Chapter 73

Hearing these words, Chen Ergou was taken aback, opened his mouth but said nothing. Zhao Jin looked at the young men around him, then thought about what Liu Yong had just said and his current expression, and immediately guessed that Cheng Tongtou must be involved, but he didn't want to get involved in this matter.

"Do you want to treat me like a child? Or is this matter so troublesome that even a small tycoon like me in Xuzhou City dares not touch it? Would it be better if my father came to ask?" Several questions flashed through Zhao Jin's mind, but he quickly dismissed the idea of seeking help from his father. Father Zhao Zhentang had barely managed to suppress the matter; he couldn't stir it up again.

But Cheng Tongtou clearly had a way to help but was unwilling to do so. Zhao Jin looked at the two dozen or so rough-looking men not far away. Their bulging pockets suggested they were carrying short weapons. Zhao Jin didn't take these people seriously; he and his friends could easily defeat them. The martial skills on the battlefield were far superior to the street brawls. Should he force his way in and interrogate them?

Zhao Jin rejected this idea. It would waste too much time, and Cheng Tongtou's denial would only make things worse, and it would also bring other troubles.

"Chen Ergou, do you know something?" Zhao Jin raised his head and asked.

Chen Ergou was taken aback again, instinctively turned his head to look at the Caishen Temple where lanterns were already hung, and laughed dryly, saying, "Young Master Jin, I was just talking nonsense. I actually know nothing."

Liu Yong, standing beside him, had already lowered his head in shame. Chen Sheng, standing behind Zhao Jin, snorted and said, "You don't appreciate the favor. Zhao Jin, don't bother asking them. Let's go back and seek help from our families."

Liu Yong's head lowered even more. Wang Zhaojing, however, reached out and pulled Chen Sheng, giving him a meaningful look. Chen Sheng looked at Zhao Jin and then at Wang Zhaojing, and said no more.

Zhao Jin looked around; there were no outsiders nearby. He spoke solemnly, "Chen Ergou, if you know something, tell me. I will definitely repay you. You should know how I, Zhao Jin, handle things."

Now Zhao Jin was taller than Chen Ergou. When he spoke solemnly, Chen Ergou shivered and hurriedly waved his hands, saying, "I don't deserve to be called 'Ergou.' Young Master Jin, you are too kind to me..."

This meaningless politeness gradually faded in Zhao Jin's calm gaze. Five years ago, when Zhao Jin was still a child, he had beaten Chen Ergou severely and then used the situation to pressure him, almost forcing him into a corner. Then Zhao Jin had extended a helping hand, allowing Chen Ergou to have a decent life today.

Chen Ergou still remembered this tactic clearly. Hearing Zhao Jin speak so seriously, he dared not take it lightly.

Hesitating for a moment, Chen Ergou laughed dryly and said, "Young Master Jin, I really don't know. Why don't you go ahead and deal with it? Your father is very capable; he might have news soon!"

Zhao Jin stared at Chen Ergou for a moment, then turned and walked away. His friends followed, all giving Liu Yong cold looks as they left. Chen Sheng even spat on the ground.

Liu Yong's face turned red with embarrassment. He hoarsely asked Zhao Jin, "Big Brother Zhao, I'll go with you."

"Stay and mix with your boss!" Shi Manqiang said roughly, then turned and walked away. Liu Yong was about to speak but was pulled back by Chen Ergou.

Zhao Jin and his group quickly left the southern part of the city. After walking down a street, Wang Zhaojing whispered, "That Tongtou is definitely involved. They must know something, but they're not saying it."

"Damn it, I'll tell my father tonight that Cheng Tongtou shouldn't stay in the city anymore," Chen Sheng said, clenching his teeth in anger.

Shi Manqiang, who had just spoken up for Liu Yong, now felt embarrassed and said, "I really misjudged Liu Yong."

