Although the direct trail of clues was severed due to Wen Hou’s death, the Sea Suppression Division did not loosen its blockade of the Sea Market.
Maintaining such a blockade put considerable pressure on the Sea Suppression Division. It affected some people’s businesses, which in turn affected certain people’s interests, meaning Zhu Xuan was bound to face pressure. For many, their own interests determined their sense of right and wrong. If something went wrong in the Sea Suppression Division, it was because Zhu Xuan managed it poorly, so why was he acting so arrogant towards them?
However, having encountered such an incident, Zhu Xuan had to shoulder this pressure and do things that would offend people.
Before gathering all the personnel who were not present at the time of the incident, Zhu Xuan would not easily lift the blockade on the Sea Market. Otherwise, it would not only be detrimental to the capture but also allow the murderer to escape the Sea Market. Once they were out of his territory, it would not be so easy to investigate.
The strange atmosphere continued to envelop the Sea Market, but for some, it was a relief.
On a large tree, Yu Qing and Liu Piaopiao stood on the same branch, hiding in the dense canopy, both observing the surroundings.
“Are you sure the person is dead? Could it be a trap?”
Because Liu Piaopiao had decided to return to the Sea Suppression Division right now, Yu Qing had to raise this question.
The possibility of it being a trap was not zero. Who could guarantee that the other party was not turning their plan against them?
Liu Piaopiao said, “It probably is not. I watched the time they entered and exited the drainage channel. It would take a little reaction time to discover the problem and then discuss a counter strategy. Besides, I know them. If it were really an act, believe it or not, they would not have just one person fall, but several. Judging from their reactions, it should not be an act. Your poisoning strategy should have worked.”
Yu Qing was the one who obtained the poison, but Liu Piaopiao herself was the one who actually used it to strike. Her own scent was the bait.
“Since you are so certain, then there should be no problem.”
“Yes. By the way, how did you think of using poison smoke to get rid of him?”
“There is nothing to think about. You said the other party was using their sense of smell to track you. This is their advantage, and an advantage can sometimes be a weakness that can be targeted.”
Yu Qing spoke lightly, but in his mind, familiar faces from the Wen family mansion were actually flashing by. He later heard about the catastrophe the Wen family suffered, and the rumours of them being killed by poison smoke left a deep impression on him. This was also the main reason he could think of this method.
Of course, he did not know what the poison smoke that killed the Wen family was. When he found Qing Ya, he only asked if he could find something similar.
Actually, what he got from Qing Ya was not the same as what caused the Wen family’s catastrophe. What he got could kill indiscriminately, while the thing that killed the Wen family was obviously more advanced and could kill targeted individuals.
Liu Piaopiao nodded silently, then pondered and said, “The fact that Qing Ya could help you find this poison in such a short time further shows that his influence in the Sea Market is extraordinary. He is indeed a figure in the Sea Market. Do not be fooled by his polite attitude towards the Sea Suppression Division. In reality, he might not be very afraid of them at all. He must have killed people from the Sea Suppression Division, and not just one either, but they just could not find any evidence. How did you persuade someone like him to help you with this kind of thing, especially in such a short time?”
Speaking of Qing Ya, a deep look appeared in Yu Qing’s eyes. “We made a deal.”
Liu Piaopiao asked curiously, “What kind of deal?”
“A deal not worth mentioning.” Yu Qing did not want to waste her time talking about this now, so he asked back, “Does Qing Ya have a godmother?”
“A godmother?” Liu Piaopiao was stunned, thought for a moment, and said, “I do not think so. At least, I have never heard of it.”
This time it was Yu Qing’s turn to be surprised. “Are you sure you have never heard of it?”
Liu Piaopiao said, “Probably not. If a person like him had a godmother in the Sea Market, I am afraid everyone would know about it.”
Yu Qing asked again, “Does Gu Qingzhao, the proprietress of Jinghong Hall, have a godmother?”
