Chapter 68

Qin Estate, Study.

"Lord Marquis, we have uncovered something. The proprietor of 'Jin Feng Yu' is surnamed Zhao. His ancestral home is in Guiyang, Sizhou, and he currently resides in Qing Lane in the east of the city. He came to Bai Ri City to make a living ten years ago. According to neighbors, his wife took their young son back to her parents' home to visit ten days ago and has not yet returned."

In the study, the assembled generals who had just learned of Dai Li's disappearance collectively drew a sharp, hissing breath.

"Ten years ago?"

"The wife leaves first, he follows later. This is a case of the building being emptied of people!"

"What manner of demon is behind this? Could it be remnants from Yanzhou seeking revenge for that scoundrel Fan Tianshi?"

"Impossible. Seeking revenge on a woman is not the act of a true man. Furthermore, the two maidservants attending Lady Dai are still alive; only Lady Dai herself is missing. If it were revenge, wouldn't a single stroke of the blade be simpler? Why take her?"

"Could it be Qingzhou?"

At this point, Qin Shaozong spoke, "I previously tested Nan Gongxiong; his reaction seemed genuine, like he knew nothing."

The room fell silent.

They never doubted the Lord Marquis's accuracy in judging people. In the years since the Lord Marquis fully took command of the Northern Army, every single hidden spy he had rooted out was a correct identification—not one innocent person was wrongly accused.

"Lord Marquis, the brothers investigating the city gate guards have returned." Bai Jianping, having received the summary, strode into the room. "In the early Wei hour (1-3 PM), among the four city gates—east, south, west, and north—only the west gate had no donkey carts leaving the city."

Qiao Wangfei's brow twitched. "We only eliminated one, leaving east, south, and north. That's still too broad. This information isn't very useful!"

Feng Feng turned to look at the sheepskin map nearby, stroking his chin. "Not necessarily. Bai Ri City connects east to Bai Ri Pass, and further east lies Qi Jiang County, which we previously captured. The south is Red Horn Peak. Anyone leaving through the south gate would inevitably head towards Lu Chuan County, which lies southwest and adjacent to Red Horn Peak, as that's the only inhabited place south of Bai Ri City. Then there's the north. Bai Ri City borders the Jin River to the north, with a ferry crossing. One can travel east or west by boat."

"In my humble opinion, heading north to the Jin River is the most likely, followed by south, then east. After all, the east is already the Lord Marquis's territory," Feng Feng concluded.

Mo Yanyun recalled a past event. "Last time, Lady Dai traveled by boat to Tai Ping County. Could they be taking the water route again this time? Although villains are at work, the convenience remains the same. Simply put, water travel is more convenient than land and harder to intercept."

Qiao Wangfei said hesitantly, "What you say makes sense, but what if they are trying to do the opposite? Could they guess what we are thinking and intentionally head east instead?"

His words caused another silence to fall over the room.

"That Merchant Zhao came here ten years ago. That's a deeply buried spy. Who's to say there aren't spies elsewhere?" Qiao Wangfei whispered.

Another group of guards came to report.

"Lord Marquis, all the relay hostels in the commandery have been searched. No unidentified women checked in today."

"Lord Marquis, the owner of that tea house in the east city indeed knows Merchant Zhao, but he claims it's merely an acquaintance, with no deep friendship. He said that on a certain day half a month ago, Merchant Zhao took the initiative to visit, proposing to promote his tea house. Such an unsolicited benefit, the owner naturally didn't refuse. When the owner asked Merchant Zhao what his conditions were, the latter only said he would tell him later, but there has been no further word until today."

"Lord Marquis, the old man selling melons has been found. He said that at exactly noon, a man with dark skin and an ordinary face suddenly came, bought all his melons, so the old man packed up early and went home."

"Exactly noon?"

Hu Bao murmured, "That was before Madam's carriage had even reached 'Jin Feng Yu'. Calculated, it was just as her carriage passed that old man's melon stall."

The guard continued his report: "This subordinate visited other melon vendors in the city. Some said a woman bought all their melons, others said it was a man. The accounts vary and are conflicting. However, one point is the same. All these vendors said the buyer requested home delivery."

"Home delivery? Then there must be an address! Who owns that residence?" Qiao Wangfei hurriedly asked.

The guard looked towards Qin Shaozong behind the long desk, his tone becoming more cautious. "Lord Marquis, that residence is an empty house. It was put up for sale half a year ago and still has no owner. The melon vendors could enter because someone bribed the property agent for the key to temporarily open the door. And the person who bribed the agent left Bai Ri City a few days ago."

