Nan and Mu, watching from the side, immediately realised what he was about to write and stared closely.
A line of neat characters appeared beneath the brush stroke: “I have a younger sister, named Liniang. We have been out of contact for many years, and I miss her dearly. If Liniang sees this, come quickly to meet. Your brother waits here.”
He set down the brush after finishing.
Nan and Mu exchanged a glance. Nan Zhu hesitated, “Old Fifteen, are you going to post this notice?”
Yu Qing nodded, picked up the paper, and blew on the ink.
Nan Zhu: “This is your method of searching?”
Yu Qing: “Open investigation and secret inquiry. This is the ‘open investigation’.”
Nan Zhu: “Fine. But you have written this so obscurely. Will people understand it?”
Yu Qing: “If I do not write it obscurely, should I write it openly and explicitly instead? It does not matter if it is obscure. If you were Liniang, would you not want to verify it upon seeing this notice? Unless she does not see it, if she sees it, she will certainly come.” After speaking, he showed the ring on his finger.
Nan Zhu fell into thought, then nodded slightly. He understood.
Downstairs, Little Black, who was guarding a table and practising his writing, twirled his brush in his hand, staring blankly out of the window in a daze.
He had not expected that after leaving Miaoqing Hall and running here, he would still be forced to practise his writing. Little did he know that the three adults were merely looking for a reasonable excuse to keep him under control…
As night fell, at the edge of the Mirage City, upon the sea, besides the coming and going ferry boats, there were also all kinds of pleasure boats seeking amusement. They dared not sail too far away, only daring to cruise along the coastline.
On the flower boats adorned with colourful lights like neon, songs and laughter were unceasing. However, as a black vessel arrived, the cruising pleasure boats and passing ferry boats all made way, none daring to block its course.
The black boat was like a ghost in the night. It looked ordinary and lacked the splendour of other vessels, with only two lanterns hanging at the bow and stern.
Those who mixed in the Mirage City might not recognise this boat, but they had to recognise the attire of the several guards standing at the bow and stern. Dressed in black, with a circle of silver rolling wave patterns embroidered on their sleeves, this was the uniform of the Zhenhai Office personnel who governed the Mirage City.
There were no lights lit inside the cabin, yet the light projected from outside was sufficient to make the faces of those inside clear.
A middle-aged man with a broad face and large ears, his appearance gentle, yet with a coldness seemingly lurking deep in his gaze. His black attire was different from the others in the Zhenhai Office. Not only did his sleeves have the rolling wave patterns, but his collar did as well.
Even if one did not recognise the person, seeing the leader’s embroidery on the collar should make one know that this was the Zhenhai Commissioner, Zhu Xuan, sent by Qianliu Mountain to the Zhenhai Office of the Mirage City.
Zhu Xuan seemed to be pondering something, pacing alone with his hands behind his back in the cold and empty cabin. The bustling lights outside were merely embellishments, difficult to draw any of his attention. The sound of his solitary footsteps went back and forth, again and again.
A figure outside flew onto the bow of the boat. The guard outside knocked three times on the door panel as a notification.
“Come in,” Zhu Xuan called out, and his pacing figure also stopped before the window, facing the colourful lights outside.
A man in Zhenhai Office attire entered quickly. He was Zhu Xuan’s deputy, Qi Duolai, a man with a shrewd appearance. He arrived beside Zhu Xuan and saluted, “Commissioner.”
Zhu Xuan said, “What is it?”
Qi Duolai said, “News has come from the Second Cave. The background of the man who killed the Sea Clan member has been clarified. The little bearded man is precisely that Tanhualang Ashiheng, famous throughout the world…”
Zhu Xuan turned his head abruptly, surprised, “Ashiheng? What is he doing here killing Sea Clan members? Are you certain?”
