The villa was set up with formations, so very little could escape Qi Quan's notice. She knew Ling Sheng had summoned a little sparrow and was aware of its destination.
In the original story, Qi Yingxue's disguise fooled everyone. In contrast, the real heiress appeared impulsive, thoughtless, foolish, and unreasonable.
However, aside from that, she hadn't committed any more grievous sins. A bit of bad luck was sufficient to settle that karmic debt.
"Thank you for helping me vent my anger. She has received her due lesson; that's enough," Qi Quan said with a smile.
Her eyes held a gentle warmth, shining brightly like flawless gemstones.
Ling Sheng's lips involuntarily curved upwards, his eyes and brows coming alive with vivid expression.
In front of Qi Quan, he conjured a wisp of black energy in his palm, sent it forth, and a few seconds later, drew it back in.
System: [Big shot, what does that mean?]
Qi Quan: [It means he has retrieved the bad luck he sent to Qi Yingxue.]
[Oh, I see. Why does he still not speak?]
Qi Quan glanced at the young man's neck. When he was trapped in the cave, a tiny locking collar had clamped around his neck, biting deep into his flesh—a torment beyond ordinary endurance.
Yet he had borne it for over a decade.
If not for the powerful self-healing ability of his innate spiritual body, he would have been deformed long ago.
"Master, Officer Han is here to see you." Su Rong's gentle voice sounded from outside the room.
Qi Quan: "Understood."
She stood up and left the room, with Ling Sheng following closely behind her.
Qi Quan paused, turning to look at him: "Have you finished today's homework?"
Ling Sheng: "..."
He lowered his head dejectedly and changed direction.
Qi Quan entered the living room to see Han Mian.
Han Mian had come with a request.
He had been busy with the case these past few days, his eyes bloodshot, his voice hoarse from exhaustion.
“Master Qi, Master Ning and the others have seen that girl. We plan to go along with the scheme, pretending to be Ma Sisi returning to Longtan City, and follow the clues of her uncle Ma Zhi. Master Ning says there's an illusion technique in the mystical arts community that can disguise someone as another person, and he can perform it. But this case most likely involves the mystical arts community. If we encounter a master from that world, we'll probably be seen through.”
"And so?" she prompted.
"So, could you possibly spare the time to come with us to Longtan City?" Han Mian asked, his tone apologetic.
Qi Quan: ...
[Big shot, you really want to refuse, don't you?] The system, now quite familiar with her homebody nature, guessed.
[Longtan City is so far away.]
System: Pfft.
Actually, it was only just over two hours by car.
Qi Quan held her teacup: "Ning Zhi is capable enough."
"Master Ning says a Level Four Master is too weak. If we encounter a formidable opponent, he's afraid he won't be able to handle it," Han Mian explained, equally helpless.
He never imagined he'd one day be handling cases like this.
Qi Quan: ...
Since when could a Level Four Master be considered "too weak"?
[Big shot, think about it. Since Ning Zhi came to Longjiang City, every master he's met has been Level Four or above. The weakest, Qin Ruo, is Level Four. Ding Ji and Yan Wu are Level Six. And you, well, we won't even go there.]
How could that not be a blow to his confidence?
Qi Quan: ...
The system teased: [Big shot, do you still have material for your novel? Maybe you should go out, get some inspiration, do some field research.]
Qi Quan: That makes sense.
"The Diary of a Wealthy Family" was now her lifeline. For the sake of her little life, she should indeed take a trip.
"Alright, I'll go with you."
Han Mian felt a wave of relief.
"Officer Han, please wait outside for a moment. I have a few words for my household."
Han Mian complied and stepped out.
Qi Quan gathered the three ghosts and one person in the living room for a small meeting.
"I'm going to Longtan City. While I'm away, everyone listen to Steward Su. It's best not to leave the villa before I return. The villa's formations can withstand attacks from masters below Level Eight."
Su Rong understood: "The Mystical Arts Association lost face yesterday; they'll definitely try to reclaim it."
"How many days will you be gone?" Xue Hong smoothed the hem of her black dress.
Qi Quan: "It depends on the situation."
"Master, are you going to catch criminals?" Qi Zheng's eyes lit up.
Qi Quan nodded.
"Great!"
"And you," Qi Quan looked at Ling Sheng, "for now, don't use your spiritual power casually. Focus on your studies."
Ling Sheng blinked his eyelashes, indicating he understood.
[Sigh, probably won't see Ling Sheng for several days. Heartbreaking.] The system mumbled sadly.
Qi Quan stood up: "That's all. Meeting adjourned."
"Master." Su Rong stopped her, bringing a wooden lunchbox from the kitchen. "I made some pastries for the road."
