《Chronicles of the Dragon Deity》 Chapter 1: Escape and Refuge The night was dark, shrouded in an air of menace. Danger lurked in every shadow. In the depths of the endless mountain range, a few points of starlight suddenly appeared. Like sparks in the boundless darkness, they brought a fleeting hope, dispelling the surrounding gloom. The wind whispered through the trees, carrying with it the promise of an approaching storm. ¡°Chase her! That woman is weak and has been starving for two days. She can¡¯t have gone far!¡± A rough, cold voice echoed under the starlight, filled with malice, breaking the silence of the forest. The air was thick with the scent of pine and earth, mingling with the faint aroma of fear. ¡°Damn it, boss, that woman ran into Xianmiao Village territory.¡± The moving starlight halted. A dark-skinned, thin man, panting heavily, supported himself on his knees, hesitation in his voice as he addressed the tall, burly leader, ¡°Should we keep chasing?¡± ¡°Do you want to lose the wife you paid for?¡± He Kun glanced at him coldly, his eyes reflecting the faint light like shards of broken glass. ¡°But the people of Xianmiao Village are difficult and xenophobic. They love to help others and uphold justice. If they find out what we¡¯re doing, they won¡¯t let us get away with it.¡± The thin man seemed to recall a terrifying memory, his voice trembling. ¡°Most importantly, their village is protected by a deity!¡± ¡°A deity?¡± He Kun, who never believed in such things, sneered. ¡°If there were really deities, I¡¯d have died countless times by now.¡± He had blood on his hands, countless sins, yet he lived better than most people. He enjoyed wealth, luxury, and the support of many, acting recklessly. If there were deities, he should have been struck by lightning long ago. The heavens were blind, and there were no deities to save or uphold justice. The thin man hesitated. ¡°But, but there really is a deity in Xianmiao Village. I saw it when I was a child!¡± As he spoke, long-buried memories resurfaced vividly¡ªcold, lifeless eyes, devoid of any human emotion, and a skeletal creature not quite human. Liu Xia¡¯er felt his legs go weak and collapsed to the ground. ¡°Pathetic.¡± He Kun spat, glaring at him with ruthless eyes. ¡°Even if there is a deity, so what? That woman is your wife. A deity can¡¯t interfere with your marital life.¡± Seeing him still cowering on the ground, He Kun¡¯s patience ran out. He kicked the man. ¡°Think carefully. If that woman escapes, I don¡¯t know if a deity will trouble you, but the police definitely will!¡± ¡°And all the money you worked so hard to save will be gone.¡± The woman¡¯s family background was not ordinary. If not for the generous reward, he wouldn¡¯t have taken such a risky job. If she escaped, they¡¯d all be in serious trouble. Perhaps it was his threat, or Liu Xia¡¯er¡¯s reluctance to lose the money he spent, but after a couple of minutes, Liu Xia¡¯er stood up, head lowered, and followed He Kun. Seeing him comply, He Kun¡¯s mood lightened, and his tone softened. ¡°That¡¯s right. Listen to me, and you won¡¯t lose out.¡± ¡°Boom!¡± A muffled thunder echoed in the sky. Dark clouds spread overhead like a giant iron pot, growing thicker and lower as hot winds howled, stirring up the vegetation, making the already dim visibility even worse. A storm was coming. He Kun¡¯s thick eyebrows knitted together. He bent down, scanning the ground with a flashlight, stopping at a trampled patch of grass. ¡°This way. Move quickly. If it rains, the tracks will be washed away, and finding her will be much harder.¡± The men responded, their spirits lifted, and they quickly followed him. This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. Among them, Liu Xia¡¯er lifted his head, looking at the direction they were headed, his pupils shrinking. Instinctively, he wanted to retreat, but being near the front, he was pushed forward by those behind him. Liu Xia¡¯er¡¯s face turned visibly pale. As a familiar yet blurry silhouette appeared in the distance, his face drained of color. Anyone who looked closely would see his pallor, stiff limbs, and fearful expression, as if he¡¯d seen a ghost. ¡°Boss, there¡¯s light ahead. Looks like a house. Maybe she ran inside?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s check it out.¡± *** Run, keep running, don¡¯t stop, you mustn¡¯t get caught! Her heart pounded wildly, almost giving out. Her legs felt like they were filled with lead, too heavy to move. Her chest was tight, her breathing rapid, her throat dry and burning with each breath. But Bai Luan didn¡¯t stop. She couldn¡¯t stop, she didn¡¯t dare stop. The darkness obscured her vision, fatigue dulled her senses, and the sudden mountain wind carried the sounds from behind. ¡°Hurry, that woman is just ahead.¡± Bai Luan heard the terrifying voice. She gritted her teeth, swallowing her sobs, her eyes scanning frantically around her. Suddenly, a light appeared in her vision, like a beacon in the night, warm and bright, silently beckoning her. The wind grew stronger, carrying sand and stones that stung her face, leaving small scratches. The scent of rain mingled with the tang of blood and sweat. The sand in her eyes made tears stream down. Ignoring the tears, she instinctively ran towards the light, stopping abruptly near the door, hesitating. She heard voices inside. ¡°Grandpa, the wind is picking up outside. It looks like it¡¯s going to rain heavily. Are we still going down the mountain tonight?¡± A child¡¯s voice. Bai Luan¡¯s oxygen-deprived brain tried to process it, but before she could fully recover, she heard an old man¡¯s voice. ¡°No, we won¡¯t go down tonight. We¡¯ll stay here.¡± In the mountains, a small house in the wilderness, an old man and a young boy, it was eerie and mysterious, like something out of a ghost story. She had heard tales of the Xianmiao Village, a place whispered about in the villages¡ªa sanctuary protected by ancient spirits, untouched by the corruption of the outside world. She heard the footsteps behind her, chaotic and heavy, indicating a group of people. Danger ahead, danger behind, Bai Luan was caught between a rock and a hard place. ¡°Crack!¡± A bolt of lightning tore through the sky, briefly illuminating the darkness. In that momentary light, Bai Luan saw the ¡°small house¡± clearly. It was a temple. The temple was painted red with white walls. Due to age, some of the paint had peeled off, revealing the dark brown stone beneath. Tall ancient trees surrounded the temple, forming a protective canopy. The air was thick with the scent of incense and ancient wood, a stark contrast to the chaos outside. A temple, deities, devotees, a harmless old man and a boy, vicious human traffickers¡ªthoughts flashed through Bai Luan¡¯s mind, finally settling on the ancient temple. Gritting her teeth, she pushed open the old wooden door. ¡°Squeak.¡± The door opened, and the wild wind rushed in, making the candles on the altar flicker, casting an eerie glow on the old man and the boy who turned to look at her. ¡°Bang.¡± Bai Luan shivered and quickly closed the door, leaning her back against it, watching the people in the temple with caution and anxiety. The long curtains hanging from the beams gradually stopped swaying, falling silently. The flickering candlelight steadied, illuminating the entire hall. The walls were adorned with faded murals, depicting stories of ancient heroes and forgotten gods. ¡°I¡­¡± Bai Luan finally saw the faces of the old man and the boy, and the statue behind them. The boy had dark skin, with eyes as bright and shiny as black obsidian. The old man was tall and thin, with a wrinkled face but gentle, loving eyes. Behind them, the statue had a human head and a dragon body, its expression fierce, eyes cold and indifferent. The deity Nuwa, protector of the village, her gaze seemed to pierce through the dim light, exuding a sense of calm and authority. The old man and the boy didn¡¯t look threatening. Their expressions weren¡¯t malicious. They seemed trustworthy¡­ right? Thoughts raced through her mind. Bai Luan took a couple of deep breaths, trying to calm the discomfort from running, and took a leap of faith. ¡°Someone is chasing me. Can you help me?¡± The candle on the altar flickered, emitting a spark, lighting up the girl¡¯s current state more clearly. Her clothes were disheveled, hair messy, her oversized clothes dirty, some parts torn, revealing dried blood underneath, and her shoes had leaves stuck to them. Her small face was marked with black, white, and red streaks, her expression fearful, eyes unsettled. She looked like she¡¯d fallen many times in the mountains, scratched by branches countless times. ¡°Who¡¯s chasing you?¡± The boy¡¯s black and white eyes widened, filled with disbelief, curiosity, and anger. ¡°Why are they chasing you?¡± ¡°Because¡­ because.¡± Bai Luan hugged herself, trembling, gritting her teeth, forcing out the words, ¡°They¡¯re human traffickers. I was kidnapped and sold here by them!¡± ¡°Human traffickers?¡± The boy had never left the village or gone to school, not knowing what human traffickers were, but instinctively feeling it was bad. ¡°Grandpa,what are human traffickers? Are they bad people?