Faced with the disgraceful betrayal of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, Chu Xingchen unhesitatingly examined his traits.

[Target: Guan Quan]

[Blue Trait: Flexible Bottom Line]

[White Trait: Somewhat Intelligent]

[White Trait: Ruthless]

[Black Trait: Low Talent]

Seeing these traits, Chu Xingchen smiled with satisfaction. A flexible bottom line—wasn't this exactly the kind of talent he was looking for?

Not bad luck, I'll choose him.

Chu Xingchen remarked, "You seem like a talented person. Having your own dock here isn't easy, is it?"

Guan Quan smiled sincerely, "Thanks to the good fortune of you two officials, I manage to get by."

"We're here to ask for your help with a case," Chu Xingchen said, patting Guan Quan on the shoulder. "You should have some time, right?"

"No problem, whatever the officials need, everyone at my dock will do their best to help."

"No need for so many people, just you will do."

Guan Quan was taken aback. Just him?

With the things he's been up to lately, he's no better than Pockmarked Wang the Second, who just reported him.

Who would dare follow the Squad Leader of the Demon Suppression Bureau on a case?

Are these two planning a sting operation?

They say it's to help with a case, but could it be they're here to deal with him?

Guan Quan hesitated and tried to refuse, "Officials, many hands make light work..."

"Indeed, Captain, we should call more people from the Demon Suppression Bureau," Chu Xingchen first nodded in agreement, then his expression changed, and he looked at Guan Quan with a fierce tone, "You'd better call more people too! Don't say we're bullying you!"

The threat was clear.

Faced with Chu Xingchen's threat, Guan Quan quickly knelt.

He had no choice; these two were clearly looking for trouble. This dock was all he had. He could run, but the dock couldn't run with him.

He could only show a pained expression and speak in a pleading tone:

"Officials... can't you discuss the case here? I'll cooperate fully."

Seeing Guan Quan on the verge of tears, Chu Xingchen decided to get to the point before he really scared him off:

"You've recently had someone buying a lot of ritual base stones at high prices, haven't you?"

Guan Quan was startled, feeling uneasy inside. As he pondered how to respond, he glanced up to see Chu Xingchen's half-smiling expression.

Taking a deep breath, Guan Quan forced a smile and said, "Yes, there's a group that bought a lot of ritual base stones, and they didn't care about the markup at all."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Wanqing's eyes lit up instantly. If she didn't understand by now, she'd be a fool.

She quickly asked, "Who bought them? What's their name?"

Guan Quan gave Zhao Wanqing a strange look, hesitating to speak.

How did this naive girl become a squad leader? Why do you think people spend so much money here instead of buying from the proper Treasure Pavilion?

Obviously, it's because their identity can't be revealed, or their face is already on a wanted poster.

Zhao Wanqing quickly realized her mistake upon seeing Guan Quan's strange expression.

Chu Xingchen said seriously, "Alright, you should know by now what that group is doing with the base stones, right?"

Guan Quan replied with a tone of grievance, "How could we possibly..."

Chu Xingchen interrupted coldly, "Think carefully before you answer. You only get one chance."

Seeing Chu Xingchen's cold expression and hearing his tone, Guan Quan knew he had to confess something today.

He glanced at his many subordinates around him, feeling helpless.

Guan Quan quickly raised both hands, "Sir! I really don't know!"

Chu Xingchen instructed Zhao Wanqing beside him:

"Take him away."

Zhao Wanqing hesitated for a moment. What good would taking him away do?

Are they planning to take him back to the Demon Suppression Bureau for interrogation?

By the time they pry open his mouth, it might be too late.

Nevertheless, Zhao Wanqing obediently escorted Guan Quan out.

All the subordinates watched their boss being taken away, but none dared to intervene.

Guan Quan cooperated fully, offering no resistance, but shouted:

"Officials! I really don't know!"

Chu Xingchen ignored him and turned to leave.

Zhao Wanqing followed closely, escorting the still-shouting Guan Quan.

After walking a short distance, Chu Xingchen suddenly turned into an alley.

Zhao Wanqing quickly pushed Guan Quan into the alley, but it was a dead end.

Chu Xingchen stood aside, watching them.

Guan Quan stopped shouting and spoke in a fawning tone, "Officials, could you loosen your grip?"

Zhao Wanqing looked at Chu Xingchen, and upon receiving his nod of approval, she released her hold.

Chu Xingchen asked, "Can you talk now?"

"They seem to be a group of evil cultivators. The recent blood sacrifices are probably their doing."

Guan Quan quickly said, "Officials, I only sold a little of that batch, and once I knew what they were doing, I never sold to them again!"

Zhao Wanqing looked at the previously defiant Guan Quan, now as compliant as a lackey.

This...

Chu Xingchen's expression showed slight impatience, "Say something useful."

"They're likely setting up a large ritual! A very large one!" Guan Quan quickly said, "I have information that they bought a Supreme Profound Stone as the core of the formation!"

Chu Xingchen asked, "Who sold it?"

Guan Quan blurted out, "Pockmarked Wang the Second sold it!"

This time, Zhao Wanqing instinctively reached for the short knife at her waist before Chu Xingchen could ask further.

Chu Xingchen was a bit speechless, "What exactly did Pockmarked Wang the Second do to offend you so much?"

"No, it really was Pockmarked Wang the Second who sold it! I had originally spent a lot to get one, but Pockmarked Wang the Second snatched the business! I lost a lot of money on that stone!"

Zhao Wanqing was also speechless upon hearing this. So that's what happened.

Guan Quan pleaded, "Officials, that's all I know."

"You're not being honest," Chu Xingchen said, patting Guan Quan on the shoulder. "Do you think we're here just to try our luck? Guess who sent us to find you?"

Guan Quan's expression changed instantly, and he cautiously asked:

"Pockmarked Wang the Second?"

Chu Xingchen summoned his Spirit Sword, placing it directly at Guan Quan's neck, and said coldly:

"It was your great-grandmother. She came to me in a dream yesterday and said if you dare hide anything, I should send you to meet her!"

Facing the Spirit Sword at his neck, Guan Quan's face crumpled, and he quickly said:

"It really was Pockmarked Wang the Second who sold it! All I know is that the group of evil cultivators call themselves the Spirit Evil Sect. I truly don't know their specific plans!"

Chu Xingchen sneered, "Don't know? Aren't their people still at your dock?"

Guan Quan was stunned by this, then looked sharply at Chu Xingchen, but only saw a teasing look in his eyes.

Is this guy bluffing or does he really have intel?

But the longsword at his neck was definitely not a bluff, as the Spirit Sword emitted an endless chill, constantly pricking his skin.

Guan Quan took a deep breath and said:

"They're from Central State!"