Mrs. Song left the lakeside villa, her mind unsettled as she headed to the hospital.
Her heart felt like it was in her throat the entire way.
She got out of the car and, stepping quickly in her low-heeled leather shoes, hurried into the hospital.
The floor numbers on the elevator display climbed slowly.
She took a deep breath, patted her cheeks, and prepared to face her husband and son with a relatively relaxed expression.
The elevator bell suddenly dinged.
A shiver ran through her whole body.
The elevator had arrived, the doors opened.
She stepped briskly out of the cabin. Before she could even reach the ward door, a tremendous crash sounded—
The hospital bed collapsed without warning.
Song Lin suffered secondary injuries and was rushed back to the operating room.
"How could this happen? How could this happen?" Thinking of her son's wretched state, she cried and slumped to the floor.
Qi Yingxue wiped her tears. "Auntie, this is beyond human capability now. Maybe... maybe we should seek out a master!"
She had been right by the bedside, witnessing the bed's sudden collapse firsthand, giving her a profound understanding of this "accident's" power.
Mrs. Song's face was ashen. "What kind of master?"
"Auntie, my mother and I met someone before. He said he was a Level Six Celestial Master from the Celestial Master Association and gave us a business card. I've heard Level Six is extremely high, very high. Shouldn't we try?"
"Level Six... is it really that high?" Mrs. Song clung to this last hope like a drowning person.
Qi Yingxue nodded. "I specifically inquired. Among Celestial Masters, Level Six is equivalent to a top-tier expert."
"Good, quick, try it quickly!" Mrs. Song could not bear another blow.
A Level Six Celestial Master must be more capable than a young woman in her early twenties.
It wasn't that she didn't believe Qi Quan, but Qi Quan seemed too young and had proposed a method she couldn't accept.
What if another master could suggest a more perfect solution?
She looked at Qi Yingxue with anticipation.
Qi Yingxue took out her phone and sent a message back to Yan Wu.
At the appointed time, Yan Wu arrived at the hospital and saw the re-bandaged Song Lin.
He was horrified!
Thick, churning black energy swirled at the center of Song Lin's forehead. Only a Level Six or higher malevolent spirit could leave such intense yin energy on a living person.
Spirits of that rank mostly harbored extremely deep obsessions. If it wanted to toy with someone, it wouldn't allow others to interfere. Anyone meddling would likely get themselves into serious trouble.
He knew his limits.
But he was curious: where had this wealthy young master provoked such a formidable spirit?
"Before these 'accidents' started, did he go anywhere unusual?"
Qi Yingxue: "The northern suburbs! The abandoned factory in the northern suburbs!"
The northern suburbs?
Yan Wu froze in place, memories from years ago flooding back.
Ten years ago, he was just a small-time operator, running a low-end ghost marriage business chain in Longjiang City.
As the business expanded, he received rewards from the organization, gaining many cultivation resources, and became unmatched within Longjiang City.
His cultivation had reached Level Five at the time.
His profound skill earned him many followers, making him a highly sought-after master in Longjiang City. Just as he was feeling smug, he received a job.
Someone asked him to subdue a spirit at the abandoned factory in the northern suburbs.
The place was desolate back then; he hadn't been there and didn't know what kind of spirit resided there.
He went, brimming with confidence.
The result? He went in standing up and came out lying down.
After that, too ashamed to stay, he fled Longjiang City in a panic.
He had buried this humiliation deep in his memory, almost forgotten, but now it was brought up again.
Yan Wu's hands began to tremble involuntarily.
That spirit was terrifyingly powerful ten years ago; ten years later, it would only be more horrifying.
The black energy on Song Lin's forehead seemed to morph into a pale, bluish ghostly face, roaring as it charged at him.
He took a step back.
Qi Yingxue: ???
Mrs. Song: ...
"...Ladies, it's not that I'm unwilling to help you," he took another step back, "but that entity is not someone I can provoke."
Before the two could speak, he hurriedly rushed out of the ward, but had a sudden inspiration at the doorway and blurted out:
"But there is one person who can!"
Mrs. Song's despairing face instantly lit up with hope.
"Who?!"
"Qi Quan!" Yan Wu's expression was strange. "In this world, probably only she can help you!"
Mrs. Song: "..."
Qi Yingxue, with her rich acting experience, instantly caught the malice and schadenfreude in his eyes.
Her heart skipped a beat.
If this spirit was truly so powerful, and if Qi Quan went to confront it, then...
"No! Not her!" Mrs. Song said with a grave expression.
Yan Wu was surprised. "You've already sought her out?"
"Yes." She didn't elaborate, her face cold. "Surely there are Celestial Masters more powerful than her in the world?"
"There are, of course."
Mrs. Song stared at him intently.
"It's just... you can't hire them." Yan Wu waved his hand. "If this isn't resolved, your son's condition will only get worse, until he loses his life."
