Back at the Longlin City Investigation Bureau, Wei Huanyang had been publicly defeated by Ning Zhi, a humiliation that had festered in his heart ever since.
He had believed that in two years' time, he would surely surpass Ning Zhi. Who could have predicted he would lose to him again?
What was even more infuriating was that Ning Zhi had actually achieved a breakthrough during their duel!
Such a disgraceful matter was not something he wished to publicize. Hiding away in his residence for some peace and quiet was his only recourse.
A young apprentice stood outside the door to report.
"Master, a client has referred a new case. Will you take it?"
Wei Huanyang thought to himself: If he couldn't handle Ning Zhi, could he not handle mere ghosts?
"I'll go."
At the hospital, Wei Qi received the news and promptly sent a car to fetch him.
"Uncle, are you really set on finding Wei Huanyang?" Zhang Chengyan frowned. "Aren't there any other Taoist masters?"
Wei Qi said, "I asked around. Everyone says this Master Wei is exceptionally skilled. Why? Is there a problem?"
Zhang Chengyan shook his head. "No."
Forget it. This Wei Huanyang was currently the only lifeline his uncle could grasp. He'd better not pour cold water on the idea just yet.
Besides, no matter how questionable Wei Huanyang's character might be, he was still a Taoist master. He should be capable of dealing with this sort of affair, right?
Before long, Wei Huanyang arrived at the hospital.
He wore custom-made clothes, understated yet luxurious. Though twenty-five, his cultivation made him appear exceptionally youthful, hardly different from an eighteen-year-old.
Wei Qi thought: So young. Is he reliable?
Burying the doubt, he said with earnest sincerity, "Master, please, see if there's any hope for my son."
Wei Huanyang walked to the bedside with an air of aloof pride, casting a casual glance.
The young man on the bed was pale as ash, looking as if his time was nearly up.
Wei Huanyang took out a small mirror and held it up to Wei Qian's face, stating, "His soul is missing."
Huh?
Zhang Chengyan raised an eyebrow. Wasn't this similar to what happened with Qian Kun?
"Master, can it be retrieved?" Wei Suhe asked nervously.
Wei Huanyang maintained a stern, inscrutable expression. "Wait a moment."
He produced another talisman, placed it on Wei Qian's forehead between his eyebrows, pressed his fingertip against the paper, closed his eyes, and began murmuring incantations.
Zhang Chengyan: ???
Master Qi's rituals weren't this flashy.
Wei Huanyang chanted for a while. A faint golden light flickered on the talisman.
Unexpectedly, the talisman suddenly tore with a rip, splitting cleanly in two. The pale golden light was instantly engulfed by thick, dark Yin energy!
Wei Huanyang, greatly alarmed, hastily withdrew his power and stepped back.
The torn talisman fluttered slowly to the ground.
"Master?!" Wei Qi exclaimed. "How is my son?!"
Wei Huanyang's face turned ashen. He said with difficulty, "This ghost harbors extremely strong resentment, and its Yin energy is several times that of an ordinary spirit. What your son has provoked is no common ghost."
"Master, please save him!"
Wei Huanyang frowned deeply.
He was a fourth-level Taoist master, bordering on the fifth! What was the origin of this ghost?
He had just used a Soul-Guiding Talisman to try and locate the living soul's whereabouts but was counter-attacked by an immensely powerful ghostly force. What surprised him more was that the attack seemed to carry a hatred directed specifically at him.
If he tried again, there was no guarantee this malevolent spirit wouldn't fight him to the death.
With a grave expression, he shook his head. "Your son must have done something truly heinous to incur the wrath of such a formidable ghost."
Wei Qi: ???
Are those human words?
Zhang Chengyan couldn't hold back a cold, scoffing laugh. "If your skills are lacking, just admit it. Why shift the blame onto the victim?"
"If he hadn't provoked it, would the ghost have latched onto him?" Wei Huanyang, already in a foul mood and having lost face in front of ordinary people, felt his temper flare. "Since you look down on me, then find someone else more capable!"
He refused to believe these people could find a more powerful Taoist master than him in all of Longlin City.
Although Wei Huanyang was only fourth-level, within his sect, only he and disciples of lower cultivation were active in the secular world taking commissions.
Those with higher cultivation were all in seclusion within the sect.
In other words, for someone willing to handle this matter, there was probably no one else in Longlin City.
He turned and left without hesitation.
Wei Qi was stunned for a moment, about to chase after him, but was stopped by Zhang Chengyan.
"Uncle, don't chase him. His cultivation is too low to help. Begging him further is useless."
Wei Qi was on the verge of tears. "But everyone said Master Wei is the most skilled! If even the best can't save Xiao Qian, then, then..."
"Uncle, don't worry. There is a more powerful master!"
