As Appraiser Lin had become a prominent figure to the Qiao family, the servant decided to report the matter immediately.
Qiao Feigong’s eyes were swollen from all the bawling. The tears were uncontrollable, due to the potent mix of emotions he was hit with. First, he was thankful that his family was safe, but he was also ashamed of failing his ancestors. The tears were merely there to vent his frustrations, and now that he was done, Qiao Feigong collected himself after hearing the servant’s message.
‘Appraiser Lin had just left yesterday and today, his disciples are already here. This proves that he made no delays, but the thieves were just too cunning.’
Qiao Feigong understood it well.
Since the visitor was Appraiser Lin’s disciple, he could not be rude to them.
Getting up and tidying his outfit, Qiao Feigong led the family outside to receive their esteemed guests.
Standing outside the gates was the divine Shang’er whose beauty made her seem like a goddess who had just descended from heaven. Goldy was basking in the sunlight nearby while Coffin Man with his coffin, and Old Turtle with his hunchback, stood patiently behind her.
At first, the two only thought of Shang’er as a beauty that Lin Jin kept for himself. After she rescued Old Turtle, they thought she had a heart of gold. It was after their trip here that they started to become fearful of her.
Simulations played in both Coffin Man and Old Turtle’s heads that if Shang’er were to use Object Manipulation as an offensive skill, they would be utterly outmatched by her.
“If Appraiser Lin’s disciple is this strong. Just how powerful is Appraiser Lin? Curator is Appraiser Lin’s mentor so doesn’t that make Curator an immortal?” Old Turtle couldn’t resist arriving at this conclusion.
Coffin Man shook his head. “Don’t ask me. I’m as clueless as you are.”
However, now that they had a chance to help out, both men decided they would give it their all. With this, Appraiser Lin should be delighted when he returns.
In Old Turtle’s view, Shang’er was his savior, so he would not even bat an eyelid if the situation ever arose that required him to place his life on the line for her.
After a little while, someone came out. It was Qiao Feigong.
When the family first laid eyes on Shang’er, they were all equally dumbstruck by her beauty.
The ones who were most affected were mostly the younger generation of the family. Qiao Xing, for instance, had his eyes locked onto her.
As an elderly who had also just experienced a turbulent of emotions, Qiao Feigong was able to quickly recollect his senses and saluted Shang’er. “I am Qiao Feigong. Young lady, are you perhaps Appraiser Lin’s disciple?”
Shang’er was well-educated so she curtsied and replied, “That is correct. I am Master Lin’s disciple, Shang’er. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Lord Qiao.”
Then, she told him about Lin Jin’s arrangement.
“Master Lin wrote to me and instructed me to hurry to Reed City. I wonder if I am too late?”
Brilliant as she was, Shang’er could see from Qiao Feigong’s haggard appearance that he had just come out from an ordeal. There was still the lingering stench of blood coming from inside the manor so something must have happened just moments ago.
Master Lin had mentioned that he left White Ape in Reed City. And yet, when Shang’er tried to pick up his aura just now, she was surprised to find that White Ape didn’t seem to be inside Qiao Manor, so she decided to ask about it.
Qiao Feigong sighed and told her what had happened.
“Miss Shang’er, thank you for coming all this way but the three thieves must have gone far by now. Although we have lost our family heirloom, I am sure that it is well worth it, as we are finally able to enjoy our much-awaited peace.”
Such were Qiao Feigong’s thoughts, but Shang’er clearly disagreed with him.
Shang’er knew full well why Lin Jin had sent her here. There was an organization involved in this matter, a sizable force that was now at odds with Lin Jin.
Since that was the case, this organization was their enemy.
Shang’er would never be lenient against people who were opposed to her master.
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‘So, those three thieves had used a monk from Daluo Temple to lure White Ape away and then they showed up to rob the Qiao family’s treasure,’ Shang’er said. She took a while to think about her next step and it wasn’t long before she made a firm decision.