He turned to leave, but before going, he shot an invisible black thread into Mrs. Song's hair.
Mrs. Song didn't notice. Overwhelmed by despair, she swayed and nearly fell.
Qi Yingxue cried, "Auntie, let's go beg Qi Quan. A Lin is in real danger now. Whatever she wants, I can give it to her!"
She thought Qi Quan's price was too high and Mrs. Song was unwilling to pay.
Mrs. Song gave a bitter smile. "Thank you, Yingxue. Let me think about it some more."
She walked slowly to her husband's bedside and sat down dazedly.
She knew very well what was more important: her husband and son's lives, or their wealth.
But what if?
What if she could deal with that spirit without having to disperse the family fortune?
Sunlight slanted in through the window, warm and cozy, yet she felt cold all over.
After returning home, Qi Yingxue told the Qi family about the matter.
"I specifically inquired before; Level Six Celestial Master is indeed a high rank. If even a Level Six Celestial Master dares not confront that thing head-on, then we shouldn't let Qi Quan take the risk," Qi Changrong said.
Gu Qiao also nodded.
They couldn't let their daughter take a risk for someone else's son, could they?
Even though this daughter had already severed ties with them.
Qi Yingxue said, "But Mrs. Song went to the lakeside villa before. From her expression, it didn't seem like she was just rejected."
"How so?" Gu Qiao asked, surprised.
"She seemed to be making a difficult decision," Qi Yingxue guessed. "Perhaps the entity is too hard to deal with, and the rules at the lakeside villa are quite strict."
Qi Lin glanced at her. "Don't interfere in this matter anymore. If the Song family needs other help, we can assist. But matters involving the mystical realm are the Song family's own affair."
"A Lin is right. You don't need to concern yourself with finding a master anymore," Qi Changrong stated decisively.
Qi Yingxue: "..."
Longlin City.
Ning Zhi exited the train station, where two young people came to greet him.
"Are you Investigator Ning?" The young man smiled warmly and extended his hand. "I'm Shen Hui from the Longlin City Investigation Department, a Level Two Investigator. This is my colleague, Tang Mian, a Level Three Investigator. We received orders from above to meet you at the station."
Ning Zhi checked his credentials and shook his hand.
Tang Mian stood nearby, hands in her pockets, a lollipop in her mouth, her hair in dreadlocks like a rebellious teenager, showing no intention of shaking his hand.
Ning Zhi didn't mind.
He said, "I'm here under orders from my superiors to investigate Wei Tianbao and Wei Tao."
Though he said "investigate," it essentially meant taking them into custody.
Regarding the Yaoshan Ghost Case and the Xue Hong Case, the authorities had already gathered sufficient evidence through investigation and now only awaited the apprehension of these two individuals.
However, they had previously sought out Wei Huanyang and obtained the Mystic Sect... identity token, thus receiving the Mystic Sect's protection. Due to certain unspoken rules between the authorities and the Mystic Sect, the authorities had to negotiate with the Mystic Sect and wait for their approval before making an arrest.
Previously, the Mystic Sect had played a crucial role in major special cases, forcing the authorities to make concessions and grant them a special status. But in recent years, the Mystic Sect had become increasingly reckless, to the point of disregarding the lives of ordinary people.
With their bottom line repeatedly crossed, even a rabbit will bite when cornered.
The authorities secretly cultivated talent across the country, but in a short time, they still couldn't compare to the deeply rooted Mystic Sect, making progress extremely difficult.
But while they could wait, the public could not.
Since the homegrown talent wasn't developing fast enough, they would recruit from outside.
The authorities possessed a list, a register of major families and sects. By analyzing the daily speech, conduct, and behavior of Mystic Sect cultivators, they assessed their suitability for recruitment and filtered a group of talents who could be brought in.
Ning Zhi was prominently on that list.
Shen Hui and Tang Mian were internal personnel from the start, so they still felt a slight sense of distance towards Ning Zhi, this "external talent."
However, Shen Hui was socially adept, always wearing a smile on his face, neither overly enthusiastic nor too cold.
"Alright, Investigator Ning, whatever arrangements you have, we'll follow your lead."
Tang Mian kicked a pebble by her foot, crunched the lollipop in her mouth, and threw the stick into a trash can.
"Head straight to the Wei residence," Ning Zhi said.
This was the first case he was handling since joining the investigation department, and there absolutely could not be any slip-ups.
The Wei Residence.
Wei Tao was sprawled on the sofa, acting frivolously. "Dad, now that the police from both places are here, do you think we should go into hiding?"
"Go into hiding?" Wei Tianbao chuckled coldly. "Why not suggest going abroad?"
"Going abroad is even better! They won't be able to find us if we go abroad!"
Wei Tianbao looked at him as if he were an idiot. "You'd probably be caught by the police the moment you step into the airport."
