The injured man wore a look of genuine confusion, not feigned.
Qi Quan stopped questioning and sat to the side to cultivate.
The three others: ?
The senior wasn't speaking, so they didn't know what to do either.
Ling Sheng pulled an electronic device from his bag.
He pressed a button, and the device emitted a synthetic voice: "Please lie down."
Ling Sheng pointed to the hospital bed.
The three: "..."
The two team members moved the injured man onto the bed.
Ling Sheng pressed another button.
"Please leave."
The two walked out somewhat bewildered and closed the door.
Ling Sheng looked at the injured man and pressed another button.
"Please close your eyes."
The injured man wanted to ask something, but seeing Ling Sheng's demeanor, he obediently closed his eyes.
With his eyes closed, his sense of touch became sharper.
At the wound on his right leg, a gentle surge of spiritual energy flowed in. Miraculously, his own meridians and spiritual energy did not reject this foreign strand.
In his understanding, the spiritual energy of different cultivators was mutually exclusive. If another cultivator's energy invaded one's meridians, it would result in his current condition.
Yet, he felt no resistance to this physician's energy!
Did this mean he could be cured?
Ling Sheng was intensely focused.
Having saved one person yesterday, he had gained some insight, and today he was even more adept.
He detected the third-party spiritual energy wreaking havoc within the meridians, carefully seeped his own energy around it, enveloped it, and meticulously moved it out of the meridians. Once the foreign energy left the meridians, it dissipated into the air.
The injured man opened his eyes in astonishment.
The pain in his right leg had completely vanished! His spiritual energy could also circulate normally now!
How much time had passed?
One minute or two?
Sob sob sob sob, Senior Qi truly lived up to his reputation, even his assistant was this incredible!
Ling Sheng glanced up at him, his amber eyes calm and unreadable.
The injured man tensed up and hurriedly closed his eyes again.
Although this physician's spiritual energy felt very amiable, his temperament was quite aloof.
Ling Sheng repeated the method and soon healed the man's other leg.
He pressed a button.
"Treatment complete. Please leave."
The injured man instinctively lifted his leg—it was truly healed!
He excitedly expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, doctor! Thank you!"
Then, supporting himself on both legs, he left the infirmary.
In the training room, the waiting inspectors were stunned.
The most severely injured person was cured that quickly?
It was unbelievable!
As more injured received treatment, Ling Sheng's technique became increasingly proficient. He could even simultaneously control spiritual energy with both hands to treat two injuries on a patient, which significantly increased his speed.
Several dozen injured were treated in just over an hour.
Towards the end, for those with lighter injuries, it took less than a minute each.
Everyone marveled at the sight.
Meng Yunzheng was naturally overjoyed. Once all the injured were cured without exception, he immediately reported the matter to headquarters.
Upon receiving the news, Li Guoyan wasted no time. He called Qi Quan to specially appoint Ling Sheng as the Chief Physician of the Investigation Department.
Currently, within the Mystic Arts world, aside from Ling Sheng, there was no one else capable of completely curing damaged meridians.
"I'll have someone start making his credentials and salary card immediately. Please send a photo of his ID card."
Qi Quan, sitting in the car on the way back, replied, "His ID card hasn't been processed yet."
"..."
Li Guoyan said, "Then we'll make the credentials first."
"Mm."
"Master, I have another question," Li Guoyan asked somewhat apologetically. "I wonder if old, chronic injuries can be treated?"
The Investigation Department had been secretly established for some time, and personnel had been trained early on. Some investigators were injured in earlier cases, which were carried out covertly and known to very few.
After their injuries, the Department was unable to provide effective treatment and could only arrange for them to recuperate in sanatoriums.
These investigators had been enduring immense pain due to injuries to their meridians or dantians.
Qi Quan said, "After we return, I'll have Ling Sheng contact you himself via text message."
"Good." Li Guoyan agreed, then added, "There's another matter. The production bases in Longlin City and Longtang City are both shielded by a ninth-grade formation. Yin Yi and Wan Du had no choice but to return to Longjing."
Qi Quan's brow twitched slightly—a ninth-grade formation.
The grade of a formation and the cultivator's cultivation level are not always directly corresponding. Many formation masters reach a certain cultivation level, but their mastery of formations may not necessarily match it.
Someone capable of setting up a ninth-grade formation is at least a ninth-grade formation master, and more likely has already reached the Human Sovereign realm.
Even if the formation master is only ninth-grade, whoever commands a ninth-grade formation master must absolutely be at the Human Sovereign realm.