Qi Duolai said, “Yes. I also found it strange upon hearing it, so I asked in detail. At first, the Second Cave could not figure out who it was. Later, they noticed the child they brought along. A child running around with a staff is not common. The personnel responsible for sorting through information immediately found a piece of intelligence regarding the ‘Miaoqing Hall’ of Youjiao Port, which mentioned that Ashiheng had such a child by his side.
Thus, the Second Cave immediately found the people who had entered Xiaoyunjian in the first wave, and had them secretly keep watch to confirm. The result proved that the little bearded man was indeed Ashiheng, and the fat man and the big fellow beside him were the same accomplices who had entered Xiaoyunjian at that time. So, it is already confirmed without doubt.”
A hint of coldness appeared in Zhu Xuan’s eyes, “In other words, that woman Liu Piaopiao already knew it was Ashiheng, yet stood by watching us run around busy without saying a word, causing those above to clarify it even before us. It makes us look like a bunch of useless fools!”
Liu Piaopiao was also a member of the Zhenhai Office, and could be considered one of the heads of the Zhenhai Office, one of his subordinates.
Qi Duolai nodded, “How could she not recognise him? She had followed the Third Cave Master to give testimony back then. She probably recognised him at a single glance. Her not saying anything to us does not mean she did not say anything to others. The Third Cave Master probably knew long ago.”
Bang! Zhu Xuan slammed his palm on the window, “That slut, time and again scheming against me from behind. Does she think that if she gets me removed from this post, it will be her turn to sit in this position? Dream on. Even by seniority, it would never be her turn! Summon her here to see me immediately. Concealing from above and deceiving below, this time I shall see what she can do!”
Qi Duolai quickly pressed his hands together to dissuade him, “You must not, absolutely must not. If this really blows up, I fear it will only anger the Second Cave Master against you. Yes, as your subordinate, her not reporting to you is indeed wrong. But who does not know she is a person the Third Cave Master planted in the Zhenhai Office? Her reporting to the Third Cave Master, how great a fault can that be?
In earlier years, if you handled it according to regulations, it would have been nothing much. At most, both sides would argue based on reason, and in the end, see who could argue out a reason. But what is the situation now? The Third Cave Master is already keeping his tail between his legs. The people under him are all keeping a low profile. If you move his people now, even if you are in the right, there is still the suspicion of taking advantage of others’ misfortune and kicking someone when they are down.
You use the reason that the Third Cave Master’s person reported to the Third Cave Master and not to you as a pretext to deal with the Third Cave Master’s person. What the Third Cave Master thinks aside, how would outsiders see it?
As long as the Great Sage does not move against the Third Cave Master for a day, they are still sworn brothers. In this situation, if you make a move using this reason, and if they do nothing about it, would that not be sending a signal through your hand that they intend to move against the Third Cave Master? If not suppressed, it would immediately become a situation where everyone pushes a wall that is about to fall.
Commissioner, if you do this, believe it or not, that slut Liu Piaopiao will end up with nothing happening to her, and the Second Cave Master will probably have to actively remove you as the Zhenhai Commissioner. It would be both to show the Third Cave Master and to show outsiders.”
Upon hearing these words, Zhu Xuan’s cheeks tightened, and he finally let out a cold snort, “In other words, I, as the Zhenhai Commissioner, cannot even show any temper towards my own subordinate!”
Qi Duolai said earnestly, “It is not that you have no temper with her. It is that you have no temper with the Third Cave Master. Commissioner, there is no need for you to step forward on this matter. Report the situation to the Second Cave Master later and let the Second Cave Master decide. There is really no need for us to rush to the front on this kind of matter. The risk is too great. Just turn a blind eye.”
Zhu Xuan took a deep breath. He had actually spoken in a fit of anger. His expression quickly calmed down. He then asked, “This Ashiheng dragged a merman’s corpse to the Nether Temple and still came out unscathed. What exactly is going on?”
Qi Duolai: “We have no right to intervene in the Nether Temple matter. Those above will handle it themselves. As for why he could come out unscathed, it does not seem difficult to understand. It is said that this Ashiheng was originally a man of the Jin State’s Duke Xuan, Ying Xiaotang.”