The study fell quiet once more, everyone frowning in worry.

The house was borrowed, the person has already fled.

Another lead has gone cold.

Mo Yanyun was puzzled. "Their target was Lady Dai, right? Why go to such great lengths to buy all the melons in the city?"

"Time." Qin Shaozong held a tiger-shaped brush rest, his long fingers gently stroking its back. "They wanted to obscure Hu Bao's perception of time."

Hu Bao had been guarding the staircase entrance and couldn't see the sky outside. Based on his initial knowledge of the melon seller's location, he felt this trip would take at most half a shichen (an hour).

When the soldier didn't return for a long time, Hu Bao would only think his own judgment was off. Because besides that old melon seller, one could still buy melons a bit further down the road.

After Bai Ri City was captured and its defenses replaced, Hu Bao's subconscious believed more firmly that the city was peaceful and nothing would happen.

Hu Bao lowered his head in shame. "Lord Marquis, this subordinate failed in his duty. Please punish me."

Qin Shaozong did not speak.

He could not concern himself with punishment now. The urgent priority was to find her...

"They abducted her, they must have arranged a carriage. From here to Lu Chuan County, by carriage it takes two days and one night." Qin Shaozong assigned the task. "Qiao Wangfei, take a team and set off south immediately for Lu Chuan County. Inspect all caravans you encounter along the way. Once in Lu Chuan County, post people at all four city gates to strictly inspect every carriage entering afterwards."

Lu Chuan County belonged to Yanzhou. Now that Fan Tianshi had been executed, his reach could extend there directly.

Qiao Wangfei cupped his hands in acknowledgment. "As you command!"

Qin Shaozong looked at Feng Feng. "Feng Feng, you lead men through Bai Ri Pass to Qi Jiang County. Do as Qiao Wangfei does."

He paused, remembering something. "I recall there's a ruined temple west of Qi Jiang County. Don't miss that spot either."

Feng Feng accepted the order.

Qin Shaozong then assigned Mo Yanyun, ordering him to lead troops to search the west.

Yes, still search to the west. Even though no donkey carts passed through the west gate in the early Wei hour, they would not neglect this direction.

Mo Yanyun received the order and left with the other two.

Having dealt with the east, south, and west directions, Qin Shaozong pointed to the two remaining Xuan Xiao Cavalry squad leaders. "Bai Jianping, Wei Qing, each of you take a team to the Jin River. Bai Jianping heads west along the river, Wei Qing follows the river east. Leave a group of men at every ferry crossing you reach. Have these soldiers inspect cargo at that crossing and keep an eye out for women with a figure similar to the Lady's. Don't neglect the river itself either. Randomly stop vessels for inspection. Those unwilling to comply, arrest them directly."

The two men accepted their orders and left.

Only Qin Shaozong, Hu Bao, and Nalan Zhi remained in the study.

Nalan Zhi then spoke: "To replace Lady Dai without anyone noticing would require an extraordinary amount of manpower and resources. Master, the one behind the scenes who has the capability to set up such a scheme must possess considerable power. If it wasn't Qingzhou or Yanzhou, then I have a speculation in mind."

Qin Shaozong: "Wugong, speak freely."

Nalan Zhi said seriously: "Master, regarding the previous matters of the divine signs and the nursery rhymes, perhaps Yanzhou was not the only one involved. Think back to why we marched south in the first place."

Qin Shaozong was slightly taken aback.

He had known from the start that there was something suspicious about the divine signs. Whoever benefited the most was likely the mastermind behind it. Since the divine signs and nursery rhymes occurred before the war, he naturally assumed it was related to Fan Tianshi, that it was Yanzhou's doing.

With Fan Tianshi's death, he considered the matter closed. But now, Nalan Zhi's words suggested another possibility.

Qin Shaozong lowered his gaze, his fingertips tapping rapidly on the desk as his thoughts swiftly rewound.

Like rewinding a tape, first came the sudden appearance of the divine signs and nursery rhymes, then the breakdown of the tripartite meeting, followed by him leading troops to Guoyun County, and finally receiving the invitation from Nangong Xiong.

The letter at the time said that on the eve of the alliance between Yanzhou and Qingzhou to jointly attack the Qinglian Sect, the alliance became precarious due to the death of a Yanzhou general...

Qin Shaozong's pupils constricted, "The Qinglian Sect?"