"Who?"
Wei Suhe declared resoundingly, "The benefactor who saved my son!"
Lakeside Villa.
After dinner, Qi Quan was strolling in the backyard, accompanied by her two ghost attendants.
Many new fruit trees had been planted in the backyard, the soil freshly turned.
Xue Hong said, "Will these transplanted trees survive?"
"Ling Sheng just infused them with spiritual energy. They'll definitely live," Su Rong stated with certainty.
The spiritual energy around Lakeside Villa was inherently abundant, a place plants adored. Nourished by such plentiful energy, they were sure to grow strong and bear fresh, delicious fruit next year.
Steward Su's mind instantly filled with numerous recipes involving fruit.
Qi Quan nodded. Ling Sheng was becoming more and more proficient at his tasks.
She asked casually, "How is Ling Sheng's studies coming along?"
"At his current level, he could take the college entrance exam," Xue Hong said. "I plan to get him some past exam papers tomorrow. Once he passes those, he can start university-level courses."
Qi Quan thought: With this kind of learning ability, is having him only learn to draw Dust-Cleaning Talismans a terrible waste?
She pondered for a moment, returned to her room to fetch a booklet, and went to Ling Sheng's door, knocking.
The door opened automatically, but the young man remained seated in his chair, head bowed as he carved a jade pendant.
This was using spiritual energy to form a hand, opening the door remotely.
She gained an even deeper understanding of the freakish comprehension abilities of a born spiritual entity.
"Ling Sheng," she called softly from the doorway.
The young man abruptly stilled, then immediately set down the carving knife and jade, sprang to his feet, turned around, and hurried forward. His eyes sparkled with eagerness, like a big, happy dog seeing its owner.
Qi Quan smiled slightly and handed him the booklet.
"This book contains the methods for drawing various types of talismans. You can learn them all in your free time."
Ling Sheng took it, holding it tightly against his chest.
Qi Quan saw the new pile of jade pendants on his desk and felt a pang of tenderness. It was people who lacked security who strove so desperately to prove their worth.
Her gaze softened as she said, "Don't overwork yourself. You can watch TV or listen to music in your leisure time. Balance work with rest."
The young man's light-colored eyes curved slightly as he nodded gently.
"I'm leaving now."
As Qi Quan turned to go, her sleeve was tugged.
She looked back in surprise. Ling Sheng had grasped her sleeve, actively raising her hand to rest on his own soft, dense hair, and was looking at her with expectant eyes.
Qi Quan instinctively ruffled it.
The young man happily narrowed his eyes, wearing an expression of pure enjoyment and contentment.
Qi Quan: !!!
This genuinely hit her cute spot.
She couldn't resist ruffling it again.
It had to be said, the young man's reaction pleased her greatly.
She had never kept a pet before and had no idea receiving feedback from a "pet" could be so delightful.
Qi Quan thought: He's so adorable!
The System: [Hahahahaha.]
Of course, Ling Sheng was a person. She couldn't truly treat him like a pet.
Qi Quan reluctantly withdrew her hand, adopting a stern tone. "Don't tire yourself out. Rest appropriately."
Then she turned and left.
In the room, Su Rong was practicing ghost techniques when his phone kept buzzing incessantly.
[Zhang Chengyan: Butler Su, help!]
[Zhang Chengyan: Butler Su, my cousin's soul has gone missing. We hired a Level 4 Celestial Master, but it didn't work. We're really out of options. Could you please ask Master Qi for us?]
[Zhang Chengyan: Butler Su, please, I'm begging you!]
He hadn't wanted to bother the Master for every little thing, which is why he initially just asked his uncle to find a Celestial Master in Longlin City. Who could have guessed the ghost his cousin encountered would be so powerful?
Su Rong thought for a moment and asked: [Where?]
[Zhang Chengyan: Longlin City!]
[Su Rong: [Smiley Face]]
The Master really hates business trips.
[Zhang Chengyan: Butler Su, that smiley face is genuinely creepy. What does it mean?]
[Su Rong: Too far.]
[Zhang Chengyan: It's just over two hours by car! I'll drive back personally to pick up the Master! My cousin's soul has been separated for almost three days now. If it doesn't return soon, he's really done for!]
A life was at stake. Su Rong couldn't make the decision on his own.
He went to Qi Quan's room to report the matter.
Qi Quan: "..."
Are Crimson Ghosts being mass-produced these days? They just keep coming, one batch after another.
The system couldn't stop laughing. The more the big shot disliked traveling, the more cases from out of town seemed to need her attention.
"Master?" Su Rong inquired.
Qi Quan: "Wait a moment."
She sent a message to Li Guoyan: [What level is the person in charge of the Longlin City Investigation Department?]
[Li Guoyan: Level 4.]
