Qiu Xiaoping sighed.

How could she not know that the slave trade was an immoral and harmful act? But what the Rebel Army sought was a grand cause—a beautiful future!

The current filth was merely a concession for the future.

Once Thunder City was liberated, their Rebel Army would surely liberate all slaves in Thunder City and compensate for the suffering they’ve endured over the years.

But the grand cause was not yet complete; everything still required patience! Bargaining with a tiger!

Fang Yu frowned.

"So, Hui Yao provides slaves to the Ten Major Families and also serves as your intelligence source? Isn’t he benefiting from both sides? Aren’t you worried that Hui Yao might betray you?"

Qiu Xiaoping shook her head slightly.

"Hui Yao doesn’t know much about the intelligence on our Rebel Army. Moreover, Jiuyao has existed for many years, always just a pure merchant organization, never participating in any power struggles. This is one of the reasons why this slave organization has existed for so many years without being destroyed."

"As times change and families rotate, only trade remains eternal."

"Absolute neutrality allows the business to endure. Hui Yao only deals with the slave trade, and all other intelligence is our speculation about the Ten Major Families through business exchanges."

"Besides, we are cautious enough that even if Hui Yao does betray us, the impact would be minimal."

The Rebel Army’s bases are scattered throughout the city, rooted in the support of the city’s citizens. Even if exposed, it would only result in the loss of one arm, far from being a fatal blow.

Qiu Xiaoping spoke confidently, but Fang Yu frowned slightly.

He didn’t think the people involved in the slave trade had any credibility when they engaged in such immoral acts; did they care about reputation?

But he didn’t say much more; he simply asked directly.

"Since the Rebel Army has so many business dealings with Hui Yao, you should know his whereabouts, right?"

Upon being asked this, Qiu Xiaoping hesitated visibly, even glancing at the clueless-looking Xu Qingqi.

However, Xu Qingqi was clearly not the commander and didn’t understand what Qiu Xiaoping’s glance meant.

"Brother Diao wants to know, so just tell him!"

Qiu Xiaoping sighed.

Since the commander entrusted this matter to Xu Qingqi, Xu Qingqi would be responsible if anything happened, while she would just be following orders.

"The Zhang Family. Our people tracked his whereabouts during our previous transactions, and he eventually returned to the Zhang Family. But according to the latest investigation, Hui Yao might also be residing at the An Mansion. So currently, it’s either the Zhang Family or the An Family."

Fang Yu’s eyes lit up.

"What does he look like?"

"He wears a cloak that covers his face; we’ve never seen his true appearance, and..."

Qiu Xiaoping recalled carefully and said slowly, "At several meetings, his voice and even physique were different, possibly disguised with artifacts, or Hui Yao could just be a codename used by different people. Hence, sometimes Hui Yao is reported at An Mansion, sometimes at Zhang Mansion, or at the other estates of the Ten Major Families."

Fang Yu frowned, deep in thought.

Regardless, there was finally a lead on Hui Yao.

Fang Yu had never been to the Zhang Family, nor had he dealings with them; heading there rashly might not be wise.

If he could assume an identity or some legitimate reason to visit the Zhang Family, with his ability to see bloodlines, perhaps he could identify Hui Yao at a glance!

Being the local powerhouse in the slave trade, surely he’d have a blood count exceeding 8000, making it easy to pinpoint.

As for the An Mansion, it would be much more convenient.

Monk Quan Heng came from the An Mansion, so a plausible excuse to visit the An Mansion with Monk Quan Heng would allow for a search for Hui Yao’s whereabouts.

Right, didn’t Monk Quan Heng say before that Ding Hui was supposed to treat Ye Danshan’s illness? Just perfect...

Fang Yu began to deliberate, then remembered something and raised his head.

"And the person I asked you to find, any news?"

The Rebel Army and the Ten Major Families have bought so many slaves, perhaps my elder brother was bought in Thunder City, or... possibly already dealt with... the worst outcome.

So, at this moment, Fang Yu both anticipated Qiu Xiaoping’s results and worried the outcome might not be what he expected. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

And at this moment, Qiu Xiaoping had already started speaking.

"I’ve checked the Rebel Army’s purchase lists for the past few months, and there’s no one fitting the person you’re searching for. As for whether he is on the purchase lists of the Ten Major Families, that’s not clear. Many slaves actually have no name or number, nor marked origin, only records of physique, health status, special skills, etc."

"However, after the Rebel Army buys slaves, they are either used to bolster our fighting force or fill personnel gaps, essentially treated as our own, so we inquire and record them, making sure every slave has documented records."

"But that’s not necessarily the case with the Ten Major Families, so if you want to find someone, you must ask Hui Yao personally."

Fang Yu felt a stir in his heart.

"Well then, can you have the Rebel Army arrange for me to meet Hui Yao personally?"

"Naturally, that’s no problem, but you might be disappointed. As I said before, Hui Yao might not be just one person, and even those who come to trade with us might not be Hui Yao himself. Even if you meet them, you might not get any information."

Nevertheless, seeing someone is still worthwhile.

With these eyes, Fang Yu can precisely target his search.