"We've gone again..." Kou Beiyue shrugged. "He's so mysterious. I don't really know him well. Last time, I was having a vinegar noodle soup at the convenience store, and suddenly he showed up, saying he wanted to take me back to the north..." Listening to her go on in detail about her encounter with the Eye of the King of Magic, Zhang Yuanqing suddenly realized that this seemingly reserved young man was actually quite talkative. After she finished, Zhang Yuanqing remarked, "You really have courage." Upon hearing this, Kou Beiyue lifted her chin, a quiet pride shining in her eyes. "I know he's strong—probably a sage-level enchanting spirit creature. But my belief is that a strong one can make me afraid, but never make me yield." Zhang Yuanqing glanced at her. "I'm referring specifically to your choice of having the vinegar noodle soup. That shows real courage. I recommend you take another dose of Dacnem soft gel." ...Her proud expression froze on her face. Chang Yuanqing asked again, "The fellow interrupted us earlier. Let's continue. Since you've become a persuasive spirit-being, have you investigated who killed your sister? Please elaborate." Kou Beiyue's expression of resentment reappeared. "That beast is Chi Yue'an. He's the steward of Sha Kou District, a Level 4 Fire Master. I heard he was assigned by the Zhu family to the Five Elements Alliance—originally a Zhu family son-in-law, but after divorcing his wife, he joined the Five Elements Alliance..." Chang Yuanqing listened quietly, gaining an initial understanding of the steward he had just fought. Kou Beiyue paused, without continuing. "What happened then?" Chang Yuanqing asked. "What do you mean, 'then'?" the proud young man countered. "Why would he have killed your sister? Based on her condition before her death, she clearly had been imprisoned, mistreated, and sexually assaulted. For a steward of such high standing, this seems highly unreasonable. I can't imagine any motive he might have that would be so underhanded. What exactly happened to her before she disappeared? And where exactly was she held after her disappearance—have you investigated these details?" Zhang Yuanqing asked. Kou Beiyue shook her head. ……Zhang Yuanqing found it hard to believe: "In just two years, you've only uncovered the background of Chi Yuean?" Noticing the unusual look in her eyes, Kou Beiyue indignantly explained: "I'm not an official member, so I lack access to channels for investigation. I haven't even studied the intricacies of such procedures—I'm better at fighting. Moreover, the spirit-appearing creature lacks these skills. "Also, Chi Yuean is an official himself, and he's been actively concealing these matters. It's entirely normal that I can't uncover anything." Didn't you just seem foolish? Zhang Yuanqing mused: "What if there's a possibility that you've been subtly influencing the security officers of the Public Order Bureau over the long term, asking them to investigate on your behalf?" "!!!" Kou Beiyue was momentarily stunned. After a while, she managed to defend herself: "Master Wuhen has established a rule that one cannot use abilities on ordinary people. If anything comes to light and the officers are silenced, wouldn't that be a tragedy for the innocent?" "I never thought helping someone out would lead to all this hassle—better report it to the centurion... Zhang Yuanqing said, "What are your plans next? Make sure to let Xiao Yuan know about the marking, since that neurotic can track your location in real time." At that moment, Kou Beiyue's phone rang. Seeing it was a call from Xiao Yuan, he beamed with delight, but when he answered, he feigned impatience: "What is it, Xiao Yuan? You never stop nagging! I'm exhausted now and need to rest—let me vent my complaints when I get back to the hotel." "You don't have to come at all!" Xiao Yuan said calmly. "You've been formally expelled from the team by Master Wuhen. You're all set—no need to come anymore." Kou Beiyue's expression froze instantly, his face growing paler. He took a deep breath and chuckled coldly, "Fine! I've always been independent. You didn't bother me back then—now I don't know where I'm off to, enjoying my solitude. Who in their right mind would want to go to that run-down hotel? I'm hanging up!" Kou Beiyue sank wearily