As for the Human Immortal realm, Qi Quan didn't consider it.
It wasn't that she refused to acknowledge that someone's cultivation could reach the Human Immortal level, but rather that upon reaching it, one's lifespan becomes almost immeasurably long.
A Human Immortal with such a long lifespan would have no need to engage with these evil organizations, seizing others' vitality and fortune.
The most likely candidate is a Human Sovereign realm cultivator seeking to break through to the Human Immortal realm.
Qi Quan instantly guessed the hidden power behind the evil cultivator organization.
But it was just a guess; she didn't elaborate.
"Master, they are acting with impunity," Li Guoyan said gravely.
Qi Quan asked, "They possess Bloodburst Pills and other special pills, so they won't lack high-level masters. Given the current state of the Investigation Department and the Mystic Arts world, it's not advisable to take drastic action."
Their impunity stems from knowing that the Investigation Department and the Mystic Arts world can do nothing against them.
In this situation, they wouldn't feel the need to lash out recklessly.
The conflict between the Master Association and the inspection teams was most likely instigated by a third party infiltrating both sides, preventing genuine cooperation between the authorities and the Mystic Arts world.
This proves the other side needs time.
The Investigation Department and the Mystic Arts world also need time.
It becomes a race.
She had realized this, and Li Guoyan naturally had too.
He said, "Knowing they are harming children, we cannot just stand by and watch."
"Take a two-pronged approach," Qi Quan stated. "Since we already know the locations of their production bases, increase surveillance efforts, deploy defenses around the perimeters, and strictly inspect suspicious individuals with children. Another point is the third-party moles within the Master Association."
"I've already dispatched people to monitor the areas around the bases. The Department has considered capturing the moles, but evil masters are still masters; they are adept at disguise."
Qi Quan smiled. "No matter how adept at disguise, they will slip up. Who, able to live in the sunlight, would willingly hide in the shadows?"
Li Guoyan understood immediately. "You mean, they are either under the control of a high-level puppet talisman or need to take certain pills."
"Mm. If instruments could detect those who have been implanted with puppet talismans or have taken such pills, the moles could be identified without raising alarm."
Li Guoyan: "I'll have the technical department start developing that right away."
"There's one more thing," Qi Quan said. "On the first inspector treated today, I sensed the aura of an eighth-level powerful ghost."
Li Guoyan exclaimed in surprise, "Eighth-level? Could it be the 'Siren Queen' who hasn't been captured yet?"
"Not necessarily."
Qi Quan had sensed the ghostly aura but did not feel any bloodlust or malice.
"Alright, I understand. The Department will investigate thoroughly," Li Guoyan said with a smile. "Thank you for your hard work today, and Dr. Ling's as well."
"Mm."
Li Guoyan added, "Regarding the Siren groups, I've already notified the relevant departments to increase publicity efforts, urging the public to download the related software, which will automatically block such groups."
System: [Wow, this is really good!]
"The master warns readers in his novel, so we shouldn't lag behind, right?" Li Guoyan joked with a laugh.
Qi Quan: "..."
The call ended as the car arrived at the villa gate.
Back in her room, Qi Quan suddenly heard Qin Ruo's furious shouts coming from the peachwood plaque.
"You old fart, stop crowding me! Get lost!
"
"You old, ugly woman! We're all prisoners here, what's there to be so high and mighty about!"
"Shut up, all of you!" the Wetland Fierce Ghost roared, suppressing them impatiently.
Qi Quan: ?
If they hadn't made a sound, she would have almost forgotten about a certain matter.
The peachwood plaque was indeed a bit crowded. It was time for a clean-up.
She called for Ling Sheng.
Healing damaged meridians didn't consume much spiritual power. On the way back, Ling Sheng had long since recovered.
He looked at Qi Quan with bright, energetic eyes.
"Two more procedures," Qi Quan said, releasing Qin Ruo and the Long-bearded Master.
The Long-bearded Master was the one who arranged the ghost marriage for Ma Sisi in Longtan City.
Both were members of the evil cultivator organization, albeit low-ranking ones, but they might still yield some useful information.
Previously, they had been implanted with puppet talismans, preventing them from truly answering questions. Now, with the compression talisman, everything could be resolved smoothly.
Once released, Qin Ruo saw Qi Quan's serious expression and turned pale with fear: "Senior, please don't kill me! I can be really useful!"
