Yaoqin frowned slightly upon hearing this, "Didn't I tell her that I would inform her if there was any news?"

"It seems she has some important clues... and she looked seriously injured when she arrived."

Seriously injured?

Yaoqin glanced at the maid, Little Ling, and after a long pause, sighed, "Let her in."

"Yes, Miss."

The maid got up and walked towards the door.

Yaoqin sat back in her chair and poured herself a cup of tea.

Zhao Wanqing had some acquaintance with Yaoqin, though mostly due to a fellow disciple.

But they had shared a couple of teas and met a few times.

After a while, there was a knock on the door, and with Yaoqin's permission, the door slowly opened.

What met Yaoqin's eyes was Zhao Wanqing, covered in blood, with several severe knife wounds almost deep enough to reveal bone, and her Demon Suppression Bureau uniform was in tatters.

Her expression was utterly exhausted, clearly having been through a fierce battle.

Yaoqin understood Zhao Wanqing's cultivation level; she was already in the Mid Foundation Establishment Stage, which was considered quite skilled in a place like Yuzhou City.

How could she end up so injured in just the time it took to have a meal?

This kind of injury was indeed severe for someone in the Foundation Establishment Stage.

Moreover, this was not her usual style.

Yaoqin sipped her tea, but the tea that had tasted smooth before now seemed to lack something:

"How did you end up like this? I don't recall you being the type to risk your life for duty."

Zhao Wanqing showed a hint of hesitation but still spoke truthfully, "The one seriously injured is my younger brother."

Younger brother?

No wonder Zhao Wanqing was so concerned.

Yaoqin looked up at Zhao Wanqing, her tone unchanged, "So why are you here to see me now? The talisman matter won't be resolved quickly."

Zhao Wanqing's usually proud demeanor wilted, and she lowered her head, speaking softly:

"I need help... at least someone with a Core Formation Stage cultivation."

Making such a request in Yuzhou City was already excessive, considering that the Division Chief of the Demon Suppression Bureau was only at the Core Formation Stage.

In this area, someone at the Core Formation Stage could easily hold an elder position in a sect.

Who would come to help the Demon Suppression Bureau investigate a case, especially with a Foundation Establishment cultivator?

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"When I went to investigate this afternoon, I encountered a group of evil cultivators. Although they were only at the early Foundation Establishment Stage, their techniques, enhanced by blood qi, had at least mid Foundation Establishment power."

"Now the Division Chief has been dispatched to a task by the Main River of Yuzhou. Without someone at the Core Formation Stage to overpower them..."

Zhao Wanqing lowered her head. Since growing up, she had never asked anyone for help. Even though she was forced to do so now, it was still difficult to speak.

After all, the perpetrator's cultivation level was not low, and Zhao Wanqing found it hard to order those at the Qi Refining stage to investigate, as it was clearly a mission with a high risk of death.

As for other Foundation Establishment team leaders, everyone had important tasks, and this mission was particularly dangerous.

Even for team leaders, it was the same.

But if they didn't investigate quickly, once the perpetrator left Yuzhou City, it would be like searching for a needle in a haystack.

This wasn't baseless worry but Zhao Wanqing's years of experience in handling cases.

However, Zhao Wanqing was prepared for Yaoqin to refuse.

After all, the request was indeed excessive, but apart from the Bamboo-Jade Courtyard, Zhao Wanqing didn't know where else she could find a Golden Core cultivator in Yuzhou City.

She couldn't possibly ask the aging Ancestor of the Zhao Clan, who was in seclusion, could she?

Zhao Wanqing came with the intention of doing her best; doing something was better than doing nothing.

Yaoqin listened carefully to Zhao Wanqing's plea and had to admit, the timing was indeed fortunate.

If she hadn't accepted Chu Xingchen's commission, she would likely have had to refuse Zhao Wanqing's request.

After all, Yaoqin was in Yuzhou City for sect training, and there were still sect elders overseeing her.

She had to admit, the timing was indeed fortunate.

Yaoqin asked, "How many spirit stones can you offer?"

Zhao Wanqing was taken aback by the question, but after some serious thought, she replied:

"I can offer up to three hundred spirit stones."

Offering spirit stones was enough; after all, Chu Xingchen was perpetually broke, and money should be enough to hire him. He was arguably the most accessible Golden Core cultivator in Yuzhou City.

And he was in the late Core Formation Stage...

Who knows what fortuitous encounter he had to advance so quickly!

Yaoqin took out paper and pen, writing down the details of the matter for Chu Xingchen to decide whether to help based on the information.

After all, Chu Xingchen was somewhat connected to this matter, and if they could uncover anything, it might also aid Chu Xingchen's commission.

"Take my letter." Yaoqin handed Zhao Wanqing a piece of paper with Chu Xingchen's address, "Remember, if he doesn't agree, you can try offering more spirit stones."

Zhao Wanqing quickly reached out and took the note from Yaoqin's hand.

Yaoqin spoke, "By the way, remember, whether he agrees or not, you owe me a favor."

"I understand, thank you."

————————

Night had fallen over Yuzhou City.

Zhao Wanqing first went back to tend to her wounds and changed into clean clothes.

After all, she was meeting a Golden Core cultivator, and one recommended by Yaoqin at that.

As a member of an influential family, Zhao Wanqing understood the importance of etiquette.

After all, seeking help while covered in blood... it was obvious that it wouldn't be an easy task.

Zhao Wanqing knew Yuzhou City so well she could walk it with her eyes closed.

She was familiar with every street.

Her eyes were downcast, and her right thigh bore a deep cut, causing intense pain with every step.

To prevent the blood from staining her trousers, she wrapped several layers of bandages around it.

Her arms were the same.

She could have used spiritual power to dull the pain, but Zhao Wanqing didn't do so.

Zhao Wanqing and Zhao Zhengyang were siblings, direct descendants of the Zhao family.

Their parents had fallen ill with a severe disease shortly after Zhao Zhengyang was born and passed away not long after.

Zhao Wanqing still remembered her mother's final moments, holding her hand, her voice barely audible.

There were too many words, and Zhao Wanqing couldn't hear them clearly.

Perhaps her own sobbing drowned out her mother's words.

But Zhao Wanqing still heard her mother's last wish—"You both must be well, you siblings must be well."

Zhao Wanqing couldn't remember how many promises she made to her mother.

But... she had broken them.

She looked up at the bright moon hanging high.

Zhao Wanqing hadn't had much contact with her brother. After their mother's death, she began her cultivation journey.

In recent years, she returned from outside and took up a position at the Demon Suppression Bureau, returning to the Zhao family.

Only then did she reconnect with her grown-up brother, usually through occasional letters.

Zhao Zhengyang wasn't particularly gifted, but he was diligent and upright.

Zhao Wanqing had planned to bring him into her team, but he refused.

So he joined Team Two instead.

Zhao Wanqing suppressed her overwhelming emotions, her mother's words constantly echoing in her ears.

She hadn't fulfilled her role as an elder sister.

At this moment, besides avenging her brother, there was nothing else she could do.

She couldn't restore her brother to his former self, and even returning to a normal life seemed unlikely.

All she could rely on was the short knife at her waist.

Zhao Wanqing stopped in her tracks, arriving at the address on the note, facing a tightly closed door.