¡± ¡°Yes, they are bad people.¡± The old man¡¯s eyes showed understanding. He patted his grandson¡¯s head, speaking gently to the girl at the door. ¡°Come in, child. We are not bad people. No one in the village has ever bought a wife. You don¡¯t need to be afraid.¡± Hearing that no one in the village had ever engaged in human trafficking, and seeing the child¡¯s innocence and the old man¡¯s kindness, Bai Luan finally relaxed, her heart slowly settling. Once her tense nerves relaxed, the fatigue from running and escaping hit her. She leaned against the door, her body giving out. ¡°Sister.¡± The boy exclaimed, running over to help her, but being small and weak, he couldn¡¯t pull her up despite turning red in the face. ¡°Grandpa.¡± The boy looked at his grandfather for help, who smiled and walked over to assist. ¡°Close the door, child.¡± The old man hadn¡¯t forgotten what the girl had said earlier¡ªsomeone was chasing her. ¡°Okay.¡± The boy remembered the girl¡¯s words and quickly found the door latch, securing the door. Then he climbed onto a stool and began closing the windows from inside. As he closed the last window, he saw several beams of light approaching their location, along with the faces of several fierce-looking men. ¡°Grandpa, it¡¯s bad, those bad guys are coming after us.¡± Bai Luan¡¯s heart skipped a beat. --- Chapter 2: The Manifestation of the Spirit Upon hearing the boy''s shout, Bai Luan instinctively shivered. It was the lingering fear of being pursued and having to flee for her life, a primal terror that gripped her very soul. "Did you see how many there were?" the old man asked his grandson as he helped Bai Luan to a cushion in front of the deity statue, his voice calm despite the tension. "About six or seven," the boy replied, his eyes wide with fear and curiosity. Hearing this, Bai Luan''s pupils contracted. She hugged her knees tightly, curling into a ball. Her bright eyes stared blankly at the green bricks on the floor, lost in a maelstrom of thoughts. She bit her lip hard, tasting blood, as if the pain would anchor her to reality. Raising her head, she addressed the old man and his grandson, "Grandpa, they¡¯re after me. I¡¯ll rest a bit more and then leave. I don¡¯t want to bring trouble to you." The old man smiled gently, understanding the meaning in her eyes. His gaze softened even more. "Girl, you don''t need to be afraid. No one can cause trouble in this Mountain Spirit Temple," he said, his voice filled with pride and respect as he looked at the towering two-meter statue. "We have the protection of the Mountain Spirit." Bai Luan looked at the old man¡¯s respectful and serious demeanor, then back at the imposing statue. The courage she had mustered from a small sense of conscience was immediately deflated by the old man''s words. "But Grandpa, you haven¡¯t seen those people. You don¡¯t know," Bai Luan said, taking a deep breath. Her nerves tensed again. "They are ruthless and inhumane, stopping at nothing to achieve their goals. If I stay, it will only endanger you." Her voice was firm, but her heart was full of uncertainty. If they were two adults, she might have been able to convince herself otherwise. But they, like her, were helpless. Three elderly, weak, and defenseless people could do nothing but become easy targets. ¡°Bang, bang, bang.¡± Suddenly, there was a loud knock on the door. "Open up!" "You little bitch, I know you''re in there. We''ve surrounded this place. If you know what''s good for you, come out and go back with us. Otherwise..." He Kun sneered heavily and kicked the door. "Boom!" The old door rattled with a dull sound. "Boom!" A sudden thunderclap exploded in the air as if warning, stern and imposing. "Plop, plop." Rain began to pour down following the thunder, transforming from a drizzle to a torrential downpour in the blink of an eye, splashing into puddles on the ground. The scent of wet earth mingled with the metallic tang of fear. "Damn," the man cursed as he was unexpectedly drenched. His eyes turned cold and violent as he pounded on the door. "Open up, damn it!" Seeing no response from inside, He Kun''s eyes narrowed, a flash of cold light passing through them. He stepped back, pulled out a gun from his waistband, and fired three shots at the door latch. "Bang, bang, bang." He Kun kicked the door open this time. A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. He stormed in with a murderous aura, his eyes locking onto the three startled people huddled together. A cruel smile curled on his lips. "Heh." His gun was loosely aimed at the boy''s forehead. "Old man, tie that woman up or else..." He left the threat unfinished, but the malice and ruthlessness in his eyes were unmistakable. Mulin''s beard trembled with anger, but he didn''t move to harm an innocent girl to save his grandson. Instead, he said solemnly to his grandson, "Boy, kneel down and pray to the Mountain Spirit!" Mu Bai blinked, seemingly unconcerned about the gun pointing at his head, and obediently knelt on the cushion, bowing respectfully to the statue before him. "Pfft, hahaha, boss, these two must be idiots," laughed one of the men following He Kun, shaking off the rain and shutting out the storm. "What era do they think this is? A mountain spirit? Really, they¡¯re just country bumpkins." "Hey, kid," said a scar-faced man, still chuckling. "Don''t pray to some spirit. Better pray to me. Maybe if I''m happy, I''ll let you go." "You..." Bai Luan''s eyes widened with anger, teeth grinding as she pointed at them but couldn''t find the words. "Oh, already mad?" Scarface taunted, his words colder than ice. "Who¡¯s to blame?" "It''s your fault for running and dragging others into this mess." He even sighed mockingly. Even Bai Luan, who had seen their shamelessness before, was momentarily stunned by his brazen attitude. As she prepared to retort, the old man stopped her. "Girl, don''t argue with beasts. They can''t understand human language." "If you''re scared, join Bai and pray sincerely to the Mountain Spirit," he said, his hands clasped behind his back, secretly gripping an item in his sleeves. "Remember, be sincere. Otherwise, the spirit won''t hear you." Bai Luan was on the verge of tears. Grandpa, at a time like this, can we think of a more practical solution? Hearing Mu Bai''s persistent bowing, Bai Luan glanced sideways, seeing the boy''s wholehearted devotion and respect. He truly, sincerely believed in this so-called Mountain Spirit. With a bitter smile, Bai Luan knelt beside him, bowing deeply to the tall, cold statue. Once, twice. She didn''t know if it was because there were no better options, or if Mu Bai''s unwavering faith influenced her. Or maybe it was her desperate resolve to go down fighting. Initially, her mind was full of random thoughts, but gradually it cleared, leaving one plea echoing in her head. "Mountain Spirit, please show yourself and save me from these evildoers. Bai Luan will devote herself to you for life, unwavering and true." On the altar, the statue''s cold and indifferent eyes suddenly moved. A gust of wind blew, lifting the temple¡¯s long curtains. Wisps of blue smoke mingled with the enticing smell of food spread throughout the hall. The atmosphere thickened with a sense of ancient power awakening. Meanwhile, twenty kilometers away, on the road to Fengling Mountain, three police cars sped by. Inside, a fifteen-year-old girl frowned tightly, urging the officers again, "Police officers, can you go faster?" The policewoman next to her, seeing her anxious expression, knew she was worried about the kidnapped girl. She held the girl¡¯s hand and gently reassured her, "Lingyan, we¡¯re already going as fast as we can. Any faster and it would be dangerous." "I know you¡¯re worried about Miss Bai, but we responded quickly and have plenty of officers. We will save her." Jiang Lingyan forced a weak smile, muttering a low "Hmm" while internally screaming. How could I not be worried? Bai Luan''s death probability has reached 90%. If we don''t hurry, you¡¯ll only be able to collect her body! "Alert: Target''s death probability has increased by 5%, now at 95%. At 100%, they will die." "Please take immediate action, or the mission will fail, resulting in a Level 2 penalty and the removal of the ''Trust Halo''." "Damn." Jiang Lingyan cursed under her breath. ¡­¡­ By now, He Kun''s face was beyond just looking bad. He glanced at the two kneeling and praying, then at the old man standing calmly. He gritted his teeth. "Mountain Spirit?" he asked, his tone ambiguous, eyes glinting darkly. He raised his gun, aiming it at the statue''s head. Before anyone could react, he pulled the trigger. Since they trusted this Mountain Spirit so much, he would destroy their faith first. Then he¡¯d crush their resistance. Finally¡­ send them on their way, eternally accompanying the spirit. A sinister and dark smile twisted He Kun''s lips. "No!" Mulin''s pupils contracted. Without thinking, he moved to shield the statue, trying to block the bullet. But how could he, an old man with one foot in the grave, match the speed of a bullet? Even if he could, he couldn''t reach