Chapter 73: Asking the Right Way

Hearing this, Chen Ergou froze, his mouth opening and closing without a word. Zhao Jin glanced at the rough young men loitering nearby, then thought back to Liu Yong's earlier words and his expression now. He guessed at once that this Copper Head was definitely inside — but the man clearly didn't want to get involved.

Did they take him for a child? Or was this matter so troublesome that even a small-time local boss in Xuzhou city didn't dare touch it? Would it be better if his own father came to ask? Several questions flashed through Zhao Jin's mind, but he quickly dismissed the idea of asking his father for help. His father, Zhao Zhentang, had barely managed to suppress this affair — he couldn't stir it up again.

Yet this Copper Head clearly had a way but refused to help. Zhao Jin looked at the twenty-odd roughnecks not far off. Their clothes bulged — they were likely carrying concealed short weapons. Zhao Jin truly didn't take these men seriously. He and his friends could easily beat them; battlefield martial skill far surpassed street brawling. Should he just force his way in and interrogate them?

Zhao Jin rejected that idea too. It would take too long. If Copper Head denied everything, it would waste even more time — and drag in other troublesome complications.

"Chen Ergou, you know something, don't you?" Zhao Jin looked up and asked.

Chen Ergou froze again, instinctively glancing at the Temple of the God of Wealth, its lanterns now lit. He forced a dry laugh. "Young Master Jin, I was just shooting my mouth off. I really don't know anything."

Liu Yong, standing to the side, had already lowered his head in shame. But Chen Sheng, behind Zhao Jin, gave a cold snort. "He's asking for a slap. Zhao Jin, don't bother asking them. Let's go back and get help from our families."

Liu Yong's head drooped even lower. Wang Zhaojing tugged Chen Sheng's sleeve and shot him a look. Chen Sheng glanced at Zhao Jin, then at Wang Zhaojing, and said no more.

Zhao Jin looked around. No outsiders were nearby. He spoke with solemn gravity. "Brother Chen, tell me what you know, and I will repay you. You know how I, Zhao Jin, handle things."

Zhao Jin now stood taller than Chen Ergou. Spoken with such solemnity, the words made Chen Ergou shiver. He waved his hands hastily. "I don't deserve 'Brother Chen' — Young Master Jin, you'll curse me to death..."

Under Zhao Jin's calm gaze, this pointless politeness dwindled into silence. Five years ago, when Zhao Jin was still a child, he had beaten Chen Ergou badly, then used his influence to corner him, nearly driving him to a dead end — only to extend a helping hand, giving him the decent life he had today.

Chen Ergou still remembered that kind of maneuvering vividly. Hearing Zhao Jin speak with such gravity now, he dared not take it lightly.

After a moment's hesitation, Chen Ergou forced another dry laugh. "Young Master Jin, I truly don't know. Perhaps you should attend to your business first. Your honored father has far-reaching influence — news might arrive any moment!"

Zhao Jin fixed his eyes on Chen Ergou for a long moment, then turned and walked away. His friends followed. As they left, each shot Liu Yong a cold glare. Chen Sheng even spat on the ground.

Liu Yong's face burned crimson with humiliation. His voice hoarse, he called after Zhao Jin, "Brother Zhao, I'm coming with you."

"Stay here and grovel to your boss!" Shi Manqiang growled, turning away as well. Liu Yong started to speak, but Chen Ergou yanked him back.

Zhao Jin and his group strode swiftly out of the southern district. Once they had put a street behind them, Wang Zhaojing spoke in a low voice. "That Copper Head is definitely in there. They definitely know something — they just won't say."

"Damn it. Tonight I'm telling my father. This Copper Head won't be staying in the city any longer." Chen Sheng gnashed his teeth in fury.

Shi Manqiang, who had just spoken up for Liu Yong, now felt he had lost face by association. He muttered sullenly, "I really misjudged Liu Yong."

"Brother Zhao, wh-what... what do we do?" Sun Dalei's stammer had never improved, worsening when he was anxious. As he asked, everyone's eyes turned to Zhao Jin. Aside from begging help from their family elders, there seemed no other option.

Just then, they heard someone running toward them. Chimney smoke was rising everywhere now, and the streets were nearly empty. They looked — it was Liu Yong, hurrying over.

"What are you following us for?" Ji Xiang called out coldly.

