(MC POV)
"So no injuries or anything, right? Or maybe something else I need to know?"
Elder Feng shook his head, "Oh no, I am completely fine, Master Lin."
"Not even some feelings of discomfort? Maybe some soreness or a headache?"
"Master Lin. I am truly alright, you don't need to worry."
"Mmm… That's good. But do you know why you're targeted though?"
He shook his head again, "Unfortunately, I haven't the faintest idea, Master Lin. I can understand you being targeted… But me? It makes no sense unless they bore a personal grudge of some sort…"
I nodded, "I see, I see… Guess I'll have to wring the information out from the assassin then."
"Oh? Is that really necessary, Master Lin? I wouldn't want you to go out of your way for me. Just turn her in to the authorities or even just get rid of her. She's probably just a hired goon that wouldn't know anything."
Hmm? Suspicious. Wouldn't someone normally want to know why they are being targeted? Was Zhiyang telling the truth that Elder Feng is really the mastermind behind it?
"Oh? But I already caught her so might as well just see what she knows right?"
Elder Feng stroked his beard, "Hmm… In that case, why not give her to me? No need to trouble the famed Master Lin over something so trivial. Since she was after me as well, I'm sure I would be able to get something out of her."
"Oh? Elder Feng is experienced in interrogation?"
"Ahahaha! Not at all, Master Lin. It's just the least that this old man can do to ease your burdens."
"I see, I see. But no need for that, Elder Feng. Since that would also put you in danger, I can handle it myself."
"Oh, but I insist, Master Lin. I believe my presence here has caused you many problems by itself. It would really put me at ease if you would allow this old man to repent for it."
This guy… He's really insistent on me not questioning Zhiyang huh? That is indeed very sus of him. Let's try to push a little bit more.
I shook my head at him, "No, no, no. It would be rude of me to allow a guest to work. I will handle it myself."
"Oh, but Master Lin, I am a member of your Sect now am I not? Such a menial task is unbecoming of the Immortal Master Lin."
"Ah, I'm used to such things so you don't need to worry about it."
"No, no, no. Please, I was the outsider, I require a task to make myself useful and prove myself to the Sect. Or else this assassin would cause a rift between our two Sects."
At this point I'm not even sure if he's really sincere about it or he's just desperate for me not to question her.
"Hmmm, but you see, the assassin made it personal by involving my disciples as well. As their Master, I would lose their trust if I were not to intervene."
Elder Feng pursed his lips and nodded, "I… I see… Then it would make sense Master Lin would want to handle this himself. In that case, I shall wait here for your news."
Oh? He actually agreed. Then again, it would be weird for him to reject me when I mentioned the matter being a personal one.
"Thank you, then I shan't waste anymore time then. I only came back here just to check if anything unexpected came up."
His eyes widened at me, "Eh? You mean… You're going to interrogate her now? Like… Right now?"
I nodded, "Yeah, no time like the present, right? Besides, my disciples are still waiting for me, so I shouldn't tarry here any longer than necessary."
"Ah… I see… Umm… Maybe Master Lin would like to have some tea first before you leave?"
"Thank you, but there's no need, I really shouldn't impose on you longer than I have to."
"Oh no, it's no problem at all! In fact, we're standing in your Sect, Master Lin, it's me who is imposing on you! I insist."
Ok this guy is really being creepy now… Maybe Akari was right about him being gay? Why else would he be so insistent on trying to get me to stay? Maybe him trying to take up this work is to score points with me?
I raised my hands, "I thank you for your generosity, but I truly must be going. I wouldn't be able to face my disciples if I were to delay any longer."
"Mmm… I understand. In that case, be careful on your way out, Master Lin."
Oh, that was easier than I thought.
I cupped my hands before I left, pausing outside the courtyard to give the Phoenix a head pat and collecting Shiori and Akari who had been waiting outside.
"So, we're going back to interrogate the assassin, right?" Akari asked.
I shook my head, "No, I've already done it actually. She told me Elder Feng was the real mastermind behind the assassination attempt."
"Oh my… What a surprise. I never would have suspected him," Shiori commented.
"Neither did I," I chuckled, stretching my arms. "But from our short conversation just now… I kind of think it's him too."
Akari shifted herself to a more comfortable position, "Mmm? What did he do?"
"I never told him who the assassin was and he already knew it was a female. He shouldn't even know that we were suspecting our new servants to begin with. Not to mention the fact that he wanted possession of her from me."
"Fufufu, as expected of Divine One, you had him all figured out."
I shrugged, "We'll leave the courtyard then double back to his house to see what he'll do."
"Oohh! Sneaky~ I likey~" Akari giggled.
The phoenix nudged me, giving a soft chirp as though it knew what we were talking about. I'm not sure it it actually likes Elder Feng or not, it worries me that the Phoenix might try to protect Elder Feng should a fight be inevitable.
It's not that I can't defeat the Phoenix, but come on, look at this cute thing. I can't bear to raise my hand against such a cute bird.
I scratched the underside of its neck before finally leaving the courtyard, making a show of going down the pathway and disappearing round the corner before teleporting us back to the courtyard, hiding behind one of the bushes near the main building.
I noted the front door of Elder Feng's building that was left slightly ajar suddenly closed shut, meaning he had definitely been watching me leave.
I crept up to one of his windows and opened a small crack, peering into the room that I had met him just a few moments ago.
"Goddamn useless… " Elder Feng muttered. "Seems like her usefulness has come to an end… Time to cut off loose ends I suppose."
He took out a small wooden chest from within his robes and opened it, retrieving what looked like a dark blue marble from within before summoning a knife from his storage ring.
Huh… Well, guess Zhiyang was telling the truth after all.