"Caught is caught. Anyway, we have Master Wei's protection now. The police don't dare touch us. Just thinking about that Officer Han's frustrated face makes me want to laugh," Wei Tao said, swinging his legs.
Wei Tianbao put down the newspaper. "I hope Master Wei can protect us and make the authorities drop this matter. Otherwise, I just can't feel at ease. Your grandfather is getting old too; we can't have him worrying every day."
"Didn't Master Wei say? As long as we have this identity token, the authorities won't easily lay a hand on us," Wei Tao said, twirling the registered disciple identity token in his hand, looking smug.
The doorbell suddenly rang.
The spinning token abruptly stopped.
Father and son looked at each other, their hearts simultaneously leaping into their throats, seeing panic mirrored in each other's eyes.
Wei Tao bolted upright.
The doorbell rang incessantly like a death knell.
A housemaid ran to open the door but was stopped by a sharp shout from Wei Tianbao, too scared to move.
The doorbell still didn't stop.
Wei Tao said hesitantly, "It should be fine, right?"
Wei Tianbao took a deep breath and instructed the maid, "Find out who it is before opening the door."
A moment later, the maid returned.
"They said they're some kind of Heavenly Master."
"Heavenly Master?!" Wei Tianbao quickly got up and started walking out, but after a few steps, he turned back. "Did they say what their surname is?"
The maid shook her head. "No."
Wei Tao turned on the surveillance screen, which showed a young, handsome face.
"Who's this? Don't know him."
Wei Tianbao thought for a moment. "Maybe he's sent by Master Wei to inform us of something."
"Couldn't he just call?" Wei Tao said warily. "What if it's the police in disguise? Don't they often pretend to be property management or plumbers on TV?"
Wei Tianbao: "..."
He slowly retreated. "Then don't open it."
Outside the door, Ning Zhi and the other two waited for a long time, but still no one answered.
Shen Hui said, "They've been under surveillance. The father and son haven't left the house."
"Then we go in directly," Ning Zhi said decisively. "Since they're relying on the Mystic Sect's influence, it's only fair that we use Mystic Sect... methods on them."
Before he could finish his sentence, a figure took the lead and flew into the courtyard.
Ning Zhi and Shen Hui looked at each other, stunned. The next second, two angry roars came from inside the courtyard, followed by a series of howls, along with the screams and collisions of maids and security guards.
It was extremely lively.
As Ning Zhi took a step, the courtyard gate was opened. Two "pigs' heads" landed at their feet one after the other. The girl, with a lollipop in her mouth, arrogantly patted her palms clean.
"..."
Wei Tianbao, being older, lay crooked on the ground, moaning and groaning, spitting out a few words: "Ambulance... call the police... Master, save us..."
Wei Tao scrambled up, waved the Mystic Sect identity token, and blustered, "You can't arrest me! I'm a disciple of the Hengfeng Sect! Master Wei said you can't arrest me!"
"Pfft," Tang Mian slapped him with her palm. "We're not the police."
Wei Tao fell to the ground, shocked and furious. "No matter who you are, you can't arrest me! Do you know who I am? I'm Wei Guangchang's grandson! I'm also Wei Huanyang's registered disciple! If you arrest me, watch your lives!"
"Don't worry," Shen Hui said with a smile. "We're just taking you back for questioning. Since you admit to being a Mystic Sect disciple, we'll handle it according to Mystic Sect rules."
Ning Zhi wasted no time on words and directly handcuffed them.
The moment his hands were cuffed, Wei Tao screamed in terror, "Master, save me! Master Wei, save me!"
"Too noisy." Tang Mian flicked out a Silencing Talisman, cutting off the noise source.
Ning Zhi: "..."
This girl really is a bit fierce.
Hengfeng Sect.
Wei Huanyang was still unaware of the arrest of the Wei father and son. He was humbly consulting his senior brother: "Can you discern the fate of this 'White Water True Person' and 'First in Line for Melon Eating'?"
The senior brother said, "Can't see anything for the former. For the latter, I can glimpse a bit. But as you know, we Mystic Sect cultivators have different fates from ordinary people. Cultivators generally don't perform divination for each other."
"I know," Wei Huanyang said, inwardly surprised. "From what I know, this 'White Water True Person' is just a woman in her early twenties. You're a Fifth-Level Heavenly Master, can you really not see anything at all?"
Senior brother: "Can't see anything."
He was much older than Wei Huanyang, had more experience, and had seen through many things.
There are countless geniuses in the world, so even if you encounter one, there's no need to make a fuss.
But he could understand his junior brother.
This junior brother of his had been exceptionally talented since childhood, indulged by everyone in the sect, given all the cultivation resources he wanted, and had developed a proud and arrogant temperament.
Ever since losing to the Ning family's little genius at the Mystic Sect Grand Competition the year before last, he had held a one-sided grudge against Ning Zhi. He had been secretly cultivating diligently and was now close to the peak of the Fourth Level, with hopes of breaking through to the next realm.
