Gu Yunteng: "Ah, this was Jia the Sixth's doing!"

Lin Qingshuang puzzled: "Jia the Sixth...? The name rings a bell."

Gu Yunteng: "Of course you might remember him; back then he was a famous criminal in the area!

He was also a business rival of mine; over twenty years ago, we both set eyes on a piece of land. When he realized he couldn't win against me, he sent me a message saying he'd compiled some incriminating material on me.

That material was said to be capable of ruining me and everyone around me.

He proposed a deal, claiming that someone had stored the material in a bank safety deposit box. If I surrendered the land to him, the material would not be released, and he'd hand it over to me personally.

However, things didn't end well for him. He quickly got into trouble and fled overseas, first hiding in Red Port, then dying on the Black Wilderness Continent..."

Lin Qingshuang: "Was it you?"

Gu Yunteng: "It wasn't me, nor did I need to deal with him. He wasn't just threatening me.

Unlike me, I've always conducted legal business, but he made money however he could.

Everyone, official and unofficial, knew Jia the Sixth was a criminal; many at the top had long wanted to take him down.

But I never saw that material with my own eyes, and thought he was just bluffing, that he didn't actually have anything... until you sent it to me just now.

It might have been explosive twenty years ago, but today it's useless—just a mix of fabricated rumors."

Lin Qingshuang: "You were relieved to see it, weren't you? It's been so long, why are you searching for that material now?"

Gu Yunteng: "You must know about the recent events in Qi Yuan; many people went to find Hidden Moth. Apparently, a person named Zhou Du was Hidden Moth twenty years ago.

I vaguely remember him; he worked with construction crews and owned a renovation company, closely linked with Jia the Sixth. I recently heard he kept a safety deposit box and was reminded of old events.

Zhou Du has a son named He Kao, and the box is in his hands.

Qian Guran also sought Hidden Moth, infiltrated He Kao's workplace... so I asked Xiaoqian to help investigate if there was any material in the box. But the kid deceived me!"

Lin Qingshuang: "How did he deceive you?"

Gu Yunteng: "He told me there was no material in the box but then handed it to you, isn't this deceiving me?"

Lin Qingshuang: "Maybe he got scared upon seeing what's inside. I contacted him recently for something else, so he directly gave the material to me.

I have questions for him today but can't reach him, so I came to you. Do you have Qian Guran? If so, hand him over!

Otherwise, if something happens to him, it won't be me coming for you, but the Magic Sect's Hall of Sect Rules."

Gu Yunteng firmly stated: "I swear I haven't done anything to harm Qian Guran. If you hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known he got the material, and now he's missing!"

Lin Qingshuang stared at him for a long time, feeling that Gu Yunteng's response didn't seem fake. She hesitated a bit before asking again: "When was the last time you saw Qian Guran?"

Gu Yunteng thought for a moment and decided to be honest: "Just last night. Specific time, you can check the surveillance at Yunteng Mansion."

Lin Qingshuang was surprised: "Last night! What did he come to you for?"

Gu Yunteng: "He came to tell me there was no material in the box, then inexplicably said to leave that kid named He Kao alone, not to trouble him.

I've never troubled that kid, don't even know him.

Why come to me late at night, disturbing my rest? I was not pleased and sent him away after a few words. Looking back, he did seem off yesterday."

Lin Qingshuang frowned: "Is everything you said true, you really did nothing to Qian Guran?"

Gu Yunteng: "Sister Lin, we've known each other for years, do I need to lie to you?

Everything I've said is true; even if the Hall of Sect Rules investigates, I'd say the same. Can I lie before the Elders of the Hall, deceive the Tier Six Seat Masters of the Qi Observation Sect?"

Lin Qingshuang reluctantly said: "If that's the case, you better hope Qian Guran is fine, or the Hall will surely come to question you. I've already informed the Hall about the material."

Gu Yunteng became anxious upon hearing this: "Sister Lin, I feel deeply for Hua Lei's situation, but don't blame me because something happened to Hua Lei in Qi Yuan's territory—I truly don't know..."

Lin Qingshuang stood up abruptly, waving her hand: "Hua Lei's issue concerns Liang Kai of the Alchemy Sect, not you. Don't mention it again!

But another matter, I must remind you, just as Qian Guran suggested, don't trouble He Kao anymore. I've been to Qi Yuan for Hua Lei's matter and met He Kao, confirming he isn't Hidden Moth.

But I unexpectedly found he's a promising young man, wanted to take him as my disciple, but was stopped by a divine thought. This shows a Magic Sect Elder is secretly observing him, perhaps intending to personally take him under their wing.

Qian Guran was present too, his warning was likely well-meaning... I've said enough today, take care moving forward."

Gu Yunteng firmly denied ever harming Qian Guran, and besides warning, Lin Qingshuang couldn't do anything to him and had to leave.

Gu Yunteng's connections in the Magic Sect are exceptional, interwoven over the years, making it difficult to trouble him without strong evidence.

Even Lin Qingshuang's pharmacy and commercial building in Hengzhou were once developed by the Bada Group. Though she didn't approach Gu Yunteng, he somehow heard and personally offered favorable internal prices.

Lin Qingshuang tends to avoid taking advantage; many upper-level members of the Magic Sect, especially the Qi Observation Sect's high ranks, have received countless favors from Gu Yunteng over the years, their relationship complex.

However, after Lin Qingshuang left, Gu Yunteng was even more confused about Qian Guran's disappearance; even he was in the dark! Although he withheld many things from Lin Qingshuang, he was truthful about this issue.

Zhao Hai Zhen, Old Hong, and Qian Guran—how have they all disappeared? If they've met trouble, who has such skills? Linked to Lin Qingshuang's earlier warning, could it be a move by a Magic Sect Elder?

Thinking this, Gu Yunteng silently vowed it has nothing to do with him, absolutely no connection... resolutely none!

What worried him now is the potential impact if the material is leaked.

Having just finished a relaxing massage, He Kao had no idea Gu Yunteng had such misunderstandings.

Finding Old Qian's issue had been entrusted to Lin Qingshuang, all he could do was done, and since Lin Qingshuang advised him not to interfere, worrying wouldn't help.

Now, he must focus on becoming a true Hidden Moth.

**

PS: I tried to write a long chapter today, please cast a vote!

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