71: Spiritual worship

Qian Gui instinctively wanted to shout, but after a moment's thought, he didn't. Instead, he said in a low voice, "Haven't I already agreed to your terms? Why are you so impatient?"

Sitting in Qian Gui's study, of course, was Qin Yue, who had already used the Art of Disguise.

"You don't need to worry, I'm not from the Bailing Sect. I just happened to pass by outside and overheard you and your son talking about the Bailing Sect, so I came in to ask you about it."

After saying this, Qin Yue looked up at Qian Gui, and the door behind Qian Gui slammed shut on its own.

Hearing the sound behind him, Qian Gui's body instinctively trembled. He knew that although the middle-aged man in front of him was not from the Bailing Sect, the mere act of closing a door from a distance proved he was far from simple.

"Are you from the Imperial Court?"

Although he had confirmed that Qin Yue was not to be trifled with, Qian Gui still instinctively probed Qin Yue's identity.

Qin Yue did not answer, merely staring at Qian Gui, waiting for him to continue.

Feeling the pressure Qin Yue exerted, Qian Gui knew that if he couldn't satisfy this middle-aged man today, he definitely wouldn't be able to leave this room easily.

Qian Gui gritted his teeth and cupped his hands towards Qin Yue,

"Brave warrior, what do you wish to know? Whatever this humble old man knows, I will absolutely tell you truthfully."

"Just speak freely. You don't need to know what I want to know; just tell me everything you think you should."

Seeing that Qin Yue wouldn't even reveal his own purpose, Qian Gui knew he had encountered a difficult opponent.

Qian Gui, who had navigated the business world for many years, knew that as long as a person had a desire, things were manageable. No matter the cost, there was always a way to sway the other party.

But he feared not knowing the other party's objective, or even their demands. In that case, completing this transaction would be difficult.

"Then I'll talk about the Bailing Sect?"

Qian Gui said, glancing at Qin Yue. Seeing that Qin Yue still showed no reaction, he continued,

"Actually, I don't know much about the Bailing Sect.

I only know that the Bailing Sect has been designated as a Demonic Sect ever since this dynasty's Grand Ancestor established the Chen Dynasty.

Under the rule of the Chen Dynasty, no one is allowed to believe in the Bailing Sect, and the government rewards anyone who provides information about the Bailing Sect.

My foolish son was set up by others, and I was forced to provide some money and provisions to the Bailing Sect.

We have always delivered the money and provisions to the location provided by the contact person outside the city. We know nothing about the specific personnel or locations of the Bailing Sect!

Our Qian Family has received imperial favor for generations; we wouldn't dare to have any involvement with those rebels!"

"Hmm? You don't know anything?

Then tell me about demons. Have you heard any news about demons?"

Seeing that this old fox had spoken at length but provided no useful information, Qin Yue became a bit impatient and directly asked him about demons.

"Demons? I've heard of some monsters in the deep mountains and old forests, but I really don't know anything about demons!

Brave warrior, you've asked the wrong person by asking a common merchant like me. If you want to know about this, you should ask the Prefect!

The Prefect should have information about demons in the vicinity."

Qin Yue saw that this old man was sly, not only refusing to say anything but even trying to push Qin Yue towards the Prefect.

He directly reached out and grabbed the old man from a distance. "I'll go to the Prefect's office whether you tell me or not. You are to tell me what you know now. Who I go to ask next is none of your business.

Don't think that by saying nothing, you bear no responsibility. Regarding your son's transgressions, and the things buried under your garden, if you don't cooperate honestly, they will appear on the Prefect's desk tomorrow."

After speaking, Qin Yue released his grip, letting the old man fall to the ground.

Actually, Qin Yue didn't know what his son had done; he only knew it was a major handle that couldn't be revealed to the Prefect.

Although Qin Yue had seen the two skeletons buried in the old man's backyard in Super-Sense Mode, he didn't know what exactly was wrong with them.

In any case, since the old man wasn't telling the truth, Qin Yue just bluffed him. If it didn't work, then so be it. Qin Yue wasn't the type of person who would kill an entire family if someone didn't cooperate.

"Brave warrior, brave warrior, you can't report it to the authorities, you can't report it! This humble old man will tell the brave warrior, but the brave warrior must not report it!"

Hearing Qin Yue's words, Qian Gui immediately knelt on the ground and began to beg Qin Yue.

This Qian Gui was indeed a talent; tears came instantly, and he began to cry.

"This humble old man did not deceive the brave warrior. Regarding the Bailing Sect and any demons, this humble old man only knows that much.

However, this humble old man was afraid of being swindled, so I investigated Lai Er, who told my son about the Bailing Sect, and also sent people to track those who transported my provisions. So, I still have some clues to offer the brave warrior."

At this point, Qian Gui looked up at Qin Yue. Seeing that Qin Yue made no move, he continued to speak while kneeling,

"That Lai Er was originally a local hooligan, always idle and doing nothing proper. Who knew that last year he somehow made a fortune, spending money every day on women, which is how he met my son.

I had someone investigate, and that Lai Er normally has no income. The money he spends on women definitely wasn't earned by him, so I'm sure he's connected to the Bailing Sect, though I haven't found out the exact nature of their relationship yet.

As for my provisions, they weren't transported to any deep mountains or wild forests; they were sent to the Zuo Family Estate, ten li outside the city. My men watched them being taken in, so there's absolutely no doubt.

The Zuo Family is one of the top families in Song City. If the brave warrior wants to investigate the Bailing Sect, investigating the Zuo Family is definitely the right move."

Seeing that Qian Gui, after such a scare, immediately blurted out two clues, Qin Yue almost laughed in exasperation.

He thought, "This old man is truly dishonest. With just a scare, I got two clues. If I had truly threatened him with serious force, who knows how much more information I could have gotten!"

However, Qin Yue did not continue to press. He felt that these two clues were sufficient and there was no need to dig deeper.

"Alright, since you can provide these two clues, I won't force you further. But you must remember, after I investigate those two families, if there are no issues, I will come back to you!"

After saying this, Qin Yue directly used Shadow Step to disappear from the study, scaring Qian Gui, who quietly called out several times to the empty room. Only after confirming Qin Yue was truly gone did he run out of the study.

Actually, Qin Yue had no way to silently leave the enclosed study. He had merely used Shadow Step's invisibility technique to hide on the rafters. Only after Qian Gui ran out did Qin Yue follow him out of the study.

Qin Yue did this to leave Qian Gui with a profound and unfathomable impression, so that if he ever needed him again in the future, communication would be easier.

After leaving the Qian residence, Qin Yue followed Qian Gui's directions and found Lai Er's house, but no one was home, he was off carousing somewhere. Qin Yue didn't delay, turning directly to the Zuo residence to investigate one of Song City's top families.