"Big Brother Zhao, what... what should we do?" Sun Dalei's stuttering had never improved, and it got worse when he was nervous. He asked, and everyone's eyes turned to Zhao Jin. It seemed there was no other way but to seek help from their elders.

Just then, they heard someone running towards them. With the smoke from cooking rising everywhere, the street was already empty. They looked over and saw Liu Yong running towards them.

"What are you following for?" Ji Xiang shouted coldly.

Zhao Jin, however, waved his hand and stopped, waiting. When Liu Yong caught up, he panted and said, "Big Brother Zhao, Chen Ergou asked me to tell you to go to the Nine-Tailed Lady Temple in the eastern part of the city. If it was the kidnappers, they are likely there."

Chen Ergou was Chen Ergou, and everyone understood. He had been afraid to say it in person and had sent Liu Yong to relay the message.

Zhao Jin nodded. When Chen Ergou had said he didn't know, he had given him a meaningful look. Zhao Jin had understood his meaning. Sure enough, he had sent someone to report back not long after.

"Go back and tell Chen Ergou that I keep my word. I will remember this favor," Zhao Jin said.

After saying this, Zhao Jin told everyone, "Let's go to the Nine-Tailed Lady Temple."

When Liu Yong ran over, he had an axe tucked in his belt, looking eager to help. After Zhao Jin spoke, he hesitated, looking dejected, feeling that he was being excluded by his friends.

"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and follow us!" Zhao Jin called out impatiently. Liu Yong's body trembled, and his dejected expression turned to excitement as he ran to catch up.

When he joined the group, Shi Manqiang punched him hard, making him stagger. Although his shoulder hurt, Liu Yong was extremely happy.

"Five days ago, all the people who burn incense and worship in the city suddenly stopped. The managers have been leaving the city every day, while they used to stay in the city..."

"Someone from Yunshan Temple had spread news about Xiaolan's background. After you beat someone, the Fragrant Sect had threatened, and Yunshan Temple had to back off..."

"There are many kidnappers in our Xuzhou, but one group specifically kidnaps beautiful girls and sells them to Yangzhou, Nanjing, and Suzhou, even abducting the women of wealthy families. The only group that would dare to reach out to your family in this city is this group..."

"Chen Ergou also said that if it's not this group, please have your family's elders take action as soon as possible..."

Liu Yong followed and said some disjointed words, clearly what Chen Ergou had told him. Zhao Jin and his group listened intently.

Wang Zhaojing spoke solemnly, "Speaking of a dirty matter, after we returned home, the abbot of Yunshan Temple has always wanted to connect with us, but my father, hearing that Yunshan Temple is not clean, has never paid attention. Our family's local servants say that the abbot of Yunshan Temple likes little girls."

Zhao Jin suddenly stopped, then quickened his pace. He had already figured out the general situation. Zhao Jin usually paid close attention to details, and many small things now made sense.

The earliest incident was when the monks Runan and Runing went to the shop to forcibly take the shopkeeper's young daughter, saying they would take her to the temple to practice. When he saw Runan again, he noticed that his status had clearly risen, perhaps because he had gained favor by sending the young girl.

Then, when he saw Runan again, they had all noticed Mu Shulan. The next day, people from Yunshan Temple had come to spy, clearly with ill intentions. After he beat them and sent them to the yamen, Yunshan Temple was set on fire, clearly by the Fragrant Sect. After that, those who had designs on Xiaolan didn't dare to act rashly.

But last night, the situation changed dramatically. Mu Shulan's father died suddenly, and the Fragrant Sect disappeared. Perhaps the people from Yunshan Temple had learned of the news through this channel or from the yamen. They had long coveted Xiaolan and had been watching from the outside. Hearing this opportunity, they immediately hired people to kidnap her.

They also knew that Mu Shulan's identity was sensitive and that this matter would not be publicized in the yamen, but would be dealt with secretly. With the power of Yunshan Temple, they didn't care about Zhao Zhentang's side.

"Could she have already been taken out of the city?" Zhao Jin asked.