They realized only then that they did not know much about Jin in the end. That aside, she was right that his family might be in danger. But then again, who knew where that family was? If he never told anyone about it, there wouldn't be many ways to find them. This, in a way, might be the safest kind of protection he could have given them. It was probably not done consciously but regardless, they didn't know how they would go about finding them if they had to search.

They spent some more time discussing with Soo-Min about Jin before the three of them changed topics towards the next lessons and some cultivation techniques.

Jin was no more than an old acquaintance by now. Someone you did not want to see hurt but wouldn't go out of your way to help either.

...

They were not the only ones who thought about finding his family. The Princess had given orders to secure them as soon as she began to start her hunt. Though she did not want to harm him, she did plan to use his family as bait like anyone else might.

Three months and two days after the end of the trial, her shadows finally brought her news of Jin's family. Due to the extreme lack of information, they had a tough time.

They only knew Jin's name and the sect he went to. Where could they even go from there? There were no records of the family within the sect and no one seemed to know anything. They asked many disciples who either spewed random bullshit in hopes to be given something or simply ignored. They did find out who he was friend with but those people did not help at all. It was quite natural for them not to be cooperative. Not going after him themselves was enough proof that they were friends who still considered him as such. As to whether he did however, they had no clue and no ways to find out.

As such, they searched for a family who had a son named Jin that disappeared throughout the area around the sect. Not once did it cross their minds that a kid could go on a journey for a few years alone in his quest to find the best learning place.

In the end, they found four families that filled those criterions after careful checks. The four of them vehemently defended themselves as the true genitors of 'Jin' but even the smart shadows had no ways to find the truth. They decided to report as it was to their liege. She would make the final decision.

After many deliberations, she ordered for the four families to be taken in as guests. Guests that should be treated well. Of course, she first asked to meet them.

Four couples and their kids stood in front of her as she sat comfortably in a large sofa. Her advisor behind her.

She didn't play around and went straight to the point: "You guys are the real families of Jin?"

All four families nodded right away. They had been promised many things to come all the way here and admit to such things. If they hadn't known that the Princess was looking for him to recruit him, they wouldn't have dared come forward like so. After all, others were after bounties and would likely not treat them well. However, this princess was rumored to want to cooperate amiably with the wanted man. It was a great opportunity for them.

All four of them did have a kid named Jin that disappeared someday. Throughout the surrounding territories of the twenty-two suns pavilion, there were many cities, villages and settlements. Obviously, there would be many families, especially mortal ones, with kids named Jin. And disappearances happened. The security was very good in the Empire compared to some other places but there was no such thing as a no-crime zone.

Kids that died because they wandered into forests alone, or drowned in rivers, or were kidnapped by sects or wandering cultivators... Many possibilities existed. This made it a pain for whoever searched for the real family though.

The Princess was not here to joke. She stated warmly: "I will grant the greatest of treatment to Jin's family"

The four families beamed and shook from excitement. They were mortals. What was the greatest treatment from a princess? They had no idea but it had to be good.

However, her next words poured cold water onto their dreams: "However, it is obvious that he can only have one family so, some people here are trying to deceive me. Let me tell you that lying to me would be punished by something worse than death. If you want to admit to your wrongdoings, now is your last opportunity. Think wisely"

None of the four families changed their minds. Though, as a cultivator, she could perceive that all of them were sweating. It was as if they were all liars... But it should be impossible. She had complete faith in her shadows. If those four families were the only ones, it had to be one of them. She had them leave.

Not long later, one of the family decided to leave after admitting their lies. They were beheaded.

Within her office, she asked the shadows: "Are you certain that his family is one of those?"

The leader of the shadows went up and stated: "We are not, Princess. However, these are the only families fitting the criterions in the surrounding area"

She turned to her advisor and asked him: "What's your take on this?"

He said: "They lost a kid and that kid became a man. It would not be too surprising that they aren't even certain themselves. Then again, it is possible that none of them are the real ones. But I fear such a thought"

She asked back: "Why is that?"

The man explained: "The shadows are trustworthy which means that those really are the only ones around. If none of them are the real ones, then it can only mean that he changed his name before joining the sect or that he came from beyond the delimited area"