Danger is Approaching

As Jiang Yan walked away, Yan Yun fell into deep thought.

Her greatest trump card was Yan Lingyun, but Yan Lingyun was currently in a deep slumber.

According to Yan Lingyun’s own words, this slumber would last anywhere from one to three months.

Consequently, for the next three months, Yan Yun would have to rely solely on herself.

Possessing the Thousand Illusions Necklace, her movements were now considerably freer.

As long as she avoided provoking Divine Venerable Realm cultivators, she anticipated no significant issues.

‘I must be patient, incredibly patient,’ Yan Yun mused, making every effort to calm herself.

****

Meanwhile, members of the Lin family had already arrived at Qianjin Pavilion in Qifeng City.

They harbored a belief that the Qianjin Pavilion might hold crucial clues.

Within a private room at Qianjin Pavilion, Jin Meng and Lin Jingbo sat facing each other.

“Pavilion Master Jin Meng,” Lin Jingbo stated in a deep voice, “I implore you to reveal the identity of that silver-haired young woman to this old man.

I am confident your esteemed pavilion possesses some leads.”

Jin Meng, with an air of composure and tranquility, lifted a shimmering golden cup of tea to her lips.

“My Qianjin Pavilion operates purely as a business,” Jin Meng said with a charming smile.

“We never involve ourselves in the conflicts of the cultivation world or the mundane realm.

Of course, we do engage in intelligence gathering, but the prerequisite, I trust you understand, is adherence to our rules.”

Lin Jingbo’s expression shifted.

After deliberating for a long moment, he finally spoke.

“How much does one question cost?”

Jin Meng subtly raised a single finger.

“A million for each question.”

This pronouncement caused Lin Jingbo to spring to his feet in a fit of indignation.

“Why don’t you just rob us?”

Jin Meng merely chuckled.

“Heh heh, your Lin family members certainly tried to rob, didn’t they?

It’s a pity they all perished.”

“You—!” The remark infuriated Lin Jingbo once more.

Yet, he dared not unleash his full wrath, for the Lin family could not afford to offend Qianjin Pavilion.

“The intelligence provided by our Qianjin Pavilion is one hundred percent accurate,” Jin Meng added, “and it can, at the very least, help your Lin family narrow down your search.

Otherwise, even if you were to scour the entirety of Qifeng City, or even the entire Southern Border Commandery, you might not find the person you seek.”

Lin Jingbo took a deep breath and resumed his seat.

“Very well,” he conceded. “For my first question, I wish to know the origin of that silver-haired woman.”

Jin Meng offered a faint smile and immediately provided an answser.

“According to our investigations, we can confirm she is a native of Qifeng City.

However, there are no identity records for this individual among the local populace, suggesting with high probability that she has concealed her identity.”

This information caused Lin Jingbo’s brow to furrow slightly.

With the scope now defined, the task became simpler.

Even if they had to verify identities one by one, it would merely be a matter of time, far preferable to searching for a needle in a haystack.

“Then, how powerful is this individual?

What sect or master do they follow?

And do you know their approximate location within the city?”

Jin Meng promptly raised her hand, extending a second finger.

“This constitutes your second question.

According to our Qianjin Pavilion’s investigation, this individual first appeared in the Eastern City.

Their cultivation level is unknown, but they are likely a poison master.

Their lineage is also unknown, yet they employ a formidable poison art.

I recall that a millennium ago, a cultivator skilled in poison arts emerged in Jiang Country, known as the Heavenly Poison Maiden.

She once single-handedly poisoned several Divine Venerables and obliterated the largest sect in Jiang Country at the time, the Tianyi Sect.”

This statement was indeed thought-provoking.

Having reached this point in his questioning, Lin Jingbo refrained from asking further.

The answers provided were all inconclusive, offering only references.

“Hmph! All these uncertain answers,” Lin Jingbo scoffed, rising to his feet and tossing a storage pouch to Jin Meng. “Here are two million spirit stones.

I bid you farewell.”

With a frigid expression, he departed.

“Take care on your way,” Jin Meng said with a smile. “If you require any further information, you are always welcome to inquire.

The price remains unchanged.”

Lin Jingbo merely snorted coldly once more before leaving.

****

The moment he stepped out of Qianjin Pavilion, he immediately commanded his clansmen, “Dispatch half our forces to the Eastern City and search house by house.”

Consequently, the members of the Lin family stormed into the Eastern City with imposing momentum.

They intended to meticulously search every cultivator, regardless of gender, for Jin Meng herself had stated that the individual had most likely concealed their identity, making a thorough inspection essential for discovery.

