Chapter 525: Secret Investigation

Who could have committed a crime right under the nose of the Wan Dao Trading Alliance, one of the Three Great Powers of Da Jin?

Don't they fear the Alliance's retaliation? This isn't a joke.

This incident seems to carry a hint of mystery.

And why hasn't Hua Tianxiong reported such a major event to me?

Qin Ming took Han Yuan's warnings to heart and dared not grow careless.

He raised his wine cup and thanked the three: "Thank you, three fellow cultivators. Had it not been for your warning, I would have remained in the dark."

"I toast you all."

Han Yuan and the other two raised their cups in return: "Mr. Lu, no need for such formality—it's merely a small matter. But keep this to yourself; don't spread it. If the higher-ups find out, we'll be held accountable."

"I understand. Naturally."

After three rounds of wine.

Qin Ming pulled three spirit pills from his sleeve and placed one before each of them, smiling: "A small token of my appreciation. Please accept them."

Liu Ye picked up the pill, her face instantly showing astonishment: "Second-rank Superior Jade Xuan Pill!"

Han Yuan and Gao Feng were equally stunned upon seeing it.

"Mr. Lu, such a precious pill—this is too much!"

Qin Ming waved his hand: "Don't refuse. Since arriving in Da Jin from the Southern Wastes, I've repeatedly benefited from your guidance and care. And now you've risked punishment from the Alliance's upper echelons to inform me of this vital matter. This is merely a token of my gratitude."

The three exchanged glances.

"Then we thank you, Mr. Lu."

Han Yuan and the others were deeply moved—they never expected Mr. Lu to be so generous.

The Jade Xuan Pill was among the rarest of second-rank elixirs.

Only a handful of master alchemists could brew it, and it was the dream elixir of Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Qin Ming, however, didn't think much of it—these pills were leftovers from his own consumption, left to gather dust in his storage pouch.

Better to give Han Yuan and the others a convenient favor.

Perhaps these three would prove useful in the future.

"The situation is urgent—I can't stay longer."

"I must return to the trading post and instruct the caravans to be more vigilant," Qin Ming said, rising to take his leave.

"Exactly. Mr. Lu, if there's no urgent cargo to transport, hold off on shipments for now."

"Otherwise, you risk losing both goods and men—it's not worth it!"

After Qin Ming left.

Han Yuan and the three in the tavern exchanged glances and sighed:

"We must forever remember Mr. Lu's kindness…"

…

After leaving the Yu Feng Pavilion, Qin Ming purchased some needed spirit materials in the marketplace and did not return to the spirit fields.

Instead, he flew straight to Ling Xu Marketplace.

Upon entering the Mirror Snow Pavilion, he immediately summoned Jia Heyi.

Jia Heyi was puzzled—this absentee shopkeeper never came to the store.

What wind had blown him here today?

Still, despite his confusion, Jia Heyi bowed respectfully: "Ah! Mr. Lu, you've come to inspect the shop!"

"We just received a new batch of Snow Soul Tea from Wangyue Island in the Southern Wastes. Let me brew some for you—the Pavilion Master says it was personally cultivated by the Wangyue True Person himself. It's a rarity beyond price."

Saying this, Jia Heyi pulled out a packet of tea leaves and expertly brewed the spirit tea for Qin Ming.

Since Mr. Lu took over the Da Jin branch of the Mirror Snow Pavilion, he not only acquired two hundred mu of fourth-rank subsidiary spirit fields, yielding bountiful harvests and doubling profits, but also secured the Pavilion's admission into the Wan Dao Trading Alliance.

Jia Heyi had never dared dream of such things before.

And recently, when Jia Heyi returned to the Southern Wastes to report, Pavilion Master Gu Qing praised him highly.

Yet old Jia knew he owed it all to Mr. Lu.

His view of Mr. Lu had undergone a complete transformation.

Qin Ming took the spirit tea and sipped it. "Mr. Lu, how is the flavor?" Jia Heyi asked, his aged face filled with anticipation.

