Shen Hui and Tang Mian arrived quickly.
Qi Quan got into the car with Ling Sheng. In case anyone got injured, having Ling Sheng along would ensure timely treatment.
The rain was pouring down, and the car moved slowly.
Fortunately, halfway through the journey, the rain began to ease up. By the time they were nearing Longtan City, it had stopped completely.
The sky cleared, and beneath the gray-blue expanse of the heavens, the faint colors of a rainbow became visible.
Shen Hui asked, "Senior, should we go to the hotel to rest first, or head straight to the Investigation Department?"
"To the Investigation Department."
"Understood."
The car exited the highway and headed directly for the Longtan City Investigation Department.
Longtan City's economy wasn't as developed as Longjiang's, so the Investigation Department's office was located in a more remote area, and the building was smaller.
The person in charge here was surnamed Fan.
Director Fan was a woman around thirty years old, with delicate and graceful features, who spoke and acted with crisp efficiency.
She personally came forward to greet them. Though inwardly anxious about the missing child and investigators, her expression remained composed.
"Senior Qi Quan, your presence is most welcome. Given the urgency of the situation, I'll skip the formalities. Please, come in."
Qi Quan and the other three followed her into the Investigation Department.
Inside, the department appeared busy but not chaotic. Everyone was diligently handling their tasks. Upon seeing Qi Quan, they struggled to contain their excitement and reverence but didn't neglect their work—a testament to Director Fan's management skills.
The group entered a conference room.
Director Fan personally poured tea for the four of them, sat down, and said, "Senior, shall we get straight to the point?"
"Yes."
"Yesterday, the police received a report of a missing child. Through surveillance footage, they found no trace of the child at the disappearance site. However, the case was indeed suspicious, so the police transferred it to the Investigation Department. The Investigation Department discovered traces suggesting the work of a Taoist master and dispatched three investigators to track them down. But they lost contact not long after. The department tried various methods but couldn't locate any trace of them."
Qi Quan asked, "Do you have a photo of the child?"
"Yes." Director Fan pulled a photo from the case file.
It was a child of about three years old.
Qi Quan channeled her spiritual power into her eyes.
Piercing through layers of obscurity, she "saw" an illusion array and also caught sight of a ghostly figure.
The ghostly figure suddenly turned its head, as if locking eyes with Qi Quan across the distance.
Qi Quan withdrew her "gaze," returned the photo, and said, "The ghost is at Yao Mountain."
[Yao Mountain again? Why do ghosts appear there so often?] The system exclaimed in surprise.
Qi Quan: [Yao Mountain is remote and rarely visited by people, with dense forests and heavy Yin energy. The environment also provides benefits for ghosts.]
[Alright then. Shall we go now?]
Director Fan asked simultaneously, "Shall we set off for Yao Mountain now?"
Qi Quan stood up. "Yes."
Shen Hui was driving again. Director Fan, along with several investigators, followed in another car.
The Investigation Department was neither too close nor too far from Yao Mountain, about a half-hour drive.
Half an hour later, the cars arrived at the foothills of Yao Mountain, only to find others already there.
The system remembered and cried out in surprise: [It's Fang Ye!]
Fang Ye was standing not far away with several Taoist masters from the Taoist Association. Hearing the cars, they all turned around.
Seeing it was the Investigation Department, the other masters wore expressions of arrogance.
Fang Ye, however, smiled and waved in greeting.
The system wondered: [Why doesn't he apply to join the Investigation Department?]
Qi Quan ignored it and stepped out of the car.
Fang Ye, who was in the middle of greeting them, froze instantly.
"Se-Se-Senior Qi Quan!" He broke into a run, rushing over excitedly. Not daring to get too close, he exclaimed with delight, "Senior Qi Quan, you actually came! Do you remember who I am?"
Qi Quan nodded.
Fang Ye immediately grinned like a fool.
"Master Fang, what are you all doing here?" Director Fan inquired.
Within the Taoist Association, Fang Ye had always been friendly towards the Supervisory Group, so the people at the Investigation Department were somewhat familiar with him.
"Looking for someone. Someone from the Association is missing."
"Missing? Who?"
Fang Ye didn't hide it. "It's Senior Chu Changyi. We tried contacting him before but couldn't get through. The Association detected anomalies here, so they sent us to investigate."
He glanced carefully at Qi Quan and asked, "Why are Senior Qi and Director Fan here?"