Nalan Zhi nodded, his expression grave as he said: "That is precisely my speculation. Initially, Yanzhou and Qingzhou formed an alliance. Later, their alliance became shaky, and you, Master, led your army south to ally with Qingzhou. After your involvement, the situation became two against one, isolating Yanzhou. Especially after you later shot and killed his legitimate eldest son, it is not impossible for Fan of Yanzhou to switch sides."

He paused before adding a final reminder: "Master, you must not forget that Fan of Yanzhou's relationship with the Qinglian Sect has always been ambiguous."

This last statement was not unfounded.

After Qin Shaozong became the heir of the Qin clan, he immediately began cultivating spies, a process that had lasted over a decade. These individuals were later dispersed across various provinces, becoming his eyes and ears.

These agents had once sent back messages stating that Fan Tianshi had frequently traveled to Huai'an County in recent years, each time returning with some beautiful concubines.

Well, that was all.

As for whether there were any substantial transactions involved, the spies could not uncover. Moreover, Fan Tianshi had not visited Huai'an County in the following years, so it could only be described as an "ambiguous relationship."

Qin Shaozong was silent for a moment. "Fifty years ago, the Qinglian Sect heavily supported the rebellious prince's attempt to usurp the throne. After the prince's defeat, they were severely crippled. Perhaps learning a lesson, they have not appeared openly in the decades since."

Nalan Zhi nodded. "Indeed, they have not been on the open stage. They lie dormant among the common people, blending into the lowest levels of society. But Master, just because ants are tiny and hard to see without stooping down, one should not overlook the capability of the entire colony. A thousand-mile dike can be destroyed by an anthill, let alone other things."

Qin Shaozong pinched the bridge of his nose. "It was my oversight."

This Qinglian Sect thing really hadn't registered much with him. As the Guardian Deity of the Northern Border, his prestige in the northern regions was exceedingly high.

As the saying goes, 'Where the wind blows, the grass bends.' Qin Shaozong himself intensely disliked Taoist priests and Buddhist teachings. Seeing this, the officials and common people of the north naturally followed suit. Even if they worshipped Buddha or participated in religious activities, they did so secretly, never flaunting it before him.

Over time, the presence of the Qinglian Sect in the Yuyang area became almost negligible, no different from ants. Qin Shaozong grew accustomed to this and did not take the Qinglian Sect, which lacked a formal armed force, seriously.

But as Nalan Zhi said, ants that are hard to see without stooping down can sometimes deliver a fatal blow.

"Huai'an County." Qin Shaozong gripped the tiger-shaped brush rest. "Hu Bao, go convey my military order. Have the Xuanxiao Cavalry mobilize tonight. Tomorrow, they will accompany me to Huai'an County."

The Qinglian Sect is merely a religious sect, without the authority to openly conscript soldiers. Such a force, even if it gathered troops, would not be particularly formidable.

One unit of the Xuanxiao Cavalry would be sufficient.

Hearing his tone, Nalan Zhi knew he was determined to go.

It couldn't be dissuaded, nor was there any need to try.

Hu Bao was just about to cup his hands in salute when he suddenly heard hurried footsteps from outside.

Someone rushed in: "My Lord!"

The voice arrived before the person. Upon entering, the man said: "My Lord, the spy in Huai'an County has just sent word. On the seventeenth, he saw a large number of carriages leaving the Tianhe Estate. A day later, even the gatekeeper's figure was nowhere to be seen. The spy scaled the wall to enter and found the estate completely empty."

The Tianhe Estate was currently the only confirmed Qinglian Sect stronghold that had been discovered. Judging by its scale, one could even say this Tianhe Estate was the core of the Qinglian Sect's operations in Huai'an County.

And the "seventeenth" mentioned by the guard was the third day after Qin Shaozong's successful surprise attack on the Yanzhou military camp.

"They fled?!"

Qin Yanzhou had been waiting in the main courtyard.

He knew his mother had gone out to the market at noon and might have dinner outside. So, after the usual dinner time had passed and Dai Li had not returned, Qin Yanzhou ate first.

By the time he finished his meal, only a faint glow remained in the vast sky. Soon, he thought, it would be completely dark.

With the onset of night came the curfew. Pedestrians returned home, shops closed, and there was nowhere left in the city to wander.

Qin Yanzhou looked towards the moon gate. It was quiet, showing no sign of anyone's return.

The young man rose from his seat, intending to go out alone to search for her, when he heard footsteps.

