The three of them made their way halfway up the mountain and met Daoist Li, who had answered the phone.
He was in his forties, thin but with bright, alert eyes.
Daoist Li handed Zhong Xueran's phone to Shen Hai and said, "I'll entrust this to you, sir. Please return it to Miss Zhong."
"Daoist Li, where exactly was this phone found?" Xia Nan asked.
At his question, Daoist Li led the way. He walked some twenty meters down from the entrance to the downhill path and pointed beside the trail. "Right here."
Xia Nan immediately crouched down to examine the spot carefully. Shen Hai did exactly the same, while only Yan Xiao nodded to Daoist Li.
"Thank you."
"Then I'll take my leave." Daoist Li turned and returned to Little Chongyang Temple.
As a forensic doctor, Xia Nan was quite skilled at examining traces left at a scene.
He studied the footprints on the ground, his gaze gradually moving downhill.
Shen Hai, on the other hand, had found nothing of note. Seeing this, he glanced at Xia Nan. "Found something?"
Xia Nan nodded. "It rained today, and the mountain path is muddy. Footprints are easily left behind, but they're also easily muddled. But Miss Zhong was very clever..."
He pointed to the spot beside the trail where the phone had fallen. It was almost off the path and in the undergrowth.
"Miss Zhong deliberately walked along the edge. There are fewer footprints here, so hers wouldn't easily be covered by passing pilgrims."
"That woman does have a knack for little tricks. What else did you notice?" Shen Hai asked.
"Miss Zhong probably isn't in mortal danger for now. Her footprints suggest she was still fairly composed. Even if she did encounter something unexpected, she probably managed to deal with