"Mm. Not bad. At least we narrowed the scope." Jian Jing was optimistic. There was some progress after all.
Jian Dan nodded, then said to Jian Po, "Compile everything from the interrogation into a jade slip and give Hao Xiaoyou a copy. They were the ones who ran him down."
"Yes, Zūnshàng."
Jian Po acted at once. She took an empty jade slip, pressed it to the spot between her brows, recorded the information, then handed it to Hao Meng.
Hao Meng accepted it immediately, smiling so broadly it bloomed like a flower. This clearly meant Jian Dan Zūnshàng was giving him the full credit.
True, Nine Fiends Hall's cultivators were the ones who tracked the man, but the key intelligence had been extracted by them here. "Many thanks, Zūnshàng, for your aid. Without you, we would not have obtained news this crucial."
"No need for thanks. I have only one request. The merit is yours, so return to Nine Fiends Hall quickly and report to your Hall Master. It would be best if you also inform the major sects. Everyone needs a clear picture. In truth, the war began the moment the insect race pushed its feelers into our world."
"Yes. I understand."
On this point, Hao Meng was clear-headed. He had taken part in the battle of Ming Valley, even if he had only been deployed in the last round. The sight of exterminating the insect race still burned in his mind. The sky-blotting swarm of insects was something he would never forget.
"Zūnshàng, if that is all, we will depart for Nine Fiends Hall at once. Do you have any other instructions?"
"None. Go."
Jian Dan waved. Seeing himself dismissed, Hao Meng bowed to the two Zūnshàngs, gathered his men, and left the Xianlai Inn.
His eyelid kept twitching. The moment he stepped out of Xianlai Inn, he led his people straight to the Transmission Hall and took the teleportation array out of Tianquan City.
After arriving in Yaoguang City via the array, they immediately transferred to another array and returned directly to demonic territory.
Not long after Hao Meng left Xianlai Inn, groups of cultivators departed one after another, secretly following to trace where Hao Meng's people had gone.
Inside the private room, the three—Jian Dan, Jian Jing, and Jian Po—were discussing the information they had just obtained.
"Jian Po, send this to the Enforcement Hall. Have Zheng Rong report to Senior Brother Jian Li. The family cultivators here in the city will likely need a thorough sweep."
Jian Dan felt a headache coming on. This would stir up the chicken coop again.
"Be at ease, Zūnshàng. I already sent it back. On Heavenly Sword Sect territory, we will not let them succeed."
Jian Po worked quickly. The message had already gone out.
"Has Liuli returned?"
As Jian Dan asked, Jin Liuli had already left her aunt's courtyard. She did not rush to meet the Patriarch. Instead, she turned toward the Xianlai Inn where the Zūnshàngs were staying.
The instant she stepped into Xianlai Inn, Jin Liuli noticed several people watching the second-floor private rooms. When she reached to tap the restriction, she felt it even more clearly. Those people's attention flickered like a thread, focused on the room where the Zūnshàngs were. Her brows drew together.
Entering the private room, Jin Liuli bowed to the three, then relayed the information she had received after returning to the clan.
After hearing her account, everyone felt the matter thorny. This was Jin clan's internal family affair. For them to forcefully interfere would be inappropriate.
More importantly, Jin Liuli's aunt had consented of her own will.
In Jian Dan's view, it was a transaction between her aunt and the family.
Jin Ai was gambling her unique constitution, drawing Young Master Yao's poison into herself. Young Master Yao would live. Whether Jin Ai could withstand the corrosion of that poison would depend on her ability.
If she endured it, she might leverage the poison to break through to Divine Soul in one stroke. That would repay the clan's nurturing grace and fulfill the promise to the Yao family.
If she could not, then it would be the end of her cultivation path, or a lifetime of torment. She would lose her value, but no one could fault her. She would have fulfilled both the clan's kindness and the Yao family's demand.
Thus, no matter the outcome, she could formally sever ties with the clan. This was likely the true reason Jin Ai agreed.
Hearing Jian Dan's analysis, Jin Liuli fell silent. There was no room left to maneuver. The Zūnshàngs indeed could not directly intervene. Had her aunt been forced, there would have been a path to act. As it stood, Jin Liuli could only wring her hands.
She could not help fearing the worst. She said frankly to Jian Dan Zūnshàng, "Zūnshàng, I believe my aunt will not have a good outcome at the Yao residence this time."
Jian Dan and Jian Jing exchanged a glance. As high-level cultivators, they understood. This was a cultivator's sixth sense, and because Jin Ai was Jin Liuli's kin, that bond sharpened her intuition.
Jian Dan did want to recruit Jin Ai. After a moment's thought, she said, "The Yao family wants to pair your aunt with their young master for one reason: to save him. So we resolve the root."
Jin Liuli's eyes brightened. She looked up. "Zūnshàng means we directly cure the poison? But..."
Her gaze dimmed again. The Yao clan had mobilized the entire family and still could not purge it, not even draw it out.
"Jian Lu, we should go have a look. I am curious what poison could be so vexing." Jian Jing understood Jian Dan's intent and spoke at once.
"Agreed. I want to see what kind of poison is this formidable."
Jin Liuli bowed deeply, gratitude plain in her voice, "Many thanks to the two Zūnshàngs for your care."
"Senior Sister, the two of us will play the part of eminent medical cultivators this time." Jian Dan smiled at Jian Jing.
"Good. I did not expect this trip to come with such an experience."
They set their general course of action amidst light conversation.
"Liuli, return first and explain the situation to the Family Head, then come bring us. I will negotiate the terms."
"Yes, understood." Jin Liuli had recovered her usual composure. The Zūnshàngs were helping her this much. She could not afford to falter.
Then Jin Liuli added, "Zūnshàng, I noticed some people in the lobby watching this floor. Do you know what happened? Shall I send them away?"
"It was likely because Nine Fiends Hall contacted us earlier. Once they left, those eyes turned to us."
Jian Po explained what had happened. Hearing that the new 'blood insect' had taken root among family cultivators in Tianquan City, Jin Liuli's heart skipped a beat.
"Zūnshàng, may I inform the Patriarch of this?"
"You may. Start the search within your own clan." Jian Dan and Jian Jing had no intention of hiding this. Only a swift sweep could prevent the 'blood insects' from lying low.
"Go on."
After sending Jin Liuli off, Jian Dan went straight to Feixian Pavilion, the courtyard previously reserved with Shopkeeper Wan.
People did watch them as they left the second-floor room. Once they confirmed Jian Dan's group was lodged at Xianlai Inn, they did not act rashly.
In another private room, Kong Xingkun watched the watchers, and an idea sprouted. He began plotting how to win a beauty's favor.
Lan Yi also hurried to Xianlai Inn. He saluted Kong Xingkun and reported,
"Young Master, we found no background on those three female cultivators."