Zhu Xuan let out a meaningful “Oh”, and nodded in thought, “I remember now. There does seem to be such a matter.”
Just then, a ferry boat outside caught up with the large ship, sailing alongside it. The people on the ferry boat asked the guards to pass on a message.
Zhu Xuan and Qi Duolai on the ship had already seen the people on the ferry boat. Zhu Xuan tilted his head to signal, and Qi Duolai immediately understood and went out.
After a short while, he led in a middle-aged man in splendid brocade clothing and a young, jade-faced man. The old and young had somewhat similar features. One could tell at a glance they were father and son, and they both exuded an air of nobility.
“Lord Zhu.”
“Brother Wang.”
The middle-aged man and Zhu Xuan exchanged cupped-hand salutes. Although both were very polite, one could tell from the form of address that the guest’s posture was slightly lower, and there was a hint of arrogance in Zhu Xuan’s faint smile.
However, someone who could board the ship and exchange such courtesies would naturally not have an ordinary identity. Indeed, it was not ordinary.
The guest was named Wang Xuetang. He held considerable status in the Jin State, occupying a place among the Jin State’s ten great spirit plant sects. However, compared to other sects, his foundation was still shallow. Compared to the other nine, it could only be considered newly risen. The reason for his rapid rise was solely because of a powerful backer.
Wang Xuetang’s father, in terms of seniority, was the younger maternal cousin of the Jin State’s Sifan Office Commissioner. He was considered family on the Earth Mother’s side.
Back then, with the rise of the Earth Mother, the Wang family’s younger maternal cousin was unwilling to be mediocre. He was also a ruthless man, and actually managed to get a foothold in spirit rice cultivation. This slice of the pie was not so easy to share. Anyone else would have been brought down by the related sects long ago. However, the various spirit plant sects of the Jin State feared the Earth Mother. Although the Earth Mother had never spoken on the matter, no one dared to touch the Wang family’s younger maternal cousin.
With money, one then wants power. To consolidate the family business, the Wang family’s younger maternal cousin actually pulled together a spirit plant sect, named Zheluo Mountain.
The current Wang Xuetang was precisely the second generation sect leader of Zheluo Mountain.
At this moment, after the exchange of courtesies, Wang Xuetang turned back to call the young man who had come with him, “Wentian, come quickly and pay your respects to Lord Zhu.”
The young man, exuding nobility and with a handsome face, immediately stepped forward holding a long, narrow box, “This nephew pays his respects to Lord Zhu.”
Zhu Xuan let out an “Oh”, “Brother Wang, this is your son?”
“Precisely.”
“No need for ceremony, no need for ceremony.”
Wang Xuetang took the box from his son’s hand and then presented it with both hands, “Lord Zhu, the item you wanted, I have finally found it for you.”
Zhu Xuan took it and only opened the box a crack to squint at it before immediately closing it, “Thank you for the trouble, Brother Wang. Tell me how much it cost.”
Wang Xuetang glared, “If we talk about money between you and me, then I would be angry.”
Zhu Xuan burst into laughter, and finally nodded, “Very well, then I shall accept it with a smile.” After speaking, he casually handed the long box to Qi Duolai beside him, then reached out to invite the father and son to be seated. He had someone serve tea, and his face clearly showed much more cheer.
After the host and guests were seated, Zhu Xuan’s rather playful gaze fell upon Wang Wentian again, “I heard your son has taken a liking to the Earth Mother’s disciple, and a marriage is being discussed. How are the marriage talks proceeding?”
Speaking of this matter, Wang Wentian’s face was full of glory.
His father, Wang Xuetang, however, appeared rather reserved, “I merely mentioned it in passing when I met the Earth Mother. The Earth Mother was quite open-minded, saying she would not interfere. She said as long as the young people are willing, she has no objection.”