The moon set and the sun rose; time rushed by swiftly.
The spirit boat carrying Lu Li and Gu Qingkong arrived at Yangzhou City in the early morning of the next day.
As the most important commercial port and spiritual medicine distribution center in the southern part of Jin Kingdom, Yangzhou was quite large in scale.
The city’s streets were wide and orderly, its walls towering high, and from time to time, cultivators could be seen flying across the city’s sky.
Lu Li and Gu Qingkong anchored their spirit boat outside the city and then walked into Yangzhou with the virtual Ling Sect’s token in hand.
Upon seeing Lu Li present the token, the city’s defense guards immediately and respectfully saluted without hesitation, then prepared a carriage and personally escorted Lu Li and his disciple to the city lord’s mansion.
Thus, Lu Li and his disciple rode in the carriage, heading straight toward the city lord’s residence.
Inside Yangzhou City, the streets bustled with lively activity.
Pill shops and pharmacies lined the streets like a forest, while merchants’ calls echoed through the valleys, rising and falling endlessly.
The air was thick with the scent of medicinal herbs.
Thanks to the city guards clearing the way ahead, Lu Li and his disciple soon arrived at the city lord’s mansion.
The Yangzhou city lord’s mansion was a fortress-style structure, surrounded by a layer of magical formation.
Understandably so, as many cultivators roamed the vicinity of Yangzhou; extra precautions at the city lord’s mansion were only natural.
Just as Lu Li and his disciple reached the mansion’s main gate, they were warmly welcomed by the city lord himself.
The Yangzhou city lord was a cultivator of refined, affable temperament, with a broad and loyal face.
His cultivation level was around Qi Refining Stage Six.
Though this level was no match even for Gu Qingkong among the outer disciples of the virtual Ling Sect, it was considered quite capable among the secular dynasties.
“You must be Master Lu from the virtual Ling Sect? I am Zhao Zongchang, the city lord of Yangzhou in Jin Kingdom. It is an honor to welcome the esteemed master of the virtual Ling Sect! Thank you for traveling all this way; it is truly a blessing for our humble city!”
“No need for formalities. I’m mainly here to investigate a case. I appreciate your cooperation, City Lord Zhao,”
Lu Li replied calmly.
“Of course, of course…”
Zhao Zongchang rubbed his hands with a broad smile, his gaze inadvertently drifting toward the silent and taciturn Gu Qingkong, who quietly followed beside Lu Li.
“Master Lu, the female immortal at your side is…”
At these words, Gu Qingkong immediately placed his hand on the Emotional Silk Sword at his waist, his face tense as he carefully studied Zhao Zongchang.
Hm?
Female… immortal?
Could it be that this fellow has seen through my disguise?
How is this possible?
Is the cognition modification system ineffective on him?
A wave of immense shock and a fierce murderous intent surged instantly in Gu Qingkong’s heart.
His mind raced at lightning speed, constantly searching for where the flaw had been exposed, or whether this very city lord of Yangzhou possessed some special ability that could ignore the system’s cognitive distortion?
“Qingkong! What are you doing? Put the sword down!”
Lu Li, oblivious to Gu Qingkong’s inner turmoil, simply assumed Zhao Zongchang’s earlier words had unintentionally touched the disciple’s sensitive pride.
He pressed down Gu Qingkong’s hand just as it was about to draw the sword, then apologized slightly to Zhao Zongchang.
“Apologies, City Lord Zhao, for the misunderstanding. This is my newly accepted disciple, Gu Qingkong. Although his appearance is somewhat delicate, he is undoubtedly a man.”
“Your words earlier obviously stirred him.”
Lu Li’s tone was perfectly natural, without a hint of suspicion.
He only thought that because his disciple was so beautiful, City Lord Zhao had mistaken him for a girl.
After all, if it weren’t for the recruitment system indicating that this disciple was indeed male, Lu Li might have nearly mistaken him for a sister as well.
Seeing his master’s lack of suspicion, Gu Qingkong felt half his worries subside.
Yet his hostility toward Zhao Zongchang showed no sign of diminishing.
He suppressed his doubts and activated his system’s modification function to its maximum, then tentatively greeted Zhao Zongchang.
“Junior Gu Qingkong pays respects to City Lord Zhao.”