Qi Quan couldn't be bothered with lengthy explanations. A pulse of spiritual energy struck, and Qin Ruo instantly fell into a deep sleep.
She drew the compression talisman seal in the air, which then sank deep into Qin Ruo's spiritual platform.
The two worked in seamless cooperation, quickly removing the puppet talisman and placing it within an array to let it explode.
The unconscious Qin Ruo was tossed back into the peachwood plaque.
Next was the Long-bearded Master.
They repeated the process, removed the puppet talisman, and threw him back into the peachwood plaque as well.
The system asked in surprise: [Big shot, aren't you going to interrogate them?]
[There are still two level-seven Masters.]
Qi Quan said to Ling Sheng, "We'll do two more procedures tomorrow."
Ling Sheng took out his phone: [I can rest for a bit and then do it.]
"...Alright."
Qi Quan didn't refuse.
Why wait for a specific day when today is as good as any? Let's remove them all today!
They were so busy with the procedures, with their phones on silent, that they missed Li Guoyan's attempts to contact them.
They didn't even eat lunch or dinner, continuing until deep into the night.
After four consecutive "procedures," Qi Quan only needed to draw the talismans and use the soul-searching technique to trigger the puppet talismans. Ling Sheng, however, had to expend immense spiritual power and mental energy to complete each procedure.
The former showed no signs of fatigue, while the latter looked somewhat pale.
"Let's go out for a meal."
Qi Quan collected the last soul into the peachwood plaque and led Ling Sheng out of the room.
Su Steward and Xue Hong were both waiting for them.
For ghost servants, eating was optional. Without Qi Quan and Ling Sheng present, the two ghosts found little pleasure in dining alone.
"Master, the kitchen has prepared the ingredients. I'll start cooking now, it'll be quick," Su Steward said gently.
Qi Quan nodded.
Xue Hong brewed a pot of tea and brought it over.
The tea leaves had been purified of impurities by Ling Sheng. After just one cup, fatigue vanished, and their bodies felt replenished with spiritual power.
Ling Sheng drank two cups, and some color returned to his cheeks.
Before long, Su Steward served the food. The two humans and two ghosts gathered around the dining table.
Xue Hong raised her teacup and said, "Here's to celebrating our Ling Sheng securing an iron rice bowl."
"That's right," Su Steward smiled, also raising her cup. "From now on, Ling Sheng has a career too. Work hard."
A hint of joy appeared in Ling Sheng's eyes. He imitated their gesture, raising his teacup, and turned to look at Qi Quan.
Qi Quan chuckled and joined their toast.
[Wah... I want to celebrate together too!] The system cried with envy.
Qi Quan smiled: [Come on, cheers.]
System: !
Wow, the big shot is so gentle! So touching!
After the meal, the two humans and two ghosts went to the living room.
Qi Quan released Qin Ruo, the Long-bearded Master, the Eyebrowless Master, and the Short, Stout Master.
The four ghosts, now aware their puppet talismans had been removed, felt both excited and apprehensive.
They understood perfectly well why Qi Quan had removed the talismans.
Once she extracted their information, would she then scatter their souls to the wind?
Each ghost had their own calculations.
Qi Quan said calmly, "I presume you've heard of the soul-searching technique."
The four ghosts: "..."
"Provide valuable information, and it will be considered a significant merit."
Qin Ruo asked, her voice trembling, "Senior, if we perform a meritorious deed, what will happen?"
Qi Quan: "Naturally, you'll be spared the agony of soul-searching."
The four ghosts: "..."
So we still end up with our souls scattered?
Of course, no one wanted to undergo soul-searching. Though they hadn't experienced it, the feeling of having one's spiritual platform forcibly excavated must be excruciating.
Qin Ruo was the "senior member" within the peachwood plaque and understood Qi Quan's temperament best. She didn't dare cause any trouble, merely wailing pitifully:
"Senior, I'm only level four, just a peripheral member of the organization, not part of the core. I really don't know much. However, I once heard Ding Ji mention something."
"Speak."
"He taught me the Peach Blossom Seal. He knew quite a few forbidden arts, but he used to be a Buddhist cultivator. Where could he have learned them? He told me he once encountered a ghost who begged for mercy and offered him a book on forbidden arts in exchange."
Xue Hong asked curiously, "So did he let that ghost go?"
Qin Ruo shook her head. "No."
"Why would a ghost have a forbidden arts book?" Su Steward was somewhat puzzled. "Ding Ji's cultivation level wasn't high back then. A ghost capable of hiding such a book should have already attained a physical form. How could it have been defeated?"
