Bureau News, Heading Out

Qin Shuang listened, understanding little, a hint of confusion on her face.

Shen Bai slowly said, "The Heavenly Oversight Bureau already knows about the missing Bizarre Item, and they also know its specific function."

"What do you think he stands to gain in this situation?"

Qin Shuang pondered, "Nothing. The Heavenly Oversight Bureau isn't to be trifled with."

Shen Bai chuckled, "If that's the case, then stir the waters. The more people who get involved, the more the Heavenly Oversight Bureau's attention will be diverted. The murkier the water, the more dispersed their focus, and the better he can find good things in the tomb."

"I have to say, that traitor from your Thieves' Gate has a brain."

Qin Shuang nodded, "Doing this makes things increasingly complicated."

"A person's energy is limited."

Shen Bai rose to pay the bill. "With more people, the Heavenly Oversight Bureau's energy will be spread thin, and they won't be able to pay attention to too much."

Qin Shuang followed him. "Then what should we do?"

"Wait and see."

Shen Bai walked towards the Pawnshop. "Our target is the tomb. As for that guy from the Upper Evil Gate, the Heavenly Oversight Bureau will have the headache. Of course, if I can find him, I don't mind ending his life with a single sword stroke."

Qin Shuang looked at Shen Bai's back, especially after hearing his words laced with Malevolent Qi. She shivered, then quickly caught up.

Back at the Pawnshop, Shen Bai resumed business as usual.

Qin Shuang sat by the side, curiously observing Shen Bai's daily routine.

"You're really a pawnshop owner, huh?"

"What else would I be?"

"With your strength, why would you be willing to be a pawnshop owner?"

"I need to eat too."

"You could eat better in Maple Forest Province."

"I can eat better here too."

Shen Bai chatted with Qin Shuang while counting the accounts.

Qin Shuang grew even more curious.

In her opinion, Shen Bai's identity as a pawnshop owner didn't seem faked, because his various operations were too skilled, as if he had truly been a pawnshop owner for a very long time.

After Shen Bai finished counting the accounts, he went to inspect the various pawned items, then finally lay down like a lazy fish.

Has Old Zhang forgotten all about work since he went home?

Zhang Chaofeng still hadn't returned. Shen Bai's extended leave for him only had a few days left, and there was no reply.

Shen Bai still missed Zhang Chaofeng's presence. At least with Zhang Chaofeng here, he could go to the backyard and grind for proficiency.

The two continued to chat idly.

After a while, someone suddenly walked in through the door.

"Old Shen, don't go out recently. I'm about to leave for Ascending Cloud County."

As soon as Zhou Qing entered, he bellowed at the top of his lungs.

Mid-sentence, Zhou Qing saw Qin Shuang sitting beside Shen Bai, looking very well-behaved, and immediately froze.

"What's... what's going on here?" Zhou Qing asked curiously.

Shen Bai pointed at Qin Shuang and said, "A distant relative, here to escape disaster."

Qin Shuang nodded vigorously, looking very cooperative. "Escaping disaster."

Zhou Qing said strangely, "Your parents died young, and now a distant relative suddenly shows up?"

Shen Bai spread his hands. "I don't know why, but I'm taking her in for now."

The simpler the explanation, the better. Besides, their relationship was solid enough that Shen Bai didn't need to say too much.

Zhou Qing collected himself and didn't press the matter further. He returned to the main topic, repeating his purpose for coming.

"Since yesterday, more martial artists have been coming to the county town. It's said to be related to a large Daoist tomb."

Shen Bai already knew this, but he didn't interrupt, waiting for Zhou Qing to continue.

Zhou Qing paused briefly, then continued, "Not long ago, wasn't there a Bizarre Hunter who got injured?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Bai thought of the middle-aged swordsman who had pawned his sword at the Pawnshop.

"We healed his injuries, and he told us how to find the Fox Girl. We're preparing to leave immediately. That's why I hurried to tell you."

Zhou Qing said, "Ascending Cloud County has been very chaotic these past few days. Don't keep your shop open too late."

Shen Bai asked, "Old Zhou, is there really a way to find the Fox Girl?"

Zhou Qing nodded. "That Bizarre Hunter has a Bizarre Item that can track the Fox Girl's whereabouts, but the Bizarre Item can only be used three times. There are still two uses left."

Shen Bai understood.

If it was a Bizarre Item, then everything made sense.

Bizarre Items have diverse abilities, so it was normal for one to be able to locate a Fox Girl.

"Let's go."

Zhou Qing stood up. "Old Shen, you really need to be careful."

Busy with official duties, Zhou Qing didn't linger and turned to leave immediately.

Shen Bai watched Zhou Qing's retreating figure, then stood up and gripped the long sword at his waist.

Qin Shuang had been eating melon seeds nearby, and seeing Shen Bai stand up, she asked curiously, "What are you doing?"

Shen Bai turned his head and said, "Following them to see what happens next."

Since there was a clue, Shen Bai intended to investigate.

If he could deal with the Fox Girl early, it would mean one less opponent for Shen Bai when the great tomb opened later, especially an opponent from the Upper Evil Gate.

Qin Shuang pondered for a moment, then took out a sachet and tossed it to Shen Bai.

Shen Bai took it and noticed the scent seemed to be Qin Shuang's own.

Qin Shuang explained, "This was made by Thieves' Gate. It can conceal one's aura. The effect vanishes once the scent dissipates. The reason I made very little noise when searching the Pawnshop earlier was also because of this sachet."

There were too many strange and bizarre abilities in this world, so Shen Bai didn't inquire about the principle behind it.

But Qin Shuang's actions gave Shen Bai an idea.

I seem to be lacking a Divine Ability for concealment. I can try to find one if the opportunity arises.

Though the thought crossed his mind, Shen Bai didn't dwell on it. After taking the sachet, he left the Pawnshop with Qin Shuang.

From the Pawnshop to the yamen, Shen Bai found that the sachet was exactly as Qin Shuang described.

They were clearly walking on the street, yet the surrounding common folk didn't glance at them.

The two walked along the street for quite some time before arriving at the yamen.

At this moment, the yamen's constables had already gathered and were heading out under Chief Constable Zheng's lead.

Zhou Qing and the middle-aged Bizarre Hunter were among them.

Shen Bai and Qin Shuang exchanged a look, then followed far behind, quietly leaving Ascending Cloud County.

A stretch of wilderness.

After leaving Ascending Cloud County, the middle-aged Bizarre Hunter held a compass-like object, guiding the constables forward.

After about half an hour of trekking, they finally arrived at the bank of a clear river.

Shen Bai and Qin Shuang looked up and saw wooden stakes standing all around the river.

"These... are people!"

Seeing this, Shen Bai frowned.

More than ten corpses were tied to the wooden stakes, their internal organs already hollowed out, leaving them empty.

In addition, by the river not far away, a fox was hunched over one of the corpses, gnawing at it with huffing sounds.