Chapter 106: Bandit Stone [2]

Seeing Old Dai confusion, Zhongli also seemed lost in thought.

"Second, there were originally thirteen workers in the mine. One of them, trying to slack off, left the work area and took a nap. When he woke up, all his companions had vanished without a trace."

"Those in the work area disappeared, but those resting remained unharmed. Indicating that whatever happened occurred in the work zone."

Zhongli slowly explained, looking at Old Dai.

"Now that you mention it, Ah Hu did say he was slacking off..."

"Could someone have entered the work area and taken them away?!"

Old Dai looked at Zhongli, confused.

"Which brings me to the third point. We found a cluster of footprints to the north. Judging by the number, they belong to about twelve adults."

"And one child. The adult footprints follow the child tracks, heading north. Brother Kun confirmed this using his unique ability."

Zhongli calmly explained to Old Dai.

"A child?!"

"There are hardly any residents nearby. No way a child would be wandering into the mine!"

Old Dai scratched his chin, clearly puzzled.

"But that's the truth."

"Twelve workers followed a child and left."

Paimon added, looking at the stunned Old Dai.

"Based on our analysis, they walked north along the path."

"Most likely, they exited the mine and headed toward the ruins."

Zhongli further explained.

"The north!"

"Alright, I'll take some men and go look right away."

Old Dai quickly responded.

At last, there was a clue. If nothing turned up, how would he face the workers families?

"Need any help?"

Lumine asked, looking at Old Dai.

"We've left the investigation to you all, so let us brothers handle the legwork."

"If we head out now, maybe we can catch up to them."

Old Dai said hurriedly, preparing to take a few men to search.

"Hold on, this all happened six days ago."

"Even if they were only walking, they'd be far away by now."

Qiu Bai called out, stopping Old Dai. A normal person walking for six days could reach Jueyun Karst by now.

At that distance, who knows where they end up. Continuing the search like this would be pointless.

"Hmm... that's true."

"Alright then, I'll take a few brothers to check with some of the farther households and ask around."

Old Dai was stopped by Qiu Bai, and after thinking for a moment he nodded.

"Outside the mining area, there are only a few households where someone might take shelter. Leave the investigation of those to us." he said.

"My friends, I'd like to trouble you to continue following the trail. Let's split into two groups, if we don't run into each other along the way, let's meet at Wangshu Inn tomorrow night."

Old Dai spoke slowly as he looked at everyone in front of him.

"Sounds good. Stay safe on the road,"

Qiu Bai nodded and replied with a smile to the older man.

"Then I'll head out first with the others!"

Old Dai said, turning to walk toward a few of the miners nearby.

"So, while they go ahead, we'll continue investigating."

"And Old Dai's group will check with the nearby households,"

Qiu Bai spoke while rubbing his chin. This place was nothing like a game, the area was enormous.

Even he found it difficult to locate the so-called Seal Gate of Azhdaha.

It seemed Morax had hidden the seal with incredible care.

"Let's go find Brother Kun and head north. From what we've gathered so far, that's the only lead we have."

Qiu Bai turned to Lumine, Paimon and Zhongli and spoke calmly.

"Oh, right! Kun's probably still investigating!"

"Let's go grab him,"

Paimon said as she spread her arms. She had almost forgotten about Kunjun entirely.

"Heh..."

"'Little Kun'? That name doesn't quite suit you, little Paimon,"

Qiu Bai chuckled when he heard her casually refer to Kunjun as "Little Kun."

"Old Dai can say it, so why can't I?"

Paimon huffed with her hands on her hips, glaring at Qiu Bai.

"That's probably because you're a kid."

"You're tiny and adorable,"

Lumine added with a hand covering her mouth, laughing softly.

"Paimon is NOT a kid!"

"So annoying!!"

Paimon stomped her foot angrily, glaring at Lumine.

"I've decided! I'm giving Qiu Bai a terrible nickname!"

"I'll call you... 'The Improper One!'"

Paimon crossed her arms and pouted, fuming at Qiu Bai, who was still laughing.

Qiu Bai mouth twitched at the name.

Looks like he just been officially titled by Paimon.

"'The Improper One'?"

"Kinda suits me, actually."

Qiu Bai laughed, looking at the sulking Paimon.

"Heh... from a rational standpoint..."

"Yeah, it actually suits our old friend pretty well,"

Zhongli said with a light chuckle, arms crossed glancing at Qiu Bai beside him.

"Oh really, Morax?"

"You think so too?"

Qiu Bai laughed and gave Zhongli a friendly pat on the shoulder.

"You guys!"

"You're all ganging up on me, hmph!"

Seeing Qiu Bai like that, Paimon was so angry she didn't even know what to say—so she just stomped her foot in frustration.

"Alright, Paimon, let's go find Kun Jun."

"Don't be mad now."

Lumine came over, gently patting Paimon on the head with a smile.

"Hehe..."

"You're the best, Traveler. Not like those two."

Paimon said, putting her hands on her hips and glaring at Qiu Bai and Zhongli.

"Okay, Paimon, let's get going."

"After all this is over, I'll treat you to a good meal, how about that?"

Qiu Bai looked at the still-pouting Paimon and smiled.

"A meal, huh…"

"W-Well… fine, I guess I'll forgive you—just this once!"

Paimon turned her head away with a little pout, clearly trying to act aloof.

Lumine looked at her in disbelief, was that really all it took for her to surrender? (T/N: Yes. Give her food and she sells her and your soul :> )

Qiu Bai let out a soft chuckle at the sight.

The group then made their way toward Kun Jun.

He was standing with his back to them, stroking his chin as if deep in thought.

"Little Kun, what are you still doing here?"

"We've basically finished investigating, time to move out!"

Paimon flew up to him, arms crossed and reminded him.

"Ah, sorry. It's a personal matter."

"I'm still looking for a kind of jade called Dragon-Sealing Stone."

Kun Jun snapped out of his thoughts, turned around to face them and replied with a smile.

"Dragon-Sealing Stone?"

Zhongli crossed his arms and murmured with a strange look on his face.

"Never heard of that before…"

Lumine looked confused at the mention of the stone.

Since when was there a stone like that? She'd never come across one before.

"Dragon-Sealing Stones are generally used in smithing."

"What do you need it for?"

Zhongli waved his hand and looked at Kun Jun curious.

(T/N: Like the story fellow daoist? Read 20 chapters ahead on my P@treon [p@treon.com/DaoistRongyi] Thanks for your support! 😊)