Qi Quan, lost in her wishful thinking, set down her pen.
She had written down the detailed steps for drawing the compression talisman on paper and placed it in her bag.
Just then, the Investigation Department's car arrived.
Shen Hui was driving this time.
Qi Quan got into the car with Ling Sheng. With Chen Feilu not around, Ling Sheng had become her "assistant."
"Senior, the investigators sent for this special training session are all from various local departments who have reached a bottleneck and show signs of a breakthrough, as well as new recruits from our own department. It's sort of a benefit for the newcomers. We'll be troubling you later."
Qi Quan: "Mm."
It didn't matter to her; the one who would be tired was the wetland fierce ghost.
"There's another piece of news." Shen Hui's expression turned serious. "Last night, the technical team at the Longjing Headquarters captured traces of the 'Siren Queen,' but they vanished quickly. The other party's methods are highly sophisticated, likely the same person who escaped in Longjing City before."
The system fumed: 【This person is really a persistent nuisance!】
First selling citizens' information, then helping Lu Jiang with that "Fortune Immortal" public account, and now being connected to the "Siren Queen."
What was he trying to do?
Qi Quan said, "He is likely a core member of the evil cultivator organization."
Every case was related to him, indicating his importance within the organization.
Shen Hui: "This person is too cunning."
The department wanted to catch him, but he was like a ghost, coming and going freely within the network.
The "Siren Queen" was also connected to ghosts.
This evil cultivator organization truly employed both humans and ghosts.
Inside the Investigation Department, the investigators waiting for the special training could hardly contain their excitement.
"Will Senior Qi Quan really come in person?"
"Wow, that's great! I'll get to see the senior!"
"My workplace is too remote. Senior Qi Quan would probably never go there in a lifetime. I worked so hard to get this opportunity and traveled for so long. If I really get to see her, I'll have no regrets in this life!"
The investigators from Longjiang City shared in the pride.
Senior Qi Quan was from their Longjiang City, after all. She had even come to the department yesterday, and many people saw her.
There would be plenty of chances to meet her in the future.
Moreover, for the weekly training sessions, the number of participants from the Longjiang City Investigation Department would surely be higher than from other places.
Such happiness!
Tang Mian stood at the entrance, waiting, glancing at her watch from time to time.
They should have arrived by now, in theory.
On the road.
Shen Hui saw the red light and stepped on the brake.
This was a main road, a crossroads, and the red light lasted a long time.
He glanced in the rearview mirror at the back seat.
The senior had her eyes closed, resting, so he didn't speak.
The autumn wind was cool. The car window was open, letting the wind rush in, carrying a faint scent of osmanthus.
The peaceful and tranquil atmosphere was suddenly shattered by a sharp scream.
"Don't go—" The voice was mournful and piercing.
Shen Hui instinctively rolled up the window, then turned to look.
On the roadside, a girl was desperately clutching a boy's hand. Ignoring the stares of passersby, she knelt on the ground, weeping bitterly and pleading, "Don't go, don't leave me! I love you, I really love you!"
"Hah, you don't love me at all. You only love yourself. Search your heart, aren't you just in love with the gentleness and care I give you? What if all that disappeared? Would you still love me then?" The boy spoke coldly.
The girl shook her head frantically... "I love you for who you are! Why won't you believe me? What can I do to make you believe me? I really love you!"
"How much?" The boy's eyes held mockery.
The girl paused, then suddenly said in an eerie tone, "I could die for you."
The boy: "I don't believe you."
Passersby: "..."
Shen Hui: "..."
Was this some cheesy, cliché idol drama?
The red light had only one second left. Shen Hui released the brake, and the car moved forward—
A figure suddenly appeared in front of the car!
He reacted swiftly, slamming on the brakes. The car jolted violently.
Due to inertia, Ling Sheng was thrown forward, his head bumping against the back of the passenger seat. He looked up, dazed.
Qi Quan remained perfectly still.
She couldn't help but ask Ling Sheng, "Last time in Longjing City, you were like this too. Can't you use spiritual energy to balance your body?"
Ling Sheng: "..."
He only refrained from using spiritual power to balance his body when sharing a car with Qi Quan.
He took out his phone: 【Forgot.】
Qi Quan: ...
Shen Hui always drove very steadily, never with sudden starts or stops. Today was truly an exception.
