Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 1093: A Blank Sheet of Paper

When Su Mubai led his group back to Croaching Dragon Estate, he realized things were far more serious than he had imagined.

The members of the Daoist Association who had escaped from the bronze-masked men never expected that the major figures of the Daoist World and leaders of the Demon Clan had all vanished overnight.

The Management Bureau headquarters had already taken over the situation in a rush.

At the Song Family’s camp outside the imperial tomb, Young Lord Zi Xing of Greedy Wolf had told Su Mubai, “See you later”… Su Mubai didn’t expect “later” to come so soon.

That same afternoon, after finding Kunpeng Manor empty, Zi Xing’s group received a communication from the Management Bureau and rushed to Croaching Dragon Estate.

Inside the conference room, a young man—who looked no more than twenty-five or twenty-six—stood expressionless as he introduced himself to the temporarily united Daoist and Demon representatives led by Su Mubai and Zi Xing.

“I’m Yan Xiaoxi, Director of the Special Affairs Division of the Management Bureau. I’m in full charge of handling the ‘Mount Tai Case.’ I hope you all can cooperate with my work.”

The Daoists and Demons in the room all frowned at the speaker. To them, Yan Xiaoxi was clearly very young. But despite his youth, he held a high position, and his aura was restrained, with a faint, unusual fluctuation of power within him.

The Management Bureau was a very specialized agency—not a place where high-ranking officials sent juniors to earn credentials. In the Bureau, if one didn’t have real ability, they wouldn’t be able to manage a team made up of personnel from various sects and Demon clans.

“Please look at the screen.”Yan Xiaoxi had the projector turned on. A series of photos slowly appeared on the screen.

With a serious expression, Yan Xiaoxi said, “These were taken in a valley. We call it the Jade Dragon Pillar. If you’re unsure what that is, refer to the documents in your hands—I won’t repeat it.”

The sound of pages flipping filled the room.

Yan Xiaoxi’s voice cut through the rustling. “Based on the information provided by those present and the intelligence we’ve gathered, the conclusion—found on page seventeen—is that the ‘Mount Tai Case’ is likely the work of the 71st generation of Heavenly Heart, who had previously gone missing. His goal may be to recreate the tragedy of the Penglai Grand Gathering from forty years ago. I believe many of you here experienced that disaster firsthand. To prevent it from happening again, we must stop the 71st generation’s scheme.”

The room was very quiet. Yan Xiaoxi began delivering a detailed report on the Mount Tai incident.

Time passed bit by bit.

“…Based on everything discussed, there are currently two urgent tasks.” Yan Xiaoxi put down his laser pointer and looked around the room. “First, and most important: we must locate the 71st generation of Heavenly Heart. Second, we need to find the elite members from both the Daoist and Demon sides who mysteriously disappeared at the site of the first Jade Dragon Pillar.”

He paused.

“The Management Bureau would like to enlist your help in forming a temporary task force. Before the meeting, I had a brief discussion with Daoist Su Mubai and Young Lord Zi Xing. We’ve reached a consensus—Su Mubai and Zi Xing will serve as acting deputy leaders of this group.”

“Doesn’t the Management Bureau have enough people? Why summon us? You normally treat us like suspects, watching us all the time… But now that you’re in trouble, you want our help?”

A discordant voice suddenly interrupted Yan Xiaoxi from the back of the room. The crowd turned and saw that it was a horse-faced Demon seated among the demons.

Yan Xiaoxi looked directly at the man and replied seriously, “It’s the New Year period. Several national leaders are on state visits. We had to reassign enough people to ensure their safety. Also, four captains and over a hundred Bureau personnel have gone missing in this incident. We’re short on manpower and must call upon your help.”

He swept his gaze across the room again. “But! Let me stress one thing. This is not a request. According to the terms of the ‘Agreement,’ when a national disaster occurs, both Daoists and Demons must set aside differences and follow orders. If anyone resists during the mobilization, punishment will be carried out according to the agreement’s provisions depending on the severity.”

