596: Chapter 7 The Investigation in Progress

Chang Yin replied, "When I was looking through the classics earlier, I happened to check that Meng Li in the Mortal Records, but I couldn't find any record of him."

"No record of him?" Xu Changqing was a little surprised.

"That's right," Chang Yin affirmed, then continued, "I did find a few people from the Qingyun Sect, but they were all ordinary disciples, and none of them were named Meng Li."

"How can this be?" Xu Changqing was greatly perplexed.

Chang Yin guessed, "Either this information is wrong, or this Meng Li is not of the Human Race."

At this moment, Elder He Yang, who was in front, spoke up, "We have arrived at Yu Zhou City."

Xu Changqing and Chang Yin immediately ended their conversation, leaped down from the Flying Sword, landed, put away their swords, and entered the city on foot.

Not long after, the group arrived at the Tang Family Fortress.

Elder He Yang was an old acquaintance of Tang Kun. As soon as Tang Kun heard he had arrived, he personally led people out to greet them.

After some pleasantries, Elder He Yang did not immediately bring up the matter of the Poisonous People. Instead, he asked Xu Changqing to treat Tang Kun's long-standing diabetes.

After Xu Changqing finished channeling his energy, the two sides exchanged a few more polite words, and Xu Changqing, who had met Tang Xuejian once before, was formally introduced to her.

Afterward, Tang Kun found an excuse to separate Tang Xuejian and Xu Changqing to speak privately with Elder He Yang. He lamented to his old friend that he was growing old, and many things were beyond his capability and concern; the only thing he worried about was Tang Xuejian, wanting to find a good husband for her, and he favored Xu Changqing.

Tang Xuejian happened to be returning and overheard the conversation.

To put Tang Kun's mind at ease, she formed the intention of pursuing Xu Changqing.

On the other side, after leaving, Xu Changqing took the blood sample collected from the Poisonous People and found Tang Tai, who was currently managing affairs at the Tang Family Fortress, asking him to identify it.

Tang Tai smelled the blood, thought for a moment, and immediately confirmed it was the potent poison developed by the Tang Clan over a hundred years ago—the Heavenly Immortal Spirit Pill!

However, despite its auspicious name, the effect of the Heavenly Immortal Spirit Pill was extremely wicked and malicious. Even the Tang Clan, famous for its poisons, rarely used it. Furthermore, the Tang Clan had a rule that only direct descendants could learn their poison techniques.

This seemed to point the clue directly toward the Tang Clan.

But the problem was that the Tang Clan already held a highly respected position in Yu Zhou City; they had immense influence, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say Yu Zhou City belonged to the Tang Clan.

The Tang Clan had no reason to create Poisonous People and carry out terrorist attacks on their own territory.

Moreover, if the Tang Clan was truly responsible, Tang Tai admitting that the Heavenly Immortal Spirit Pill originated from the Tang Clan would be inviting trouble upon himself.

This contradiction made the situation difficult to reconcile.

The clue regarding the source of the toxin seemed to end here.

Xu Changqing had no choice but to adjust his direction and investigate the identities of those Poisonous People. Coincidentally, he had previously learned by chance that one of the Poisonous People was a youth possibly named 'Wen Xuan,' which was a key point on which he could start his investigation.

Thus, Xu Changqing changed into plain clothes and prepared to go out and inquire.

After forming the intention to pursue Xu Changqing, Tang Xuejian had been observing him secretly. Seeing him about to leave, she immediately approached, intending to accompany him.

Xu Changqing was unaware of Tang Xuejian's intentions and was solely focused on the investigation, so he did not refuse.

Tang Xuejian was the Young Miss of the Tang Clan and had grown up in Yu Zhou City, so she was certainly more familiar with the place than he was, potentially being helpful in the investigation. Besides that, he also thought of Jing Tian; his intuition told him that since that person grew up among the common folk, he might also be of assistance.

Therefore, after agreeing to accompany Tang Xuejian, Xu Changqing headed straight to the Yongan Pawnshop to find Jing Tian.

Jing Tian was somewhat surprised to see Xu Changqing: "Oh, White Tofu, why the change of attire today?"

Hearing this, Xu Changqing paused: "Brother Jing, are you talking about me?"

Jing Tian nodded: "Who else would I be talking about?"

