Frank Exchange, Xue Qinghe's Trouble

For the matter that followed, Xue Qinghe did not bring Qiangu Changkong along, instead leaving him outside alone.

Wu Qi lightly patted his arm. "You should read more and use your brain more often. Don't just think about brute force."

Watching the two enter the study and close the doors, Qiangu Changkong hesitated as if he wanted to say something.

Right now, he had no mind to argue back. He needed to think of how to prevent Ning Rongrong's revenge.

Inside the study, Xue Qinghe took a stick of incense from the incense table, lit it, and placed it in the Incense Burner.

"From this point on, this is an absolutely secure place. You may speak freely."

Two Title Douluo guarded Xue Qinghe. Lighting the incense seemed to be some kind of signal.

At this moment, the two Title Douluo would certainly keep a close watch on everything outside the study.

"I heard that, based on those two sentences from back then, you guessed my identity?" As Xue Qinghe spoke, she made an inviting gesture.

The two sat facing each other, Wu Qi lounging calmly in his chair.

"I heard that the Great Offering has a Granddaughter around the same age as Xue Qinghe. When Master told the Great Offering about my speculation, the Great Offering's Aura became unsettled for a moment."

"So I guessed that you were the true Young Master of Spirit Hall."

Xue Qinghe's brows drew together slightly.

Fortunately, Wu Qi was from the Worship Hall. If he had been an outsider, he likely would not have left the Crown Prince's Mansion alive today.

A moment later, she suddenly smiled and personally poured him a cup of tea. "You can connect such subtle clues. Grandfather said you were exceptionally intelligent. It seems he wasn't lying."

Such words were effectively an admission of her identity.

Since they were both from Spirit Hall, Wu Qi had never intended to play dumb while knowing the truth.

They were all on the same side. Their strength should be directed together, not wasted on meaningless scheming.

Changing the subject, Xue Qinghe asked, "Since you're so smart, tell me: what did you notice when you entered the city?"

Wu Qi explained what had happened in Suotuo City, prompting Qian Renxue to click her tongue in admiration. "What enviable powers of observation. Your guess is correct. The source of the rumors was the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and there is a high chance that my Teacher personally spread them."

Wu Qi was not surprised.

The possibility that Ning Rongrong had simply acted on a whim by finding Shrek Academy thousands of miles away and enrolling there was low. She had likely received some sort of guidance.

Although Wu Qi did not think highly of Shrek Academy, their background was quite clean in a sense. Studying there would keep her from being drawn into the struggles of major powers.

Ning Rongrong had already developed a rebellious streak, and Ning Fengzhi had guessed that she would run away from home.

In order to wear down Ning Rongrong's devilish temperament, Ning Fengzhi might have guided her to Suotuo City, eventually leading her to join Shrek Academy.

Putting those thoughts aside, Wu Qi noticed the worry on Xue Qinghe's face and asked in return:

"Strictly speaking, this is a private matter of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Why is His Highness the Crown Prince so concerned? Could there be some hidden reason behind this?"

"The matter troubling me is a long story. I'm afraid I'll need the two of you to make a trip to Suotuo City."

Xue Qinghe explained the truth.

"Recently, a large quantity of grain vanished from Suotuo City for no apparent reason. It was enough to feed a thousand people for over a year."

"The rumors spread by Sect Master Ning have drawn a great many people to Suotuo City. I want to investigate where that grain went, but there are too many disruptions."

She did not know whether this was a coincidence or something Ning Fengzhi had deliberately arranged.

With so much grain gone, it was obvious that a force of a thousand people, with unknown loyalties, was being secretly maintained.

Qian Renxue wanted to know whether this force was a hidden contingent of Private Soldiers raised by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Wu Qi was puzzled. After pondering for a while, he asked, "It's only one grain disappearance. Isn't it unnecessary to make so many assumptions? Could nearby Bandits have robbed it, perhaps acting together?"

Banditry had always been a problem ignored by the continent.

Among the Soul Masters who became outlaws, some had been Criminals to begin with and only turned to robbery after being left with no way to survive.

Most, however, lacked Cultivation Resources, did not wish to join major powers, and only wanted to make quick money.

How could anyone expect Bandits to diligently farm and become self-sufficient in food?

Xue Qinghe shook her head, denying his speculation.

She opened the desk drawer and spread a set of documents across the table.

"Strictly speaking, the grain wasn't robbed."

The documents clearly indicated that the grain had been purchased by a Big Seller. Yet after it was transported out of Suotuo City, it disappeared without a trace and never entered the market.

Xue Qinghe had only uncovered this recently. Immediately afterward, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect spread rumors about Suotuo City, making it the center of attention in a short time.

Xue Qinghe could not help suspecting that Ning Fengzhi was trying to conceal the truth.

Wu Qi asked again, "So what if the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is secretly raising soldiers? As long as your identity remains undisclosed, those forces will ultimately aid you."

Xue Qinghe looked hesitant. After a moment, she said seriously, "The Worship Hall and Pope Hall have a secret plan. For it to proceed smoothly, I need to understand every arrangement made by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

"If the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect truly has a hidden army of a thousand, the plan will face significant variables. We cannot afford to be careless."

Xue Qinghe did not reveal the specific details of the plan, but Wu Qi could guess them.

At present, Qian Renxue wanted only to gain Bibi Dong's recognition.

Infiltrating the Heaven Dou Empire was part of Bibi Dong's plan. Qian Renxue had voluntarily entered the game because of that mindset.

Wu Qi did not know many details of the Soul Hunting Plan, but he knew its outcome well.

As for this missing grain, he felt it had little to do with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had close ties to the Royal Family. Even if they kept Private Soldiers, they would not leave such an obvious trail.

This likely involved other forces.

Sending them to investigate Suotuo City was more of a pretext. The real goal was to get them away from Heaven Dou City, this Power Vortex.

Wu Qi and Qiangu Changkong's arrival had been too sudden. Xue Qinghe most likely had not yet decided how to place them.

At the very least, before forging proper backgrounds for them, staying in Heaven Dou City too long and drawing the attention of the major powers would be troublesome.

With that thought, Wu Qi did not refuse and took the matter on himself.

Before they left, Xue Qinghe reminded them, "Remember, your own safety comes first. The investigation's results are secondary."

After leaving the Crown Prince's Mansion, Qiangu Changkong processed the information Wu Qi had brought him.

A moment later, he asked, "Brother Wu, do you have any idea where to begin investigating?"

Wu Qi spread his hands. "No, and I don't intend to investigate at all."

Qiangu Changkong's eyes widened. "If His Highness the Crown Prince finds out what you're thinking, won't we be in serious trouble?"

Wu Qi did not care in the slightest.

Having them investigate was false; helping them avoid the spotlight was true.

Besides, even if Xue Qinghe truly wanted an investigation, with the two of them serving as visible cover, the real investigators could conduct their work in secret without facing resistance.

Therefore, they had no need to overthink it. They only needed to handle their own affairs.