“Hahaha!!” The horse-faced man burst into laughter and interrupted again. “Ridiculous! That ‘Agreement’ is decades old. Can’t believe there are still fools who take it seriously! Yan Xiaoxi, right? I, Junbo Wentian, will say it clearly—there’s no way I’m following the orders of a yellow-haired brat like you. I don’t care what the 71st generation of Heavenly Heart is planning, but since he dared to ambush me, I’ll settle that score myself. I’m not attending this damn meeting! Anyone who wants to stay and listen to this nonsense, go ahead!”

With that, Junbo Wentian flicked his sleeve and stormed out of the room.

Yan Xiaoxi stared blankly as Junbo Wentian left. Once he had exited completely, Yan Xiaoxi glanced around and said calmly, “Aside from him, is anyone else unwilling to stay?”

“This humble Daoist prefers freedom… My apologies.” A Daoist stood up and left.

Two more figures soon stood, shook their heads, and also walked out. After that, others—both Daoists and Demons—also got up and left in small groups.

Before long, nearly a third of the people had left the room.

Yan Xiaoxi waited for a moment. Seeing no one else leaving, he said, “Let’s now go over the personnel assignments.”

He sat down as if nothing had happened, as though those who left had never been there.

Once Yan Xiaoxi sat, a man behind him stepped forward.

“Everyone, allow me to explain the upcoming personnel arrangements…”

...

In a quiet courtyard within Croaching Dragon Estate—

Mr. Blind, Qingxiaozi, was silently watching the meeting on-screen with a man in Tang-style clothing who had come from afar.

The safe return of some Daoist and Demon members who had gone missing early on and escaped from the hands of the 71st generation of Heavenly Heart was good news for Mr. Blind. After all, he and the 71st generation were fellow disciples. Although he had been expelled from the sect, his feelings for Plain-Clothed Dao ran deep.

Mr. Blind had once made a grave mistake… One that ended with the death of his master, the 70th generation of Heavenly Heart. He had buried that incident in his heart for forty years. Now, with the 71st generation’s plot again plunging both Daoist and Demon realms into crisis—and dragging Plain-Clothed Dao into the center once more—how could he remain calm?

“Yan Xiaoxi?” Mr. Blind tilted his head, listening more intently to the voice from the screen. “What is he to you?”

“Disciple,” the Tang-robed man smiled. “Picked him up, raised him a few years, then tossed him out.”

Mr. Blind nodded without asking further. But he frowned slightly.

“This came from your higher-ups?”

“Old Blind, I don’t quite understand what you’re saying,” the man replied calmly.

“Why not just say it directly? That the 71st generation of Heavenly Heart’s goal is the revival of spiritual energy?” Mr. Blind looked at him. “Why deliberately bring up the tragedy from forty years ago as the starting point?”

The man in the Tang suit said, “Old Blind, I don’t interfere with how the Management Bureau handles things. But there are many unstable factors in both the Daoist and Demon worlds. If spiritual energy were to recover, I wouldn’t be surprised if some radical elements emerged… You should understand that, right? Xiaoxi bringing up what happened forty years ago might make you uncomfortable, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. Blind, if you can’t let go, then this is all your life will ever be.”

Mr. Blind let out a soft breath and looked out the window at the phoenix tree. He said nothing more.

Just then, a servant from Croaching Dragon Estate came in with hot water and brought along an unsigned letter. It had been placed outside the courtyard gate and was only discovered when the servant arrived with the water. No one had seen who delivered it.

It was addressed specifically to Mr. Blind.

After dismissing the servant, Mr. Blind and the man in the Tang suit stared at the envelope on the tea table for a while before the Tang-clothed man said, “Blind, the situation’s getting a bit delicate… let’s follow proper procedure.”

Mr. Blind nodded.

The man in the Tang suit opened the envelope, took out its contents, and after just one glance, his brows furrowed deeply.

Mr. Blind noticed the man’s breathing suddenly change. “What does the letter say?”

“Nothing,” the man replied slowly. “There’s nothing written on it. It’s just a blank sheet.”

“Blank?” Mr. Blind was stunned. He took the paper from the man and carefully ran his fingers over it.

“See anything?” the man asked, puzzled.

Mr. Blind was silent for a while, then shook his head. “I can’t figure it out yet.”