Liu Piaopiao thought about it and still shook her head. “I have never heard of it. Why are you asking this?”
Yu Qing looked suspicious and muttered to himself, “Then it is strange.”
Liu Piaopiao asked, “What exactly is wrong?”
Yu Qing pondered and said, “I accidentally discovered that there seems to be someone behind both of them targeting me. Both of them seem to call this person ‘godmother’.”
“Is there really such a thing?” Liu Piaopiao was slightly surprised and doubtful, then pondered again and said, “Behind the two of them… how should I put it? To have made it this far in the Sea Market, let alone having backers from Qianliu Mountain, they definitely have countless connections with Qianliu Mountain. Have you ever heard of the ‘Liang family’ in the Sea Market?”
“The Liang family that is known as the richest in the Sea Market?”
“Yes. This ‘Liang family’ works for the Great Sage. They are considered one of the few non monster cultivators with a Qianliu Mountain background. After all, monster cultivators are often inconvenient to participate in some matters in the outside world. Basically, no one in the Sea Market dares to touch the ‘Liang family’. Even on the Qianliu Mountain side, I am afraid the few Cave Masters would have to give the ‘Liang family’ some face.
Rumour has it that the major backer behind Jinghong Hall is the ‘Liang family’, and Gu Qingzhao, the proprietress, seems to only hold a small share.
It can be said that Gu Qingzhao made her fortune relying on the ‘Liang family’ as her backer. Qing Ya, on the other hand, made a name for himself in the Sea Market with a blade before getting involved with Gu Qingzhao, which indirectly gave him a connection to the ‘Liang family’. If there is anything behind the two of them, it should be the ‘Liang family’. I really have never heard of any godmother or the like.”
“Could it be that I misjudged?” Yu Qing muttered to himself, then immediately added, “If you have nothing to do after you go back, please help me pay more attention to this when you have the chance.”
“Okay.” Liu Piaopiao nodded, and then asked a question she had always wanted to know. “In this world, apart from the Great Sage, everyone has to rely on the Sea Clan merfolk’s ability to listen to the sea to leave the Nether Sea. You said before that you have a way. Is the Nether Temple helping you?”
Yu Qing shook his head. “I cannot tell you about this for the time being, and you should not ask either.”
Liu Piaopiao had to drop the subject.
Unexpectedly, Yu Qing himself let out a sound of surprise, as if he had just realised something, and asked, “Can the Great Sage enter and exit the Nether Sea without the guidance of the Sea Clan merfolk?”
The reason for his surprise was that he had been able to peek into the mysteries of the Nether Sea grand array and deeply understood the profoundness of the formations left behind by the immortals. Without the guidance of the merfolk, it was basically impossible to pass through the Nether Sea, unless one had spells similar to his.
Liu Piaopiao said, “You do not know? The reason the Great Sage of the early years was able to lead people to conquer the Nether Sea Immortal Mansion was precisely because he had mastered the method of entering and exiting the Nether Sea. The reason the Monster Clan Great Sage was able to occupy the Nether Sea Immortal Mansion as a lair was because other experts did not know the method of entering and exiting and had no way to compete with him. Even if they joined forces with the Sea Clan to seize it, I am afraid they would still have to depend on the Sea Clan’s favour. Once the Sea Clan turned hostile, they would be trapped inside and unable to get out.
Only the Monster Clan Great Sage could occupy this place without needing to depend on the Sea Clan’s favour, and could restrain the Sea Clan to serve him, thus achieving the current prosperity. The successive Great Sages afterwards, having obtained the inheritance, could all enter and exit the Nether Sea on their own.”
Hearing this, he gained some knowledge. Yu Qing nodded silently, but in his heart, he was still secretly amazed and very curious about how the Monster Clan Great Sage could enter and exit so freely. However, he estimated that he might not even get to see such a figure in his lifetime, let alone pry into their secrets.
A burst of noise suddenly came from afar. A group of people were gathered together, and no one knew what they were doing.
