Chapter 72

Two people arrived at the cargo yard. Although it was already late, there were still many children playing there. Seeing Zhao Jin and the others appear, many of them felt curious because at this time, the two of them usually wouldn't show up.

Zhao Jin looked around the cargo yard, which had become much quieter. He raised his voice and said, "I'm going to walk from here to the eastern part of the scissors factory and then to the Black Tiger God Temple in the south of the city. Who can help me find Chen Sheng, Sun Dali, Dong Bingfeng, Shi Manqiang, and Ji Xiang? After finding them, tell them to bring their weapons to that road and say I have something important. Whoever finds them will get ten coins and a sesame pancake tomorrow."

After these words, the cargo yard immediately fell silent. Zhao Jin raised his voice even more and shouted, "When have I ever lied to you? Hurry up, or the reward will be taken by someone else!"

Before he finished speaking, there was a loud noise, and the children in the cargo yard scattered and ran off, each going to find the people they knew.

Zhao Jin led Wang Zhaojing and they quickly walked along the road he had just mentioned. As they walked, he said, "We are few in number, so it's safer to call a few more friends."

Wang Zhaojing had already calmed down. As he hurried to keep up, he smiled and said, "Brother Zhao, this method really doesn't waste any time."

Zhao Jin and Wang Zhaojing didn't walk very fast. The city gates were already closed, and the person they were looking for was definitely inside the city. Being too anxious wouldn't help much.

After walking for a while, Chen Sheng ran over with a knife. He was breathing steadily despite his hurried pace, the result of years of diligent practice. His face was full of questions. He knew that the cautious Zhao Jin wouldn't call him out for no reason, but he still wanted to know why.

"I'll explain everything once everyone is here. Let's hurry," Zhao Jin said briefly.

Chen Sheng looked at Wang Zhaojing and saw the narrow, sharp sword in his hand. He didn't say anything, but his expression was a bit excited. The usually steady Zhao Jin asking everyone to bring their weapons out was something to look forward to.

When they reached the cross street, Shi Manqiang and Ji Xiang also caught up. The people Zhao Jin had called were all gathered. Dong Bingfeng, for the convenience of practicing martial arts, also lived inside the city. His place was the farthest from this road, but he arrived the earliest because he was on horseback.

Sun Dali and Dong Bingfeng were both wearing iron-reinforced leather armor. Sun Dali held an axe, and Dong Bingfeng held a spear. Compared to their full armor, Shi Manqiang and Ji Xiang were holding wooden sticks, with short knives tucked in their belts.

As they walked, Zhao Jin explained the situation, and everyone's expressions became serious.

"If I'm wrong, it would be a waste of the elders' time. Let's look for ourselves first. It's best if nothing is wrong, but we need to be sure," Zhao Jin said. Everyone knew about Mu Shulan's background, so some things didn't need to be said too clearly.

Everyone nodded, and Zhao Jin added, "We'll probably all be back late tonight. I'll explain to our parents tomorrow."

At this age, young people going out with weapons when it was almost dark would definitely worry their parents. Zhao Jin's words were meant to ease their concerns.

Sure enough, after he said this, the atmosphere became much lighter, and everyone laughed and joked a bit.

Not long after, Shi Manqiang found an opportunity to approach Zhao Jin and said, "Brother Zhao, aren't we going to call Xiao Yong?"

Usually, everyone practiced and played together, and Liu Yong was also part of this small circle. Hearing that Zhao Jin didn't call him, Shi Manqiang specifically asked, worried that Liu Yong would feel left out and become distant from everyone.

"You're quite considerate," Zhao Jin said with a smile, understanding Shi Manqiang's thoughts. He then added, "We are going to find him."

After saying this, Zhao Jin patted his head and said to Dong Bingfeng, "Bingfeng, you ride fast. Go to the Black Tiger God Temple first and find Liu Yong. Tell him to wait there and say I have something urgent. If he's not there, ask the people there to help find him and tell them it's important."