The man took the blank sheet back, placed it in the envelope, then stood up. “The fact that this thing could be placed at the door without either of us noticing… that’s interesting. I’ll send it for inspection, and also check what the patrolling guards are doing. Maybe someone from inside the estate left it.”

Mr. Blind frowned. “You think there’s a mole in the estate?”

“I don’t suspect anyone in particular,” the man said. “I just find it strange… the 71st generation of Heavenly Heart couldn’t beat you before. Even if you haven’t improved for decades, he still can’t defeat you. No offense, but your senior brother had average talent. At most, he’d linger at the Enlightened Dao Realm his whole life. But this time, he pulled off something elaborate, secretly capturing so many people without anyone knowing. That doesn’t seem like something he could do alone. And before I arrived, didn’t someone ambush you?”

Mr. Blind remained silent.

The man said, “You should stay here and avoid showing yourself. The Management Bureau’s attitude toward you is very different from that of the Daoists and Demons outside.”

“I understand,” Mr. Blind said with a helpless nod.

Shortly after the man left, Mr. Blind finally let out a long sigh… Pushing aside unnecessary thoughts, he focused on the blank letter.

“A blank page… a piece of white paper…” Mr. Blind frowned. “From nothing comes something… infinite… change… malleability? Who could it be?”

At that moment, a bell rang in the quiet room. Mr. Blind froze for a second. He had only bought this phone for convenience after returning to the country. Very few people even knew the number.

“Hello? Blind speaking.”

“Hey! Blind? This is Song Da!”

...

Earlier that day.

“Master, Young Master is back!”

Inside the ancestral mansion of the Song family, Uncle Wu hurried to Song Tianyou’s side.

Due to an incident during the imperial tomb expedition, the Li family had withdrawn. What exactly happened afterward was unknown to Grandpa Song, who was waiting anxiously at home. Though he wasn’t in a panic, he was clearly uneasy.

“Grandpa, let me help you.”

Seeing Song Tianyou rise with the help of his cane, Song Ying quickly stepped up to support him. The group walked quickly to the front courtyard of the mansion, where Song Haoran was just entering with his men.

Young Master Song Da wore his usual smile—seeing this, and knowing his son well, Song Tianyou could tell that not only was Song Haoran unharmed, but something good might have happened.

“You’re back,” Song Tianyou said, stepping up to pat his son on the shoulder.

The tap sent a cloud of dust puffing off his clothes.

“As long as you’re fine… and this is?”

Song Tianyou now noticed the people behind Song Haoran—Song Da and Song Er had just stepped forward. Behind them, a bodyguard carried a woman in traditional clothing on a stretcher.

“Let’s talk inside,” Song Haoran smiled. “This might be the most thrilling adventure I’ve had yet.”

Song Ying rolled her eyes and muttered, “Always showing off… one of these days you’re going to fall on your face and die.”

Despite her words, her tense expression eased. Song Haoran chuckled and playfully pinched her nose, causing her to erupt with annoyance.

“Enough, get inside. It’s cold,” Song Tianyou shook his head, putting a stop to their antics as he entered the mansion with Uncle Wu’s support.

Song Ying suddenly looked toward the gate, as if searching for someone.

“What are you looking for?” Song Haoran asked curiously.

“Luo Qiu… why isn’t he back?” Song Ying responded instinctively.

“Luo Qiu?” Song Haoran paused, then looked out the gate in confusion. After a while, he said, “Didn’t he go back to his stepmother after landing? He said he’d contact us later. Did you forget?”

“That’s not right…” Song Ying frowned. “Is that how it was? I guess… I kind of remember that… maybe.”

She couldn’t recall clearly. It felt like she had heard it before, but maybe not. Still, once Song Haoran said it, it vaguely sounded familiar.

“Are you stupid?” Song Da chuckled. “There’s a saying in China, right? What was it again…? Ah, got it—lovesickness!”

“Song Haoran—go die!!”

And so, though the imperial tomb trip had been filled with danger, Young Master Song escaped unscathed—only to get stomped hard by Miss Song Ying, crying out in pain for help.

(End of Chapter)