Qi Quan: "..."
The talent pool really is lacking.
If Li Guoyan knew what she was thinking, he'd probably be quite aggrieved.
Over the years, the official establishment had built this entire system and trained so many members, which was already considered highly efficient. It's just that high-level Celestial Masters aren't easy to cultivate anywhere.
The mystic arts world had developed for many years, yet even among the major sects and families, the number of Level 6 and above Celestial Masters wasn't particularly high.
[Li Guoyan: What's wrong?]
[Qi Quan: A Crimson Ghost above Level 4 has appeared in Longlin City. Can you dispatch personnel to handle it?]
She was making one last attempt to avoid going.
[Li Guoyan: Above Level 4... Ning Zhi reached Level 5 while handling the Wei family case, but his foundation isn't stable yet. He's returned to the capital to consolidate his cultivation. The Longjing Investigation Department has a Level 5 investigator, but they're tied up with another case and can't be spared.]
[Qi Quan: ...]
[Li Guoyan: May we trouble Advisor Qi to make time to handle this? Travel expenses will be sent to you shortly.]
The establishment of the Investigation Department wasn't just to regulate mystic practitioners, but also to take responsibility for resolving supernatural cases for ordinary citizens.
Even though this was a private matter, Li Guoyan took it very seriously.
Qi Quan didn't refuse further: [Alright.]
It wasn't that she was putting on airs. In her past life, she rarely intervened personally for matters of this level; such Crimson Ghosts were usually left to her subordinates.
She hadn't truly realized just how scarce talent was within the Investigation Department until now.
Of course, there was another, more crucial reason she was willing to go.
A business trip was a perfect excuse not to write!
Going out wasn't... the thing she hated most anymore. Writing was!
Qi Quan replied to Su Rong: "We'll set off now."
"Should we wait for Zhang Chengyan to pick us up, or..." Su Rong asked hesitantly.
If only ghosts could get driver's licenses, he could have driven the Master to Longlin City himself.
Qi Quan: Oh, right. The little assistant is currently attending school in Longjing City.
She thought for a moment and instructed: "Ask Director Meng of the Investigation Department if there are any investigators willing to go along."
Meng Yunzheng received the call and was overjoyed. He immediately said, "Don't worry, don't worry, I'll definitely assign someone with good driving skills!"
This was the big shot taking a newcomer under her wing. They had to seize this opportunity.
Who to send?
Right, two new members had just been transferred from Longlin City, one male, one female. One could drive, the other could look after the big shot. Perfect.
With a wave of his hand, he decided: It would be them!
Not long after, a car stopped in front of the Lakeside Villa.
Shen Hui in the driver's seat asked, "Is this the place?"
"Mm." Tang Mian got out of the car and instinctively observed the energy above the villa, but was blocked by an invisible barrier, unable to see clearly.
"A formation is set up."
Shen Hui nodded and rang the doorbell.
The door opened.
What greeted them was a handsome man—to be precise, a male ghost. Even though they had been briefed by Director Meng beforehand, they were still taken aback by the sight.
To be honest, in orthodox mystic circles, Celestial Masters who kept ghosts were considered evil practitioners. For this mysterious big shot to openly keep a ghost and still gain official recognition, even respect, spoke volumes about her status.
Shen Hui said with a smile, "Hello, we're investigators from the Investigation Department, here to pick up Senior Qi."
"Please wait a moment."
Su Rong closed the door and went back inside.
Shen Hui: Uh...
Tang Mian frowned, took a lollipop from her bag, and popped it into her mouth.
Sweetness helped ease anxiety.
A moment later, the door opened again.
The handsome male ghost was now accompanied by a young woman.
She was exceptionally beautiful, tall and slender, dressed in simple, comfortable casual clothes. Her hair was down, and she carried an elegant bag, its contents unknown.
She looked like she was going out for a stroll, not on a business trip.
"Let's go," she said, walking up to them.
The two of them: ???
Weren't they told she was an incredibly powerful senior? She's this young?!
Shen Hui asked with a smile, "Are you Senior Qi?"
Qi Quan nodded. "Yes."
Shen Hui: He really hadn't seen enough of the world.
He perceptively opened the car door for Qi Quan, waited for her to get in and settle, then closed the door as gently as possible.
The car set off from Lakeside Villa and soon entered the highway.
Shen Hui's driving was indeed very steady.
He occasionally stole glances at Qi Quan in the rearview mirror. Seeing her eyes closed in rest, he wanted to speak but didn't know what to say.
Tang Mian was bolder than him.
She usually didn't initiate conversation with people or things she wasn't interested in, but when she was curious, she would strike up a conversation.
"Senior Qi, what level Celestial Master are you?"
Qi Quan opened her eyes. "What level are you?"