it in time. Bai Luan and Mu Bai, awakened by the gunshot, instinctively looked up, eyes wide in shock and disbelief. What did they see?! The bullet, which should have shattered the statue''s head, was stopped mid-air, three inches from its forehead, as if hitting an invisible barrier. Next, a slender white hand casually plucked the bullet from the air. Accompanied by a crisp "Mountain Spirit!" from the boy, a clear and distant bell rang out from the statue, rippling through the hall like a stone striking water. Simultaneously, a faint, refreshing scent of water and wood permeated the air. A girl, dressed in black with wide sleeves, her expression cold and stern, squatted on the altar. Her delicate hands held a roasted chicken leg from the offering plate in one hand and the bullet in the other. Taking a bite of the fragrant chicken leg, her wide sleeves slid down, revealing smooth, snow-white skin that gleamed like pearls in the dim hall. "Little Mu." The girl swallowed the chicken leg, picked up a bun, and glanced at the boy with shining eyes. She then addressed the old man, "This kid looks a bit like you." "He''s my grandson," Mulin said, wiping away tears. He pulled the boy to his feet. "I''m getting old, and my legs aren''t what they used to be. This child will be the next spirit guardian of the Mu clan." "Mm." The girl stuffed the last of the offering into her mouth, gave Mu Bai a glance, and let out a noncommittal hum. She then raised the still-warm bullet, rubbing her belly while looking at the stunned intruders. Seeing the thick aura of blood and death around them, she swallowed unconsciously. Ah, food! --- Chapter 3: Divine Powers He Kun and his men felt a chill run down their spines, their scalps tingling as if they were being eyed by a ferocious beast, ready to be torn apart and devoured. Liu Xiaoer, his legs giving out beneath him, collapsed to his knees the moment the girl turned her gaze upon him. Memories of the skeletons stripped clean of flesh filled his mind, causing him to tremble uncontrollably, cold sweat dripping from his chin. But what accelerated his heartbeat even more, making him wish he could faint, was the sudden voice of the boy they had previously scorned. "Mountain Spirit, it''s those bad people causing trouble," Mu Bai''s clear voice echoed in the hall as he pointed at the men. "They want to capture this big sister." "Even worse, they kicked the door and tried to destroy your statue!" Mu Bai''s small chest puffed up with indignation, his chubby cheeks trembling with each word, making him irresistibly pinchable. Bai Luan glanced oddly at the enraged little boy. This kid had an uncanny ability to focus on the important issues. Capturing her was a minor matter compared to disrespecting the Mountain Spirit. She couldn''t tell if he was naturally insightful or just intuitively clever. Regardless, it worked in her favor. Bai Luan''s mind finally broke free from fear and anxiety, her eyes reddening as she turned to the girl on the altar, pleading, "Mountain Spirit, please have mercy and save me." Noticing the plate that had been completely cleaned of food within minutes, Bai Luan''s voice faltered. "I will spread your name far and wide, gather followers, and bring you countless delicious offerings." Seeing the girl¡¯s eyes brighten, Bai Luan¡¯s resolve strengthened. "Lots of them!" Ling Ji leapt down from the altar, the bell around her neck ringing clear and crisp with her movement. She narrowed her eyes, licking her lips. "How would you like to die?" she asked, contemplating various gruesome methods of execution. "Mercy, Mountain Spirit, I won''t dare again," Liu Xiaoer stammered, a warm stream soaking his pants and filling the hall with a pungent stench. Those around him quickly backed away, leaving him in an empty circle. Ling Ji wrinkled her nose in disgust, losing her appetite for him instantly. She waved her sleeve, a gust of wind sweeping the foul smell out the window. The windows creaked open, letting the sound of rain and a damp chill into the hall. Strangely, despite the downpour, not a single drop entered through the open windows, as if an invisible barrier kept the rain at bay, leaving the hall dry. Noticing this, He Kun''s pupils contracted, recalling the bullet that had been stopped mid-air. His heart sank. Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. He gripped his gun tightly, struggling to accept that the soft, delicate girl before him could be a Mountain Spirit. Yet, the inexplicable phenomena forced him to acknowledge the truth. They had kicked the hornet¡¯s nest today. He Kun shot a resentful glance at the trembling Liu Xiaoer. He should have warned them about the Mountain Spirit. But He Kun forgot that Liu Xiaoer had mentioned the deity on Fengling Mountain; it was his own greed that blinded him. Seeing the girl¡¯s gaze fixate on him, He Kun''s survival instincts kicked in. He fired his gun as he backed toward the window. "Bang, bang, bang, bang." Four sharp gunshots rang out almost simultaneously as He Kun shot while moving. Grabbing the windowsill, he prepared to escape. He had been calculating his escape route since noticing the girl¡¯s strangeness. The front door was blocked by people, and Liu Xiaoer was in the way, making it hard to escape. Luckily, Liu Xiaoer''s panic had led him to the window, giving He Kun a chance to flee. He jumped out the window into the pouring rain, vanishing into the night. "Mountain Spirit, he¡¯s getting away," Mu Bai said anxiously, seeing the deity''s attention absorbed by the floating bullets. "Don''t worry, he won''t escape," Ling Ji replied without shifting her gaze. She didn''t consider the fleeing man a threat. The entire mountain was her domain; he couldn¡¯t escape without her consent. Besides, it was raining outside. He truly had poor timing. "But..." Mu Bai''s large eyes filled with concern. If you keep watching, the others will also run away. As if hearing his thoughts, or finally losing interest in the peculiar iron pieces, Ling Ji waved her hand. The bullets flew into the chests of the fleeing men, striking their hearts. Five men collapsed, blood foaming from their mouths, staining the stone floor red. Seven men had come, and within a minute, five were dead from the bullets, one had escaped, and one was unconscious of fright. "Little Mu," Ling Ji called to Mulin, who was standing by. "Yes, my lady." "Clear away the bodies. I¡¯ll go catch the runaway. We¡¯ll eat together when I return." "Understood, my lady." Mulin responded without hesitation, as if he didn''t find the situation unusual. Bai Luan bit her lip, struggling with herself before choosing to remain silent. Those men deserved to die. A recent university graduate, Bai Luan had been traveling with friends when she was kidnapped and taken to this remote place. She had been sold to Liu Xiaoer, who was nearly forty and unmarried. From their actions, it was clear this wasn''t their first time. Countless women and children must have suffered because of them, ruining countless families. They had almost destroyed her life and would have killed the kind grandfather and grandson. Without the Mountain Spirit, no one would have survived today. So they deserved to die. They were beyond redemption. Twenty minutes later, Ling Ji returned empty-handed, her face clouded. Mulin, having just moved the bodies to a corner and cleaned the blood with rainwater, noticed her expression. "My lady, did you not catch him?" It seemed unlikely, given her abilities. "I did, but I couldn¡¯t eat him," Ling Ji puffed her cheeks, irritated. "A group of people interrupted." "Did they see you?" "No." Ling Ji had returned before they arrived. "But they¡¯re coming to the temple now, looking for someone." Bai Luan''s face lit up. "Were they wearing navy blue uniforms and carrying guns?" Seeing Ling Ji''s puzzled expression, Bai Luan explained, "Like the thing the man who escaped was holding." Ling Ji nodded. "They''re the police," Bai Luan said, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. But seeing the bodies in the corner, she hesitated. "My lady, you can''t eat these men. You need to move the bodies outside." Ling Ji''s expression darkened instantly. Bai Luan stole herself. "It¡¯s best to place the bodies near where He Kun is. We can say they fought each other." "The bloodstains also need to be cleaned," Mulin added, understanding her concern. If the police hadn¡¯t come, the Mountain Spirit could do as she pleased. But now, they have to be cautious. "Dead bodies aren''t good to eat. I''ll bring you better food later," Bai Luan promised, using her trump card. "All kinds of dishes, enough to satisfy you." "Really?" "Really." Ling Ji''s expression softened. She stacked the bodies and disappeared. Bai Luan looked at the bloodstains on the floor. "Grandpa, we need to clean up before the police arrive." Mulin nodded, and even Mu Bai grabbed a cloth, scrubbing the floor earnestly. A minute later, Ling Ji returned, finding them scrubbing the floor. "Move aside." "Don¡¯t mess up, we don¡¯t have time," Bai Luan replied without looking up. "If the police find the blood, you and Grandpa will be in trouble." Ling Ji