Daily life of a cultivation judge

Using that information, Yang Qing operated under the notion that the empire could have been a genuine destination for Ming Wa's partner, or it was a misdirection, with his true goal being somewhere nearby or a location easily accessible from there.

Given how heavily trafficked the empire was—serving as a major trade hub—Yang Qing initially felt that someone on the run or looking to lay low would avoid such a place. The high volume of foot traffic made it a prime spot for information brokers and intelligence agencies, increasing the risk of exposure.

Because of how heavily trafficked the empire was with people, with it being a trade hub of sorts, Yang Qin had felt someone on the run, or looking to lay low would look to avoid such places, because of their propensity to harbor information brokers and agencies, because of the heavy foot traffic.

Maybe there was something there that Zhu Fa needed... or maybe not. Ming Wa could have easily dispelled the mystery, but she wasn't in a revealing mood. Yang Qing had hoped that by the time he left here, her stance might have changed, but if not, he had two Soul Formation experts in front of him whose minds he could pick on the matter. Their breadth of experience already proved to be an invaluable asset, especially in a case like this where he had too little to go on.

"Why do you ask?" Shao An said, throwing him a puzzled look.

"It's about the lady I told you about..Ming Wa. The person she was looking for set that as his destination. I wonder if there was a reason for it or if he just chose it at random to throw off whoever he's hiding from or running away from."

"Considering the number of merchants and organizations conducting business there, it wouldn't be a bad destination," Ren Shu said. "Provided it's worthwhile for them, you can buy almost any service from a merchant—including help disappearing."

"And if they can't do it themselves, there's a long list of both savory and unsavory characters swarming the place who would gladly take the job. There wouldn't be a shortage of options. But..." Ren Shu paused briefly. "It's also a double-edged sword. You run the risk of being sold out if you contract the services of the wrong person."

"Even the right person might sell you out if the price is right," Shao An chimed in. "Merchants would sell their own mother if given a worthy offer.

To prevent that, you either have to find one whose word actually means something—which is rare; pay them so much that those interested in your information can't match your figure; or have leverage on them that forces them to be honest.

I find fear is a good leverage to have," Shao An casually added.

"But even with all those factors, you might still get sold out," he said, gently nibbling on another roasted nut.

"There you have it," said Ren Shu. "They would have to be pretty desperate to use the empire as an escape point."

"Well, I reckon they are pretty desperate, considering the circumstances under which I met Ming Wa. Someone as weak as her causing a commotion within our territory? That looks pretty desperate to me."

"That it does."

"So now I have to add researching organizations with operations in Turtle Lapis Lazuli Empire that are known for helping cultivators disappear to my long, never-ending list of things to do," Yang Qing said, letting out a tired, helpless sigh at his mounting workload.

"Well, you took the case. You have to see it through," Ren Shu replied.

"I know," Yang Qing said with a weak smile.

Just as he was preparing to bid them goodbye, Shao An spoke up.

"You know, if they're looking to hide, the empire isn't the only way to do it."

"What do you mean?"

Shao An gently dusted nut flakes from his fingers before turning to face Yang Qing. "The empire's business partners, the Ocean Vortex Shield Talisman Manor, might be worth a look."

"I intended to expand my research into organizations known for helping people disappear—not just in Turtle Lapis Lazuli Empire but also in the manor's territory since it's another trade hub," Yang Qing interjected.

"That's not what I mean—though it's a good idea. You should expand the scope," Shao An said.

Without waiting for Yang Qing to ask him to explain what he had meant when he brought up the manor, Shao An continued,

"There's an inmate we have—a sixth-stage Palace Realm cultivator who murdered his friend and then proceeded to wipe out his friend's entire family, his clan, and anyone that friend had close ties with. All to keep secret the location of a ruin—an abandoned abode that once belonged to a peak-stage Domain expert they had discovered together.

He thought his plan was flawless, but he blundered. It turned out his wife's friend was the daughter of a peak Palace-stage rogue cultivator—one who had never been in the picture for most of his daughter's life. She didn't even know he existed, save for an amulet her mother had given her, claiming it was from her father.

That amulet was a soul artifact meant to warn the father in case she was ever in mortal danger. It also contained an inscribed rune and hidden spell—one that recorded her final moments and, upon her death, triggered a soul-tracing spell.

When she died, it captured everything... and with it, brought the fury of a peak Palace-stage cultivator seeking to avenge his daughter.

With his soul tainted by the locator spell and no means to remove it, that sixth-stage Palace Realm cultivator had no choice but to flee. He ran to the only place he believed might grant him a chance at survival—the ruins of the peak Domain expert's cultivation abode.

And that ruin? It just so happened to be located in the battlefields where the Radiant Sword Sect's elders fought against the members and founder of the Crimson Wave Tide," Shao An said, a faint glimmer shining in his eyes.

"Because of how massive the battle was and the sheer strength of those involved, that place remains shrouded in calamitous power, even after all these years. The destructive sword qi still lingers, enveloping the area, while ravenous and corroding blood qi festers alongside other dangers that pose a threat even to those in the Domain Realm. Few dare to set foot there.

Now, how did a mere sixth-stage Palace Realm cultivator manage to sneak into a place that could harm even a Domain expert?

The answer is simple—it was through a talisman.

And not just any talisman, but one crafted by the Ocean Vortex Shield Talisman Manor."