"There have been some special circumstances," Director Fan replied vaguely.
Fang Ye said happily, "Then we can work together!"
"Work together how?" Someone stepped forward and said, "Master Fang, don't forget, you're from the Taoist Association. Being close with the Supervisory Group before was one thing, but with—"
Just then, Qi Quan turned slightly, and he caught a full view of her face. He abruptly stopped.
His face immediately flushed bright red.
For Taoist masters who hadn't attended the Guiyuan Sect's "Martial Arts Tournament," the photos circulated from the event were extremely precious materials.
Among them, photos of Qi Quan were the most prized.
Countless people revered Qi Quan as their idol in the mystical arts world.
This person was no different.
He had once imagined how he would make a good impression on his idol if he ever met Senior Qi Quan. However, reality was far more unforgiving than dreams. This sudden opportunity had been ruined by his own careless words.
At this moment, he wished he could turn back time and strangle his earlier self for speaking recklessly.
He didn't actually dislike the Supervisory Group or the Investigation Department. It was just that within the Association, everyone stuck together. If he didn't follow suit, he'd be ostracized.
But now, he truly regretted it!
He didn't even dare to look at Qi Quan, let alone utter a word.
The system tutted: [So boastful a moment ago, and now he's scared stiff.]
Qi Quan completely ignored him and said to Director Fan, "Let's enter the mountain."
"Alright."
The Investigation Department team followed behind Qi Quan. Fang Ye also shamelessly stuck close behind.
The first time is unfamiliar, the second time is familiar.
Seeing this, the remaining members of the Taoist Association exchanged glances and followed at a not-too-distant pace.
They had only traced Chu Changyi's disappearance to this area, but after being here for a while, they couldn't find a way in. Now that a top-tier expert was leading the way, naturally, they had to latch onto this powerful ally.
As for face or pride? Please, that's the legendary idol and supreme expert! They might only get this one chance in their lifetime to see her. What use was pride?
It was daytime, so Yao Mountain wasn't as sinister.
But the deeper they went, the more the lower-level Taoist masters felt a chilling Yin energy, raising goosebumps.
"What exactly is in this mountain? Why isn't the monitoring device reacting at all?" the Taoist Association members whispered among themselves.
"Whatever it is, we can't go wrong following the expert. Even if we encounter something, the expert will handle it."
"Right." One of them agreed, then suddenly countered, "Wait, that's not right. We don't even know what the experts are here to do. We're just here to find someone. Why are we following them?"
Someone hesitated, "Isn't Fang Ye following them too?"
"You know how well Fang Ye gets along with the official side."
"Maybe... this is just the power of a top expert's charisma."
Upon seeing the great expert Qi Quan, they unconsciously followed in her footsteps, regardless of whether the person they were looking for had anything to do with her mission.
Securing the connection with this powerful figure came first!
The group: "..."
Well, they'd come this far. Could they just turn back now?
Fang Ye blended into the Investigation Department team and quietly asked one of the investigators, "Who are the people around Senior Qi Quan?"
The investigator replied, "Probably comrades from the Longjiang City branch."
"Oh, I see."
Last time there were two, this time there were three, and they were all different people.
It seems the competition for positions close to the big shot is fierce.
If he went to sign up at the Longjiang City Investigation Department, would he have a chance to work by the big shot's side?
Not far away, in the valley, the glow of an illusionary formation flickered faintly.
Inside the formation, a man with handsome, clear-cut features wore a grave expression, gazing in the direction from which Qi Quan and the others were approaching.
He performed a quick divination with his fingers, but it was as if a thin mist obscured his vision; he couldn't divine whether the newcomers' influence on this matter would be good or bad.
There were two reasons for being unable to divine.
Either the newcomer's level was higher than his, or the newcomer was connected to him.
The latter could basically be ruled out, leaving only the former.
Just moments ago, he had felt a pair of eyes watching him from behind. Could it have been this person?
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the trees, scattering fragmented spots of light on the ground covered with dead branches.
Qi Quan suddenly stopped walking, her gaze fixed on the formation in the valley.
It was an illusionary formation, yet not a proper one. It was a formation composed of illusionary talismans.
Quite the talisman expert.
"Senior Qi, is there a problem?" Director Fan and the others, being of lower cultivation levels, couldn't see the formation set up with eighth-level talismans.
Qi Quan: "Stay here for now."