blinked. "No one can trouble me. Those who try, I eat." Mulin suddenly realized something and slapped his forehead. "Oh, how foolish of me." He pulled the scrubbing pair away and stepped back. "My lady, please." Please, use your powers. Bai Luan and Mu Bai, confused, stood aside. They gasped as water flowed from Ling Ji''s hand, flooding the hall and washing away the blood, merging with the rain outside, leaving no trace. The hall was spotless, dry and clean. "My lady, could you also destroy these bloodstained cloths?" Bai Luan swallowed, realizing the extent of divine powers. In the silence, she heard herself speak. Chapter 4: A Narrow Escape Ling Ji glanced at the blood-soaked rag, snapped her fingers, and a flame appeared, incinerating it instantly, leaving no trace of ash. At that moment, a man''s voice shouted from outside the temple, "There''s a temple here, and someone inside. Let''s check it out." Ling Ji saw the intruders who interrupted her midnight snack, frowned, and vanished. Bai Luan instinctively turned to the statue behind her. Its rough lines and cold expression remained unchanged. "Captain, found someone here," a young policeman in uniform called out, pushing open the door and wiping rain from his face, smiling back at his companions. Through the dim candlelight, Bai Luan saw the group behind him: ten men, two women, and a fifteen-year-old girl staring at her with a complex expression. "System, did I fail this mission?" Jiang Lingyan asked, but received no response. Calling again, the usually prompt system remained silent, making her uneasy. Fortunately, the police acted methodically. Some attended to Bai Luan, others questioned the elderly man and young boy, while others crouched by the unconscious thin man. Jiang Lingyan took a moment to collect herself. Lingyan, don''t rush. Follow the plan. This life is different from the last. The body Ling Ji had thrown near He Kun was discovered by police the next day. Despite thorough searches, they found no clues. "Chief, last night''s heavy rain washed away all traces. We''ll have to take the body back for an autopsy," said Zhao Jiong, squatting beside the water-swollen corpse with wide, terrified eyes. He rubbed his stubbled chin, eyes deep with thought. "Pack it up." The bullets in their bodies matched the gun found with the first corpse, and except for some old wounds, there were no new marks. The killer''s method was efficient and deadly. "Is Liu Xiao''er awake?" Zhao Jiong asked. According to the abducted girl''s statement, there were seven pursuers; six lay here, leaving Liu Xiao''er as their only lead. If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. "He''s awake," a young officer said, holding his phone with a strange expression. "But he''s gone mad." "Mad?" Zhao Jiong raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Yes," the handsome young officer replied, dejected. "He keeps begging for mercy from the mountain deity and bowing to empty air, sobbing uncontrollably." "And the old man and the boy?" Zhao Jiong continued. "Still know nothing?" "The old man''s testimony hasn''t changed, but the boy let something slip." "What did he say?" Zhao Jiong''s eyes narrowed like a predator sensing prey. The young officer hesitated, then spoke with a subtle tone. "He said they were punished by the mountain deity." "Do you think there are gods?" Zhao Jiong paused, smirking as he glanced back. "What do you think? Didn''t you learn anything in your Marxism classes? Want to retake them?" The young officer shook his head vigorously, unwilling to repeat his arduous training. Back in Xianmiao Village, Zhao Jiong checked on Liu Xiao''er at the village chief''s house and found him incoherent and insane. They cuffed him and prepared to transport him to the hospital for treatment and to face justice for his crimes. Law and justice are never absent due to illness. "Xiao Bai, Grandpa, I''m leaving," Bai Luan said, standing in the car and bidding farewell to the Mu family. "I promise to keep my word when I return and will also donate to support the children of Xianmiao Village." Mu Lin, usually calm, was moved to tears, gripping Bai Luan''s hand. "Are you serious, my dear?" "Yes," Bai Luan nodded firmly. Her family was wealthy, and she was set to inherit the business after her graduation trip, so supporting a village was no issue. Mu Lin was touched, calling her "good girl" repeatedly. Mu Bai, too young to grasp the full significance of her words, felt the sadness of parting. "Sister Bai, safe travels. I''ll miss you." Bai Luan ruffled his hair and got into the car. The police drove off, kicking up dust as Mu Bai and his grandfather watched them disappear. "Grandpa, why don''t they believe in the mountain deity?" Mu Bai asked, looking towards the temple. Mu Lin sighed, gazing at the temple. "Because their hearts aren''t sincere, they can''t see the deity and thus don''t believe." Mu Bai, still puzzled, asked, "Grandpa, the deity seemed unhappy when she left. Was it because the policemen weren''t sincere?" Mu Lin winced, thinking she left because she was hungry. He patted Mu Bai''s head. "Yes, so you must always be sincere." Mu Bai nodded earnestly. "I promise to serve the mountain deity faithfully. I can already farm and sometimes catch rabbits and pheasants. I''ll provide offerings." Mu Lin, hearing this, felt a sense of relief and was moved to tears. Years later, Mu Bai would look at his meager bank balance and cry out, "Grandpa, you really set me up!" --- Ten years later, on July 7th, a young soldier in camouflage, drenched in mud, clutched a child while standing on a tree amid a raging flood in Fengchuan County. "Are we going to die?" the boy asked, tears streaming down his face, his voice trembling. "Maybe you should leave me. I can find my parents." The young soldier''s eyes reddened. "Don''t be silly. I won''t abandon you." "But," the boy whispered, "if we stay, we''ll both die." A crack echoed as the tree branch began to break, but the roar of the flood drowned it out. Neither noticed the red figure silently approaching. --- Miles away in Xianmiao Village, Mu Lin hurried up the mountain with a basket of buns, his eyes full of panic. Entering the temple, he placed the buns on the altar and took out an ancient copper bell, shaking it twice. If Mu Bai were here, he would notice the bell was identical to the one the mountain deity wore. "Jingle, jingle," the bell''s clear sound filled the temple as Mu Lin called urgently, "Mountain deity, I need your help!" A sleepy voice responded from the altar. "What is it?" Mu Lin saw a girl in black with two buns on her head, munching on buns. Her appearance reassured him, and he wiped his sweat. "My grandson, Bai, is in danger. Please save him." Ling Ji paused, stuffing the remaining buns into her mouth, her cold eyes full of self-mockery. "You know I can''t leave Fengling Mountain." Mu Lin, reminded of her plight, turned pale and fell to the ground, clutching his grandson''s life plaque. The jade piece was cracked, almost split in two. "Bai," he cried, his voice hoarse and filled with despair. Ling Ji quietly clenched her fists, her small white face icy cold. One, just one more to go. Mu Bai, you must be strong. --- Chapter 5: Dragon Soaring in a New Domain "Don''t worry, he won''t die." Ling Ji''s annoyance was palpable as she glanced at Mulin''s sorrowful face. "I gave him a scale. With that, even if he dies, the underworld won''t dare to take him." Mulin, who had been in despair, instantly lifted his head, his eyes burning with hope. His lips trembled before he managed to say a complete sentence, "Really?" Ling Ji raised her delicate eyebrows, her eyes taking on a fierce look. "You don''t believe me?" "No, no, that''s not it." Mulin immediately shook his head vigorously. "I''m just so overjoyed that I''m a bit incoherent." Ling Ji snorted. At that moment, the confident Ling Ji forgot one crucial thing¡ªshe couldn''t leave. The underworld might have feared her in the past, but now that she was imprisoned on Fenglong Mountain, even if they took Mu Bai''s soul, she couldn''t chase them down to cause trouble. "¡­Master." With hope rekindled, Mulin regained his composure. He stood up from the ground and looked at the empty basket, his eyes flickering with hesitation. "There''s one more thing I need to tell you." "Speak." "Your offerings will have to stop for a while." "What did you say?" Ling Ji''s voice instantly rose, releasing a pressure that startled the birds outside the temple. Mulin wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and carefully explained, "There''s been a flood in the north, destroying Feng County and cutting off traffic. The supply convoy can''t get through for now." Fenglong Mountain is located in Y Province, an area with many mountains and hills. The highways to other provinces are already limited, and Feng County is one of the important routes. There are other roads, but they require detours, and with the flood, it''s uncertain how long it will take to reach here. "A flood?" Ling Ji was momentarily stunned upon hearing these familiar words, her thoughts drifting back to many years ago. There was once a