Chapter 71 - Bi Luo Palace's Token
Frightening Slopes.
Guo Fan stood amidst the void, peering downward from the crest of a lofty mountain. In relation to the in-game map, the topography differed insignificantly. It was merely a matter of discerning specific details, thus requiring some dedicated time.
This particular fragment of Guo Fan's memory was somewhat hazy, making its recollection rather troublesome.
“Likely spanning from this point to here. The orientation should be correct.”
Guo Fan scrutinized the definitive final spot and propelled himself forward. The locale hosted numerous minor ruins, essentially remnants of the deceased along with the items they left behind. Engaging them could yield equipment.
Much like when he produced a Jixin Wine, possibly resulting in an encounter with a Red-tailed Invisible Hawk… and eventually leading to an altercation with a troupe of monkeys.
This instance, he had absorbed his lesson. First, he purged the surroundings. After ensuring the sudden appearance of nothing unusual, he disentangled the vines and grass. His efforts revealed a cadaver, buried within mire and foliage, along with an adjacent longbow.
The bow possessed an obsidian hue, adorned with carmine cloud motifs. In contrast to its former possessor, it remained radiant and exquisite, impressively well-preserved.
Guo Fan's initial step was to respectfully handle the corpse, giving it a proper burial, and then he took possession of the Purple Cloud bow. It didn't sit right with him to merely appropriate someone else's possession without addressing the moral obligation. The least he could do was assist in arranging the remains.
During the cleanup, he came across an item hidden among the bones and tattered clothing.
“Could this be… a Snowflake Mansion token?”
Guo Fan held a petite token, measuring approximately five centimeters in length and one centimeter in width. The token was fashioned into a small metallic plate, etched with the solitary numeral “37.” Presumably, this was akin to code names utilized by ordinary members, comparable to Luoyang's “11” or Duan Lin's “6.”
The demise of an individual associated with the Snowflake Mansion wasn't entirely unexpected. This person had been deceased for several years, their passing concealed from comrades.
“I recall that according to the Snowflake Mansion's regulations, members out of contact for a duration of three months must reclaim their tokens… This instance may have deviated from the norm. After all, the treacherous terrain of Frightening Slopes presents challenges, and the peril factor is notably high. It's plausible they couldn't locate him.”
Guo Fan carefully pocketed the token for the moment.
“But given that he perished here, it implies that there's something or someone responsible for his death. You might want to inquire with Duan Lin.”
Guo Fan retraced his steps. Luckily, he had passed through this area while heading towards Frost River Manor and Wide Ocean Sect. This alignment made it convenient for him to seek answers along the way.
Wandering around Darkwell Town, Guo Fan eventually spotted Duan Lin.
He hailed the stout man. Duan Lin managed a subservient smile, though he swiveled his head warily. Once he identified Guo Fan, he visibly relaxed.
He faced Guo Fan with a touch of awkwardness. Their previous encounter had involved a scuffle. Indeed, their last interaction had been somewhat…well, unpleasant. He realized he had shown enmity when goodwill was due, and this made him feel ashamed to meet Guo Fan.
Guo Fan inquired, “Is your knee injury better?”
Duan Lin grinned and confirmed, “It's healed.” He rubbed his hands, uncertain how to proceed.
Guo Fan retrieved the token and exposed the numbered side. “I discovered a corpse in Frightening Slopes with this.”
Duan Lin glanced upward and caught sight of the token. His pupils constricted, and he involuntarily took a deep breath.
“It appears that this has a connection to you folks. Otherwise, with Snowflake Mansion's reach, encountering an unfamiliar code name shouldn't be so astonishing. Considering the timeline, you arrived here two decades ago. This man had been deceased for many years. Could he have perhaps escaped alongside you?”
Guo Fan pocketed the token.
Duan Lin seemed about to request the token, but he halted himself. His expression grew rigid. “What… what do you know?”
Guo Fan believed that there was indeed a hidden truth, yet he maintained on the surface, “I know nothing, but I could know everything. It's up to you how you decide.”
Duan Lin seemed to grasp something. He clenched his teeth and uttered softly, “What are you after?”