18: Chapter 018: Enforcement Team Interrogates for the Truth; Li Siwen Encounters a Shadow Stalking Him

"I didn't dare to look closely!"

Luo Chen, the slightly plump Utility Disciple, shook his head, "They walked fast, and seemed to have jade pendants hanging from their waists, but I couldn't clearly see the characters."

Then, he added with a hint of unease, "And recently, I've been hearing people say that the Yao Beasts in the depths of the Back Mountain Forest seem fiercer than before. A Disciple who was gathering herbs said he saw torn beast hide armor, which didn't look like it was bitten by a Yao Beast..."

Although his voice was soft, several Utility Disciples nearby heard him, and a wave of panic instantly spread.

Li Siwen also felt a little nervous, but not for himself.

The words Luo Chen said, put together, made him even more certain that this matter was related to Chu Youcai.

In that case, Yu Qing might truly be in grave danger.

"Don't make wild guesses!" Chen Yaojia swept her gaze over everyone, her expression normal as she said, "If there were truly any problems in the Back Mountain Forest, the Sect would have already issued a notice and wouldn't sit idly by while Disciples fall into danger."

"Besides, we only operate in the outer areas; we won't go deep, so nothing will happen!"

Hearing Chen Yaojia say this, the Disciples immediately felt relieved.

However, behind the others, a hint of vigilance flashed in Chen Yaojia's eyes, and she whispered to Li Siwen, "Stick close to me later. No matter what sounds you hear, don't act alone!"

Li Siwen was somewhat astonished. If she was worried about something happening, why didn't she call for more help, or simply make a strategic retreat?

Chen Yaojia saw Li Siwen's confusion and patiently explained, "Cultivators like us, when encountering problems, should face them head-on and find solutions, rather than retreating or seeking shortcuts."

"I said that just now to stabilize morale, lest they become timid before even fighting. But during the operation, necessary vigilance must not be abandoned!"

Li Siwen nodded understandingly, his finger lightly sliding over the breath concealment jade pendant at his waist.

On this trip to the back mountain, he needed to find Yu Qing, and pay attention to the bone-quenching spiritual flower and the Molten Fire Lizard's Demon Core.

Now there was an additional layer: vigilance against unfamiliar Outer Sect Disciples!

This trip to the back mountain would likely not be peaceful!

"Is everyone here?" Chen Yaojia glanced at the group, counting the numbers, "Including Shiwen, there are five Utility Disciples in total, which is just right."

She pulled out a simple map of the back mountain from her In my arms and showed it to everyone, "We'll enter from the eastern entrance and hunt Molten Fire Lizards in this area. This place is close to the Outer Sect assessment area, and it's also convenient to look for news of Yu Qing."

A small area on the map was circled in red pen, with the words "Molten Fire Lizards frequently appear" marked next to it, and a small "danger" symbol was drawn in the direction leading deeper.

"Alright, let's go!"

Chen Yaojia folded the map and put it away, then drew the short sword from her waist. The sword light gleamed with a cold luster. "Everyone, stay alert and pay attention to your surroundings!"

The Disciples responded and followed Chen Yaojia towards the eastern mountain forest.

Just as Chen Yaojia led the team into the Back Mountain Forest, Chen Mingtao, his face livid, rushed to the Utility Disciple living area with two Law Enforcement Team members, like a whirlwind.

Liu Feng had just fled back to his room in a sorry state, gritting his teeth as he applied medicine to his bruised arm, cursing "Li Shiwen" and Yu Qing with foul language.

Bang!

The door was violently kicked open by a huge force, sending wood splinters flying.

Chen Mingtao, his face gloomy, stood blocking the doorway with two stern-faced Law Enforcement Team members, their icy gazes instantly locking onto Liu Feng inside the room.

"Liu Feng!" Chen Mingtao's voice was like ice, "Come with me to the Law Enforcement Hall!"