She handed a protective formation talisman to Ling Sheng and said, "Activate the protective formation."
Ling Sheng nodded, not particularly worried about Qi Quan's safety.
Because he sensed that the formation in the valley was about to collapse, and its level wasn't higher than Qi Quan's.
There was no danger.
Everyone stayed within the protective shield of the formation, watching Qi Quan's figure drift towards the valley.
Bathed in the dappled sunlight, her tall figure appeared mysterious and noble.
Fang Ye's eyes sparkled as he said, "If only I could become the master's assistant."
As soon as the words left his mouth, he felt a chill run down his spine.
He turned his head to see three pairs of eyes staring deeply at him.
They belonged to the three "assistants" by Senior Qi's side.
He hurriedly added, "I was just fantasizing, nothing more! You guys are the most suitable, really!"
The three pairs of eyes simultaneously looked away.
The others: Pfft, hahahahaha.
Inside the valley, Qi Quan hovered in mid-air before the illusionary formation.
The formation gradually showed signs of insufficient spiritual energy and would soon collapse.
Qi Quan waited quietly, saying nothing.
The person inside the formation probably also knew the outcome and, not wasting any more time, suddenly appeared outside the formation shield. He was entirely wrapped in black ghostly energy, making his features indistinct.
He was an eighth-level green ghost.
But there was no aura of bloodshed on him; instead, he faintly glimmered with the golden light of virtue.
Another virtuous ghost.
Qi Quan was relatively gentle towards people and ghosts who bore virtue.
She spoke, "The missing child and the investigators, are they inside the illusionary formation?"
The great ghost paused, his voice clear and bright, "You're not going to destroy me?"
Qi Quan: "Why would I destroy you?"
She asked her system: [Do I look that bloodthirsty?]
System: [Not at all! The big shot is beautiful and kind-hearted. How could she be bloodthirsty? This great ghost has no discernment!]
The great ghost chuckled, "You're a celestial master. Isn't it the natural order for celestial masters to capture ghosts? Why would there be a 'why'?"
Qi Quan: "I only capture evil ghosts."
"A celestial master who only captures evil ghosts..." The great ghost's smile widened. "Right now, the people you're looking for are trapped by me. Doesn't that make me an evil ghost?"
Qi Quan: "..."
She tossed out a peachwood tablet. "Perhaps you could come inside and try."
The great ghost: "..."
He scrutinized Qi Quan carefully and asked curiously, "I never saw you, senior, in the Mystic Realm when I was alive. May I ask your honorable surname?"
Qi Quan: "How many years have you been a ghost?"
"Twenty years."
"Twenty years ago, I was only two years old."
Only two years old, so naturally, he wouldn't have seen her in the Mystic Realm.
"..."
The great ghost was so shocked his ghostly energy wavered, his voice full of astonishment: "You're only twenty-two? But your cultivation level... How is that possible!"
The system shared the pride: [Our big shot is simply the best!]
"State your purpose," Qi Quan said, tired of continuing the small talk.
Recovering from his shock, the great ghost said, "You might not believe it, but I was trying to save that child."
A ghost saving a child—sounded absurd.
Qi Quan showed no reaction.
The great ghost knew it was hard to believe, but it was the truth.
His voice grew low, "I just didn't expect to encounter an expert like you."
He had done similar things before, always cautiously and never discovered. He never imagined he'd run into such a powerful celestial master this time.
And one only twenty-two years old!
Qi Quan looked at the fading illusionary formation and said, "You were a celestial master in life? Skilled in the talisman path?"
"Yes."
"These talismans, you drew them after becoming a ghost?"
"Yes."
The system was shocked: [Is this the legendary 'ghost-drawn talismans'?!]
Qi Quan: ...
"The formation is about to disappear," the great ghost said solemnly. "There's a man named Chu Changyi inside. I've been observing him for days; he's the one abducting the child. To stop him, I used illusionary talismans on him and lured him into the formation. As for the others, they chased after Chu Changyi and accidentally entered the formation."
Qi Quan asked, "You're an eighth-level ghost. You have many ways to stop this, even notifying the authorities."
Why use such a roundabout method?
And what's the point of trapping Chu Changyi and the child?
"The authorities? What authorities?" The great ghost was puzzled. "Do you mean the police?"
Qi Quan: "..."
Too lazy to explain, she took out her phone and texted Ling Sheng: [Everyone, come over.]