young man who, seeing the flood raging and destroying homes and fields, and taking countless lives, clenched his fists and vowed to control the water. Later, he even¡­ "I understand. You can go back." Ling Ji waved her hand weakly to dismiss him. Mulin bowed and walked down the mountain with his basket. As he left the temple, he couldn''t help but look back, but he saw nothing. The entire temple was shrouded in thick fog. Through the gray mist, Mulin seemed to sense a hint of sadness and nostalgia. Ling Ji sat quietly in the main hall, not returning to the statue immediately. After a while, she looked up sharply and suddenly soared into the sky. "Boom." With a loud noise, a massive and ancient runic pattern appeared in the transparent sky, full of overwhelming pressure, mercilessly pressing down the one trying to break through the seal. When Ling Ji landed, she created a deep pit over ten meters. She clutched her now swollen and red forehead, pointing to the sky, "If you have the guts, never let me out!" The huge runic pattern in the sky flickered, seemingly responding to her words. Ling Ji: "..." This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. So frustrating. ... Mu Bai eventually noticed the abnormality of the elm tree under his feet. As the floodwaters collided, the trunk shook even more violently. "Take this." Mu Bai took out a black jade piece from his chest and handed it to the little boy. "This is a talisman given by the Mountain Deity. With it, we''ll be safe." "The Mountain Deity?" The little boy instinctively took the piece and held it in his hand. It felt like neither jade nor metal. He looked up, puzzled, and asked, "Is there really a Mountain Deity?" "There is." Mu Bai wiped the rain from his face, and as his vision cleared, he saw a new wave of water rushing towards them. "Master Ling Ji is the best and most powerful Mountain Deity," Mu Bai said as he picked up the boy, watching the surging flood. "You must believe in her." "Okay." The flood waves, carrying massive splashes, hit the elm tree. The elm, which had stood tall for six days, finally reached its limit, letting out a final groan before breaking with a "crack." Mu Bai, holding the boy, was instantly swept into the overwhelming flood, floating up and down with the current, powerless to resist. In the face of natural disasters, human strength seemed so insignificant. As Haizhou fell into the water, he instinctively clutched the jade piece, the hard edge cutting his tender palm and causing blood to flow. "Master Ling Ji, please protect me and the soldier uncle and bring us safely to shore." This was Haizhou''s last conscious thought before passing out, pure, sincere, and urgent. A faint light, invisible to the human eye, floated out from Haizhou, quickly flying into Fenglong Mountain and merging into the runic pattern in the sky. The hidden and intricate symbols in the sky flickered as if triggered by some mechanism. Following this, one by one, the patterns lit up. If someone could see it, they would find that each lit pattern was filled with the same faint light, warm and bright. It was the light of a thousand beliefs. "Pop." When all the patterns were lit by the light of belief, the seal that had trapped Ling Ji for countless years instantly turned into points of light and dissipated into the air. As Ling Ji, who had just emerged from the pit and was preparing to charge again, sensed this, she looked up abruptly. Seeing the countless points of light in the sky, her pupils shrank, and a joyful smile appeared on her face. "Hahaha, this damned seal is finally broken." "I, Ling Ji, am finally free." At the moment the seal completely disappeared, on a rarely visited mountaintop in China, a girl in a blue Taoist robe looked up at the clear sky, her silver-white pupils shining with a glimmer. "The seven stars of the Azure Dragon rise, the broken army appears, the turning point is here." "Master, I have finally waited for the chance." Two lines of tears slowly flowed from the corners of her eyes, and a gentle breeze caressed her pale cheeks as if comforting her. ... At the foot of Fenglong Mountain, in Xianmiao Village, Mulin was sitting in his yard picking vegetables. At the moment the seal disappeared, he seemed to sense something, looking up at the sky for a long time. "What''s wrong? Is there something strange about the sky?" A chubby middle-aged man came out of the house, carrying a plate of freshly fried peanuts. "Xiao Qian, don''t you think the sky looks bluer and the air feels fresher?" Mulin tried to organize his words to express his thoughts clearly. "It''s like there was a layer of fog before, and now it''s gone." Qian Sanduo, also known as Xiao Qian, was a chef specially hired by Bai Luan to cook for Ling Ji. He was honest and good-natured, just like his round, white, and chubby appearance. Qian Sanduo looked up at the sky, then at the green hills not far away. "No, I think it''s the same as before." "Maybe I''m just getting old and my eyes are playing tricks on me." Mulin suppressed his doubts and stood up from his stool. "You stay home and watch. I''m going up the mountain." His eyelid had been twitching non-stop, and the sky seemed a bit unusual, making him worry that something might have happened to Master Ling Ji. "Oh, wait a moment. I just fried a plate of garlic pork, perfect to bring to Master Ling Ji." Qian Sanduo had come to this remote and secluded mountain village because he had been betrayed by his peers, ruining his reputation and making it impossible to stay in the culinary world. Bai Luan''s generous reward was the other reason. At first, he thought he was serving the village''s elderly grandfather and grandson, but later found out it was not a person but a deity. When he first saw Ling Ji emerge from the statue, he was shocked, completely overturning his worldview. Later, seeing that she was just a straightforward girl who loved to eat, his fear gradually turned into affection and fondness. Chefs in this world love diners who eat all their food without leaving a bite. Hearing that Mulin was going up the mountain, Qian Sanduo quickly went to the kitchen, packed the freshly made garlic pork into a lunch box, and added ten freshly steamed jujube buns. "Old Mu, I''ve packed everything. Please take these to Master Ling Ji." Qian Sanduo came out of the kitchen with the heavy lunch box. "I don''t know when this rain will stop, and I can''t make much more food for Master Ling Ji with the remaining supplies." Just as he stepped out, the lunch box was taken from his hand. Thinking it was old Mu, he didn''t mind and sat down on the stone stool, wiping the sweat from his face with the towel around his neck. "The pork is well made today." A girl''s clear voice sounded, filled with satisfaction. Qian Sanduo paused, rubbed his eyes, and exclaimed, "Master Ling Ji, why are you here!" Having been in Xianmiao Village for almost ten years, this was the first time he saw her come down the mountain. Not only was he shocked, but even Mulin was stunned, unable to recover. In his sixty-plus years, this was the second time he saw her come down the mountain. The first time was when a monster spirit came to the village and injured people. He shook the copper bell to summon her. Ling Ji finished all the food in the lunch box in a few bites, wiped her mouth, and extended her hand to the dazed Mulin. "Give me the jade plaque." Mulin instinctively handed it over. "Crack." At that moment, another crack appeared on the jade plaque. Ling Ji held it carefully, afraid to exert too much force and accidentally break it. "Master, you¡­." The sound of the jade plaque breaking woke Mulin up. He looked at the girl about to leave with the plaque, and an absurd thought emerged. "You¡­" "I can leave now." Ling Ji raised her voice, her cool eyebrows tinged with excitement. "You stay here. I''m going to save Mu Bai." After speaking, she disappeared. Mulin extended his hand towards the air, his old face full of worry. "Old Mu, you can rest assured now. With Master Ling Ji going, your grandson will be safe." Mulin: "..." No, I''m not worried about my grandson now. I''m worried about Master Ling Ji. Times have changed. And I haven''t told her the rules outside. An ancient demon, isolated from the world, entering modern society for the first time, facing ever-changing and completely unfamiliar things. He was very worried about the people who would interact with her. --- Chapter 6: Encounter in the Storm On the road to Feng County, a convoy of more than fifty military trucks trudged through the torrential rain, their headlights cutting through the gloom. Half of the convoy consisted of rescuers, while the other half was loaded with essential relief supplies. ¡°Seriously, did the weather satellites malfunction recently? None of the weather forecasts have been accurate these past few days,¡± complained a young man in casual clothes, holding his phone and turning to the young officer behind him who was resting with his eyes closed in the second military-green Land Rover at the front of the convoy. ¡°Look, it says cloudy here but it¡¯s pouring outside.