To prove her deep love for the boy, the girl had recklessly run in front of his car.
Although he wasn't at fault, he still had to follow traffic rules and wait for the traffic police to handle it.
He had stopped in time; the car hadn't touched the girl. Yet, she lay on the ground, wailing loudly and shouting, "Do you see now? Do you see now! I really do love you!"
Shen Hui: "..."
If you were really determined, why pick a car that had just started moving to stage a collision?
What did he do to deserve this?
Many passersby stopped to watch. Shen Hui got out of the car, speechless.
The boy seemed infuriated. Blurting out harsh words, he said, "That's it? A car that just started moving? What does that prove? If you have the guts, don't do it at the crosswalk—go to the middle of the road!"
Stimulated by his words, the girl immediately stood up and tried to dash into the middle of the road.
Shen Hui quickly grabbed her arm, shouting sternly, "Are you trying to get yourself killed?"
"If he doesn't believe I love him, what's the point of living?" the girl screamed hysterically.
Shen Hui: "..."
A passerby advised, "Young lady, don't be so rash. You look quite pretty. Don't degrade yourself like this. If this one doesn't love you, there will surely be another. You only have one life."
"Yes, yes, don't let love cloud your judgment."
"Miss, please don't do anything foolish."
"Young man, don't say things in anger. Go and talk to her."
The boy looked embarrassed, a trace of malice flashing in his eyes. He sneered coldly, "What does her wanting to die have to do with me?"
The crowd: "..."
Hearing this, the girl was heartbroken and struggled fiercely against Shen Hui's grip. "Let me go! Let me die!"
Shen Hui's frown deepened.
He still had to take the senior to the Investigation Department. He really didn't have time to waste here.
Fortunately, the traffic police arrived promptly.
Shen Hui showed his credentials. With bystanders as witnesses, the traffic police restrained the frantic girl, allowing him to return to the car.
He really couldn't understand young people these days.
The car started and slowly maneuvered around the crowd.
Through the window, Qi Quan saw the boy lowering his head to fiddle with his phone. From an angle invisible to the passersby, a smug smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
More crucially, his phone faintly emitted a ghostly aura.
Qi Quan drew a shadow-retaining talisman in the air. The transparent talisman floated to the top of the boy's head, capturing the screen of his phone from the best angle.
With her level of cultivation, the talismans she drew were difficult for humans or ghosts to detect.
The boy didn't notice, nor did the ghost inside the phone...
notice.
When the boy turned off his phone, the shadow-retaining talisman returned to Qi Quan's hand.
Shen Hui asked keenly, "Senior, is there a problem?"
"Yes. We'll look at it back at the department."
Investigation Department.
Tang Mian, having waited an extra ten minutes, finally saw the car arrive.
When Shen Hui got out, she whispered, "Maybe I should drive next time."
Shen Hui: "..."
Please don't compete for the driver's position, okay?
The two followed Qi Quan into the Investigation Department.
The investigators in the training room craned their necks to look outside.
"They're here, they're here!"
"Wow, I see the senior!"
"As expected of a senior master. Even though she didn't do anything, I just feel she's incredibly impressive."
"That's called aura!"
Facing the young people with their burning gazes, Qi Quan remained composed. She placed the fierce ghost into the training room and instructed, "Be a good training partner."
The fierce ghost: "..."
Hopeless existence.
The investigators participating in this training session were at most at the third level, third tier. She adjusted the fierce ghost's level to the fourth level, first tier, and then left the training room.
"The senior is leaving already?"
"The senior is so busy, how could she possibly stay to watch us train?"
"I wanted to leave a good impression in front of the senior."
"Give it up, you."
Qi Quan went to the conference room.
A moment later, Meng Yunzheng hurried over, his face apologetic as he said, "I had something to deal with just now. Have you been waiting long, Senior?"
Qi Quan first activated the Shadow Retaining Talisman.
The talisman transformed into a luminous screen, displaying the footage from that male student's phone.
He was chatting in a group.
Shen Hui exclaimed in surprise, "The Siren King!"
Previously, there was a Siren Queen, and now a Siren King appears. Could they possibly be unrelated?
The girl's frenzied appearance, what difference was there from those men bewitched by Shao Jing?
There was a difference.
Shao Jing subjectively didn't know her "seduction techniques" would harm people, but this boy was clearly intentionally guiding the girl to suicide.
