After their brief spar, the three returned to the dilapidated temple.

Xu Feng’s gaze toward Han Yuan was filled with even greater awe.

He knew that Huang Xian’Er was the young miss of the Huang Family; her talent, resources, and Cultivation Technique were all top-notch.

Even though she had just broken through, her strength was likely on par with some well-known Inner Breath Experts.

For Han Yuan to win so easily... such power was truly terrifying.

No wonder he could thrive in Cangshui County Town even after offending the Bai Family.

The night passed in silence.

The next day, they rose early, left the temple, and continued their journey on horseback.

...

「Two days later.」

The sun was setting.

Han Yuan, Huang Xian’Er, and Xu Feng led their horses into Wushan County.

The setting sun stretched their shadows long behind them.

Wushan County was naturally no match for the bustling prosperity of Cangshui County, but its streets were noticeably wider and cleaner than those in Qingshui County.

However, in some of the alleys and side streets, one could still spot a few idle hoodlums.

But the main streets were deserted, with very few pedestrians in sight.

Most of the shops were already closed for the day.

"Doesn’t Wushan County have a population of over two hundred thousand? Why are the streets so empty?"

Han Yuan wore a puzzled expression.

Even though it was dusk, there shouldn’t be this few people on the streets.

It was truly strange.

"I don’t know."

"This is my first time in Wushan County Town as well."

Xu Feng said, shaking his head.

"Never mind... Let’s head to the County Yamen first."

Han Yuan said flatly.

The case file for the disappearance of the Huang Bei couple was still stored in the County Yamen.

To investigate thoroughly, they naturally had to look at the case file first.

After asking for directions to the County Yamen, the three of them led their horses over.

Just then.

A staggering figure appeared on the deserted street.

It was a man in his forties, so thin he was skeletal, as if only a layer of skin remained. He looked exceptionally horrifying.

Suddenly.

His body trembled, and he collapsed bizarrely in the middle of the street.

The few townspeople on the street saw this, but as if it were a common sight, no one paid any attention to the fallen man, merely quickening their pace to leave.

Han Yuan frowned.

’This man’s condition... seems far from normal.’

"Lord Han."

"According to some of the information Huang Bei sent back before."

"Wushan County has indeed been experiencing an epidemic recently."

"After contracting this strange illness, the body gradually weakens. No medicine works, and there have even been deaths."

Xu Feng said softly.

"An epidemic?"

Han Yuan was a little surprised.

"Yes... And it’s not just Wushan County Town... It seems many places in Cangshui County are experiencing the same thing."

Xu Feng said.

With the world in chaos, deaths were common. If bodies weren’t dealt with promptly, they would rot and stink, easily breeding disease.

Han Yuan didn’t dwell on it.

He was here to investigate the disappearance of the Huang Bei couple.

The epidemic was a matter for the Government Office to handle.

Before long.

The three arrived at the Wushan County Yamen.

Han Yuan and Huang Xian’Er pretended to be Xu Feng’s attendants, following behind him.

After Xu Feng presented his Flying Eagle Guard Token, they were smoothly granted an audience with the County Magistrate of Wushan County, Wei Changqing.

The County Magistrate was about fifty years old. His hair was slightly gray but impeccably groomed.

"Lord Xu."

"What official business brings you here?"

Wei Changqing asked directly.

Although the Flying Eagle Guard was not as martially powerful as the Demon Exterminators.

In the minds of some officials, they were even more troublesome to deal with.

This was because the Flying Eagle Guard was responsible for gathering intelligence.

Sometimes, the information they collected could be leads on an official’s corruption and law-breaking.

Moreover, these agents always remained hidden, their whereabouts unknown, which naturally made people wary of them.

"Didn’t a disappearance case occur in Wushan County a while ago?"

"I’m referring to the case of the Huang Bei couple."

"We’ve come this time to investigate it thoroughly."

Xu Feng stated.

"The case of the Huang Bei couple’s disappearance?"

"I have some recollection of it."

"Unfortunately, the County Yamen investigated for several days and found no clues."

"I feel truly ashamed as the magistrate responsible for my people."

Wei Changqing said with a sigh.

Hearing this, Xu Feng immediately said, "I wonder if Magistrate Wei would allow me to see the case file?"

As he spoke, Han Yuan, standing behind him, observed Wei Changqing’s every move.

"Of course, you can."

"I’ll personally take you to the archives room."

Wei Changqing showed none of the airs of a County Magistrate, personally leading the three of them.

After passing through several courtyards, Han Yuan and the others arrived in front of a rather dilapidated building.

An old Government Official in charge of guarding the archives room was fast asleep at his desk in broad daylight.

Seeing this, Wei Changqing’s face instantly darkened, and he slammed his hand on the table!

"Who?!"

The old Government Official jumped to his feet.

When he saw it was Wei Changqing, his old face turned pale with fright. "M-My... My Lord."

With Xu Feng and the other outsiders present, Wei Changqing couldn’t lose his temper completely. He just said in a low, stern voice, "Quickly, bring me the case file on the disappearance of the Huang Bei couple!"

The old Government Official scrambled to find the file in the archives room.

After a short while, he found the case file.

"Lord Xu, you can just take this case file."

"I don’t really want to know about the Flying Eagle Guard’s business."

Wei Changqing said with a smile.

As a veteran of officialdom, he naturally understood the principle of being worldly-wise to protect oneself.

Some things were better left untouched.

Xu Feng nodded lightly, took the case file, and said softly, "We’ve troubled you, Magistrate Wei."

"If you find any clues regarding the Huang Bei couple’s case, please let me know."

"Rest assured, Lord Xu."

"I will also be sure to assign men to investigate this case to the very end and uncover the truth!"

Wei Changqing said in a grave tone.

"Then I thank you."

Xu Feng cupped his fists, then left with Han Yuan and Huang Xian’Er.

....

After leaving the County Yamen, the three found a random inn to stay in.

Once they had put their things away, they gathered in Xu Feng’s room.

"Lord Han, who do you think is responsible for... Huang Bei and Zhao Lu?"

Xu Feng asked.

"I don’t know yet... There’s too little information."

"However, it’s clear the culprit is very cautious. They didn’t even leave behind bodies, which means they probably wanted to erase something."

Han Yuan said softly.

He certainly didn’t think Huang Bei and Zhao Lu were still alive.

Their bodies had probably been burned to ashes long ago.

"In that case, we won’t be able to find anything."

Huang Xian’Er frowned as well.

"Not necessarily... There’s still the crime scene."

"Let’s rest for now. Tonight, we’ll go check Huang Bei’s tavern and home."

Han Yuan said softly.

Huang Xian’Er and Xu Feng naturally deferred to Han Yuan’s judgment.

After they each returned to their rooms, Han Yuan picked up the case file on the Huang Bei couple and began to examine it.

The file was written in a remarkably perfunctory manner; it contained no useful information whatsoever.

It was obvious the people at the Wushan County Yamen hadn’t investigated seriously at all. They had just gone through the motions, classified it as a disappearance, and then completely ignored it.

In this day and age, with murder cases cropping up one after another, who would bother with a mere disappearance?

After a few more glances, Han Yuan tossed it aside.

He returned to his bed and began his Cultivation of the Black Whale Oversea Skill, quietly waiting for the dead of night.