"I don't know the specifics," Qin Ruo shook her head, then looked at Qi Quan expectantly. "Senior, does this count as a clue?"
Qi Quan: "What happened afterwards?"
"What afterwards?"
"He was boasting to you about his encounter. Surely he wouldn't stop at just that? He must have told you how he joined the evil cultivator organization?"
Qin Ruo thought carefully, organizing her words: "He seemed to say... after getting the forbidden arts book, he was skeptical at first but tried practicing it anyway. He found he could actually steal others' luck for himself, boosting his own level. So he kept using forbidden arts to harm people. How he joined the organization... I'm not too sure."
Qi Quan didn't question her further and turned her gaze to the Long-bearded Master.
"Next."
The Long-bearded Master shuddered, trembling as he said, "Senior, I'm only level three! I was only in charge of the low-end ghost marriage business chain. I truly don't know anything else!"
"How did you join the evil cultivator organization?"
The Long-bearded Master looked ready to cry: "I don't know either! I was just greedy for money. Someone approached me, asked me to run this business, I agreed, and then somehow I got implanted with a puppet talisman. Occasionally, I'd receive orders from superiors that I had to carry out."
"What kind of orders?"
"I had more contact with the impoverished lower classes. Sometimes my superiors would tell me to find a few unpopular children, or children whose families wanted to sell them, around three years old was best. They also had me search for children with exceptional luck or outstanding innate talent."
[So the ones arranging ghost marriages and the ones making the Bloodburst Pills are definitely the same group!] The system exclaimed indignantly.
Qi Quan asked calmly, "Exceptional luck? Outstanding talent? To cultivate loyal enforcers?"
"I really don't know about that either! I'm just a bottom-rung member of the organization. I simply don't know much," the Long-bearded Master said helplessly.
Qi Quan temporarily let him off and turned to the remaining two.
"You are both level-seven Masters. Presumably, you know more than these two. Who wants to go first?"
The two exchanged a glance, neither knowing how to begin.
To think that a seventh-level Master would end up in such a state.
"It seems you'd like to experience a Soul-Searching Technique." Qi Quan's tone was even as spiritual power swirled and overflowed from her palm, poised to form a seal.
"We'll talk!" they said in unison.
Xue Hong found it rather amusing.
Qi Quan first questioned the Eyebrow-less Master: "Aside from Longlin City and Longtang City, where else are there production bases?"
"I truly don't know. Each region has its assigned Masters, and information isn't shared between us to maintain secrecy."
Qi Quan turned to the Short and Stocky Master: "You answer."
"I, I..." The Short and Stocky Master stammered for a moment before gritting his teeth and saying, "I don't know if there are other bases, but I once overheard by accident that the Master refining those pills is surnamed Shi, and he should be within the Hengfeng Sect."
[Just as I expected!] The system snorted. [I always thought that Sect Leader Yu was no good!]
Qi Quan's expression remained unchanged. "Who crafted the Puppet Talismans?"
"We don't know that."
The Eyebrow-less Master suddenly raised his hand. "I just thought of something! There is indeed a mysterious Talisman Master in the organization, but he never appears in person. The talismans are always delivered by others. I heard the person receiving them call him 'Master Yan'."
[Yan Fengqing! It must be him!]
Unlike the system, Qi Quan wouldn't jump to conclusions. She hadn't forgotten to record the video during the interrogation. She could just send it to Li Guoyan and let the Investigation Department handle the follow-up.
She continued asking, "Is there anything else?"
The souls racked their brains. A few more sentences could buy them a little more time in this world!
The Short and Stocky Master had a flash of inspiration. "I know another piece of information! Recently, they seem to be developing a new type of pill related to healing meridian damage, but it hasn't been successful yet. I heard they've even captured quite a few Masters with damaged meridians for experiments..."
"Ah, right! I heard about that too!" The Eyebrow-less Master hurriedly chimed in.
Qi Quan: "..."
[Utterly depraved! Their crimes are too numerous to record! Just destroy them all!] The system was so angry it nearly ascended to heaven on the spot.
Xue Hong couldn't help but ask, "In your organization, besides the Bloodburst Pills and the spirit-replenishing pills, what other specific pills are there? What are the ingredients? Do you understand the principles?"
The souls: "..."
Xue Hong smiled slightly. "Sorry, my major is biochemistry. I'm quite interested in this."
The Short and Stocky Master said, "The spirit-replenishing pills are the lowest grade, usually only given to peripheral members."
