Chapter 4351 — They Came Knocking
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
Without help from outside forces, there was every chance they would never even catch sight of him, let alone lay hands on him.
The Qingtian Escort Agency was a local power in the Weihu Sea, and in the escort business, connections and information were nothing to be scoffed at. With Qi Wenmo's help, matters would indeed go far more smoothly.
"Since Brother Qi has said as much, I shall not stand on ceremony. To put it plainly, I came to the Weihu Sea this time to hunt down a wanted criminal who fled from our North Island. His name is Wu Baoliang." Wei Zhao explained this to Qi Wenmo at once.
"Wu Baoliang?" Qi Wenmo raised an eyebrow and mused, "I can't say I've heard the name. But since he fled here from the North Island, it's hardly surprising he's nobody here. Brother Ling, why don't you tell me in detail?"
"Very well. This man's strength was once at the peak of the late Golden Core stage, and he was a highly notorious wicked cultivator on the North Island, feeding on the vital blood of maiden girls to advance his cultivation. Some three hundred or more fell to his foul deeds, rousing public fury to a boiling point. When the North Island's Law Enforcement Hall was preparing to move against him, he slipped away. And according to the Hall's latest intelligence, the last place Wu Baoliang was seen was right here in the Weihu Sea." Wei Zhao laid out the whole situation.
"Feeding on maidens' vital blood, and three hundred or more of them?" Even Qi Wenmo clicked his tongue at such an appalling tale. Chaotic as the Weihu Sea was, men who committed crimes on so monstrous a scale were still few and far between.
"And that's only a rough count. Add in the women who went missing nearby, and the true number is surely far higher." Wei Zhao shook his head with a sigh. The reason he had taken this assignment in the first place was partly that he had deliberately set his sights on the Weihu Sea as a posting, but also that he felt this wicked cultivator had exhausted every shred of human decency and simply had to be put down.
"To think such scum exists, preying on women and nothing else—he's a match for that utterly evil pair, the Cheng father and son!" Qi Wenmo was equally indignant. "Rest easy, Brother Ling. I'll send men to make inquiries about this Wu Baoliang at once. The moment there's word, I'll notify you."
"That would be wonderful. Many thanks, Brother Qi. But while your men are asking after Wu Baoliang, could you also help me trace the whereabouts of one other person?" Wei Zhao said hurriedly.
"Another person? No problem at all. Gathering information is what our agency does best. Whoever it is you're looking for, Brother Ling, just say the word." Qi Wenmo agreed without hesitation.
"Good. The man I'm looking for is named Lu Bianren. He was my senior brother at the Qingyun Pavilion on the North Island and always looked after me kindly. He came out to the Weihu Sea on a mission with others, but afterward he was separated from the group, and there has been no news of him since." Wei Zhao's voice carried a note of sorrow. This, in truth, was the foremost reason he had decided to come to the Weihu Sea. Whether or not he found him in the end, he had to make the attempt.
"No problem. If he shows himself in any public place here, we'll be sure to hear of it. Brother Ling, you may set your mind at ease." Qi Wenmo agreed readily, then added, "Actually, about the Southern Continent Escort Agency Grand Gathering—Brother Ling, you really ought to give it serious thought. It won't take up much of your time. Who knows, the gathering may well be over before your business here is even done."
"Very well, I'll give it serious thought." Wei Zhao nodded. If it was merely a favor of helping out at the Southern Continent Escort Agency Grand Gathering, rather than joining the agency and settling here for good, then it was not out of the question. He could treat it as doing the man a good turn in return for his help with the inquiries.