Chapter 493: Searching for the Miao Village People

Looking at Hong Yuanzheng’s utterly furious expression, Kong Lianqing suddenly seemed hesitant to speak.

Hong Yuanzheng snorted irritably and said,

“Xiaokong, this is no time for that. If you have something to say, just say it. What’s there to be so secretive about!”

So Kong Lianqing took a deep breath and finally shared his thoughts.

“Master, I believe it’s highly likely this was orchestrated by the Gu-users from the Miao Village!”

As soon as he spoke, the expressions of everyone present changed.

The Miao Village was a mysterious place, known for its expertise in using all sorts of Gu Insects and Gu arts.

If the people from the Miao Village were truly behind this, then the situation would become incredibly complex.

“Go on.”

Hong Yuanzheng’s face was expressionless, but those who knew him could see he was growing angry.

Kong Lianqing nodded and continued,

“Master, for years, the Security Pavilion has been cracking down on the Gu art practitioners from the Miao Village. They must be trying to control Hong Kai as a means to influence your decisions. That way, they hope you’ll ease the pressure on dangerous people like them!”

After hearing Kong Lianqing’s explanation, Hong Yuanzheng’s expression grew even more solemn.

He had to admit that Kong Lianqing had a point; it was the most plausible theory.

Qin Tuo listened and nodded silently. ‘As expected of the Security Pavilion’s Pavilion Master,’ he thought. ‘He pinpointed the mastermind right away.’

Hearing this, Qi Wuqi, who was standing nearby, was confused.

He knew that only Qin Tuo could answer the questions plaguing his mind.

He no longer dared to act arrogant in front of Qin Tuo.

Qi Wuqi understood deeply that the gap between him and Qin Tuo was immense.

Qi Wuqi could not perform the incredible feats Qin Tuo had demonstrated; he had never even heard of such things.

In Qi Wuqi’s eyes, Qin Tuo had become a towering and mysterious figure.

After a moment of internal struggle visible on his face, Qi Wuqi called out willingly,

“Mr. Qin, I was in the wrong before. Please, don’t hold it against me!”

Qin Tuo simply gave him a cold glance and said nothing.

Qin Tuo could tell with a single glance. ‘This guy definitely wants to ask me something.’

Sure enough, Qi Wuqi gave a wry smile and humbly continued,

“Mr. Qin, there’s something I don’t understand. If the people from the Miao Village wanted to control Young Master Hong, why would they take over a year to do it? Isn’t that too much trouble?”

Qi Wuqi’s question took everyone by surprise.

Clearly, there was a puzzling aspect to the situation.

But Qin Tuo shook his head and said with contempt,

“The reason is actually quite simple.”

Hearing how casually Qin Tuo said it, everyone looked at him with curiosity, waiting for him to continue.

Qin Tuo looked at Hong Kai and said slowly,

“Because a Puppet Insect’s egg needs two years to hatch inside a human body. However, the process is accelerated by heat.”

Hearing this, Qi Wuqi’s expression immediately became awkward.

It seemed he was starting to realize he had done something incredibly foolish.

Just as expected, Qin Tuo looked at Qi Wuqi and sneered.

“In fact, the Puppet Insect inside Hong Kai hadn’t hatched until today. But when you used the Fire Needle to try and force out the so-called Gu Insect, you inadvertently caused the Puppet Insect to hatch prematurely. This allowed the mastermind to briefly control Young Master Hong’s mind in an attempt to drive me away.”

With the truth now revealed, Qi Wuqi was overcome with shame, feeling too embarrassed to face anyone.

He never imagined that his attempt to expel the Gu Insect and win Hong Yuanzheng’s favor would end up nearly killing Hong Kai.

‘If Qin Tuo hadn’t arrived in time,’ he thought, ‘I would have been responsible for Hong Kai’s death.’

However, despite being furious upon hearing this, Hong Yuanzheng didn’t say a word to blame Qi Wuqi.

Perhaps he felt that Qi Wuqi was merely incompetent, not that he had intentionally tried to kill Hong Kai.

Then, in a commanding tone, Hong Yuanzheng said to Kong Lianqing,

“Xiaokong, listen to me. I want you to find every last person from the Miao Village in this Capital City. Do you understand?”

The determination in Hong Yuanzheng’s voice was palpable; he clearly wouldn’t rest until the culprit from the Miao Village was found.

Kong Lianqing dared not hesitate. He quickly nodded and said respectfully,

“Yes, Master. Rest assured, I will find the person who did this to Young Master Hong!”

However, as he spoke, a look of conflicted hesitation appeared on his face.

Hong Yuanzheng’s face fell instantly. He knew his disciple’s personality all too well.

So, he snorted and said,

“Xiaokong, is this task too difficult for you?”

Kong Lianqing quickly shook his head, then gave a wry smile and said,

“Master, it’s like this. Most of the people in the Security Pavilion are Martial Artists. Dealing with these people from the Miao Village will likely be difficult. Finding them will be easy, but I’m afraid capturing them will be another matter entirely.”

Hearing this, Hong Yuanzheng was stunned for a moment before nodding thoughtfully.

He could understand Kong Lianqing’s point. The Gu arts used by the people of the Miao Village had reached an almost supernatural level of mastery.

The Martial Artists of the Security Pavilion would just be sending themselves to their deaths!

So, Hong Yuanzheng’s gaze naturally drifted toward Qi Wuqi, who was standing nearby.

After all, among those present, Qi Wuqi at least understood esoteric arts.

Hong Yuanzheng felt that if Qi Wuqi were willing to help, he would surely be able to handle the people from the Miao Village.

But Qi Wuqi was a shrewd man; he instantly knew what Hong Yuanzheng was thinking.

So, Qi Wuqi quickly shot a look at Wu Qihao.

‘After all,’ he thought, ‘I don’t want to get stuck with such a thankless job!’

The memory of the Puppet Insect still filled him with lingering fear. ‘What if I encounter another terrifying Gu Insect while dealing with those people from the Miao Village?’

Wu Qihao understood the signal. He quickly walked over, and the two of them addressed Hong Yuanzheng at the same time to take their leave.

“Elder Hong, my apologies, but we have urgent business to attend to back in Bay Port. We’ll be taking our leave.”

The two of them wore apologetic smiles as they prepared to depart.

When Hong Yuanzheng heard this, his heart sank, and a look of disappointment instantly crossed his face…

He had, of course, hoped to ask Qi Wuqi for help, but what could he do now that the man had already announced his departure?

Besides, with Hong Yuanzheng’s proud nature, he wouldn’t stoop to forcing someone to do something they were unwilling to do.