Chapter 2952 - 2953: Chengshui People

Chapter 2952: Chapter 2953: Chengshui People

Snowball indeed lives up to being a cat from the Space, just as smart as Tutu. Afterward, Bai Ruozhu and Jiang Yichun felt much more at ease, no longer getting up at night to check on Dengdeng.

Unexpectedly, due to this negligence, Dengdeng disappeared. Even though there are dark guards watching and the astrologer’s array is in place, perhaps Dengdeng was not taken off the ship?

"Check around the ship, see if someone has hidden him," Jiang Yichun instructed.

After speaking, he turned to Bai Ruozhu and said, "You lead everyone to search the ship, I’ll go into the water to pursue the escapee, in case time slips away."

"Alright, be careful." Bai Ruozhu responded, rushing into the ship’s cabin to search room by room.

On Jiang Yichun’s side, there was a splash as he jumped into the river, disappearing in an instant.

Bai Ruozhu searched room by room, while Gao Zhou and Chushuang went to the lower level. The official ship was not just their party; it turned into quite the chaos.

She searched until reaching Xue Zhi’s room. For Xue Zhi’s comfort, the room was arranged closer to the ship tail, but conveniently near a staircase leading to the deck.

She anxiously knocked, "Xue Zhi, there’s a problem on the ship, are you in there?"

No response from inside; Bai Ruozhu’s heart sank, and hastily kicked the door open.

Xue Zhi and her maid lay on the bed and the couch respectively, knocked out by someone’s mystical fragrance.

Bai Ruozhu quickly checked their pulse, hoping she could trace the origin of the fragrance.

Her brows furrowed shortly, it was ordinary mystical fragrance, not the special poison from the "Poison Classic".

She rapidly examined the room, then took some medicine and waved it under their noses, gradually waking them up.

"Sister Bai, is there a problem?" Xue Zhi asked drowsily, unaware she had fallen victim to mystical fragrance.

The maid also woke and curiously looked at Bai Ruozhu, "Lord Bai, what happened? I remember blocking the door."

"I broke the door, you were under mystical fragrance, unable to wake." Bai Ruozhu explained.

Both exclaimed in surprise; Bai Ruozhu hadn’t found Little Dengdeng yet, feeling anxious, and had no time to explain further, she quickly asked, "Did you notice anything unusual or anyone special before?"

"I slept early, didn’t notice anything." Xue Zhi replied.

"Dengdeng is missing, you were put under mystical fragrance; villains have boarded the ship. Stay in the room, I’ll arrange protection for you." Bai Ruozhu said and quickly left.

Xue Zhi had questions but seeing Bai Ruozhu’s urgency, did not dare to pursue further.

Fortunately, guards soon arrived at the door; she sent her maid to inquire and finally understood what had happened.

In the meantime, the ship had been thoroughly searched; no trace of suspicious individuals, nor of Little Dengdeng.

"What do we do? Dengdeng is so small, will he be in danger? Why would they take Dengdeng?" Gao Zhou fretted, pacing anxiously on the deck; unable to jump into the river like Jiang Yichun.

Bai Ruozhu was equally worried, suddenly her eyes widened, "It’s people from Chengshui!"

Gao Zhou looked at her, "You think the person had good water skills? But not only Chengshui Country folks are good at swimming."

"No, someone fell under mystical fragrance, I checked and it’s ordinary fragrance. The ingredient, though common, is prevalent in Chengshui; this mystical fragrance is from Chengshui." Bai Ruozhu explained.

She turned to the astrologer, "Your array wasn’t disrupted; what would enable someone to take people out from inside?"

"Magic practioner or inside accomplice," the astrologer replied.

Ao Song produced a talisman, "Ruozhu, don’t worry, I’ll divine the location of Little Dengdeng."

"Thank you." Bai Ruozhu knew Ao Song’s divination would cost him essence, feeling deeply grateful.

Ao Song’s talisman burned automatically in space, attracting attention from the ship workers, who stared curiously.

Soon the talisman turned to smoke, floating away; as it vanished, Ao Song paled.

"Dengdeng is eastward, related to water; your Jiang gentleman has found him," Ao Song announced.

Bai Ruozhu felt reassured; with Achun able to reach Dengdeng, there was assurance of his safety.

Uncertain of the number of adversaries, whether Achun could successfully rescue Little Dengdeng alone.

"Astrologer, you mentioned possible magic practitioners?" Bai Ruozhu inquired.

"Not necessarily; maybe an insider on board helped spirit Dengdeng out, or tricked him to leave. To leave, one must dive off; Dengdeng isn’t reckless, someone might have masked among the crew, capturing him." the astrologer speculated.

The person likely escaped; Bai Ruozhu was frustrated, how could she not notice them board, not a single hint?

"Turn the ship around, head east to assist Achun." Bai Ruozhu commanded.

"You officers can’t arbitrarily change the direction of an official ship. I’m pressed for time in business, and why should I take risks with you? Official ships are managed by the Imperial Court, we chose them for safety and punctuality. Now, with your request, turning back and forth is uncertain," protested a merchant onboard.

Followed by another shouting, "What’s going on? Can’t we dock to disembark, travel overland instead?"

"Why disembark? We paid the fare based on promises by the Shipping Department; officials can’t bully people this way," insisted the first merchant. "If they want to find someone, they can take a small boat, not involve everyone. Officials shouldn’t bully like this."

Chushuang flared instantly, her dear grandson is missing.

She slapped the person, "I’m no official, complain if you want, keep on and I’ll kill you now!"

The previously confident merchant shriveled, mumbling, "You can’t crush the populace like that."

Chushuang ignored him, addressing Bai Ruozhu and Gao Zhou, "I’ll pursue Achun, you take the ship over."

She finished and jumped off the ship, with a splash into the water, disappearing instantly.

Bai Ruozhu nearly forgot her mother-in-law was a merfolk too.

"Everyone return to your rooms; compensation for missed business is on me," Bai Ruozhu announced loudly, "tenfold the ticket price in recompense."

This satisfied many, who returned quietly to the cabin, avoiding further conflict.