Wei Huanyang was unwilling to accept this.
With Ning Zhi already weighing on his head, he didn't want another person added to that pressure.
His phone suddenly rang, and he instinctively answered it.
"Master Wei! Save my son and grandson! They've been taken!" Wei Guangchang said, his voice filled with anger and heartache.
Wei Huanyang frowned. "By whom? The police?"
"No, it seems like it was some... some kind of Heavenly Master!"
"Heavenly Master?" He was even more surprised. In Longjiang City, was there a Heavenly Master who dared not give face to the Hengfeng Sect?
"I understand. I'll look into it."
He hung up and bid farewell to his senior martial brother.
His senior brother gave him a look and spoke with deep feeling, "Junior Brother, those of us in the mystical arts should focus on cultivation. There's no need to care too much about some vain reputations. For matters that cannot be interfered with, one must learn to let go."
"......"
Wei Huanyang couldn't listen to this advice at all. He just found it irritating, and a bit of that showed on his face as he frowned slightly. "Senior Brother, if one does not enter the world, how can one transcend it?"
After saying that, he bowed and left.
His senior brother shook his head and sighed. "Entering the world also requires the right methods."
Longjiang City Investigation Department.
Ning Zhi and the other two threw the Wei father and son into the interrogation room, and their task was considered complete.
They were the field team, responsible only for tracking and capturing people. Interrogation was handled by professionals.
To be honest, given their current experience and abilities, they weren't entirely qualified for the work of the Investigation Department, but the situation was urgent, and they had to make do.
Shen Hui said with a smile, "Investigator Ning, wait a bit longer. You might need to negotiate with the Hengfeng Sect people later."
It was called negotiation, but in reality, it was about whose fist was harder.
If the Longjiang City Investigation Department wasn't short on senior investigators, the higher-ups wouldn't have specifically dispatched Ning Zhi here.
Sending him was precisely to have someone formidable holding the fort.
Wei Huanyang followed the location of his disciple token and arrived, spotting Ning Zhi just as he was walking out of the Investigation Department's main gate.
When enemies meet, their eyes blaze with hatred.
He strode forward, speaking sharply and severely, "Ning Zhi! Was it you who captured my disciples?!"
Ning Zhi replied calmly, "Heavenly Master Wei, I did indeed capture two people earlier. I don't know if they are your disciples."
"Wei Tao and Wei Hao!" Wei Huanyang, suppressing his anger, gave a cold laugh. "You captured people from my Hengfeng Sect without consulting us? You're breaking the rules of the mystical community!"
Ning Zhi: "I only captured Wei Tao and Wei Tianbao. There's no Wei Hao."
"......"
Wei Huanyang glared at him with fierce brows. "Don't try to dodge the issue! Even if they committed a crime, it should be handled by the Enforcement Division of the Heavenly Masters Association. You arresting them privately violates the 'Heavenly Master Regulations'! Release them immediately!"
He didn't care about the lives of those two; he cared about his own face.
Being humiliated by his enemy on his own turf—how could he easily swallow this bitter pill?
Ning Zhi took out his credentials, his expression solemn. "Heavenly Master Wei, I am currently affiliated with the National Special Cases Investigation Department. It has been confirmed that Wei Tao and Wei Tianbao are connected to two special cases. I have the authority to take them away."
"What kind of third-rate Investigation Department is that? Are you trying to fool me?" Wei Huanyang didn't believe it at all. "Since you won't listen to reason, let's settle this with our skills!"
His cultivation had improved significantly compared to two years ago. This time, he absolutely could not lose to Ning Zhi!
Fourth-grade thunder talismans rained down on Ning Zhi's head, thrown as if they were free, all aimed at him.
Wei Huanyang specialized in the talisman path. The talismans he drew were quite lethal. Dumping them all on Ning Zhi like this showed he was going all out.
Ning Zhi was not afraid in the slightest.
While Wei Huanyang's cultivation had increased, Ning Zhi hadn't fallen behind either. Moreover, during this period following Master Qi, he had gained immensely. His realm had already shown signs of loosening, and he precisely needed a battle like this to break through!
The junior investigators of the Investigation Department retreated to a safe distance to observe the duel between masters.
Shen Hui, hiding inside a small protective array, said cheerfully, "Our Investigator Ning's fighting spirit is quite high."
"Just worried that beating the young one might summon the old one," Tang Mian remarked, watching with crossed arms.
"Shouldn't come to that," Shen Hui shrugged. "It's just a spar between juniors. No need to make such a big deal out of it."
Tang Mian: "No one likes being suppressed."
The authorities had drawn their sword. Could the mystical community still sit idly by?
Arresting Wei Tao and Wei Tianbao was the authorities' demonstration of attitude towards the mystical community, and also the first "battle."
They could only win.