Peripheral member Qin Ruo: "..."
"Bloodburst Pills are generally for higher-level enforcers, to make them more valuable. There's also a pill called the Enlightenment Pill, which can help cultivators increase their cultivation speed. This type of pill is basically available to all cultivators within the organization, though, of course, it's rarely given to peripheral members."
Peripheral member Qin Ruo suffered another critical hit.
She genuinely regretted it now.
Why had she been so foolish as to become a Cultivator of Unorthodox Ways? Hiding, living day to day, without even basic benefits or security... She must have had water in her brain to join this lousy organization.
Qi Quan remained silent.
The four souls trembled with fear.
After a long while, she asked again, "Are you sure you have nothing else to disclose?"
"Um," the Eyebrow-less Master raised his hand cautiously, "Senior, perhaps you could continue asking specific questions? We really don't know what you want to know."
Qi Quan then asked bluntly, "There's a network expert in the organization."
"Ah, that's what you asked me about last time!" Qin Ruo suddenly said. "That public account that provided me with information."
Qi Quan nodded and looked at the other three souls.
The three souls looked at each other.
The Long-bearded Master, being the lowest in rank, shook his head and sighed. "I truly haven't heard of it."
"I haven't heard of it either," replied the Short and Stocky Master.
The Eyebrow-less Master thought for a moment and said, "I haven't heard anything, but I've speculated. Once, I was on a mission, a rather covert one. The message came, and shortly after, it was deleted, all traces wiped clean as if it never existed."
"Maybe you could ask the one inside? He's cowardly, but he's quite the gossip. He might know something." The Short and Stocky Master was determined to delay his dissipation for as long as possible.
He was referring to the Tall and Burly Master still inside the peachwood plaque.
The Tall and Burly Master was the second to undergo the "surgery." The information Qi Quan had extracted from him wasn't particularly special.
But since the Short and Stocky Master suggested it, she released the Tall and Burly Master.
Upon seeing her, the Tall and Burly Master knelt on the ground again.
The other four souls: "..."
Qi Quan paid no mind and got straight to the point. "Have you heard of a network expert?"
The Tall and Burly Master was taken aback. He glanced timidly at Qi Quan and mumbled an affirmative.
The Short and Stocky Master and the Eyebrow-less Master exchanged a look. He actually knew!
It seems gossip can sometimes extend one's life cycle.
Qi Quan: "Tell me."
"I don't know the specifics," the Tall and Burly Master said slowly. "I only know others call him 'Ghost.' He's the master of the network. A lot of the organization's information comes from him. I've never seen him."
"Is he human or a ghost?"
Tall and Burly Master: "He's said to be a seventh-level Master."
Another seventh-level.
Seventh-level Masters in this Cultivators of Unorthodox Ways organization seemed as common as cabbages.
No wonder the orthodox sects suffered heavy losses when they suppressed the Cultivators of Unorthodox Ways back in the day.
"Tell me all the gossip you know."
The Tall and Burly Master racked his brains and rambled on about a lot of trivial gossip concerning others in the organization. It wasn't until he mentioned the words "His Excellency" that everyone perked up.
[That's so cringey!] The system complained.
His Excellency? Why not just ascend to heaven already?
Qi Quan: "Who is 'His Excellency'?"
"I don't know either. Someone of our level would never get to see him. I just heard someone mention in passing that he's a master of formations."
A master of formations...
Qi Quan thought of the ninth-level formations in Longlin City and Longtang City.
Perhaps this "His Excellency" was the leader of this organization, a Master possibly at the Human Sovereign realm.
"Who gets to see him?"
"Maybe eighth-level Masters, or ninth-level ones?" the Tall and Burly Master guessed.
The system was puzzled: [If "His Excellency" is the organization's leader, why haven't they heard of him? They only pick up bits and pieces through gossip.]
Qi Quan asked, "Who implanted the Puppet Talismans in you?"
"Don't know," the Tall and Burly Master answered. "When we joined the organization, our cultivation was relatively low. We were just taken into a dark room and lost consciousness. When we woke up, the puppet mark was already in our minds."
"Who usually issues your missions?" Qi Quan asked slowly. "Who gave the order for the ambush at the abandoned base in Longhu City that day?"
Tall and Burly Master: "Mobile messages. Mobile phones were already widespread when I joined. Missions were received via phone. I never saw the person issuing the commands. As for those who joined earlier than me, I'm not sure."
"What about you?" Qi Quan turned to the others.