"I'm Level 3."
Qi Quan: "I'm a few levels higher than you."
Actually, she wasn't sure what level she was considered now.
In her past life, she had defeated a Ghost General. Ghost Generals were above Level 9 ghosts. Comparatively, she should be beyond a Level 9 Celestial Master.
Beyond Level 9, it was Human Sovereign, then Human Immortal.
If she really said that, no one would probably believe her. It was better to be vague.
Sure enough, neither Shen Hui nor Tang Mian dared to think too high, only guessing she was probably around Level 6.
"May I ask... your venerable age?" Tang Mian asked again.
She had just been transferred from Longlin City to Longjiang City and knew nothing about the affairs there. She hadn't heard of Qi Quan, let alone the matter of the real and fake daughters of the Qi family.
Generally speaking, a mystic practitioner who could reach Level 6 was at least several decades older than their appearance suggested.
It's just that high-level Celestial Masters were skilled at preserving their youth, so it wasn't apparent from the outside.
Of course, peerless geniuses were an exception.
If Senior Qi truly was a peerless genius, she couldn't possibly be unknown in the mystic arts world.
Qi Quan: ...
System: [Hahahahaha, 'venerable age'!]
She asked, "How old are you?"
Tang Mian: "Twenty."
Qi Quan: "I can't claim 'venerable age,' though I am a mere two years your senior."
"......"
Tang Mian stared at Qi Quan with wide, disbelieving eyes, as if wishing she had X-ray vision installed in them.
A Level 6 Celestial Master at twenty-two...
Heavens!
Shen Hui was so shocked he almost swerved the car.
Their respect for her instantly reached its peak.
The gap was too vast, leaving only awe.
Shen Hui's usual composure faltered. He held back, then couldn't resist asking cautiously, "Senior Qi, are you a secretly trained expert by the official authorities?"
Did their Investigation Department really have such a powerful expert?
The current state of the Investigation Department was an open secret. If they were to clash head-on with the deeply rooted Mystic Sects, they wouldn't gain the upper hand. After all, the sheer number of low-level Mystics from the other side could overwhelm them.
At such times, it came down to the top-tier experts.
If the Investigation Department still had experts like this, why worry about not being able to crush the arrogant attitude of the Mystic Association?
Qi Quan: "No."
The two of them: Alright then, she must be a genius big shot the authorities dug up from somewhere. Respect!
A little over two hours later, the car entered Longlin City.
Zhang Chengyan was waiting at the hospital entrance to greet them. Su Rong had sent him the license plate number, and he had been watching the passing cars.
Finally, he saw it!
As soon as the car stopped, he hurried forward, respectfully opened the rear door, and said with an ingratiating smile, "Master, please get out!"
Shen Hui and Tang Mian: "..."
Qi Quan got out of the car carrying a bag. Zhang Chengyan reached out again, "Let me carry that for you."
Qi Quan didn't stand on ceremony and handed him the bag.
"This way." Zhang Chengyan played the role of a sycophant to perfection.
Shen and Tang were utterly amazed.
They took the elevator directly to the ward.
Wei Qi was anxiously waiting by the hospital bed. When he saw the three people behind Zhang Chengyan, he was stunned.
So young again?
He opened his mouth to speak, but Wei Suhe beat him to it: "Master, you're here! Thank you so much for your trouble!"
[Big shot, "The Diary of a Wealthy Family" received two more tips. One is five hundred 'deep waters' from 'Nation's Fortune Endures', and the other is a thousand 'deep waters' from 'Today is Auspicious'.]
Qi Quan: A business trip in exchange for 150 days of lifespan. Acceptable.
She looked at Wei Qian on the bed.
His face was deathly pale, his breath weak. Two of the three fires on his body were already extinguished. If his living soul didn't return soon, he would indeed die.
This man had decent features and good fortune. He was kind-hearted and enthusiastic by nature, destined for a peaceful and smooth life, yet this accident had occurred.
She extended her right hand, her fingertip hovering over Wei Qian's glabella.
Wei Qi: Huh? She's not using a talisman!
He stared wide-eyed, not blinking, observing Qi Quan's state, afraid she might become another Wei Huanyang.
...
Following the instinctive guidance from Wei Qian's consciousness, Qi Quan sensed the location of his living soul and also felt the intense resentment of that red ghost.
But strangely, the ghost only put up a token resistance and did not fight back fiercely.
Lost in thought, she withdrew her spiritual power.
"Master, how is it?" Zhang Chengyan hurriedly asked.
Wei Qi and Wei Suhe wore equally tense expressions.
This time, it simply had to work!
Qi Quan said, "At Longlin University."
"Really?" Wei Qi asked excitedly. "Then what should we do now? Go find it?"