Could Ning Zhi win?
At the mystical community competition two years ago, he had defeated Wei Huanyang by a narrow margin. Could he still win now?
Of course he could!
Ning Zhi struck Wei Huanyang's shoulder with a palm. Wei Huanyang flew backward, crashing onto the steps of the Investigation Department, his face instantly turning pale.
"You... you..." He pointed at Ning Zhi, filled with rage and unwillingness.
Ning Zhi was momentarily stunned before belatedly realizing—
He had actually broken through!
His cultivation, stagnant for two years, had broken through during the fight, propelling him directly into the realm of a fifth-grade Heavenly Master!
The people at the Investigation Department were also dumbfounded, followed by delight.
Shen Hui praised sincerely, "As expected of the promising talent officially recruited. Truly outstanding."
Tang Mian: "Indeed very strong."
They, the latecomers, would have to redouble their efforts.
Wei Huanyang shot Ning Zhi a resentful glare, clutched his chest, and left in disgrace.
The first battle was victorious.
Lakeside Villa.
Chen Feilu was guiding his energy according to the cultivation method.
His aptitude was fairly good. Although he hadn't yet crossed the threshold, he was already touching the edge of it. As long as he persisted, he would eventually step through.
He was very patient.
His phone rang a few times.
Chen Feilu ended his cultivation session, picked up his phone, and opened it. It was his university dormitory group chat.
[Fat Bro: @Ning Daxia @Feitian Luma How long are you two planning to take leave? Do you even remember you're supposed to be in school?]
[2D-Otaku: Curious about what you're actually doing. Come out and say something?]
Chen Feilu sighed in distress. He wasn't sure about the current situation either.
Logically, he had no tasks now and could return to university, but he was also Master Qi's assistant. Shouldn't an assistant be ready to receive orders at any time?
If he went to school and couldn't respond to the master's instructions promptly, would there still be a place for him by the master's side when he was on vacation?
It was a real dilemma.
He replied in the group: [Wait a couple more days. I might take a one-year leave of absence from school.]
[Fat Bro: ??? Did something happen to you?]
[2D-Otaku: Bro, if you have problems, just say it. We'll help if we can!]
[Fat Bro: Yeah, without you, it's really tough. Even online gossip isn't as fun.]
[2D-Otaku: But maybe it's good you're not coming back. Our school seems to be haunted these past couple of days. Take your leave peacefully and come back after the trouble passes.]
Chen Feilu's heart skipped a beat: [What haunting?]
[Fat Bro: Probably rumors spreading. There's no such thing as ghosts.]
[2D-Otaku: But it's a fact that three people in the girls' dorm got hurt.]
[Fat Bro: Right, and wasn't there one who was perfectly fine?]
[2D-Otaku: Maybe the ghost thought Department Beauty Su was too pretty and couldn't bear to hurt her.]
Chen Feilu: [Department Beauty Su?]
He was very sensitive to the surname Su now.
[Fat Bro: She's a freshman. She was voted department beauty on registration day. There are photos on the forum. She really is pretty.]
Chen Feilu: [What's her name?]
[2D-Otaku: What? Interested? I heard she's also from Longjiang City, same as you. Her name is Su Nuanuan. The name sounds really cute.]
Chen Feilu: [...]
In a dorm room, only one person remained unharmed. The most likely explanation was that Su Nuanuan was wearing a protective talisman.
Considering the relationship between the Su family and the Master, it was highly probable the Master had given Su Nuanuan a protective talisman. With such protection, being unharmed by evil spirits made perfect sense.
He got up and went next door to find Su Rong.
After hearing about the incident, Su Rong's expression turned serious. "I'll give her a call."
"Alright."
Soon, Su Nuanuan answered the phone.
"Brother, I'm fine. It was probably just that the beds in our dorm aren't very sturdy. They collapsed in the middle of the night. The other three got some minor injuries, but I'm completely unharmed. It's just that the jade gourd Sister Quan gave me got a little cracked from the impact. I'm so heartbroken!"
Su Rong: "..."
He said with exasperation, "That's a life-protecting jade talisman. It doesn't crack easily. The fact that it's cracked now means it has already saved your life once. Don't take it lightly."
"Mm, I understand."
"What about the ghost incident?"
Su Nuanuan replied, "I don't know. It seems like when the three of them were going to the hospital, one of them kept shouting 'ghost, ghost!' The other two and I didn't see any ghost."
"Be careful in everything," Su Rong warned.
"Mm!" Su Nuanuan laughed. "I know."
After hanging up, Chen Feilu said, "How about this, I'll ask Brother Ning when he has time to come back to the university. He can go take a look."
Su Rong nodded. "Thank you."
"Hey, why be so polite with us? Aren't we all family?" Chen Feilu patted his shoulder.
A smile returned to Su Rong's face. "What do you want to eat tonight?"
"Braised prawns!" Chen Feilu said without hesitation.
