"What!?" Ling Yan, who had just come in behind, was suddenly shocked and almost tripped over herself on flat ground.
The next moment, she rushed towards the backyard.
Hearing that Ye Xi had gone missing, Yun Qi's heart tightened. Seeing Qiao Yan crying so sadly, his heart felt like it was being fried in oil.
Naturally, he reached out and pulled Qiao Yan into his arms. Yun Qi gently stroked her back and forced himself to calm down.
"No, you're not stupid at all. The enemy is just too cunning. It's my fault for not thinking things through. We were all so focused on catching that purple - clothed man and those two powerful black - clothed men that we forgot the most important thing was to protect you all first."
Looking down at Qiao Yan in his arms, Yun Qi felt a sudden chill of fear.
"Lin An," Yun Qi asked,
"How long did it take you to catch the black - clothed men?"
After a brief thought, Lin An replied,
"About one and a half to two quarters of an hour."
Nodding, Yun Qi's mind raced. "Miss Ye was still here when we were catching the men. If we start counting from when you began to chase the black - clothed men, it's been at most two quarters of an hour. The enemy won't still be in this shop."
"This place is closest to Yu Hua Gate. After they succeeded, they most likely chose to leave through here. But the city gates have been sealed recently, so it should be difficult for them to leave the city."
As he spoke, Sai Xing and Mian Xiao had carefully searched the house and the backyard and came back out. But Ling Yan was missing. She was reluctant to give up and wanted to search one more time in detail.
The two of them didn't find the secret door. With nothing to show for their efforts, their faces were ashen and miserable.
Yun Qi glanced at them and didn't say much. He just continued,
"Just in time you two are here. We caught the purple - clothed man earlier. Lord Xie personally led men to escort him back to the Supreme Court to prevent any mishaps. But he left two squads outside, waiting to take over the black - clothed men you caught and interrogate them about the whereabouts of the Wu Ai Fruit.
"Now the situation is special. Let Yan Xuan and Yan Gui take the black - clothed men to the Supreme Court first. Lin An, you immediately lead a squad to check Yu Hua Gate. Mian Xiao, you lead another squad to the nearest Xun Yi Gate. I'll go to Tong Gui Gate..."
Holding Qiao Yan's shoulders, Yun Qi softened his voice.
"A Yan, you go to Ju Fu Gate. That way passes by your home. You can also go back and find more people to help. If there's still no news by the time the city gates close at sunset, we'll gather at Prince Yu An's Mansion."
Under Yun Qi's orderly arrangements, Qiao Yan suddenly felt at ease. She didn't even notice the change in Yun Qi's address. Stopping her crying, she nodded eagerly.
"Okay, I'll definitely do well this time. I won't act recklessly again!"
Smiling gently, Yun Qi blurted out,
"I trust you."
A strange feeling stirred in Qiao Yan's heart. Suddenly, she felt a bit hot - faced. For some reason, she didn't dare to look Yun Qi in the eye. She quickly responded and then ran off with Jian Yue in a flash.
As soon as Qiao Yan left, Ling Yan rushed out. With a pale face, she ran out without saying a word.
Mian Xiao quickly reached out and grabbed her.
Lin An glanced at the two of them. Knowing that he had nothing to say at this moment, he silently led the way out.
"Let go," Ling Yan's eyes were icy. Beneath those two calm words was a surging wave of uneasiness and self - blame.
"Don't be impulsive. Young Master Yun has already made arrangements. I..."
"Ling Yan!" Sai Xing exclaimed. Before Mian Xiao could finish speaking, Ling Yan had struck out with a palm.
The palm wind was fierce and showed no mercy.
But Mian Xiao didn't dodge. He stubbornly held onto Ling Yan's arm without loosening his grip.
Yun Qi quickly stepped in and blocked Ling Yan's palm. Seriously, he said,
"Miss Ling Yan, don't be impatient. If you go out alone, you'll just be searching aimlessly like a headless fly. It's better for us to work together. We'll have a much better chance of success."
"Yes, Ling Yan," Mian Xiao quickly agreed,
"I know you're anxious. We all are. Just now, we've arranged people at all four city gates. Why don't you go with me? The enemy must use a carriage to take such a big person away. If we're careful, we might find them in just an hour."
As the panic in her heart gradually subsided, Ling Yan retracted her attack and was about to nod in agreement when she heard Yun Qi say,
"No, Miss Ling Yan, you go to the Kyoto Prefectural Yamen first. Ask the prefect to issue a reward notice and a wanted poster, and then leave the city."
The others all turned to look at Yun Qi, their eyes filled with confusion.
Yun Qi thought for a moment and said,
"Although it's very difficult for the enemy to leave the city, it's not impossible. Once they leave Kyoto, the world is so vast that finding them will be like looking for a needle in a haystack.
"Once the reward notice and wanted poster are issued, all the counties, cities, and passes will conduct strict inspections. People who want the reward will also be extra vigilant. With Miss Ye's looks, anyone who has seen her will surely have an impression. It's as if we've suddenly gained countless pairs of eyes to help us find her.
"And Miss Ling Yan has spent a lot of time with Miss Ye. She's most familiar with her figure and everything. Even if the enemy travels day and night, they'll still have to rest. If they disguise Miss Ye in any way, Miss Ling Yan might still be able to recognize her. And as a woman, it'll be more convenient for Miss Ling Yan to be with Miss Ye."
It was indeed a very good plan. Ling Yan nodded and left with Mian Xiao.
Turning around, Yun Qi gently patted Sai Xing, who was on the verge of tears and had a look on her face that showed she wanted to go out of the city with Ling Yan. He said,
"Sai Xing, traveling on the road is tough. You need to have good martial arts skills to endure it. What's more important for you is to go back immediately and find Master Hun Yuan. Tell him that if he can't figure out where Miss Ye is, he can go to the Supreme Court and see if he can calculate the location of the enemies' companions based on those who were caught.
"If necessary, it's best to take that little girl named Lian Yi with you. Her ability to distinguish the colors on people might come in very handy."
"Okay." Sai Xing wiped away her tears and ran off.
Telling Yan Xuan and Yan Gui to quickly take the prisoners to the Supreme Court, Yun Qi also immediately left the door. He found a nearby horse and galloped away.
While everyone here was in a frenzy, at the same time, a staggering figure appeared beside the outer wall of the east side - door of Zhihong Garden.
Jiang Ning had just returned from the cloth shop, feeling restless. As soon as she reached the east side - door, she was suddenly grabbed by the arm from behind. She let out a scream in fright and instinctively pushed the person hard and stepped back.
The person who was pushed unexpectedly had very little strength and fell to the ground at once.
Caressing her heart, which was pounding with fear, Jiang Ning saw that the person on the ground looked familiar. So she summoned up her courage and stepped forward to take a closer look.
This look was enough to make Jiang Ning gasp in shock.
The once smooth and shiny hair was as messy as weeds. There were faint bloodstains on the dirty face. The once fair and flawless skin was peeling and turning yellow. There were cracks and blood on the lips.
Wasn't it Shen Zhou!
If it weren't for the still - smooth and good - looking face shape and the tear - mole that wasn't covered by dirt, Jiang Ning would never have recognized him if she had just passed by.
Jiang Ning knew that Shen Zhou had been helping Ye Xi look for the Wu Ai Fruit.
Seeing him lying on the ground so miserably and in such a sorry state, Jiang Ning immediately understood what he was here for.