Upon their arrival, they had brought with them a Transfiguration Mirror (TL Note: A magical artifact capable of revealing disguised forms).

Any disguise below the Divine Venerable Realm would be rendered ineffective when illuminated by this mirror.

However, most cultivators in the Eastern City belonged to prominent families, and the Lin family’s actions were bound to provoke widespread dissatisfaction among them.

Yet, they maintained a respectful demeanor towards the Yan family and the Jiang family.

Even though they knew these two families held grievances against them, they were compelled by the reputation of the Yunhua Sect to merely claim they were paying a visit.

Both the Jiang and Yan families, eager to distance themselves from any involvement, cooperated readily.

What choice did they have but to allow the search, given that the other party possessed superior might?

Their initial search focused on the Yan family.

Inside the Yan family’s main hall, Yan Long and a host of other high-ranking members sat with grim expressions.

Meanwhile, Lin Jingbo, Lin Ao, and their companions systematically held the Transfiguration Mirror up to each Yan family cultivator, one by one.

It took nearly three hours to thoroughly inspect every single cultivator within the Yan family.

“Third Uncle,” Lin Ao reported respectfully, “the inspection is complete.

The person we are looking for is not here.”

Lin Jingbo immediately narrowed his eyes, then turned his gaze towards Yan Long.

“Family Head Yan,” he questioned, “are you certain that all members of your Yan family are present here?”

Lin Jingbo surmised that if the individual was indeed in the Eastern City, then the Jiang and Yan families would undoubtedly be the primary suspects.

“All those capable of cultivation are assembled here,” Yan Long replied with a somber expression. “If Senior Lin wishes to inspect ordinary individuals as well, this junior will also cooperate.”

Lin Jingbo let out a cold snort.

“I doubt your Yan family possesses either the capability or the audacity,” he declared. “However, should our Lin family discover that the woman who murdered a direct descendant of our clan has any connection to your Yan family, then even with your ties to the Yunhua Sect, our Lin family will not let the matter rest.

Let’s go.”

With that final declaration, Lin Jingbo led his people away with an air of fierce determination.

“This is outrageous, utterly outrageous!” The high-ranking members of the Yan family were practically seething with rage.

Yet, for some inexplicable reason, Yan Kun, who stood nearby, wore an expression of deep concern.

Whenever he recalled the silver-haired young woman’s eyes and the distinct feeling she evoked, he couldn’t shake the sensation that she was someone familiar.

‘Such a familiar feeling, she must be an acquaintance.

But who could it be?

Could she possibly be one of us, from the Yan family?’ Yan Kun pondered, his head bowed.

He actually knew whose eyes the silver-haired young woman’s resembled, but the problem was that one was a woman and the other a man, rendering it utterly impossible.

****

Soon after, the Lin family also arrived at the Jiang family’s residence, only to be refused entry.

Jiang Yuan stood at the entrance, confronting the Lin family members.

“Senior Lin,” Jiang Yuan stated, “although our Jiang family of Qifeng City is a fallen royal descendant, we still possess a noble title.

If you wish to search my Jiang family members, I request that you first obtain a royal decree from the Great King.

Otherwise, I regret to say our Jiang family cannot cooperate.”

The ancestors of the Jiang family were the seventh sons of the eighth generation King Jiang of Jiang Country, enfeoffed as Marquis of Qifeng, with Qifeng City as their domain.

However, as their descendants gradually withdrew from court affairs, their noble titles were successively downgraded, ultimately retaining only an inherited viscountcy.

Thus, the Lin family genuinely dared not resort to force, as the Jiang family was considered part of the royal clan.

“So, you would use the Great King to suppress this old man?” Lin Jingbo questioned, his eyes narrowing. “Family Head Jiang, does your Jiang family have something to hide, making you unwilling to allow our Lin family to inspect?”

“It is not that we dare not, but that we cannot,” Jiang Yuan replied, neither servile nor overbearing.

Lin Jingbo found himself stumped.

The Lin family’s perception of the Jiang family was far worse than their perception of the Yan family.

“You? A mere descendant of a fallen royal house, do not be so arrogant,” Lin Jingbo retorted, attempting to use Consort Lin’s influence to pressure Jiang Yuan. “Do not forget, my Lin family’s daughter is the current Great King’s favored concubine.”

Yet, Jiang Yuan remained remarkably calm.

“Even if Consort Lin herself were to visit the Jiang family,” he asserted, “she would still need to request a royal decree from the Great King.

Within our Jiang family’s ancestral hall, the spirit tablets of all our past kings and ancestors are enshrined.”

For a moment, Lin Jingbo was utterly speechless.

He could only flick his sleeve and depart.