Instant Decision

The streets of Weiku City were tidy, thanks to Li Qiao's governance. Although it was a mix of all sorts of people, it remained relatively peaceful. The marketplace bustled with people, and joyful voices of vendors filled the air. Occasionally, horse carriages passed by, causing some frustrated remarks from those who couldn't avoid them.

Teahouses, taverns, pawnshops, and workshops lined both sides of the street, bustling with activity and flourishing business.

The Su family of three strolled through the lively marketplace. Even the usually serious-faced Su Lixiao couldn't help but reveal a faint smile.

Walking side by side, Su Zimo wore a light purple dress that exuded elegance, while Mu Yunxuan donned a magnificent black robe. His starry eyes faintly shimmered with a cold light, showcasing his noble and graceful features. He carefully protected the people by his side throughout the journey.

Their remarkable appearance caught the attention of passersby, who couldn't help but glance at them with surprise.

"Mother, this place is much livelier than the border. It's like the bustling capital of Haoyue Kingdom," Su Lixiao said, raising his delicate face adorned with a gentle smile. It was his first time accompanying his parents to explore a marketplace, and he was genuinely delighted.

Su Zimo smiled softly and replied, "This place is the most concentrated hub for commodity trading among the four countries. Naturally, it would be much livelier than other places."

"Uncle Huaijin enjoys lively places. No wonder you let him come here," Su Lixiao remarked.

"Yes! Huaijin is humble, responsible, and highly adaptable. He is indispensable here," Su Zimo agreed.

"The people I employ are carefully selected. Each of them is devoted to me for simple reasons. Firstly, I genuinely consider them as my own. Secondly, the monthly remuneration is much higher than others. Lastly, many of them are orphans or people whose families have fallen on hard times. I thoroughly investigate their backgrounds before deciding whether to hire them. With them, it's a matter of mutual trust," Su Zimo explained while Mu Yunxuan gently looked at her. Amidst the surrounding commotion, he paid no attention and only cared about the two people by his side.

"That's right. The phrase 'mutual trust' is admirable. Even I, Mu Yunxuan, haven't reached that level," Mu Yunxuan admitted, feeling a deep sense of admiration.

"Mother, Father, look over there. They're selling magic beasts and demon beasts of the illusionary period," Su Lixiao exclaimed, pointing to a vendor not far away.

There weren't many sellers of ordinary magic beasts on this main street. Usually, magic beasts had to be captured by individuals themselves or obtained from others before they could be traded. Some cultivators in the early Profound Period would buy them for contracting or as mounts.

"If you're interested, let's go and have a look," Mu Yunxuan suggested, holding Su Lixiao's small hand. Sometimes, such small stalls could yield treasures.

"Let's go! It's rare for Lixiao to show interest in something outside," Su Zimo said, holding Su Lixiao's other hand.

Su Lixiao looked up, glancing at his father and mother, feeling an unprecedented sense of happiness.

"Hey, have you heard? Wang Dajie's daughter from the East City disappeared last night."

"But I thought they caught the culprit? How could there be another person missing?"

A few women passed by Su Zimo, speaking loudly. Su Zimo and Mu Yunxuan exchanged a glance, sharing the same thoughts.

At that moment, a slim and delicate-looking boy, around fourteen or fifteen years old, hurriedly ran past them. He accidentally brushed against Su Zimo and rushed towards the vendor selling illusionary period magic beasts. Wiping the sweat off his forehead, he said urgently, "Father, sister is missing."

"What? She was fine last night. How could she disappear?" The vendor was a middle-aged man in his forties.

Hearing the boy's words, a hint of anxiety flashed across the man's face.

Su Zimo probed slightly and discovered that the middle-aged man was a high-level cultivator in the fifth stage of the Profound Period. No wonder he could sell illusionary period magic beasts.

However, Su Zimo became more convinced that the missing people had no connection to the Witch Clan. If it wasn't the Witch Clan, then who could it be?

"Yunxuan, aside from suspecting the Witch Clan, there may be other people involved in the disappearance of these young men and women. Hopefully, they aren't targeting us," Su Zimo said, contemplating the situation.

Mu Yunxuan's face darkened, and he couldn't just ignore this matter. He had to investigate and find out the truth as soon as possible.

"Your Highness, Madam, what a coincidence to run into you on the street," said Li Qiao, the city lord, as he approached them. Mu Yunxuan bent down and picked up Su Lixiao.

