Honest Meeting: Xue Qinghe's Trouble (Seeking Member Readership)

For the matter they were about to discuss, Xue Qinghe did not bring Qian Gu Changkong along, instead leaving him outside alone.

Wu Qi lightly patted his arm. "You should read more and use your brain in everything you do. Don't think only of brute force."

Watching the two enter the study and shut the door, Qian Gu Changkong seemed to want to speak but stopped himself.

How could he possibly have the mind to argue now? He needed to figure out how to prevent Ning Rongrong's retaliation.

Inside the study, Xue Qinghe took an incense stick from the incense table, lit it, and placed it in the burner.

"From here on, this is an absolutely safe place. You may speak freely."

Xue Qinghe had two Titled Douluo guarding him, and lighting the incense seemed to be a signal of some kind.

At this moment, the two Titled Douluo would certainly be watching everything outside the study closely.

"I heard that, based on those two remarks back then, you guessed my identity?" As he spoke, Xue Qinghe made a welcoming gesture.

The two sat facing each other, Wu Qi relaxed in his chair.

"I heard that the Great Enshriner has a granddaughter around Xue Qinghe's age. When my master told the Great Enshriner of my guess, his aura faltered for an instant."

"So I guessed that you are Spirit Hall's true Young Master."

Xue Qinghe's brows drew together slightly.

Fortunately, Wu Qi was from the Worship Hall. If he had been an outsider, he likely would not have left the Crown Prince's Residence alive today.

A moment later, he suddenly smiled and personally poured the other man a cup of tea. "You were able to link together such subtle clues. Grandfather said you were exceptionally clever; it seems he was not lying."

Those words were effectively an admission of his identity.

They were both from Spirit Hall, and Wu Qi had never intended to play dumb while knowing the truth.

Since they were on the same side, their strength should be directed together rather than wasted on meaningless scheming.

Changing the subject, Xue Qinghe asked, "Since you're so clever, tell me—what did you discover when you entered the city?"

Wu Qi explained what had happened in Suotuo City, leaving Qian Renxue clicking her tongue in wonder. "What enviable powers of observation. Your guess was correct. The source of the rumors was indeed the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and in all likelihood, my master personally spread them."

Wu Qi was not surprised.

The odds of Ning Rongrong finding Shrek Academy, so far away, and entering it to study on a whim were slim. She had likely been guided there by someone.

Although Wu Qi did not think highly of Shrek Academy, their background was rather clean in a sense. Studying there would keep her from getting drawn into the conflicts of major powers.

Ning Rongrong had already developed a rebellious streak, and Ning Fengzhi had guessed that she would run away from home.

To wear down Ning Rongrong's little-witch temperament, Ning Fengzhi might have guided her to Suotuo City and ultimately led her to join Shrek Academy.

Setting those thoughts aside, Wu Qi noticed the troubled look on Xue Qinghe's face and asked in return:

"Strictly speaking, this is a private matter of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Why is Your Highness the Crown Prince so concerned? Could there be some hidden circumstances?"

"The matter troubling me is a long story. I fear I'll need you to make a trip to Suotuo City."

Xue Qinghe explained the truth.

"Recently, a large quantity of grain mysteriously disappeared from Suotuo City—enough to feed a thousand people for over a year."

"The rumors Sovereign Ning spread have drawn a great many people to Suotuo City. I want to investigate where that grain went, but there is too much interference."

He did not know whether this was a coincidence or something Ning Fengzhi had deliberately arranged.

With so much grain gone, it was clear that a force of a thousand men, whose allegiance was unknown, was being maintained in secret.

Qian Renxue wanted to know whether this force was a private army secretly hidden by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Wu Qi did not understand. After pondering for a while, he asked, "It was only one disappearance of grain. Isn't it unnecessary to make so many assumptions? Could it have been bandits from the area who joined forces for a raid?"

Banditry had always been a problem overlooked by the continent.

Some Soul Masters who became bandits had originally been criminals, turning to robbery only after being left with no other way to survive.

Most, however, were Soul Masters who could not obtain cultivation resources, did not wish to join any major power, yet only wanted to make quick money.

How could anyone expect bandits to farm diligently enough to become self-sufficient in food?

Xue Qinghe shook his head, rejecting the guess.

He pulled open the desk drawer and spread a document across the tabletop.

"Strictly speaking, the grain was not robbed."

The document clearly noted that the grain had been purchased by a major buyer. Yet after it was transported out of Suotuo City, it vanished without a trace and never entered the market.

Xue Qinghe had only discovered this recently. Soon after, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect spread rumors about Suotuo City, making it the center of attention in a short time.

Xue Qinghe had no choice but to suspect that Ning Fengzhi was trying to conceal the truth.

Wu Qi asked again, "So what if the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is secretly maintaining soldiers? As long as your identity remains hidden, those forces will ultimately be your support."

Xue Qinghe looked hesitant. After a moment, he said seriously, "The Worship Hall and the Papal Hall have a secret plan. For the plan to proceed smoothly, I need to understand every arrangement the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has made."

"If the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect truly has a hidden army of a thousand men, the plan will face considerable uncertainty. We cannot afford to be careless."

Xue Qinghe did not explain the plan's specifics, but Wu Qi could guess them.

At present, Qian Renxue had only one thought in her heart: to earn Bibi Dong's recognition.

Infiltrating the Heaven Dou Empire had been part of Bibi Dong's plan, and Qian Renxue had willingly entered the game for that very reason.

Wu Qi did not know many of the details of the Hunting Soul Plan, but he knew its outcome very well.

As for this missing grain shipment, he felt it had little to do with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was closely tied to the imperial family. Even if they kept private soldiers, they would not leave any traces behind.

This likely involved other forces.

The investigation in Suotuo City was more of a pretext, intended to get them away from Heaven Dou City's vortex of power.

Wu Qi and Qian Gu Changkong had arrived too suddenly. Xue Qinghe most likely had not yet figured out how to place them.

At the very least, before he had fabricated identities for them, staying in Heaven Dou City too long and drawing the attention of the major factions would be troublesome.

With that thought, Wu Qi did not refuse and took the matter upon himself.

Before they left, Xue Qinghe reminded them, "Remember, your own safety comes first. The results of the investigation are secondary."

After leaving the Crown Prince's Residence, Qian Gu Changkong pondered the information Wu Qi had brought him.

A moment later, he asked, "Brother Wu, do you have any leads on where to start investigating?"

Wu Qi spread his hands. "No. And I don't plan on conducting an investigation either."

Qian Gu Changkong's eyes widened. "If the Crown Prince finds out what you're thinking, we'll be in serious trouble!"

Wu Qi did not care in the slightest.

Having them investigate was a pretense; getting them out of the spotlight was the real goal.

Besides, even if Xue Qinghe truly wanted an investigation, with the two of them serving as a visible cover, the real investigators could work in secret without meeting any resistance.

So there was no need for them to worry. They only needed to do their own jobs well.