Seeing her silence, the great ghost also fell quiet.
A moment later, Ling Sheng brought everyone to stand behind Qi Quan.
He was under an illusion spell cast by Qi Quan, which concealed his appearance and special constitution. He now looked like an ordinary, clean-cut young man.
Yet, the great ghost's gaze was involuntarily drawn to him.
A strange sense of familiarity seemed to rise in his heart.
Qi Quan landed on the ground and said to Director Fan, "You talk to him."
Director Fan pressed her lips together.
This was a high-level great ghost; she had never seen one before. But since Senior Qi asked her to talk, she had to steel herself and do it.
"Hello, we are from the Longtan City Investigation Department. We are here to find the missing child and our team members. Whatever your request is, you can tell us."
The great ghost hesitated, "Investigation Department... what is that?"
Everyone: "..."
Even if you're a ghost, you have to keep up with the times!
Director Fan patiently explained, "The National Special Cases Investigation Department. We specialize in handling paranormal cases."
"What about the Celestial Master Association then?" The great ghost was somewhat perplexed. "...Isn't the Celestial Master Association still around?"
Director Fan: "We are the official organization. They are a civilian group."
The great ghost carefully examined the people before him, clearly seeing two distinct groups.
He said, "I've been tracking child trafficking clues in remote mountain areas, following the traffickers to Longtan City. It's only been about a month or so. I remember about a month ago, there didn't seem to be an Investigation Department."
"Thank you for your good deeds." Director Fan smiled. "The Investigation Department was indeed established not long ago."
The great ghost looked at Qi Quan and asked, "Is this senior also from the Investigation Department?"
Director Fan's smile deepened. "Yes, Senior is the Chief Consultant of the Investigation Department."
The great ghost then looked at Ling Sheng. "And him?"
"He is the senior's assistant," Director Fan replied.
In front of outsiders, Ling Sheng was indeed Qi Quan's assistant.
Qi Quan, however, said, "He is my family, and also the Chief Physician of the Investigation Department."
Hearing this, the powerful ghost felt inexplicably happy.
Working for the official authorities meant guaranteed benefits and treatment—a secure iron rice bowl.
Not bad at all.
He said to Director Fan, "I followed the clues to Chu Changyi, tailed him for several days, and yesterday saw him secretly holding a child. I then lured him into an illusion array."
"Thank you." Director Fan sensed his character from the ghost's tone, and her smile gained a touch more sincerity. "However, your level should be higher than Chu Changyi's. Why use such a roundabout method?"
The ghost replied, "Using talisman arrays can conceal ghostly aura. If I used ghost techniques, I would be detected by the Heavenly Master Association. The talisman array drains a heavenly master's spiritual power. Once his power was exhausted, I could take the child from him without a fight and return the child home."
The system understood perfectly: [It's right to be cautious. Even Chu Changyi is involved in child trafficking now; the Heavenly Master Association is completely unreliable!]
"Thank you very much. But regardless, citizens have an obligation to cooperate with investigations," Director Fan stated. "Regarding this case, please come with us."
The ghost: "..."
Before he could agree, the array behind him suddenly lost its effect.
Chu Changyi appeared before the crowd, clothes disheveled and looking utterly wretched. The three investigators were less disheveled but wore expressions of slight tension.
At the edge of the array's cover lay a three-year-old child.
Everyone understood the effect of the illusion array—it conjures countless ghostly phantoms. Those trapped inside easily become deeply immersed, forced to fight the phantoms for their lives.
The current situation clearly showed that Chu Changyi, upon encountering the ghostly phantoms, had simply tossed the child aside without a second thought.
Apart from the three-year-old, both Chu Changyi and the three investigators wore dazed expressions.
One moment they were facing a horde of twisted ghosts, the next they saw a crowd of people staring at them, creating a rather embarrassing sense of disconnection.
So, had they just been fighting ghosts... for nothing?
Chu Changyi, feeling guilty inside, glanced at the people from the Heavenly Master Association, then at those from the Investigation Department, and had the audacity to say, "You've finally arrived! I saw a heavenly master trafficker earlier, gave chase, but fell into their trap. Luckily, you're here!"
"The heavenly master trafficker you mentioned... is that me?" The powerful ghost, his body shimmering with ghostly energy, drifted before Chu Changyi and asked softly.