They all concurred.
The widespread use of mobile phones hasn't been that long. When they first joined, their cultivation was low. To become seventh-level Masters in such a short time—equivalent to a sect leader or family head in the orthodox world—their advancement speed was undeniably fast.
Qi Quan: "Have you all taken Enlightenment Pills?"
Except for Qin Ruo and the Long-bearded Master, the other three nodded.
Qin Ruo was struck by another blow.
All these years, what had she been doing?
"We're finished talking."
Qi Quan looked at them with an indifferent expression, a cluster of spiritual energy gathering at her fingertips.
"Senior, spare us! Have mercy!" The tall, burly Master prostrated himself on the ground, begging loudly. "I... I know a lot more gossip, let me think harder! I'll think again!"
"Me too, me too, I'll try to remember more!"
Among the few, only Qin Ruo showed neither sorrow nor joy.
With her aged and haggard face, she stared blankly at Qi Quan.
Qi Quan shot out two streams of spiritual energy.
In an instant, the souls of Qin Ruo and the Long-bearded Master were utterly annihilated.
The remaining three souls trembled in fear.
Qi Quan gathered spiritual energy once more.
"Don't kill me! Don't kill me!" the tall, burly Master pleaded tearfully, when suddenly an idea struck him. "I remembered something else! I did!"
Qi Quan did not withdraw her spiritual energy, watching him expressionlessly.
"I heard, I just heard, that 'Ghost' is a teenager, he, he, he..."
Spiritual energy struck the brow of the Eyebrowless Master, and his soul instantly dissipated.
The short, plump Master was already shaking like a sieve.
They had killed so many people with such nonchalance, yet when facing their own demise, they couldn't remain calm and composed at all.
"I thought of another one! Another one!" the tall, burly Master babbled incoherently. "I once took on a mission. My cultivation was low back then, so I was only assigned to trick a Master into walking into a trap. That Master, he... he was very young, quite handsome too, seemed to be a talisman master, he, he..."
He began racking his brains again.
Xue Hong said gloomily, "You're not just making up a story, are you?"
"I'm not!"
The tall, burly Master abruptly looked up at her, intending to refute her doubt, but he paused as his peripheral glance swept past Ling Sheng, and his memory suddenly became clear.
Looking at Ling Sheng's profile, he blurted out, "That person looked a lot like him!"
Qi Quan: ?
System: [Huh? Looks like him? Doesn't Ling Sheng look like his mother?]
Ling Sheng turned his face to look at the tall, burly Master.
"No, now it seems a bit different," the tall, burly Master clutched his head. "But just a moment ago, he really resembled that person."
"What was that person's name?" Qi Quan asked.
Tall, burly Master: "I only exchanged a few words with him. He said his surname was Xie, didn't say anything else."
"Did he fall into the trap?"
"No," the tall, burly Master fell into recollection. "He was quite alert, didn't enter the trap, and seemed to have found some clues. Later, I received orders to leave. I just heard the organization sent elites to surround and kill him. He probably died."
Qi Quan: "Where?"
"In Longhu City."
"Specific location."
The tall, burly Master reported the location. It wasn't the abandoned mountain village, and it wasn't particularly close to it either.
Qi Quan remembered Fu Jiuchong saying that Ling Sheng's father went to Longhu City on a business trip the day before Fu Jiuge went on her mission, and then all contact was lost.
Could this person be Ling Sheng's father?
She didn't speak, directly killing the short, plump Master.
The tall, burly Master cried, "Let me think more, please let me think!"
Qi Quan obliged him, throwing him back into the peachwood tablet.
[Big shot, you're not killing him?]
Qi Quan: [He does have significant digging potential. Sending him to the interrogation room might squeeze out many unexpected surprises.]
[That's true.]
This guy's "gossip" was like water in a sponge—squeeze it, and there's always more.
The interrogation ended.
Qi Quan sent the video to Li Guoyan.
Not long after, Li Guoyan called.
"Master, Fu Jiuge's husband's surname was Xie, Xie Lanzhou. He was twenty-six when it happened, the most talented talisman master in the occult world at the time."
Qi Quan: "Understood."
"The department previously learned that Yan Mao had mediocre aptitude and his cultivation was always low, but it improved by leaps and bounds in the past two years, which is quite unusual. After seeing the 'Enlightenment Pill' mentioned in the video, I've already had someone take blood samples for testing."
"Good."
Li Guoyan suddenly chuckled, "Master, I've been waiting for Physician Qi's message."