System: [Wow, Steward Su is so thoughtful! Love it!]
Qi Quan: [So, do you love Steward Su or Ling Sheng?]
She took the box with a smile. "Thank you for your trouble."
[Can't I love both?] The system was conflicted.
Ling Sheng, seeing the smile on her face, seemed thoughtful.
Traveling light, as Qi Quan passed through the front courtyard's skywell, someone suddenly tugged her sleeve.
It was Ling Sheng.
He handed Qi Quan a white jade pendant.
The pendant was palm-sized, square, with a little sparrow carved on the front. The rest was smooth and polished.
The jade was probably from the household treasury.
Qi Quan was never stingy with her own people. Everyone could basically use the things in the house, just needing to apply in advance to Su Rong, who managed the treasury.
[Big shot, why is Ling Sheng giving you a jade pendant?]
[It contains a significant amount of spiritual energy. It can be a lifesaver in a critical moment.]
System: [Wow! I love Ling Sheng so much!]
Qi Quan accepted Ling Sheng's thoughtful gift and asked with a smile, "Did you carve the sparrow yourself?"
Ling Sheng nodded.
"It's very well done."
Ling Sheng showed obvious delight. His pupils were a shade lighter than most people's, making them seem exceptionally clear. They reflected Qi Quan's image, holding her within their small space.
"I'm leaving." Seeing him so obedient and endearing, Qi Quan couldn't help but reach out and gently pinch his cheek.
Ling Sheng nodded.
Qi Quan turned decisively and gradually disappeared beyond the courtyard gate.
After she left, both the people and ghosts in the house felt a gaping emptiness, lacking the spirit for anything.
"I'll go cultivate," Su Rong said, returning to his room.
For him, Qi Quan came first, cultivation second.
Xue Hong sighed softly, "I'll go read. Ling Sheng, remember to do your practice papers."
Qi Zheng scratched his head, "Then I'll watch TV."
The three ghosts dispersed. Ling Sheng returned to his room, worked on his papers for a while, then silently opened the tablet used for his lessons and started searching for cooking videos.
Qi Quan rode in the same car as Han Mian.
Since arriving in this world, this was her first time traveling so far.
From Longjiang City to Longtan City, the journey was over two hundred kilometers. The scenery along the highway wasn't particularly noteworthy.
Qi Quan leaned back in her seat, drowsy.
The system suddenly exclaimed: [Big shot! If you're on a business trip, what about your novel updates!]
Qi Quan said lazily: [I'll take a leave.]
Do you still have to write while on a business trip?
[No, you can't always take leaves. You're an author, you need to be responsible to your readers!] The system, being a writing assistant system, cared deeply about this.
Qi Quan found an excuse: [I didn't bring my laptop.]
[You can write on your phone!]
[...]
She automatically blocked out that statement and began circulating her spiritual energy to cultivate.
The system had to admit, although its host was overly lazy when it came to writing, she was absolutely more diligent than anyone in cultivation, truly practicing at every possible moment.
Top talent coupled with diligence—it's clear that such a high level of cultivation wasn't achieved for nothing.
By the time they reached the Longtan City expressway exit, it was already four in the afternoon.
The car slowed down as they began to pass through the ETC lane.
Han Mian, sitting in the passenger seat, turned his head and called out to Qi Quan.
Qi Quan opened his eyes.
"Master, we're about to get off the expressway. Just now, our colleagues from another unit sent me a message. Ma Zhi has already bought a ticket online to Longxi City. He plans to go find Ma Sisi using the address provided by Wei Huanyang."
Although Wei Huanyang had given the address yesterday, Ma Zhi was so addicted to gambling that he only remembered it after losing all his money. This coincidence gave Han Mian and his team just enough time.
Qi Quan nodded. "Then let's get there as soon as possible."
The young police officer driving couldn't help but ask, "Captain Han, I don't really understand. That Wei Huanyang could divine the address, but couldn't tell that Ma Sisi's parents are deceased? And leaking a citizen's private information—isn't that illegal? Isn't he afraid of getting arrested?"
Han Mian frowned. "Probably."
He actually understood the mindset of people like that.
He had handled many cases, quite a few involving high-society individuals. Most of these people were arrogant and looked down on ordinary folks; they simply wouldn't consider such "minor details."
If those who merely possessed wealth were like this, how much more so those from the mystical world with special abilities?
For those with extraordinary skills, mundane laws likely held no binding power at all.
Wei Huanyang was just a reflection of most people in the mystical community.
However, there were exceptions.
Like the utterly sincere Ning Zhi and Chen Feilu, or the seemingly lazy and indifferent yet actually kind and benevolent Qi Quan.
If the authorities really decided to establish their own team of masters, these three were definitely ones to recruit.
