Chapter 62: Gathering the Blacklist

Although Yi Shen was eager to be part of the conversation between his mother and Jiang Jinying, he ultimately obeyed when his mother ordered him to return to his room for important matters. Lin Putao didn't want Yi Shen to get involved in the Peach Blossom Hollow affair; she felt that the less he knew, the better. In her eyes, the current situation at Peach Blossom Hollow was far too dangerous, and her top priority was to ensure both her own and Yi Shen's safety.

Still, having Yi Shen home at last resolved one of her deepest concerns, giving her greater confidence in negotiating with Jiang Jinying. The two women left the living room and entered a soundproof room protected by a special formation, where they continued the discussion they had started before Yi Shen arrived. They talked for over three hours before finally emerging.

Jiang Jinying drove away in her jeep, leaving the villa, while Lin Putao went into Yi Shen's room and found him browsing various forums for information.

"Yi Shen," Lin Putao called his name, her heart aching for her son. Although Yi Shen had been silent since returning, she couldn't help but feel that he had suffered greatly during the days he had been hiding outside.

Yi Shen glanced at his mother, unsure what to say. After a brief pause, Lin Putao suddenly broke into tears.

The pressures she faced recently were no less than those her son endured. Every day she worried about her husband and son, while also having to deal with those lurking outside, watching her every move. Now, seeing Yi Shen home and safe, her emotional defenses finally crumbled.

"It's all right... I'm still here, and Dad will definitely be fine," Yi Shen said softly.

He sighed, handed her a tissue, and after a moment's thought, spoke again: "In a few days, I'll find a way to get inside and look for him. Dad is over level sixty; he shouldn't be so easily killed." He hesitated, then asked, "And that Jiang...?"

"She seems to be with the Bloodslaughter Guild. Did they take you away before?" Yi Shen asked.

Lin Putao, upon hearing his question, gradually recovered from her sadness. "You don't need to worry about these things. Just stay home for now and don't go anywhere," she said. "When I’ve dealt with all this, I’ll take you away from Jingmen Safe Zone." Her tone was still that of a mother treating her son as a child.

"I'm not leaving," Yi Shen replied, shaking his head. "And I can't just stay home, either. Mom, I need to ask you something seriously: do you know that An Qing is behind the trouble at Peach Blossom Hollow?"

Hearing Yi Shen mention An Qing by name, Lin Putao's expression froze. She realized her son was speaking to her in earnest.

"Yes, I can guess as much. Jiang Jinying told me," Lin Putao nodded. Though she was emotional, she was no stranger to hardship, having followed Yi Qinfeng through many tough times.

"Did you know An Qing has always had dealings with the Bloodslaughter Guild? I think Dad and Uncle Zhao’s deaths were at least partly Bloodslaughter’s doing," Yi Shen pressed on. He needed to exchange information with his mother to prevent her from being misled by others.

"Connections with Bloodslaughter Guild?" As expected, Lin Putao’s brow furrowed slightly at this.

After a pause, she said, "Bloodslaughter claims they once had dealings with An Qing, but the incident at Moonlight Land had nothing to do with them. Originally, they were working with your Uncle Zhao, and only later did An Qing take over." She continued, "Jiang Jinying—the woman you just met—is the leader of the Bloodslaughter Guild and also a friend of your father’s. She says the real issue is with Jingbei Industrial Guild."

She hesitated. "Why are you asking about this? Where did you hear all this?"

Only now did Lin Putao realize that Yi Shen was speaking to her as an adult, no longer the playful boy she remembered.

Yi Shen sifted through his thoughts. Before he died, Zhao Zhilong had mainly mentioned the cooperation between Bloodslaughter and An Qing, but it was also clear that Uncle Zhao had been aware of these matters. He had originally believed Bloodslaughter was chiefly behind the trouble, but seeing Jiang Jinying in his home today, and hearing his mother’s words, had left him confused.

"What about Peach Blossom Hollow? What's the current situation there? The information I’ve gathered suggests Jingbei Industrial and Jianghe have each established their own factions in Peach Blossom Hollow. Jingbei Industrial is supporting Qi Guyi, the former deputy district chief of East District, while Jianghe Guild is backing an explorer named Andersen. Also, Uncle Zhao’s niece, Zhao Nanxing, seems to be involved as well," Yi Shen pressed.

Right now, everyone wanted a share of the pie in Peach Blossom Hollow, and Yi Shen had started compiling a blacklist days ago. Even though Zhanyu had stepped in to try to quell the unrest in Jingmen Safe Zone, as a true black mage, Yi Shen could never let go of what had happened at Peach Blossom Hollow, nor of his father’s fate.

For now, his little notebook was just a record. But once he confirmed the true enemies, he would make sure they learned that the spoils of Peach Blossom Hollow would not be taken so easily!

That notebook would one day become a death list.