to the ground, gritting his teeth with determination, yet his eyes brimmed with sadness and loneliness—like a dog abandoned. Zhang Yuanqing nodded. "Then I'll take charge. It's a serious offense for official envoys to deliberately harm ordinary people. As the Night-Wanderer of the Taiyuan Sect, I have the right to investigate this matter." Kou Beiyue raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised. "Are you going to help me?" "Not specifically helping you—just fulfilling my duties, doing my job for my salary. That's entirely natural." Zhang Yuanqing opened his inventory and summoned the Fumigation Staff. "First, let me purify the marks within your body. This item possesses purifying power. The cost of using it is the sacrifice of your vital blood. Please make a cut on your thigh." He then tossed the staff toward her. Kou Beiyue caught the bronze staff and, without hesitation, plunged it deeply into her thigh. The fresh blood absorbed completely by the staff, and instantly, a clear, radiant golden light erupted, enveloping the spirited young man. Immersed in the golden glow, Kou Beiyue felt a wave of warmth. Gradually, the accumulated frustration, anger, and helplessness within her began to dissipate, and her thoughts grew clearer and more expansive. Could it actually purify emotions to some extent? While checking the item details, he gritted his teeth: "Good stuff, but the cost is too high—unsuitable for use during combat. Oh, it hurts so much..." No, you're just too straightforward. I only asked you to be lightly pricked; I didn't have you pierced this deeply, you twit. Zhang Yuanqing nodded steadily, embodying the calm, reserved office worker, saying, "Return the item to me." Kou Beiyue immediately tossed the powerful item back. Taking the item, Zhang Yuanqing was about to close the inventory panel when he suddenly thought—what if I were the Mage-Eyed King? Would I not take the time to mark a subtle note within the Night God of Taimei's body? Though this person claims to require evidence before killing, evil professions are inherently opposed to the lawful, orderly factions. Marking a captain-level official traveler to track their real-time location would be a natural move. So, Zhang Yuanqing reversed his grip on the Vow-Breaking Staff and gently pricked his thigh skin. The Vengeance Mallet automatically draws upon the refined blood, feeding the divine power of the Sun God to the holder, purifying all external influences within the body. Kou Beiyue glanced at the small wound on the other’s leg, then at her own wound, which had nearly exposed bone, and murmured, “Why didn’t you say so earlier?” Zhang Yuanqing gave a slight smile. “I didn’t expect you to be so rigorous with yourself. Now, hurry and leave—our purification of the mark should have already been detected by them.” … At a rooftop some distance from Kangyang District, the Mage-Eye King, who had just begun scanning the area with his Mage-Eye, suddenly exclaimed, “Hm.” He tilted his head and looked toward the direction from which he had come. “My mark has been purified? A Night-Wanderer of only Level 3 possesses such capability…” Closing his vertical eye and adjusting his headband, the Mage-Eye King dialed his subordinate’s number. “Check on the captain of the Taiyuan Division stationed in Kangyang District—his name is Yuan Ting, correct? Send me the complete records once you’ve verified them.” “Yes, Your Majesty!” "Have we gathered sufficient information on Yuan Shishen? Has anyone from the black market submitted criminal evidence against him?" asked the King of the Mystic Eye. "Neither leads from the Zhishi Palace members nor any criminal records against Yuan Shishen have been found," replied the subordinate. "Finding people is always difficult, especially the Spirit Realm Travelers—this outcome isn't surprising," remarked the King of the Mystic Eye, shaking his head. "Is Yuan Shishen truly a paragon of moral virtue?" The subordinate was taken aback. "Your Majesty, according to the available data, I believe perhaps—well—he simply hasn't had the chance yet to commit any crimes. After all, Yuan Shishen has only been with the official ranks for two months." "The investigator needs the elder's approval. Chijue An is a steward from Sha Kou District, not a direct