Zhao Zongchang first looked stunned, then quickly recovered his broad smile.
“Ah, please forgive my poor eyesight! Truly rude of me, rude of me! I hope Brother Gu won’t take offense!”
Seeing this expression, Gu Qingkong’s murderous intent finally eased.
Phew… that’s a relief!
That must have been a mere coincidence.
This guy obviously hasn’t seen through my disguise.
Zhao Zongchang smiled warmly as he led Lu Li and his disciple into his reception room, instructing a maid to serve spiritual tea.
The two parties took their seats, exchanging a few words about their sects, the city of Yangzhou, and the weariness of travel, before the conversation naturally turned to the recent child disappearances.
When Lu Li mentioned the missing children, Zhao Zongchang’s smile dimmed somewhat.
“Sigh… this matter is truly heartbreaking.”
“In the past six months, dozens of children have vanished in the city without cause. No trace of them alive or dead. It has thrown Yangzhou’s people into a state of panic.”
“Every household locks their doors after sundown, unwilling to let their children go outside alone.”
Lu Li nodded seriously.
“City Lord Zhao, the sect has sent me here precisely to investigate this matter and rescue those innocent children. May I ask if you have any related clues?”
Zhao Zongchang’s expression darkened, fingers unconsciously stroking the teacup.
“Clues… I’m ashamed to say, despite the diligent efforts of the city’s officials and constables, no concrete evidence has been found. Those children seem to have vanished into thin air.”
“Sigh… if not for this, I wouldn’t have reported the matter directly to the virtual Ling Sect, asking a master to intervene…”
After speaking, Zhao Zongchang’s tone shifted slightly, becoming subtle.
“However… since that Danding Pavilion opened its branch in the west of the city half a year ago, Yangzhou has become even livelier.”
Zhao Zongchang did not look at Lu Li but lowered his head to blow on the froth in his tea.
“This Danding Pavilion conducts a huge business. Their backing is said to be very deep, with cultivators from all schools and sects coming and going.”
“And their pills are of extremely high quality, yet their prices are quite low. They even occasionally offer free medical consultations for the people of Yangzhou, attracting many customers.”
At this, Zhao Zongchang raised his eyes and gave Lu Li a somewhat helpless yet tolerant smile.
“Heh heh… with such good business, it’s inevitable that some local bullies will take notice…”
“And having an outside force like this move in will naturally stir up some trouble that never existed before. That’s only to be expected, and I understand that.”
“It’s just… this timing is rather coincidental.”
“Moreover, during those free consultations, Danding Pavilion quietly collects patients’ hair and blood samples. Their methods differ from those of normal clinics.”
“It’s only natural that the people would suspect them. After all, before Danding Pavilion arrived, our Yangzhou had been quite peaceful…”
Zhao Zongchang was no fool; he had been in the officialdom for many years.
His words, though never explicitly blaming Danding Pavilion, clearly pointed the finger at them.
What he was saying was:
“Master Lu, Danding Pavilion is indeed very suspicious. Please investigate promptly.”
“I have no proof, but I suspect it’s them.”
“And their influence is considerable. I’m in a difficult position.”
Lu Li, hearing the implication beneath the surface, remained calm and replied.
“Oh? Is that so? It seems this Danding Pavilion indeed needs a thorough investigation.”
Seeing this, Zhao Zongchang hurriedly cupped his hands.
“Master Lu, I entrust this matter to your keen insight! Should you require assistance from the city government, please do not hesitate to ask. I will offer my full support, hoping the truth will be uncovered soon and peace restored to the people of Yangzhou…”
“Also… to prevent that innocent business from suffering from these rumors and unjust accusations.”
Zhao Zongchang’s final words carried deep meaning.
Meanwhile, Gu Qingkong, sitting quietly at Lu Li’s side, lowered his brows and eyes, playing the role of the obedient disciple in his master’s eyes.
Yet inside, he was sneering coldly.
Hmph!
That old fox sure speaks beautifully…
He lit a fire and then took himself clean out of the smoke, intending to use my master’s hands to deal with Danding Pavilion.
I have a feeling he isn’t telling the whole truth…
Forget it, whatever his scheme is!
As long as he doesn’t disturb the world between me and my master, I couldn’t care less what he’s up to!