The steps were hurried and somewhat heavy—definitely not a woman's gait.

The ripple of anticipation in Qin Yanzhou's eyes settled back into calmness.

The newcomer was indeed a man. Seeing him in the courtyard, the guard stopped at the moon gate: "Young Master, the Lord requests your presence in the study."

"I have matters to attend to outside the estate," Qin Yanzhou simply stated.

The guard understood his implication and could only say: "This matter concerns Lady Dai, who has not yet returned to the estate."

Qin Yanzhou's expression changed slightly. Without further discussion, he changed direction and headed for the study.

Whether in Guoyun County, Qijiang County, or now in Baiyi City, Qin Yanzhou had never once set foot in the study, the core of power. This was his first time.

Upon entering, he saw the floor in disarray.

Many items were scattered beside the long desk: rolled bamboo scrolls, wax seals, writing brushes, and other objects. It looked as if the master had recently flown into a rage, taking it out on the innocent furnishings.

Nothing and no one in this estate, except for his mother, could stir his emotions. But at this moment, looking at the scattered debris, Qin Yanzhou felt an inexplicable twitch in his brow.

The man behind the long desk had a dark, somber expression, the aura around him frighteningly oppressive.

Qin Yanzhou met his gaze directly. "I wonder what matter the Marquis of Wu'an seeks me for."

"Your mother went out to the market today and was secretly abducted by villains," Qin Shaozong stated bluntly, then proceeded to concisely explain the course of events.

Qin Yanzhou's perpetually impassive face now resembled a glacier struck by a tremendous force, fissured with countless cracks. At this moment, questioning the guards for their negligence was utterly meaningless. He demanded sharply, "Who is responsible?!"

"Fan Tianshi has been eliminated. The Yanzhou faction is leaderless, scrambling to flee; they couldn't possibly have the capacity to plan this. I've also probed Qingzhou; it likely wasn't Nan Gongxiong's doing. My personal suspicion falls on the Qinglian Sect." As he spoke these words, Qin Shaozong's gaze remained fixed on the young man seated across the desk.

A chill shot up from the soles of Qin Yanzhou's feet, exploding within his mind and causing his frame to sway slightly.

In that instant, numerous conjectures flashed through his heart, only to be replaced by a single, resolute decision.

Qin Shaozong's tone was unreadable. "You are her son; you have the right to know this, which is why I'm telling you. But there's no need for you to involve yourself. I have already dispatched men to search in all four directions. You will wait here. Spare her the worry of not finding you upon her return."

"As her son, how can I stand idly by while my mother is in peril?" Qin Yanzhou directly refuted him. Leaving only those words behind, he turned and strode swiftly away.

Qin Shaozong's expression darkened. He barked at Hu Bao, "Stop him! He is not to leave the estate!"

Hu Bao, accepting the order, immediately gave chase.

The front courtyard of the study instantly became a scene of commotion as guards, following commands, joined Hu Bao in surrounding Qin Yanzhou.

While the clash raged outside, the atmosphere inside the study grew heavy and tense.

Qin Shaozong took a deep breath, as if speaking to himself or to Dai Li, who was not present. "That boy might have backing. He cannot be allowed to return."

Nalan Zhi, having known Qin Shaozong for over twenty years, spoke up after Hu Bao's departure. "My lord suspects Yanzhou has support behind him?"

Qin Shaozong countered, "Does Wugong not think so?"

Nalan Zhi fell into a rare silence for a moment.

Qin Shaozong stated calmly, "Nine years ago, the heavens were unkind. Plagues of insects arose, leading to a great famine where the fields yielded no harvest. That boy left his mother ten years ago and only arrived at the Fan residence seven years ago. Where was he during those three intervening years? I do not believe a helpless, orphaned child could have survived alone."

Of course, there was more to it than that.

Bai Jianping had privately confided that when he crossed blades with the young man, he sensed his martial arts foundation was exceptionally solid, and his movement techniques showed distinct schooled refinement.

Fan Tianshi adopted orphans to raise as hounds. While he would hire instructors to train them, he certainly wouldn't invest wholeheartedly. It was a process of survival of the fittest; only those who remained would receive his undivided attention and instruction.

This meant the orphans typically needed two years, or even longer, before they received truly unreserved teaching. Their foundations were seldom exceptionally solid.

Everyone has their own secrets. She had hers, and her son had his.

Before, when she was by his side, he could afford to turn a blind eye to such matters.

Now, he could no longer do so.