Putting aside his thoughts, Ikasa skimmed through the booklet. He saw one of the pages was earmarked.

“Prime Gold?”

He looked at Elder Yi, puzzled.

“Prime Gold is one of the metals used to make Spirit coins. The page is earmarked because we found a place where it can be mined.”

Ikasa’s eyes lit up. He checked the estimated price of the metal in the booklet.

‘500 gold per Kilogram! That means trading just 1 Kg of it would earn One Star Spirit Coin!’

“So where can we find it, Elder Yi?”

“According to the information we received, it is found in abundance in the Planar Rift of Beech City.”

“The same rift that the City Lord of Beech City disappeared into?”

Feng Yan asked with a troubled expression. Elder Yi nodded in response.

Ikasa’s face fell upon knowing the danger level of the location. Even if he wanted to give it a try, he did not need to rush into unknown space with zero preparations.

“Anyone who can actively use their Spiritual Sense can safely navigate in the Rift.”

This information from Elder Yi made his mood even dourer. He was far from actively using his Spiritual Sense.

The case of other Sense Trainers of his faction was no different. They would need at least a few months to reach the Advanced stage of Sense Realm and freely utilize their Sixth Sense.

‘Anyways, I need this time to digest the gains from this battle and to also cut a deal with the He Family.’

Ikasa reassured himself. He asked Elder Yi a few more questions about the Planar Rifts and the treasures inside.

“We don’t know why the Planar Rifts are called that way but it is a word used by the Absolutes. So we use it too.”

Answering Ikasa’s first question, Elder Yi moved on to the second one.

“As for treasures, there are plenty of them in a Rift. Those other items in the book can also be found in the rift. If you encounter a steel guardian beast, it usually is guarding one of those treasures.”

“Steel Guardian Beast?”

Gu Dan interrupted Elder Yi to elaborate on the word.

“Those are beasts enhanced with metal armaments. I haven’t seen one so I can’t give you exact details, but it is much more formidable than a Spirit Condensation Stage Beast!”

The three Sense Trainers sucked in a cold breath. Their expressions became grave upon knowing the power levels of the treasure guardians.

“We will be more prepared and stronger when we decide to go.”

Ikasa reassured them. He was banking on the fact that he could receive more manuals in a month. He expected a few of those battle techniques to teach skills related to weaponry.

Hopefully, they will help his people wield their weapons better, increasing their combat prowess by a notch.

They continued chatting until dusk approached. Their merry time was interrupted by the arrival of Xin Ruo and a few more people in black clothes.

Realizing the identity of the people following her, he got up and led them to a nearby hall.

“Why are they here?”

Ikasa asked, his tone lacking warmth. He was angered by the lack of discipline and covertness in his informants.

Which spy walks out in the open in black robes, that too in broad daylight?!

Their getup screamed ‘Suspicious’ to everyone else!

Xin Ruo couldn’t be bothered to explain the circumstances. She quickly put forth the reports of serial killings last night.

As Ikasa read through them, she voiced her doubts.

“All the victims have similar stab wounds. They were obviously made with a dagger. Most of these victims reported against ‘her’.”

As he listened to Xin Ruo, he could hear distrust and doubt for Yin Ying. Ikasa thought it was best if he cleared it right then and there.

“Yin Ying has played a very important role in finishing this war. Don’t doubt her loyalty for a second.”

Xin Ruo narrowed her eyes. Her look said she wanted details but this was not the time to talk about them.

“Where is Zheng Fan? Isn’t he the one who made the most reports against Yin Ying?”

“He was the one who found the first victim. He claims to have seen Yin Ying stab the victim. In the tussle that ensued later, he was injured and Yin Ying got away. Uncle Chu is tending to him now.”

“What about the victim?”

“He died.”

‘How convenient.’

Ikasa thought with fists clenched. The entire event smelled of conspiracy against Yin Ying. Yet, he couldn’t prove anything.

