool of blood, her chest pierced through, eyes wide open, dead with unseeing eyes.

And beside her, that pink sachet lay quietly in the bloody water!

"Found it!"

Suppressing his nausea, Chen Feng quickly picked up the sachet and hid it inside his clothes.

"Zhao Kun hasn't come to clean the scene... which means he hasn't realized I saw it!"

His heart pounded like a drum as he swiftly left the tunnel and rejoined the group.

Evening, Menial Peak.

Hiding in the woodshed, Chen Feng carefully examined the sachet by the faint light of an oil lamp.

The sachet was exquisitely crafted, embroidered with twin lotus flowers. Inside the lining was hidden a slip of paper.

He carefully unfolded it—

"For Elder Li's eyes only:

Zhao Kun colludes with demonic cultivators, plotting to harm the Sect Master. Evidence is hidden in a secret compartment of his Immortal Cave.

— Yun"

Chen Feng's pupils constricted sharply!

"So that's it!"

Wang Yun was Elder Li's person. She discovered Zhao Kun's conspiracy and was silenced for it!

"Zhao Kun... you're finished!"

He clenched the note tightly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"But a note alone isn't enough. Elder Li must personally catch Zhao Kun!"

He took a deep breath, his gaze resolute.

"Tomorrow... is Zhao Kun's last day!"

The next day, noon.

Chen Feng stood at the mine entrance, his heart thundering.

"Zhao Kun's aura... is approaching!"

He quickly hid deeper in the mine, concealed behind a large boulder.

Not long after, a figure entered the mine.

—Zhao Kun!

His face was dark, his gaze sharp as a knife, sweeping the surroundings.

"That little menial... must die!"

He strode towards Branch Tunnel C-7, intending to clean the scene.

However, when he stepped into the tunnel—

"Elder Zhao, are you looking for this?"

A clear, cold voice suddenly rang out!

Zhao Kun whirled around to see a young woman in white standing at the tunnel entrance, holding aloft that very pink sachet!

—Su Wanzhao!

Zhao Kun's face changed drastically: "You...!"

Su Wanzhao gave a cold smile and suddenly crushed a communication jade talisman!

"Elder Li! The evidence is here!"

Boom!

A terrifying pressure instantly descended!

"Zhao Kun! How dare you!"

Elder Li's figure appeared in the mine like a ghost!

Zhao Kun's face turned ashen. He turned to flee!

However—

Thud!

A longsword pierced straight through his chest from behind!

Zhao Kun slowly looked down at the bloodstained sword tip, then turned his head in disbelief—

"You...!"

Su Wanzhao expressionlessly pulled out the sword, blood splattering.

"This strike is for Senior Sister Wang."

Zhao Kun collapsed with a thud, dead!

Outside the mine.

Leaning against the rock wall, Chen Feng let out a long sigh of relief.

"Success!"

His gamble had paid off!

Using the information gap from the simulator, he found the sachet early and secretly guided Su Wanzhao to "discover" Zhao Kun's crime!

"Su Wanzhao... is indeed not simple."

Recalling her figure from the simulation, the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.

"Perhaps... she might be the key to changing my fate."

Lost in thought, a clear, cold voice suddenly came from behind—

"You, who are you?"

Chen Feng's entire body stiffened as he slowly turned around.

Su Wanzhao stood holding the bloodstained sword, her gaze icy as she stared at him.

"How did you... know Zhao Kun would come?"

(End of Chapter 2)

Chapter 3 Preview:

Su Wanzhao's sword is at Chen Feng's throat! How will he explain his foreknowledge? The mysterious sachet hides an even greater conspiracy! Undercurrents surge within the Qingyun Sect, and Chen Feng's second simulation... is about to begin!