Qi Quan: ...
She had previously promised Li Guoyan to have Ling Sheng communicate with him about employment matters, but she had been too busy and forgot.
She said, "Several surgeries were performed, which delayed things. My apologies."
"It's fine." Li Guoyan suddenly thought of something. "Oh, right. Xie Lanzhou's death is likely related to Yan Fengqing."
"Mhm."
"As for the first inspector who received treatment, after repeated questioning, we've confirmed he has no issues, but we cannot guarantee that the people he came into contact with are problem-free."
"Who did he come into contact with?"
"He is an inspector at the Longtan City Masters Association. Based on the dissipation time of ghostly aura after contact with ghosts, we reviewed his itinerary from the previous two days."
Li Guoyan's voice was low. "He followed a simple routine: association during the day, residence at night. Apart from the Masters and other inspectors at the association, he didn't have close contact with anyone else."
"An eighth-level great ghost is adept at hiding its traces," Qi Quan reminded.
Li Guoyan: "That is indeed a possibility. However, after analysis, we believe one person is somewhat suspicious."
"Who?"
"Chu Changyi. You've met him."
Qi Quan was a bit puzzled. Who was that?
[Big shot, it's that Master who fled at the critical moment when we went to Yaoshan in Longtan City to capture the ghost!] the system reminded.
Qi Quan still couldn't remember.
Never mind, not important.
"What's suspicious about him?"
Li Guoyan said, "The inspector had uncovered a lead related to Chu Changyi. He had the most contact with Chu Changyi during those two days."
"Mhm."
"But news from Longtan City says Chu Changyi has shown no obvious unusual activity recently."
Qi Quan: "Understood."
It felt like a layer of fog obscured the view. Different clues were intricate and complex. To sort them out, they needed to find an anchor point.
Ghost marriages stealing people's vitality and fortune; bloody pills boosting the organization's combat power; Ding Ji accidentally obtaining forbidden technique books; the ninth-level formations in Longlin City and Longtang City; the Ghost dominating the network.
The above were clearly all related to the leader of the evil cultivator organization.
Then there was the out-of-place Siren group.
What was the purpose of the Siren group? To lure others to suicide for amusement?
The Siren group also had a network expert. After assessment by the technical department, their methods were identical to the Ghost's.
Was this Siren group related to the evil cultivator organization or not?
Did the Ghost serve only one person?
A muffled thunderclap suddenly sounded from the horizon.
A flash of insight struck Qi Quan, and the corners of her lips lifted slightly.
The occult world itself had three major sects and three great families, and below them countless large and small forces. No one decreed that there could only be one evil cultivator organization.
She looked out the window at the night sky. Dark clouds surged from the horizon, obscuring the bright moonlight.
Rain was coming.
After ending the call, Qi Quan instructed Ling Sheng to communicate with Li Guoyan via message, while she returned to her room to cultivate.
At midnight, Longjiang City welcomed the first heavy rain since autumn began, which didn't cease until the next morning.
Rainwater slanted down, falling into the fishpond under the courtyard's skylight, creating a continuous pitter-patter.
The fish in the pond, lacking oxygen, surfaced one after another.
The sky was gloomy and overcast, an endless curtain of rain enveloping the entire city.
Qi Quan leaned against the small sofa by the window, listening to the rain outside, closing her eyes to recall all the occult texts she had read.
The palace of memory opened to her, and she slowly searched for the answers hidden deep within.
The characteristic of the Siren group is that all men and women "seduced" by the group members share the same action: they voluntarily use the abandonment of their lives to prove their love.
The key point is voluntary.
Voluntary also means sacrifice.
Before committing suicide, everyone thinks: I will sacrifice my life to prove this great love.
What is being proven is not important; what is important is the sacrifice of life.
What is the sacrifice of life for?
She flipped through a book in her memory.
Found it.
["I am willing to give up my life for you, prostrate at your feet, and be your most loyal servant."]
Taken from—
"Sacrificial Rite: The Birth of the Ghost King"
When more and more devout "believers" voluntarily sacrifice their lives and willingly become obedient servants, it provides increasingly powerful strength to the ghost hidden behind.
Qi Quan closed the memory.
One wants to become a human immortal, the other wants to become a ghost king, both using sinister methods. The former is crude and violent, while the latter is more hidden and insidious.
Ling Sheng approached with a teacup and handed it to her.
Qi Quan took it and asked, "Did you speak with Director Li last night?"