Zhao Jin raised a hand, stopping in his tracks to wait. Liu Yong reached them, panting. "Brother Zhao, Brother Chen just sent me to tell you — go to the Nine-Tailed Lady Temple east of the city. If kidnappers did it, nine times out of ten, that's where they are."

"Brother Chen" meant Chen Ergou — everyone understood. So he hadn't dared speak in the open, but had sent Liu Yong privately to tell them.

The Nine-Tailed Lady Temple east of the city was actually a wild shrine to a fox spirit, long bereft of incense offerings. No one knew who lived there now. Everyone was familiar with Xuzhou and knew the place well.

Zhao Jin nodded. Earlier, when Chen Ergou had claimed ignorance, he had shot Zhao Jin a glance. Zhao Jin had understood his meaning at once. Sure enough, before they had gone far, he had sent someone with word.

"Go back and tell Chen Ergou: I keep my word. I'll remember this favor." Zhao Jin said.

After speaking, Zhao Jin turned to the others. "Everyone, to the Nine-Tailed Temple."

When Liu Yong had come running, he had an axe tucked at his waist, his whole demeanor eager to help. But after Zhao Jin spoke those words, he hesitated where he stood, his face falling into dejection. Watching everyone's cold stares, he felt he had been cast out by his friends.

"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and follow!" Zhao Jin glanced back impatiently and called. Liu Yong jolted as if struck. Instantly, his dejection turned to fierce excitement, and he sprinted to catch up.

Once back in the group, a heavy punch from Shi Manqiang sent him staggering. Though his shoulder ached, Liu Yong grinned with pure joy.

"... The incense-burners and sect followers in the city all suddenly stopped five days ago. Those stewards leave the city every day now — before, they always stayed inside..."

"... Someone from Cloud Mountain Temple once put out word, asking around about Xiaolan's background. After you beat those men that time, Big Brother, the Smelling Incense Sect put out harsh threats too. Only then did Cloud Mountain Temple back off..."

"... There are plenty of kidnappers in Xuzhou, but one crew specializes in snatching exceptionally pretty girls. They sell them all to Yangzhou, Nanjing, and Suzhou. Even women from wealthy households have fallen victim. The only ones in this city who'd dare lay hands on your family, Brother Zhao, are this crew..."

"... Brother Chen also said: if it's not this crew, then Young Master Zhao, you should get your family elders involved as fast as possible..."

Liu Yong delivered these fragmented pieces of information as he caught up — clearly all relayed from Chen Ergou. Zhao Jin and his companions listened with rapt attention.

Wang Zhaojing spoke in a grave tone. "Let me share something unsavory. After my family returned, the abbot of Cloud Mountain Temple kept trying to cultivate ties. But my father had heard the temple was unclean and never acknowledged him. According to the old household servants from here, that abbot... likes little girls."

Zhao Jin stopped dead in his tracks, then quickened his pace. He could now roughly piece together the whole chain of events. Zhao Jin always observed details meticulously; many scattered small incidents now connected into a clear picture.

It began when he saw those monks, Runan and Runing, storming into a shop to forcibly take the manager's young daughter, claiming they would bring her to the temple for religious training. When he saw Monk Runan again later, the man's status had clearly risen — perhaps because offering up that little girl had earned him favor.

Then, the day they encountered Monk Runan again, those men had all noticed Mu Shulan. The very next day, men from the Cloud Mountain Guild came to stake the place out — clearly with ill intent. After Zhao Jin beat them and had them thrown into the yamen, the Cloud Mountain Guild was set on fire — obviously the Smelling Incense Sect striking hard. After that incident, those who had designs on Xiaolan no longer dared make a move.

But last night, the winds shifted abruptly. Mu Shulan's father died suddenly. The Smelling Incense Sect's people all vanished. Perhaps Cloud Mountain Temple learned of this through their own channels — or through contacts in the yamen. They had long coveted Xiaolan, or had been watching from the periphery all along. The moment they heard of this opening, they immediately hired men to abduct her.

They also knew Mu Shulan's status was sensitive — knew this matter would not be aired openly before the authorities, only contested in the shadows. With Cloud Mountain Temple's influence, they truly did not fear Zhao Zhentang.

"Could she have already been smuggled out of the city?" Zhao Jin asked.