Chapter 41: Gray Zone
The next morning.
In Yuzhou City, within the Demon Suppression Bureau's medical clinic.
"What kind of miraculous elixir did you take? The effects are astonishing."
Ah Nian unwrapped the bandage on Zhao Wanqing's hand, discovering the previously deep, bone-visible knife wound had now healed by eighty percent.
Zhao Wanqing replied with a peculiar expression: "I consumed some alchemical liquid... refined by an elder."
"Extend your hand. Let me check your pulse."
Ah Nian paid little attention to what pills Zhao Wanqing had taken—as long as they weren't fatal.
Zhao Wanqing placed her hand on the table, sleeve rolled back.
Ah Nian's small hand rested on her pulse. After a long moment, she studied Zhao Wanqing with a strange look:
"Were you severely injured internally not long ago?"
Zhao Wanqing frowned slightly: "Yes. Why?"
"Your pulse feels odd. The recovery seems unnaturally fast. It must be due to that alchemical liquid you took." Ah Nian withdrew her small hand, speaking lightly,
"Examination complete. Nothing serious. You're recovering remarkably fast with no poison. Rest well for a while, and you'll be bouncing around again in no time."
"Thank you..."
Before Zhao Wanqing could finish, someone called from outside,
"Captain Zhao! Someone named Chu Xingchen is asking for you at the entrance."
Hearing this, Zhao Wanqing quickly stood up, saying apologetically: "I'm sorry, I must go now."
Ah Nian watched Zhao Wanqing's hurried figure and shouted loudly: "Don't forget! Remember to rest quietly for a while!"
Otherwise, you'll end up lying here again, and who suffers? Yourself.
Unfortunately, Zhao Wanqing didn't respond to Ah Nian's reminder.
——————
Zhao Wanqing hurried out of the Demon Suppression Bureau's main entrance and spotted Chu Xingchen standing under a tree not far away. She quickly walked over.
Chu Xingchen asked first: "Did you report the village situation to the Demon Suppression Bureau?"
"I did. It's in the expedited process now."
"Expedited? How long?"
Zhao Wanqing smiled wryly: "About half a month, I suppose."
"That does sound urgent. So what now? Do you plan to continue investigating on your own?" Chu Xingchen looked at Zhao Wanqing, "Even if you don't investigate, the promised spirit stones must still be paid."
The investigation had to continue. Waiting half a month for procedures would mean the culprits would be long gone.
Zhao Wanqing asked curiously: "Naturally, I must investigate. But why didn't the one who was with me yesterday come?"
"You mean Li Xingtian?" Chu Xingchen asked strangely, "You spent four hundred spirit stones and still want to hire more people?"
Zhao Wanqing quickly replied: "No, it's just that Brother Li is very capable."
After all, that sword strike had been astonishing in Zhao Wanqing's eyes—far beyond what a Foundation Establishment cultivator should possess.
Moreover, he had remained remarkably calm throughout the investigation.
Chu Xingchen didn't press further, his expression turning serious:
"Alright. Do you have any leads now?"
Zhao Wanqing was speechless.
That Foundation Establishment Peak evil cultivator from yesterday was likely left behind by the group to monitor the Demon Suppression Bureau's progress and adjust their plans accordingly.
Moreover, since the evil cultivator hadn't been killed by Li Xingtian, they had probably been alerted.
If they continued investigating using the previous approach, they would likely be led in circles by the evil cultivators, constantly finding empty leads.
The direction of their investigation would have to change completely to keep up with those evil cultivators.
But that was easier said than done—the original clues were already scarce.
Chu Xingchen smiled and suggested: "No ideas? Why not follow me?"
Zhao Wanqing looked at Chu Xingchen in surprise. After hesitating, she nodded in agreement.
With no leads anyway, Yao Qin's recommendation should be reliable. Better to see what solutions this elder might offer.
Besides, as Li Xingtian's master, this elder before her should be even more meticulous than his disciple.
Seeing Zhao Wanqing nod, Chu Xingchen turned and walked toward Yuzhou City's outskirts, saying with a smile:
"Sometimes solving cases isn't that difficult. You must see through appearances to grasp the essence. Don't rigidly chase fixed clues—use your imagination."
Zhao Wanqing frowned slightly at his words. While it made sense, imagination needed some basis in reality. Otherwise, wasn't it just daydreaming?
Chu Xingchen glanced at Zhao Wanqing's silent expression and understood she didn't take his words seriously.
But it didn't matter. Soon, Zhao Wanqing would understand what it meant to forge a new path.
South of Yuzhou City, the Yuzhou River connected inland regions to the coast. Water transport was extremely developed here.
In such terrain, the most lucrative activity was smuggling.
Ordinary merchants smuggled private salt or hoarded grain to drive up prices. More sophisticated operators dealt in foreign antiques and exotic curiosities.
But smugglers weren't just ordinary people.
Cultivators did it too. After all, they pursued immortality not to deliver packages. Ships traveling with the current weren't slow either.
Most cultivators with poor talent but still seeking the immortal path would smuggle medicinal herbs, pills, or other illicit goods to earn spirit stone price differences.
Everything in the world followed supply and demand. Where there was demand, there would be sellers.
Calling these people evil cultivators might be an exaggeration, but they were hardly good people either.
They could be considered part of the gray zone.
As an officer of Zhao Wanqing's rank, she wouldn't care about gray zones. She had her hands full dealing with evil cultivators and vicious beasts—no time to catch those bottom-tier shameless cultivators.
Moreover, those bottom-tier cultivators weren't united. They operated in separate groups, guarding their own small territories. They couldn't stir up any real trouble.
But what Zhao Wanqing might not realize was that those who could hold territory in such places might not be the strongest, but they were certainly the most well-informed.
If Zhao Wanqing understood the nature of this area, she wouldn't be wearing that expression now.
Chu Xingchen and Zhao Wanqing currently stood at a remote unloading dock belonging to the Canal Gang.
Not far away, people were moving large cargo crates off an old freighter.
Zhao Wanqing frowned at the dilapidated dock before her. Several Profound Connection cultivators held worn blades, eyeing her with hostility.
She truly couldn't understand why they were here. Did he want her to arrest these bottom-tier smugglers?
The dock guard asked unpleasantly:
"What are you here for?"
Chu Xingchen gestured: "Show them your Demon Suppression Bureau captain's insignia."
Though unsure why they were here, Zhao Wanqing cooperatively took out the insignia from her waist.
Before Zhao Wanqing could speak, Chu Xingchen stepped forward and said:
"Demon Suppression Bureau official business. Bring out your leader for questioning."
"So it's the officials. Please wait, I'll call him right away."
Seeing the insignia, the dock guard lost his earlier sharpness and immediately nodded obsequiously.
The Demon Suppression Bureau's insignia worked exceptionally well here.
After all, these people lacked the reckless courage of true evil cultivators. At their core, they were businessmen and wouldn't dare act against Demon Suppression Bureau personnel.
Thus, they could be easily controlled by the Bureau.
Soon, a Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivator decked in gold and silver hurried over, speaking humbly:
"Officers, we run a small business here. We haven't broken any laws. If you're making arrests, go to the next dock and arrest Wang Er Mazi! That kid traffics people!"
"He also loansharks, forces decent women into prostitution, and commits all sorts of outrageous deeds!"
"That kid is truly evil incarnate. If you're going to arrest him, I'd be happy to guide you, officers!"
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