"Huh?" The young officer exclaimed in surprise, looking ahead and keenly sensing something wrong. "Why has fog suddenly appeared?"
Qi Quan glanced over and lightly tapped the car window. His spiritual power transformed into several fine needles, piercing into the fog ahead. After a few soft pfft sounds, the fog completely dissipated, almost as if it were fleeing in a hurry.
It was really like seeing a ghost.
Han Mian helplessly rubbed his forehead. Since he started handling supernatural cases, his worldview had begun to crumble.
Now he could even personify fog.
"Master, what was that just now?" he asked.
Qi Quan replied, "Just a roadblock set up by some ghosts and monsters."
"A roadblock?"
"Don't you have to pay when passing through a toll booth on the expressway?"
The young officer was confused. "Didn't it already get deducted just now?"
"The systems of the living world and the spirit world are separate."
"Then why should they collect money from us in the living world?" The young officer widened his eyes. That was just too unreasonable.
Qi Quan looked at the aggrieved, fleeing fog and smiled. "Maybe they could tell you guys are kind-hearted and easy to bully."
"..."
The eerie fog was just a minor episode. The car smoothly merged into the city's main road.
Compared to Longjiang City, Longtan City's economy was slightly less developed. Not only were there fewer lanes, but they were also particularly narrow.
Ma Zhi lived in an old, run-down neighborhood in the west of the city.
When they arrived, Ma Zhi happened to be rushing out of the neighborhood with a bag in hand, his son in tow.
Qi Quan had looked at recent photos of Ma Sisi. He cast an illusion spell on his face, transforming it into Ma Sisi's appearance.
"Incredible! Truly incredible!" the young officer exclaimed in amazement.
Qi Quan got out of the car alone, turned the street corner, and came face-to-face with Ma Zhi and his son.
The moment the two saw her, it was as if they had spotted a gold ingot.
"Sisi!" Ma Zhi greeted her with a beaming face. "It really is Sisi! Haven't seen you in so many years, you've become so pretty."
Ma Zhi's son said with a snotty tone, "So you're back? Couldn't make it out there?"
He looked over Qi Quan's clothes, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes. Qi Quan, for convenience, was only wearing a gray tracksuit she had made herself. It had no brand label. Ma Zhi's son, seeing no logo, assumed it was just cheap street-market stuff.
Accustomed to comparing himself to others, he instinctively assessed his long-lost cousin.
Qi Quan wasn't good at acting. Keeping a straight face, she said stiffly, "Wasn't it you who deliberately posted pitiful stories online to find me? If I hadn't come back, were you planning to go to Longxi City? I came back this time specifically to find out: what do you want, pretending to be my parents?"
"Look at you, what kind of talk is that?" Ma Zhi, thinking she really had seen the posts online, put on a slick smile. "Your dad... was my brother. You're my niece. Round it off, aren't you just like my own daughter? Since you're back, let's go home first. Your aunt will make something nice for dinner tonight."
Qi Quan said, "Oh."
[Master, your acting is really stiff,] the system quietly complained.
Qi Quan: [In my past life, I never participated in missions like this.]
[Ha ha ha, was it because your acting was too poor?]
[No, it was because I had plenty of talented people under me.]
System: Ah, got shown up.
Fortunately, Ma Zhi and his son didn't care about her attitude. After so many years apart, it was normal for the relationship to be distant and cold.
Anyway, she was just a girl. Now that she was back, could she possibly run away again?
The neighborhood was very old. A garbage shed was built to the side of the entrance. Trash was piled way outside with no one managing it. Flies buzzed incessantly, and the stench was overwhelming.
The system felt a bit sorry for her. [Master, this must be hard for you.]
[Hard? Why?]
[This place is so dirty and messy!]
Qi Quan: [Oh, it's okay.]
[This is just 'okay'?]
[Yeah. I've been to real landfills, working in piles of garbage.]
System: Oh... that...
It wasn't that it was prejudiced, but ever since it bound with its host, the host had always appeared lazy, casual, and particularly fond of comfort—not someone who seemed like they could handle dirty, hard work.
So it had been narrow-minded.
[Master, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have questioned your professionalism.]
[Hmm?]
[You are a dedicated and professional master!]
Qi Quan: That's really not necessary.
The Ma family lived on the third floor. The apartment was small, about fifty square meters, with two bedrooms. The layout was very cramped; with a few people standing together, there was hardly room to turn around.
The home was a mess. The coffee table was piled high with shells from sunflower seeds and peanuts. Crushed beer cans were casually thrown next to the sofa, and a cigarette butt was even stuffed into the seam of the sofa cushion.
A strange odor filled the room.
System: Numb.
