Looking at the Taoist in front of her, Su Xi pondered for a moment and sent a magical incantation towards the token.
As the incantation entered the token, it instantly emitted a bright light. After the light dissipated, a figure gradually emerged.
When each disciple of Penglai Mountain joined, not only was their impression recorded, but the image of their guide was also captured. However, ordinary people did not know how to view these recorded images, thus rendering them inaccessible.
Having read so many books in the Sutra Pavilion previously, Su Xi was well aware of these secrets unknown to common folk.
Since she had confirmed that the Taoist was not a fake Penglai Mountain disciple, she could use this method to find her guide and clarify what had happened.
Witnessing Su Xi's miraculous skill, everyone's eyes widened, and they exclaimed in awe, calling it a divine miracle.
Compared to Su Xi, the Taoist's previous display was like a firefly against the brilliance of the moon. For a moment, everyone looked at the Taoist with disdain.
A cheat, who had deceived their applause.
The Taoist, "???".
What was happening, being suddenly disliked by his own teammates?
Could they not change their allegiance so quickly?
Despite feeling helpless, he could only endure it, as the situation was beyond his control and he had to submit.
He was very curious about Su Xi's identity. Not only was her cultivation profound, but she also seemed very interested in his token, even knowing how to activate it.
Su Xi paid no mind to what everyone was thinking. Instead, she stared at the figure appearing in the white light, her expression turning into one of disbelief, like seeing a ghost.
OMG.
(｀ﾍ´)=3
The figure that appeared in the white light was none other than the Patriarch of Penglai Mountain, True Master Tiangang, who was watching her from the side.
After confirming it several times, Su Xi finally accepted this unbelievable fact.
She couldn't help but mourn for Lin Qing for a few minutes, having nearly passed off a hot potato to him just now.
Although she had confirmed the Taoist's identity as someone from Penglai Mountain, Su Xi's doubts had not disappeared; on the contrary, they had become even more serious.
"Who recruited you as a disciple of Penglai Mountain back then?" She had to figure out why True Master Tiangang's image was within the Taoist's token.
As for asking the person involved, Su Xi decisively gave up.
True Master Tiangang was even more bewildered than she was, and questioning him would yield no answers. Therefore, instead of wasting time on him, it was better to find the answer herself. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
The Taoist no longer had any intention of resisting Su Xi.
Facing Su Xi's inquiry, he honestly replied, "I was out collecting herbs when I happened to encounter an injured person. Out of kindness, I saved him. After he recovered, he said he wanted to repay me..."
Hearing this cliché, Su Xi frowned and interrupted him, "Can you get to the point?"
She suspected that the Taoist's comprehension might be problematic, as he was recounting the events in painstaking detail when she asked him a question.
Didn't he know that readers were not interested in such minor details?
"Yes." The Taoist, sensing Su Xi's displeasure and her dislike for his narrative style, quickly got to the main points.
After listening to the Taoist's explanation of the cause and effect, Su Xi's frown deepened.
She was certain the Taoist was not lying, but according to his account, the timeline simply didn't add up. True Master Tiangang had disappeared tens of thousands of years ago; how could he have appeared five years ago, and moreover, been severely injured?
Who had injured him?
Or was someone impersonating him, and what was their motive?
Seeing the confusion on Su Xi's face, the Taoist's intelligence suddenly kicked in. Before Su Xi could ask, he voluntarily explained, "At the time, I noticed he seemed a bit off, so when he left, I specifically asked him where he was going."
"Where did he go?" Someone impersonating the Patriarch to deceive people was something Su Xi could not tolerate and had to investigate thoroughly.
The Taoist recalled carefully, confirmed he was not mistaken, and then said, "He said he was going to Qishan to do something."
"Qishan?" Su Xi recalled the location on the map. She quickly ascertained Qishan's position.
However, even though she knew where Qishan was, Su Xi's expression turned grim.
Qishan was located near Tianzhén, so it wouldn't require her to take a detour. However, that place was close to the demon territory, clearly not a good destination. Her rash approach there would undoubtedly lead to trouble.
"Sigh, it seems I'll have to make a trip to Qishan after I find the Fire Spirit Pearl," Su Xi sighed inwardly, making her decision.
Having decided this, Su Xi turned her gaze towards the Taoist.
Even though she had confirmed he was from Penglai Mountain, she would not tolerate their recklessness. This not only tarnished the reputation of Penglai Mountain but also harmed so many people.
"Why did you do this?" Su Xi looked at the Taoist, demanding an explanation.
Seeing that Su Xi had asked the crucial question, the Taoist instinctively flinched. But meeting Su Xi's gaze, he braced himself and replied, "It was the imperial court's orders that forced us to do this."
"What are you talking about?" The village chief, seeing the Taoist about to reveal the truth, hurriedly shouted to stop his suicidal act.
If the Taoist truly confessed, not only would he be finished, but their entire village would suffer. He felt he was still young and didn't want to die so soon.
Hearing the village chief's words, the Taoist swallowed the words on his lips and showed hesitation.
Indeed, if he told the truth, Su Xi might spare him. But those people from the imperial court would definitely not let them off.
He had young children and an elderly wife; he absolutely did not want to die so soon.
Su Xi, sensing the Taoist's dilemma, turned her stern gaze towards the village chief.
Without any apparent movement from her, the village chief's head flew off, and blood spurted from his neck.
"Pfft."
Blood gushed from his neck and splattered on the ground, a scene of shocking violence.
Witnessing the village chief's gruesome fate, the Taoist immediately suppressed any ulterior thoughts.
If he couldn't satisfy Su Xi, the village chief's current state would soon be his future.
He was truly terrified by such a tragic end.
o(>﹏<)o No!
Therefore, the Taoist no longer hesitated and immediately confessed, "The imperial court ordered us to do this. They instructed us to seize opportunities to kill people, all for the purpose of obtaining something from the people of this village."
Just as the Taoist uttered half of his words, he suddenly clutched his chest in pain, his eyes widening in disbelief. He spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
The other thugs met the same fate, falling to the ground without any sign of life.