Gu Chen died.
When he was found, it was already the second year.
The first to see him were the law enforcement team, who came to his door to collect spirit stones and only then realized that Gu Chen had died silently in his cave dwelling.
Such incidents were common in the marketplace; cave dwellings were private territory, and none but close friends would intrude rashly.
Zhou Yi was in the midst of performing the Spirit Rain Technique when Brother Zhang from the law enforcement team came looking for him.
"Zhu junior brother, Gu Chen left you a letter before he died."
Brother Zhang was an acquaintance, having shared a few drinks together at the Phoenix Cry Pavilion, and he was quite forthright in character.