Chapter 79: Following the Vine to Find the Melon

Two in the morning, inside a grand mansion near the Eastern Market!

The three-courtyard mansion was pitch black, with a few guards patrolling the perimeter, while a faint firelight glowed in a bedroom at the rear.

Inside the opulent bedroom, the scent of powder lingered; two concubines huddled under the covers, trembling.

The wealthy merchant Yang Sichen, wearing a nightgown, wrote with a brush at a round table; because the autumn night was chilly, he had a blanket draped over his back.

As a famous major medicine merchant in Jingcheng, Yang Sichen was rolling in gold and had hired many formidable guards, but they clearly had done little good; now, with eyes full of admiration, he said:

"Great hero, your skills are impressive; entering Yang's house is like coming home. Just next time, give a shout before you come; suddenly placing a sword at one's neck is truly terrifying..."

Outside the room, Linghu Qingmo held her sword, cautiously standing guard; although she claimed to be following Brother Jinhuan to investigate a case, at this very moment, she felt as if she were playing the part of a male-and-female bandit duo!

Just now at Xiaoyao Cave, Xie Jinhuan went to a fur shop to gather intel, only to startle out a huge swarm of fleas that scrambled across the roof and vanished in an instant,

so she followed orders and did not act rashly; as a result, Xie Jinhuan returned very quickly, pulling her toward the Eastern Market.

Linghu Qingmo was full of doubts; along the way, learning they were coming to demand the order list from Yang Sichen, the head of the four major medicine merchants, she felt this matter would be extremely difficult.

After all, Yang Sichen was no small figure; cultivation powerhouses near the Jingcheng Prefecture Office, such as the Profound Heaven Sect and Mount Zihui, basically all placed their orders with this man, his connections spanned both the black and white worlds, and the order list was a commercial secret.

Linghu Qingmo had originally planned that upon arrival, she would present herself as a direct disciple of Mount Zihui, start from the relationship between the two families, appeal to emotion and reason, and get Yang Sichen to cooperate with the investigation and provide the list.

But look at what happened!

Brother Jinhuan pulled her to the outside of the Yang residence, and as if he possessed x-ray vision, he swiftly bypassed the visible and hidden sentries, snuck into Yang Sichen's room, and directly placed a sword at the man's neck.

Master Yang, a seasoned veteran, rose without a word and began writing with his brush; the communication was so harmonious between host and guest, with no obstacles whatsoever.

Linghu Qingmo, following behind, was stunned; clearly they were hunting a murderer, yet at this moment there was a thrilling sensation akin to killing and robbing.

Afraid of being recognized, which would cause Yang Sichen, this supplier, to raise prices for Mount Zihui, and then her master would hang her up and beat her, she had hidden outside, secretly pondering:

No wonder Xie Jinhuan's efficiency in pursuing demon bandits in the past was so exaggerated...

This level of professionalism in investigation, interrogation, infiltration, and assassination was beyond the reach of even professional killers; using such skills for case-solving was a waste of talent...

Can't learn it, can't learn it...

But it is indeed useful...

Seeing Mo Mo was used to it, walking back and forth on the roof ridge, occasionally making a "Gugu?" sound, probably thinking Xie Jinhuan was being too slow this time...

Xie Jinhuan stood behind Yang Sichen with his sword; because Mo Mo was supervising outside, his tone was relatively mild:

"Please forgive the disturbance. There are already over a hundred names; haven't you finished yet? How many people ordered Longyang Flowers?"

Yang Sichen was on tenterhooks, yet his expression was as if facing an old friend:

"Longyang Flowers are something martial artists of the fourth rank and above all need; medicine shops, alchemists, and sects in places like Danzhou and Weizhou also procure from Yang; in total, over eight hundred people, with supply constantly failing to meet demand."

A medicinal herb costing eighty taels per qian, and so many people are fighting to buy it? Xie Jinhuan frowned and said:

"Can Master Yang remember so many names?"

Yang Sichen thought this was merely a simple business war and replied with a smile:

"Long-term orders for Longyang Flowers are priced individually; if one couldn't remember, how could one do business? Yang guarantees no mistakes will be made in writing."

Xie Jinhuan saw that Yang Sichen was very professional, but he had no time to check so many people.

The murderer committed crimes locally; shipments sent to other provinces could be ruled out.

Medicine shops and alchemists have both inflows and outflows; those who use it long-term for themselves and do not sell it outward will eventually be exposed. If the usage is so large it is invisible to outsiders, the influence must be staggering, which does not fit the speculation about a lone cultivator, so that can be ruled out...

As for martial sects, killing a few people is like playing; they have already turned to the demonic path, yet still use beast medicines to cultivate; isn't that shameful? That can also be ruled out...

After a brief consideration, Xie Jinhuan asked:

"Setting aside people from other regions, as well as medicine shops, alchemists, and sects in the Jingcheng Prefecture Office, how many lone customers have been ordering Longyang Flowers regularly in recent years?"

Yang Sichen thought carefully: "There are not many such people, only over thirty; most order Longyang Flowers to cure stubborn illnesses."

