Yaoqin frowned slightly upon hearing this, "Didn't I tell her that I'd notify her if there was any news?"
"She seems to have some important clues... and she appeared to be severely injured when she arrived."
Severely injured?
Yaoqin glanced at her maid, Xiao Ling, and after a long pause, sighed, "Let her in."
"Yes, miss."
The maid stood up and walked toward the door.
Yaoqin sat back in her chair and poured herself a cup of tea.
Yaoqin and Zhao Wanqing had some history.
They had shared tea a couple of times and met on a few occasions.
After a while, there was a knock on the door, and with Yaoqin's permission, the door slowly opened.
What greeted Yaoqin's eyes was Zhao Wanqing, covered in blood. She had several deep sword wounds, some almost reaching the bone, and her Demon Suppression Bureau uniform was torn and tattered.
Her expression was one of exhaustion, clearly having gone through a fierce battle.
Yaoqin was well aware of Zhao Wanqing's cultivation level—mid Foundation Establishment stage, which made her a formidable expert in a place like Yuzhou City.
But how had she ended up so badly injured in just the time it took to eat a meal?
For someone at the Foundation Establishment stage, these injuries were indeed severe.
Moreover, this didn't align with her usual temperament.
Yaoqin took a sip of tea. The tea, which had tasted fine earlier, now seemed to lack something:
"How did you end up so badly injured? I don't recall you being the type to risk your life for official duties."
Zhao Wanqing hesitated but then spoke truthfully, "It's my younger brother who's severely injured."
Younger brother?
No wonder Zhao Wanqing was so concerned.
Yaoqin looked up at Zhao Wanqing, her tone unchanged, "So why come to me now? The talisman matter won't be resolved so quickly."
Zhao Wanqing, who usually carried herself with a certain pride, now looked dejected. She lowered her head and said softly,
"I need help... someone at least at the Golden Core stage."
Making such a request in Yuzhou City was already pushing it, given that the head of the Demon Suppression Bureau here was only at the Golden Core stage.
In this region, a Golden Core cultivator could easily hold a position as an elder in a sect.
Who would bother helping the Demon Suppression Bureau with an investigation, especially alongside a Foundation Establishment cultivator?
"When I went to investigate this afternoon, I encountered a group of demonic cultivators. Though they were only at the early Foundation Establishment stage, their techniques, fueled by blood energy, were at least at the mid Foundation Establishment level."
"Now that the Bureau head has been assigned to a mission at the main river in Yuzhou, without a Golden Core cultivator to suppress them with sheer cultivation..."
Zhao Wanqing lowered her gaze. Since she had grown up, she had never asked for help from anyone. Even now, forced by necessity, it was difficult for her to make such a request.
After all, the culprits this time were not weak, and Zhao Wanqing couldn't bring herself to order the Qi Refinement stage members of the Bureau to gather intelligence, as it would clearly be a suicide mission.
As for the other Foundation Establishment stage team leaders, each of them was already burdened with critical tasks. Everyone was busy, and this mission was particularly dangerous.
Even the team leaders were no exception.
But if they didn't act quickly, the perpetrators would flee Yuzhou City, and the trail would go cold.
This wasn't paranoia but rather Zhao Wanqing's years of experience in handling cases.
However, Zhao Wanqing was prepared for Yaoqin to refuse her request.
After all, the request was indeed excessive, but in Yuzhou City, aside from Zhuyu Ting, Zhao Wanqing didn't know where else she could find a Golden Core expert.
She couldn't possibly go and disturb the Zhao Family's elderly ancestor, who was in seclusion, could she?
Zhao Wanqing had come simply to try her best. Even if it didn't work out, it was better than doing nothing.
Yaoqin listened carefully to Zhao Wanqing's plea. It had to be said, the timing was quite fortunate.
If Yaoqin hadn't accepted Chu Xingchen's commission, she would most likely have had to refuse Zhao Wanqing's request.
After all, Yaoqin was only in Yuzhou City for a sect mission, and she still had sect elders overseeing her.
It really was a fortunate coincidence.
Yaoqin asked, "How many spirit stones can you offer?"
Zhao Wanqing was momentarily taken aback but then thought seriously for a moment before replying,
"I can offer up to three hundred spirit stones."
As long as she could offer spirit stones, it would be fine. Chu Xingchen was perpetually broke, so a payment might just convince him. He was, after all, the most accessible Golden Core expert in Yuzhou City.
And he was at the late Golden Core stage...
Who knew what kind of fortuitous encounter had allowed his cultivation to advance so quickly!
Yaoqin took out paper and a brush, writing down the details of the matter. Chu Xingchen could decide for himself whether to help based on this information.
After all, Chu Xingchen was also connected to this case. If he could uncover something, it might even aid his own mission.
"Take this letter with you," Yaoqin said, handing Zhao Wanqing a piece of paper with Chu Xingchen's address. "Remember, if he refuses, you can try offering more spirit stones."
Zhao Wanqing quickly reached out and took the note from Yaoqin.
Yaoqin added, "Oh, and remember, whether he agrees or not, you owe me a favor."
"I understand. Thank you."
Night had already fallen over Yuzhou City.
Zhao Wanqing first returned home to tend to her wounds and change into clean clothes.
After all, she was about to meet a Golden Core expert, and one recommended by Yaoqin at that.
As a member of the Zhao Family, Zhao Wanqing understood the importance of proper etiquette.
Showing up covered in blood to ask for help... it would be obvious that the matter wasn't a simple one.
Yuzhou City was a place Zhao Wanqing could navigate with her eyes closed.
She knew every street like the back of her hand.
Her head was bowed, and every step she took sent sharp pain shooting through her right thigh, which had been slashed deeply.
To prevent blood from staining her pants, she had wrapped it tightly with bandages.
Her arms were similarly bandaged.
She could have used her spiritual energy to dull the pain, but Zhao Wanqing chose not to.
Zhao Wanqing and Zhao Zhengyang were siblings, direct descendants of the Zhao Family.
Their parents had fallen ill shortly after Zhao Zhengyang's birth and passed away not long after.
Zhao Wanqing still remembered her mother's weak grip on her hand as she lay on her deathbed, her voice barely audible.
There were too many things Zhao Wanqing couldn't quite make out.
Perhaps her own sobs had drowned out her mother's words.
But Zhao Wanqing had heard her mother's final wish—that both of them, brother and sister, would be well.
Zhao Wanqing couldn't recall how many promises she had made to her mother.
But... she had failed to keep them.
She looked up at the bright moon hanging high in the sky.
Zhao Wanqing hadn't been in close contact with her brother for years. Shortly after their mother's death, she had begun her cultivation journey.
It was only in recent years, after returning from her travels and taking up a position at the Demon Suppression Bureau, that she had reconnected with the Zhao Family.
She had only then gotten to know her grown-up brother, and even then, their communication was limited to occasional letters.
Zhao Zhengyang wasn't particularly talented, but he was hardworking and upright.
Zhao Wanqing had initially planned to bring him into her own team, but he had refused.
So he had joined the second team instead.
Zhao Wanqing suppressed the overwhelming emotions in her heart. Her mother's words echoed in her ears.
She had failed as an older sister.
At this moment, all she could do was avenge her brother.
She couldn't restore him to health, and the chances of him even returning to being an ordinary person were slim.
All she had left was the short blade at her waist.
Zhao Wanqing's steps came to a halt as she reached the address written on the note. Before her stood a tightly shut door.