The Blade-Wielding Legend

Chapter 1417 730: The Missing Trio

"The scholar Kong disappeared?"

Wang Daoxuan frowned upon hearing this and said, "Did the Kong Family come looking for him?"

Although Kong Shangzhao was learned and immensely talented, he was merely a branch member of the Kong Family; his father Kong Zhenshan was just a businessman working for the family with no high status.

What's more troublesome is that the boy was rebellious, yet harbored a sense of justice, thus offending the family's legitimate heir.

He came to the Capital to seek refuge.

This bookworm's only enemy was the Kong Family's heir, and his mysterious disappearance was most likely related.

To everyone's surprise, Li Yan shook his head and said, "It shouldn't be the Kong Family."

Then he spoke in a low voice, "Also missing are Kuai Dayou and Fatty Lin."

Wang Daoxuan was immediately stunned, "How did those three end up running together?"

"Not sure."

Li Yan shook his head helplessly, "Recently, frequent murders have been occurring in the Capital; all are the deeds of lurking Japanese demons. They vanish without a trace and manage to evade the City God Temple's searches. Zhao Qingxu is likely behind this."

"Luo Mingzi and others are investigating everywhere and have no time to find these three people, so they asked us for help. The Jiangzhe Chamber of Commerce is also worried, offering a large sum of silver, fearful something might happen to Fatty Lin."

Wang Daoxuan stroked his beard and laughed, "All familiar faces, naturally I will help if I can."

"That's the problem."

Li Yan secretly held the Dragon and Snake Card to shield surrounding investigations and whispered, "I accepted a task from the Heavenly Official and must stay at the Academy. Old Sha got internal injuries and needs someone to look after him..."

"No matter."

Wang Daoxuan shook his head and said, "It's just looking for someone; with Wu Ba and Lv San, I am more than enough."

Li Yan pondered for a moment, "Alright, Daoist, be careful."

When they were in Shu, they were already accustomed to operating separately.

Now everyone's Dao has improved; Wang Daoxuan learned the "Five-Headed Divine Technique," Wu Ba inherited martial arts from the Huaguang Sect, and Lv San's strength has also increased. Besides, they are in the Capital, so there shouldn't be much of a problem.

As for Long Yan'er, she needs to stay behind to look after Sha Lifei.

...

After finalizing the plan, the three promptly packed their gear and set off.

Near dusk, they arrived at the southwestern side of the Chengtian Gate's "West River Rice Alley."

"This way, sirs."

A clerk from the Captain's Bureau led the way ahead and said while walking, "The government is bustling with people, so we found the Kong gentleman a courtyard here, just one street away from the Captain Bureau. The Five Armies Commander's Mansion, Ministry of Justice, Imperial Supervision Office, and Ministry of Justice are nearby, but something still happened."

Soon, a small courtyard made of blue bricks appeared before everyone.

Though modest in size, it was very clean and tidy, with a huge jujube tree in the yard.

Though just an ordinary residence, the location alone was worth a fortune.

And the surrounding inhabitants were officials and clerks from the Three Provinces and Six Ministries.

An elderly man was anxiously waiting at the door, and upon seeing the arrivals, he hurriedly approached and said, "Daoist Wang, you finally came, please save my young master."

Saying so, he was about to kneel.

Wang Daoxuan quickly stepped forward to support him, "Uncle Lin, do not rush, speak slowly."

This old man was Kong Shangzhao's servant, joined them in Tong State, and was familiar with them.

Before the words were finished, two more people emerged from the courtyard.

One was short and stout, dressed in silk, with fair skin and a thin mustache, constantly wiping sweat off his forehead with a handkerchief. The features bore some resemblance to Fatty Lin.

The other was a skinny young man in coarse clothing.

Uncle Lin quickly introduced them, "This is Mr. Lin's uncle, and this is Kuai's subordinate. Both are anxious and waiting here."

"Greetings, Daoist Wang, is Young Hero Li not here?"

"Daoist, please save my brother!"

They did not bother with etiquette and asked anxiously.

"Stop!"

Wang Daoxuan felt a headache and quickly waved his hand, "Don't rush, finding someone needs clues; let's discuss this inside."

The group entered the courtyard, which suddenly felt a bit crowded.

"Everyone speak up."

Wang Daoxuan sat down and looked at the people, "Before they disappeared, was there anything unusual?"

The coarse-clothed young man was the most anxious and rushed to speak, "Brother Dayou frequently visited the Kong gentleman recently; the day before yesterday he said he had some errands, acted mysteriously, didn't even take all his gear, just took a small bundle and left, and now there's no word!"

Fatty Lin's uncle also chimed in, his voice anxious, "Daoist, my nephew has also been missing for over a day now!"

"Yesterday he was supposed to go to the Chamber of Commerce, but he vanished. A colleague said the night before he drank with Mr. Kong and Kuai the woodworker at the tavern, and after that... alas! Asked around at places he frequents, they all said they hadn't seen him!"

"Moving stealthily?"

Wang Daoxuan pondered, "Seems they were planning something. Uncle Lin, was there anything unusual with Mr. Kong before leaving? Or did he leave any message?"

Uncle Lin wiped his tears, "The master only said he was going to 'check some ancient texts,' left in a hurry, and didn't let me follow..."

"Oh, and he took several treasures from home."

"What treasures?" Wang Daoxuan quickly asked.

At this moment, the Captain's Bureau clerk waiting nearby spoke up, "Not exactly treasures. To ensure Mr. Kong's safety, Daoist Luo brought some protective magic artifacts from the Law Enforcement Hall to prevent any harm from spells."

"We have checked, they were protective charms for the divine soul like jade pendants, Yansheng money, etc."

"What's strange is that Mr. Kong took them all, implying the place he went must be dangerous."

"Oh..."

Upon hearing this, Wang Daoxuan furrowed his brows.

These clues are practically useless, at most indicating that the three were secretly planning something.

Moving so covertly, it seems they intend to avoid attention.