Zhang Lin's originally dim expression brightened considerably. "Please, Elder Brother, tell me more."
Xie An gave his analysis: "The stall owners who died yesterday and today... were all itinerant merchants whose businesses had recently been booming. They were even showing signs of leading the business in our black market, yet one after another, they were killed..."
A flash of insight crossed Zhang Lin's mind, and he immediately picked up the thread. "The Plum Blossom Monster can't stand seeing our black market prosper. It wants to suppress our development, or even bring us down!"
Smack!
Zhang Lin slammed the table furiously and rose to leave. "What a vicious villain! I'll report this to Incense Master Wei right away."
Xie An had originally wanted to stop Zhang Lin.
After all, going to the headquarters to report such an important matter to Incense Master Wei would also be an opportunity to distinguish himself. It should have been Xie An, the "number one man," who went.
Zhang Lin had clearly intended to snatch the credit.
"I haven't even finished speaking..."
Everything Xie An had said about the Plum Blossom Monster's purpose was only a preliminary conjecture. It still needed further verification and investigation. What if he was wrong?
Xie An summoned Liang Zhi and carefully questioned him about the recent business of the itinerant merchants.
In the end, Xie An noticed two particularly strange merchants: one was the Fatty Medicine Seller, and the other was the Bearded Hunter, who sold the innards, hides, and sinews of fierce beasts. Both merchants had suddenly appeared in the black market recently. Their businesses were doing quite well, and their comings and goings were mysterious. Every time Liang Zhi went to inquire after them and recruit them, they would evade the questions and make excuses, showing great reluctance.