Emperor Zhengde had just noticed the awkwardness between the Immortal Master and his younger sister, and felt a slight pang of displeasure, as if something precious of his was about to be snatched away. A strange, unbidden stir touched his heart—they certainly made a handsome pair, a talented scholar and a lovely beauty; it wasn't an impossible match, except for the gap between the immortals and mortals... The Emperor's thoughts wandered further. Yet, despite these thoughts, his face remained impassive. He took a sip of tea and set the cup down. Hearing the Immortal Master's question, he sat up straight and replied with a solemn air:
"Immortal Master, the Prefect of Anbei Prefecture in the eastern part of our country has reported that dozens of children have successively gone missing across the subordinate counties and prefectures. Such an incident has never occurred in our Zhao Country. Previously, We, along with the Grand Tutor, the Grand General, and Our Imperial Sister, discussed the matter and surmised that some secret faction is colluding with certain ministers in the court to commit these acts, with the intention of creating trouble, fanning the flames, and ultimately disrupting the imperial administration."
Emperor Zhengde paused to let Zhao Yi digest the information, then continued:
"The Prefect of Anbei sent men to investigate, but they found not a single clue, nor have the missing children been located. They wish to get to the bottom of this, but have no place to start. We have discussed having the Ministry of Justice dispatch elite and capable troops to thoroughly investigate the matter and ensure the missing children are found. At the same time, We have also dispatched imperial secret agents to investigate the matter covertly, and the Grand General will issue orders for strict border surveillance to prevent a single child from being smuggled out of the country."
After finishing, Emperor Zhengde took a sip of tea to moisten his throat. Zhao Yi listened, initially thinking nothing of it, but a second thought struck him: missing children might look like a minor case of human trafficking on the surface, but if any of those children possessed Spiritual Roots for cultivation, it would be a major matter indeed. Well, let him hear what else they had to say and what conclusions they had reached.
Zhao Yi said, "This humble Daoist is a man of cultivation, and these are matters under Your Majesty's rule; it is not my place to comment. However, I have heard that Princess Qingyue is widely read and knowledgeable. I wonder what the Princess's suggestion might be?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Zhao Yi regretted them. Why did he have to steer the conversation toward the Princess? It wouldn't give others a good impression!
Princess Qingyue was still blushing deeply. Hearing the Immortal Master address her thus, joy welled up inside her—it showed that the Immortal Master knew who she was. Composing herself slightly, she bowed to Zhao Yi and said:
"The Immortal Master flatters me too much. How could a person of shallow learning and meager talent like this humble woman catch the Immortal Master's eye? It is merely a rumor spread by others."
She reached out a fair hand and gently tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, her graceful demeanor blooming instantly. Once again, Zhao Yi found his gaze fixed on her, thinking how truly beautiful and captivating she was. *Ah, I mustn't look like a lovesick fool,* he reminded himself, quickly sitting up straight again.
Princess Qingyue cast an annoyed, sideways glance at Zhao Yi, steadied herself, and continued:
"We believe it is unlikely that a cultivation sect is abducting people. The previous Immortal Master cleared out all the fierce beasts near the Changheng Mountains in Anbei Prefecture before leaving, so there is certainly no such thing as fierce beasts devouring people. Besides, fierce beasts would eat adults just as well as children; they wouldn't target only the young. Therefore, we conclude that this is entirely man-made, and most likely the work of a mortal martial arts sect acting in the shadows."
"Precisely," Grand Tutor Shen Bi added, chiming in. "This old man also suspects that someone in the court is colluding with martial arts factions to incite public panic and disrupt the court, or perhaps even conspiring with foreign nations, such as the Tianqi Country..."
Zhao Yi cared nothing for court politics or martial arts factions. In the face of absolute power, they were all mere clay chickens and pottery dogs, not worth a second thought in his mind. Just as the Princess had said, fierce beasts could be ruled out. What he needed to pay attention to was whether other cultivation sects were coming to plunder the population—or worse, to snatch children with Spiritual Root aptitudes. That was an extremely important matter. He might just have to make a trip himself to investigate.
Having made up his mind, he remained outwardly calm, wishing to hear what thoughts the Emperor and the others had. He asked, "Does Your Majesty mean to say...?"
Zhengde replied, "Although We can send men to investigate, there is no shortage of experts among the martial arts factions, which could easily pose a great obstacle to the investigation." Zhengde made a bow and said earnestly, "We hope the Immortal Master can lend us a hand. Of course, should the Immortal Master be willing to act, We will also offer a certain reward as compensation for your hard work."
"I earnestly beseech the Immortal Master to act," the Princess said, seeing that Zhao Yi seemed indifferent. All shyness vanished, and she bowed sincerely as well.
The Grand Tutor and the Grand General standing nearby also rose and cupped their hands, begging the Immortal Master to intervene.
Originally, Zhao Yi had wanted to refuse. What a joke—he was a dignified man of cultivation; he did not dabble in mortal affairs. However, upon hearing that there was a reward—and finding his purse rather light at the moment—he instantly changed his mind. Besides, there was an enthusiastic Princess inviting him; if he wanted to see the Princess in the future, saying he had matters to discuss wasn't that a wonderful excuse?
After a moment of thought, Zhao Yi decided to lend a helping hand, figuring it couldn't be too difficult a task.
He stood up, addressed the Emperor and the others with a solemn expression, and said, "Since Your Majesty asks, this humble Daoist will certainly assist. Your Majesty possesses the communication jade talisman of the Imperial Sword Sect; simply notify me when something arises."
The Emperor and the others rose as well. Hearing that the Immortal Master had agreed to help, they were overjoyed. They kept the communication jade talisman close at hand, which would allow them to contact the Immortal Master in a timely manner—very convenient. Zhengde and his companions bowed together to the Immortal Master and said, "Many thanks, Immortal Master."
Seeing that the matter had been smoothly settled, Emperor Zhengde prepared to take his leave and return to the palace. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught his younger sister signaling to him, reminding him that she still had a matter to ask the Immortal Master about. Reluctant, yet unable to bear the thought of his sister being unhappy, Zhengde had to cup his hands once more and say:
"Immortal Master, We have one more favor to ask."