Everyone’s expressions mirrored Ling Xiaoyou’s confusion, equally puzzled by the inconsistencies in Jiang Rouqian’s story.
But since even Jiang Rouqian herself couldn’t clarify these matters, there was no point in pressing further. They could only let her rest and wait for the Regulatory Division to arrive and take her away.
“We understand. Thank you for the information.”
Though her confusion had only grown, Ling Xiaoyou still nodded her little head seriously at Jiang Rouqian and expressed her gratitude.
As she spoke, she took out her mobile phone and sent her current location to Team Leader Lin, who seemed to have given up on calling, along with a summary of Jiang Rouqian’s information. After sending the message, she put her phone away and looked at the weary-faced woman.
“I’ve informed the Regulatory Division of your location and situation. They should arrive soon and will take good care of you.”
Not only had the other party helped her deal with the pursuers, but they had also contacted the Regulatory Division on her behalf. Jiang Rouqian was deeply grateful for Ling Xiaoyou’s help. For strangers who had never met before, they had already done more than enough.
Thus, she bowed deeply to Ling Xiaoyou and said,
“Thank you for your assistance. If I ever have the chance in the future, I will definitely repay you.”
“No need to thank me. After all, you provided us with such useful information. Consider it a mutually beneficial exchange.”
Seeing this, Ling Xiaoyou quickly helped Jiang Rouqian up, scratched her little head, and said somewhat awkwardly.
She wasn’t really used to being thanked so solemnly.
Jiang Rouqian originally wanted to say more, but seeing Ling Xiaoyou’s slightly flustered demeanor, she seemed to understand something and remained silent, simply committing this gratitude to heart, planning to repay it someday.
“Oh, right, there’s one more thing I wanted to ask you.”
Ling Xiaoyou seemed to suddenly remember something and looked at Jiang Rouqian again, asking,
“Do you remember where you escaped from earlier? If possible, we’d like to know the location of that research institution.”
Hearing this, Jiang Rouqian was taken aback for a moment, then seemed to understand something, asking with some surprise,
“You want to go there?”
She didn’t quite understand. A place like that was clearly very dangerous, so why would these young women actively want to go there?
Remembering Ling Xiaoyou’s earlier contact with the Regulatory Division, Jiang Rouqian tentatively asked,
“Are you… perhaps Patrollers of the Regulatory Division?”
“Patrollers? We’re not…”
Ling Xiaoyou initially wanted to deny it, but then reconsidered. To avoid the other party withholding the address out of concern for their safety, she quickly changed her tune,
“We sort of are Patrollers! We have a cooperative relationship with the Regulatory Division!”
In a way, this wasn’t a complete lie. The Regulatory Division did turn a blind eye to their investigation of the demon incidents.
Hearing this, Jiang Rouqian felt slightly more at ease and nodded, saying,
“I understand, esteemed Patrollers. That address is…”
After obtaining the specific location, the group prepared to set off to investigate the site.
But before they could each use their methods to depart, Jiang Rouqian suddenly called out,
“Please wait a moment, esteemed Patrollers!”
“Is there something else?”
Ling Xiaoyou, already standing on her flying sword, turned her little head and looked at her in confusion.
“Um…”
Jiang Rouqian hesitated, seemingly worried they might not want to answer, but ultimately asked somewhat awkwardly,
“I wanted to ask, which city is this? Where exactly have those demons brought me?”
“This place? It’s the Imperial Capital.”
Ling Xiaoyou’s answer left Jiang Rouqian stunned on the spot.
However, she quickly regained her composure and smiled wryly,
“From New Sea City to the Imperial Capital? Crossing over half of Eastern Radiance… It seems the matter I’ve gotten involved in this time is truly not simple.”
“Huh? Are you from New Sea too?”
Ling Xiaoyou looked at her with some surprise and said,
“So we’re fellow townspeople!”
Although she wasn’t sure if she counted as a New Sea local, having lived there for as long as she could remember, she was at least half a New Sea person.
Hearing this, Jiang Rouqian was also somewhat surprised. She hadn’t expected this petite and cute-looking “Patroller” to also be from New Sea.
“It seems we’re quite fated.”
Ling Xiaoyou smiled and waved her hand,
“Well then, goodbye! Hopefully, we’ll meet again in New Sea someday!”
As her words fell, their figures transformed into several streaks of light, speeding off in the direction of the research institution Jiang Rouqian had mentioned.
Watching the gradually disappearing streaks of light, Jiang Rouqian sighed softly, looked up at the stars and bright moon, and murmured,
“This family visit turned out like this… truly unimaginable.”
“And with so much time having passed, Ruhua must be very worried about me…”
***
In the sky, Ling Xiaoyou turned her head to look at Su Lihua, who was piggybacking on Su Taosheng—the sight was almost comical, like “Zhu Bajie carrying his bride”—and couldn’t help but ask,
“Are you two still planning to come along? It might be dangerous from here on.”
“Of course we’re going! We’re a team. How could we let just the two of you face the danger!”
Su Lihua said excitedly, her eyes sparkling like a primary school student before a field trip.
Ling Xiaoyou couldn’t help but suspect this girl was treating the investigation like a spring outing.
But she didn’t say much more. After all, excitement was better than fear.
Then, she glanced at Su Taosheng. This Elder Sister Su remained as taciturn as ever.
Even when looked at, she simply returned the gaze briefly before continuing on their way.
‘Could this Elder Sister Su be socially anxious?’
Ling Xiaoyou wondered to herself.
The journey continued. According to Jiang Rouqian’s description, the location was in a remote field on the outskirts of the city, extremely well-hidden. If she hadn’t personally escaped from there, no one would have guessed a building was concealed in that spot.
Suddenly, Bai Shuanglian and Su Taosheng simultaneously turned their heads, looking in a certain direction outside the city.
Ling Xiaoyou followed their gaze but saw nothing, prompting her to ask in confusion, “What happened?”
Bai Shuanglian frowned slightly and said,
“There’s a battle over there, and it’s not a small-scale one. There are likely high-level cultivators involved.”
She paused, then added,
“Perhaps… it’s related to the research institute we’re about to investigate.”
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