Chapter 23 - Another Incident

"Welcome, welcome. We're currently exhibiting the paintings of Master Fu. Please take a look around," a middle-aged man announced in the center of the hall. With the bright neons enveloping the hall, it looked warm and beautiful.

The people entering this hall couldn't help but get mesmerized as the warm yellowish light enhanced the paintings.

"Look at this. Is this the legendary golden goose?" One of them pointed at the scroll before him.

"That's right. I never expected that I could see it here."

"Then, how about this... This must be the Toad Soaring the Heavens."

The people continued discussing the artworks while browsing through more than thirty different paintings.

Li Guang and the others entered the hall with serious expressions. One of them asked, "Senior Brother Li Guang, do you think that person is going to be here?"

"That's right. I don't think she will be in this crowded area."

"I'm here not to search for her. Instead, we'll be mingling with them and insert a question or two regarding her. With this many people, there should be someone who knows about it," Li Guang explained his motive.

"Senior Brother is wise."

The trio ended up entering the hall, overwhelmed by the number of people. It seemed that the paintings they currently exhibited came from a very famous person in the area.

Of course, Li Guang also had a hidden intention. Since young, he was always interested in painting. Unfortunately, his fate wasn't linked with painting as his family forced him to train and practice. He ended up in the Iron Mountain Sect before he knew it.

That was why when there was an exhibition like this, he couldn't help but get drawn into it.

While asking the people about Li Xue, he took several glances at the paintings. In fact, he often started his conversation with anything related to the paintings.

The other two were confused when they saw Li Guang became so energetic when talking with the common people. After all, they didn't know much about Li Guang's life before he entered the sect.

However, it soon changed when he talked to a certain young man.

"This is extremely good. The strokes are refined, and there are two extra details that bring this painting to life," said Li Guang while approaching the next painting with another young man staring at this painting.

"Indeed. The extra details might look unnecessary in the grand picture, but without them, it will feel like the painting lacks something."

"That's right. It'll definitely make the painting look incomplete." Li Guang nodded in agreement. When he looked at this young man and the way he talked, he couldn't help but see himself in him if he didn't go to the Iron Mountain Sect to cultivate.

The young man suddenly fell silent as if he noticed something. "What about this..."

Li Guang followed the finger of the young man that was pointed at the right side of the drawing. It looked like a random stroke, but when Li Guang noticed it, he couldn't help but fall silent.

It appeared both of them had the same realization.

While Li Guang and the young man talked, the other two cultivators couldn't help but exchange looks.

"Senior Brother Li Guang is incredible. He could understand all this and strike up a conversation with a stranger."

"True. It's just this is the first time I see Senior Brother to be this energetic. During his training, he often sighs or complains."

"I notice it too. During this investigation, he has complained a few times, right?"

"Yeah. I guess this makes Senior Brother reliable and very down to earth."

"Indeed."

Li Guang was unaware of their conversation and continued talking with the young man.

"I think I have to take back my words. It's not two extra details, but three. This last one... could be said to be the one that truly completes the painting."

"Yeah. I have to agree with you. I don't know why, but this stroke is the one making me calm."

"Indeed." Li Guang paused for a few seconds before saying, "This one is like the city, it's calm and peaceful. It's just... there is a little chaotic element in it. It's like a disruption. I'm just a traveler, but I have heard that there is a big problem in the city."

Li Guang decided to use this discussion to move toward the important matter.

"Little problem? I think the city is looking fine."

"Is that so? You haven't noticed anything. Maybe the rumor I have heard is not true. I guess I can enjoy my stay in this city."

"Well... not necessarily." The young man thought for a moment before saying, "I think I have noticed something rather important. While it's true that nothing happened on the surface, I saw soldiers rushing back and forth a week ago."

"!!!" Li Guang widened his eyes in shock. This was probably what he was looking for. Still, rushing would just raise the young man's suspicion. He maintained his calm face and asked, "Hoh? The soldiers?"

"Yeah. There was nothing happening at that time, but that was the first time I saw a lot of soldiers moving around like that. It wasn't a normal patrol either."

As soon as he heard the confirmation, Li Guang knew that this must be it. He continued, "Would I come into trouble during my visit here? Should I just leave? By the way, where did that happen? I should avoid that area while I'm in this town."

"If I were not a native, I would have left the city. As for the location, I was strolling in the red light district when that happened."

"Red light district?" Li Guang was dumbstruck. A realization had just struck his mind. Before, he couldn't believe that Li Xue would fall so low as to sell herself in the brothel just to hide from them. After all, she was trying to avoid a similar predicament in the first place.

But when he thought about it, the red light district would be a perfect hiding place. Since people didn't expect her to be in that place, they wouldn't be able to find her.

The fact that the soldiers were moving around also proved another thing. Zhao Xin and Su Han had waited for a whole day, waiting for Hao Yu to bring back the news about Li Xue.

During that time, Zhao Xin had sent a letter about their current situation.

Hence, those soldiers were the proof of the government's involvement, linking up with Li Xue's incident.

In other words, Li Guang had located Li Xue, and all he needed to do was to plan for an ambush before confirming Li Xue's current strength and situation.

"Is that so? Red light district? Well, I'm a man of principle, so I don't think I will be visiting the brothel. I guess I can calmly stroll around." Li Guang nodded with a satisfied expression. "Thank you for the information. Now that I think about it, I haven't asked your name. I'm Li Guang."

"I am..." The young man wanted to introduce himself, but all of a sudden, another person was passing by.

This person was covering the entire body with a long coat. Although it was hard to see, it seemed that the mysterious person was a woman.

Right before he could introduce himself, the mysterious woman's hand slipped out of her coat.

There was a flicker of light that was reflected by a piece of metal, making the young man squint his eyes.

Li Guang also noticed the disturbance, but it was too late. The opposite party's speed was far beyond a normal person's.

Before he could react, a dagger pierced his heart from the back.

"Gah..."