Seeing the dense ghostly aura surrounding him, Chu Changyi's eyes widened in terror. "You... you..."
Director Fan had no time for his act. Special handcuffs were snapped on immediately. "Come with us," she said coldly.
"I haven't done anything wrong! I really was chasing a heavenly master! How was I to know a powerful ghost was here? You've got the wrong person!"
The ghost suddenly added, "I also used a recording talisman. It captured the whole process. Should I play it for you?"
Chu Changyi: "..."
...
Everyone: Damn, Ghost Senior is awesome!
Chu Changyi fell completely silent. The others from the Heavenly Master Association wouldn't speak up under these circumstances either.
Caught red-handed—what was there to say?
What a disgrace to the Heavenly Master Association!
Director Fan looked at the ghost and asked, "Have you made your decision?"
Seeing the handcuffs, the ghost had no more doubts; the Investigation Department was indeed an official agency.
He replied, "Alright."
But he still hadn't retracted his ghostly aura.
Director Fan said, "This will draw attention."
Billowing with ghostly energy—wasn't he afraid the monitoring instruments would pick him up?
They couldn't use a concealment talisman either, or they wouldn't know if he was still there.
The ghost said apologetically, "For certain reasons, I cannot reveal myself right now."
"You'll have to reveal yourself at the Department anyway," Director Fan countered.
"At the Department is fine, but not here now."
Director Fan: "..."
She couldn't help but look at Qi Quan.
Qi Quan casually cast an illusion spell. "No one can recognize you now."
Sensing the profound spiritual power in the illusion, the ghost's estimation of Qi Quan's cultivation level rose another notch.
Truly, the new generation surpasses the old!
He retracted his ghostly aura, transforming into an ordinary-looking young man who wouldn't stand out in a crowd.
A Level Eight ghost's body can solidify, making it indistinguishable from a living person by appearance.
The group hadn't experienced traveling with a ghost of this level before and found it quite novel.
The ghost smiled at Qi Quan. "Thank you, Senior."
Regardless of Qi Quan's age, those with higher cultivation are addressed as Senior.
Qi Quan turned and led the group out of Yao Mountain.
Ling Sheng stayed close by her side, with Shen Hui and Tang Mian following behind. Director Fan led the investigators, clearly separate from the few from the Heavenly Master Association.
"Might I ask for your esteemed name, Senior?" the ghost asked politely, walking beside Qi Quan.
"Qi Quan."
The ghost then turned to Ling Sheng, his gaze unconsciously softening with a hint of fondness. "And this young brother?"
Ling Sheng didn't speak.
Shen Hui answered for him from the side, "Ghost Senior, his name is Qi Lingsheng."
The ghost seemed to realize something and didn't press further.
The group returned to the Investigation Department.
Chu Changyi was taken to an interrogation room, while the ghost was escorted to an interview room.
Director Fan personally conducted the inquiry with her team.
Qi Quan and the other three observed.
"May I have your name, please?"
Once inside the Investigation Department, the ghost finally stopped hiding himself.
He looked at Qi Quan and said gently, "Senior, could you please dispel the illusion for me?"
Qi Quan waved her hand, and the illusion dissolved.
The man revealed a handsome, refined face with an elegant demeanor. He appeared to be in his twenties, with a faint smile in his eyes—a remarkably outstanding young man.
Shen Hui and Tang Mian both stared in surprise.
From their seated angle to the side, they had a clear view of the man's profile.
That profile...
They both instinctively glanced at Ling Sheng.
Qi Quan, already prepared, remained perfectly calm and said, "You are Xie Lanzhou."
Although she had never seen a photo of Xie Lanzhou, she could tell from his appearance that he and Ling Sheng were definitely father and son.
Shen Hui and Tang Mian, with their lower cultivation levels, couldn't discern the features of higher-level heavenly masters, nor did they have the clearance to know Xie Lanzhou's identity. But just from the similarity in their profiles, they also harbored suspicions.
The man said in surprise, "Senior actually knows me?"
"I've heard the name," Qi Quan said briefly, then turned to Director Fan. "...Let's begin the questioning."
Director Fan nodded.
"Mr. Xie, regarding the recording talismans you mentioned earlier, would you be willing to provide them to the Investigation Department as evidence?"
"Of course."
Xie Lanzhou smiled. Black ghostly energy gathered in his palm, materializing several recording talismans that landed on the table.
