Afterward, it was still Mo Hua holding the Compass, leading the way in front, with everyone surrounding Mo Hua, stepping further into the depths of the tomb.
...
Solitary Mountain, on the barren ridge.
Fan Jin and Master Gu wore grim expressions.
The Taoist Court, the Shen Family, and people from the Refinery Shop were clearing away the surrounding gravel.
Beneath the gravel lay a layer of dark red blood, which had already seeped into the soil.
The ground was littered with dismembered limbs.
These cultivators died tragically.
After roughly clearing the scene, the Enforcement Leader walked over and cupped his hands, saying:
"Reporting to the Supervisor, all the deceased are Shen Family cultivators, including two Golden Cores and several Foundation Building Cultivators. But there was no ’Mo’ Young Master as described by the Supervisor, nor the Shen Family’s Young Master Qing..."
Fan Jin and Master Gu both secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but the clouds of worry on their faces did not dissipate.
Because Mo Hua and Young Master Qing were still missing.
And the "murderers" had also vanished without a trace.
Even more terrifying, these murderers were able to slay two Shen Family Golden Cores, indicating that this group had power above the Golden Core level.
This was simply not a problem the Solitary Mountain Taoist Court could handle.
In the face of such formidable assassins, Young Master Mo and Shen Qingsheng were unlikely to escape, and it was highly probable they had been kidnapped.
If they couldn’t be rescued, it would certainly be a life-and-death situation.
In Master Gu’s heart, the life or death of Shen Qingsheng was inconsequential; the main concern was Mo Hua, who was a benefactor of the Refinery Shop and couldn’t meet with any misfortune.
In Fan Jin’s view, Mo Hua was a high disciple of Taixu Gate, and Shen Qingsheng was a direct descendant of the Shen Family; if anything happened to either of them, it would be a huge problem for him as the Supervisor.
From then on, not to mention any further advancement, even continuing as Supervisor was uncertain.
"Do you know the whereabouts of the murderers?" Fan Jin asked.
"A mine was discovered nearby, with traces of a Formation at the edge of the mine." The Enforcement Leader reported.
"Quickly!" Fan Jin commanded, "Take me there."
The Enforcement Leader led Fan Jin to the mine, and sure enough, there were some scattered footprints in a corner, along with marks of a Formation sealing.
"Can you break it?" Fan Jin asked.
"No," the Enforcement Leader replied, "The Shen Family Formation Master has inspected it. This passage is narrow, and the stone walls are fragile. If the Formation is broken, the stone walls will collapse, completely blocking the stone path entrance. People outside won’t get in, and those inside won’t get out."
"Damn..." Fan Jin frowned, unable to help cursing, then asked, "What about this mine? Where does it lead?"
"The mine is also blocked."
"Then go find the mine map to see if there is a mine that leads underground."
"This..." The Enforcement Leader showed a bitter expression, "The mine maps nearby are kept by the Shen Family and are not allowed to be seen by outsiders."
Fan Jin paused, his brow furrowing even tighter.
Master Gu glanced at the mine, then at the nearby mountain terrain, his pupils slightly trembling, he pondered:
"Let’s make a trip to the Shen Family to see if we can request the mine maps."
Fan Jin thought for a moment, then sighed, "Alright, we have no choice but to make a trip."
Just as they were about to set off, a commotion arose in the distance, and a large group of people approached. Leading them was a man with ordinary looks but an imposing presence and an unusual demeanor. It was the Shen Family’s Late Golden Core Stage Powerful Elder, Shen Shouxing.
"Shen Shouxing..."
Fan Jin and the others exchanged a glance, their expressions growing even more grave.
Although Shen Shouxing had not reached Feather Transformation, due to his numerous contributions to the Shen Family, he held significant power.
Solitary Mountain had always been under Shen Shouxing’s responsibility.
And now, his son had gone missing here, possibly even murdered.
Shen Shouxing, of course, had to come personally.
But his personal arrival also meant that this matter had escalated, and without an explanation, it was hard to say how it would end.
But since trouble had come, there was no avoiding it.
Fan Jin braced himself and cupped his hands, "Elder Shen."
"Supervisor Fan," Shen Shouxing’s voice was cold, but he clearly suppressed his anger, "What exactly happened?"
Fan Jin could only say, "A group of tomb robbers suddenly appeared here at Solitary Mountain. While digging the mountain, they presumably encountered Young Master Qing, and a conflict erupted. This group of tomb robbers is no small matter; they killed all of Young Master Qing’s guards. It’s very likely that Young Master Qing was also captured by them and is now...missing..."
After Fan Jin finished speaking, he noticed Shen Shouxing’s face had turned ominously dark, "Are you saying... tomb robbers?"
"Yes..."
Initially, Fan Jin didn’t think much of it, but upon reflection, he felt a chill down his spine.
He realized he might have fallen into a deep pit; the matter he wanted to avoid had unwittingly found its way to him.
But Fan Jin controlled himself, showing no signs of abnormality.
Shen Shouxing’s thoughts were not on Fan Jin but after thinking for a moment, he unequivocally declared:
"Have everyone withdraw; this matter will be investigated by my Shen Family."
Fan Jin breathed a sigh of relief.
But Master Gu next to him said, "Elder Shen, my Gu Family also has someone to save."
"Gu Family?" Shen Shouxing frowned, "Who do you want to save?"
"Mo Hua," Master Gu replied.
Shen Shouxing’s pupil contracted, as a Powerful Elder of the Shen Family, he was surely aware of the identity and weight of "Mo Hua".
"I understand..." Master Gu said, "Young Master Mo’s status is noble, my Shen Family will also ensure his rescue, Master Gu need not worry."
"How does Elder Shen plan to rescue them?" Master Gu asked.
Shen Shouxing replied, "Since they are tomb robbers, they will definitely dig into the mountain. Once they dig, they will naturally reach the mines. My Shen Family has the mine maps, and by following them, we will surely encounter these thieves."
Master Gu said, "Since it’s like this, the more people we have, the more strength we can muster. I will accompany Elder Shen into the mine."
Shen Shouxing’s expression showed displeasure.