Qi Quan glanced around, saw no place to sit, and showed a hint of subtle disgust.
"Your aunt is lazy; she hasn't cleaned up," Ma Zhi said hypocritically, wiping a chair with a napkin. "It's clean now. Sit, Sisi."
System: [He's so shameless! He's clearly the lazy one! A father and son relying on a woman to support the family, and still slandering her like this. So despicable!]
Qi Quan sometimes thought sending the system to teach ethics classes in school wouldn't be out of place.
She pulled out several napkins in a row, meticulously covered the entire seat of the chair, and only then sat down.
Ma Zhi and his son: ???
"Sisi, when did you become so particular?" Ma Zhi's son, his face covered in acne scars, looked at Qi Quan with a highly disrespectful gaze. "You've become very different."
Although Qi Quan wore the relatively ordinary face of Ma Sisi, the aura surrounding her couldn't be concealed.
It was normal for Ma Zhi's son to have such doubts.
"Enough nonsense. Tell me, why were you looking for me?" Qi Quan asked, maintaining her expression.
Ma Zhi sighed softly, "When you get old, you always end up reminiscing about the past. The other day, I saw a photo of your dad and suddenly remembered our childhood days, and I really missed him. You're his only flesh and blood, I... I..."
As he spoke, he choked up and began wiping away tears.
System: [Such acting talent, wasted on him.]
[He's ugly, so not a waste.]
System: Boss is as sharp-tongued as ever.
"Oh." Qi Quan responded coldly, making a move to stand up. "Well, now you've seen me. I should be going back."
"Don't! You've finally come back. Stay at least one night. Your aunt hasn't even seen you yet." Ma Zhi hurriedly stopped her. "Ajun, look after Sisi. I'm going out to buy some braised dishes and some meat for dinner to welcome Sisi home."
Ma Jun naturally nodded in agreement.
The door opened and closed, leaving only Qi Quan and Ma Jun in the room.
Ma Jun asked with a smile, "Sisi, do you have a boyfriend?"
"No."
"No is good, no is good." He chuckled. "You're still young, don't get fooled by anyone. Why not find someone here in your hometown? You'd know their background, and with family around to keep an eye out, nothing could go wrong."
Qi Quan: "You don't even have anyone yourself."
Ma Jun: "..." Ouch, that hurt.
He was almost thirty, had achieved nothing, his family was poor, and his looks were... less than pleasing to the eye. Finding a partner was simply impossible.
But now "Ma Sisi" was back.
Elsewhere, Ma Zhi went downstairs, passed the garbage room, and headed towards the nearby market while dialing a number.
"Brother Liang, it's me, Ma Zhi."
"Brother Liang, are you free tonight? Come over for dinner."
"You have plans?" Ma Zhi said with a grin. "But if you don't come to my place, what if the 'goods' get lost again?"
"That's right, found her."
"Okay, it's settled then. Yes, yes, yes, don't you worry one bit, she won't run."
Not long after, dusk began to fall.
Qi Quan sat quietly on a chair, cultivating. Ma Jun, meanwhile, made small talk, chattering incessantly in her ear. She occasionally hummed in response, but in truth, she wasn't listening at all.
"By the way, have you heard about the 'Six-Year-Old Ghost Child Appearing in a Dream' case? It happened in Ningtao County in our city. A child was killed in Chihe Village. Seventeen years later, he appeared in his father's dream, and the father actually found the remains based on it. Isn't that bizarre?"
Qi Quan: ...
Yeah, quite bizarre indeed.
Ma Jun said enthusiastically, "To be honest, I feel like Ningtao County over there really has a creepy vibe. There might actually be some ghosts or monsters."
"How so?" Qi Quan handed him the conversational lead.
Seeing her interest, Ma Jun got more excited: "You know that mountain in Ningtao County, right? Last night, a few middle schoolers apparently went into the mountains on a dare, and then went missing. Some teachers and parents went looking for them, and they went missing too. The situation blew up, the government sent a lot of rescue personnel, but who knew they'd lose contact after going in. Spooky, right?"
He couldn't help but pull out a cigarette, about to put it in his mouth and light it, but his peripheral vision caught Qi Quan pretending to leave, so he quickly stuffed it back.
"Don't go, I won't smoke."
Qi Quan sat back down; it had just been a feint.
Footsteps sounded outside the door, heavy and labored, as if each step up the stairs drained all their strength.
The footsteps stopped at the door. A key went into the lock, the cylinder turned with a click, and the door opened.
A woman stood outside.
She wore a dirty shirt and pants, thin as a rail, with messy hair showing a few gray strands. The wrinkles at the corners of her eyes were full of hardship and a certain numbness.
Yet, upon seeing Ma Jun, a trace of a kind smile appeared.
