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Chapter 25: Apparition of Crime

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"What do you mean ghosts?"

An Shan asked. Ghost in the airship, in broad daylight? He knew Xiao Mei was full of excuse, but she was not the type to lie without reason. It was fully possible for it to be a misunderstanding.

"B-back then, I was screaming b-because, hungry ghosts…"

"Hungry ghosts, you say,"

Urging her to explain, he listened as he kept stumbling upon her confusing words.

The more he listened to her, the more he felt sleepy. However, upon pondering about it, he could make sense of it. He raised his hand, stopping Xiao Mei from actually making him faint. He turned to Ru-er, asking;

"Xiao Ru, your thought on this?"

"Possibly it's human trafficking. Such activity is rampant near the border, so I've heard,"

"Rampant? That's no good,"

He recalled reports about criminal activities in Wang Nan city he read before.

While he had thoughts of dealing with it, he did not expect to stumble upon one so soon. Wang Nan city used to be their domain, and in particular, was the very city his late friend Wang Jie took pride in. As one of his earliest supporter, and the fact that the Wang clan had been loyal all through the years, he felt somewhat responsible for the city. However, since it was still under the influence of White Tiger Imperial clan, he did not make light of it.

Now that a crime happened before his very nose…

"Whatever it was, better investigate it first. Mi-er, stay here. I'll lock the room with formations just in case,"

"O-okay,"

As soon as he mentioned so, he put his hands on the floor.

His hands moved, and Qi ran around the room, soon making blinking lights of formations. Some triangles, some squares, some rounds. The formations had lines linking each other, and finally, it was sealed with a hexagonal formation.

"Done, Xiao Ru,"

"Yes!"

Ru-er following behind him. Locking the door, they both made their way towards the said location.

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While An Shan could use his Soul Search to search even the whole ship, it would be a burden for the current him. While his Spirit Search was efficient, Ru-er was with him. It was better for her to do the job. Turning to the hidden corner Xiao Mei mentioned, they sensed several men lingering about, looking out for the place. In front of the said room, two men in crew uniform seemed to be on a lookout.

The two burly men seemed quite nervous, for whatever reason.

Ru-er, standing behind An Shan, connected her mind with him. At this distance, plus their already close connection, they could use short-range telepathy. With this, they fully avoid using voice, to avoid alarming anyone;

‘…Ancestor, it seemed they came right when they heard Xiao Mei's scream,'

‘Well, no matter. Can you search below without alarming them?'

‘As long as there's no superior detector among them, I am confident. If I sensed any, I'll quickly back off,'

Superior detectors were rare.

These kinds of people were cultivators specialized in detecting, searching and concealing. Most mid-sized sect and above would have them in their midst, but their quality and quantity were never enough. Thus their existence was treasured and used in only important situations.

Even rarer was someone with enough ability to detect Ru-er's spirit search. As a Blood Warrior tasked with infiltration and hidden guard duty, she was specially trained in avoiding detection. During the mess in the hall back then, even Grand Elder Rizhi, a peak Heavenly-Star Stage cultivator could not detect her looking around just above his head.

Hearing her answer, An Shan nodded.

‘Then do it,'

‘Yes,'

Slowly spreading her Qi, Ru-er carried out her spirit search.

She was careful not to make contact with the men, and her search focused primarily on things down below. As her consciousness expanded, rows and piles of boxes filled her view. While it was dark, a spirit search of her quality still had no problem sensing the surroundings. She noticed expensive stuff in the boxes, from rare porcelain to herbs of high quality. It was understandable since air transport was too expensive to be used for average goods.

As she neared the middle of the piled up boxes, she noticed two men standing. Sensing their cultivation, she knew they were not your run-of-the-mill people. Both men were in Main-Stars Stage, just one stage below her. Careful not to alarm them, she focused on hearing their conversation.

"…Punish the two idiots Guo-er. Leaving the room unguarded, hmph. I don't want this to happen again!"

"Uncle, I already had appropriate punishment in mind. They'll serve as an example to others, so don't you worry,"

"Worry? Worry your head! These are expensive goods, our customers weren't people we want to disappoint!"

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"Alright, alright, I get it Uncle… I'll really punish the two idiots alright?"

"Hmph, it's fortunate the trespasser's just a child, no one would pay heed,"

"A child, eh… But to open the lock with brute force, was it really a child?"