System: [So there's more than just a Siren Queen!]
In the Siren King group chat.
[WomenAreTrash: Hahahaha, took care of another woman today. It's way too easy, boringly easy. Just sweet-talked her a bit and she's utterly devoted. She even wanted to throw herself in front of a car just now to prove her love. So damn cheap!]
[GonnaKillTheShrewEventually: Sigh, so jealous of you, single and free. Not like me, stuck with a shrew at home, hardly any chance to mess with young girls.]
[WomenJustNeedABeating: That shrew of yours, just beat her a few times and she'll behave. What are you so frustrated about? Coward.]
[GonnaKillTheShrewEventually: Who are you calling a coward? You're the damn coward!]
[WomenAreTrash: Stop fighting. I've taken care of five pieces of trash this month, that's a pretty good record, right?]
[SquirrelLovingHazelnut: Did she really get hit by the car?]
[WomenAreTrash: She did, but the car stopped in time, not seriously hurt.]
[SquirrelLovingHazelnut: Then it doesn't count.]
[WomenAreTrash: The first four count, right? One slit her wrists, one jumped off a building, one swallowed sleeping pills, one died by gas.]
[SquirrelLovingHazelnut: Counts.]
[GonnaKillTheShrewEventually: Dude, you're seriously awesome!]
[WomenJustNeedABeating: Badass!]
Seeing this, Meng Yunzheng and the others were so angry their veins bulged and their breathing became heavy.
Scum! Utterly inhuman scum!
System: [Too terrifying!]
The video ended here.
Qi Quan retrieved the Shadow Retaining Talisman and said, "Someone is exploiting the extreme psychology of some women and men, inciting them to recklessly play with others' emotions and guide them to suicide."
"Exactly," Meng Yunzheng said gravely. "The behavior is extremely vile."
"We didn't see the group avatar, but we saw the avatar of that 'SquirrelLovingHazelnut'. My cultivation is low, I couldn't see through it. Senior, did you?" Shen Hui asked.
This person was definitely in cahoots with "HazelnutLovingSquirrel", their names were too similar.
Qi Quan: "There's high-level illusion magic on the avatar."
"What level?" Meng Yunzheng asked urgently.
Qi Quan: "Eighth level."
"..."
Are the eighth-level celestial masters of this evil cultivation organization as common as cabbages?
Qi Quan took out several talismans and a piece of paper from her bag.
"Director Li plans to send people to Longlin City and Longtang City to investigate the criminal dens. The den in Longlin City is guarded by several seventh-level celestial masters. If they are overpowered by the Investigation Department and choose to self-destruct, it could destroy evidence at the den and cause unnecessary casualties. Send these to Longjing City."
Meng Yunzheng hadn't seen such talismans before and asked, "These are?"
"Talismans that can suppress the self-destruction of a seventh-level celestial master," Qi Quan pointed to the paper. "These are the steps for creating the talisman. Give them to the Investigation Department."
Meng Yunzheng was overjoyed.
At the Hongmen Banquet hosted by the Guiyuan Sect, he had heard countless retellings of how Qi Quan instantly suppressed a seventh-level celestial master's self-destruction.
He had previously thought, if only their investigators could also suppress enemy self-destruction during operations.
Who would have thought Senior Qi would deliver such a pleasant surprise!
He said with a smile, "Thank you so much!"
Qi Quan nodded. "Send this Shadow Retaining Talisman along as well."
The group chat Shao Jing was in is now being tracked by technical personnel in Longjing City. This group can be handled together with that case.
"Alright!"
Longjing City Investigation Department.
"Director Li, there's news from Yan Huai." Di Meng strode into the office. "Yan Mao is going out today."
Li Guoyan's spirits lifted.
"Keep a close eye on him."
Yan Mao is only a fourth-level celestial master. Whether Ning Zhi or Di Meng goes, it would be more than sufficient.
Di Meng accepted the order and left.
The Yan Family.
Yan Mao finished his morning studies and asked for leave to go out in the afternoon.
He was an outer sect disciple. The life of an outer sect disciple was dull and monotonous: either cultivating, going out to do low-level tasks to earn some living expenses, or handling mundane affairs to provide more cultivation resources for the main family.