"Tell me roughly the identities and purposes of these thirty-plus people."

Yang Sichen held the brush, writing while pondering:

"Hmm... Huo Zhonghu, the Deputy Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, ordered Longyang Flowers to accumulate medicinal materials for refining the 'Po Sha Pill' to break through to the Super Grade..."

"Ye Shirong, the Marquis of Lie'an, ordered Longyang Flowers to cure old injuries sustained during the Jian'an Rebellion..."

"Wu Battalion Commander of the Daxing Thousand-Household Office is also curing an old ailment..."

Listening to the narration, Xie Jinhuan secretly ruled out those who did not need to buy Blood Essence in the Ghost Market.

The result was that there were still seven or eight suspects, mostly guests of wealthy families and scattered martial artists.

Originally, Xie Jinhuan was still pondering how to investigate these people, but when Yang Sichen wrote the twenty-seventh person, he suddenly said:

"Wu Su of White Horse Street, who does business in the Antique Street, also ordered Longyang Flowers to cure an old ailment..."

?

Xie Jinhuan frowned and interrupted:

"Wu Su is an antique dealer; what old ailment would require Longyang Flowers to cure?"

Yang Sichen explained: "Shopkeeper Wu seems to have damaged his foundation from excessive exertion in the past; he specially invited a divine doctor from the Imperial Hospital to prescribe a formula, requiring long-term use of Longyang Flowers for nourishment, though the quantity is not large."

This reason was barely reasonable; Xie Jinhuan thought for a moment:

"Tell me more about this Wu Su."

"Uh..." Yang Sichen looked troubled: "Shopkeeper Wu has been convalescing at home in recent years; the shop is watched by his son, and Yang hasn't seen him in a long time."

Considerable wealth, low status, living in seclusion...

This fits the profile of a 'demonic lone cultivator with limited connections' demon bandit.

Recalling the murderer's trait of 'being able to identify experts within a hundred zhang', Xie Jinhuan asked again:

"Does this person have any special characteristics?"

Yang Sichen thought for a moment: "Wu Su's nickname is 'Golden-Eyed Wu'; he made his fortune in the past by gambling on raw jade, rarely misjudging an item, and is quite famous in the Antique Street; I don't know if that counts."

Xie Jinhuan, hearing this, was basically certain this person had a problem.

However, for safety's sake, he still had Yang Sichen finish writing the rest of the list and analyzed it carefully.

But among the thirty-plus people, excluding Wu Su, the others either had too high a cultivation or too solid a background; none were as suspicious as Wu Su.

Having identified the key target, Xie Jinhuan had intended to go directly there, but thinking of his own troubles, he asked again:

"Can all kinds of medicinal herbs be bought here at Master Yang's?"

Yang Sichen tightened the blanket around himself and didn't dare turn back:

"What does the Great Hero want?"

"The root and stem of the Sixty-Year Lotus. I will pay silver; I won't forcibly snatch it."

"?"

Yang Sichen didn't believe it one bit!

However, for such things, he indeed had no stock on hand, so he apologized:

"The root and stem of the Sixty-Year Lotus, aside from a few from the Laojiao Sect, is only found in the imperial treasury. The last time one was taken out was when the abbot of Fanyun Temple stepped into Super Rank and came to Jingcheng to hold a ritual to pray for the Emperor; the imperial court then bestowed one as a reward.

"This item is mostly used by the Ancestors above Super Rank for 'washing the marrow and forging the bones.' Anyone who has entered Super Rank must seek it out; all major sects treat it as their lifeline. There is definitely no stock here at Yang's."

Seeing that even the largest medicine merchant in Jingcheng had no stock, Xie Jinhuan's heart went half cold, so he could only say:

"Understood. It is already late; Master Yang should rest early. Please forgive the disturbance."

Seeing that Xie Jinhuan was truly preparing to leave, Yang Sichen pondered slightly and asked again:

"Is the Great Hero certain he wants this?"

Xie Jinhuan's steps paused, and he turned back:

"Does Master Yang have a way?"

Yang Sichen showed a hint of pride: "Ordinary people certainly cannot obtain the Sixty-Year Lotus, but mountain-top old monsters like Shang Lianbi and Master Sikong surely have plenty of stock on hand."

"Oh?"

The name Shang Lianbi was thunderously familiar to Xie Jinhuan.

He is the only Ancestor in the entire world who dares to openly dabble in the Demon Dao, mastering the five teachings of Immortals, Buddhas, Martial Arts, Witches, and Demons, and alone guards the ten thousand li of Dragon Bone Shoal!

And the content of "The Sentimental Sword of Shang Lianbi" is about how he tyrannized Dragon Bone Shoal, spending his days teasing the weasel spirit and the octopus lady, making people extremely envious...

Although he didn't know if the book's content was true, given Shang Lianbi's status, using the Sixty-Year Lotus to brew tea would not be strange; as long as he could afford the price, he could definitely buy it.

Thinking of this, Xie Jinhuan asked:

"Can Master Yang even contact such figures?"

"No."

"..."

Are you looking to get beaten, you bastard?

Xie Jinhuan's expression sank!