Ma Jun didn't appreciate it, his tone harsh: "Ugh, what's that on you? It stinks. Also, this is Sisi. Sisi, remember? She's back. We're having dinner at home tonight. Dad went to buy groceries. You should clean up the place before he gets back. It's filthy!"
"Alright! I'll clean up right away!" The woman stepped inside, not even glancing at Qi Quan, and rushed straight to the balcony to grab a broom and dustpan.
System: [I'm furious!]
System: [These two Ma's are parasites of society! Scum! Do they treat their wife and mother like slaves?]
System: [And now they want to sell Ma Sisi for money!]
It simply couldn't bear it!
Qi Quan couldn't help but smile. The system could be quite adorable sometimes.
By the time the woman finished cleaning the living room, dragging her exhausted body, Ma Zhi returned.
Behind him followed a man with a fleshy mole on his face.
His aura was ordinary, not someone from the Mystic Arts world.
"Sisi, this is Uncle Liang. Remember him? You've met before."
Qi Quan said coldly, "I don't remember."
Han Mian had given her a detailed introduction to Ma Sisi's situation on the way. Back then, it was this man with the mole who came to her home, looking her over with an appraising gaze, as if she were goods.
Ma Sisi had been orphaned young; surviving this long wasn't just luck.
...She was a smart girl. She hadn't shown anything at the time, but after they left, she quietly ran away.
So all these years, Ma Zhi only thought Ma Sisi had simply planned to go out and work, unaware that Ma Sisi had seen right through his intentions.
Wu Liang grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth.
"Already 24, huh."
It seemed like casual chat, but Ma Zhi caught his meaning.
He thought she was too old and wanted to lower the price.
He hurriedly said, "Only 24, still fine."
"Hey, Uncle Liang, Sisi has never been in a relationship," Ma Jun stepped forward, a hint of greed in his eyes. "You gotta help our Sisi find a good match, none of the bad ones."
Wu Liang pulled a cigarette from his pocket: "Easy enough."
Seeing the lighter approach the cigarette, Ma Jun immediately grabbed Wu Liang's hand, laughing it off: "Uncle Liang, it's stuffy inside. How about we go out for a smoke?"
Wu Liang glanced at him. "Alright."
The two went downstairs.
"Uncle Liang, I guarantee she's untouched. Think you can give me a good price?" Ma Jun fawned over him, lighting his cigarette.
Qi Quan extended her spiritual sense downstairs, hearing everything clearly.
"How much do you want?" Wu Liang asked, puffing smoke with a profound look.
Ma Jun held up a hand with all five fingers spread.
"You really dare to ask!" Wu Liang sneered.
Fifty thousand? Did he take him for a fool?
Qi Quan: Is fifty thousand a lot?
Is a person's future and fate only worth fifty thousand?
"Uncle Liang, money isn't worth much these days. What can fifty thousand even do? At most buy a second-hand no-name car."
Wu Liang: "Depends on whether the other side is satisfied."
"Deal."
After finishing their smoke, the two went back upstairs.
Qi Quan was truly fed up and had no intention of staying for dinner. She said, "I have some things to attend to. I'm leaving first."
"Don't! You haven't eaten yet!" In his anxiety, Ma Zhi reached out with his greasy, rough hand to grab her.
Qi Quan sidestepped to avoid it, her expression icy.
Seeing her so uncooperative, the three men in the house naturally wouldn't just let her go.
Wu Liang and Ma Zhi exchanged a look. Suddenly, Wu Liang pulled a talisman from his pocket and threw it at Qi Quan.
Qi Quan: ...
System: ...
That's it? Seriously?
It was a Mystic Arts Confusion Talisman. Back then, Qi Zheng fell into the lake precisely because Yan Wu had stuck one of these on him.
System: [This really is... showing off one's skill with the axe before Lu Ban, the master carpenter!]
Qi Quan played along with their act and, under the guidance of the Confusion Talisman, began walking in the direction they had intended.
She went downstairs, left the residential complex, hailed a taxi, and under the influence of the bewitching talisman, said, "To Zhuying New Village."
Zhuying New Village was in the east of the city. Taking the city roads, it would take about an hour.
The driver, afraid the journey would be boring, asked, "Mind if I turn on the radio?"
"Not at all."
The radio was broadcasting news: ["...Students from Ningtao County First High School have gone missing in Yao Mountain. Parents and teachers who entered the mountain to search have also disappeared. The county public security bureau and fire department dispatched dozens of rescue personnel into the mountain for search and rescue, but they too have lost contact and their whereabouts are unknown..."]
This news was the same as what Ma Jun had said.