The young man nodded, squatting down beside her legs on the carpet, resting his head against her knee.
"You agreed?"
He nodded again.
"When?"
Ling Sheng took out his phone and showed her the message log.
Qi Quan looked down.
In ten days, all the injured personnel will be transferred to the Longjiang City Investigation Department, to be received and treated by Ling Sheng.
Suddenly, the phone on the low table rang.
Ling Sheng reached out his arm and fetched it for her. The caller ID showed Meng Yunzheng.
Qi Quan answered the call.
"Master, something has happened in Longtan City!" Meng Yunzheng's voice sounded slightly anxious.
The system suddenly announced: ["Light is in My Heart" just donated a thousand "Deep Waters".]
Qi Quan: ?
Isn't that Zheng Guangming? Why donate so much all of a sudden? Could the matter in Longtan City be related to him?
She said, "Go on."
"The Longtan City Investigation Department sent word that several investigators from their department took on a task to trace missing children and are now all out of contact! The Investigation Department cannot detect their location, suspecting they are being shielded by talismans or formations."
Now not only are the children missing, but the investigators have also disappeared. The investigators at the Longtan City Investigation Department are relatively low-level, and further delay could be very dangerous.
Qi Quan pondered.
Yesterday, they just rescued a supervisor from Longtan City who was tainted with ghost energy, and today investigators are missing.
But she truly hadn't sensed any malice from an eighth-level great ghost.
Could there be another reason?
"Master," Meng Yunzheng said worriedly, "The Investigation Department's instruments haven't detected anything, meaning the troublemakers must be very high-level. The Longtan City Investigation Department is asking us for aid. What do you think?"
Qi Quan looked at the pouring rain outside the window, thought of the pure and righteous ghost energy from the eighth-level great ghost, and immediately decided to make a trip.
"Alright, I'll go to Longtan City now."
Meng Yunzheng was overjoyed: "Then I'll trouble you, Master! I'll arrange for someone to pick you up right away!"
The call ended. As soon as Qi Quan put the phone down, another call came in.
It was Zheng Guangming.
"Master, it's me, Zheng Guangming!" He gasped for breath, speaking urgently, "I'm truly at my wit's end. Can I beg you for one thing?"
Qi Quan: "The missing children case?"
Zheng Guangming was stunned, exclaiming in shock, "Master, you're too incredible!"
Recommend Jiang Yuequ's novel "The Supporting Female Lead Explodes in Popularity on the Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law Variety Show"
Jiang Lan transmigrated into the male lead's gold-digging first love. According to the original plot, she just needed to meet the male lead's mother once to walk away with twenty million.
Sitting in the restaurant, Jiang Lan said, "Give me twenty million, and I'll leave your son."
The male lead's mother said, "I'll give you two 'ten millions': ten million to be happy, ten million to be joyful."
Jiang Lan: "..."
Through a twist of fate, Jiang Lan and the male lead's mother, Yu Wanqiu, joined the variety show "Here Comes the Mother-in-Law." Everyone thought the Cinderella and the wealthy mother-in-law would be at odds, but instead they surpassed the popular drama's lead couple to become the internet's hottest CP.
In the sweet and doting group, mothers-in-law routinely take their daughters-in-law shopping. Yu Wanqiu and Jiang Lan attended a fashion show, with a top-tier young heartthrob on the left and a handsome middle-aged uncle on the right.
In the wealthy family group, daughters-in-law nervously cooked a table of good food to please their mothers-in-law. Jiang Lan dragged Yu Wanqiu to have fried chicken and beer at food stalls, barbecue, hot pot, and skewers.
When the variety show ended, Yu Wanqiu hooked her arm around Jiang Lan's shoulders, "Whether you break up or not doesn't matter. Breaking up shouldn't affect our relationship. Breaking up might even be better; I'll introduce you to even more handsome and richer guys."
Lu Yicheng: ???
Mini Theater:
When asked about mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationships, Yu Wanqiu's initial answers were very standard: mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law shouldn't live together, meet a few times a year is enough, don't interfere in the young couple's affairs, have as many children as they want, matching social status is also important. If it doesn't work out, they can break up or divorce.
After the variety show ended, Yu Wanqiu's answers were very self-contradictory: It's best to live in upstairs-downstairs apartments with Jiang Lan, do yoga together morning and night. As for children, it's better not to have them too early; it can easily affect her relationship with Jiang Lan. If they divorce, she supports it too—she knows many young heartthrobs. If Jiang Lan prefers the uncle type, that's also fine.
