C10 Marmin Xin Was Found!

Ma Tianming was on his way to Top Touching Mountain with Snake King Mah.

Those who were concerned about him, particularly Marmin Xin, hadn't forgotten them.

After Mei Jiangshan's people burned down the temporary cottage where Ma Tianming and his sister were staying, he began to speculate about their whereabouts.

If the siblings had left Golden Ocean, they would surely seek refuge with the Ma family relatives in Xunzhou. Consequently, Mei Jiangshan had his men watch the main road between Golden Ocean and Xunzhou.

If they hadn't left Golden Ocean, they would naturally turn to Ma Jun's friends and family there. The first person that came to mind was Ma Jun's uncle, Zhao Mu.

So, Mei Jiangshan personally went to ask him.

"They haven't come to me," Zhao Mu said, glancing at Mei Jiangshan, who sat arrogantly in the main seat with his nose in the air, yet Zhao Mu managed to keep his irritation in check.

"You're their blood uncle. If you don't know, who would?"

"Master Mei, what you don't understand is that I've severed ties with Ma Jun over my sister's issue. Consequently, his twins haven't been in contact with me and haven't set foot in my house for years."

Mei Jiangshan was aware of the rift between Zhao Mu and Ma Jun, so he didn't doubt his words, but he couldn't resist making a biting remark, "You're quite cold-hearted towards your own nephew!"

"Even if you've cut ties with Ma Jun, you must know about his trustworthy friends here. His children would surely seek out the person he trusts most. Think carefully, where might they have gone?"

Zhao Mu fumed internally, "You expect me to help you with your dirty work."

"I honestly don't know... I've broken off relations with him, so why would I keep track of who he trusts?"

"You'd better be telling the truth, because even if your daughter isn't particularly appetizing, I'll take her."

"Master Mei, I truly don't know," Zhao Mu replied, a chill running through him at the old man's disrespectful and lecherous intentions. Not only was he targeting a young woman, but he also had the audacity to use the word 'eat'.

He couldn't let anyone find out where his sister's daughter was, and it seemed his own daughter would need to leave Golden Ocean as well.

After issuing another threat to Zhao Mu, Mei Jiangshan departed from the Zhao residence with the grandeur of an emperor returning to his palace.

"Still, where could the siblings go? They turned away the matchmaker sent by Mei Jiangshan, so they must realize he won't let this go easily. Ma Tianming may be only seventeen or eighteen, but having the courage to dismiss the matchmaker, he's surely aware of the potential consequences."

Zhao Mu pondered over who had been close to Ma Jun in recent years. He was unaware of any recent connections, but what about past ones? There was Lee Beidou, the supervisor of Golden Ocean Academy, and Ma Jun's cousin, Ma Binn, who had always been under Ma Jun's wing.

He summoned Zhao Sheng, the chief of his guards, and gave him detailed instructions.

Zhao Sheng mused, "The master claimed ignorance earlier, but he clearly had a card up his sleeve. This is my chance – if I find the Ma siblings, the glory will be mine. I'll locate them first, then inform Master Mei. He's sure to reward me handsomely. Haha."

Lee Beidou of Golden Ocean Academy seemed the most likely connection.

Zhao Sheng staked out near Lee Beidou's home, but neither Ma Tianming nor Marmin Xin appeared, nor were there any signs of visitors.

He then turned his search to Ma Binn's residence. Known for his discretion and despite Ma Jun's support, Ma Binn was rather unremarkable, living in a secluded area. It took Zhao Sheng considerable effort and a bit of bribery to finally learn of Ma Binn's whereabouts from a neighbor.

"The man claiming to be the inspector's brother does live here, but that title is surely a farce. A real inspector's brother wouldn't be found in such an out-of-the-way and modest home."

The master's brother-in-law was not one to covet wealth. Even with a genuine desire to assist his brother, he simply lacked the means.

The likelihood was quite significant.

Zhao Sheng inquired, "Have there been any visitors at his place in the last few days?"

"Yes!" Ma Binn's neighbor, Yang Dali—a burly man in his thirties—said to Zhao Sheng with a hint of mystery, "Just yesterday, I happened to see a young lady leaving his house. I even tried to catch a glimpse of her, but I didn't see her; only his son came out."

"Is he home right now?"

"He is." Suddenly, it dawned on Yang Dali that this stranger who had come looking for someone might be up to no good.

Perhaps he was a trafficker preying on innocent women, or a rogue harassing young ladies.

"No, he's not!" Yang Dali quickly corrected himself.

"What do you mean, 'he is' and 'he's not'?" Zhao Sheng was already suspecting that it must be Miss Hao. When Yang Dali changed his story, Zhao Sheng instantly realized that this ruffian before him might be after the same beautiful lady.

In a swift motion, Zhao Sheng slapped Yang Dali across the face.

"You!" Yang Dali, taken aback by the unexpected slap, was about to retaliate when he received another slap.

Dazed and resentful, Yang Dali realized that this man was not only stronger but also skilled in martial arts, possibly even a warrior. He quickly said, "No harm done," and turned to flee.

"Stop!" Zhao Sheng called out urgently, "You better keep quiet about my visit here, or I'll crush your bones."

Zhao Sheng spoke with his fists clenched, ready to strike at any moment.

Yang Dali didn't dare to object, but he thought to himself that the beautiful lady was in trouble.

This is not good! I must find someone to help.

Zhao Sheng's mind was indeed filled with thoughts of the young beauty, Marmin Xin.

She had been a lovely child, and while she hadn't seemed particularly special then, her last visit to Zhao Mu's house revealed her full blossoming beauty.

Once Zhao Mu's niece with a father serving as a Patrol Inspector, Zhao Sheng would never have dared to entertain any inappropriate thoughts about Marmin Xin.

But the circumstances had changed. Patrol Ma was now in custody, and she had severed ties with Zhao Mu. Despite her once privileged status, there was no one left to shield her.

"It's a gift from the heavens, and I can't just ignore it!"

"I'm grateful to Master Zhao Mu for giving me the opportunity to seek her out. I'll have my way with her first, then claim I couldn't find her. Otherwise, such a beauty, unprotected by her father, will soon be taken by someone else.

It's like Mei Jiangshan, who's old enough to be her grandfather."