Chapter 50: The Disappearance

The next day, guided by Lin Xuan and accompanied by Zhou Shiqin, Jiang Xiaofei toured every scenic spot in Sanjiang City. Only then did he realize how beautiful Sanjiang truly was, and he noticed that Lin Xuan was treating him with increasing kindness, so much so that he felt almost overwhelmed by her attention.

Time flew by, and three days had passed since he left the school.

That morning, Jiang Xiaofei rose early, sat on the living room sofa, and switched on the television. A news channel popped up instantly.

The broadcast was reporting a strange disappearance case in the city, where many children had been taken away at night by a mysterious figure. The news even displayed photos of the missing children.

Just then, Lin Xuan, dressed in pajamas, came downstairs from the second floor. Walking toward the bathroom, she glanced at Jiang Xiaofei and asked, "What are you watching?"

"News," Jiang Xiaofei replied.

"What's so interesting about the news?" Lin Xuan commented indifferently as she entered the bathroom.

Jiang Xiaofei ignored her and continued watching. At that moment, a female anchor appeared on screen, speaking fluent Mandarin: "The police are already investigating, and the Mage Association has also begun to take action. We believe there will soon be results. Now, please welcome Mr. Xu, vice president of the Azure Dragon Society, for a statement."

The camera cut to a young man who said, "According to our surveillance at the scene, this is not a case of trafficking, but rather an incident where a gifted individual abducted the children. As for their motives, we don't yet know, but the Azure Dragon Society will pursue the matter to the end and bring the missing children home, giving the victims the justice they deserve."

Jiang Xiaofei turned off the television, his brows furrowed. He too realized this was not a simple kidnapping—it seemed someone wanted to use the children for something sinister. Suddenly, he thought of someone.

He immediately stood up and walked toward the door.

At that moment, Lin Xuan happened to be leaving the bathroom. Seeing Jiang Xiaofei heading out, she asked, "Where are you going?"

"I'm going to school," Jiang Xiaofei replied, turning back.

"Didn't Sister Zhou ask you to stay here until things calmed down before returning to school?"

Jiang Xiaofei did not respond, and instead walked out of the house.

By now, the National University was abuzz with rumors; many classes were discussing the children’s disappearance.

Inside the classroom of the Gifted Class, Xie Xuanxuan looked at Gao Muqiu and asked, "Sister Gao, who do you think did it?"

Gao Muqiu remained silent.

Seeing this, Xie Xuanxuan muttered, "Those people are too cruel! Why would they take children? Are their hearts made of iron? Don’t they realize how worried the parents must be?"

"If I find out who they are, I, Xie Xuanxuan, will never let them go."

Lin Tianfeng, nearby, scoffed, "Enough with your justice, Xie Xuanxuan. The Azure Dragon Society from the Mage Association is already on the case. The truth will come out soon enough."

Xie Xuanxuan snorted coldly, "I'm just letting my imagination run wild. What's it to you?"

Gao Muqiu listened to their argument, her expression grim. She chose to ignore them, focusing her mind inward. In the center of her spiritual sea, she addressed the woman dressed in black: "The city is in chaos now—are you satisfied?"

The woman could sense Gao Muqiu's anxiety and sneered, "It's just a bunch of weaklings. Once my power is restored, I'll show them the might of the Ghost Emperor."

She paused, her gaze shifting. "So, how are the preparations?"

"I've already collected ninety," Gao Muqiu replied. "Just nine more tonight, and the task will be complete."

"Good," the Ghost Emperor nodded, satisfied. "Where are they now?"

"I've hidden them in a very secluded place. As soon as we collect the final nine tonight, your wish will be fulfilled!"

The Ghost Emperor was overjoyed. "You've done well. I knew you were the right person. Rest assured, when my power is restored, I will avenge you."

The Ghost Emperor then asked, "Is that man still at school?"

"He’s already left, presumably hiding somewhere," Gao Muqiu replied.

Hearing this, the Ghost Emperor laughed wildly, "Ha! Heaven itself assists me. Ghost Immortal, Ghost Daoist—who would have thought? I, the Ghost Emperor, am about to return!"

Meanwhile, on the sports field, Lan Lianshuang asked Teng Pan, "Have you seen Professor Jiang lately?"

"Don’t you know? After Professor Jiang allegedly assaulted Gao Muqiu, he went into hiding. I wanted to thank him for saving my life, but I haven’t seen him anywhere," Teng Pan replied.

Lan Lianshuang found this amusing. "Assaulted Gao Muqiu? How could that be?"

"I don’t believe it either, but the students all think Professor Jiang is running from his crime. The principal and others haven’t pursued the matter, though," Teng Pan explained.

Lan Lianshuang frowned slightly. "When did this happen?"

"Three days ago," Teng Pan answered.

Upon hearing this, Lan Lianshuang immediately turned away.

Teng Pan quickly asked, "You just arrived at school, and now you’re leaving again?"

Lan Lianshuang replied, "I need to talk to Gao Muqiu. There’s no way Professor Jiang assaulted her. She must have wanted him out of the school."

Teng Pan tried to dissuade her, "Forget it. Gao Muqiu isn’t someone you want to cross. What if you end up with a soul-devouring mark like I did?"

Lan Lianshuang said nothing.

Just then, Teng Pan exclaimed, "Professor Jiang is back!"

Lan Lianshuang looked over and saw Jiang Xiaofei hurrying toward the administration office on the far right side of the field.

Lan Lianshuang called out joyfully, "Professor Jiang!"

But Jiang Xiaofei didn’t hear her, running straight toward the administration office without looking back.

Inside the principal’s office, Zhou Shiqin was discussing matters with Tang Zhirou when Jiang Xiaofei burst in.

Zhou Shiqin frowned, "Why are you at school? Didn’t I tell you to stay at home?"

Jiang Xiaofei replied urgently, "I know who took the children."

Zhou Shiqin asked, "Who?"

"It was Gao Muqiu," Jiang Xiaofei answered.

Tang Zhirou, who was nearby, laughed, "How could it possibly be Gao Muqiu?"

Jiang Xiaofei said nothing and looked at Zhou Shiqin.

Seeing this, Zhou Shiqin immediately turned to Tang Zhirou, "Director Tang, could you step outside? I need to speak with Professor Jiang privately."

"Alright," Tang Zhirou replied, a bit reluctantly, getting up and closing the door behind her.

After Tang Zhirou left, Zhou Shiqin asked, "Are you certain Gao Muqiu is responsible?"

Jiang Xiaofei nodded emphatically, "I am sure."

"Everything needs solid evidence. Do you have any proof?" Zhou Shiqin pressed.

"Though I don’t have evidence, I know there’s a blood spirit technique that can rapidly restore one’s cultivation. She must be trying to regain her strength, which is why she took the children," Jiang Xiaofei explained.

Zhou Shiqin nodded slightly, "Very well. I’ll take you to meet someone."

"Who?" Jiang Xiaofei asked.

"The person in charge of the case, Vice President Xu Jianing of the Azure Dragon Society," Zhou Shiqin answered.

Jiang Xiaofei wondered, "Why meet him?"

"Gao Muqiu is a member of the Mage Association, and she’s also the mayor’s daughter. Catching her won’t be easy. Only with the Azure Dragon Society’s involvement will our chances improve," Zhou Shiqin replied.