Rong City.
Two elderly men sat opposite each other, sipping fragrant tea.
After a moment, one of the elders put down his teacup, frowned slightly, and said, "How strange, why haven’t Ji Ming and the others returned yet?"
"Indeed, according to my prediction, they should have brought back the Longevity Technique by noon..."
The elder opposite reacted, promptly changing his tone, "They should have brought back that thing by now, it’s already late, and there’s not even a message. What’s going on?"
"Could something have happened along the way?"
Third Brother of the Qin Family’s face changed.
Although the Longevity Technique’s disappearance was a closely guarded secret within the Qin Family, even among their own members, few knew.
But what if that little brat had leaked the secret?
In Yan Country, there were plenty of people coveting the Longevity Technique.
"Should I try a divination again?"
Fifth Brother of the Qin Family asked softly upon hearing this.
The elder felt a wave of unease rise in his heart.
"No need."
Third Brother of the Qin Family waved his hand, saying, "I’ll call them first and see what’s going on. If I can’t reach them, then you can try divination."
"Alright."
Fifth Brother nodded.
Third Brother of the Qin Family finished speaking and picked up the phone on the table, dialing Qin Jiming’s number.
"Beep, beep, beep..."
After three rings, the call was answered.
"Th-Third Uncle..."
Qin Jiming’s voice sounded, somewhat guilty.
There were also several subtle breathing sounds around him, indicating that there were quite a few people.
Fifth Brother of the Qin Family felt a sense of relief in his heart.
Being able to answer the phone meant probably nothing had gone wrong.
But immediately after, a feeling of anger surged in his heart, questioning, "What’s going on, it’s already this late and you’re still not back? And there’s not even a message, don’t tell me you haven’t found that thing?"
This comment caused immediate silence on the other end of the line.
Fifth Brother of the Qin Family’s face darkened instantly.
He asked this out of speculation.
Unexpectedly, he guessed correctly?
Earlier when Fifth Brother wasn’t there, it was understandable that the juniors failed to find it.
But now Fifth Brother had come and even provided a general location, yet still they hadn’t found it?
Opposite Fifth Brother of the Qin Family, sensing the situation, his eyes widened.
On the other side, Qin Jiming and his brothers turned pale as paper.
They dared not return because they hadn’t found the item.
But they had tried their best, setting off at dawn and searching till nightfall, yet the jade stone on them showed no reaction.
Originally they thought they were just unlucky, but when they regrouped, they found out no one had encountered it.
This relieved them but also left them incredulous.
Fifth Uncle’s capability was well known within the family.
If he said they could find it here, they should be able to find it. But why was everyone saying they found nothing?
Someone must be lying!
Maybe they encountered it but didn’t notice, or pursued it alone for credit and failed, then chose to conceal the truth out of fear of punishment.
Thus, suspicion-filled looks began to form among them.
"Speak!"
Third Brother of the Qin Family angrily said, "Are you deaf? Or mute?"
His angry voice transmitted through the phone.
The other members of the Qin Family either looked up at the sky or stared down at their shoes.
Qin Jiming, in his desperation, had to muster the courage, "Reporting to Third Uncle, we have been searching all day but still haven’t found the object’s whereabouts."
"What!"
Third Brother of the Qin Family stood up abruptly, his beard trembling with rage.
"You dare say that again!"
"Th-Third Uncle."
Qin Jiming’s voice shook, "We’re really sorry, as of now, we still haven’t found any trace of that person. But rest assured, we will continue searching here non-stop until we find it."
"Yes, yes, Third Uncle, we’ll keep searching."
"Third Uncle, please grant us some more time, we assure you we will complete the mission."
Hearing this, the others chimed in.
Feeling quite frustrated.
The Longevity Technique was not lost by them, yet they were being dragged out to search.
Where could they justify this?
"Useless! All of you are useless!"
Third Brother of the Qin Family angrily clenched his teeth, if not for Fifth Brother sitting opposite him, he would have kicked the table over.
"Couldn’t find it earlier, fine, but now knowing the general location and still can’t find? Why did the Qin Family raise you lot? So many resources invested in you, yet you can’t handle such a small task? Speak!"
"Sorry, Third Uncle, all faults are mine, it’s not the others’ fault." Qin Jiming hurriedly admitted.
Beside him, Qin Hao did the same.
He recalled how Third Uncle had never been so angry at him before.
This time, he was evidently extremely disappointed.
Though, he thought if he were in Third Uncle’s place, he would react similarly.
This was why he dared not call back when the night fell.
The others might have enjoyed the spectacle, but they knew inside that they were all in the same boat.