Getting to Cloudford was simple, with its map already explored. A quick teleport would take them straight there. And with only an hour left in the system refresh cycle, it was hardly a waste.
Using two teleports to help Bailu fulfill her promise was worthwhile, and they could perhaps squeeze some useful information out of Banxia.
But there was still a problem: where to find her?
March 7th couldn't help but quip, "It's not like clues just magically appear right when we need them."
Pei Guang: "I have a feeling that if this really is an important quest, we might find something in Exalting Sanctum itself."
Hearing this, March 7th immediately looked around. Pei Guang raised an eyebrow, "What are you looking for?"
March 7th teased, "You said you had a feeling, so there must be a clue around here. Let the great detective March 7th hunt for it!"
She knew Pei Guang well by now. Ever since they met, whenever he had a "feeling," events seemed to follow as if driven by fate.
In her mind, Pei Guang's "feeling power" was like a subtle prophecy. Prophets weren't uncommon in this universe; take Elio, for instance, known as the madman who foresaw the future.
So, Pei Guang having an unconscious predictive ability seemed plausible to her.
Looking around, March 7th did spot someone suspicious.
She tugged on Pei Guang's sleeve and pointed to a nervous-looking Alchemy Commission physician watching the streets as if searching for someone. He didn't exactly look like a regular passerby.
March 7th: "Pei Guang, see? You sensed the clue!"
Pei Guang: "…Honestly, I'm not some green-skinned superhero… But if this keeps happening every time, I don't even know how to joke about it anymore."
March 7th waved him off, "Oh, come on! Just call it a subconscious ability to predict the future~"
Pei Guang: "If I have a 'feeling' that you'll regain your memory, then why haven't you yet?"
March 7th: "Well, if you've got a feeling about it, then I trust I'll get my memories back eventually. Maybe your feeling power just has a delay—plenty of novels work that way. Make a wish, and it comes true ten or twenty years later. Anyway, let's not dwell on sad thoughts. We've got a suspicious person over there, so let's go investigate."
Pei Guang: "Let's do it!"
Inside the trash can, Bailu asked, "What should I do?"
Pei Guang replied, "Let's leave this to Detective March! Let's see what our Sherlock March can uncover~"
March 7th: "Sherlock March? What kind of name is that?"
Pei Guang chuckled, "Holmes—he's a famous detective from a novel back home. Anyone familiar with detective stories knows Sherlock Holmes. Oh, and he had an assistant, Watson! So, since Detective March is on the case, let me be your Watson!"
March 7th: "I'm in!"
With Bailu in the trash can, Pei Guang followed March 7th over to a nervous-looking Alchemy Commission medic. When he noticed them, the medic looked up, visibly unsettled.
"Who are you two?" he demanded.
Detective March 7th leaned in with a serious, mysterious tone, "Who I am isn't important. What matters is that I can help. You're looking for Banxia, right?"
Her tone was low and secretive, as if she had everything under control, though in reality, she was bluffing with detective-story flair.
The medic's eyes widened in shock, looking stunned. "How… how did you know that? Who are you?"
March 7th faltered, unsure how to proceed. Pei Guang quickly stepped in, "The mercy of Sanctus Medicus, the Ambrosial Arbor's new growth!"
The medic responded immediately, "Disciples shall attain enlightenment together! We are one in Sanctus Medicus, brother and sister alike!"
Pei Guang continued, "One question—are you truly with the group? We've had infiltrators."
The medic nodded urgently, "Of course I am! Here's proof." He pulled out an official token that only true Disciples of Sanctus Medicus carried. Pei Guang recognized it, having found similar tokens on others during searches, and nodded.
"Alright, you're verified," Pei Guang said. "Now, have you taken the elixir?"
"Yes!" the medic replied confidently.
Pei Guang then asked, "And you know the formula?"
The medic looked around anxiously, "Why are you asking?"
Pei Guang explained, "Infiltrators, remember? I need to verify, too. Look here—I even captured a Vidyadhara. See this can?"
The medic's eyes widened in awe. "Amazing! I took the bone marrow, but capturing one myself? No way."
"Good," Pei Guang said, satisfied. "Seems you're clean. Anyway, we were ordered to capture Banxia. Got any leads?"
"She's in Exalting Sanctum. I last saw her heading to the Cloudford port, but she didn't make it to the docks. Here, take these—they're orders from above and some of her things. They might help you find her."
"Excellent. Since the ports are sealed, she's still here. Leave it to me."
The medic nodded, "I'll search elsewhere for the traitor."
Pei Guang raised an eyebrow, "Did I say you could leave?"
"Huh?"
Pei Guang grinned, "Here's a secret—I'm an infiltrator. And here's another only for you—I'm taking down all of Sanctus Medicus."
"W-What?"
At first, the medic was stunned, thinking they'd come to capture Banxia. Realization dawned, and he glared, "You're a traitor too?"
Pei Guang smiled, "Not quite. General Jing Yuan sent me to handle you all."
The medic's face twisted with rage. "You… you dog of the Cloud Knights!"
Pei Guang smirked. He'd given the medic more than enough chances. Just as he turned violent, March 7th, having sensed his intent, swung her bow at his head.
The medic flinched, and March 7th looked at Pei Guang, confused, "Isn't it supposed to knock people out if you hit their head? I used plenty of force."
"Argh! You forced my hand—watch me…!"
Before he could finish, Pei Guang swung the trash can into his head, sending his thoughts spinning. Dazed, he slumped, defenseless.
Pei Guang looked at March 7th, "Your form was off. Aim to unbalance him first. Plus, we have coffee—why waste it?"
March 7th muttered, "Coffee feels wasted on them…"
She'd considered it but hesitated. They'd already gone through a lot of coffee, and using it on Sanctus Medicus felt excessive.
Pei Guang nodded, "You're right! Let's save the coffee and make good use of the trash can instead."
With one final blow, the medic was fully subdued. March 7th glanced at Pei Guang, "Now what? We know Banxia's here, but how do we find her in this huge place?"
Pei Guang thought aloud, "Since we're close, finding her should be simple. First, let's hand him over to the Disciplinary Commission, then…"
Pei Guang had an idea. Normally, he'd need to search thoroughly, but he'd built strong alliances on Xianzhou. Relying on their help rather than searching himself would save time.
Pei Guang dismissed the idea of seeking help from the Cloud Knights—they were overwhelmed and would only slow things down. Instead, he decided to make Banxia come to them.
He even had his line prepared: "Banxia, you don't want your loved one to die, do you?"
Yes! This kind of line never failed. Pei Guang was ready to broadcast it across Exalting Sanctum if necessary.
As he finished bundling up the captured enemy to send to the Disciplinary Commission, Bailu peeked out from the trash can, "This guy reeks of mara. Once he's handed over to the Disciplinary Commission, they'll probably pass him to the Ten-Lords Commission. He's in for it!"
March 7th added, "Absolutely! Scumbags like him deserve nothing good!"
As Pei Guang prepared to move the captive, a woman's voice interrupted their conversation.
"Lady Bailu, is that you? Cough, cough…"
"Banxia?" Bailu turned in the direction of the voice to see a woman watching them cautiously from a short distance. It was indeed Banxia.