Many of the missing people followed similar patterns.
Some were running from debts, some were escaping arranged marriages, some had wandered away and others had died.
One particularly promising candidate turned out to be secretly maintaining three separate families in three different cities. Even Ashy had looked impressed by that achievement but Lin Mu merely rubbed his forehead.
The search continued as two weeks passed.
During that time Elder He Jian steadily approached One River City. News traveled surprisingly quickly as the elder had become somewhat famous across the region.
Every few days someone would speak about him.
A village would discuss how he had helped them deal with a beast infestation. A town would praise him for eliminating bandits. Travelers would mention seeing him teaching children or offering guidance to young cultivators free of cost.
The reports painted a remarkably consistent picture.