"Besides these, I have others," he paused. "However, Chu Changyi falls under the jurisdiction of Longtan City's Investigation Department. For the others... you might not have jurisdiction."
Director Fan: "..."
Had this Mr. Xie been undercover as a ghost?
She looked at Qi Quan.
Qi Quan said, "If you're willing, I can take you to Longjing City."
"Longjing City?" The smile faded from Xie Lanzhou's face. "That place is dense with sects and influential families. If I appear there in my ghost form, there's a high chance I'd be exterminated."
That was also why he had never returned to Longjing City.
His concealment talismans might evade the Heavenly Master Associations elsewhere, but they might not escape the notice of the powerful factions in Longjing City.
Moreover, over these twenty years, he had never sensed his wife's soul through the Dao Companion Bond, which made him increasingly reluctant to return to Longjing City.
Although the Dao Companion Bond had recently stirred, he was in the midst of tracking a lead on child trafficking and hadn't yet decided whether to return to Longjing to investigate.
When Qi Quan suggested taking him to Longjing, he hesitated.
"You conceal your identity simply to avoid being recognized by the hidden cult of evil cultivators," Qi Quan said, looking at him. "But after twenty years of investigation, you hold substantial evidence. This evidence can only serve its greatest purpose if handed over to the Investigation Headquarters."
Xie Lanzhou naturally understood this logic.
On the way back from Yaoshan, an enthusiastic Master Tian-shi named Fang had enthusiastically explained the formation and development of the Investigation Department to him.
He trusted the authorities and was willing to hand over the evidence.
Xie Lanzhou didn't ponder for long and nodded in agreement.
"Senior Qi, should we activate these Shadow Retaining Talismans now?" Director Fan asked.
Qi Quan gave a slight nod. "Activate them."
The Shadow Retaining Talismans floated into the air, transforming into shimmering screens, each displaying Chu Changyi's figure.
He thought he was well-hidden, unaware that an eighth-level powerful ghost was silently recording all his actions.
Xie Lanzhou provided timely commentary: "Based on the clues I uncovered, I deduced Longtan City was a operational base, so I came here and discovered Chu Changyi."
Chu Changyi received a message instructing him to prepare a three-year-old child with strong fortune and deliver the child to a designated "drop-off" location, where he would receive payment.
The Shadow Retaining Talisman fully recorded this message, but soon after, it vanished from his phone without a trace.
Chu Changyi, clearly accustomed to this, showed no surprise.
Following the message's instructions, after several days, he finally found a suitable child, abducted them, and used Tian-shi methods to evade pursuit.
Unexpectedly, he was lured into an illusion array by Xie Lanzhou.
After watching, Director Fan and the others felt deep respect for Xie Lanzhou.
This Mr. Xie was truly a model for the ghost realm!
The footage captured by Shadow Retaining Talismans cannot be forged. This evidence was sufficient to prove Chu Changyi's criminal acts. Further crimes would depend on the interrogation results.
Regardless, he could not escape legal punishment.
With the Longtan City mission concluded, Qi Quan did not plan to stay longer.
She looked at Xie Lanzhou. "Mr. Xie, shall we make a trip to Longjing?"
Xie Lanzhou nodded... and agreed.
As they left the Investigation Department, they saw Zheng Guangming standing at the entrance holding a large pile of items, accompanied by the child's family. Their faces were filled with gratitude and lingering fear.
"Master, these are some local specialties from our Longtan City. They're not worth much, but please accept them," Zheng Guangming said sincerely, offering the gifts.
Shen Hui glanced at Qi Quan, and seeing her slight shake of the head, he declined with a smile. "That's not necessary. The important thing is the child is safe. This is what our Investigation Department should do."
"Please, take them!" the family urged.
Shen Hui waved his hand. "We have business travel ahead. Carrying so many things on the road isn't very convenient. Please take them back."
Zheng Guangming, understanding the nature of their work, didn't want to delay them further and retrieved the gifts.
After the car drove away, the child's parent said, "Lao Zheng, we are truly grateful. I feel ashamed they didn't accept the gifts."
Zheng Guangming smiled slightly, took out his phone, opened the Scream APP, and said mysteriously, "There are other ways."
The child's parent: ???
In the car, Qi Quan and Ling Sheng sat side by side in the back seat as usual.
After getting in, Xie Lanzhou automatically shrank in size and sat on the storage compartment between the driver and passenger seats.