Liu Feng jumped in fright, dropping the medicine bottle to the floor, his face instantly pale: "Se-Senior Brother Chen? I... I didn't do anything!"

"Didn't do anything?" Chen Mingtao stepped into the room, his powerful Aura almost suffocating Liu Feng, "Yu Qing disappeared in the back mountain, was it your doing? Speak!"

"Yu Qing disappeared?!" Liu Feng was startled at first, then a flicker of incredible panic flashed in his eyes, but he immediately cried out loudly in protest: "It wasn't me! Senior Brother Chen, please be discerning! How could I have the guts to ambush a Law Enforcement Disciple?!"

"I was just angry just now, so I spoke rashly and cursed him a few times... I, I had no idea he was actually in trouble!"

"Still trying to argue!" A Law Enforcement Team member next to him shouted sternly, "We already know what you said to Junior Sister Li! 'He won't be coming back,' 'You'll have your time to cry'! If you didn't have a guilty conscience, why would you say such things?!"

Powerful Spiritual Pressure descended. Liu Feng, with only Body Tempering cultivation, couldn't withstand the might of the Law Enforcement Team member and immediately trembled all over, cold sweat streaming down him.

"I... I..." Liu Feng's psychological defenses instantly crumbled, and he cried out tearfully, "I'll tell you! I'll tell you! But I really didn't do it!"

"It... it was the evening before yesterday, I secretly went to the outer perimeter of the back mountain to try and dig up some scattered Spiritual Plants to exchange for money, and I unintentionally overheard... overheard Senior Brother Zhao Lei talking to someone!"

"Zhao Lei?" Chen Mingtao frowned deeply, "Which Zhao Lei?"

"It's... it's that Outer Sect Disciple, Zhao Lei, who previously failed to compete with Senior Brother Yu Qing for the Law Enforcement Disciple spot!"

Liu Feng hurriedly said, "I heard him tell another Outer Sect Senior Brother... that 'Senior Brother Chu ordered that Yu Qing must be left in the Back Mountain Forest forever this time.'"

"He also said something about... 'It's already arranged. Once he goes deep into the Cold Pond Area, we'll destroy his Distress Talisman so he can't call for help from heaven or earth'..."

Liu Feng, scared, spilled everything like beans from a bamboo tube: "I... I just heard that, and today I was beaten by Junior Sister Li, so I was unhappy and wanted to use those words to scare her... Senior Brother Chen, I really didn't do anything! I just have a loose tongue! I was wrong!"

Chen Mingtao and the two Law Enforcement Team members exchanged glances, their expressions extremely solemn.

Zhao Lei! Chu Youcai!

If Liu Feng's words were true, then Yu Qing's disappearance was by no means an accident, but a targeted murder! The mastermind was very likely that arrogant Chu Youcai!

"Take him back to the Law Enforcement Hall and record a detailed confession!" Chen Mingtao ordered his subordinates, then his sharp gaze fell on the ashen-faced Liu Feng: "If you utter a single lie, you know the consequences!"

"I wouldn't dare! I wouldn't dare! Everything I said is the truth!" Liu Feng collapsed to the ground, repeatedly assuring them.

Chen Mingtao snorted coldly and turned to leave quickly.

He had to report this immediately and dispatch more personnel to the Back Mountain Forest to search for Yu Qing!

At the same time, Zhao Lei and Chu Youcai must also be immediately apprehended and interrogated!

...

In the Back Mountain Forest, Li Siwen walked in the middle of the team, his gaze occasionally sweeping towards the depths of the forest.

Amidst the rustling of wind through the leaves, there seemed to be a faint, strange beast roar, or perhaps... a human scream?

He paused, turning his head towards the direction of the sound, only to see dense tree canopies obscuring the sky, nothing visible.

And just as he turned his head, a black shadow on a distant tree branch quickly retracted, the jade pendant with the character "Chu" hanging from its waist flashing a fleeting cold light in the sunlight.