"Alright."
That evening, Su Rong cooked... a table full of delicious dishes. Everyone, human and ghost alike, ate to their heart's content.
"Tomorrow morning, I need to go out. You all guard the house well," Qi Quan said.
Su Rong: "Don't worry."
Xue Hong: "Ling Sheng is here. You can go with peace of mind."
Chen Feilu, confused, asked, "What about Ling Sheng?"
He didn't know about Yan Wu leading people to attack the villa's protective formation.
Qi Quan smiled and said, "You all can't always rely on Ling Sheng. What if Ling Sheng isn't here in the future? Would you just not guard the home then?"
A spoon fell into the soup bowl with a crisp clink.
Ling Sheng remained frozen in the posture of reaching for the spoon, staring blankly at Qi Quan as if he didn't understand why he would "not be here" in the future.
"Master, please don't scare Ling Sheng like that," Xue Hong said, quite satisfied with her exceptionally talented student.
Su Rong said, "Ling Sheng was probably abducted as a child. If he finds his family one day, he'll likely return to them."
Chen Feilu sighed with emotion: The people and ghosts of Lakeside Villa all had painful pasts. If not for the Master, they would still be trapped in their own personal hells.
Qi Quan: ???
Her original intention was just to encourage Su Rong and Xue Hong to work harder on improving their own abilities. Why did it get turned into a discussion about Ling Sheng?
Even the system chimed in mournfully: [Big Boss, the villa is so big, there's plenty of room for Ling Sheng.]
It even rhymed.
Just as Qi Quan was about to speak, Ling Sheng suddenly stood up, walked over to her, his eyes showing a trace of panic and unease. Then, from his shirt pocket and pants pockets, he pulled out one jade sparrow token after another, urgently stuffing them into her hands.
The amount of spiritual energy stored in each token was at least double that of the previous ones.
He looked at Qi Quan with pleading eyes. Seeing she wasn't reacting, he knelt down on one knee, tapped Qi Quan's index fingertip, and then pointed to the center of his own forehead.
Qi Quan couldn't help but laugh. "You want to form a contract with me too?"
Ling Sheng nodded. He remembered the actions when Qi Quan formed the contract with Xue Hong.
"No," Qi Quan said.
Ling Sheng's eyes widened slightly: Why?
"They are ghosts. You are not," Qi Quan said, smiling as she ruffled his hair. "I won't drive you away, unless you want to leave yourself."
Ling Sheng shook his head.
Qi Quan tried to return the jade sparrow tokens. "Keep them yourself. Don't take them out easily when others are around."
The young man pushed them back, insisting on giving them to her. On this matter, he seemed unusually stubborn.
[Big Boss, he's afraid you don't want him.] The system advised. [Maybe you should just accept them.]
Looking at the obedient and handsome young man, it was impossible for Qi Quan not to feel a softening in her heart.
She smiled and said, "Alright, I'll keep them for you."
The unease in Ling Sheng's eyes dissipated. It didn't matter if she kept them or used them, as long as they were in her hands.
Everyone couldn't help but smile.
A faint warmth filled the villa.
On the internet, the release of one piece of news instantly blew up Weibo.
[Longjiang City Public Security V: Recently, the police conducted an in-depth investigation into the dismemberment case at Longjiang University.
Five years ago, the victim, Ms. Xue, was teaching at Longjiang University. A student named Wei, dissatisfied with her strict grading methods, had a conflict with her. After taking a make-up exam, Wei still failed to pass the course and went to Ms. Xue's residence to beg her.
Ms. Xue refused. In a fit of rage, Wei attacked the back of Ms. Xue's head, killed her, dismembered the body at her residence, then used Ms. Xue's own suitcase to transport the remains and buried them in a wooded area on campus.
Afterwards, Wei used Ms. Xue's phone to post on her social media, fabricating the illusion that she had gone abroad, and also forged a resignation letter submitted to the university.
The suspect, Wei, has now been arrested.
We hereby urge all university students to study diligently, improve their cultural literacy, and strengthen their ideological and moral development. Exams are merely one method of evaluating learning outcomes, not the entirety of life. Do not act impulsively.]
Wei Tao had a weak will. After being taken to the Investigation Department's interrogation room, he confessed to everything before long.
Before confessing, he still held onto a sliver of hope, believing his grandfather would definitely find a way to rescue him from the outside.
When the interrogators showed him the video of Wei Huanyang's defeat, his will to resist instantly crumbled.
If even Master Wei couldn't save him... who else could he count on?
Faced with the police's evidence, he had no defense.
Actually, his plan for murder and body disposal had been successful.
Five years had passed, and the person Xue Hong had long been forgotten. If she hadn't become a ghost, this case would have remained forever sealed in that dark grove of trees.
Netizens who saw the case report felt chills run down their spines.
[If you fail an exam, just fing study harder! What's the point of killing the teacher?!]
