Chapter 54: The Swallow of the Azure Sea

Under the swift driving of Blue Lotus Frost, the Ferrari soon arrived at the entrance of the Azure Dragon Society’s branch headquarters. As the two stepped out of the car, another vehicle pulled up behind them—a new, elongated Bugatti Veyron in striking red, its front gleaming with the exclusive radiance of luxury automobiles.

The door opened, and out stepped a woman draped in a voluminous red coat. She appeared to be in her forties, yet her skin was radiant and well cared for, bearing the unmistakable mark of wealth and privilege. Her figure was full, accentuated by black silk stockings that revealed the allure of mature femininity. Even Jiang Xiaofei was momentarily stunned by her presence.

No sooner had she exited the car than a young man in a black suit hurried from the building, greeting her with utmost respect. “President Cang, please come inside. The vice president is aware of your arrival and asked me to welcome you.”

She nodded slightly and followed the young man into the building.

Blue Lotus Frost watched the woman enter, her brows furrowing. “I hadn’t expected even the president of the Cang Dragon Society to come in person. Clearly, this matter is far from simple.”

Jiang Xiaofei, hearing this, frowned and asked, “You know her?”

Blue Lotus Frost nodded. “That woman is Cang Haiyan, president of the Cang Dragon Society. Rumor has it she also heads the Enforcement Council within the Mage Association and is influential enough to speak before the Grand President. She’s a formidable figure.”

Jiang Xiaofei nodded thoughtfully. “Doesn’t that make her Principal Zhou’s superior?”

Blue Lotus Frost said nothing further and strode into the building. Seeing this, Jiang Xiaofei hurried after her.

Meanwhile, in an office on the sixth floor, Zhou Shiqin rose to greet Cang Haiyan as she entered. “President, you’re here.”

Cang Haiyan nodded, then turned to Xu Jianing, who had also stood up. “No need for formalities, President Xu. Please, sit.”

Xu Jianing resumed her seat and spoke. “The members we sent from the Azure Dragon Society to monitor Gao Muqiu have lost contact. Reviewing the surveillance footage, we found they followed a vehicle to an abandoned factory. When our people arrived, they discovered the members were dead.”

Cang Haiyan’s brow tightened. “Do you know who was responsible?”

Xu Jianing shook her head. “Not yet. But I’m certain this is connected to Gao Muqiu. Because her identity is sensitive, I wanted to ask President Cang to oversee the investigation.”

Cang Haiyan nodded. “Rest assured, if Gao Muqiu is indeed responsible, I promise that the Enforcement Council will thoroughly investigate and hold her accountable.”

Xu Jianing thanked her. “I appreciate your help, President Cang.”

“It’s no trouble. The Mage Association cannot ignore such incidents,” Cang Haiyan replied, then turned her attention to Zhou Shiqin. “Where is this Jiang Xiaofei you mentioned?”

Zhou Shiqin smiled. “I’ve already notified him. He should be arriving soon.”

Just as she finished speaking, Jiang Xiaofei entered, apologizing, “Sorry, I’m late.”

Zhou Shiqin smiled, “You’re not late at all. Please, take a seat.”

Jiang Xiaofei nodded and sat beside Blue Lotus Frost on the sofa.

Zhou Shiqin addressed Jiang Xiaofei, “Allow me to introduce—”

Jiang Xiaofei interrupted, “No need. Blue Lotus Frost has already told me.”

“Very well,” Zhou Shiqin nodded, saying no more.

At that moment, Cang Haiyan smiled and said, “You must be Jiang Xiaofei. I feel as though we’ve met before.”

Jiang Xiaofei smiled, though his brow furrowed. “You must be mistaken, President Cang.”

Cang Haiyan said nothing further.

Seeing this, Zhou Shiqin quickly said, “Weren’t you planning to report Gao Muqiu? President Cang from the Enforcement Council is here now—you may report to her.”

Jiang Xiaofei nodded, turning to Cang Haiyan. “President Cang, Gao Muqiu is a major suspect in this case. You mustn’t let her slip away. It’s best to send people to arrest her throughout the city.”

Cang Haiyan frowned. “I am aware of the missing children case and understand your urgency. However, apprehending Gao Muqiu would have serious repercussions for the Mage Association. Without conclusive evidence, we cannot proceed with an arrest.”

Jiang Xiaofei pressed, “But President Cang, if we delay, those missing children could be in grave danger.”

Cang Haiyan smiled. “You needn’t worry. I have already dispatched the Mage Association’s most elite members to search the city for the missing children. I believe we will have results soon.”

Jiang Xiaofei nodded. “Very well. But don’t blame me for not warning you—if Gao Muqiu’s scheme succeeds, it will be too late for regrets.”

Cang Haiyan’s expression soured. “What do you mean by that? Are you doubting the Mage Association’s ability, or do you believe you alone can solve this case?”

Jiang Xiaofei remained silent.

Xu Jianing, observing, smiled. “I actually agree with Jiang Xiaofei.”

Cang Haiyan’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean by that, President Xu?”

Xu Jianing replied, “Because there’s something supernatural at play.”

Cang Haiyan frowned. “You claim there’s something supernatural—can you prove it?”

“If you doubt it, you can examine the autopsy reports of the three Azure Dragon Society members who died,” Xu Jianing said, picking up the report previously placed on the desk and handing it to Cang Haiyan.

Cang Haiyan glanced at the report, and her expression changed. The autopsy showed unnatural deaths—the flesh had been hollowed out, and they died from complete depletion of life force.

This result made Cang Haiyan grave, for she knew well that anyone capable of consuming human flesh in such a way employed exceedingly cruel methods. If the missing children had truly fallen into such hands, the consequences would be unimaginable.

With this in mind, she set the report down, her expression solemn. “Since the matter is this serious, I will immediately order the citywide arrest of Gao Muqiu. We must control her first.”

At that moment, Jiang Xiaofei spoke, “President Cang, please wait.”

Cang Haiyan frowned. “Do you have something to add?”

Jiang Xiaofei replied, “President Cang, the arrest must proceed, but it cannot be public. It must be done in secret, or else we risk alarming the snake. Once it’s alert, catching it will be far more difficult.”

“Very well. We’ll do as you suggest,” Cang Haiyan said, and called Zhou Shiqin and Xu Jianing to leave the office with her.

After Cang Haiyan departed, Blue Lotus Frost spoke, “Speaking of searching for the missing children, I know a divination technique that can trace their whereabouts, but it requires the blood of a close relative.”

Jiang Xiaofei’s eyes brightened. “Why didn’t you mention this earlier?”

Blue Lotus Frost replied, “There wasn’t an opportunity before. I’m telling you now, aren’t I? Why are you so anxious?”

“All right, let’s go find the families of the missing children now.”