"Why are you here at the academy too?"
"The day you were attacked, I happened to be investigating another missing person case."
"Another one?"
On the way down from the Master's Courtyard, Ji You brought Kuang Cheng along and was greatly surprised by what he learned.
Why are there so many missing person cases these days?
Kuang Cheng saw the question in Ji You's eyes and immediately said, "After the Si Xian Jian was established, Your Majesty intended to use the tax embezzlement case as a starting point to have us thoroughly investigate Wei Li and Chong Wang's factionalism and corruption. This involves a missing person case."
"Aren't you a civil official? You usually just deal with paperwork; why are you personally investigating cases?"
"My colleagues in the Supervisor felt that even if this matter was cleared up, it wouldn't bother Wei Xiang much, so they weren't willing to delve deeper. I could only use my break time to look for clues."
Ji You looked at him: "What missing person case?"
Kuang Cheng lowered his voice: "Do you remember me mentioning an orphanage in the West City?"
"I remember. All my money was donated there by you."
"That was my money!"
Kuang Cheng retorted, "Before we went to the capital, many children, mostly abandoned infants, went missing from there overnight. I was investigating along the streets when I was called by Tianshu Academy for questioning."
Ji You frowned deeply after hearing this, thinking, was it because Yuyang County was isolated from information, or was it truly that doubts suddenly arose during this period?
First, the academy lost students, then Old Qiu wrote to say that livestock were missing from Thirty Li Pu, and now Kuang Cheng told him that many children were missing from Shengjing.
These missing individuals had nothing in common, and people and cattle could not be lumped together.
But for some reason, the timing of their appearances was too coincidental, as if they were systematically gathered together, which inevitably made people draw connections.
After a long period of thought, Ji You came back to his senses: "Did you find any clues?"
"Because I had donated quilts to the children there before, some of them weren't wary of me. They privately told me that on a few nights, they could hear people going in and out through the door, as well as the sound of large carriage wheels."
Kuang Cheng rolled up his sleeves: "Only post stations or large businesses have large carriages. Businesses are hard to investigate, so I plan to go to the post station first to dig for clues."
Ji You couldn't help but frown after hearing this: "You're fighting alone like this, with no one to help you. The risk is too high."
"That's why I need you to become the Master-in-charge of Tianshu Academy as soon as possible."
"I already said, I can't outlast him."
Ji You frowned and pondered for a long time: "Let me ask you, does Chong Wang have a daughter?"
Kuang Cheng was stunned for a moment: "Prince Chong's Mansion has a princess, but she is said to have excellent cultivation talent, one of the few talented individuals in the royal family. Later, she cultivated the Dao of Lingjian Mountain."
Wait, wait, Ji You interrupted him: "Tianshu Academy is the Great Xia Holy Sect, so why is Chong Wang's daughter cultivating the Dao of Lingjian Mountain?"
"It is said that Your Majesty forbids royal relatives from cultivating Immortals, but Chong Wang has superb methods and invited a person of profound Dao from Lingjian Mountain to reside in Prince Chong's Mansion for her."
Chong Wang was originally pro-Immortal and coveted the throne. It seems the Emperor is not a fool; forbidding anyone in his mansion from cultivating Immortals is to restrict him.
Ji You pondered for a while before looking up: "Then the princess of Prince Chong's Mansion is not suitable. What about Wei Li? Does he have a daughter?"
"Yes, she's the same age as my mother. She married an official from the Ministry of Revenue when she was young. Wei Li's daughter is also among our investigation targets."
"Do you mind... older? Older is actually good; they know how to cherish people."
Ji You gave up after saying that.
This era was, after all, feudal, and could not tolerate such stimulating things.
Kuang Cheng was also bewildered, not understanding what he meant by 'older' or 'where older,' nor did he understand what Wei Li's daughter had to do with him.
A moment later, Ji You asked again: "Then Wei Li should have a granddaughter, right?"
Kuang Cheng thought for a moment: "Indeed, he has a granddaughter. She is said to be well-educated and gentle."
Ji You nodded and looked at Kuang Cheng: "Has anyone ever told you that handsome men like us look deeply affectionate even when looking at a dog?"
Kuang Cheng was stunned for a moment: "What does that mean?"
Ji You pulled him down into the grass at the foot of the mountain and squatted: "Find an opportunity to 'accidentally' meet her. Kick her shin, or just find something and ask her if she dropped it. In short, just make contact."
Kuang Cheng squatted in the grass, completely bewildered: "And then?"
"After you get to know her, show your charm to win her over. Write poems, enjoy romantic escapades, be elusive, and make her fall in love with you."
Kuang Cheng immediately flushed after hearing this: "I haven't even achieved anything yet; how can I consider matters of the heart!"
Ji You sighed: "The spread of power has only three ways: sex, blood, and mother-to-child. You are alone now. Even if you find something, can you come back alive? You have to make Wei Li apprehensive, and this is the only way."
Kuang Cheng thought for a long time: "Brother Ji, do you like older women? Does your Master-in-charge have a daughter?"
"Heh, you learn fast. It seems you've understood. Now scram!"
Watching Kuang Cheng descend the mountain, Ji You was about to return to Bishui Lake Garden when he suddenly saw a group of people approaching him.
These people were the other sect Disciples who had watched the battle on the street. Now, one by one, they approached him, holding their swords, and bowed to him. There were more than twenty of them.
"Young Master Ji, I am Bai Xi, an outer Disciple of Lingjian Mountain."
"I am Chen Buwang of the Chen Clan. It's a pleasure to meet you, Brother Ji."
"Qiu Ni of Mountain and Sea Pavilion!"
"..."
Ji You looked at them: "Fellow Daoists, what can I do for you?"
Bai Xi respectfully said, "After seeing Young Master Ji's sword on the street, I haven't been able to forget it. May I ask if those three swords have names?"
Ji You thought for a moment: "Three Swords Returning to the Source."
The people around exchanged glances, all nodding in praise, thinking what a majestic name.
Bai Xi then asked: "May I ask who Young Master Ji's sword technique master is?"
Ji You instantly understood that they wanted to learn swordsmanship: "My master is the sword Dao expert Wang Xin'an. I enjoy working. If any Fellow Daoists wish to learn swordsmanship, I can collect the fee on behalf of my master, one tael per person."
Upon hearing this, everyone was first stunned, then one after another, they pulled out silver from their sleeves and waist...
Wang Xin'an had been having a great time these past few days, drinking tea and slacking off in the Trial Sword Forest every day, feeling extremely pleased.
However, at this moment, a group of Disciples from other sects were heading menacingly towards the Trial Sword Forest.
The chaotic footsteps grew closer, waking Wang Xin'an, who was closing his eyes and savoring his tea.
What's all this noise?
Wang Xin'an rose from his rattan chair and saw a group of people coming. They knelt on one knee and begged him to teach them swordsmanship.
Seeing this, Wang Xin'an immediately understood that Ji You's performance in the battle yesterday had impressed them, and after learning that he was Ji You's master of the sword Dao, they wanted to learn from him.
Wang Xin'an laughed heartily for a while: "Although I do enjoy teaching people swordsmanship and have been diligent every day without tiring, you are not Disciples of my Tianshu Academy after all. How can you learn from my Tianshu Academy?"
"But, Brother Ji has already collected the money."
"????"