"Hmm. Fine." Qin Ming replied vaguely.

"Heh? Just 'fine'?" Jia Heyi was baffled. What did 'fine' mean? Had Mr. Lu's palate become so refined?

Yet old Jia didn't know that the Snow Soul Tea he treasured as a priceless gem was grown by Qin Ming himself—Qin Ming drank it daily and had grown utterly accustomed to it.

In Qin Ming's eyes, it was no different from ordinary spirit tea.

Qin Ming had no intention of discussing tea with Jia Heyi. He set down his cup, his expression grave: "Old Jia, have any of our caravans been transporting goods recently?"

Jia Heyi, startled by his seriousness, hesitated before answering cautiously: "Ah? Yes, Mr. Lu, we did—what's wrong?"

"This morning, our caravan just departed under Elder Yu's command."

"Ah—then there's still time. Send word immediately for the caravan to return. Issue orders: no caravans leave for now." Qin Ming sighed.

"Yes! I'll act at once!"

Jia Heyi realized something was amiss. He asked no questions and immediately carried out Qin Ming's orders.

Afterwards,

Qin Ming contacted Hua Tianxiong via the Black Talisman.

"Hua Tianxiong, what's going on?"

"The Alliance suffered such a major incident—why didn't you report it to me?"

"Huh? Master, you already know?" Hua Tianxiong exclaimed in shock upon hearing the voice in his mind.

"You're truly extraordinary—I was just about to report this to you."

"Ah, don't even mention it. Lately, Elder Gan summoned me to handle matters for him. I've only just returned from Li Huo Palace."

"Also, there's another urgent matter: I suspect the Yin Mo Sect is secretly investigating me."

"After all, when Tian Laomo died, he was heading straight for me—I'm the prime suspect."

As he spoke, Hua Tianxiong grew fearful and uneasy.

Being watched by the Yin Mo Sect was no small matter—he couldn't possibly fight back.

Whenever he recalled the day at the Wufu Auction House, when he had defiantly stood up to the Yin Mo Sect as if facing death, his stomach twisted with regret.

"Didn't you say they couldn't find any evidence against you? Then why are they still after you?" Qin Ming asked.

Hua Tianxiong chuckled bitterly: "I heard the Yin Mo Sect has lost four Golden Core Elders in recent years. Though they were mid-level, the sect has taken it very seriously."

"After all, the Yin Mo Sect is a major demonic sect of the Da Li Empire—they won't let this go."

"I heard the other three demonic Golden Cores were killed by the Wangyue True Person in the Southern Wastes—nothing to do with me."

"The Wangyue True Person vanished without a trace in the Southern Wastes. The Yin Mo Sect can't find him—could they be blaming me for it, Master?"

Qin Ming snorted: "No, because I killed those three Yin Mo Golden Cores."

"Wha—?!" Hua Tianxiong's mind shattered.

"You're the Wangyue True Person!"

Meanwhile, Qin Ming paid no attention to his reaction—Hua Tianxiong's life or death rested entirely in his hands.

"Find out who's been raiding the caravans. Investigate thoroughly. Move quickly."

"The Yin Mo Sect won't dare touch you."

"Attacking you would force them to consider your connection to Li Huo Palace—it might escalate tensions between the two powers. So rest easy."

"Yes, yes! I'll obey your orders, Master!" Hua Tianxiong hurriedly replied—he never imagined Qin Ming's true identity was so formidable.

"Do you think the caravan raids were carried out by the Yin Mo Sect?"

"After all, only demonic cultivators would dare act so recklessly."

"Hmm—not necessarily. If the Yin Mo Sect were behind it, Jin Han would have already uncovered it," Qin Ming mused, then replied calmly.

Hua Tianxiong frowned: "Then who else would dare strike at the Wan Dao Trading Alliance? Their audacity is staggering—they seem utterly fearless."

"Give me some time—I'll send men to investigate and report back to you immediately."

…

(End of Chapter)