Mo Hua secretly told Situ Fang about his doubts.
Situ Fang was slightly taken aback. Then her brows drew tight as she too realized something was wrong. Recalling the scene from before, she said slowly,
"Those burly men wore mine cultivator clothes, with rough palms and dark skin. I assumed they were family members of the missing mine cultivators, or at least relatives or friends."
"They were the ones who had been making a nuisance of themselves before, opening their mouths like lions and demanding compensation from the Lu Family."
"But now that the dust has settled and the Lu Family has paid the compensation, they suddenly vanished. They did not even show up for the burial. That is very suspicious..."
Situ Fang considered it. "I will go ask the mine cultivators' families again."
Mo Hua shook his head. "They may not dare to speak."
From the way they had acted just now, meek and submissive, they were surely afraid of retaliation and would not dare say much.
Situ Fang said, "Then I will find the local mine cultivators and ask about their identities."
"The mine cultivators may not tell the truth either," Mo Hua said.
After all, they did not hold much goodwill toward the Dao Court Office either.
"Then..."
Mo Hua's gaze flashed. "Leave this matter to me, Sister Situ. Draw portraits of those burly men..."
"Leave it to you?" Situ Fang was startled.
"Mm." Mo Hua nodded. "I know who to find."
Situ Fang hesitated. "This is your first time in Nanyue City, right? How do you know so many cultivators?"
Mo Hua said modestly, "I get along with people fairly well..."
Situ Fang had no retort for that.
"Fine."
Situ Fang sighed and drew the appearances of those burly men from memory, though her brushwork was