[It proved useful, didn't it? The female teacher was killed, and then he got his credits, right?]
[I'm so angry I could die, I'm so angry I could die, I'm so angry I could die! I'm a university counselor. If I encountered a psycho like this, it would be the worst luck imaginable!]
[Holy crap, Longjiang University, my alma mater!]
[Alumni! Me too! Five years ago I was a freshman. I went to a lecture to take attendance for a friend and have never forgotten it. Although the teacher was indeed strict, she was really, really beautiful! Her surname was Xue! But later when I went back to her class, she was gone! It couldn't be her, could it?!]
[Holy crap, how beautiful was she to make you remember her all these years?]
[I secretly took a photo of her during class. [Photo]]
[Dude, you're really devoted... Holy shit, she really is beautiful!]
[So pretty! Oh my god, reading the news now, I really, really can't bear it!]
[I just confirmed with someone... the one in the news... it's her.]
[I can't take this. I want to beat that murderer to death!]
[He has to get the death penalty for this, right?]
[Death penalty!]
[By the way, does anyone know about Fengmao Group?]
【Everyone's discussing the case details, why are you bringing this up!】
【It's said that the murderer is Wei Tao, the grandson of Wei Guangchang, chairman of Fengmao Group. Moreover, Wei Tao's father also killed someone. Pointing the way @Longjiang City Police】
That night, Weibo crashed.
The public's blood, however, was boiling.
The evil deeds of the Wei father and son finally came to light. Countless people were furious, cursing and swearing to make the criminals face due punishment.
Suddenly, one comment caught everyone's attention.
【Has anyone read "Diary of a Wealthy Family"? The latest chapter seemed to mention 'stealing a life,' which directly corresponds to what that Wei guy's dad did, right? So, who exactly is Bai Shui Zhen Ren?】
【I've read it! It really matches up!】
【Was she involved in this case?】
【She's really brave. That's the Fengmao Group! Isn't she afraid of retaliation from Wei Guangchang?】
【Hahahaha with your comment, even if Wei Guangchang wants to retaliate, he wouldn't dare now.】
【Retaliate? Both his son and grandson have killed people. Do you really think Wei Guangchang is clean? His son was only eighteen back then, how could he have pulled off that identity theft by himself? Wei Guangchang must have done it!】
【But it was so long ago, it's really hard to investigate. And there doesn't seem to be a specific charge for identity theft?】
【Sue him for violating the constitution!】
【Hmph, with a business that big, how can it be truly clean? Just wait and see.】
【Bro, you're really brave.】
Many people stayed up all night, but Qi Quan was not among them.
She had been willful last night, submitted a leave note and didn't update. However, her readers didn't mind; they were already stuffed full from feasting on the online drama.
Readers discovered that "Diary of a Wealthy Family" was a complete collection of explosive scandals, each one bigger and juicier than the last, truly irresistible.
A flood of people rushed over, some commenting, some tipping with virtual "thunder."
With just twelve short chapters, "Diary of a Wealthy Family" exploded in popularity, breaking out of its original circle.
Overnight, its metrics skyrocketed.
Qi Quan cultivated the entire night. In the morning, she changed into a simple beige knitwear top, her hair down, adding a touch of gentleness.
"Master, I need to go back to my university today," Chen Feilu reported to her. "I'll definitely come back early after I finish my business!"
He had successfully guided Qi into his body last night, his eyes subtly holding joy, full of vigor.
"Come back for what?" Qi Quan asked.
Chen Feilu: "Huh? Aren't I your assistant?"
Qi Quan said earnestly, "A university diploma is also very important. Finish your studies first."
Chen Feilu's heart sank: "But..."
"Before you go back, come with me somewhere first."
His face lit up with a smile: "Alright!"
At nine o'clock, Zheng Guangming arrived on time.
He hadn't stayed at his sister's place last night, opting for a random hotel instead. He probably didn't sleep well, with deep dark circles under his eyes.
"Master, I've already asked. They're home today," Zheng Guangming said while driving, his tone somewhat heavy.
Qi Quan's expression was indifferent: "Mm."
The car slowly drove into the residential area in the east of the city.
Zheng Guangming's sister lived in a high-end residential complex. Security for non-resident vehicles was quite strict. Zheng Guangming had entered and exited the past two days, so the guard remembered him and didn't stop them much.
The neighborhood greening was well done, and the roads were relatively wide.
Zheng Guangming found a parking spot.
"Her place is in that building. Shall we go straight up?"
Qi Quan nodded and handed Chen Feilu a talisman paper.
"What's this?"
"You've just started, you don't know how to restrain your aura yet. Wear this."
"Thank you, Master!" Chen Feilu happily put it in his shirt's inner pocket.
The three took the elevator to the sixteenth floor.
One elevator per household, a large flat. An apartment like this was probably worth seven or eight million.
