Chapter 524 - 360: Mist
Zhao Mu lived near the Escort Agency.
Duan Rong and Xiao Yu, moved with such speed, as if they were phantoms.
However, just as the two turned into an alley, Duan Rong’s brow furrowed deeply.
They had just left the Escort Agency when four or five figures quietly and swiftly followed them from the back courtyard, trailing from different directions.
"They must be Ruan Fengshan’s agents!"
Duan Rong’s mind raced with thoughts.
It seems Ruan Fengshan, although not in the Escort Agency’s courtyard earlier, was aware the moment they entered. Perhaps he deliberately stayed away. After all, considering Xiao Yu and his status as outer disciples of the sect, there was a chance they would intrude into the courtyard.
Whether Ruan Fengshan hid away or sent agents to follow them, it all hinted that something had indeed happened to Xiao Zongting, and it was related to Ruan Fengshan.
Duan Rong, while moving through the alley with Xiao Yu, contemplated with flashing eyes.
Three years ago, he discovered Ruan Fengshan’s hidden identity. Publicly, he was the Store Manager of Yuan Shun Escort Agency, but in reality, he was also the Squad Leader of the Filthy Blood Sect’s Xianggu Sub-Branch.
However, Duan Rong couldn’t determine if Xiao Zongting’s trouble was connected to Ruan Fengshan’s affiliation with the Filthy Blood Sect. Moreover, was Xiao Zongting alive or dead at this point?
All of this was shrouded in mystery.
Duan Rong glanced at Xiao Yu beside him. Imagining him returning home only to find his father and Zhu Xiaoqi missing, possibly dead or alive, how was Xiao Yu feeling at this moment?
Not only because he was married to Xiao Yu, but even considering his past relations with the Xiao family, Duan Rong couldn’t ignore Xiao Zongting and Zhu Xiaoqi’s plight.
But if the situation really involved Ruan Fengshan, or even the Filthy Blood Sect behind him, then it might indeed be troublesome.
"The Filthy Blood Sect?" Duan Rong wondered why he was repeatedly entangled with this cult.
As for the agents trailing them from various directions, although Duan Rong locked onto them with his Divine Sense, he had no intention of eliminating these tails at the moment.
Ruan Fengshan had hidden himself and sent these agents to follow, clearly wary of him and Xiao Yu.
Unless necessary, there was no need to draw more attention from Ruan Fengshan. If they disposed of these agents soon after leaving the Escort Agency, it might make Ruan Fengshan even more apprehensive, and his potential actions would become even harder to predict.
Besides, there was nothing about their current actions that needed to be kept secret. They were simply going to find Zhao Mu to inquire about the situation.
Soon, they stood in front of Zhao Mu’s courtyard gate.
Xiao Yu, anxious, had already started knocking. "Zhao Mu! Zhao Mu!"
Duan Rong’s Divine Sense swept through the walls, but he found the courtyard empty. Zhao Mu wasn’t there!
"Did he go on an escort mission?"
At that moment, the gate of the neighboring courtyard creaked open, revealing a head looking at Duan Rong and Xiao Yu. "Why are you shouting? The people in that courtyard have been dead for half a month!"
"What?! Dead?" Both Xiao Yu and Duan Rong were shocked.
Zhao Mu’s strong and rugged image flashed in Duan Rong’s mind. He quickly asked the neighbor, "Elder brother, how did Escort Master Zhao Mu die? What happened?"
The man said, "How would I know about the affairs of their Escort Agency? Just don’t shout here, it’s making my head buzz."
With that, the man slammed the gate shut.
Duan Rong and Xiao Yu exchanged a glance, clearly seeing a depth of fear in Xiao Yu’s sorrowful eyes.
Zhao Mu was dead, and had been for half a month. Duan Rong previously noticed that the dust on the dining table in the Xiao family’s courtyard was also about half a month old.
This couldn’t be a coincidence!
Xiao Yu suddenly infused his True Qi, kicked down Zhao Mu’s gate, and they dashed inside.
After a thorough search, they found no clues.
Zhao Mu’s home wasn’t in disarray, which meant it hadn’t been searched through. However, it was likewise empty, with dusty furniture.
While Duan Rong was deep in thought, Xiao Yu suddenly said, "Let’s go check Li Gu’s place; it’s not far from here."
Duan Rong’s expression changed slightly.
Li Gu was the Leader of the Fifth Escort Team, also brought up personally by Xiao Zongting.
"Let’s go!"
The two of them immediately vaulted over Zhao Mu’s courtyard, with Xiao Yu leading the way, moving like phantoms through the alleys.
About half an incense stick later, they stopped at another courtyard.
Just as they stood in front of the gate, they heard the sound of water splashing inside.
Xiao Yu’s heart lifted with joy, and he knocked on the door.
Upon hearing the knocking, a gentle female voice responded from inside, "Who is it?"
Xiao Yu stood at the gate and replied, "It’s me. Sister-in-law, I’m Xiao Yu."
Li Gu was raised by Xiao Zongting, and during festivals, the two families often interacted. Li Gu’s wife, Mrs. Wang, had met Xiao Yu many times before.
There was a rustle of footsteps inside, followed by the lifting of the door latch, and the wooden door swung open. A round-faced, plump woman stood there.
Even after three years, Mrs. Wang recognized Xiao Yu at a glance, tears welling in her eyes. "Yu girl, you’re back."
Xiao Yu gave a bitter smile and said, "Sister-in-law, Li..."
Xiao Yu wanted to ask about Li Gu’s whereabouts but suddenly hesitated, her words catching in her throat.