He was now at the fourth level, considered quite high among outer sect disciples. If he won first place in the upcoming internal family competition next month, he could leap to become an inner sect disciple.
The family competition was next month.
Humming a little tune happily, Yan Mao walked out.
His pace was swift, and he soon entered the nearest subway station entrance.
The Yan family's main estate wasn't in the downtown area, but it wasn't remote either.
His destination was quite far, about a two-hour subway ride.
He had taken this route many times, always arriving safely without being discovered.
After all, who would care where an outer sect disciple went?
He didn't notice the person following him.
Di Meng wore a mask, suppressed all his aura, and blended inconspicuously into the crowd.
Nearly two hours on the subway, from the city center to the suburbs, from crowded to sparse, he remained absolutely vigilant.
Finally, Yan Mao was about to get off.
Di Meng followed at a leisurely pace.
This suburban area was located in the northwest part of Longjing City, somewhat remote, but the feng shui was good, very suitable for recuperation.
Yan Mao remained completely unaware of Di Meng.
Every time he came here, he could receive his share of pills. Taking the pills made his cultivation progress much faster.
But he had to do tasks for them.
He was an outer sect disciple of the main family. In principle, he should serve the main family. If anyone found out he was working for the people here, he would surely lose even his status as an outer sect disciple.
Not only did he have to pass on information about the main family, but he also acted as a liaison, instructing others to do unsavory things.
If this ever came to light, he was finished!
Feeling uneasy, Yan Mao arrived at the courtyard gate. After looking around, he knocked.
But the door remained unopened.
Strange. He had never encountered this situation before. He took out his phone, planning to send a message to ask, only to find that all the related phone numbers and records in his phone were gone!
A chill ran down Yan Mao's spine.
Suddenly, a few black and red characters appeared on the phone screen: ["There's a tail behind you."]
Yan Mao: !!!
Without a second thought, he slapped on a Swift Movement Talisman and took off running.
If Di Meng let him escape right under his nose, he might as well quit the Investigation Division.
He grabbed Yan Mao in one swift move, slapped on special handcuffs, pulled out his phone, and made a call: "Send a few more people over."
"On what grounds are you arresting me? What right do you have to cuff me! I'm a law-abiding citizen!" Yan Mao struggled and shouted.
Di Meng found him too noisy and sealed his mouth shut.
"You can say whatever you want slowly back at the Division."
Yan Mao: "Mmph mmph mmph!"
Di Meng ignored him, looking up to observe the mansion.
He took a photo and sent it back to the Division for investigation. Soon, a message came back:
[The homeowner of the residence is named Yan Fengqing, a cousin of the current head of the Yan family.]
Investigators who enter the Investigation Division have memorized the genealogies of all major occult families and sects.
Seeing the name, Di Meng quickly retrieved this person's information from his memory and couldn't help but click his tongue.
On the surface, this seemed like a pitiable figure.
But with Yan Mao currently in his grasp, and Yan Mao's connection to this place, it was hard not to be suspicious.
There were plenty of examples of pitiable people turning to the dark side.
Other members of the Investigation Division soon arrived.
Di Meng had Yan Mao taken back first, while he and the others stayed behind, intending to meet Yan Fengqing.
"Captain Di, the mansion is protected by an array."
Di Meng nodded and stepped forward himself, knocking on the door.
No matter how long he knocked, there was no response.
Without clear evidence linking Yan Fengqing to the case, they couldn't force their way in. They could only return to interrogate Yan Mao.
Di Meng said, "Keep a close watch here. Report any unusual activity to me immediately."
"Yes, Captain Di."
Di Meng returned to the Investigation Division.
Yan Mao was already being interrogated.
Standing outside, he asked a team member beside him, "Has the phone been examined?"
"Yes, there are signs of deleted data. The tech team is trying to recover it."
Just as Di Meng was about to speak, someone ran over and said, "Captain Di, Director Li wants to see you in his office."
"Understood."
He turned and headed to the office.
In Li Guoyan's office was another person, an investigator from Longjiang City, specifically sent to deliver something.
After Di Meng entered, the investigator activated a Shadow Retention Talisman, projecting the recorded footage for both of them to see.
After the video ended, the atmosphere in the office grew heavy.
Li Guoyan asked, "What did the Master say?"
The investigator replied, "...It can be handled jointly with the Siren Queen case. The Division has not summoned the young man in the video for now, fearing he might detect it and erase traces, similar to the Shao Jing case."