Given Qi Quan's abilities, she could completely pull the living soul back from the red ghost's grasp from a distance, but she was unwilling to do so.
"To Longlin University." She turned and instructed Zhang Chengyan, "You come with us."
"Absolutely!"
At dusk, the sky was filled with rosy clouds.
Qi Quan sat in the car, observing the aura above the city.
There was a place in the southeast where the aura was exceptionally dense.
She asked, "What's in the southeast direction?"
Shen Hui understood: "The Hengfeng Sect is located there. It's rich in spiritual energy, an excellent place for cultivation."
Hengfeng Sect?
Sounded slightly familiar.
System: [Big shot, the one who exposed Ma Sisi's address was Wei Huanyang from the Hengfeng Sect.]
[Oh.]
"Master, to be honest, the Mystic my uncle hired before was Wei Huanyang from the Hengfeng Sect. He couldn't subdue the evil ghost and even deliberately said my cousin brought it on himself. His character is terrible!" Zhang Chengyan complained to her.
Qi Quan smiled slightly.
She was all too familiar with such things.
The car stopped outside the campus, and they entered the university on foot.
Following the direction of the living soul, Qi Quan walked all the way to the sports field.
University students on the field were full of youthful energy; on the red synthetic track, some were running hard, sweating profusely.
"Master, the ghost isn't buried under the field, is it?" Zhang Chengyan, having heard of "the buried body under the sports field case," blurted out.
"What is that place?" Qi Quan pointed to a small building beside the sports field.
Shen Hui said, "Should be the sports equipment room."
"Hmm."
The four of them walked onto the field.
Qi Quan led the way, the other three following side by side behind her. All were handsome men and beautiful women, attracting frequent glances from the students.
The boys whistled, one after another.
System: [How vulgar!]
Qi Quan: ...
Ignoring the stares, she arrived at the door of the sports equipment room.
It was getting dark, all classes for the day were over, and the door to the sports equipment room was tightly locked.
"Who are you? Can I help you?" A tall male student walked over and asked.
A group of boys in tracksuits trailed behind him, all stealing glances at Qi Quan.
"She's so pretty!"
"A real beauty! Haven't seen her on campus before."
"Her aura is really special."
The boys huddled together, whispering, thinking others couldn't hear.
However, except for Zhang Chengyan, Qi Quan and the other two heard them perfectly clearly.
Shen Hui subtly shifted his position, slightly blocking Qi Quan from others' view.
"Hello, can this equipment room be opened?" Zhang Chengyan asked politely.
The boy happened to be the Sports Minister of the university student council and had the authority to open it, but he couldn't just open it without reason.
"You have to tell me what you need first."
Zhang Chengyan turned to look at Qi Quan.
Qi Quan looked at the boy and smiled slightly: "Lost something. Want to find it."
The boy's face instantly flushed bright red.
His heart raced, his mind buzzed, but he still... asked responsibly, "D-did you bring your student ID?"
Shen Hui said, "We forgot. We're just looking for something. With so many of you watching, we couldn't possibly do anything wrong."
That was true.
The boy stole another glance at Qi Quan, nodded with a red face, "Alright. You can't mess with the things inside. Leave once you find your stuff."
During P.E. classes, students often came to the equipment room to get sports gear. It was normal for things to get lost inside.
He'd encountered this before, so he wasn't too suspicious.
Besides, there were so many people watching from behind.
He took out the key.
System: [Big shot, his face is really red. Were you using a beauty charm just now?]
Qi Quan: ?
She was just answering politely.
The door opened. The faint metallic smell of equipment mixed with the rubbery odor of leather balls wafted out.
It was quite dusty inside.
The boy asked, "What did you lose? I can help you look."
Qi Quan didn't answer.
She looked towards the corner behind the rack of rackets.
Shen Hui and Tang Mian followed her gaze and immediately fell silent.
"Master?" Zhang Chengyan asked in a low voice.
The boy waiting for an answer: ???
Master? What's that about?
He asked again, "What does the lost item look like?"
Qi Quan instructed Zhang Chengyan: "Call the police."
This case was different from Zheng Hui's case.
Zheng Hui's case was too "supernatural" for the police to get involved; the Investigation Department could handle it. But this case was clearly a murder case. The police had to be called.
Zhang Chengyan's heart tightened. He hurriedly dialed the emergency number.
The boy: ???
He frowned warily, "Who exactly are you people? What do you want?"
Shen Hui took out his credentials, smiling as he said, "Don't worry, classmate. We are official case handlers. Leave this place to us for now, you can step outside. Of course, if you're uneasy, you can wait outside with your classmates."
Some things are better not for young people to see.
The male student: "..."
He looked down at the credentials — National Special Cases Investigation Division.
