==========================

Chapter 26: Tracing the Source

==========================

"Wake me up just before we arrive,"

From inside, he reminded them. Looking at the turtle shell, soon they could hear quiet snoring.

…

When they arrived, Ru-er woke him up.

The air terminal was large, with the airship landing directly on a sturdy port-like building constructed on a hill. Below the airship was a thick rubber landing site, made specifically to avoid the airship from any damage made from latching itself on the port. There was a high pagoda-like building serving as a control tower, keeping orders for the arriving airships. Alighting the airship, An Shan could see the whole city situated just below the hill. Stretches of buildings covering the whole horizon…

Wang Nan city!

It's been over two thousand years, how it had changed. He could barely recognize it. Even the rivers flow changed, even the shoreline over the horizon had its erosion, and even some hills disappearing. The forests back then now turned into residential and business areas, and the city somehow felt ten times bigger and more populous.

Eyes opened wide, he could almost hear Wang Jie's voice, proud of the city he and his family raised. Turning to his side, he finally noticed the air terminal. The terminal was large, and it occupied the whole hill. Over half of the hill was an open floor, with large Spirit Beasts around pulling large freights on wheels.

Moving further from the airship, An Shan's party kept watch of the cargoes. Soon the crews started to busy themselves. The stomach of the Stingray-like airship opened. The crews moved, unloading the cargoes into a freighter pulled by a strong Ox-like Spirit Beast with three horns.

There were three of these beasts, each pulling a large freight. These kinds of beasts had natural cultivation of Main Stars Stage, so they had the strength to pull over a thousand of these boxes at once. With superior muscles and bones, these beasts could exert physical strength many times superior than human of the same stage.

Ru-er traced the two boxes among the many. It was quite easy, since the boxes had stronger cultivators escorting them. While they had their cultivation hidden, they could not escape her observation. At her level, Heavenly-Star Stage, a cultivator could determine one's cultivation through the fine vibration around one's body. Unless one was a superior cultivator finely hiding their strength, it was unlikely for her to miss them. Only Ancestor-class cultivators could escape her observation, so these small fries were all exposed for her to see.

"Dear, they're in the second freight,"

"Alright, let's just walk out of airfield first,"

Walking alongside other passengers, they made their way out the airship terminal. Looking around, An Shan realized how much time changed things. While many buildings looked the same from afar, they were different from those of his time. The terminal had three wide, open floors. Each had its own specialization, from business centers, restaurants and gift shops to the terminal lounge and staff office. Judging from the terminal's construction, it was built using sturdy rocks similar to those used in making fortifications.

Aside from the terminal, he could also observe some buildings in the city with similar construction, though the colors easily trick one's eyes to think it was made of wood. Several rivers kept flowing through the middle of the city, while at the edge of the city, he could observe the coastline with orange sun preparing to take rest.

"...It's really, been a long time,"

...

He took his time to comtemplate, finally moving only when his eyes turned heavy.

After going through several security crystals in the terminal, they went to an isolated part of a garden next to the terminal. An Shan took out one of his precious earrings, similar to those he put on An Hong and Xiao Mei.

Seeing the Soul Artifact in front of her, Ru-er gulped. Such an item, could cause even large sects to be raided, clans to be wiped out… And her Ancestor just straight taking it out in public? Ancestor, please mind your surroundings…!

Without hesitating, An Shan put it onto her right ear.

Click!

--Shhh…

“Uu!”

“Alright, done,”

As he clipped it, Ru-er felt a tingling sensation running through her body from her ear. It felt as though her Qi began to collide with something…

“…I already sealed most of its function, just use it as communication device,”

“T-this… is this alright dear?”

"It's convenient, and safe. No one ever intercepted my Soul Link before,”

“I, I see…”

“It’s going to be dark soon, we'll check in at the inn. Tail them for now, contact me whenever needed,"

"Y-yes! Please trust me on this,"

Being granted the Soul Artifact, even temporarily, was a real honor. Shivering, with a mix of anxiety and elation, she pretty much forgot to mind her manner of speech. As she was about to part, An Shan raised his hand;

“…Wait,”

“Yes…?”

“I feel like I’m forgetting something…”

“W-what was it?”

Y-you’re not taking this back so soon, right?

Ah~ Ancestor— you are so rich and powerful… Please don’t be stingy now…

“Hm, nevermind. Go,”

“At once,”

Her figure disappeared with the wind.

For some reason, An Shan thought she was really eager to leave… Well, whatever. Entrusting her to keep watch of the children, An Shan brought Xiao Mei to a nearby inn. Fortunate for him, he rested all the way here, so he could manage. Since he lent Ru-er one of his earrings, she could contact him even if she was trapped by a sealing formation. Should she see the agents or able to trace their base, she was to contact him for further instructions.

As she kept watch, hours passed.

The two boxes were put into a smaller freight, pulled by several horses. Following it from a distance, they went into an area with a lot of large warehouses. It was the type of warehouses used by multiple businesses to store their goods. It was already well into the night, so all of the operations were no more.

Well, all official operations were no more.

The night was a good time to deal in unofficial operations, true since time immemorial. Observing the place from atop of the roof, she camouflaged herself into the surroundings. The smuggler took the children, still in boxes, into one of the warehouses. It was not long for another party to arrive.

Within the group, a particular guy in the lead caught her eyes. Seeing the incoming party, Ru-er convinced herself it was time to contact her ancestor. Willing the earring to activate, she connected her mind with An Shan's.

"I'm in a place with a lot of warehouses. Someone important came, I think it's an agent,"

"I see. I'll come over now, keep watch. And watch your back, keep hidden,"

"Yes,"

Hearing so, Ru-er had a simple delight.