The taxi driver sighed, "I'd heard before that Yao Mountain was strange, but I never thought even rescue workers would go missing. Ah."
[Big boss, so many people have disappeared. Could it be an evil ghost causing trouble?] The system hugged itself in fear.
Qi Quan: [It's not impossible.]
Seeing she wasn't responding, the driver thought she wasn't interested in the news and switched to a music channel.
The hour passed quickly.
Qi Quan stood before Zhuying New Village, looking at this complex that was only slightly cleaner than the one Ma Zhi lived in, and fell silent.
This cult organization not only did business with wealthy clients like He Jianshe, but also with ordinary people.
However, someone like He Chao could arrange a ghost marriage with a top-tier beauty celebrity like Yuan Qing, while the buyer in Zhuying New Village could only find someone of similar economic standing like Ma Sisi.
The cult organization was truly serious about doing business.
...
Having wasted so much time, she was growing impatient.
Inside a room in Zhuying New Village, a man and a woman were pacing anxiously.
"Brother Liang said he'd be here in an hour. Will he really come?" The woman clenched her hands, looking at her son's portrait on the altar, both nervous and expectant.
The man said, "He'll definitely come. If you don't trust Brother Liang, can't you trust the Master? Master, you must be getting impatient, right? Let me pour you another cup of tea."
Beside the table, a master with a long beard nodded arrogantly.
"No need to worry. The talisman won't fail."
"That's good, that's good—"
The voices cut off abruptly.
The man looked out the window in terror, his lips trembling so much he couldn't speak.
The night outside the window was thick, with faint starlight and scattered lights visible.
A woman floated in the air outside the window, silently watching the living room, just like a female ghost in a movie coming to claim a soul.
One must remember, their apartment was on the fifth floor.
"Ahhhhhhhhh—"
The woman's piercing scream startled the tea-drinking master.
A chill ran down the master's spine, his hair standing on end. He slammed down his teacup, shattering it, and was about to pull out a magical instrument to subdue the "female ghost" outside the window.
Qi Quan moved her finger slightly. The long-bearded master was involuntarily pressed against the window, his facial features distorted by the pressure, his eyes filled with terror.
A third-level celestial master could indeed act with impunity in Longtan City, but encountering Qi Quan was simply his bad luck.
This person's aura was tinged with black and red; he had done many heinous deeds. Even having his soul scattered wouldn't be an excessive punishment.
Qi Quan couldn't be bothered with wasting words on him. She directly hooked his soul and placed it into a peachwood talisman.
The corpse slid down the window and fell, still wearing the same terrified, disfigured expression from before his death.
The man and woman hosts: "Ahhhhhhhhh—"
Qi Quan's gaze turned to the portrait. Beside it stood a young male ghost, trembling with fear.
"Don't kill me! Don't kill me!" He knelt on the floor, crying and begging, "I died without even having a chance to fall in love! I can't accept it! I can't accept it! I'll never dare again..."
A cold light flashed in Qi Quan's eyes. Spiritual power struck his ghostly form, sending him directly into reincarnation.
The animal realm awaited him.
She descended to the ground and left the complex.
Han Mian and the others were already waiting outside the complex. Ning Zhi and Chen Feilu had also come.
"Master, you've worked hard." Chen Feilu handed her a hot drink. "Let's go eat first. The restaurant is already booked."
Qi Quan looked at him with satisfaction. "You and Ning Zhi have worked hard too."
"We didn't do much," Ning Zhi shook his head.
They had gone to Longxi City to protect Ma Sisi's safety, but it turned out the girl was quite capable herself and didn't need their protection at all. Moreover, Ma Zhi had missed his chance to go to Longxi City due to gambling, so they hadn't expended much effort.
Inside the residential building, quite a few people heard the screams of the man and woman. Neighbors from left and right all opened their doors to see what the commotion was.
The couple, terrified by Qi Quan, had fled their apartment and ran straight into the concerned neighbors.
"What happened?"
"What's going on?"
Everyone knew their son had died in an accident. The tragedy of parents burying their child had earned them the neighbors' sympathy.
Those who could help, did.
The couple shook their heads desperately. "It's nothing, really nothing!"
Someone with sharp eyes spotted a person lying by the window through the crack of the open door.
"Why is there someone in your house?"
"Someone? Who?"
The neighbors rushed into the apartment and saw the long-bearded Taoist master lying motionless by the window, his face frozen in terror. They all screamed.
A brave one went to check his breath—
"Someone's dead! Someone's dead!"
"He's really dead! Call the police!"
The couple closed their eyes in despair. It was over.
The neighbors called the police.
After the police arrived, the couple, utterly frightened, spilled everything like beans from a bamboo tube.
The police: "..."