He had a group of people and horses with him, probably on patrol duty.

"City Lord," Mu Yunxuan and Su Zimo nodded in his direction.

"Last night, five men and five women went missing again. I thought we caught the thieves, but it turns out I was wrong," Li Qiao informed them.

Su Zimo was slightly startled upon hearing this. Curiosity is human nature, and she had just speculated in her mind about what those people were being taken for.

Raising her eyes slightly, she could only see his slightly angry face.

"City Lord, I heard that this has been happening for three or four days now?" Su Zimo asked.

"Yes! Last night, the son of the Madam was taken away, and I thought they had revealed their true colors. But it seems I was mistaken," Li Qiao replied.

Upon hearing this, Su Zimo's expression turned serious. If things continued in this direction, the people in her shops would also be in danger. After a moment of thought, she said, "City Lord, I also thought it might be those people from last night. Now, everyone in Weiku City knows that it's mostly young men and women who are disappearing. So why not..."

Su Zimo leaned close to Li Qiao's ear and whispered a few words.

Li Qiao's body stiffened slightly, and a trace of surprise flashed through his eyes. He looked straight at her with his phoenix-like eyes, radiating confidence and charm.

"Madam, have you made up your mind?" His deep voice seemed slightly hoarse, but it carried a sense of admiration that sent shivers down one's spine.

Mu Yunxuan's body froze, and he looked at Su Zimo in disbelief. How could he not understand her intentions?

"No," Mu Yunxuan's face instantly darkened, and he shouted sternly, "Yunxuan, this is the fastest way. You and Lixiao can protect me in secret."

Seeing Mu Yunxuan's opposition, Li Qiao furrowed his brows. "Your Highness, I truly admire Madam's willingness to sacrifice herself to save others. Catching those thieves would benefit everyone. I've also heard that one of Your Highness's people has been taken."

He was trying to persuade Mu Yunxuan that if someone was willing to do this, they could catch the thieves at the fastest speed. Everyone in Weiku City was living in fear, and he was at his wits' end.

"You, as the responsible party, don't have any clues at all?" Mu Yunxuan's voice was cold, and Li Qiao was taken aback by his question.

Mu Yunxuan glanced around and realized that they didn't have any clues at all.

Mu Yunxuan furrowed his brows and looked at the surroundings. None of the undercover guards had come back to report, and there was no news from Yunxi either. It was truly worrying.

"Zhuang Zhu," Huaijin walked quickly to Su Zimo with a serious expression.

"What happened?" Su Zimo asked.

"One of the girls from our tavern went missing on her way back last night after playing the sheep game," Huaijin said before greeting Mu Yunxuan and City Lord Li.

Su Zimo made a decisive decision. "Yunxuan, it's settled then."

Su Zimo had made up her mind. She didn't want to meddle in other people's affairs, but if this matter wasn't resolved, the people in her shop would continue to be in danger.

Mu Yunxuan didn't want her to take risks and was about to speak up when Su Lixiao interjected.

"Lixiao..."

Mu Yunxuan looked at him puzzled.

"Father, we can protect Mother in secret," Su Lixiao said. Su Zimo smiled, appreciating her son's understanding.

"Don't worry! Everything will be fine," Su Zimo reassured Mu Yunxuan with a comforting smile.

Looking up at City Lord Li Qiao, she said, "Tonight, let the City Lord make the arrangements. I heard that most of the disappearances happened in the eastern part of the city."

"Don't worry, Madam. This group of criminals has a pattern. They usually target households with young men and women. There aren't many young men and women in the west of the city, and the ones in the north were taken three days ago. Tonight, they are likely to target the south or the east of the city," Li Qiao explained.

Upon hearing this, Su Zimo pondered for a moment and said, "City Lord, arrange for me to be in the eastern part of the city tonight. Find a household with an unmarried daughter, and I will disguise myself as her."

"That's simple. Thank you, Madam!" Li Qiao's eyes gleamed with a hint of coldness. No wonder this woman had such a great reputation. Her willingness to sacrifice herself to save others alone was worthy of admiration.

"City Lord, you're too kind. Tonight, let them taste the bittersweet flavor of honey with a sting on the tail," Su Zimo said with a smile. Her stunning face exuded a captivating radiance, leaving Li Qiao momentarily stunned. He had seen countless beauties, but he had never encountered a woman as stunning as her.

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