¡± And it was a heavy rain. There were still hundreds of kilometers to go to the heavily rain-affected area of Feng County, and the relentless downpour was making everyone anxious. And more worried about the situation in Feng County. The young officer in the back seat, dressed in camouflage, was tall and slender, exuding a cold and aloof aura with slightly upturned eyes that carried a hint of sharpness. He closed his eyes, his brows slightly furrowed, replaying the recent images that had appeared in his mind. The next moment, the man¡¯s long lashes trembled, revealing a pair of clear dark eyes, bright and deep like a sky full of stars. ¡°The meteorological bureau has already issued a notice.¡± The man¡¯s voice was clear and low, like a mountain spring flowing over bright stones, carrying a tranquil essence of time. ¡°Due to the influence of the storm in the southeastern region, the weather is unpredictable. The following data is for reference only, please¡­¡± ¡°Screech¡ª¡± The sound of tires skidding violently on the ground interrupted the young officer¡¯s words, and Zhao Xiaobo, unprepared, was flung towards the windshield. If it weren¡¯t for Ye Jianghuai¡¯s quick reflexes to grab him, Zhao Xiaobo¡¯s head might have been split open. Even so, Zhao Xiaobo was still terrified. Clutching his chest, he swore with a Beijing accent, ¡°Damn it, can you even drive?¡± The driver¡¯s hands were tightly gripping the steering wheel, veins popping out due to the effort, and he was visibly flustered. He opened the window and looked ahead uncertainly, saying, ¡°Sir, it seems like there¡¯s been an accident up ahead.¡± ¡°An accident?¡± Zhao Xiaobo instinctively looked towards the mountain wall, suspecting that the heavy rain had caused a landslide. At that moment, a soldier drenched from head to toe ran over and saluted Ye Jianghuai through the lowered window. ¡°Reporting, sir, there¡¯s been a collision with a person up ahead.¡± A¡­ person? In such continuous heavy rain, on a remote deserted road? Ye Jianghuai raised an eyebrow, opened the car door, and got out. ¡°How is the person? Are they injured?¡± The driver quickly pulled out an umbrella from the car and opened it. Ye Jianghuai took the handle, stopping the driver from following. ¡°Stay here and check the vehicle. I¡¯ll go have a look.¡± ¡°Wait for me, I¡¯ll go too.¡± Zhao Xiaobo, having recovered, was now energized. He grabbed an umbrella from the driver and followed. ¡°I told you I¡¯m fine. Move aside.¡± Ling Ji said coldly to the two men surrounding her, rubbing her stomach. This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. I''m starving. If I had known teleportation consumed so much energy, I would have eaten more beforehand! Instead, I ended up falling halfway due to lack of energy. And coincidentally, I was seen by a bunch of mortals. How embarrassing. Thinking of this, Ling Ji''s face turned even grimmer. Unbeknownst to her, her expression and actions made the two men beside her think she was injured but stubbornly pretending to be fine. ¡°Sergeant, I remember Dr. Jiang is with the convoy. Should we get her to take a look?¡± A young soldier, looking barely twenty, spoke to the older soldier, his expression worried while tilting the umbrella more towards the girl, covering her. The sergeant didn''t speak, concentrating on observing this suddenly appearing girl. The more he looked, the more he frowned. She wore an obviously ancient-style black robe with wide sleeves, embroidered with hidden patterns on the collar and cuffs, low-key yet luxurious. Her pale little face was full of impatience, yet it didn''t diminish her beauty, adding a touch of defiant allure. Most importantly... She looked too clean. Not her aura, but her clothes. Despite the heavy rain and muddy roads, this girl, without any rain gear, was clean from head to toe, not a speck of mud or water stain. This was clearly abnormal. If not for his military uniform and the principle of not speaking of strange things, coupled with the girl''s righteous appearance, he would almost suspect she was a fairy. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± A voice as clear as a spring flowed through the rain, followed by steady and powerful footsteps. Ling Ji looked up and met the eyes of the approaching man through the rain. Ye Jianghuai was slightly stunned, his mind flashing with images. Ling Ji averted her gaze, pouted, and turned to leave. The hem of her black skirt fluttered like a delicate flower, radiating a fierce aloofness. The next moment, the proud flower withered. Ling Ji clutched her stomach and squatted on the ground, her legs heavy as if filled with lead, unable to move. The elegant hem of her skirt fell straight down like a frost-stricken eggplant. ¡°Little girl!¡± The young soldier instinctively moved as Ling Ji turned, but seeing her in pain, he exclaimed and hurried to help her up. However, someone was quicker. The young soldier only felt a faint scent of pine pass by, and the girl squatting on the ground was pulled up. His eyes widened as he watched the cold-faced commander, who was known to be indifferent to women, hold the umbrella over the girl''s head, letting the rain soak half his body. ¡°Where are you feeling unwell?¡± His voice was much gentler than usual! Ling Ji pressed her lips, bit down hard, turned her head, and kept silent. Unwell? No, she wasn''t unwell, she was just hungry. But these people weren''t her servants or followers. She had no reason to demand offerings or food from them. Seeing her not respond, Ye Jianghuai didn''t press further. He turned and instructed the sergeant a step away, ¡°Call Dr. Jiang over, bring the medical kit.¡± ¡°Growl~¡± As soon as he finished speaking, a loud growl came from her stomach. Ye Jianghuai raised an eyebrow in surprise and looked down towards the source of the sound. Feeling the gaze, Ling Ji glared back fiercely. ¡°What are you looking at? If you keep staring, I''ll eat you!¡± ¡°Haha.¡± Zhao Xiaobo couldn''t help but laugh, even Ye Jianghuai couldn''t help but smile. When the girl glared at him, he gently patted her head. ¡°Hungry?¡± Ling Ji nodded. We demons never lie. Besides, her stomach was growling; there was no point denying it. Zhao Xiaobo raised his hand, ¡°I have food. Want some?¡± Ling Ji''s eyes lit up, ¡°A lot?¡± A little wouldn''t be enough. ¡°Plenty.¡± Zhao Xiaobo promised generously. The girl looked thin and weak, couldn''t possibly eat much. Even if she was a big eater, Zhao could afford it. Later, when he witnessed Ling Ji''s true appetite, Zhao Xiaobo wished he could travel back and slap himself. But now, unaware, Zhao, like a wolf luring Little Red Riding Hood, led her to his car. Ye Jianghuai stood watching as the girl paused by the car, seemingly curious about something new, then was pushed in by Zhao Xiaobo. Only then did he turn his gaze to the tilted truck with its front end against the mountain wall. ¡°Commander, I checked the vehicle. It''s fine, can still run. But¡­¡± Sergeant Qin hesitated before choosing honesty, ¡°The girl appeared too suddenly, like out of thin air. Suspicious and abnormal.¡± Where she was abnormal, the keen young commander likely already noticed. Sergeant Qin didn''t elaborate, only watching the young man with concern, awaiting orders. Ye Jianghuai glanced around, then raised the umbrella and looked up at the mountain wall. It was steep and high, with patches of green dotting it, barely visible in the gray rain. Seeing nothing unusual, Ye Jianghuai retracted his gaze and spoke to the old soldier behind him, ¡°Keep it quiet for now. Transporting supplies and disaster relief is our priority.¡± Sergeant Qin nodded, then pulled the confused young soldier into the truck. Zhao Xiaobo brought a large box from the trunk, squeezed beside Ling Ji, and said generously, ¡°Here, eat as much as you like.¡± Bread, ham, jerky, biscuits, chocolate, cake, candy¡ªvarious types, colorful and abundant. Ling Ji looked at the heap of colorful things pushed before her, picked up a long item, and hesitated, ¡°Eat it directly?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Zhao Xiaobo thought she was embarrassed, ¡°Don''t be shy, eat as much as you want.¡± So when Ye Jianghuai opened the car door, he saw the girl trying to shove a wrapped chocolate bar into her mouth. Barely inside, Ye Jianghuai lunged forward, grabbing her chin with one hand and slapping her back with the other, ¡°Who told you to eat this? Spit it out!¡± Ling Ji thought he regretted it, clamped her mouth shut, and swallowed the whole chocolate bar. Then she opened her mouth, showing it was empty, ¡°I ate it, can''t spit it out.¡± No one has ever taken food from my mouth. Ye Jianghuai: "..." Ye Jianghuai was so exasperated he laughed, his grip on her chin tightened slightly. His rational mind told him to leave her be, but for some reason, he leaned closer to the girl, their noses almost touching. ¡°Open your mouth.¡± Ye Jianghuai tilted her chin up, looking into her throat. Seeing this, Zhao Xiaobo quickly found a flashlight and shone it inside. ¡°Jianghuai, her throat looks fine.¡± After a moment, Zhao Xiaobo said, relieved. Ye Jianghuai saw no wounds or bleeding in her throat either. He relaxed a bit but still asked, ¡°Do you feel any discomfort? Does your throat hurt?