The Ancestor had some worry for her, so she should not make a blunder. While she could take on dozens of enemies by herself, being ambushed by a numerically superior enemy was no laughing matter. She was dealing with criminals, and they usually had a lot of tricks up their sleeves. She could be poisoned, or had her senses dulled before she knew it. So with these possibilities in mind, she kept her senses in full alert.

The guy leading the coming party had a slimy look on him. His lady-like attire plus his swaying of butt was weird, as if he was half a lady… Seeing the guy, Ru-er frowned. It was an abhorring sight to behold. She could not really tell which gender he actually originated. Then again, she told herself that the person was a male, no, female?

Ugh, so confusing...

Well, at least this one made it easy for anyone to remember.

As ‘she' and her party approached the freight, two cultivators from before showed themselves. They were Guo-er and his uncle back from the airship. With 'her' coming near, they cupped their hands with the utmost respect. Slanting her butt, the lady had a mischievous smile.

"Well well, sir Mo, my good gentleman. How're the goods?"

"It was a great harvest! We brought 24 this time for you, Madam Jiu!"

The uncle called sir Mo said with clear eagerness.

Should this work out well this time, he could retire from this tiring work for good! The kind of money he could get could last him for two hundred years, even after paying all his men and nephew.

Hearing his answer, the so-called Madam frowned, yet was quick to change her expression. She had an agreeable expression, though doubts lingered still.

"Twenty-four? My, my… so many?"

"Yes, seven of them boys as you had requested,"

"Hm hm, you got seven boys? You've worked hard sir Mo… Of course, I'd love to pay for all of them, but… Did you take for granted the instructions I send you? To find this many in just six months? Hurm, those families aren't pushovers you know… I can't accept lesser quality goods, I've my face to keep,"

"Of course, of course… We're really strict to follow the instructions. I'm confident it'll suit their taste. That's why we'd like you to check the goods first, Madam…"

"Well then, what're you waiting for?"

Nodding to her, uncle Mo signaled his men.

His nephew, Guo-er and another man opened the boxes. Many of the children were sleeping, yet were awakened from sleep. Due to the sudden noise, they raised their hands from shock. Soon, the dim light from the crystal torches around entered their eyes…

Looking dejectedly at the new people, they had nothing to say. The younger ones crept into the embrace of the older girls, seeking comfort and security from their captors, however little. They were weary, and all of them had signs of tears running down their cheek. With not even energy to cry, they could not utter any voice of shock.

Fear again crept into all of them, pondering what fate had in mind for them. Seeing the children huddling together in fear, the Madam closed in on them. Smiling, she addressed them;

"My, my… poor creatures, how could you leave them in such a place, sir Mo?"

"Ah haha, please pardon this old man. We could not provide much luxury for them, but at least we try to keep their quality,"

Sir Mo had to spend a lot of money to transport them using the airship. Most of the cost was to bribe the customs and the police. He had no other choice, it was too risky using the river and sea route. The long journey was too stressful, and could very well damage the goods. Transporting them through the land was not a choice either. Land transportation was too risky since it took too much time and often subjected to sudden checkups. In addition, the police force loyal to the Gu clan of Wang Nan controlled the bridge to the city, and they were too much of a headache to deal with.

Though using airship was costly, it was his best choice. It allowed him to keep the quality of the merchandise at a high level.

"Hoho, indeed. Such skin, such hair… Truly satisfying, ohh,"

Madam Jiu approached the huddling children, laughing as she did.

"Ho ho ho, truly, truly exquisite…"

She touched a girl and a boy, running her fingers along their skin. They whimpered as she did, terrified. While the half lady was not making any threat, her mere existence made their skin shiver. Somehow, their gut feeling was telling them not to mess with her.

"Hands off them!"

"Hm?"

A stern voice yelled at her.

Looking up, Madam Jiu saw a young girl of twelve or so, seemingly the eldest among the many. Around six children were huddling together, centered around her. Hands on her clothes, they clenched their palm tighter. They seemed to depend on her, more so than other older girls.

It seemed her existence was akin to a supporting pillar to the younger children. While they had met for a few weeks at most, she was no doubt the one they trusted the most.

"Oh my, what did you say just now, little girl? I clearly miss it,"

"I said, hands off them, half-lady!"

She steeled herself, summing up her courage to say those words again. Had Xiao Mei heard her voice, she would no doubt recognize it as the voice from before... the ghost's voice!

"Sister…"

"Elder sister Xie..."

The other children were scared out of their wits, yet this eldest sister dared to voice out in protest. While they held a tinge of admiration for her, they feared her fate. Provoking these people was never a good idea.

"You said half… what?"

Hearing the last part of her retort, Madam Jiu's face darkened.

Sir Mo's face paled as well. He had seen what happened to someone who whispered about her gender way back. At the time, the Sub-star cultivator was beaten half to death!

And for this girl to utter such forbidden words, shouting even... Did she just invite death?

'Oi, girl, if you just come along obediently, at the very worst you would be a pleasure companion, yet you… Are you tired of living?'

While sir Mo had no interest in what happened to her later, right now was different. She was his merchandise. Should she kill her before she was sold off, would Madam Mo still pay him the full price? She might even blame him for not educating the merchandise enough. Not to mention, the half-lady was more than not friendly once she was triggered. Not friendly at all, even he dared not face her in such a state!

With her face still smiling, she approached the girl.

The smile, however, was cold…

Even from afar, Ru-er could feel a familiar sensation. Her hair stood up, a sense of danger welled up within. Without even realizing, without even thinking, her feet moved forward.