Huh? There's a department like that? Is it like the 'Dragon Group' from novels?
Oh my god!
Hesitant yet excited, he left the equipment room and thoughtfully closed the door for them.
The other boys all crowded around.
"Why did you come out alone?"
"Was something stolen?"
"What's her name? Is she from our school?"
"What are they really doing here?"
The clamor of questions muddled his mind.
The male student cleared his throat, "Don't rush, let's wait for the police to arrive."
The boys: The police?!
Inside the equipment room, after the boy left, a ghostly figure materialized in the corner behind the rack of rackets.
Zhang Chengyan: !!!
It was a female ghost with a distorted face. Her features were displaced, likely due to a massive impact during her life, causing a shift from a shattered skull, making her look utterly terrifying.
She wore a set of ordinary casual clothes, stained with blood.
Wei Qian's living soul stood beside her.
Her gaze swept over their faces, finally settling on Qi Quan's. Her voice was hoarse and unpleasant:
"Are you here to save him?"
Qi Quan replied calmly, "Yes."
"You are strong," the female ghost said. "But I cannot hand him over to you."
"Why?"
...
The female ghost grabbed Wei Qian's neck, saying bitterly, "He killed me! He killed me! How can you help a bad person!"
"Impossible!" Zhang Chengyan said urgently. "Xiao Qian is a good person, he couldn't possibly harm anyone!"
Seeing the ghost's wretched appearance, he refused to believe his cousin could have done this to her.
"You're all birds of a feather!" the female ghost wailed shrilly. "Eight years ago you wouldn't let me get my revenge! Now that I've finally waited for him again, you still want to stop me?!"
Qi Quan expressed surprise, "Since you want revenge, why not just kill him directly?"
The ghost was quite rational, "I still want to continue my cycle of reincarnation. He deserves to die, but I don't want to dirty my hands."
"Then why did you lure his soul away?" Shen Hui was very puzzled.
The ghost said, "I just want justice. Give me justice, and I'll release him."
Qi Quan glanced at Zhang Chengyan.
"Ah, I've already called the police, you heard that earlier, right?" Zhang Chengyan quickly added. "The police will be here soon. You can state your grievance. But think carefully again, are you absolutely sure you didn't lure the wrong person?"
"No mistake."
"But eight years ago, my cousin was only ten!"
The female ghost: "..."
She pulled Wei Qian closer, examining him carefully for a long moment before saying, "I heard someone call him 'Young Master Wei'."
Zhang Chengyan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "His surname is Wei. Calling him 'Young Master Wei' was probably a joke. You can't just decide he's the one who harmed you based on that, can you?"
"No. He also said a sentence," the ghost said faintly. "The person who killed me said the exact same words."
Zhang Chengyan: "What words?"
"'This place is really quiet, a good spot.'"
Zhang Chengyan: This is giving me a headache.
He could swear his cousin's meaning when saying that sentence was completely different from the murderer's meaning!
Wait—
"You can't even recognize the face of the person who killed you?"
The ghost paused, awkwardly admitting, "I'm a bit face-blind."
"..."
Is that just 'a bit'?
Are you sure it's not completely, utterly face-blind?
"But, I remember the voice," she tugged at Wei Qian. "His voice is very similar to the killer's, almost identical. He's also called 'Young Master Wei', and said the exact same sentence."
That's why she couldn't hold back and lured this person's soul away.
She had waited too long.
Zhang Chengyan had never been so speechless. He said, "But my cousin is genuinely only eighteen. He couldn't have killed you when he was ten, could he? Besides, people can look alike, and voices sounding similar is normal, right? Also, that 'Young Master Wei' of yours, what's the actual character for the surname?"
"I don't know," the ghost shook her head. "I never knew him."
Zhang Chengyan: That's tragic too.
He sighed mournfully, "Miss, you really have the wrong person. You said you don't want to harm anyone, right? How about you release my cousin first, and when the police arrive, let them seek justice for you?"
The female ghost: "..."
"The police are here!"
Shouts suddenly came from outside the door.
The arrival of the police stirred up many people. School officials also rushed over immediately.
The sports field was packed solid. The police struggled to disperse the crowd.
The captain from the municipal bureau arrived with several officers.
"Who reported the case?" the captain asked.
Zhang Chengyan raised his hand, "Me."
Shen Hui stepped forward at the right moment, flashed his credentials, and said politely, "Comrade, we're from the Investigation Division. We're here handling a case and need to cooperate with the police."
The existence of the Investigation Division was no longer a secret within the police force.
The captain nodded seriously, "Understood."
They entered the equipment room, closed the door, blocking the view from outside.
Even with mental preparation, the officers were still shocked upon seeing the distorted ghost.
The captain managed to maintain composure and asked in a low voice, "Comrade Shen, what exactly is going on?"