"Likely from a prestigious cultivator family. This kind of family will not mess in our business, too much risk for them. Then again, best be careful. We don't want to alarm the customs or the police,"

"Hehe, most of them are our guys anyway, you're such a worrywart Uncle,"

"Most, Guo-er. Most, not everyone. Don't you forget that,"

"Alright, alright… I'll discipline my men right away,"

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When the two men began to walk away from the place, Ru-er quickly searched the remaining boxes. Facing a little resistance from an anti-detection formation, she squinted her eyes, forcing her spirit search in…

‘Twelve, twenty-four… in two boxes. Done,'

‘Good, are they in any danger?'

‘No, Ancestor. They're pretty weary but… Hm? The two leaders are coming out. Ancestor, I suggest we return,'

‘Agreed,'

Walking away from the place, they returned to their cabin.

In the cabin, Ru-er explained in details what she got. Firstly, she told them about the conversation. Xiao Mei sat beside An Shan, listening patiently. Hearing Ru-er's narration, An Shan confirmed some details;

"Expensive goods, eh. Looks like this is not your average human trafficking. This involved wealthy families as customers… Likely also possess considerable influence,"

"…I thought so as well. And about the children,"

Within the many boxes, there were only two boxes filled with children.

There were 24 of them, twelve in each box. Most of the children were girls, aged between ten to thirteen. All of them had beautiful complexions, nice teeth, and smooth jade skin. They had enough water inside, and there was even a mobile toilet with soil, provided to keep them from staining the place and ruining their health. This was unlikely done with welfare in mind. It was done to avoid the wrath of their customer, should their goods were ruined.

While they had the best treatment possible, being put and moved in a dark, sealed box drained their mind and body. Aside from the girls, there were also six boys. The boys were younger, aged between five to eight years old. With white milky skin as if still babies, plus smooth well-kept hair and nails, they looked not much different from the girls. These beautiful boys had natural red lips, and their smooth hands were evidence that they had no experience with hard labor at all.

"Pretty boys…?"

"Em,"

Ru-er nodded.

Hearing of the presence of boys with such quality, An Shan frowned. It seemed some of these customers had quite a… unique taste. How high was the possibility that these customers simply want to adopt these children?

Quite low, actually.

If they had such noble intent, with their influence, they could just request for it. Any normal family would be more than pleased to make their child adopted by a family of affluence. It would bring forth quite a few perks to them. In addition, if their child could have a better education or even becoming a formidable cultivator, it should guarantee their future as well.

So in this case, such a situation was unlikely. This kind of criminal activity rarely involved such a noble intent, so An Shan began to think of how to deal with this.

Seeing him being silent, Ru-er knew he was thinking on how to deal with this. While she held the same desire, for the esteemed Supreme Ancestor of Absolute Aegis, to involve himself personally in dealing with such a small-scale crime… She thought of his health, and the missing rest he would have to sacrifice. In her mind, she had concerns, should the Ancestor involve himself personally.

"…Dear, I can make a report to the Patriarch now. He can send some men to deal with this, as long as I put tracking formation on the boxes or the children,"

She whispered, afraid of actually disturbing An Shan's thought. He heard her, yet he could not answer immediately. Knowing he was still in thought, she shut her mouth.

"…It might be a little late, they could divide the children soon,"

"T-that's… true,"

While she could put tracking formation on each of the children, it was not desirable. Given the time needed for the men from their sect to come, the situation could change. In addition, this would increase the likeliness of the formations being noticed by the criminals. When the children were divided, it would make tracking them much more difficult.

"In addition, Wang Nan city is no longer ours… Our men would have to deal with this with their hands tied,"

"Please leave this matter to me, I'll set the children free and capture these degenerates… Cripple them if I have to,"

Ru-er said, her voice filled with loathing. Hearing her, An Shan shook his head. Her method was too simple, perhaps she never dealt with this kind of matter before. Then again, she might just want to get this thing over with quickly, thus avoiding him from getting involved too much.

"No, not yet. If you do that, their customers would just turn to other suppliers. Other children will become victims. We have to trace these customers,"

Deal with them in one fell swoop.

