If only karma was so simple

Chen Gaoyong's spell that had meant to locate the puppeteer was but a faint silver string, flickering between reality and nothingness as it floated in the air. It led inside the Ascending Dawn Manor, down silent echoing halls. It led them through the quiet main hall where the stench of iron had already soaked into the floor, red blossoms beneath each of the women that spoke of senseless slaughter.

Yuan Xuelan ran ahead, fear gripping his heart as the horrific sight laid out in front of him. "Shijie!" He cried desperately, remembering the promise for an apology yet to be made. But her face was not among the faces of those fallen in the hall. At first, he was relieved not being able to find her lifeless corpse but the relief was short-lived. Where could she have gone?

While Liu Sumeng wore an expression calmer, his heart was by no means peaceful. Anxiety was upon him as well, eyes searching for familiarity among the corpses.