In the main hall, Li Longling was sitting at the desk, feeding her little phoenix pet with corn and listening to a female guard''s report. Xiao Yunluo was also there, still helping her.


    "Two nights ago, there was a break-in at the <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Jiang Mansion</em> in <strong>Duchun City</strong>, and a fire broke out. The young master of the <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Jiang Mansion</em>, Jiang Yu, and his wife, Pei Lianxue, both died in the fire."


    Hearing this, the two girls sitting at the desk raised their heads in shock.


    Li Longling remained calm, but Xiao Yunluo pped the table and stood up, wanting to confirm again. "W- what? What did you say? How could... why didn''t you report it yesterday?!!"


    "Well..." The guard looked fearful and quickly answered. "We thought that Miss Li has been busytely with important matters, so we nned to wait until we rified everything before reporting."


    Li Longling looked at Xiao Yunluo''s pale face and patted her shoulder, signaling her to calm down.


    Seeing her expression, Xiao Yunluo calmed down. She pinched her nose bridge -- yeah, how could that be possible? It must be Ye Anping and Lianxue''s n of making their exit.


    How could they possibly die at the hands of thieves...


    "Keep going." Li Longling waved. "Tell us the details?"


    "Yes, we have already had the coroner examine the scene. Jiang Yu and Lady Pei were both stabbed with swords twenty-five times and died on the spot. They were thrown onto the bed in the bedroom, and then the thieves deliberately knocked over the candles in the room, causing the fire. All the servants in the mansion were asleep at the time, and by the time they reacted, the fire had already spread..."


    "What about the thieves?"


    "We found the corpses of the thieves in the mountains, five in total, with cultivation levels ranging from <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Qi Refining</em> perfection to mid-<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Foundation Building</em>. Usually, they gather in gangs for this kind of crime. Based on the traces at the scene, we deduced that it must be an internal struggle caused by the uneven distribution of the stolen goods. A small portion of the stolen money was recovered, but most of it was taken by the person who ultimately survived."


    "Do we know this person''s name?"


    "He should be the one called ''Wang Hushan''. He belonged to a group of five bandits who used to raid the <strong>Jade Pot Mountain</strong> in the <strong>West Ind</strong>. They engaged in robberies, and many rogue cultivators and disciples from various sects fell victim to them. They must have heard about the demonic cultivation incident in the <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>Dragon House</strong></em> and specifically came from the neighboring <strong>West Ind</strong> to find work."


    Hearing this, Li Longling felt likeughing.


    Young Master Ye''s way of doing things was just like those street-smart guys who have been in the ck market for years.


    She couldn''t imagine that Master Ye, who looked refined and upright, could actually think of such a "dirty" method.


    But then again.


    Not only did Master Ye use this trick to make his exit, but he also left her onest gift.


    ---The <strong>West Ind</strong>.


    <strong>West Ind</strong> was right next to the <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>Dragon House</strong></em>, and they were actually in apetitive rtionship where neither would yield to the other.


    But after this incident, she could take advantage of the <strong>West Ind</strong> without mercy.


    It just so happened that <strong>West Ind</strong> sent a letter a few days ago congratting her as the new leader in a weird way. Although the letter ostensibly expressed regret and sympathy for the invasion of demonic cultivators, blindness was alluded to at least thirty times, making her extremely ufortable.


    Hmph...


    After thinking for a while, Li Longling said, "Send Chief Zhou Wei with the guards to the <strong>West Ind</strong> to demand an exnation. The bandits in the <strong>Jade Pot Mountain</strong> are entangled with the <strong>West Ind</strong> inner circle. Young Master Jiang and his <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>Dragon yers Society</strong></em> were the heroes who resolved this chaos caused by demonic cultivators. This matter cannot be left like this!"


    "Yes, Miss!"


    The guard saluted and left.


    After she left, Xiao Yunluo frowned, still looking worried.


    "Sister Li, it can''t be Ye Anping, right? How could that be..."