Di Meng clenched his fist, angrily saying, "What is the purpose of them doing this?"
Since the senior said there were ghosts and illusion magic in the group, the masterminds behind these two groups must be a Taoist master and a ghost.
What were they trying to achieve by controlling these groups?
These were just the groups they had discovered. Could there be more such groups secretly inciting people to harm others?
He said through gritted teeth, "This evil cultivator organization really has a diverse portfolio."
Li Guoyan, however, frowned. "It doesn't seem like it."
"Doesn't seem like it?" Di Meng was puzzled. "Doesn't seem like what?"
"I have a feeling the methods of these two Siren groups are somewhat different from the Ghost Marriage case and the Bloody Pill case," Li Guoyan said. "The former is more subtle, like a venomous snake hiding in the shadows, while the latter appears crude and violent."
Thinking it over carefully, Di Meng agreed.
He said, "But they seem to share the same network expert."
The tech department had analyzed it; the online traces likely came from the same person.
Li Guoyan: "One person holding two jobs isn't impossible. This is just my speculation."
He paused. "What about the situation with Yan Fengqing?"
"Yan Mao only admits to having received favors from Yan Fengqing in the past, which is why he often visited. He claims to know nothing else and denies instructing the two sixth-level Taoist masters to attack the Lakeside Villa."
Li Guoyan: "Intensify the interrogation. Have the tech department recover the information from his phone as soon as possible."
"Yes, sir!"
Yan Mao couldn't withstand the Investigation Division's relentless interrogation and eventually confessed.
The Yan Family.
Yan Fengjun, upon hearing the butler's report, was momentarily stunned.
"An outer disciple? The Investigation Division?"
"Yes, an outer disciple was taken for interrogation by the Investigation Division. Should we inquire for details?"
Yan Fengjun pondered for a moment, then asked, "When and where was he captured?"
"He was captured this afternoon at three o'clock, right in front of that mansion in the northwestern suburbs."
Yan Fengjun's eyes suddenly darkened.
"You mean... Yan Fengqing's residence?"
"Yes."
"What is a Yan family outer disciple doing over there?"
The butler shook his head. "It's unclear at the moment."
Yan Fengjun: "Investigate."
"Yes, sir."
At the suburban mansion in the capital, Yan Fengqing downed a large bowl of medicinal brew, frowning as he said, "How did the Investigation Division find Yan Mao so quickly?"
The steward took the medicine bowl and replied, "Only those two had contact with Yan Mao. But one's Puppet Talisman has already detonated. Could the other have talked? That doesn't seem right either. If he had revealed Yan Mao, why wouldn't the Puppet Talisman have detonated?"
He was also utterly perplexed by this.
Yan Fengqing's voice was hoarse: "Either there was a slip-up on Ghost's end."
"That shouldn't be. Ever since the Investigation Division traced him through Yan Wu's phone, he's been extremely cautious. If the Investigation Division had really traced through their phones, he wouldn't have been unaware. Moreover, it was he who alerted us in time today about Yan Mao having a tail."
Yan Fengqing's brow furrowed with malice. "It's not this, it's not that. Are the people at the Investigation Division all gods?"
The steward: "..."
He suddenly remembered something. "The latest chapter of 'The Diary of a Wealthy Family' wrote about breaking puppet control. Could it be that she has created a new talisman?"
"Impossible!" Yan Fengqing flatly denied. "I haven't even managed to create one. How could she? Even if she did create one, how could she remove a Puppet Talisman from someone's soul?"
After all, once a Puppet Talisman is activated, it detonates instantly.
The steward deeply agreed: "I was mistaken."
The family head's talent for talisman creation was once among the best in the occult world, second only to that person, with no other rivals.
"I wonder if Yan Mao will give us away," the steward worried.
Yan Mao was an outer disciple of the main family. To avoid detection, they hadn't used a Puppet Talisman on him. He might say things he shouldn't.
"And what if he does?" Yan Fengqing wasn't concerned. "He's a disciple of the main family. What does that have to do with me?"
The steward understood.
One person's testimony wasn't enough to convict them. Moreover, a main family disciple might only take orders from the head of the main family.
Lakeside Villa.
Qi Quan was meditating and cultivating in her room when an incredibly fragrant scent drifted to her nose. She opened her eyes.