White Ape was quite strong and had been following Master Lin around recently so he must have improved a lot. Even if that monk from Daluo Temple was formidable, he should find it incredibly difficult to defeat White Ape.
Even if White Ape actually lost, he had thick skin so a little beating wouldn’t kill him.
As for the three thieves who stole the Qiao family’s treasure, she should be able to catch up to them since they had just left. What’s more, this concerned the promise Master Lin had made to the Qiao family.
Shang’er refused to see Master Lin breaking his promise, regardless of who was affected by it.
Thus, Shang’er grabbed Goldy and tossed him into the yard.
“Lord Qiao, with this chicken here, no one should be able to harm your family.”
Then, she turned to Coffin Man and Old Turtle, saying, “I have a request.”
Both men answered at once, “Miss Shang’er, please go ahead and give us your instructions.”
Shang’er said, “Please search the area. Master Lin’s other disciple, a white ape, should be battling a monk nearby.”
Coffin Man replied, “Don’t worry, Miss Shang’er, I’ve met White Ape before so leave this to me and Old Turtle.”
Without another word, Old Turtle went to complete his mission.
Shang’er planned to pursue the three thieves and Qiao Feigong couldn’t resist urging, “Miss Shang’er, why don’t we just let this go? Our family can’t afford to provoke them. Sigh… We may have lost a treasure but at least we’re all safe so let’s not cause a fuss anymore.”
Qiao Feigong meant it.
Yet, Shang’er’s expression turned grave at this. “Lord Qiao, this is no longer the Qiao family’s matter alone.”
Having said that, she leaped up and disappeared in the blink of an eye.
The Qiao family members were awed by her remark, all while Qiao Feigong sighed. Qiao Xing and the other youngsters looked thrilled and expectant instead.
Several thousand feet above Reed City, Shang’er hovered in midair, and the ribbon that was tied around her waist swayed in the wind.
Object Manipulation was a spell that allowed the caster to manipulate anything apart from their body. For instance, at the moment, Shang’er was controlling the ribbon around her waist, allowing her to float in the air effortlessly.
Based on her deduction, after obtaining the treasure, those thieves would surely leave the city and run as far as they could. No matter how fast they were traveling, they should still be within a fifty-mile radius of Reed City.
However, without knowing their direction, pursuing them would be near impossible.
Three directions of Reed City’s borders were adjacent to the other regions of the Jade Dragon Kingdom while the last one was connected to another intermediate country. Shang’er guess was that the three thieves wouldn’t want to remain within Jade Dragon Kingdom’s borders out of fear for Master Lin, so they would most probably try to escape to the neighboring country.
At this, Shang’er looked in that particular direction and darted over.
About a hundred miles away from Reed City was a pass. It marked the border between the Jade Dragon Kingdom and Xiang Country. It was known as the ‘Mount Long Pass’. About ten miles after the pass, one would be in the territory of Xiang Country.
Shang’er wasn’t aware of this before coming here. She was still in the sky when she noticed the situation below. It seemed that she would have to go through the pass if she wanted to get over to the other side.
She landed at once.
It took only moments to cover a hundred miles with Object Manipulation. Shang’er was sure that if the thieves were to leave the Jade Dragon Kingdom, they had to go through this pass. She was certain that they couldn’t possibly be faster than her.
Hence, Shang’er only had to wait here and she could stop the thieves.
Based on Qiao Feigong’s description of them, their features weren’t recognizable as all three were wearing masks, but their pet beasts had just killed his men so they must still have the scent of blood on their bodies. She only had to pay extra attention and the thieves wouldn’t be able to mask their presence and pass the border.
Mount Long Pass was the border between the two countries. It was flanked by mountains and dangerous terrain. Only through the border city could one pass to the other side. About five hundred soldiers were stationed here and because this was the main road for transportation, many merchants frequently used this pathway. As time passed, the place became a tiny city, possessing its own relay station, merchants of various trades, restaurants, liquor stores, and even armed escort companies. It was small but it was a complete city.