“What intelligence? Tell me.”
Nangong Qiongxiao propped her cheek on one hand, looking at the young man with a grave expression before her, and her thoughts could not help drifting.
To be honest, she did not expect He Qiu to say any valuable intelligence.
What she cared about more was what exactly He Qiu had gone to the Brothel to do.
Had he truly gone to enjoy himself and steal a taste of the forbidden fruit, or had he perhaps encountered some danger…
What she cared about more was this.
As for the Demon Sect’s movements in Tianxin City, Nangong Qiongxiao had long since dispatched many people to monitor them.
The Dark Division’s efficiency was far better than He Qiu’s, was it not?
But since He Qiu was so serious, Nangong Qiongxiao still decided to listen a little.
“Master, I overheard internal Demon Sect information. They plan to kidnap the daughter of the Tianxin City Lord tomorrow night!”
“…?”
After a brief hesitation, Nangong Qiongxiao sat up straight and said in astonishment:
“You mean the Demon Sect plans to kidnap the daughter of the Tianxin City Lord?”
“That is correct.”
“…”
She drew a sharp breath, and Nangong Qiongxiao fell silent, lowering her eyes as if sinking into thought.
In Tianxin City, the city lord was named Bai Hong.
His little daughter was named Bai Muxue.
Because Bai Muxue’s mother was a civil official by the Empress’s side, she often came to the palace to play with her mother.
Over time, Nangong Qiongxiao had gained some impression of the little girl Bai Muxue.
Though they could not be called close, Bai Muxue was still the child of a civil official confidant.
As Empress, Nangong Qiongxiao was especially protective of her own.
She could not tolerate even the slightest thing beyond her control happening around her.
So when she heard He Qiu say that the Demon Sect intended to kidnap Bai Muxue, she could not help becoming somewhat serious.
‘These Demon Sect people were so bold. They even dared to reach their claws toward me?’
‘No…’
This made no sense either.
After a moment of pondering, Nangong Qiongxiao could not help but reflect on the logic:
What would the Demon Sect people kidnap Bai Muxue for?
Did they want to threaten City Lord Bai Hong into handing over some treasure?
Or could Tianxin City bring them some convenience?
What exactly was the meaning of such a reckless action by the Demon Sect?
In the end, how credible was He Qiu’s one-sided account?
Subjectively, Nangong Qiongxiao was willing to believe her disciple’s words.
But what He Qiu said was simply too absurd.
Moreover, it was a kidnapping plan to be carried out immediately tomorrow night, which completely contradicted Nangong Qiongxiao’s own sources of information.
She did know that Demon Sect people had recently been moving secretly in Tianxin City, but it was only movement.
Based on past patterns, they would still wait some time before truly making trouble.
Otherwise, Nangong Qiongxiao would not have needed to send people to investigate intelligence.
She could have simply caught them all in one net and been done with it…
But the problem was precisely that He Qiu had returned saying the Demon Sect would carry out a major operation tomorrow night.
For such an absurd major matter, Nangong Qiongxiao had to treat it cautiously.
Rationally, it was hard for her not to be suspicious.
“He Qiu, I ask you, where did you hear this? How did you learn it? Who told you?”
After a long period of thought, Nangong Qiongxiao finally lowered her voice and pressed him further.
If it were an ordinary ruler, they might think the young man was spouting nonsense.
But Nangong Qiongxiao considered herself relatively enlightened, and she greatly approved of He Qiu’s Heavenly Mandate fortune.
So she had the patience to understand the details…
Whether it was true or false, she had to ask clearly first.
It was never wrong to keep an extra bit of caution in all things!
“The source of the information, this disciple was in the Brothel… uh, no, Master, please do not misunderstand.”
“That Brothel is only a cover to deceive others.”
“Inside, it is actually a secret stronghold of Demon Sect people!”
“And this disciple’s mission down the mountain tonight was exactly to accidentally infiltrate that Brothel and overhear the contents of their meeting.”
“…”
Nangong Qiongxiao was speechless again.
Looking at the young man’s utterly serious appearance, she could not help doubting the limits of her own imagination.
‘Accidentally? Was that even possible?’
How did He Qiu accidentally enter such a strict and dangerous Demon Sect stronghold, and even overhear the entire meeting?
‘Seriously? Is this reasonable?’
Even novels probably would not dare write it like this…
Drawing a long breath, Nangong Qiongxiao finally nodded.
She held her forehead in thought for a moment, then instructed:
“Child, go back and rest. I will investigate this matter clearly myself.”
“Master, the situation is urgent. This disciple suggests we take action immediately!”
He Qiu was still somewhat nervous.
After all, he had single-handedly set up the little princess of Tianxin City.
Perhaps those Demon Cultivators were already planning the kidnapping process right now.
This was a matter of life and death.
It could not be delayed.
“…”
After a brief silence, Nangong Qiongxiao nodded again and said seriously:
“Good, I understand. Rest assured, this matter is important. I will send people to investigate at once.”
“Mm, that is good. Thank you, Master.”
Seeing that Master had finally become serious, He Qiu also let out a breath of relief.
His tension from the whole night finally eased somewhat.
Staying up late, descending the mountain, infiltrating a Demon Sect stronghold to eavesdrop on intelligence, this series of actions had truly tired He Qiu out.
His body and mind were exhausted.
Haaah–
He could not help yawning.
Nangong Qiongxiao sat up and walked to He Qiu’s side.
She placed a hand on his shoulder and gently squeezed.
Seeing the young man so exhausted from carrying out her task, she could not help feeling some pity.
She leaned close to his ear and softly soothed:
“Child, go back and rest. This is not something you should worry about yet.”
“Mm…”
He Qiu was indeed sleepy.
Moreover, Master had soothed him like this, so he stopped thinking about it.
He obediently let Nangong Qiongxiao send him out and yawned all the way home to rest.
After He Qiu left, the sky was already close to dawn.
In the All-Books Pavilion, Nangong Qiongxiao climbed to the second floor again.
She yawned and once more beckoned her Dark Division.
“Go to the Tianxin City Lord’s residence and ask Bai Hong about his daughter.”
“This matter should not be delayed. Go quickly.”
“Yes! This subordinate obeys.”
With that, Zhui Feng in black retreated into the darkness, preparing to leave by shadow.
Just then, before he could leave, another figure emerged from the shadows–
“Your Majesty! This official has come to seek an audience by order of the City Lord of Tianxin City!”
As soon as that person saw Nangong Qiongxiao, he abruptly knelt on one knee, head hung low as if apologizing.
For a moment, Zhui Feng was stunned, frozen in the shadows at a loss.
Because the task the Empress had assigned him was to go to Tianxin City to speak with City Lord Bai Hong.
But the problem was that the man suddenly appearing before the Empress, kneeling on one knee, was precisely Bai Hong’s trusted aide!
‘What is going on…’
On the other side, Nangong Qiongxiao turned her head, also shocked in heart by the newcomer’s identity.
At this hour, why would Bai Hong send someone to find her on his own initiative?
Could it be related to what He Qiu had said…
Gathering her thoughts, Nangong Qiongxiao stood up in her high heels and long dress, and asked coldly with the dignity of the Empress:
“It is so late. What business does Bai Hong seek me for?”
“Your Majesty! My lady Bai Muxue was captured by Demon Sect thieves not long ago–!”