"City Lord," Fan Ting reported.
"Anything? Did you find anything out?" The City Lord's face was full of exhaustion. He hadn't held out much hope, but still hoped for a miracle.
"Zhou Yan does know some things, but he's tight-lipped and won't say anything. Chu Xing is easier to deal with, but he's not a core member and only knows superficial things."
"So, nothing was gained?"
"There was a gain," Fan Ting said seriously. "From Zhou Yan, I learned that Xiao Qin asked for the Dragon Spirit Bamboo during the assessment. I guessed that someone in the city was severely injured, or at the end of their life, needing spiritual marrow to extend their life. Chu Xing said that Xiao Qin is an extremely skilled physician."
"So, this Xiao Qin might really have a way to cure Father?"
"Not certain, but it's an option. The Old City Lord's condition is already very bad. Why not let her try? If she can cure him, it's a gain. If not, we can find someone else."
"Then bring Xiao Qin here. As long as she can cure him, I will agree to any of her demands."
"City Lord, Xiao Qin is very slippery and has strong defenses. Our people couldn't find her. However, Xiao Qin is currently looking for the person she brought into the city. I've detained Zhou Yan and the other person at the City Lord's mansion, keeping them separately. If Xiao Qin wants to save them, she will surely come to the City Lord's mansion."
The City Lord immediately understood Fan Ting's plan and nodded, signaling Fan Ting to leave. At that moment, a woman in a goose-yellow dress embroidered with auspicious clouds and swirling smoke walked in.
"Daddy."
"Yan'er, you're here." A loving smile appeared on the City Lord's face. He doted on his only daughter.
"Eldest Miss," Fan Ting quickly bowed.
Yan Yan flitted past Fan Ting like a cheerful butterfly and flew to the City Lord's side. "Daddy, have you found the person who can treat Grandpa?"
"Not yet," the City Lord sighed. "But Fan Ting has found her trace."
Yan Yan's pretty face showed confusion. "Fan Ting, why haven't you found her yet?"
"Replying to Eldest Miss, this person is skilled at concealing her tracks. We searched the entire Wuji City, but couldn't find her. However, according to reports from city scouts, she is looking for her people in the city. Now that we've detained two of them, she will surely come to the City Lord's mansion for them."
"Why don't you post a notice, inform everyone of Grandpa's condition, and invite capable individuals to treat him?" Yan Yan asked, puzzled. If you can directly invite someone to come, why are you arresting people and searching for them? If that person thinks the City Lord's mansion wants to harm her, won't she be even less likely to show up?"
"The Old City Lord is the only Golden Core cultivator in Wuji City. If people know that the Old City Lord is not well, there might be unrest in the city. Therefore, the Old City Lord's condition cannot be publicized."
"But..."
"Yan'er, don't be difficult. Your grandfather was injured, and the culprit hasn't been caught yet. They might be waiting in the shadows. If news leaks, the City Lord's mansion will be in danger. If the mastermind behind this causes trouble and affects the recruitment of the Seven Great Sects, it will be very disadvantageous for us."
"Yes, Daddy."
"It's getting late, go get some rest."
Yan Yan obediently left, but she didn't go far. She waited by the door for Fan Ting. Fan Ting was not surprised to see Yan Yan waiting. Seeing Yan Yan beckoning him to follow, he slowly walked after her.
"What are Eldest Miss's orders?"
"What does that person look like?" Yan Yan asked curiously.
Fan Ting's mind immediately conjured a face. This face was more beautiful than a woman's, but no one dared to mistake her for a woman. After all, her demeanor suggested she was no ordinary person.
"I'm asking you."
"Her demeanor was very calm. As for her appearance..." Fan Ting didn't know how to describe it. Then he remembered there was a portrait and immediately handed it to Yan Yan. Su Dan Novel Network
Yan Yan took it. The first glance, she thought this person was truly beautiful. The second glance, she felt a sense of familiarity, as if she had seen her somewhere before. "I think I've seen this face before."
"How could Eldest Miss have seen her?" Fan Ting asked in surprise. Yan Yan rarely left the mansion these days, so how could she have seen Xiao Qin? Moreover, Xiao Qin was in hiding somewhere, and they had searched every corner of Wuji City without finding her. She was probably hiding somewhere to absorb qi. However, absorbing qi required guidance. If done incorrectly, qi deviation could be fatal.
Yan Yan stared at the person in the portrait, her brow furrowed. She had indeed seen this person, but couldn't recall where for a moment. "I must have seen her, but I can't remember where for the moment. But it must have been within these last one or two days."
Fan Ting looked confused. Seeing Yan Yan walking forward while looking at the portrait, and about to bump into a pillar, he quickly pulled Yan Yan. "Miss, watch your step."
Yan Yan's gaze fell on Fan Ting's hand holding hers. Fan Ting quickly withdrew his hand. "This subordinate has offended you."
"I remember where I saw her. It was tonight! I saw her!" Yan Yan exclaimed excitedly. "Right here in the City Lord's mansion. When I came to find Daddy, I encountered two patrolling guards. They were unfamiliar faces. I only glanced at them then and thought they looked good-looking."
Fan Ting's face turned pale. Not good!
"Fan Ting, where are you going?" Yan Yan chased after him, seeing Fan Ting's expression change.
Fan Ting rushed to Zhou Yan's room. The guards at the door immediately saluted. Fan Ting shoved the door open. The room was empty. Zhou Yan was nowhere to be found.
"Sir, we guarded here without leaving at any point." The guards quickly explained, but the person in the room was gone, which was their dereliction of duty.
"Go check if Chu Xing is still there."
Fan Ting hurried to Chu Xing's room. Chu Xing was still fast asleep. Fan Ting then understood. Chu Xing had become a discarded piece in Xiao Qin's eyes, so she had infiltrated the City Lord's mansion and only taken Zhou Yan.
"Fan Ting, what happened?"
"Xiao Qin entered the City Lord's mansion and secretly took Zhou Yan away without alarming anyone," Fan Ting frowned. "I'll lead people to pursue immediately. I hope it's not too late."
After Xiao Man brought Zhou Yan out of the City Lord's mansion, they headed straight for the Roland Mountain Range.
"Vice Sect Master, will the Sect Master be alright?" Xi Wen asked worriedly. Most of the people in Wuji City were cultivators. Even if they were only in the early Qi Refining stage, any one of them could defeat them. In the Land of No Law, their skills were considered top-notch, but in Wuji City, they were the weakest novices. A child on the street could easily overpower them.
Xiang Jian leaned against a tree, his eyes closed as if in meditation. "You should be more worried about the people who provoked her."
"The city is full of cultivators. Even if the Sect Master is powerful, it will be difficult to deal with them..."
"Others are cultivators, but is the Sect Master not one?" Xiang Jian opened his eyes. "She is already a cultivator at the seventh stage of Qi Refining. Coupled with her masterful poison skills, as long as she doesn't encounter a Foundation Establishment expert, she will be fine."