"Senior, are we heading straight to Longjing?" Shen Hui asked.
Qi Quan: "Yes."
What can be resolved today should not be postponed until tomorrow.
Shen Hui recalculated the route, following the navigation towards Longjing City.
Sitting on the storage compartment, Xie Lanzhou looked around and suddenly asked, "Which sect or family does Senior Qi hail from?"
Qi Quan answered gently, "No sect, no family."
"A rogue cultivator!" Xie Lanzhou felt even more affinity. "You are truly remarkable."
He was also a rogue cultivator. Though called a genius, he had only reached the sixth level by age twenty-six.
He then looked at Ling Sheng and asked, "What about this young brother?"
He wasn't truly prying into their privacy, just wanting to chat more.
The system shouted: 【What young brother! The seniority is wrong!】
Only then did Qi Quan remember that the illusion art on Ling Sheng's face hadn't been dispelled.
Fu Jiuge had recognized Ling Sheng as her child at first glance. Xie Lanzhou only felt a sense of familiarity, suggesting the bond from ten months of pregnancy created a stronger connection between child and mother.
Qi Quan waved her hand, dispelling the illusion art on Ling Sheng, while the concealment of his special physique remained.
The moment the illusion vanished, Xie Lanzhou was stunned.
His eyes widened, fixed intently on Ling Sheng, as if struck by lightning. His handsome face displayed only one word—
Shock!
After a long moment, he spoke haltingly, asking, "W-who are your parents?"
His voice was extremely soft, as if speaking louder might disturb something.
Qi Quan said, "He has been locked in a mountain cave since birth."
Xie Lanzhou's face showed pain. "How could that be? How could the Fu... family let him suffer such a fate?"
He thought of something and asked urgently, "Senior, have you heard of the Longjing Fu family?"
Qi Quan told the truth: "I was invited to attend the Fu family young lady's coming-of-age ceremony previously."
"The Fu family young lady?" Xie Lanzhou was puzzled.
Qi Quan: "Fu Jiuchong's daughter."
Xie Lanzhou was stunned again.
Twenty years had passed; things and people had changed.
His expression sorrowful, he asked, "Then did you see his sister?"
Qi Quan nodded. "I did."
"How is she?"
"Lost in a state of mental impairment for twenty years," Qi Quan said. "When you reach Longjing, everything will become clear."
Xie Lanzhou: "Thank you."
He couldn't help but stare... at Ling Sheng again.
Locked in a cave since birth? Why?
What exactly happened after his death all those years ago?
Senior Qi used illusion art on Ling Sheng, likely to protect him.
Why conceal? Why protect?
Could it be that hidden enemies were also watching the Fu family?
Considering this, he instantly resolved to temporarily conceal Ling Sheng's relationship with the Fu family.
"Senior, perhaps you should reapply the illusion art on Ling Sheng."
Qi Quan naturally did not refuse.
Just like Fu Jiuge, he made the same choice: even knowing Ling Sheng was their child, protecting him came first.
It wasn't that exposure meant they couldn't protect him, but avoiding exposure would reduce many unnecessary dangers.
They understood well the strength of the evil cultivator organization.
They were unwilling to take even the slightest risk.
Xie Lanzhou was very grateful that Ling Sheng had a powerful protector like Qi Quan.
They arrived at the Longjing Investigation Department late at night.
Li Guoyan, having received the message earlier, was waiting at the department.
The car stopped at the entrance.
Qi Quan said to Xie Lanzhou, "To avoid external scrutiny, please bear with entering the peachwood talisman for now."
She tossed out a peachwood talisman, letting it hover before Xie Lanzhou.
Longjing City was crowded and full of prying eyes; even near the Investigation Department, many watchful gazes existed.
As a ghost, it was wiser for Xie Lanzhou to keep a low profile.
He decisively slipped into the peach wood tablet.
Qi Quan put away the tablet and led Ling Sheng and the other two into the Investigation Department. Without wasting words, they headed straight for the conference room.
"Master, please have a seat." Li Guoyan personally poured tea for her. "You came directly from Longtan City. Did you discover something major?"
Only Qi Quan, Ling Sheng, and Li Guoyan were in the conference room.
Qi Quan cast an isolation array and released Xie Lanzhou.
The moment he appeared, Li Guoyan exclaimed, "Master Xie!"
He had seen photos of Xie Lanzhou before.
