The children are still missing

Floating above the garden was a ball of cloud. It was condensed gradually from the moisture in the air. Peter's hand moved so fast as he formed seals. 

Soon the cloud started to rain and a little drizzle flowed into the garden. It lasted for about 20 minutes before dissipating. 

The leaves of the plants became brighter and fresher, brimming with vitality.

The spell changed suddenly as Peter spread his fingers making a series of incredible hand movements. A green layer enveloped his hands as though painted on them.

The roots of the spiritual herbs in the garden seemed to be more excited and absorbed the spiritual energy even faster.

The mundane plants and fruit trees in Raizel's garden began to grow rapidly under the influence of the vigorous spiritual energy. Fragrance rose and vitality filled the air. The almost deserted garden had turned to a paradise of lush and green. Peter smiled. He didn't exhaust much of his spiritual essence for this. The plants in the garden were a few low grade spiritual herbs and some mundane plants. 

He was a Late Dao Flowering Realm Cultivation whose innate Dao seed was that of the Wood Dao. He had done this kind of job a lot when he was much younger. He was sure he could be even faster…

A delicate and very fragrant aroma swept past his nose.

"You probably should buy some Black Tailed Butterflies from Ben later." He said, his voice was right.

Raizel took a bite of the soft and spongy egg cake. It was slightly sweet, he took a spoonful of the fish congee which left a delicious taste in his mouth.

"En. I understand." He replied.

Peter bristled. This rude, impolite Daoist! He wanted to say he has never been treated like this. But he had.

Old Bill treated him like this. Old Lin treated him like this. Old Bill was even more shameless and thick-skinned, he would help himself to yours but never give up a morsel of food. It was only Mengmeng, Heaven bless her beautiful soul that knows how to treat a visitor as a person. 

"Raizel. You are a terrible person. I came to your house and you did not even offer me a seat. You even ordered food and you did not add my share. What kind of friend are you?"

"You are right. I am sorry." Raizel thought about his Master's teaching and admitted his fault.

Peter licked his lips and with brightened eyes focused on the dish in front of Raizel, he asked, "So…"

"Next time, I will offer you a seat."

Peter felt numb He took a deep breath. It was not enough, he took another breath.

He then turned and left. At least, he swindled 100 spirit stones from Raizel's pocket. One should always learn to be content.

Raizel watched Peter leave. He had paid him 100 spirit stones for his service. The price had been so unacceptable to him. However, when he used his phone to search on the job sites. 

People with a lower cultivation base were charging double or triple the price. He had gone back to Peter but he was still not reconciled. He had never paid for someone to tend to the garden or vegetation around his mount.

He picked up the last piece of egg cake and drank down the entire bowl of fish congee.

He closed his eyes as he relaxed. The meal had no spiritual energy to assimilate but it was still very delicious. The scent of chamomile filled his nose and he relaxed, closing his eyes for a little nap.

___

As Raizel took a short nap in his garden, the situation outside was getting hot.

Panic was really one of man's greatest enemies. It had a way of erasing all forms of reasons including the smallest common sense.

Criminals were more unstable and predictable than other people. One should pay special attention not to instigate them as not escalate the situation.

Tonia, the grieving mother had no care for such words. She went to TTV, the most popular station in Tempest town and most of its surroundings to plead with the kidnappers to return her child.

Unfortunately, one can not control the tide of the wind. In six hours, an article from TTV got the public's eyes.

"Cultivator kidnaps mundane child?"

The bored netizens on Rine pounced. Other news stations and blogs were not to be left as they rushed in. Within 24 hours, the entire Rine was filled with sensitive articles.

"Are we safe? Is it a return to the dark ages?"

"Cultivator kidnaps child? Police turn a blind eye?"

"A wall of silence against mundane slavery"

"Cultivators and Mundanes; The journey so far."

The Mundane Protection Agency had a lot of bad blood with the police. It was expected. While most of the members of the police were mundane, 90% of the higher-ups were cultivators.

One side thought the other side did not give their best to protect the mundane citizens, the other thought they were just making a huge fuss. As soon as the opportunity came, the Mundane Protection Agency rushed to their blog to fan the flames. 

"Mundane Protection Agency(MPA) gives police ultimatum to find the missing girls"

The ambiguity of the case had caused the police to carry the large pot. Unemployed detective netizens had already carried out research and unsolved missing girls cases were already uploaded online. The speed was so fast, it was almost it was planned.

Although Tempest town was not a large city and had only half of a million inhabitants. Its closeness to Sein City made it much more modernized than other towns. Many of the netizens were socially active. They clamoured and swarm into the Town Police's official Rine sweating in anger.

From the Police Inspector, the Bureau Chief down to the cleaning lady, everyone was scolded furiously. With the fire of the public under their butt, the police couldn't help but I've faster.

____

The Bureau Chief read another article on the tablet in front of him. It must have been very annoying for he slammed his fist on the table.

Lin Mengmeng sighed inwardly as she stood before him. The furniture in the Bureau Chief's table was really stable. The table for instance had withstood the slamming of countless Bureau Chiefs.

The telephone on the table rang again. The Bureau Chief swore loudly and cut the call off.

"Captain Lin?" His voice was loud and full of authority.

"Yes, Sir" She quickly stood at attention.

"Are you certain that your team would arrest the kidnapper while guaranteeing the safety of the girls?" 

"I dare not affirm Sir. It had been 15 hours since we put in the request to move. I must confirm, in this mission, the safety of the girls is the top priority." Lin Mengmeng's eyes were focused and determined.

The Bureau Chief wanted to give her a shake. Lin Mengmeng was extremely talented and hardworking. He had taken her under his wings intending to train her as his successor. 

After a little while, he had felt she was wasting her talent here in Tempest town and wanted to recommend her for transfer to a bigger city. However, that was before he discovered her flaw.

Lin Mengmeng in a single sentence was simply a justice idiot. Just like how she is currently requesting a petition to kill the Cultivator to save two mundane girls. Can their importance even be compared? What of the said cultivator has a powerful master or belongs to a powerful school? She did not care.

Besides, the way the higher-ups are taking their time to give permission for everything. He was sure of his previous guess. He did not get this position by being stupid.

He leaned back on the child and looked at her. "The suspect is not yet identified. Both detaining the suspect and recusing the girls are of equal priority. Captain Lin, I hope you will not disappoint me." No matter the result, he can just shift the pot of blame from his head to another person.

"Yes Sir." Lin Mengmeng said quietly after a while. She was not surprised but in her heart, she hoped...she hoped.

She decisively walked out of her former mentor's office. Her heart lurched in her chest. Jean was right again.