Inquiry

"Something bad?"

Wang Qi's blank face grew even more confused. His lips moved a few times, as if repeating the word to himself before he finally said, with a certain conviction:

"I did do something bad."

"What?" Jiang Yan's brows twitched.

Wang Qi's voice remained utterly flat.

"I... I secretly sheltered Jiang Yunfeng. I knew full well that the Merchant Association had issued a strict warrant for his arrest as a traitor, but I still took him in. He... he had done me a kindness..."

Sheltered Jiang Yunfeng... Jiang Yan froze for a moment, then suddenly felt as if the pieces had fallen into place. He had heard long ago that the Merchant Association was hunting Jiang Yunfeng. The man's whereabouts were shrouded in mystery, and though the Association had devoted enormous manpower and resources to the search, they had never managed to find him.

Now, at last, he knew the truth.

Wang Qi had been hiding him at the Silver Willow Pill Workshop, right on territory that belonged to the White Crane Merchant Association.

It really was hard to imagine.

The darkest place was beneath the lamp—he had exploited a weakness in human nature.

Wang Qi really was a suspicious character.

Jiang Yan's thoughts raced, his gaze growing darker. He stared at Wang Qi and continued questioning him.

"Did you do anything else wrong?"

"Yes!" This time, Wang Qi answered at once. He continued, "I also deceived Jiang Yan."

"Just as I thought." Jiang Yan took a discreet breath. He said nothing, ready to hear him out.

Wang Qi continued:

"There was never any deal between the pill workshop and Suyang City. I asked Jiang Yan to verify the trade letter so that, before I left, I could take more resources from the Silver Willow Pill Workshop and prepare