Seeing how serious Zhao Jin was, Dong Bingfeng quickly spurred his horse and headed south.

Everyone walked quickly down the street with their weapons, initially feeling fresh and excited, and some were even talking and laughing softly. But seeing Zhao Jin walking ahead with a serious expression, they gradually realized the situation was not simple and became more solemn.

Holding their weapons and walking solemnly, there was an atmosphere of marching, and each of them gradually felt a surge of excitement.

By the time they reached the Black Tiger God Temple, it was already getting dark. The temple was much newer than when Zhao Jin first visited. Although the incident with the five ruffians had frightened Cheng Tongtou, it had also brought him closer to Zhao Zhentang, and his business in the underworld had become smoother, expanding significantly.

When Zhao Jin was still two streets away from the temple, he noticed the lookouts. As it was getting dark, seven or eight sturdy young men with weapons were walking quickly, and some were even armored and on horseback. The lookouts quickly ran back to report.

By the time they reached the temple, there were already about twenty people gathered, all with unfriendly expressions, clearly summoned by Cheng Tongtou.

Liu Yong was looking around, and it was clear that Dong Bingfeng's message had reached him.

Seeing Zhao Jin and the others dressed like this, Liu Yong was also startled and hurriedly approached. Zhao Jin got straight to the point and asked, "Are you familiar with the White Lotus Sect and the Fragrant Sect in the city?"

This question was too direct, and Liu Yong's body trembled. He quickly shook his head and said, "I know a few people who burn incense near my house, but I don't know about others."

After saying this, Liu Yong leaned in and lowered his voice, "Brother Zhao, you can actually ask Xiao Lan; she should know..."

"Xiao Lan is missing..." Zhao Jin frowned and briefly explained the situation.

Liu Yong was shocked, then scratched his head and said in a low voice, "Brother Zhao, my information isn't much, but our boss definitely knows."

Zhao Jin nodded. Liu Yong was already involved in the underworld, and people like him would definitely be well-informed about the city's various movements. He came to find Liu Yong for this reason. Of course, if Liu Yong didn't know, he would go to Cheng Tongtou.

"Please go and report," Zhao Jin said. Liu Yong nodded and turned to go inside but was stopped by Zhao Jin, who reminded him, "Remember to tell your boss about Wang Zhaojing and Chen Sheng's family backgrounds."

His father's influence was significant, but the Wang family was one of the most prestigious in Xuzhou, and Chen Sheng's family had considerable power in the city's law enforcement. These two would be more intimidating.

Liu Yong nodded and quickly went inside. Meanwhile, someone approached, bowing from a distance. It was Chen Er'gou, one of the five ruffians from years ago. Because of the turn of events back then, Chen Er'gou was now a key figure under Cheng Tongtou.

Chen Er'gou was very polite to Zhao Jin. After greeting him, he asked, "Young Master Jin, what brings you here this time?"

Zhao Jin recounted the events of the afternoon. Chen Er'gou was taken aback, rubbed his chin, and said, "This sounds like the work of kidnappers."

"Kidnappers?" Zhao Jin asked, this hypothesis being even worse. At this age, a girl being kidnapped would likely end up in a brothel.

"Family members coming to pick someone up would take all the luggage and money. Kidnappers, once they get what they want, wouldn't care about that," Chen Er'gou, an old hand in the underworld, had heard many stories and his analysis was much more reliable than Liu Yong's.

Hearing this, Zhao Jin was even more alarmed. He explained in more detail, mentioning the peddler and the people on that street. Chen Er'gou stopped his actions and leaned in, saying, "This is a preliminary reconnaissance. They probably watched your father's official duties and your martial arts practice before they acted."

Chen Er'gou shook his head and said, "For kidnappers to go to such lengths... to say that Miss Mu's appearance is worth it..."

Chen Er'gou seemed to remember something. At this moment, Liu Yong came out of the Black Tiger God Temple, looking very troubled. He hesitated for a moment, then lowered his head and said in a low voice, "Brother Zhao, our boss isn't here. He said he went out of the city at noon."