In Heaven Dou City, at the Wu family estate.
After returning to the clan, Wu Qinan immediately summoned the family steward.
"In recent years, has anyone in the clan run away from home or gone missing?"
Court affairs kept him constantly occupied. Although Wu Qinan was the head of the family, he rarely involved himself in household matters.
Today, after meeting Wu Qi, he felt a strange sense of familiarity. Yet he was certain he had never seen him within the clan before.
The steward, Wu Zhongzhi, promptly retrieved the records and replied, "Family Head, when clan disciples go out to gain experience, how could none go missing?"
"In the past ten years, more than a dozen disciples have gone missing…"
Anyone with clear judgment understood that most of those listed as missing had likely already perished.
"Only that many?" Wu Qinan asked in return.
He had impressions of everyone on the list, and Wu Qi was clearly not among them.
As for Wu Qi, he had always been a marginal figure within the clan. No one cared much about his fate.
However, as long as he was alive, he was entitled to receive a monthly allocation of resources from the clan.
From childhood to adulthood, that allocation had never actually reached Wu Qi's hands. Even after he had been missing for six years, the resources continued to be issued as usual. As for whose pocket they ended up in, that was another matter entirely.
After receiving confirmation, Wu Qinan nodded thoughtfully and asked no further questions.
But he could not let the matter go. He decided to arrange for someone to quietly probe into it.
In a teahouse, Chang Kong was enthusiastically analyzing Xue Qinghe's suspicions.
"Brother Wu, there's clearly more beneath the surface. Look—"
Wu Qi smiled helplessly and gestured for him to stop. "Why do you always jump to conspiracy theories? If it were a real conspiracy, would you even notice it? And even if you did, would it still count as one?"
"Stop overthinking. Read more books. Don't end up being tricked without realizing it. If this truly involves the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, at most they're acting as bait to cover for someone behind the scenes."
Chang Kong blinked. After thinking it over, he found it reasonable. "If the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is willing to provide cover, that person must have significant backing. We probably can't afford to offend them."
Wu Qi rubbed his forehead. "I tell you to read more, but you'd rather ride pigs. Does this matter have anything to do with you?"
After receiving a negative response, he said irritably, "Since it doesn't concern you, why involve yourself?"
"Even if this is an arrangement from His Highness, can't we just go through the motions? A wise man does not stand beneath a crumbling wall. Understand?"
"Makes sense!" Chang Kong nodded thoughtfully.
Wu Qi said no more.
On this trip to Suotuo City, he had no intention of truly investigating the matter.
In Heaven Dou City, he needed to remain as low-profile as possible. The Great Spirit Arena, a place filled with all kinds of people, was definitely somewhere they could not show themselves.
But once they reached Suotuo City, the situation would be different. It was only a grain distribution point; major factions rarely stationed people there long-term.
The Suotuo City Great Spirit Arena would be their best place for training, and it would be less likely to draw attention from the major powers.
After all, before they departed, the Worship Hall had set a training objective for them—obtaining the Gold Spirit Badge at the Great Spirit Arena.
Actual combat was always the fastest and most effective way to increase strength. Wu Qi's performance in the Death Canyon had been outstanding, but that did not mean he would allow himself to stagnate.
Within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
After learning that Ning Rongrong had ridden a horse recklessly through a busy street, Ning Fengzhi was extremely angered.
With the power of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, even if Ning Rongrong had killed someone in the street, the matter could have been settled. But that was not what Ning Fengzhi wanted.
As the future successor of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, a willful and violent temperament would not allow her to lead the sect far into the future.
One must not forget that Ning Rongrong herself was only an auxiliary-type Spirit Master.
Constantly making enemies for the sect and putting the entire family on edge was not something Ning Fengzhi wished to see.
A long vine lashed across Ning Rongrong's palm, splitting the skin and leaving a streak of blood.
"Rongrong, how many times have I told you not to cause trouble in the city? The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is now the wealthiest sect on the continent. Do you know how many eyes are watching us?"
"These people are not just waiting to laugh at us, they want our lives! By handing them leverage, are you tired of living?"
Ning Fengzhi's words were not exaggeration.
The continent had enjoyed more than a decade of apparent peace, but under the surface, currents were surging.
Under Bibi Dong's leadership, Spirit Hall had grown increasingly forceful in its actions.
The future situation of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was far from secure. Ning Rongrong's behavior today could very well become the spark for disaster in the future.
After all, no one could guarantee that among those she had injured today, there would not be someone who might one day stir the winds of change.
Ning Rongrong's face was filled with grievance.
Buying that horse had clearly been the result of being deceived by a merchant. Then she had been pulled off the horse and scraped her knee.
For her, the day had been terrible.
At the side, Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo quickly stepped in to mediate.
"Fengzhi, Rongrong did not do it intentionally. We can compensate the injured with a generous sum and let the matter pass," they urged.
Ning Fengzhi showed a helpless expression. "Uncle Jian, Uncle Gu, you've spoiled Rongrong too much…"
With no one to confide her grievances to, Ning Rongrong became even more determined to leave the sect.
After leaving the teahouse, Wu Qi and his companion found their path blocked.
Wu Qi recognized the three men leading the group, they were the direct descendants of the Wu family, known as the "Three Young Masters of the Wu Family": Wu Hao, Wu Shu, and Wu Qin.
Wu Qi's expression was indifferent as he said coldly, "Three Young Masters of the Wu Family, what do you want?"
The eldest among them, Wu Hao, lifted his chin arrogantly. "Since you recognize us, shouldn't you have come to pay your respects after arriving in Heaven Dou City?"
Wu Shu snorted. "Looks to me like he doesn't take the three of us seriously. Brothers, what do you say we do?"
The lackeys behind them chimed in repeatedly, "Teach him a lesson!"
Wu Qi folded his arms across his chest and watched the scene coldly.
He had expected the Wu family to make contact with him, but he had not expected it to happen so soon.
However, in his impression, the three young masters were not wastrels.
As direct heirs of the family and future inheritors of the noble title, Wu Qinan had been strict in their upbringing.
Seven years ago, Wu Hao had injured a fellow student at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Wu Qi did not know the full details, but the next day, several whip marks had appeared on Wu Hao's back.
Moreover, their performance now was far too exaggerated. It was likely they had been arranged by Wu Qinan to test him.
"If you want to fight, we'll accompany you!"
Chang Kong did not know anything about the Wu family. He assumed they were subordinates of Ning Rongrong, seeking revenge.
Since the matter had started because of him, he had no reason to retreat.
Wu Qin stepped forward with exaggerated swagger. "Who the hell do you think you are? Get lost!"
A fierce glint flashed in Chang Kong's eyes as his Coiling Dragon Staff appeared in his hand.
The average strength of the Three Young Masters was around level twenty-five, at the rank of Spirit Grandmaster. His own strength was more than enough to deal with all three.
Wu Qi did not allow the situation to escalate. He pressed down on Chang Kong's arm and said calmly, "Speak. Who sent you?"
"Remember, you only get one chance to talk. Don't waste it. Otherwise, the person behind you is destined to be disappointed."
"And the Crown Prince's anger is not something the three of you can bear."
-----
If you like story please donate some power stones and leave a review
For additional chapters
Join pateron.com/Translaterappu