Yang Sichen felt a chill run down his spine and hurriedly continued:

"Although the root and stem of the Sixty-Year Lotus is rare, it is not to the extent that one must go to Dragon Bone Shoal; there are definitely sellers within a thousand li.

"However, worldly silver is not looked upon by the mountain-top elders at all; such immortal herbs are usually traded by barter.

"As long as the Great Hero can provide treasures of equal value, I can inquire on your behalf. Barring unexpected events, we can find a way within three to five days. The reward will be at market rate, with a five percent commission upon success."

Five percent means taking five percent of the transaction amount; that's quite shady...

But Xie Jinhuan had no money; if the deal didn't go smoothly, there likely wouldn't be a transaction amount at all, so he clasped his hands and said:

"Thanks. Trouble Master Yang to help me inquire about the price; I will come to visit again in a few days."

"The Great Hero is too polite. Next time, remember to knock on the door!"

"Understood."

Shortly after, outside the Yang residence.

Xie Jinhuan walked down the street, holding the list and examining it carefully.

Linghu Qingmo looked back three times for every step she took, confirming that Yang Sichen hadn't sent his retainers to chase them for revenge, before secretly sighing with relief:

"Why do you handle things... why are you so decisive? Yang Sichen is a legitimate wealthy merchant; even the junior uncles in the Sect Affairs Hall of Mount Zihui must give him three parts of respect, yet you directly held a sword to his neck..."

Xie Jinhuan hadn't actually cut Yang Sichen; 'hit first, listen later' was just more efficient:

"Matters have priorities and urgency; demon bandits may commit crimes and harm people at any moment. When necessary, necessary actions must be taken; sometimes, feminine benevolence can lead to more serious consequences."

"Oh..."

Linghu Qingmo thought this made sense, took out a small notebook, wrote down 'Jinhuan's Quotes,' and asked again:

"Why are you inquiring about the Sixty-Year Lotus?"

Xie Jinhuan blinked his eyes, looking at the beautiful and kind-hearted Mo Mo:

"Miss Zisu wants to refine the Vigorous Dragon Pill and needs this; I was just casually inquiring about it. The Sixty-Year Lotus of Mount Zihui..."

Linghu Qingmo hurriedly shook her head:

"For other things, I could give them to you, but this is the foundation of the sect. My master hasn't entered Super Rank and isn't even qualified to use it; I truly cannot give it."

"Hehe, just a joke."

Xie Jinhuan's smile was relaxed, but in reality, his heart was dead!

After all, he only had twenty days left, hadn't earned a single penny, and had even been eaten out of a lot by Meiqiu...

But worrying about this was useless; seeing Mo Mo's high morale, holding the list and checking it, he thought for a moment:

"Should we make another bet?"

Linghu Qingmo thought of the first meeting where she bet and lost her tube top, and felt a bit nervous:

"What are we betting on?"

"The murderer. Before dawn, if I fail to catch the murderer, I will treat you to breakfast. If I do catch him, hmm... you must grant me three chances to do something without getting angry."

Without getting angry?

Linghu Qingmo felt this scope was a bit too broad:

"Without getting angry about what?"

"It means if I do something that angers you, you cannot get angry; you must forgive me."

Linghu Qingmo furrowed her willow brows slightly:

"So if you kiss me, I still cannot beat you up?"

Xie Jinhuan could never just kiss Seeing Mo Mo, but that was roughly the meaning:

"Miss Seeing Mo Mo, if you dare not bet, so be it. I will not take you along when I investigate cases in the future; running alone is much faster."

?

Hearing these words, Linghu Qingmo's eyes immediately darkened!

Was this a bet?

This was clearly a threat to force her into compliance!

But she truly feared Xie Jinhuan would not take her along in the future...

Xie Jinhuan was so capable in handling affairs; if she did not follow and learn from him, when would she ever become a righteous female knight like her master...

Moreover, according to the government office, the murderer was extremely cunning, capable of tracking down experts within a hundred zhang.

Even if Xie Jinhuan truly found the location relying on the Dragon Yang Flower, he might not be able to track down the whereabouts...

Catching the murderer would still be a good thing!

Linghu Qingmo deliberated for a long time, then gritted her teeth and nodded:

"Fine. If you fail to catch him, you must grant me three chances to say 'Stop'!"

?

Xie Jinhuan was stunned: "What do you mean?"

"It means no matter what you are doing, if I say 'Stop', you must stop immediately!"

Hiss...

Does that mean even at the critical point, he has to hold it back?

That sounds a bit uncomfortable...

Xie Jinhuan hesitated slightly, but he still trusted the Ghost Bride's judgment; as long as the murderer had indeed been consuming beast medicine, Wu Su was ninety percent the culprit, and the remaining ten percent was also on this list!

"Fine, it's a deal!"

After Xie Jinhuan finished speaking, he rushed off toward the Antique Street without pausing his steps, to avoid wasting time.

Linghu Qingmo knew Xie Jinhuan's capabilities and was actually uneasy, but thinking she could catch the murderer, she also summoned her fighting spirit and leaped to follow behind him...

——

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(End of this chapter)