Shadow Play

"The west side of the city is a mixed bag, with all sorts of people gathered here. What's strange is that there are no signs of struggle at the disappearance sites, as if the children willingly went with someone. This is very peculiar."

Su Fei's eyes narrowed. His God-tier Insight Technique made him exceptionally sensitive to details.

"Willingly followed? There's likely something suspicious going on behind this."

Li Qianhu nodded.

"Precisely."

"The Imperial Guard is responsible for monitoring the martial arts world, but if a serial disappearance case involving civilian children isn't solved, it can easily lead to public discontent."

"The constables in Qingzhou Prefecture have requested our assistance from the Imperial Guard to help solve the case."

"If you can handle this case well, you'll be able to establish yourself initially. Good case-solving ability is also a reflection of your capabilities."

Su Fei closed the case file, stood up, and cupped his fists.

"Your subordinate understands."

"I accept this mission. Please rest assured, sir. I will uncover the truth and find the missing children."

Li Qianhu nodded slightly.

"You've just started. You can mobilize your direct subordinates, the strongmen, for manpower. If you need assistance, you can also apply for support from the Thousand Households Office. Remember, this case is strange, so proceed with caution. If you discover any involvement of martial arts factions and feel you are outmatched, report back to the Thousand Households Office first."

"Your subordinate obeys."

Ding! Task triggered: West City Children Disappearance Case.

Task Requirements: Investigate the children's disappearance case and apprehend the mastermind!

Task Reward: Dragon Catching Skill martial art, fifty years of cultivation!

Leaving Li Qianhu's office, Su Fei immediately summoned Wang Meng and ten other strongmen.

"Everyone, come here. There's a task to be done."

Su Fei handed the case file to Wang Meng.

"Children have been disappearing in the west of the city over the past month. You will accompany me to the scene for investigation. Wang Meng, are you familiar with the west side of the city?"

Wang Meng quickly scanned the case file and immediately replied.

"Your subordinate grew up on the west side of the city, and my home is there. I'm familiar with Poverty Alley and the bustling markets. I've checked, and the disappearance locations are mostly around the Three Saints Temple. There are often street performers setting up stalls there, with many people around. It's indeed easy for incidents to occur."

"Very good."

A sharp glint flashed in Su Fei's eyes.

"Bring your gear and follow me to the vicinity of the Three Saints Temple. Focus on investigating the last known locations of the missing children."

"Yes!"

The ten strongmen responded in unison, retrieved their sabers, and followed Su Fei out of the Thousand Households Office.

The group mounted their horses and headed towards the west side of the city.

The west side of the city was completely different from the orderly city center. Narrow streets crisscrossed, and the houses on both sides were low and dilapidated.

The air was mixed with the smell of cooking oil, sewage, and cheap spices. The passersby were mostly commoners dressed in coarse cloth. Upon seeing Su Fei and his entourage in their flying fish robes, they all moved to the side of the road, their eyes filled with awe and curiosity.

"Lord Su, the Three Saints Temple is just ahead."

Wang Meng reined in his horse and pointed to a small temple with sparse incense smoke ahead.

It was morning, and in the open space in front of the temple, there were several street performance stalls – monkey trainers, dough figurine makers, and performers demonstrating hard qigong.

Su Fei dismounted, his God-tier Insight Technique quietly activated, his gaze sweeping across the entire area.

"The disappearances all happened within the last month. I suspect it wasn't done by locals."

"Wang Meng, take two men and ask the nearby residents if they've seen any strangers recently."

Su Fei ordered in a deep voice.

"The rest of you, come with me to check inside the temple."

The wooden door of the Three Saints Temple was ajar. It creaked open with a "squeak."

The temple was covered in cobwebs, the divine statues were dusty, and the incense burner on the altar had long since been extinguished.

Su Fei's gaze fell upon the shadow behind the divine statue. The ground there was smoother than elsewhere, and faint drag marks could be seen.

Several pieces of colored oil paper were scattered in the corner, resembling wrappers for snacks.

"Something's not right here."

Su Fei walked forward, carefully observing the ground. He then crouched down and gently stroked the ground with his finger, his fingertip coming into contact with a trace of grayish-white powder.

"This is residue from the Soul-confusing Powder. Anyone who inhales it will lose consciousness, let alone children."

"As long as we find out who stayed in this temple for a long time recently, they are highly suspicious."

The Imperial Guard strongmen were all shocked.

"What? Boss just got here not long ago, and he's already found a clue? This is too fast."

Not long after, Wang Meng ran in quickly, his expression grave.

"Squad Leader Su, I just asked the residents. A month ago, a puppeteer who performed shadow plays came to the bustling market. He was a limping outsider. Every time he came, he carried a large box of props. He often said he liked children and loved giving candy to the children here."

"Oh, and he sometimes took naps inside the Three Saints Temple."

"These residents saw he was a cripple and that he was very kind, giving candy to children, so they all thought he was a good person."

Su Fei held the pieces of colored oil paper, his gaze sharp.

"He likes children, gives them candy for no reason, and stops at the Three Saints Temple. He's also an outsider. It seems this cripple is the most suspicious."

He put the oil paper away.

"Wang Meng, where is that shadow play performer now?"

Wang Meng immediately replied.

"He comes at noon and packs up at dusk."

Su Fei made a decision.

"The rest of you return to the Thousand Households Office first. Leave one person to stay with me here. It's inconvenient with too many people. Who is willing to stay?"

Wang Meng reacted extremely quickly.

"Lord Su, I'll stay. Give me a chance."

Su Fei nodded.

"Alright, you'll stay. We'll change into plain clothes."

After everyone dispersed, Su Fei and Wang Meng found a clothing shop and changed into coarse cloth clothes, wrapping their swords in cloth strips and carrying them on their backs.

Once they changed into plain clothes, Su Fei wore a blue short outfit, and Wang Meng wore a gray cloth garment. They looked like ordinary men wandering the martial world.

Su Fei paid for the clothes and said to Wang Meng.

"Let's go, wait at the restaurant ahead."

The two found a "Welcoming Guest Tower" closest to the Three Saints Temple, went up to the second floor, and chose a table by the window.

A waiter quickly ran over to wipe the table.

Su Fei ordered some specialty dishes.

Considering they might have to apprehend a criminal tonight, he didn't order any alcohol.

"Certainly, honored guest, please wait a moment, it will be here shortly."

Su Fei picked up his teacup and took a sip, his gaze falling through the window onto the open space in front of the Three Saints Temple.

His God-tier Insight Technique made his senses sharp; he could clearly see the sweat beads on the face of a monkey trainer dozens of meters away.

Wang Meng rubbed his hands excitedly, with food and drink.

Following a boss like Su Fei was a wise decision.

"Boss, I've heard about the specialty dishes at this restaurant, they're quite good. Thanks for treating us, boss."

Su Fei playfully slapped Wang Meng on the shoulder.

"Specialty dishes? Eating is the main point? We're here to wait for the shadow play performer."

Wang Meng replied foolishly.

"Boss is brilliant. When the food arrives later, you eat first."

Su Fei couldn't be bothered to say anything more about it.

Not long after.

A limping man carrying a wooden box half his height set up a shadow play stage in the open space in front of the temple.

A string of colorful sugar figures was stuck to the box, and several poorly dressed children were gathered around him, chattering about something.

The man was about forty years old, limping on his left leg.

He had a simple, honest smile on his face, appearing very patient. He took out candy from his pocket and distributed it to the children.

"Don't rush, don't rush. Wait until Uncle sets up the stage. I'll give out more candy after the shadow play is over."