Chen Feilu glanced around, mentally estimating the price.
It seemed this client's family was fairly well-off.
Zheng Guangming rang the doorbell.
Soon, the door opened from the inside, revealing a decent-looking face wearing glasses, appearing scholarly and polite.
From an ordinary person's perspective, the man could be considered handsome.
But everyone at Lakeside Villa was top-tier in looks; Chen Feilu's standards had already been raised sky-high.
He didn't find anyone handsome anymore.
"Big brother, come on in." The man stepped aside. Seeing Qi Quan and Chen Feilu, he asked in surprise, "And these two are?"
"Oh, my friends. They heard you're in investments and wanted to come consult. I forgot to mention it earlier. You don't mind, right?" Zheng Guangming chuckled.
The man adjusted his glasses: "Of course not."
The three entered the house and sat on the sofa.
"What would you like to drink? Tea or coffee?" the man said politely. "We also have soft drinks at home."
Chen Feilu smiled and replied, "Thank you, but no need to trouble yourself. We'll just ask a few questions and be on our way."
The man paused, a flicker in his eyes behind the lenses.
He picked up a cup, pretending to go to the kitchen for water, casually calling out a few times: "Hui Hui! Hui Hui! Big brother is here, stop whatever you're doing!"
The bedroom door opened.
A woman in a floral dress stood in the doorway, looking at the three people in the living room.
Her reaction seemed a bit slow. Only after a good while did she force a smile at Zheng Guangming, her voice stiff: "Brother."
If not for Qi Quan's warning yesterday, Zheng Guangming might have still thought she was like this solely due to the blow of the miscarriage. But if you substituted "possessed by a ghost," everything made sense.
When the software and hardware don't match, you get this kind of lag.
When he met "Zheng Hui"'s lifeless eyes, all the hairs on his body stood on end.
"Big brother, are you feeling unwell?" The man's hand lightly rested on Zheng Guangming's shoulder, his voice low and deep.
Zheng Guangming: "..."
"Ahem," Chen Feilu quickly stepped in to smooth things over, "Mr. Feng, are you aware of what happened on Weibo last night? Brother Zheng couldn't sleep well because of the Wei father and son incident."
Mr. Feng raised an eyebrow slightly. "Is that so."
He smiled and sat down, gesturing for Zheng Hui to come over. Zheng Hui slowly walked to his side and sat closely next to him on the sofa.
"What would you two like to ask about?" He held his teacup, like a polite gentleman.
Chen Feilu racked his brains for investment-related questions when Qi Quan abruptly spoke.
"How is your relationship with your first love?"
"Pfft—"
Zheng Guangming was drinking water to calm his nerves. Hearing her question, he sprayed it out completely.
First love? What first love?!
Wasn't Hui Hui his first love?
The atmosphere in the living room suddenly turned eerie. No one paid attention to whether he had soiled the sofa or floor.
Mr. Feng's hand holding the teacup was steady. Zheng Hui stared intently at Qi Quan.
"Did your first love have a miscarriage?"
"Who was prettier, your first love or Miss Zheng?"
"Which one did you like more?"
"You—"
Thud! The teacup bottom hit the coffee table. Mr. Feng leaned forward, crossed his hands, and said with a heavy gaze, "Miss, do you think such a clumsy method can drive a wedge between Hui Hui and me? You overestimate yourself."
Chen Feilu: ???
What the hell kind of nonsense are you spouting!
System: 【Ahhhhh! Boss, take him down! What a conceited, ordinary man!】
Qi Quan: ...
She raised her hand. Spiritual power transformed into chains, swiftly disappearing into Zheng Hui's head. With a slight tug, a wisp of a soul floated out from her body.
Zheng Hui slumped straight back onto the sofa.
Mr. Feng could no longer maintain his composure. Furious, he said, "You've killed Hui Hui! I'm calling the police!"
"Master, what on earth is wrong with Hui Hui?" Zheng Guangming rushed to Zheng Hui's side, as frantic as an ant on a hot pan, pacing in circles.
Mr. Feng had already called the police: "Someone has intentionally harmed my wife! My wife is now unconscious!"
Chen Feilu was utterly confused by his actions.
"Master, what is he doing?"
Qi Quan: "Probably something like, 'it's everyone's duty to oppose feudal superstition.'"
"..."
Chen Feilu understood.
This Feng guy was determined that the police wouldn't believe in any talk of ghosts and spirits, and was deliberately calling the police to mess with them.
"Big brother." Mr. Feng regained his composure, his expression turning cold and stern. "How could you bring outsiders here to harm Hui Hui? She's your own sister."
Zheng Guangming: "..."
Qi Quan released a surge of spiritual energy, causing the spectral form to solidify.
"Mr. Feng, take a good look. Is she really your first love?"
Mr. Feng instinctively turned his head, and his eyes suddenly widened in shock.
How could this be!