Shen Hui looked at the female ghost, "The police are here. You can speak now."
The ghost gazed at the captain and said faintly, "Eight years ago, I reported the case. If you go back and check, you should find a record."
She began to recount her grievance.
The system asked, [Big shot, why not let the police investigate this time, but have her state the case herself?]
Qi Quan replied, [She reported the case but failed to get justice, meaning the police lacked sufficient evidence.]
Moreover, the female ghost's intention was different from Xue Hong's.
If the ghost couldn't get justice, she wouldn't release Wei Qian; Xue Hong just wanted to push Qian Kun to study and always intended to release him.
"They raped me here. I only heard someone called 'Young Master Wei'. They somehow knew I was face-blind. While hurting me, they laughed and asked if I remembered their faces... Later, I went to report the crime. But I didn't remember their faces, and my body had been cleaned. The police could only investigate people who had been in the equipment room during that time period. But there were no surveillance cameras on the field, so nothing was found."
The captain: "You just said you went to deliver water near the equipment room after receiving a phone message notification. Was that text message investigated?"
"It was investigated. A senior from the sports department notified me, but he said he left before I delivered the water."
"..."
This was clearly a setup!
Unfortunately, there was no evidence.
"I couldn't accept it. I had to find that person!" the ghost said. "Whoever could open the equipment room easily was likely someone from the sports department. I started secretly watching every day. Finally, one day, I heard 'Young Master Wei' again, and that familiar voice!"
"I secretly took a photo with my phone, planning to call the police again, but I was discovered! He snatched my phone and pushed me off the sixth floor!"
The team leader frowned, "The female university student falling case at Longlin University?"
He remembered this case quite well.
Because the day the falling incident happened was exactly his first day reporting to the municipal bureau. He didn't participate in the investigation, but he had vaguely heard some details of the case, only knowing it was eventually closed as a 'suicide' due to lack of evidence.
"Hah." The female ghost sneered, "They didn't know that after I fell, I became a ghost."
"Everyone thought I committed suicide because I had been violated, I was 'dirty', I couldn't bear the pressure of public opinion, so I chose to jump."
"Bullshit! I just wanted revenge!"
The female ghost said through gritted teeth, "Even if I became a ghost, I would haunt him for revenge!"
Qi Quan interjected coolly, "You found him again, using the convenience of your ghost form to terrorize him, wanting him to confess. But you didn't expect that he knew a capable Taoist priest. He asked the Taoist priest to eliminate you. No, he was even more malicious than you imagined. He asked the Taoist priest to trap you forever in this corner of the equipment room, making you live in torment every moment, making you writhe in agony within painful memories every second."
Everyone: "..."
A chill instantly swept through their bodies, and they couldn't help but shiver.
This was too vicious!
"Correct." The female ghost laughed bitterly, "I still remember that Taoist priest's aura. Before you, it was that Taoist priest who aided the villain that wanted to come looking!..."
"He must have long forgotten about this matter, otherwise why would he still be trying to come find it now?"
Zhang Chengyan was horrified, "You mean Wei Huanyang!"
Before seeking out Master Qi, they had only sought out one person - Wei Huanyang!
"He's also surnamed Wei?" The female ghost seized the key point and scoffed, "Then my death wasn't in vain."
With a Taoist priest helping to conceal the crime, how could the police possibly find the murderer who pushed her to her fall?
The team leader and the officers looked grave.
Such a heinous criminal had actually been at large for so many years, it was truly depressing and infuriating!
Zhang Chengyan's imagination ran a bit wild, "Could it be related to Fengmao Group again?"
"Probably not." Shen Hui, more familiar with the situation in Longlin City, said, "Wei Guangchang's family doesn't have anyone who studied at Longlin University. We can check Wei Huanyang's own family."
Wei Huanyang was a disciple of the Hengfeng Sect. Most people in his own family were still ordinary people. But because they had backing, the Wei family's status in Longlin City was somewhat transcendent.
At the very least, people who had favors to ask of Wei Huanyang would treat his family members with a degree of courtesy.
If it really was a person surnamed Wei who committed the crime, then Wei Qian truly suffered a calamity through no fault of his own.
The female ghost also realized something and stared blankly at the living soul in her hand.
"He really is only eighteen, not the person you're looking for," the team leader said.
The female ghost hesitated for a moment, then released Wei Qian.
She had been blinded by rage before, having a stress reaction when she heard that sentence, mistaking Wei Qian for the murderer.
The murderer had said that sentence when violating her, and again when asking the Taoist priest to trap her here.
It had caused her immense psychological trauma.
So when she heard Wei Qian say that sentence with a similar voice, she thought it was her old enemy revisiting the scene, wanting to see his handiwork firsthand and admire her misery.
