"Is this a Moonshadow Stone Mother Stone?"
Just as Huang Que stared in astonishment at the Moonshadow Stone Xu Taichong had offered him, Dugu Qingxiao, who had remained silent all this time, suddenly stepped forward and asked Xu Taichong with some surprise.
"That's right, sir." Xu Taichong nodded. "Several daughter stones belonging to this Moonshadow Stone Mother Stone were placed throughout the Great Liang Kingdom's Imperial City. Barring anything unexpected, the scenes of those arsonists burning the city are all within this Mother Stone."
"Brother Taichong, could you give me the Moonshadow Stone first? We have cultivators skilled in sealing barriers. Perhaps they can open it without our having to find a descendant of the Imperial Clan."
Huang Que put the question to Xu Taichong tentatively.
"No!"
Xu Taichong shook his head resolutely.
"Until I see a descendant of the Imperial Clan, I won't give this stone to anyone. If you try to seize it by force, I'll smash it even at the cost of my life."
As he spoke, he took a step back and raised the Moonshadow Stone Mother Stone, poised to smash it.
"Brother Taichong, don't be rash!"
Huang Que called out to stop Xu Taichong, then turned his gaze to Dugu Qingxiao beside him. "Qingxiao, what do you think?"
"Brother Taichong is a rare chivalrous person. Naturally, I trust him."
Dugu Qingxiao carefully examined the scroll floating before Huang Que, then nodded.
"Since you say so too, Qingxiao, come with us, Brother Taichong. I'll take you to see the Little Princess of the Great Liang Kingdom's Imperial Clan."
Huang Que no longer hesitated.
He had already had a very favorable impression of Xu Taichong, and Dugu Qingxiao's words dispelled his remaining concerns completely.
"If only Junior Sister Linglong were here."
As they followed Huang Que out