The other disciples of the Wuzhen Sect were clearly killed in one blow, completely caught off guard.
Only Yi Hehuan, being slightly stronger, could manage to exchange a few blows with the attacker.
Zhang Shanli found Yan Shouyi's reasoning sound and immediately ordered his disciples to examine Yi Hehuan's body.
However, among those present were not only disciples from Longhu Mountain but also the leading elder of the Wuzhen Sect.
The Wuzhen Sect elder, looking at Yi Hehuan's corpse, trembled with rage. Finally, he coldly said to Yan Shouyi:
"Yan Shouyi, Yi Hehuan had a past feud with you. You should be happy she's dead. Why stir up trouble by coming here?"
"I am happy, I just didn't show it," Yan Shouyi replied calmly. "If you want to suspect me, I don't mind. After all, my friends and I were all eating in the mess hall just now. Everyone can vouch for us."
The Wuzhen Sect elder, who was looking for someone to blame, was rendered speechless.
As the leading elder, he bore a significant responsibility for what had happened. Therefore, he was desperate to find someone to take the blame.
Unfortunately, he had chosen the wrong person.
While Zhang Wuma was searching for clues nearby, Yan Shouyi continued to examine Yi Hehuan's body. He inadvertently discovered something peculiar about her corpse.
"Little Uncle-Master, please come over here," Yan Shouyi called out.
Zhang Shanli walked up, "What is it?"
Yan Shouyi gently lifted Yi Hehuan's neck. "Everyone else died from having their skull shattered. Yi Hehuan's skull was also shattered, but her body is different from the others. Look at her neck."
"There are ligature marks?" Zhang Shanli also noticed something amiss.
Yan Shouyi couldn't help but ask the Wuzhen Sect elder, "Um, I mean no offense, but to catch the culprit, I must boldly ask, do your Wuzhen Sect disciples like to play certain games?"
The Wuzhen Sect elder's face darkened. "What nonsense are you spouting, you brat? I don't understand!"
Yan Shouyi coughed twice. Seeing the elder's expression, it was clear he was feigning ignorance.
So he said, "Just tell me, were the ligature marks on Yi Hehuan's neck caused by one of your own, or by the killer?"
The Wuzhen Sect elder remained silent for a moment before replying, "It should have been the killer."
Yan Shouyi nodded, deciding not to press further.
But Zhang Shanli didn't understand the meaning of their conversation and asked, "How can you tell?"
Seeing the Wuzhen Sect elder's hesitant expression, Zhang Shanli warned, "If you conceal clues and we fail to catch the culprit, then we of Longhu Mountain cannot guarantee a satisfactory resolution for you."
The Wuzhen Sect elder finally explained, "Although our Wuzhen Sect's cultivation methods are unique, we also advocate for pure love and do not engage in such frivolous activities."
The pure-hearted Zhang Shanli remained bewildered, but the other Longhu Mountain disciples began to suppress their laughter.
To save the Wuzhen Sect elder some face, Yan Shouyi changed the subject:
"So, the killer was swift and decisive when killing others, but used an extra move when killing Yi Hehuan. Based on this, the killer's weapon was a blunt object, and it carried something like a rope."
After speaking, Yan Shouyi pondered and recalled.
Were there any people in the folk sects who used such weapons?
The reason he was thinking in the direction of folk sects was because Yan Shouyi strongly suspected that the person who killed Yi Hehuan was a demon from the Xinxuan Sect.
Since they intended to kill the Old Celestial Master at the Luotian Grand Ceremony, today should be their last day to ascend the mountain. It was highly probable that Yi Hehuan died because she inadvertently encountered members of the Xinxuan Sect who had infiltrated Longhu Mountain.
And most members of the Xinxuan Sect were inheritors from folk sects, which was why Yan Shouyi was considering that direction.
Suddenly, Yan Shouyi's pupils contracted as he thought of a sect whose weapons were very consistent with the clues on Yi Hehuan's body.
At that moment, Zhang Wuma made a discovery:
"Hall Master Shanli, there are strange marks here!"
Everyone quickly gathered around and found small, shallow pits in the soft soil.
These pits were about the size of a mineral water bottle, less than half a finger deep, like footprints. They extended from Yi Hehuan's side towards the west.
Yan Shouyi measured the diameter of the pits and already had an answer in his mind.
"Little Uncle-Master, I know who the killer is."
Zhang Shanli was surprised, "You know? Tell me quickly!"
"The killer is likely an inheritor from a folk sect – a Pallbearer!"
Yan Shouyi said grimly, "The murder weapon that killed Yi Hehuan and the others perfectly matches the pallbearer's coffin-carrying pole. The pole is of this thickness, with something like ropes attached to both ends. It is a weapon that Pallbearers never leave behind!"
Upon hearing that the killer was a Pallbearer, Zhang Shanli's expression also changed.
Pallbearers were born with tough fates. If their fate were not strong, they could not carry those sinister coffins.
The coffins of certain people who died unjustly were terrifyingly heavy. Even with ten oxen pulling, they could not be moved. But with a Pallbearer present, along with three adults, they could be lifted with ease.
When lowering a coffin, if a Pallbearer was not present to suppress it, the person inside would not be able to rest in peace.
It was said that every Pallbearer possessed the strength of an ox. Once they started fighting, they could easily crush a tiger's skull with their bare hands.
Furthermore, they practiced many peculiar and sinister arts, their mystery not much less than that of the Lu Ban inheritors.
"Are you sure?" Zhang Wuma asked with a frown.
Yan Shouyi replied, "Almost certainly."
Zhang Shanli nodded, "In that case, I will immediately go back and issue orders for the Longhu Mountain disciples to conduct a thorough search within the territory of Longhu Mountain. We must apprehend this audacious and presumptuous individual!"
Yan Shouyi did not offer any opinion on Zhang Shanli's decision. In fact, he hoped Zhang Shanli would do just that.
If the people of the Xinxuan Sect had already infiltrated Longhu Mountain, it would be better for Longhu Mountain to react sooner and catch those cunning individuals.
It would be better than the Xinxuan Sect making a sudden move and catching Longhu Mountain off guard.
As for why the Old Celestial Master was not concerned about the Xinxuan Sect at all, Yan Shouyi couldn't figure it out and didn't speak unnecessarily. After all, if the Old Celestial Master hadn't said anything, it would be meaningless for an outsider to speak. Even Zhang Shanli might not fully believe Yan Shouyi's words.
Kill the Old Celestial Master?
The thought sounded utterly fantastical.
Just as everyone was preparing to collect the bodies and report the matter to the Old Celestial Master, a furious shout suddenly came from the forest: "Who's there!"
The moment Yan Shouyi heard that voice, he rushed towards the direction of the sound!
That voice was Lin Zitong's!
The brat was in danger!
Could it be that she had encountered a Pallbearer?!
Yan Shouyi had already dashed out more than ten meters before Zhang Shanli and the others reacted, "Shouyi, where are you going?"
"No time to explain, follow me quickly!"