Xie Lanzhou smiled gently. "Director Li, hello. I am Xie Lanzhou. I died twenty years ago."
Li Guoyan: "..."
Before he could ask, Xie Lanzhou pulled out a large stack of Shadow-Retaining Talismans and said, "These are the pieces of evidence I have gathered over the past twenty years."
He was well aware that the members of the Heavenly Master Association were a mixed bag, with some even personally involved in criminal cases. He did not trust the Association.
Over the years, he had actually been quite lost, unsure of the purpose behind collecting all this.
Fortunately, he had finally waited for the dawn.
System: [Ling Sheng's dad is amazing!]
To remain so diligent in gathering evidence of the evil cultivators' crimes even after becoming a ghost.
Even the seasoned Li Guoyan was astonished by this move.
"I have uncovered many criminal dens of the evil cultivator organization. Some are abandoned, some are newly established, and there are also complete industrial chains. If we act swiftly, we can take them all down in one fell swoop."
Li Guoyan's heart swelled with excitement. He laughed heartily, "Thank you for your efforts, Master Xie! However, how have you managed to evade the evil cultivator organization all these years?"
The organization had so many experts; it was impossible they couldn't sense an eighth-level ghost.
Xie Lanzhou said modestly, "Just some petty tricks."
"White ghosts below the third level generally cannot leave the place of their death. How did you break free?"
What Li Guoyan really wanted to ask was how he had become an eighth-level great ghost, but being too direct would seem impolite. For a contributor like this, no amount of courtesy was too much.
Xie Lanzhou explained, "Back then, I was close to uncovering the production base in Longhu City when I was suddenly ambushed. A second before my death, I used a high-level Illusion Talisman to make them believe my soul had already... scattered, that I wouldn't become a ghost."
"Mr. Xie, you were very cautious," Li Guoyan praised sincerely.
Xie Lanzhou continued, "While ambushing me, they kept forcing me to move away from the production base. So, after I died, my soul was far from the base, and no one discovered me. With the help of the Daoist Companion Bond, I wasn't forced into reincarnation and began cultivating ghost arts."
"Ghost arts?" Li Guoyan asked. "You understand ghost arts?"
"I am a talisman master. To better control ghosts with talismans, one must have a deep understanding of ghosts. I once read about ghost arts in an ancient text. Ghosts can also cultivate using the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, as long as it can be converted into ghost power."
Li Guoyan said, "Can ghost power also be used to draw talismans?"
"Yes."
Xie Lanzhou said sorrowfully, "But after just a few days, my Daoist Companion Bond failed. I could no longer sense my wife's soul. I was frantic, yet I couldn't leave that place."
The taste of that powerless despair was still fresh in his memory.
The system sighed: [Ling Sheng's mother sealed her own spiritual awareness, so he couldn't sense her.]
"I cultivated desperately, desperately, until I finally became a fourth-level red ghost, freeing myself from the control of the death place. I was about to go find my wife when I heard that not long before, a female heavenly master named Fu Jiuge had been ambushed and killed tragically."
Unable to sense his wife's soul and hearing this news, he thought his wife had truly died. His entire being was in a daze.
After the numbness, an intense desire for revenge arose within him.
He would make those evildoers pay the price they deserved!
Over twenty years, Xie Lanzhou collected much evidence of the evil cultivators' crimes and also schemed to rescue many kidnapped children. If deceased children turned into ghosts, he would even teach them some ghost arts.
He recounted the events of these years intermittently.
The system suddenly realized: [Ah! Can-Can probably learned from him! Great One, could you ask him for me? I'm so curious!]
Before Qi Quan could speak, Li Guoyan asked.
"Do you know Fang Lan?"
Xie Lanzhou paused, his eyes brightening slightly. "I remember her. A very lovely little girl. You've met her too? How is she now?"
"She's living with her mother and younger brother now, very happily. But her time to leave the mortal world is approaching," Li Guoyan said.
Xie Lanzhou smiled genuinely. "That's good."
"You helped her. Her appearance also led the Investigation Department to the clues of the Bloody Pills," Li Guoyan said sincerely. "Mr. Xie, thank you so much."
Xie Lanzhou shook his head with a smile. "I am a heavenly master. Doing these things is my duty. However, I have a request."
"Please, go ahead."
Xie Lanzhou's expression turned tender. "May I... see my wife?"