¡± ¡°No, I feel fine.¡± Ling Ji blinked, not understanding their worry. Her voice was clear, just like before. Seemingly assured, Ye Jianghuai released her chin, sat back, and looked at her with a more complex expression. This little girl... has secrets. --- Chapter 7: Ling Ji of Zhongshan Zhao Xiaobo didn''t think much of it. "I didn''t realize you''re such an impatient little girl. I already told you all this food is yours, no need to rush." Eating the wrapper was shocking at first, but after a moment, he got over it. After all, people used to eat dirt. Plus, her voice sounded normal and there was no sign of blood in her throat, so she seemed fine. Ling Ji tilted her head. "Didn''t you tell me to eat it directly?" "I did tell you to eat it directly." Zhao Xiaobo suddenly stopped because he realized he had contradicted himself. "No, I didn''t mean for you to eat it like that..." Before Ling Ji could question further, Zhao Xiaobo threw his hands up in defeat. "Jianghuai, you explain." "You¡¯ve never eaten these things before?" Ye Jianghuai observed her for a moment and then asked. "Mm, it¡¯s my first time eating them." She had always eaten freshly prepared meals before, never seen anything wrapped in paper. "You¡¯ve never had snacks before?" Now it was Zhao Xiaobo¡¯s turn to be surprised. But that explained everything. "These things need to have the outer packaging torn off." Ye Jianghuai took a pack of bread from the box, tore it open along the perforation, and handed it to her. Ling Ji took it and put it in her mouth. After chewing a couple of times, the soft, sweet flavor spread in her mouth. She squinted her eyes, showing a satisfied expression. "Delicious." Seeing her eat happily, Zhao Xiaobo¡¯s expression softened as well. "By the way, what¡¯s your name and where do you live?" "Zhongshan, Ling Ji." "Zhongshan? Is that the Zhongshan Scenic Area in Xiping District, Nanjing?" "No, it¡¯s Zhongshan, 420 li northwest of Qianlai Mountain." "Qianlai Mountain?" Zhao Xiaobo tried to recall the name and uncertainly looked at Ye Jianghuai. "Do we have such a mountain here?" Ye Jianghuai rarely fell silent for a moment, his eyes deep and dark under his long lashes reflecting an unknown emotion. "I don¡¯t remember." "You don¡¯t remember, so..." It must be a very remote place. Zhao Xiaobo was halfway through his sentence when he noticed the girl in the backseat had suddenly gone quiet. Ye Jianghuai was a special forces soldier and had to memorize the country''s geography, mountains, and rivers. If he didn¡¯t remember, that Zhongshan might be an extremely remote, isolated place not marked on the map. No wonder this girl¡¯s attire was so out of place. "Is your home particularly beautiful?" Usually, the scenery in remote mountainous areas is stunning, untouched by human pollution. Zhao Xiaobo quickly changed the subject, his voice cautious, afraid of touching a sensitive nerve. "Mm, it¡¯s okay. I haven¡¯t been back for many years." She had been imprisoned in Yushan all these years. "Where have you been all these years?" Zhao Xiaobo asked casually. "Yushan." Zhao Xiaobo: "..." Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. Damn, another place he didn¡¯t know. Did he feed all his geography lessons to the dogs? From her expression, Ling Ji could tell he didn¡¯t know about Yushan, but that was normal. Years ago, she fought a celestial being on Yushan for three days and nights, causing mountains to collapse and rivers to flow backward, turning Yushan into ruins. Later, to imprison her, they rebuilt a mountain on the ruins and named it Fenglong, meaning the mountain that seals the dragon. The Mu family later moved to this place and renamed Fenglong Mountain to Fengling Mountain, meaning the mountain that worships the deity. Thus, she became the deity of Fengling Mountain. Time passed quickly in the mountains. In the blink of an eye, many years had gone by. That battle which drained all her power seemed like yesterday. She casually mentioned the now-vanished mountain name. But there was no need to tell these old unpleasant stories to this mortal. After all, it was a defeat that led to her imprisonment. Admitting it would be too embarrassing. Although she didn''t continue, her expression inevitably showed dejection and loss when she thought of those days. Zhao Xiaobo, seeing this, imagined something on his own. So when Dr. Jiang Yan received the order to board the car, she saw a tall, handsome man gently tearing open packaging, placing it in the girl¡¯s hand with a look of... paternal love? Wait, something seemed off. "Reporting." Jiang Yan saluted the man in the back seat. After he nodded and said "Come in," she got into the car with her medical kit. "Dr. Jiang, please check her for injuries." Ye Jianghuai thought of the accident that caused the convoy to stop, his eyes flashing with a dark light. "Okay." Jiang Yan shifted her gaze from the girl¡¯s ancient, elegant outfit, clearly a masterpiece, and proficiently took out a stethoscope, still thinking, "The cut, sewing, and material of this outfit are top-notch. I wonder if it rivals the craftsmanship of the Jiang family." Oh, the Jiang family is in the clothing business, specializing in handmade bespoke designs. Many celebrities, businessmen, and politicians are their regular customers. "Little girl, stop for a moment. Let me check your body before you continue eating, okay?" Jiang Yan raised her stethoscope, smiling warmly. The next moment, her smile froze. "No." The girl¡¯s firm refusal came, and she moved aside, proving her rejection with actions. Jiang Yan awkwardly coughed and looked at the young man beside the girl. "I¡¯m in good health, no need for her to check." Before Ye Jianghuai could speak, Ling Ji interjected and, taking advantage of the moment, hugged the snack box tightly to herself, guarding it closely. "Dr. Jiang is kindly braving the rain to check on you. Why don¡¯t you cooperate?" Zhao Xiaobo, sensing the awkward atmosphere, tried to smooth things over. "We are polite, good kids, right?" "No." Ling Ji refused again. "I don¡¯t like people touching me." "Why?" Ling Ji glanced at him, pursed her lips, and said nothing. Because she... dislikes people. "Uh... Should I come back later?" Jiang Yan, though eager to stay longer with her idol, felt embarrassed by the uncooperative and upset target. "No need." Ye Jianghuai spoke up. Just as Jiang Yan thought he might have some interest in her and didn''t want her to leave, he continued, "The convoy is already moving. Stopping again would waste too much time." Jiang Yan¡¯s enthusiasm was instantly doused. Her heart felt ice-cold. She thought his singleness wasn¡¯t just because the girls weren¡¯t good enough; he himself had reasons too. Really. The car sped smoothly along the highway, splashing water. Rain kept hitting the windows, sliding down, blurring the outside view. By now, Ling Ji had finished all the food in the box, even licking each of her five fingers. If Ye Jianghuai hadn¡¯t quickly stopped her and wiped her hands clean with a handkerchief, she might have licked all ten fingers. She licked her lips, still unsatisfied, and looked at Zhao Xiaobo with bright eyes, almost showing "I want more" on her face. Zhao Xiaobo glanced at the empty box, then at her flat stomach, gaining a new understanding of women¡¯s appetites. "You¡¯re... still not full?" "No." Ling Ji shook her head honestly. It was barely enough to fill the gaps between her teeth, far from being full. Zhao Xiaobo looked like he had been struck by lightning, staring at her in disbelief. How could she still be hungry? There were not just high-calorie snacks like chocolate and biscuits, but also several packs of compressed biscuits, which could make an adult man feel full. She had eaten three packs and was still not full? Even Jiang Yan, sitting nearby, was shocked. She couldn¡¯t help but look at her flat stomach. "Is your stomach connected to another dimension?" Ling Ji blinked in confusion, not understanding what the woman meant by another dimension, but it was clear these two men wouldn¡¯t give her any more food. Well, if they won¡¯t give, they won¡¯t give. The downside of them not being her followers is she can¡¯t demand anything from them. The car drove on with Ling Ji sighing. Ling Ji glanced at the rapidly passing scenery outside, then at the oddly-shaped metal box. Sensing its speed, she showed a surprised expression. This thing moved without spiritual energy and carried several people without slowing down. Humans have indeed made significant progress over the years. But they were still too slow compared to her. "So, where are you heading this time?" Zhao Xiaobo, feeling a bit guilty for refusing her, tried to change the topic after a while. "If it¡¯s on the way, we can give you a ride." If not, he¡¯d find someone else to take her. "Don¡¯t know." Ling Ji shook her head. Before she was imprisoned, she wasn¡¯t good with directions, always coiled around him, letting him lead the way. "You don¡¯t know how to get there?" Wandering aimlessly? This was too reckless. With society in decline and human