Guest At The Crime Scene

"And even you couldn't figure out who did it? I know that this ability of yours is dependent on intent and presence or whatever… But I remember that you were able to catch a rogue elder from the Seclusion Underground when you had just gotten started, does this mean that the killer is stronger than that elder was?" speaking in an even tone, a youth bearing bright white hair and golden eyes looked over at the stone house where the local gang leader, Tao, used to live before meeting an untimely end.

"That's… Not quite how it works, knowing how to hide one's presence and intentions are skills separate from typical strength, most people never bother to learn it, especially those on the righteous path, it is more-so something assassins and wanted criminals would take a keen interest in…" Yi responded with a wry smile, standing a few steps to the side of the other youth.

The prosecutor cleared his throat.

"...And besides, that elder had gone mad, he probably wouldn't have thought of covering anything up, even if it was within his abilities- I don't think the killer is stronger than that elder, I simply think that they are very adept at what they do, the killer selects a target, strikes at the right time, and only stays around for as long as is appropriate to not be caught red-handed"

"Personally, I believe it is either an assassin in dire need of money, taking odd jobs from anyone, or more likely, an already experienced murderer who stumbled upon a fortune and was able to become a cultivator" explained Yi, not mentioning the fact that this killer had nearly, without a doubt, managed to slip into the Myriad-Arm Sect, that was a confidential part of the investigation however, and couldn't be disclosed so easily, especially since it mattered greatly to the reputation of the sect.

"Is that so?" the golden eyed youth stayed silent for a few moments "How did he die?"

"Excuse me?"

"Do not play dumb with me Yi, you know exactly why I am here, you must have already thoroughly investigated everything about those who were present at the time… Also, I would like to know when it would be possible to recover the body, if possible" the youth smiled slightly, making the prosecutor sigh as he began to walk closer to the house, stopping in front of it, no bloodstains remained since then, but he perfectly remembered its position.

"Chang Sheng-"

"You know that I don't like being called by my full name, it sounds silly, we are of the same age, you can address me with more familiarity"

"Very well... Then Chang, if I may ask before anything else, why are you here for him? This Dajian individual was expelled from Bright Sword Peak, was he not? From what I gathered, he had a good talent in sword intent manifestation, but was mediocre at actual swordsmanship, his lack of progress getting him booted out, and then, he soiled the sect's reputation by wearing the robes bearing its symbol whilst working for a criminal" Yi expected some sort of reaction from Chang, but the other youth maintained that odd, neutral expression.

It gave the prosecutor the chills to be honest, but he had heard that everyone in the Sheng family had those golden eyes that always seemed to be wide open, staring indifferently at everything, their face and mouth might show expression, but never the eyes, but Chang was perfectly calm and neutral, seemingly unbothered completely.

"You are right, as per the rules of the sect, and the moral code I was taught by my family, Dajian has disgraced the sect thoroughly, and should have faced punishment for it- To be honest, I was surprised when I learned that he had been allowed to walk free even after this was learned by the sect, it seemed like they did not care much for him, was he still alive, I would have dragged him back for judgement…"

"...However, since he had been slain, the sect is mildly worried that this was actually an act against the sect, some sort of step by an enemy to see how Bright Sword Peak will react, a probing of the stick, if you will"

Yi raised an eyebrow.

"I know, I have a hard believing that as well, but some of the elders get worried over nothing, and more importantly, they want to test me by sending me out, see how I will handle things and react to certain situations, they didn't tell me about that, but I can guess"

"Huh… They want to test their future sword saint in such a way?"

"Please, I am only one of the sword saint candidates, nothing is set in stone just yet" Chang spoke, but the prosecutor just looked at him tiredly, everybody that knew about the sword saint selection at Bright Sword Peak knew that there was no competition.

Chang Sheng was not only the greatest option without a doubt, but he was also a member of the Sheng family, amongst the greatly righteous clans, you hardly could find any better than them.

"You are too humble…" Yi sighed and answered the earlier question, detailing what he had been able to gather from his special ability, Dajian was very clear, and his sword intent somewhat extended to all other intents as well, so the prosecutor could pretty much follow the remnants the man had left behind from a long while before losing sight of him.

But it wasn't that useful as Dajian had simply been working as a bodyguard and had basically been doing nothing but waiting and walking around, the only useful information that could be taken was the fight he had gone through, and his death.

And he was able to gather information about the assailant that way alongside with the remnants of the other people who had been present, it was a real shame however that most of the bodies were gone, all that had been left behind were bloody lumps of flesh and bones that bore no marks of trauma, it looked like they had been shot with arrows or bolts, but as for the weapon wielded against Dajian, the former disciple of Bright Sword Peak had moved as though his opponent had exceptional reach, like they wielded a weapon apt for thrusting.

And the way he had stood also implied that he had fought against someone taller than him.

But his death had come from having his neck snapped rather than dealt with the weapon, so it was rather difficult to know exactly what it was, the combination of reach and thrusting implied a spear, but if the killer was that much taller, it could have been something else as well…

As per usual, the prosecutor had trouble finding a solid lead, or even a single bit of conclusive evidence.

"The killer was able to overpower him, stepped on one of his arms, which pinned Dajian down, he then had his face slammed into the ground multiple times, and after this, was picked up and had his neck snapped swiftly… Do you perhaps recognise that style from somewhere?" Yi explained the details, hoping that Chang would have a clue.

"Sorry, but it doesn't sound like any style that I know…"

"...Seems like I can't get anything out of this, though, whilst I am here, I might as well do some good- I heard that there was an Elt at the Myriad-Arm Sect?"

"There is indeed one, why do you ask?"

"I am a Sheng, our clans have been giving one another the cold shoulder for a long while, but if an Elt is willing to get friendly with the Myriad-Arm Sect, then surely, our clans can also become more amicable? The last time our families had a meeting, it felt like a funeral"

Yi sighed.

"I don't think Bright Sword Peak would appreciate you going to another sect out of the blue, but I am sure I can ask him to come and meet you, if you desire"

"That would be nice indeed, perhaps in the future, and maybe we could exchange tips of swordsmanship- Does he wield a sword?"

"Longbow, Kanabo, Rapier and Whip"

"You know him rather well"

"It's nothing much, just part of my job…"