They hired a master to arrange a ghost marriage for their dead son, and then the master was killed by a female ghost outside the window...?
What kind of nonsense was this!
"Who is this Brother Liang you mentioned?" the police asked.
The couple answered honestly, "He's the one who introduced us to the girl."
Introducing a girl for a ghost marriage?
The police officer's face darkened. "Do you have contact information? Do you know where he is?"
"Yes, we do."
And so, the previously undefeated ghost marriage business was exposed.
The onlookers looked at the couple with disdain.
Grieving the loss of a son was understandable, but arranging a ghost marriage? Wasn't that just creating bad karma?
How could they be so foolish!
Under the couple's confession, everyone involved, including Wu Liang and the father-son pair Ma Zhi, were summoned to the police station.
The veteran officer handling the case said, "This could turn out to be a major case!"
After interrogation, Ma Zhi and his son, as well as Wu Liang, all confessed.
The police officers were utterly shocked.
Who would have thought that in the unseen corners, such a sinister business chain was hidden?
Wu Liang had been operating on this line for a long time. Under the protection of the third-level celestial master, no one had discovered his tracks. Even when the police noticed cases of missing girls, they couldn't trace it back to this line.
However, during interrogation, he only confessed to the business chain in Longtan City. As for other regions, he claimed not to know.
"This is just too vile!" a young officer said indignantly.
To meet the "buyers'" demands, they scoured various places for "affordable girls," exchanging them for tens of thousands of yuan.
There were even ignorant parents who, to earn money, were willing to sell their own daughters.
"Even if a ghost marriage doesn't actually affect those girls, no matter what, it's still extremely disturbing!"
The veteran officer said gravely, "Doesn't affect them? Not necessarily."
Having handled many cases, he could see the bizarre aspects of today's incident at a glance.
"In the couple's statement, they said a female ghost suddenly appeared outside the window, and the female ghost killed the master, right?"
The young officer said, "Isn't that just their nonsense?"
The veteran officer glanced at him. "What did the forensic report say?"
"Hmm..."
It seems the cause of death really wasn't determined.
That point is truly baffling.
The old policeman let out a long sigh. "There's still so much in this world we don't know."
"..."
While Ma Zhi and the others were being interrogated, the Long-Bearded Celestial Master wasn't left out either.
His soul was trapped inside the peachwood plaque, forced to watch his killers eat and drink to their hearts' content. The bitterness and resentment in his heart were indescribable.
He had died just like that!
He was a Third-Level Celestial Master! Practically unmatched in all of Longtan City!
"Stop glaring," Qin Ruo advised, floating within the peachwood plaque. "Even a Sixth-Level Celestial Master would be turned to dust meeting her, let alone you, a mere Third-Level. Hah."
For Qi Quan to personally take action was already elevating his importance.
Long-Bearded Celestial Master: "..."
He glared furiously at Qin Ruo. "You old, ugly woman aren't fit to speak to me!"
Qin Ruo: "..."
Ahhhhhhh! She wanted to kill him!
After finishing her meal, Qi Quan, right in front of everyone, directly released the Long-Bearded Celestial Master's soul form. A pulse of spiritual power shot from her fingertip, making the soul form solidify. It landed on the ground, revealing a visible shape.
"Whoa!" a young officer exclaimed in surprise.
No matter how many times he saw it, he couldn't help but marvel, while simultaneously mourning his long-lost worldview.
"Who are you people? What right do you have to kill me? Do you know who I am?" the Long-Bearded Celestial Master raged.
Chen Feilu: "We are agents of justice. We killed you because you committed heinous acts. I don't know your name, but I know you deserved to die."
The system applauded: [Well said!]
The Long-Bearded Celestial Master swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue.
His eyes darted around, finally settling on Qi Quan's face. He put on a deep, meaningful air. "Young and arrogant. You have no idea what kind of disaster you've brought upon yourselves."
...
Qi Quan: "Know Ding Ji?"
Long-Bearded Celestial Master: ?
"He's dead." Qi Quan smiled slightly. "I killed him."
The Long-Bearded Celestial Master shuddered involuntarily.
"He died horribly. I used a soul-searching technique, but then the puppet talisman self-destructed. He exploded, leaving not even ashes behind."
"..."
Qi Quan propped her chin on one hand, smiling faintly. "Would you like to join him?"
The Long-Bearded Celestial Master suddenly deflated.
Of course he knew Ding Ji. That was the most powerful figure in the territories of Longtan, Longjiang, and Longxi cities, a Sixth-Level Celestial Master who dominated all three cities, dealing with their famous wealthy elites.
Not like him, only able to mingle in ordinary civilian circles.
Yet even such a supreme expert had died at the hands of a young woman.
Just who was she?!