It was the scent of osmanthus.
Was Su Steward making something delicious again?
She got up, left her room, and came to the courtyard under the skywell.
One person and two ghosts were squatting on the ground, sorting through freshly picked osmanthus flowers, filling the courtyard with fragrance.
"What's going on here?"
Ling Sheng looked up, his hands still channeling spiritual energy to filter the delicate petals. He smiled at her, his eyes clear and bright.
"Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival. I plan to make some pastries with osmanthus flowers to taste, and also send some to my parents and some previous clients," Su Steward said with a smile.
Qi Quan was momentarily stunned.
So tomorrow was the Mid-Autumn Festival.
By the time she processed this, Ling Sheng had already packed more than half of the filtered osmanthus flowers into glass jars, leaving the rest untouched.
The meaning was clear.
The osmanthus filtered of impurities was for the Lakeside Villa; the rest were for gifts.
Qi Quan couldn't help but laugh.
She asked, "What else needs to be prepared?"
"Mooncakes, pomegranates, persimmons—they're all ready," Xue Hong thought for a moment. "It would be even more perfect if we could get some hairy crabs."
Qi Quan: "..."
Su Steward smiled. "Alright, I'll ask around to see where they're sold."
As soon as he finished speaking, the villa's doorbell rang.
It was Du Jiaming and the other two.
Each of them was carrying a large pile of gifts.
Su Rong opened the door.
"Steward Su, long time no see!" Zhang Chengyan squeezed to the front, saying cheerfully, "Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival. I thought there wasn't much I could do to help the Master, so I came to deliver some things. Just a small token of my appreciation, I hope the Master will accept it."
Du Jiaming and Yang Su were not to be outdone.
Su Rong smiled. "Come in."
The three followed him into the courtyard and immediately spotted Qi Quan under the skylight, their faces lighting up with delight.
"Master!"
Zhang Chengyan rushed forward. "Master, it's so great to see you!"
The other two also hurried over.
Qi Quan: "..."
Too syrupy, causing discomfort.
She smiled. "Come in for some tea."
The three entered the living room beaming with joy.
The gifts were all placed under the corridor. Xue Hong took a glance and saw that among them were premium hairy crabs. They really knew how to handle things.
Su Steward was busy making pastries, so Xue Hong proactively took on the household duties, pouring tea for the three guests.
The three said politely, "Thank you, Teacher Xue."
After pouring the tea, Xue Hong didn't leave either, sitting on the nearby sofa to chat with the guests.
"Master, your complexion is even better than before," Zhang Chengyan said bluntly, buttering her up.
"Master, it's such a shame I couldn't go see the martial arts competition in person. I saw many comments in the novel's forum saying they want to have your babies, haha," said Yang Su.
Du Jiaming refused to fall behind. "Master, has your cultivation advanced again? You seem even more radiant yet restrained, profound and unfathomable."
"..."
The system said disdainfully, "They're getting more and more nauseatingly sweet."
Qi Quan asked somewhat amusedly, "Alright, out with it. What do you all want?"
"Master," Du Jiaming spoke first. "There's a custom here for the Mid-Autumn Festival: making wishes to the moon. But I thought about it left and right, making wishes to the moon isn't as good as making wishes to the Master's protective talisman. I wonder if the Master could bestow upon me a protective talisman?"
He looked at Qi Quan anxiously.
Although his face was burning with embarrassment, he really, really wanted a protective talisman drawn by the Master!
The system timely reported, "Big Boss, I just checked. 'Today is Auspicious,' 'Today is Greatly Beneficial,' and 'Greatly Auspicious and Profitable' each dropped five thousand deep-water torpedoes for you half an hour ago."
Back when Zhang Chengyan was rescued, "Today is Auspicious" had appeared in the then still quiet comments section of "Diary of a Wealthy Family" to thank the Master for saving his life. The system had deduced it was him.
From this, it could be inferred that the other two corresponded to Du Jiaming and Yang Su.
Protective talismans were truly insignificant to Qi Quan.
She asked Yang Su and Zhang Chengyan, "Are you two the same as him?"
Yang Su nodded, but Zhang Chengyan shook his head.
All three members of the Zhang family already had protective talismans, unused so far, so they weren't needed for now.
She glanced at Ling Sheng.
