Chapter 339 - 212: Qi Blood Second Transformation

Chapter 339: Chapter 212: Qi Blood Second Transformation

"Since everything is settled," Xie Yuan said, seeking Situ Qin’s opinion, "shall we rest for a bit and then set off?"

Situ Qin nodded eagerly.

"Okay, okay!"

Both of them had long been looking forward to this first "trip" together. Now that it was finally time to depart, they were eager to get going. After a quick lunch, they each led a horse out of Yunzhou Prefecture and headed northeast.

It was springtime, and they rode side-by-side, reciting poetry, admiring the scenery, and pointing out mountains and rivers. Like a couple on a spring outing, they were filled with joy.

In truth, the scenery along the way wasn’t always spectacular, but they found joy and surprise wherever they went. They could see the grandeur of a great lake in even a small pond, lamenting only that they couldn’t take a boat out on it.

A couple of months ago, they had secretly discussed changing how they addressed each other, perhaps to something like "Big Brother" and "Little Sister." However, when they compared their birth dates, they discovered they were born in the same year, with Situ Qin being several months older. This infuriated her—especially after Xie Yuan called her "Big Sister" several times in a row, which made her sulk for quite a while.

As for other nicknames, they thought about it but were ultimately too shy to use them. In the end, they went back to their usual forms of address, which felt more natural anyway. After all, titles were just labels; what mattered was how they felt about each other.

Besides, Xie Yuan was no longer a transport master. Now, Situ Qin was the only one who still called him Master Xie, which satisfied her a little.

They traveled for several days, enjoying the spring scenery, until they neared the border between Yunzhou and Yanzhou. There, they arrived at a large county seat called Wu River County.

Chatting nonstop, they were about to enter the city when they suddenly saw an old beggar prostrate on the roadside, barely breathing.

Situ Qin couldn’t bear the sight. Xie Yuan sighed, dismounted, and, seeing how old the beggar was, untied his waterskin and ration pack. He offered them to the beggar, but didn’t give him any money.

The beggar said weakly:

"Thank you, young master."

Then he took the waterskin and began to gulp it down. GULP, GULP.

Xie Yuan and Situ Qin were both a little surprised. The beggar spoke with such refinement. ’Could he be a scholar?’

He asked curiously:

"Old sir, have you also studied the words of the Saints?"

"I am ashamed to say it, but yes, I have studied the words of the Saints and the classics. My surname is Fan, and I was once a Scholar."

After drinking some water, the old beggar seemed to regain a bit of strength. He spoke with a bleak expression.

Xie Yuan was even more astonished to hear this. A Scholar held an official rank; how could one fall to such a state?

He asked what was on his mind, not expecting to hear Scholar Fan’s reply:

"I used to teach in the city. I had a small property and was blessed with a daughter late in life, whom I cherished like the apple of my eye. Life was rather pleasant..."

"But the year before last, my little girl went missing. My wife was so heartbroken that she died of grief. I buried her and spent my entire fortune searching for our daughter, but found nothing. In the end, all I can do is wait here at the city gate, hoping I might see her again..."

Xie Yuan and Situ Qin exchanged a look. They hadn’t even entered the city and had already stumbled upon something like this.

His mood grew a little heavy. His thoughts raced as he asked:

"Mr. Fan, do you have any idea how your daughter went missing, or who might have taken her?"

Scholar Fan looked lost, his cloudy eyes growing moist.

"I don’t know, I don’t know! I just don’t know. I turned around and she was gone. I don’t know where she was taken..."

Seeing him like this, Xie Yuan sighed and probed gently:

"In that case, Mr. Fan, have you heard any rumors about the local factions, or the government officials... being involved?"

"The government? Impossible!"

Scholar Fan was stunned for a moment before declaring decisively:

"The County Magistrate, Yao Zhizhang, and I studied at the same academy. When he learned of this, he even offered to help me, but I didn’t want to accept another’s charity. Lord Yao is an upstanding man who serves the people wholeheartedly. The local gangs and martial arts schools are also very well-managed. I suspect it was people from Yanzhou!"

Hearing this, and seeing there was no more information to be had, Xie Yuan shook his head secretly. He gave Scholar Fan some bits of silver and said gently:

"Mr. Fan, take this money and take care of yourself for now. This matter can’t be rushed. I’ll look into it for you."

"Huh? You? May I ask who you are, young master...?"

Scholar Fan was dumbfounded.

"I’m one who does good deeds without leaving a name."

Xie Yuan shook his head, and he and Situ Qin led their horses into Wu River County.

They first settled into an inn. Situ Qin frowned and asked:

"Master Xie, what’s the plan? Where do we start?"

After meeting Scholar Fan and learning how a once-prosperous family had been torn apart by a daughter’s disappearance, they both felt heavy-hearted. The beautiful spring scenery instantly faded, replaced by the cruel crucible of reality.