"I'm just an insignificant little Celestial Master. I know the things I did were inhumane. I deserve to die. Please, let me go to the cycle of reincarnation."
Qi Quan: [Sigh, one after another. After doing wrong and getting caught, all they think about is going off to enjoy a carefree reincarnation, without a shred of remorse.]
The system: [Exactly! Can't let him off easily!]
Qi Quan's eyes darkened slightly. "Tell me everything you know, and I can send you to reincarnation."
A Celestial Master's spoken words are bound by the laws of heaven.
The Long-Bearded Celestial Master felt a wave of relief. Not caring about anything else, he said, "All I know is, the ghost marriage business isn't for money."
"Then what is it for?" Chen Feilu asked.
"I'm not sure either."
Qi Quan put herself in their shoes. In both her past life and this one, her first priority was life itself, and her second was money.
So, the mastermind behind this organization was most likely after life.
What connection could there be between arranging ghost marriages and extending one's life?
She closed her eyes, carefully recalling the "typical cases."
With Yuan Qing's talent, it was only a matter of time before she made it big in the entertainment industry; she could be considered someone with flourishing fortune. After being forcibly bound to He Chao, He Chao relied on her vitality and fortune to manifest at will, no different from a living person, but Yuan Qing consequently became "plagued by a curse star."
In other words, Yuan Qing's vitality and fortune were continuously being transferred to He Chao.
And then what?
Qi Quan had an inkling of an idea, but it wasn't clear.
Ultimately, even if she was an all-around genius, there were areas she hadn't delved into deeply enough, especially such sinister, underhanded methods.
Oh well, the road will appear when you reach the mountain. The truth will come out one day.
Any sinister conspiracy is a paper tiger in the face of absolute power.
She just needed to cultivate, cultivate, and cultivate some more!
Qi Quan waved her hand, having the Long-Bearded Celestial Master return to the peachwood plaque.
"Didn't you promise to let me reincarnate?"
Qi Quan said offhandedly, "Are you sure you told me everything?"
Long-Bearded Celestial Master: "..."
The puppet talisman was still carved into his soul. He didn't dare.
Qi Quan cast a seemingly casual glance at Qin Ruo.
Qin Ruo shrank back in fright to a corner of the peachwood plaque, putting on a pitiful, delicate appearance.
An insult to the term 'pitiful and delicate'.
Qi Quan understood perfectly well that Qin Ruo, even to this day, hadn't revealed all her secrets.
These evil cultivators had a bone-deep fear of the puppet talisman.
She didn't understand. Wasn't it better to be a free Celestial Master? Why willingly put on such a deadly shackle?
"Master, no more questions?" Han Mian inquired.
Qi Quan: "Mm. A Third-Level Celestial Master wouldn't have access to any core secrets."
Han Mian didn't press further.
This industry chain ran deeper than he had imagined.
"The matters in Longtan City will have to be left to the local police; it's not my place to interfere," he said. "Master, are you planning to return tonight or tomorrow?"
Just as Qi Quan was about to answer, her phone suddenly rang.
It was a call from Ning Zhi.
He took out his phone. "Second Uncle?"
His second uncle's voice was loud, coming through the speaker clearly enough for Qi Quan and the others to hear.
"Nephew, who has our Ning family offended?!"
Ning Zhi's heart tightened. "...What happened?"
"The Celestial Master Association says you've colluded with evil cultivators. They're going to investigate our Ning family. All the Celestial Masters in the Ning family have had their licenses revoked, and they're summoning you back to answer for it!"
"..."
The Celestial Master Association had made its move.
He asked, "How are you all doing now?"
"We're fine, just idle at home." Second Uncle Ning sighed heavily. "Nephew, tell me the truth. Did you collude with evil cultivators?"
Ning Zhi's expression turned cold. "No."
"We believe you're not that kind of person, but the Celestial Master Association wouldn't target you for no reason, right? Even though our Ning family is weak, if you're really in trouble, don't shoulder it alone. Tell us."
"Second Uncle..." Ning Zhi turned to face the wall, his voice slightly choked. "You taught me since I was young to uphold justice and punish evil. I wouldn't do bad things."
Second Uncle Ning: "Don't I know what you're like? Tell me, what exactly have you run into?"
"In Longjiang City, Longxi City, and Longtan City, I discovered a ghost marriage business chain involving people from the mystic arts community. Under the guidance of a certain senior, I found some clues and uncovered a few threads of it. Tell me, did I do wrong?"
Second Uncle Ning stated firmly: "Of course not!"
Ning Zhi smiled slightly. "Good. I'll tell you all the details when I get back."
He also believed he hadn't done wrong.
The ones in the wrong were those who neglected their duties and confused right with wrong.