Ling Sheng understood and went to the storeroom to fetch two protective talismans.
"Thank you, Master!" Du Jiaming and Yang Su accepted them excitedly.
Little did they know how much they had envied Zhang Chengyan's protective talisman!
Zhang Chengyan seized the moment to say, "Master, I'd like to ask you to take a look at my career prospects."
He had been quite troubled these days.
Since giving up his playboy ways, Old Zhang had taken him to the company for training. Of course, he wanted to do well, but there was always one person in the company who overshadowed him, leaving him frustrated and stifled.
He might as well let the Master take a look. If he really wasn't cut out for this, he could start some other side business early and not waste his life at the company.
Qi Quan glanced at his facial features and said, "Success depends on one's efforts. It depends on whether you want to do it or not."
"I do want to do well. It would be nice to make Old Zhang happy too. But there's this incredibly talented guy at the company who outshines me no matter where I go. Once, I hid in the fire escape to smoke and relieve my frustration, and I overheard people behind my back comparing me to that guy, saying I only have my family background to rely on and am actually good for nothing."
This had hit him hard.
Du Jiaming raised an eyebrow. "Why didn't you mention this to us?"
"How embarrassing," Zhang Chengyan said gloomily.
Yang Su teased him, "We all know about you wetting the bed at six. What's this compared to that?"
Zhang Chengyan's face flushed bright red. He glared at him. "What nonsense are you talking about?!"
Bringing up such embarrassing things in front of the Master? Did he have no face to save?
The system was also curious. "Big Boss, how is his fortune really?"
Qi Quan: "Not bad."
"Then why didn't you just tell him directly?"
Qi Quan: "Consciousness has an active role."
System: ...
"So what kind of amazing person is he anyway?" Du Jiaming asked with a grin. "He's so influential in the company, and Uncle Zhang doesn't do anything about it?"
Zhang Chengyan said with a bitter face, "Old Zhang appreciates him a lot. His professional skills are indeed good."
"Then hire him as a professional manager in the future," Yang Su advised him. "Wouldn't it be nice for you to lie back comfortably and make money?"
Zhang Chengyan: "You're just making fun of me!"
Competition breeds motivation.
Before, he was a slacker living off his parents, but now, with someone to compare to, he had developed some ambition.
He sighed. "Actually, if it was just a blow to my career, that would be fine. I could start a side business. But what I can't stand is that he wounded my dignity as a man!"
Qi Quan: ?
System: ???
Du Jiaming was stunned for a second and blurted out, "A man's dignity? Don't tell me..."
Yang Su also looked him up and down. "He didn't bully you, did he?"
"Damn it, what are you two thinking!" Zhang Chengyan was frantic. "It's not what you're imagining!"
"Then what is it?"
Zhang Chengyan pointed at his own face and asked, "Am I not handsome?"
Du Jiaming: "Although not as handsome as me, you're passable."
"Right, so? Did he call you ugly?"
Zhang Chengyan was speechless. "If he really did that, I would have beaten him up long ago. Can you imagine, a handsome guy like me, and not a single girl in the company is interested in me? Instead, they all adore him?"
"Uh," Du Jiaming paused. "You are handsome, but maybe he's both handsome and capable?"
"Right, personal charisma can be a bigger plus sometimes."
Zhang Chengyan: "If he were really handsome, I wouldn't be so depressed and conflicted. The key point is, he really isn't good-looking at all. He's not even average. Sure, personal charm can attract girls' favor too, but can it really make every single girl, without exception, fall in love with him?"
"Seeing is believing. Are there any photos?" Du Jiaming asked.
Zhang Chengyan said, "Yes, my assistant posted some on her social feed. Let me find them."
Du Jiaming and Yang Su: "..."
Even his own assistant was captivated. That really was pitiful.
Soon, Zhang Chengyan found the social post his assistant had made just yesterday.
["They say a man focused on his work is the most handsome, and truer words were never spoken! [Photo][Photo][Photo]"]
Yang Su: ?
Du Jiaming: ?
Seeing the photos, the system also couldn't believe it: [This? Just this? This is enough to win the admiration of all the women in the company? If I were Zhang Chengyan, I'd be resentful too!]
A face that was plain, even somewhat ugly—small eyes, a flat nose bridge, thick lips, plus a short, stocky build—revealed not a shred of charm.