Tang Xuejian looked puzzled: "Why do you call Grandmaster Changqing 'White Tofu'?"

Jing Tian explained: "The last time we saw him, he was dressed entirely in white from head to toe, and his skin was as tender as tofu. Isn't that 'White Tofu'?"

Tang Xuejian's mouth twitched.

Xu Changqing chuckled: "Brother Jing is truly witty."

Then, he got to the main point: "To be frank, I came this time because I wish to ask Brother Jing for a favor."

Jing Tian smiled: "Asking me for help? Sure, as long as you pay."

"This... I left the mountain in a hurry this time and didn't bring much silver with me."

"No money?" Jing Tian's expression changed slightly, then he waved his hand dismissively, "No money, no talk."

"Stop bothering me with my work. Otherwise, that vampire will see, and my wages will be docked again."

Seeing Jing Tian's mercenary behavior, Tang Xuejian felt annoyed and was about to retort a few words.

Coincidentally, Zhao Wenchang came by for an inspection. Seeing Jing Tian surrounded by two people and not working, he immediately shouted loudly: "Look at you, Jing Tian, slacking off again! Dock his wages!"

Jing Tian's expression changed slightly, and he intended to argue back.

Unexpectedly, Tang Xuejian's eyes darted, and she turned to look at Zhao Wenchang: "Are you Zhao Wenchang?"

Zhao Wenchang instantly recognized Tang Xuejian when he saw her face. Startled, he quickly put on a smile, laced with a bit of fawning: "It turns out to be the Young Miss of the Tang Clan. I am indeed Zhao Wenchang. I did not know the Young Miss was here; I failed to welcome you properly. I hope you will forgive my oversight."

"Ignorance is no crime. I will forgive you this time."

Tang Xuejian slightly raised her chin, then pointed at Jing Tian: "This person named Jing Tian, I am temporarily requisitioning him. Do you have any objections?"

Jing Tian had previously lost his position as manager because he offended Tang Xuejian.

With that lesson learned, how would Zhao Wenchang dare to defy her wishes?

Upon hearing this, he quickly smiled and said: "No objections, absolutely no objections from me."

After speaking, Zhao Wenchang pulled Jing Tian over and pushed him in front of Tang Xuejian: "You can command this Jing Tian as you wish, Young Miss. You can hit him or scold him as you please. If there are any problems, Young Miss, just tell me, and I will certainly teach him a good lesson."

Tang Xuejian immediately raised an eyebrow triumphantly at Jing Tian: "Did you hear that?"

Jing Tian's eye twitched. Thinking of his wages, he sighed: "I heard, Young Miss Tang. I am at your complete disposal."

Tang Xuejian smiled contentedly, then waved her hand at Zhao Wenchang: "Alright, you're done here. Go back to whatever you were doing and don't delay the important business between this Young Miss, Grandmaster Changqing, and Jing Tian."

"Yes, Young Miss, I shall take my leave.", Zhao Wenchang quickly retreated after speaking.

Seeing this, Jing Tian glanced at Tang Xuejian and Xu Changqing, and asked lazily: "Go ahead, what did you need me for?"

Tang Xuejian pouted seeing his demeanor but didn't say much.

Xu Changqing cupped his hands in a salute: "I would like to ask Brother Jing for help in investigating the recent disappearances in Yu Zhou City."

"This matter?" Jing Tian muttered, then seemed to recall something and said to Xu Changqing and Tang Xuejian: "Please wait a moment."

With that, he turned and went into the back room. A moment later, he came out again, handed a roll of cloth to Xu Changqing, and explained: "This is the list of missing persons."

Xu Changqing and Tang Xuejian were first stunned, then they unrolled the cloth and saw that many names were indeed written on it.

Tang Xuejian asked in surprise: "You already knew we would come to investigate this?"

Jing Tian shook his head: "I didn't know."

"Then your..."

"They are all neighbors. Whenever someone in the neighborhood went missing, it inevitably came up in casual conversation. I heard it often, so I wrote it down."

Xu Changqing exclaimed: "Brother Jing is truly a thoughtful person!"

Then, his gaze sharpened, and he pointed at 'Dong Wenxuan' on the list: "This Dong Wenxuan, does Brother Jing know where he lives?"