As long as the demands exist, there would not be any shortage of suppliers. With enough money, there was no lack of people willing to sacrifice their conscience and values to meet the demand. Even if they saved these children now, there were bound to be other victims to take their place. Thus, it was imperative to deal the blow at the root.

Hearing this, Ru-er had concern. She had her duty as his guard, but then again, to fulfill his wish, she believed parting for a short time should still be acceptable. There was still Mu-er protecting him from the shadow. Making her mind up, she suggested;

"T-then, allow me to do just that. I pray you get some rest, leave this matter to me,"

Hearing concern in her voice, An Shan smiled. He knew he made no mistake in choosing his personal guard.

"…I will rest. But this crime, I want to deal with it myself,"

"B-but, your health…"

You're the Supreme Ancestor of Absolute Aegis, a figure even the two World Superpowers were wary of. You're someone who united the six Imperial Clans two thousand years ago, someone who saved the continent from two great invasions… For you to deal with this personally…?

Ancestor, please be aware of your position!

Leave this kind of work to your subordinates!

Her face was screaming so, but she did not voice such thought.

"…You really need to rest. Please, leave this matter to me,"

"How could I rest, while these children were subjected to such a devious crime?"

An Shan waved his hand, as though a blade, wishing to cut this kind of crime right then and there.

"I know your concern, but don't you worry. I have you and Mu-er to back me up,"

"This… Um, I… I understand,"

She almost cried. It was as she feared.

An Shan already stated it directly, it was clear he had his mind set. As his closest guard, she feared not only for his safety but also his health. While she wanted to object again, with what An Shan said, she felt not good doing so. Not at all…

This made her felt conflicted.

Even since she was taken in by Ancestor An Aomi a hundred years ago, the An clan had always treated her well. Though the training she had to face was harsh, she had found the meaning of life ever since. Later, when the An clan made her one of their honorary members, she vowed to herself to serve the clan with her very last blood. As one of the honorary clan members, she held much respect to the Founding Ancestor…

During the war, she had fought alongside other disciples. At the time, many had hopes that the rumors that their Supreme Ancestor was alive all along, were true. Being influenced by such stories, she held her hope in his return as well, however small that possibility was.

Two months ago when she met him, she felt like a dream coming true.

And when he made her one of his closest guards, she almost jumped right then and there. She felt like her time had come. She vowed she would serve him to her utmost, and made him and Ancestor An Aomi proud…

Yet at this time, she was anxious.

She wanted to object, but she knew she ought to respect his wish. Though concerned, she was glad. She knew of him as amazing, but for him to be involved personally, now she knew more about him.

He was more than amazing. He was kind, caring, and even willing to sacrifice his own health to save some children of no consequence to him… Even now, he refused to rest, thinking about the well-being of these children. He even considered the consequences of his action, avoiding other children from becoming victims.

The Ancestor, wished to personally deal with this?

When he said he could not rest while these children were in this state, his hair flew… In her vision, it was as if time slowed down. She could see the details of such a decisive man, cutting off any doubts from his decision. Seeing him, her breath stiffening, her heart pounding.

An unfamiliar feeling welled up in her. And that feeling was truly phenomenal. She never had a man, but if she could— Ehem, right now, her admiration and respect for him flew sky-high, all the way up to the Heavens…

‘Alright, whatever goes. No matter what, I will support him with everything I've got.'

…

Beside her, Xiao Mei had sparkles in her eyes too. Her ancestor, so strict and powerful, yet not able to overlook such act by some petty people… When he waved his hand decisively then, he looked so cool…

I want to meet heroes in my journey, yet didn't realize such a hero so close to me…

So much wow!

"Huhu, dad, you look so cool…"

Em, when I marry, I want someone like my ancestor!

Strong, understandable, reliable… Willing to sacrifice even his sleep for others!

How cool was that?!

…

Seeing both of them were looking at him with sparkling eyes, he coughed. It seemed he dramatized his action too much, he forgot something important. Something very important, much more important than looking cool…

He covered his mouth with his fist, making a cough.

"W-well, it'll take some time till we arrive right? Ehem, I'll nap for the time being then,"

"…"

"…"

He took out the turtle shell and got inside, ignoring the two being frozen.

Eh, what's with the face? Did you girls think I would lose my sleep worrying?

…

Wrong!

After all, to administer to justice, you have to sleep first!

Sleep, is the mother of justice!

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Chapter 25 End