Looking at the streets, still steeped in the festive atmosphere of the New Year, Ding Songyan did not quite know how to respond to Wen Shenxing's kindness.
As far as he was concerned, once he learned why it had taken more than half a year for him to return to life in another man's body, there would be no reason to remain in Immortal Cave County. Was he supposed to wait here for the Devil Lord to come calling?
He had no desire whatsoever to investigate Second Brother Ding's origins.
But he could not put it that way. He had ostensibly come to Immortal Cave County to investigate his origins. Now that there was clearly hope of pursuing the matter further, refusing to stay would be suspicious indeed.
After a moment's consideration, Ding Songyan said gratefully to Wen Shenxing:
"Vice Magistrate Wen, investigating my origins may well take more than a day or two. My senior brother is from Eastern Plain Prefecture, and he has important matters to attend to at home. I intend to travel there with him overnight and deal with them as soon as possible. Once we have finished there, I will return to Immortal Cave County to continue.
"Before then, if you discover anything or the trail goes cold, you can inform Senior Brother Zhang here. He will relay the news to me through the Hongxin Trading Company. In that case, I may not need to make another trip."
The Hongxin Trading Company had only a modest presence in both Chu Province and Treasure Province, with branches only in the prefectural cities. Zhang Yan would probably remain in Immortal Cave County tonight, returning to the prefectural city of Yuejiang Prefecture during the day.
"My young friend, the roads are dangerous late at night, and you are