Jing Shun bowed before speaking: “Unfortunately, our King passed away this spring. Prince Xiao Yan of Wei has sent us to investigate the cause of the late King’s death.”

The Jiao People’s King immediately sat up straight: “Investigate? Was he murdered?”

“Yes. The murderer was Crown Prince Xiao Jing.” Jing Shun revealed the cause of the Wei King’s death, then continued, “However, the State Preceptor discovered that thirty years ago, our King purchased the Dragon-Piercing Chart at Luo Fu Fishery Auction. Xiao Jing might have learned about the circumstances back then, which allowed him to exploit the weaknesses of the Dragon-Piercing Chart.”

“I remember,” the Jiao People’s King nodded. “The competition for the Dragon-Piercing Chart was intense. In the end, the Second Prince Xiao, who later became King Xiao Ping Zhang of Wei, acquired it for a substantial sum.” He turned and gave a few instructions.

In less than half an hour, a monster with a large head but short body and bulging eyes entered with the guards and bowed to the Jiao People’s King.

“This is the auctioneer who presided over the bidding for the Dragon-Piercing Chart. Ask him your questions.”

After thanking him, Jing Shun addressed the monster who resembled a fat-headed fish: “Do you still have the seller’s information?”

“Yes,” the fat-headed fish added a twist, “but according to the Fishery Auction’s regulations, the seller’s information is confidential.” The more prestigious the client, the more this rule applied. The auction’s business was guaranteed by Luo Fu City’s reputation. Otherwise, which wealthy patron would come here to spend money in the future?

Jing Shun looked at the Jiao People’s King. The latter pondered for quite a while before saying, “Give it to them.” Then he turned to Jing Shun and added, “I originally owed the King of Wei a favor. After today, consider it repaid.”

With no choice, the fat-headed fish revealed a name: “He’s a recluse living in the Western Sea who has had a two-hundred-year relationship with Luo Fu Fishery Auction and frequently sends us treasures for auction.”

There was some resentment in his words. It was foreseeable that after the Wei people’s visit, the seller would no longer cooperate with Luo Fu Fishery Auction.

Then came the second question, “At the time, did anyone know that the Dragon-Piercing Chart magical artifact was incomplete?”

The fat-headed fish shook his head: “It was previewed by multiple appraisers who didn’t detect any flaws, otherwise the auction would have marked it accordingly. If it had been a defective item, it wouldn’t have sold for as high as twenty thousand spirit stones.”

It was currently known that the complete appearance of the Dragon-Piercing Chart had only appeared in the “Qian Yuan Precious Records.” Even with their extensive knowledge, the appraisers at Luo Fu Fishery Auction might not have read this unofficial history. Therefore, it was understandable that they were unaware of the unique characteristics of the Dragon-Piercing Chart.

At this point, the Jiao People’s King spoke: “The Dragon-Piercing Chart was the grand finale of that auction. No fewer than twenty or thirty people competed for it, and it ultimately went to Xiao Ping Zhang. This outcome was not controllable.” He paused briefly. “From this perspective, it couldn’t have been manipulated to deliberately sell it to Xiao Ping Zhang.”

After all, Luo Fu Fishery Auction was his business, and he had to defend his position.

What he said was certainly reasonable. Following the questions assigned to him from above, Jing Shun asked: “When the Dragon-Piercing Chart was put up for auction, was it displayed in detail?”

“Of course,” the fat-headed fish answered. “Every detail of the Dragon-Piercing Chart was magnified through supernatural means for the guests to view. This is one of the standard auction procedures.”

Indeed. Jing Shun asked the next question: “Were the identities of the guests participating in the auction kept confidential?”

“Those seated in the main hall certainly weren’t, as everyone could see each other. As for the guests in private boxes, most didn’t want to reveal their identities, and some even used aliases.”

“Very well, then we need the identities of the bidders.”

The fat-headed fish looked troubled.

Revealing the owner’s identity was already breaking the rules, and now they wanted to expose dozens of distinguished guests at once. Would Luo Fu Fishery Auction still be able to do business in the future?

The Jiao People’s King also looked displeased: “That’s asking too much!”

“Then let’s do this,” Jing Shun compromised. “We hope to obtain the identities and backgrounds of those who competed most fiercely with the late King during the bidding.”

Competing fiercely indicated strong capability and determination to win.

According to Xiao Yan and Yun Ya’s judgment of the true culprit behind the scenes, first, it had to be someone of significance—with power, status, and skilled in plotting. Second, someone with a serious interest in the Dragon-Piercing Chart would be more likely to study it carefully afterward, making it possible to discover its weaknesses. Other losing bidders would at most sigh a few times and then forget about it.

It’s worth noting that Xu An, as a pawn, had been placed by the King of Wei’s side for many years before striking. This demonstrated the true culprit’s exceptional patience.

Third, they were likely present at the auction and probably discovered Xiao Ping Zhang’s identity.

Considering all these factors, if the Jiao people would provide the identities of the final few bidders, Xiao Yan and Yun Ya could further narrow down the range of suspects.

This was a crucial step!

For the sake of past favor, the Jiao People’s King still ordered the fat-headed fish to hand over the data to Jing Shun—a total of three individuals.

Upon hearing the names and identities of these three people, Jing Shun was secretly shocked and didn’t hide it from showing on his face.

The fat-headed fish certainly didn’t speak without evidence. Luo Fu Fishery Auction kept records of every guest who attended, and most of the wealthy clients didn’t bother to use aliases. Jing Shun carefully examined these three profiles.

“I’ll give you one more piece of information. These three people are still coming to participate in this year’s Luo Fu Fishery Auction,” the Jiao People’s King finally said. “Now that you know their identities, the auction’s records cannot leave the hall.”

Having achieved his goal, Jing Shun immediately returned the documents with both hands and respectfully bowed in gratitude. After all, without the Jiao People’s King’s approval, they would have had to find another way to obtain the information, which certainly wouldn’t have been this smooth.

After taking his leave, he had to pass through a long water corridor. Although a water-repelling barrier had been placed, allowing humans to move around in the central hall, outside the barrier were water creatures swimming freely.

Here, humans were like being in a display window, observed by the aquatic beings outside.

Jing Shun had only taken a few steps when he noticed more than a dozen small fish rushing over, clinging to the barrier and following him step by step.

He wasn’t mistaken; the fish heads were all facing him, and two of them even rushed in, falling to the ground, and sprayed water at him: “What’s this?”

The water jet hitting his body was quite painful, indicating considerable force.

What did these fish mean by spraying him? Were they welcoming visitors?

The shrimp spirit escorting them scooped up the small fish and threw them back into the sea: “These fish are called Bolao. They can shoot water to catch insects.”

Catch insects? Jing Shun caught the key point and frowned.

His body was perfectly clean; what insects did the fish want to catch? Perhaps…

He suddenly stopped, took off his cloak, and vigorously shook his sleeves and hem.

Then, a tiny spider appeared on the ground.

This creature was smaller than a tick. If Jing Shun hadn’t concentrated his vision, he would almost have missed it.

After landing, the small spider moved its eight legs, quickly fleeing toward the distance, at an astonishingly fast speed. However, since Jing Shun had discovered it, how could he let it escape?

He took out a glass bottle and swiftly trapped it inside, sealing the stopper.

The spider in the bottle was too small, but fortunately, cultivators had extraordinary vision, allowing him to barely make out the ghostly face on its back.