"Since the Sect Leader said there was a problem with the government here, we should naturally pay them a direct visit."

Xie Yuan pondered for a moment, then said:

"We’ll disguise ourselves as young, warm-hearted disciples from a minor sect and go to the county yamen to test the waters!"

Situ Qin’s eyes twinkled as she said:

"Going straight to the point... that’s actually a good method!"

The two left hand-in-hand, walked to the entrance of the county yamen, and directly beat the complaint drum, causing an immediate commotion.

「A moment later.」

"Who is in my court, and for what reason do you beat the drum?"

The gaunt-faced County Magistrate sat high on the dais, his expression stern and cold.

Xie Yuan cupped his hands in a salute and said:

"My name is Shi Yuan, and this is my junior martial sister, Xie Qing. We are from the Justice Gate of Nanshan County in Yunzhou."

Hearing this, Situ Qin’s pretty face flushed, and she secretly pinched him.

"Justice Gate?"

The County Magistrate, Yao Zhizhang, frowned in thought. He glanced at the officials to his left and right, but they all shook their heads. It seemed to be a minor sect they had never heard of.

’What a strange name.’

"So you are distinguished disciples from the Justice Gate. Why have you two beaten the drum?"

Seeing they weren’t commoners, the County Magistrate’s tone became much more amiable.

"I’ve heard that many women and children have gone missing in your esteemed county. I could not bear to hear it, so I have come to ask: what can the County Magistrate tell me of this?"

Xie Yuan said in a clear voice.

Upon hearing this, Yao Zhizhang’s expression changed slightly. He said in a low voice:

"Where did you hear this, Young Master Shi? While my county may not be so perfect that no one picks up lost items, we haven’t had a criminal case in a long time. This drum hasn’t been beaten in ages either."

"Do I need to hear it from somewhere specific? The taverns and teahouses in the city are all discussing it. Three children have gone missing this month alone, their whereabouts unknown. County Magistrate, is this true?"

Yao Zhizhang’s face darkened. He snorted lightly and said:

"Nonsense. How is it that I, the magistrate, have not heard of this? Young Master Shi, this court is not a place for jokes. Do not beat the drum recklessly, lest you face consequences you cannot bear. See them out!"

Xie Yuan and Situ Qin were "escorted" out by a crowd of government officials. Looking back, they saw Yao Zhizhang’s expressionless face through the not-yet-closed doors.

They exchanged a look and nodded in unison.

"There’s definitely a problem."

"That Yao Zhizhang was basically threatening us openly. He’s quite arrogant. Did he look down on us because our Justice Gate isn’t big enough? If I’d said we were from the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect, I’m afraid he would have been overly polite."

Situ Qin pursed her lips and said:

"Yao Zhizhang may have revealed some things, but he’s not taking the bait. What do we do now?"

Xie Yuan pondered for a moment. Suddenly, he heard Situ Qin whisper:

"I just heard at the inn that the biggest gang here is called the Wu River Boat Gang. Logically, if they’re trafficking people, this boat gang..."

Xie Yuan understood immediately. He pulled Situ Qin along and said:

"Let’s go. We’ll check out the boat gang!"

Situ Qin obediently let him pull her by the hand. They jogged all the way to the docks and saw an imposing three-story building next to the pier. Just as they were wondering how to get in, Xie Yuan pulled Situ Qin into a nearby alley.

’W-w-what are we doing in this secluded place...?’

Situ Qin was getting nervous when she suddenly saw Xie Yuan’s figure shimmer. He seemed to have transformed into a different person.

Situ Qin blinked. The person before her had instantly become the County Magistrate, Yao Zhizhang. She was so startled she was about to let go of his hand.

"Miss Qin, what are you doing!"

Xie Yuan chuckled, revealing his true face to her.

Situ Qin finally realized what was happening and complained:

"You got old and ugly! I don’t want to hold your hand!"

"Fine, then I’ll have to blow my cover just for you."

Xie Yuan smiled faintly and reached for her hand. With a flicker of his Celestial Concealment Skill, he enveloped them both, allowing only Situ Qin to see his true appearance.

With his current mastery of the Celestial Concealment Skill, this was a trivial feat.

Only then was Situ Qin satisfied. She said coquettishly:

"Then you’d better remember this. It has to be like this from now on! You’re not allowed to hide anything from me."

"No problem."

Xie Yuan chuckled and said:

"Let’s go now. The County Magistrate taking his concubine to meet with the local gang leader—perfectly reasonable!"

Seeing Situ Qin’s eyebrows arch in anger, Xie Yuan quickly tugged her along. The two of them darted out of the alley and rushed into the headquarters of the Wu River Boat Gang.