"Brother Wuma, you know me — I'm not one for jokes."
"Of course I'm being serious," the Patriarch of the Chu Heavenly Clan said.
"Brother Chu, if you're willing to lend a hand, that would be absolutely wonderful." Upon hearing confirmation, the Supreme Elder of the Wuma Heavenly Clan was overjoyed, looking for all the world like a drowning man who had just spotted a lifeboat.
"Brother Wuma, can you locate those two girls?" the Patriarch of the Chu Heavenly Clan asked.
"Brother Chu, those two girls are far from ordinary. She left calmly and deliberately — how could she possibly have left any clues behind?" Just thinking about the matter gave the Supreme Elder of the Wuma Heavenly Clan a splitting headache.
"Do you know anything about their origins?" the Patriarch of the Chu Heavenly Clan pressed.
"No," the Supreme Elder shook his head.
"Then do you have any plan of action?" the Patriarch continued.
"No." The Supreme Elder shook his head once more.
"Brother Wuma, how exactly do you expect me to help you?" The Patriarch of the Chu Heavenly Clan sighed, thoroughly exasperated.
He and Chu Feng had come here specifically to obtain information about Su Rou and Su Mei from the Wuma Heavenly Clan — yet it was now clear that they knew absolutely nothing either.
"For the time being, all we can do is set a trap and wait for them to come to us."
"But our clan's territories across the Red Province Upper Realm are vast, and we have no way of knowing which one they'll target. What's more, they used to raid frequently, but their activity has slowed down considerably of late. We're not even sure whether the two of them are still in the Red Province Upper Realm," the Supreme Elder of the Wuma Heavenly Clan said.
"Brother Wuma, if that's the case, how am I supposed to help you?" The Patriarch of the Chu Heavenly Clan was visibly frustrated.
"The Punishment Hall has been searching for their traces all along. If they find anything, I hope Brother Chu will step in to assist," the Supreme Elder of the Wuma Heavenly Clan said.
"You have my word," the Patriarch of the Chu Heavenly Clan replied.
In truth, he felt deeply helpless at this moment. Moon Immortal — the entity who had seized the bodies of Su Rou and Su Mei — had been powerful enough to wound even the Supreme Elder of the Wuma Heavenly Clan. How could anyone from the Punishment Hall possibly deal with her?
And so the Patriarch of the Chu Heavenly Clan held no hope whatsoever for the Punishment Hall's efforts. He had already made up his mind to investigate the matter himself.
"In that case, since I've already agreed to help… I'll conduct my own investigation as well and see if I can find even a single lead," he said.
"If you're willing to do that, then even better. Brother Chu… you truly are our Clan Head's closest friend. I hardly know how to thank you enough." The Supreme Elder's face was full of genuine gratitude.
"Supreme Elder!" Just then, an elder's voice came from beyond the hall doors.
"If it's not urgent, it can wait — can't you see I'm hosting an important guest?" the Supreme Elder of the Wuma Heavenly Clan snapped, clearly displeased.
"Supreme Elder, I have an urgent matter to report." The elder spoke again.
Hearing this, the Supreme Elder's expression shifted slightly. He turned to the Patriarch of the Chu Heavenly Clan and cupped his fists. "Brother Chu, please wait a moment."
With that, he stepped outside.
Before long, he returned to the hall — and this time, he wore a broad smile, as though some wonderful news had just landed in his lap.