“May I ask why you are trusting Yin Ying so much? Even over the many proofs of her joining the other side?”

More than 20 people had seen Yin Ying serve by Path Finder Zhi’s side. She had killed over 10 City Guards in the battle for Birch City’s Port. Even now, she was the chief suspect in the murders of their informants.

Hence, Xin Ruo couldn’t hold back her skeptical curiosity. Her pursed lips indicated she wouldn’t back off if Ikasa could not provide a valid reason to prove her innocence.

Ikasa appreciated this quality of hers. Though it may come off as nagging and annoying to some, Ikasa knew it was far from the truth.

His secretary on Earth, Donna, also forced him to reveal his reasons and reexamine them when she thought he was making a mistake. This exercise helped him keep his logic intact and make decisions with a level head.

Organizing his thoughts and memories about Yin Ying, he questioned where his trust for her originated from.

Was it the single tear stain on the letter where she informed him that she was joining the Monstrous Flame Sect?

Was it the notes and tidbits of information he had received from her despite her dangerous situation and had been proven true?

Or was it when she snooped on a Path Finder Realm and relayed information that played a crucial role in the said Path Finder’s demise?

Ikasa could not determine the exact reason but he reaffirmed his belief that Yin Ying was on his side. Only Xin Ruo was unaware of these incidents.

“Xin Ruo, I don’t doubt her neither should you. Still, we need to confirm the truth. Order the men to capture her from wherever she is. Also, call every informant in the network here. Including Zheng Fan.”

Ikasa instructed as he walked out of the room. As an afterthought, he added from the door.

“Also, ask Uncle Chu to bring Moony along.”

As he walked away from the room, he said in his heart,

‘It is time to distribute rewards and punishments.’

——-

While Ikasa was speaking to Xin Ruo, Yin Ying had gotten wind of their meeting. Caked with dried blood, she rushed through the forest towards the Monstrous Flame Sect.

After rolling the boulder at the tunnel’s entrance, she wiped her face. She took a short break to catch her breath. The loathsome face of a man as he murdered her subordinates flashed through her mind.

“I need to convince Ikasa and Feng Yan before those bastards. I won’t let them tarnish my name and disparage my efforts!”

After entering the tunnel, she unsheathed her dagger. She was ready to strike if anyone, human or animal, dared to obstruct her way.

Alas! She was too late. She was captured as soon as she neared the end of the tunnel. Bound by ropes, she was taken to the Sect’s prison to await trial.

She was handled like an enemy and rough-housed by the very men she trusted. One of the men pushed her into the cell and slammed the door shut.

“Hmph! Even that Ikasa, the one you so faithfully served, believed us. We told you, these rich silky pants cannot be trusted.”

A man with a scar on his cheek sneered with disdain. Another man with thick eyebrows was more sympathetic towards Yin Ying, but he still had a lot of resentment for her.

“We could’ve gone to the Earth Fire Sect, Yin Ying! A County Class force! All you had to do was follow the Path Finder obediently. Yet, you decided to expose Zheng Fan. Now, enjoy the fruits of your misplaced loyalty.”

He ended his rant with a snort. They continued to blame her for her current predicament. When they saw her eyes glaring daggers at them, they talked about how they had framed her; enjoying her impotent rage.

After gloating for a while, they left to report her capture to Xin Ruo.

Left alone in the dark room, Yin Ying felt as if she had been stabbed in the back. She didn’t know whose betrayal hurt her more-

The men for whom she had endured humiliation and abuse?

Or Ikasa, who she had served loyally at the risk of her life.

She silently contemplated her life choices in the darkening room. Lost in her thought, she did not hear the footsteps approaching her cell.

When the door opened, a ray of light shined on her. Figuratively and literally.

“Did you really think you would be abandoned? My son-in-law has many flaws but he is not an ungrateful bastard.”

A teary smile came to her face as she saw her beacon in the darkening night. She was relieved to know that she had not boarded the wrong ship!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep