Although it could hardly be called lush with vegetation, the signs that no one had lived there for quite some time were plainly visible.
They had already entered the empty house.
Tian Renmu ran a finger across the furniture, gathering a layer of dust, then stared at Jilian. "Is this really the residence of that traveling merchant Zehart you mentioned?"
Jilian said, "This is definitely the place. This is Uncle Zehart's home... He often goes out, and whenever he leaves the Royal Capital, it's for a long time. So occasionally, I come here to clean for him."
"When was the last time you came here?" Tian Renmu asked with a frown.
Jilian said, "A-almost two months ago... Business at the weapon shop hasn't been very good lately, so I wasn't really in the mood."
"You said this Zehart appeared only yesterday." Tian Renmu's expression remained blank. "Does that mean he returned to the Royal Capital but didn't come back to his own home?"
"That should be the case." Jilian nodded, then pointed at a cup on the table. "I probably left this cup here after drinking some water the last time I cleaned. It hasn't been moved since..."
"Why did Zehart come looking for you and Max yesterday?"
"There wasn't anything special." Jilian recalled the events. "He said he had just returned to the Royal Capital and happened to pass by our shop, so he came in to take a look... Oh, right. Uncle Zehart should have had a drink with Dad. When he left, I smelled alcohol on him... But thinking back, Dad's reaction afterward seemed a little strange."
"What was strange about it?" Tian Renmu pressed.
Jilian thought for a moment. "Dad must have drunk too much. He didn't wake up until after Uncle Zehart left, but once