Without a second thought, she captured his soul.
"I'm sorry," she apologized awkwardly.
Qi Quan instructed, "Take the living soul back."
Tang Mian immediately used a talisman to contain the living soul and asked, "Go back to the hospital now?"
Qi Quan said, "You go to the hospital to save the person first. Shen Hui, come with me to the Investigation Department."
She looked at the female ghost, "This matter involves the mystical arts community, you also have to come with us."
Female ghost: ???
"What is the Investigation Department?"
Qi Quan couldn't be bothered to explain. She tossed a peach wood plaque over, and the female ghost's figure disappeared.
Everyone: So simple and rough.
The team leader said, "We'll go back now to investigate the suspect."
As for the matter of Wei Huanyang covering up the crime, naturally it would be handled by the Investigation Department.
The division of labor was clear.
The Longlin City Investigation Department was also located in a standalone villa in the suburbs, situated in the northwest part of the city, facing the Hengfeng Sect from afar.
Arriving at the Investigation Department, Qi Quan remained seated in the car, only sending Shen Hui inside with the female ghost.
The female ghost was placed in an interrogation room.
Based on her statement, the Investigation Department had the authority to summon Wei Huanyang for questioning.
But the person in charge was in a difficult position.
"Shen Hui, Wei Huanyang is a fourth-level, third-rank Taoist priest, nearly fifth-level. Where do we have a master powerful enough to summon him? Master Ning has already returned to Longjing City. We can't ask him to come back again, can we?"
Shen Hui found it both funny and exasperating, "Director, that ghost is a fifth-level red ghost. How do you think I managed to bring her back?"
Director: "..."
Too busy to think straight.
He had an epiphany and said mysteriously, "I heard the higher-ups invited a grandmaster who lives in Longjiang City. This time, you didn't come with this grandmaster, did you?"
...
Shen Hui smiled and nodded.
"Where is the grandmaster?"
"Outside in the car."
The director was surprised, "Why didn't you invite them in?"
"Senior prefers not to socialize much," Shen Hui replied.
After just a few hours of interaction, he had roughly figured out Grandmaster Qi's personality.
Director: "Alright, then I won't disturb them. You go with the grandmaster to summon Wei Huanyang."
The authorities have been observing Wei Huanyang for a long time.
Talented, famous from a young age, vain and arrogant, lacking compassion for ordinary people, acting recklessly and without restraint. But with the backing of the Hengfeng Sect, a formidable mountain, the authorities couldn't easily move against him.
However, this time there was the victim's testimony, and with a grandmaster backing them up, he would have to come whether he wanted to or not.
The Investigation Department was newly established, and branches everywhere were eager to achieve some results. Longlin City couldn't afford to hold them back.
Unexpectedly, Shen Hui smiled and said, "He's under the jurisdiction of your Longlin City branch, so naturally you should go."
"You rascal! Daring to mock me!" The director laughed angrily.
Shen Hui took out a talisman and handed it to him, saying, "I still have to drive for the senior. This is a sixth-level Soul Confinement Talisman. It should be more than enough to deal with a fourth-level Taoist priest, right?"
Director: !!!
It's really easy to relax under the shade of a big tree!
He carefully held the sixth-level talisman, patted Shen Hui's shoulder, and said earnestly, "Xiao Shen, don't forget you started out from our Longlin City Investigation Department."
Shen Hui: "..."
He waved his hand, "The senior is still waiting for me. Wishing you a triumphant return."
At the hospital, Tang Mian had already returned the living soul to Wei Qian's body. Wei Qian opened his eyes, seeing his overjoyed father crying with happiness, feeling somewhat bewildered.
At 8 PM, Wei Huanyang was cultivating at his residence when someone suddenly came to the door.
A young attendant reported, "Master, someone is here. They say they're from the Special Cases Investigation Department and are here to summon you."
"Investigation Department?" Wei Huanyang gnashed his teeth, "Is Ning Zhi here?"
"No."
"Ha!"
Wei Huanyang sneered. Ning Zhi wasn't here, yet those people still dared to come looking for trouble? Did they really think he was easy to bully?
He strode quickly to the door, intent on venting his anger, when a flimsy talisman paper suddenly shot toward his face. He raised a hand to block it, but the paper attached itself directly to the back of his hand, utterly unfazed by his spiritual power. It even suppressed the circulation of his energy!
How was this possible?!
Wei Huanyang was shocked and dismayed. He frantically tried to tear the talisman off, but it remained immovable. He couldn't muster even the slightest bit of spiritual power anymore.
"Click."
A pair of cold handcuffs was fastened around his wrists.
Wei Huanyang only had time to instruct the young attendant to "notify the sect" before he was taken away by the investigators.
The young attendant: "..."