Liu Piaopiao took a look and said, “If there is nothing else, I will go back to the Sea Suppression Division.”
“The Sea Market is making such a huge commotion, and you are only showing up now. How will you explain this when you go back?”
“As long as there is no evidence proving it was me, I have my own ways to deal with it.”
“Be extra careful. Try not to contact me again after you go back. If there is nothing wrong, put a potted plant on that window.”
“Okay, I am leaving.”
Leaving these words, Liu Piaopiao slid down the tree trunk. After walking away quickly, she still could not help but turn back to look at the tree trunk where the person was hiding. There was an inexplicable look in her eyes, and a faint smile actually appeared on the corners of her mouth.
Although tonight was a thrilling night for her, when she turned back and strode forward again, her gaze became increasingly steady. This was because her heart was incomparably peaceful at this moment, and she had gained a sense of security from Yu Qing.
That guy’s moustache was really wretched and ugly, but at least he was a true friend worth entrusting one’s back to with peace of mind, so an involuntary smile appeared on the corners of her mouth…
Tonight, Jinghong Hall was exceptionally deserted. The guests were indeed disturbed by the inexplicable commotion outside and lost their mood for entertainment. Those who had things on their minds had all left.
Gu Qingzhao, sitting in the pavilion, was accompanying Qing Ya. She also had no mood to accompany the remaining guests, having been startled by some bad news.
Qing Ya paced back and forth, his face tense as he slowly peeled and ate peanuts, seemingly never getting tired of it.
As long as there was a shadow moving at the end of the road outside the pavilion, the two of them would immediately look over.
After waiting for a long while, they finally waited for the person they were expecting. The figure of Pang Chengqiu appeared. He hurried into the hall and reported, “Master Qing, the person with the purple and swollen face who was carried back to the Sea Suppression Division was indeed poisoned, and has already died from the poison.
The poisoned person was none other than Wen Hou, the top investigation expert from Qianliu Mountain. His sense of smell was extraordinary. Zhu Xuan secretly invited him to help investigate the traitor, but as a result, he was plotted against and poisoned at the scene of the incident. The people sent by the Sea Suppression Division to the scene have already found clues based on the remains and confirmed that the poison Wen Hou was subjected to is exactly ‘White Luo Sha’.”
Hearing this, the peanuts in Qing Ya’s hand were crushed with a crack again, and his face darkened. He directly swore, “Damn it. Whatever you fear comes. It really is that dog Tanhua!”
Gu Qingzhao got up and came over, saying in shock and doubt, “Is the traitor in the Sea Suppression Division really related to him?”
Qing Ya sneered, “Did you not see that he was in a hurry? Not long after he got the ‘White Luo Sha’, someone was poisoned by the ‘White Luo Sha’. Is there such a coincidence? The problem is also here. He could not wait to use it as soon as he got the thing, and struck without even passing the night. He really does not avoid me at all. Is he afraid I would not know he did it?”
Gu Qingzhao pondered, “Who in the Sea Suppression Division is colluding with him?”
What Qing Ya cared about now was not this. After pacing back and forth a few times, he turned to Pang Chengqiu and said, “The Sea Suppression Division must have previously realised that the dog Tanhua had a connection with the traitor, which is why they invited an expert from Qianliu Mountain to investigate. Yet at this critical moment, the dog Tanhua swaggered into Jinghong Hall to see me. God knows how many eyes watching him saw this.
The Sea Suppression Division will definitely investigate everything related to the ‘White Luo Sha’ in the Sea Market, and various forces will probably pay attention and investigate too. You need to carefully sort out the process of how the item was obtained again, and wipe away all traces cleanly. There must not be any omissions.”
Just as Liu Piaopiao said, he might not be afraid of the Sea Suppression Division, but if evidence fell into the hands of the Sea Suppression Division, would they not dare to deal with him?
“Yes.” Pang Chengqiu agreed, then suddenly asked strangely, “Master Qing, why do you call that person the dog Tanhua?”