    Li Longling hid a smile and asked in return, "Sister Xiao, don''t you have confidence in Master Ye?"


    "It''s not that Ick confidence, but..." Xiao Yunluo pouted,ining, "He could havee and told us first! How could people who care about him not worry when they suddenly hear such news? Believe it or not, I wanted to tell Sister Feng to rush directly to the coroner... They always go on their own and don''t tell anyone anything."


    "Huh--"


    Li Longling shrugged. Seeing Sister Xiao''s tantrum, she felt that she was quite childish. In the past, just by listening to her voice, she thought Sister Xiao was like a reliable big sister. But now, seeing how she was half a head shorter than her, she felt that the reliable sister was actually her.


    At this time, a maid walked in. "Miss, the <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>Moon Shadow Sword</strong></em> Sect''s Young Lady and herpanion are requesting an audience."


    "Eh?" Li Longling paused, then simply got up from her seat and walked out carrying her pet baby phoenix, saying, "I''ll go out to meet them."


    "Yes, Miss..."


    Li Longling was no longer as timid as thest time and didn''t need Xiao Yunluo''s support anymore. She raised her head and strode out of the main hall, but deliberately closed her eyes as if she couldn''t see.


    When Yun Xi, who was waiting outside, saw hering out, she cupped her hands ording to the etiquette, then greeted her with a smile. "Miss Li, it''s inconvenient with your eyes. Why did youe out? Wouldn''t it be better for us toe inside?"


    Li Longling was quite surprised when she saw Yun Xi''s salute. She didn''t seem to treat her as a blind person and didn''t do it perfunctorily. Her manners were strictly by the book.


    The same thing could not be said about herpanion. Although he bowed, it was a bit perfunctory.


    Li Longling hesitated before asking, "Miss Yun, what kind of ent is this..."


    "Mandarin... I use it on formal asions... What''s wrong? Don''t you understand?"


    "I do, but it feels strange."


    "In that case, I''ll switch back." Yun Xi smiled and said, "This time, we came to ask if you''ve considered our proposal. Also, about my younger brother and sister, have you found out anything?"


    Li Longling smiled and shook her head. "I appreciate Miss Yun''s kindness, but forgive me for not being able to agree to your request. After all, <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>Dragon House</strong></em> is the only thing my father left to me."


    "I see." Yun Xi shrugged without surprise and took out a jewelry box from her storage bag. She said, "It seems that you already have a solution in mind. Maybe it''s redundant, but if you encounter any difficulties, feel free to send me a letter anytime. This pair of jade bracelets from the <strong>Empty Mountain</strong> can be considered a token of friendship."


    Li Longling hesitated for a moment, then reached out to take it.


    Then, Yun Xi asked again, "What about my younger brother and sister? Have they been found?"


    Li Longling paused before replying, "I found the two people you mentioned, but they have already left the <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>Dragon House</strong></em>, and I don''t know where they went."


    Yun Xi frowned as she looked at Li Longling''s expression. "Sister Li, this matter is really important. Are you sure?"


    "Every word is true. They left without saying a word."


    "Alright then. Since that''s the case, we won''t stay for long either. <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>Moon Shadow Sword</strong></em> Sect sent word a few days ago asking me to return soon."


    "Well, be careful on the way. By the way..." Li Longling turned to Yun Xi''spanion and said with a smile, "Senior, I would suggest you not to be so perfunctory when paying respects on formal asions."


    Startled, the man widened his eyes. "What? This..."


    Yun Xi looked at the young phoenix on her shoulder and suddenly understood. "I see..."


    "Well, Sister Yun, your clothes are so stylish."


    "Ah... alright then. If you have time toe to my ce, I''ll treat you to hot pot before leaving."


    Yun Xi bowed again, then waved her hand and turned around, walking down the steps and leaving with herpanion.


    After they were gone, Li Longling sighed softly, looked to the west, and murmured to herself, "The <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>Hundred Lotus</strong></em> Sect... I must go visitter."