Du Jiaming silently patted Zhang Chengyan's shoulder.
Yang Su asked, puzzled, "Are you sure he's the one charming all the women in the company?"
"Isn't my assistant's social feed proof enough?"
"Fair point."
Zhang Chengyan couldn't hold back: "He really treats the company like his personal harem. I've even heard the women have titles like 'Empress' and 'Imperial Consort.' They used to vie for his favor among themselves, making me feel like I was watching a palace drama!"
"..."
The system was already quite experienced by now.
It stated with certainty: [Boss, this guy definitely has a problem. Could he be another one of the Siren King's crew?]
Qi Quan: [Judging by his physiognomy, he is indeed tainted by a significant amount of Yin energy.]
To possess such great charm, he was likely a core member of the Siren King group.
She looked at Zhang Chengyan: "Help me with something."
Zhang Chengyan perked up: "Please, go ahead!"
"Get me a file on him."
"Will a resume do?"
"That's fine."
An idea struck Zhang Chengyan, and he asked: "Master, you want his file... is it because there's something wrong with him?"
"Possibly."
Zhang Chengyan's gloominess vanished instantly: "I knew it! How could someone as handsome as me possibly lose to him?"
Xue Hong, standing nearby, remarked quietly: "But professional competence really does add points."
Regardless, that man's outstanding work performance alone added a lot to his appeal.
Provoked by her words, Zhang Chengyan declared with great spirit: "I'll do an even better job than him!"
Xue Hong: "Good luck."
After the three left, Qi Quan sent the information to Li Guoyan.
Once this person's identity was confirmed, the technical department could monitor his phone.
The more targets they monitored, the greater the chance of uncovering clues.
That online phantom was just one person; it was impossible for him to keep track of all the "tools" at all times.
[Li Guoyan: Received. Tomorrow, Yin Yi and Fu Jiuchong will personally go to Longlin City, and Wan Du will head to Longtang City, aiming to destroy the production base of the Bloody Pills in one fell swoop.]
Qi Quan: [Good.]
[Li Guoyan: After interrogation, Yan Mao has confessed. He was the one who directed the two sixth-level celestial masters to attack the Lakeside Villa. The person commanding him is a member of the Yan family's collateral branch, Yan Fengqing. However, we only have his testimony, no direct evidence. The department summoned Yan Fengqing, but he refused to cooperate. Due to barrier arrays obstructing access, no one answers at his residence, and forced entry is ineffective.]
Qi Quan: [Send me his file.]
Li Guoyan sent it promptly.
[Yan Fengqing, male, fifty-six years old, seventh-level celestial master, proficient in talisman arts. Currently the third younger cousin of the current Yan family head, Yan Fengjun. Became a seventh-level celestial master at twenty-eight and was once seen as a potential candidate for family head. Twenty-five years ago, suffered damage to the meridians in both legs in an accident and has since lived in a residence in the Beijing suburbs to recuperate. PS: Once pursued Fu Jiuge.]
The system: [He actually had a crush on Ling Sheng's mother! He's eleven years older than her. An old cow trying to eat young grass, what wishful thinking!]
Qi Quan: [Age isn't particularly important for cultivators.]
For a seventh-level celestial master, fifty-six is still quite young, and he was only around thirty when he was pursuing her.
[That still doesn't make it okay!]
Qi Quan smiled faintly and asked: [Do you think a seventh-level celestial master with crippled legs could command three seventh-level and one eighth-level masters?]
[He's proficient in talisman arts, right? He could use puppet talismans.]
Qi Quan: [Puppet talismans can at most be used on cultivators of the same level. He cannot bind a puppet talisman to the soul of an eighth-level celestial master.]
The system: [So then?]
Qi Quan chuckled and said: [But Yan Wu and Yan Mao likely followed his orders, repeatedly provoking my Lakeside Villa. Do they truly think I have no temper?]
The system: [The boss is mighty!]
Qi Quan replied to Li Guoyan: [What if I can break his barrier array?]
[Li Guoyan: Ah, that would be excellent, of course. Are you planning to come to Longjing?]
Qi Quan: [No.]
[Li Guoyan: ?]
Suburban residence outside the capital.
The man, buried in his work carving talismans, felt an inexplicable chill run down his spine and shivered.
The intuition of a seventh-level celestial master told him—
Disaster was approaching.