subordinate of the Dog Elder, so he won't intervene," Fu Qingyang said. "If you wish to take action, then gather evidence and report him to the higher levels of the division." "I understand. Does the centurion have any further suggestions?" He wanted to hear Fu Qingyang's stance. Fu Qingyang replied calmly, "It's good that you have a sense of justice, but right now you shouldn't go out much. Investigating a steward-level traveler is a significant matter—once it becomes public, the Magi-Eye will surely notice. My recommendation is: for now, just let it go." "I can easily disguise myself and conduct the investigation quietly. That won't be a problem," Zhang Yuanqing said. "The second matter: I just met with the Magi-Eye King." "You've seen the Magi-Eye?" Fu Qingyang's tone grew serious. Zhang Yuanqing then recounted the details of the meeting. Fu Qingyang remained silent for a long time, analyzing: "Yuan Ting is well known within the Taiyuan Gate. If the Mage's Eye is to investigate, it will quickly determine Yuan Ting's location in the capital—therefore, he cannot meet you in Songhai. Yet, he certainly won't immediately connect you with the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign. "You should continue to remain in concealment, without actively participating in this matter. The senior monks of the division will soon take action. However, this person is exceptionally cautious—finding him will prove difficult." "Fu Qingyang" nodded, saying, "Also, a few days from now, I'll hold a White Guard online meeting to announce my plan to recruit you. Once the entire team approves, I'll send you the official recruitment message." That means we'll have to wait a bit longer, Lieutenant. I'm already eager to secure that house worth several million. Zhang Yuanqing replied, "Understood!" The two ended their conversation. Zhang Yuanqing opened the clan warehouse, clicked the search icon in the upper-right corner, and with a pen in hand, typed: "Xiaoyuan." Sent the recruitment command. A few minutes later, the Lingjing notification sounded: 【Ding! Xiaoyuan has joined your clan.】 It would also be nice to bring Guaya and the Master of Zhishigong in—then my clan would be full of beautiful women, and I, the Clan Master, would lead the beauty of the realm, renowned throughout the martial world. Zhang Yuanqing sent a message to Xiaoyuan: "Kou Beiyue is settled now. I'll try to investigate his matter." Xiaoyuan replied with a simple "Hmm." Xiaoyuan must be glad I take over Kou Beiyue... Zhang Yuanqing typed: "I also have a matter I'd like to entrust to Aunt Xiaoyuan." Xiaoyuan: "What is it?" Zhang Yuanqing: "I wish to hunt down a Level 3 Enchanted Spirit Beast and transform it into a Yin Shi. But as you know, evil-class characters are like mice living in a stinking gutter—hard to Zhang Yuanqing: "Oh, you're being too modest!" Xiao Yuan: "Hmph, wait and see." As she was speaking, Zhang Yuanqing noticed a new message on her phone from Xie Lingxi. "Yuanshi brother, we've got new members! Who's Xiao Yuan? A magical girl, is she?" Xie Lingxi, one of the gang members, had also received the spiritual realm notification. No, she's a magical aunt! Zhang Yuanqing typed back: "You've seen her." Xie Lingxi: "Hmm? But I don't know her. I've never heard of this name." He replied "Thank you" and ended the chat, then sent a message to Xiao Green Tea: "The front desk at Wuhu Hotel." "Oh! How did you bring in a villainic member like this? That doesn't seem right. That aunt seems so stern—does she really belong in the gang? Is she trustworthy?" Xie Lingxi's impression of Xiao Yuan remained from their first meeting—she saw her as a beautiful, stylish woman, yet cold and rather unpleasant. "Don't worry, she's a fellow partner who's never truly lived up to being a father—her character is solid." Zhang Yuanqing comforted the young green tea a bit, and unexpectedly received a call from her mother. Her? Zhang Yuanqing was momentarily stunned and quickly answered, chuckling, "With all your duties, how do you find time to call me? Not in a meeting? Not on a business call?" It seemed her mother hadn't picked up on his teasing, and said, "I've followed up with that business partner about the matter we discussed last time. He's available today—we can arrange a meeting."