Chapter 427: Heading to the Southwest

Seeing the matter resolved, Huo Jianqiang, Chen Man Ni, and the others breathed a deep sigh of relief.

None of them wanted to see a real falling-out between Qin Tuo and Kong Lianqing.

Kong Lianqing suddenly thought of something and couldn't help but ask:

"By the way, Mr. Qin, are you planning to make a move against the Blood Moon Pavilion soon?"

Qin Tuo was a bit surprised. 'How did Kong Lianqing find out about this?'

However, Qin Tuo quickly understood. As the Pavilion Master of the General Security Pavilion, it would be no trouble at all for Kong Lianqing to obtain such information.

So, Qin Tuo nodded and said directly:

"Yes, I am indeed planning to make a move against the Blood Moon Pavilion."

Hearing Qin Tuo's confirmation, Kong Lianqing smiled, completely unsurprised.

Meanwhile, Huo Jianqiang and the others standing nearby were inwardly shocked.

As the Chief Investigator of the Provincial Security Pavilion, Huo Jianqiang knew all too well how powerful the Blood Moon Pavilion was.

'To think that Qin Tuo would dare to take on the Blood Moon Pavilion all by himself...'

Kong Lianqing spoke again.

"Mr. Qin, there's something you may not know. Part of the reason I came to Celestial South Province this time was actually because of the Blood Moon Pavilion."

Qin Tuo asked,

"Oh? Pavilion Master Kong, please speak freely."

Kong Lianqing explained with a smile,

"The Blood Moon Pavilion has recently committed several murders in the Southwest. Over ten young women have vanished within a single month, and we suspect the Blood Moon Pavilion is connected to all of it."

Hearing this, Qin Tuo couldn't help but think of the female corpses he had seen in the Liao Family Villa, and the poor girls who had been imprisoned there.

'Clearly, there's no room for doubt. This must be the work of the Blood Moon Pavilion!'

The faces of the two young women, Chen Man Ni and Ouyang Feifei, immediately filled with rage. They utterly despised the Blood Moon Pavilion.

Kong Lianqing said earnestly,

"Mr. Qin, if you are willing, the Security Pavilion will dispatch people to join you in eliminating the Blood Moon Pavilion. What do you think?"

As he spoke, a hopeful expression appeared on Kong Lianqing's face.

The General Security Pavilion had long intended to eradicate the Blood Moon Pavilion. However, the Blood Moon Pavilion was powerful, and the Security Pavilion would undoubtedly have to pay a heavy price to achieve this goal.

With Qin Tuo's involvement now, they could significantly reduce their losses. Why wouldn't they take this opportunity?

Seeing the expectant look on Kong Lianqing's face, Qin Tuo agreed without hesitation.

"Alright, Pavilion Master Kong. When the time comes, I'll make a trip to the Blood Moon Pavilion with your people."

Hearing Qin Tuo's definitive reply, Kong Lianqing was instantly overjoyed.

"Mr. Qin, in that case, it's settled. I'll send someone to pick you up when the time comes!"

Qin Tuo nodded but didn't say anything more.

Regardless of whether he was working with the Security Pavilion, these were things he had to do sooner or later.

Having someone to assist him was a good thing for Qin Tuo.

Afterward, Kong Lianqing exchanged a few more pleasantries with Qin Tuo before preparing to leave with his people.

Before leaving, Xiaozhang was so ashamed he didn't dare to look Qin Tuo in the eye, slinking away behind the others for fear of being ridiculed.

Huo Jianqiang also apologized profusely to Qin Tuo, his expression somewhat ashamed.

"Mr. Qin, I was rude earlier. Please don't take it to heart!"

Huo Jianqiang said with a wry smile.

Previously, Huo Jianqiang had felt that given Kong Lianqing's status, Qin Tuo should have shown him sufficient respect.

He never imagined that even Kong Lianqing himself, when standing before Qin Tuo, would have no choice but to bow his head.

Qin Tuo waved his hand and said casually,

"It's nothing, Inspector Huo. Go on, attend to your duties."

In Qin Tuo's eyes, a minor figure like Huo Jianqiang wasn't even capable of provoking his anger.

Huo Jianqiang nodded and left the villa.

After everyone had left, Ouyang Feifei finally couldn't help but exclaim.

"Qin Tuo, you're so badass now! You didn't even give face to the Pavilion Master of the General Security Pavilion!"

Qin Tuo shook his head and chuckled, not knowing what to say.

Beside him, Chen Man Ni chimed in teasingly,

"Give it another couple of days, and his nose will be so high in the air he'll be looking at the sky!"

Ouyang Feifei and Chen Man Ni both burst out laughing.

Qin Tuo, however, felt a bit awkward and quickly changed the subject.

He glanced over, saw that the two young women had indeed bought a lot of things, and asked,

"Manni, what did you buy? Show me, let me have a look!"

Chen Man Ni stuck out her tongue and said with a mischievous grin,

"I bought Feifei a sexy little lingerie set. Do you want to see it now? If you do, I can have Feifei put it on for you. How about that?"

When Ouyang Feifei heard this, she was instantly both mortified and angry, and couldn't help but lightly punch Chen Man Ni.

"Manni, you brat, you're the worst! Just you watch, I'm going to teach you a lesson!"

The two girls immediately began to roughhouse playfully, their laughter like silver bells.

Meanwhile, Qin Tuo coughed awkwardly, waved his hand, and said,

"Never mind, I won't look… Right, I'll go check on Long Wu!"

With that, he quickly found an excuse and hurried upstairs.

For a time afterward, things in the Provincial City were peaceful, and everything fell back into place.

Qin Tuo had Ming City on his mind, and seeing that the situation here was also stable, he decided to return to Ming City for the time being.

Zhu Zifeng, seizing the opportunity, insisted on going with Qin Tuo.

In Zhu Zifeng's eyes, this was a great chance to get closer to Qin Tuo. How could he possibly let it pass?

And so, Qin Tuo could only resign himself to bringing Zhu Zifeng along, treating him like a personal attendant on the trip back.

After learning that Qin Tuo had returned to Ming City, the Medicine King Valley began sending medicinal herbs directly to Ming City as they became available.

Similarly, any Spirit Stones mined in Shi City were also sent directly to Qin Tuo.

That night, looking at the large pile of medicinal herbs and Spirit Stones in the villa, a gratified expression appeared in Qin Tuo's eyes.

'At least for now, it seems I don't have to worry too much about cultivation resources.'

'I wonder if I can push for another breakthrough?'

Qin Tuo thought to himself.

He then secluded himself in his room and began to cultivate.

In the end, nearly all the medicinal herbs and Spirit Stones were consumed, but Qin Tuo's cultivation remained stuck at the Fifth Layer of Foundation Establishment, unable to advance.

'I can't believe my cultivation speed has slowed down so much. Oh well, I'll just have to go with the flow.'

Qin Tuo shook his head with a resigned, wry smile.

He knew that cultivation was a gradual process; rushing things would be of no use.

About three or four days later, Qiangwei called from the Provincial City.

"Hello? Qiangwei, what is it?"

Qin Tuo silently wondered what could have happened.

Qiangwei said,

"Celestial King, someone from the Security Pavilion is here. They say they're going with you to the Southwest to investigate the Blood Moon Pavilion."

Qin Tuo nodded. He knew the people from the General Security Pavilion had finally arrived.