Chapter 42: From Central Province
Facing the Foundation Establishment cultivator's shameless informant act, Chu Xingchen immediately checked his character tags.
[Target: Guan Quan]
[Blue Entry: Flexible Moral Compass]
[White Entry: Slightly Clever]
[White Entry: Ruthless]
[Black Entry: Inferior Talent]
Seeing these attributes, Chu Xingchen smiled with satisfaction. A flexible moral compass—wasn't this exactly the kind of person he needed?
Good luck. He'd choose him.
Chu Xingchen remarked: "I can tell you're a capable man. Owning your own dock here can't be easy."
Guan Quan smiled genuinely: "Thanks to the officials' blessings, we manage to get by."
"We came to ask for your help with a case." Chu Xingchen patted Guan Quan's shoulder, "You should have time, right?"
"No problem. Whatever the officials need, everyone at my dock will assist."
"No need for everyone. Just you will do."
Hearing this, Guan Quan froze. Just him alone?
Considering his recent activities, he wasn't much better than that Wang Er Mazi he'd just reported.
Who would dare accompany a Demon Suppression Bureau captain on an investigation?
Could these two be planning a sting operation?
Calling it "helping with a case"—were they actually planning to investigate him?
Guan Quan's face showed difficulty as he tried to refuse: "Officers, many hands make light work..."
"True, Captain. Let's call more people from the Demon Suppression Bureau." Chu Xingchen nodded in agreement first, then his expression suddenly turned fierce as he glared at Guan Quan, "You'd better call plenty too! Don't say we're bullying you!"
The threat was unmistakable.
Facing Chu Xingchen's threat, Guan Quan immediately knelt.
He had no choice. These two were clearly here to cause trouble. This dock represented his entire fortune. He could run, but the dock couldn't run with him.
He could only wear a pained expression, speaking with a grievance:
"Officers... can't you discuss the case here? I'll fully cooperate."
Seeing Guan Quan's nearly tearful expression, Chu Xingchen decided to reveal some substance first, lest he actually scare the man away:
"You must have had someone recently buying large quantities of ritual foundation stones at high prices, right?"
Guan Quan froze at these words, unease rising in his heart. As he calculated how to respond, he looked up to see Chu Xingchen's knowing smirk.
Taking a deep breath, Guan Quan said with a bitter smile: "A group did buy many ritual foundation stones, and they didn't care about the premium at all."
Hearing this, Zhao Wanqing's eyes instantly litened. If she didn't understand by now, she'd be a fool.
She quickly pressed: "Who bought them?! What's their name?"
Guan Quan gave Zhao Wanqing a strange look, hesitating to speak.
Where did this foolish girl come from to become a captain? Why would someone spend heavily here instead of at a proper treasure pavilion?
Obviously because their identity couldn't stand scrutiny, or perhaps their face was plastered on wanted posters.
Seeing Guan Quan's strange expression, Zhao Wanqing quickly understood the implication and realized she'd indeed been foolish.
Chu Xingchen's expression turned serious: "Now you should understand what those people intend to do with the foundation stones, right?"
Guan Quan said with a grievance: "How would I know that..."
Chu Xingchen cut him off coldly: "Choose your words carefully. You have only one chance."
Seeing Chu Xingchen icy expression and tone, Guan Quan understood he wouldn't get away without revealing something today.
His eyes glanced at the numerous underlings around him. With no other choice:
Guan Quan quickly raised both hands: "Sir! I truly don't know!"
Chu Xingchen instructed Zhao Wanqing beside him:
"Take him away."
Zhao Wanqing froze. What was the point of taking him away?
Did they plan to take him back to the Demon Suppression Bureau for interrogation?
By the time they forced information out of him, wouldn't it be too late?
Still, Zhao Wanqing obediently escorted Guan Quan outside.
The nearby underlings watched as their boss was led away, but none dared to interfere.
Guan Quan cooperated fully without resistance, shouting loudly:
"Officers! I truly don't know anything!"
Chu Xingchen ignored him and simply walked away.
Zhao Wanqing pressed the constantly shouting Guan Quan, following closely behind.
After walking some distance, Chu Xingchen suddenly turned into a corner.
Zhao Wanqing quickly dragged Guan Quan around the corner, but this was a dead-end alley.
Chu Xingchen stood there watching her.
Guan Quan stopped shouting, his tone fawning: "Officers, please loosen your grip."
Zhao Wanqing looked at Chu Xingchen, and after receiving his nod, released her hold.
Chu Xingchen asked: "Care to talk now?"
"They seem to be a group of evil cultivators. The recent blood sacrifices are likely their doing."
Guan Quan hurriedly said: "Officers, I only sold them a small portion of those goods! And I stopped selling once I learned what they were doing!"
Zhao Wanqing watched Guan Quan, who had seemed ready to die rather than talk moments ago, now acting like an eager sycophant.
This...
Chu Xchen's expression showed impatience: "Say something useful."
"They're planning to set up a grand ritual! A massive one!" Guan Quan quickly added, "I have information that they bought a Taixuan Stone to serve as the array core!"
Chu Xingchen asked: "Who sold it?"
Guan Quan blurted out: "Wang Er Mazi sold it!"
This time, before Chu Xingchen could ask, Zhao Wanqing instinctively reached for the short knife at her waist.
Chu Xingchen said speechlessly: "What did Wang Er Mazi do to offend you so much?"
"No, it really was Wang Er Mazi who sold it! I'd spent a fortune to get one myself, but that Wang Er Mazi stole the deal! I lost a lot of money on that stone!"
Hearing this, Zhao Wanqing was speechless. So that's how it was.
Guan Quan pleaded: "Officers, that's all I know."
"You're not being honest." Chu Xingchen reached out and patted Guan Quan's shoulder, "Did you think we came here just to find someone randomly? Guess who told us to find you?"
Guan Quan's expression instantly changed. Then he cautiously asked:
"Wang Er Mazi?"
Chu Xingchen suddenly summoned his spiritual sword, placing it directly against Guan Quan's neck as he said coldly:
"It was your grandma. She came to me in a dream last night and said if you dared to hide anything, I should send you up to meet her!"
Facing the sword at his neck, Guan Quan's expression collapsed as he quickly said:
"It really was Wang Er Mazi who sold it! At most, I only know those evil cultivators call themselves the Spirit Evil Cult! I truly don't know their specific plans!"
Chu Xingchen sneered: "You don't know? Then aren't their people still at your dock?"
Hearing this, Guan Quan froze. His eyes suddenly darted to Chu Xingchen, but he only saw mockery in Chu Xingchen's gaze.
Was this person bluffing, or did he actually have intelligence?
But the sword at his neck was definitely real. At this moment, the spiritual sword radiated endless cold, constantly stinging his skin.
Guan Quan took a deep breath and said:
"They're from Central Province!"
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