nature unpredictable, didn¡¯t she realize how dangerous it was for a pretty girl to walk alone? "I¡¯m looking for someone." Ling Ji thought for a moment and replied, "I can sense where he is." Zhuo Bai had her scale. Even if it was from thousands of years ago, she could still sense her aura on it. Zhao Xiaobo was speechless. Sense the location like she was a satellite? He exchanged glances with Jiang Yan and both saw the same message in each other¡¯s eyes. Confirmed, she¡¯s got a screw loose. "Thank you for the food." Mentioning her mission reminded Ling Ji of her purpose. She thanked them, a basic courtesy instilled by that person. She also remembered the principle of reciprocation, but finding nothing valuable on her, she hesitated. There were valuable items in her cave, but she had left in a hurry without bringing anything. Ling Ji hesitated, then bit the bullet, pulling out two strands of her shiny black hair, handing one to each of them. "This is my thank you gift. Keep it safe, and you can use it to ask me for a favor in the future." Even if they didn¡¯t seek her out, they¡¯d still benefit. The hair carried her aura, though not as potent as a scale, it was enough to ward off evil spirits and keep minor demons at bay. Zhao Xiaobo instinctively took the hair, feeling its cool, silky texture. No, wait. The issue wasn¡¯t the texture of the hair, but why she was giving them hair. Normal people don¡¯t give away hair. Zhao Xiaobo looked at Ye Jianghuai, then at Ling Ji, growing more convinced that the girl had a screw loose. --- Chapter 8: Ling Jis True Form "What do you mean by this?" "Fair trade, nothing owed between us," Ling Ji said matter-of-factly. Having settled her debt, she intended to proceed with her own affairs. "I have something to do, so I''ll be leaving now." After saying this, she closed her eyes, preparing to teleport to where Zhuo Bai was. The next moment, she opened her eyes, stretched her arms, and midway through the movement, she realized something was wrong. She turned her head and saw the three men and one woman still within her sight. "Why are you still here?" Ye Jianghuai, Zhao Xiaobo, Jiang Yan, and the driver: "..." Haha, that''s a good question. We were wondering the same thing. Weren''t you leaving? Why are you still sitting in the car seat without moving? Can you really disappear automatically? Once again, they confirmed the look in each other''s eyes: she''s seriously unwell. From their eyes, Ling Ji read the same message. She rarely fell silent for a moment. She secretly tried again and found her butt was still glued to the car seat, not having moved an inch. Her ears turned red. "Can you give me more food?" Not enough energy, can''t teleport! "Heh." Zhao Xiaobo laughed politely yet helplessly and exchanged a glance with Ye Jianghuai. "We don''t have any more." Even if we did, we wouldn''t give it to you. Coming up with such a weird excuse for food, Zhao Xiaobo felt he had a duty to teach her the meaning of honesty on behalf of her elders. But before he could say much, she interrupted him, "The road ahead is blocked; you should take another route." Ling Ji''s gaze passed through the windshield, through the pouring rain, and fixed on a certain spot ahead. "Don''t change the subject. We are discussing something very serious now." Zhao Xiaobo thought she was making another excuse to avoid the lecture and was even more determined to teach her a lesson. But before he could say much, he was interrupted again. "Screech¡ª" The familiar sound of sudden braking echoed again. Zhao Xiaobo, unprepared, was flung forward once more. Ling Ji quickly grabbed him, once again preventing him from hitting his head. "Another accident?" This time Zhao Xiaobo quickly recovered, asking the equally stunned Ye Jianghuai. Ye Jianghuai glanced at the girl sitting steadily beside him, unaffected by inertia, and who had the presence of mind to catch both Zhao Xiaobo and Jiang Yan. His voice lowered, "Let''s go check." As they got out of the car, Li Weiguo, sent by Sergeant Qin, approached them. "Reporting, sir, a large boulder is blocking the road ahead. It seems to have been washed down by the rain. We request additional personnel." "How many men are needed?" Li Weiguo reported a number. Ye Jianghuai walked forward, pulling out his walkie-talkie to address Chen Yi in the third vehicle behind them. "There is a landslide ahead. Send the first and second squads to assist. Everyone else stays put." Chen Yi, his deputy, was highly capable and quick to respond, promptly carrying out Ye Jianghuai''s instructions. Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! By the time Ye Jianghuai reached the scene, he saw a four-meter-tall, five-meter-wide boulder blocking the entire road. He couldn''t help but look towards Ling Ji in the distance. Not only him, but Zhao Xiaobo and Jiang Yan also turned their gazes towards the girl in black. Just moments ago, she had told them to take another route, saying¡ªthe road ahead was blocked. Given the vehicle''s speed, they were about 500 meters away from the boulder at that time. Normally, this wouldn''t be surprising; soldiers with good eyesight could achieve this. The problem was that it was raining heavily, reducing visibility to no more than fifty meters. How could a girl sitting in the back seat see through the heavy rain to a spot hundreds of meters away without any tools? Did she have superhuman sight? Moreover... Zhao Xiaobo''s expression grew serious as he looked at Ling Ji for the first time with seriousness and scrutiny, and a hint of unrecognized wariness. He noticed something even more extraordinary. The girl wasn''t using an umbrella, yet she wasn''t wet from the rain at all. It was as if she wasn''t standing in the pouring rain but under clear skies and sunshine. Ling Ji walked over slowly, and the rain seemed to avoid her, as if she were wearing an invisible raincoat that kept her completely dry. "Who exactly are you?" The evidence was clear. No matter how hard it was to believe, Ye Jianghuai couldn''t continue thinking of her as an ordinary person. Even if this realization shook the worldview he had built over the past twenty-something years. "I''m not human," Ling Ji said casually, not caring about the men''s tense bodies and vigilant gazes. She walked up to the boulder, glanced at it, and waved at Ye Jianghuai. "I''ll help you move this boulder if you give me another box¡ªno, two boxes of those things." Ye Jianghuai, his nerves already frayed by her casual admission, stared at her for a moment. Seeing nothing in her expression suggesting a joke, and considering her unusual nature, he made a decision. "Fine, if you can do it, I''ll give you three boxes!" The boulder was blocking the road completely. It wasn''t impossible to move it with enough people, but it would take time. Time he couldn''t afford to waste. The sooner he reached the disaster area, the more people he could save. If she could move the boulder faster, he''d give her not just three boxes, but ten. Ling Ji''s eyes lit up at his words. Afraid he might change his mind, she quickly placed a hand on the boulder and pushed it towards the cliff on the other side of the road. The massive rock, which would have been a headache for dozens of people, rolled lightly down the cliff, following the laws of gravity and mass. "Boom." The rock tumbled down the cliff, making a loud noise. Zhao Xiaobo stood there dumbfounded, with his mouth agape, looking like a country bumpkin seeing the city for the first time, unable to speak. An illusion, it must be an illusion. "Dr. Jiang, I think there''s something wrong with my eyes. I need to see a doctor." Jiang Yan swallowed, equally disoriented. "Sorry, but I think I need to see a doctor too." "Tap tap tap." At that moment, the first and second squads arrived. The squad leader saluted Ye Jianghuai, about to ask when they should start moving, but saw the boulder was already gone, leaving only a dented ground as evidence of its presence. The squad leader was puzzled. Which hero moved this rock? "Fill in the dent to allow the vehicles to pass," Ye Jianghuai instructed the soldiers, snapping out of his shock. He pulled the girl standing by the pit aside and shared his umbrella. "Where''s the food?" Ling Ji looked up, her eyes shining. Ye Jianghuai glanced at Zhao Xiaobo, who quickly responded, "I''ll get it, I''ll get it." Ling Ji was satisfied, and her mood towards Ye Jianghuai softened. Sensing her change in demeanor, he hesitated before asking, "What... are you?" "Crack." A crisp cracking sound interrupted him. Ye Jianghuai saw the previously calm girl¡¯s expression change as she pulled a handful of jade fragments from her sleeve. A faint white light flew from it, heading north. "Dammit." Ling Ji, clutching the remaining sliver of Zhuo Bai¡¯s soul in the jade, spoke urgently for the first time. "I have an urgent matter and need to go. I''ll leave the food with you for now and retrieve it when I return." She tried to use her power to teleport again, but she forgot her energy was still insufficient. Frustrated, she stomped her foot and transformed into her true form, flying into the sky. Ye Jianghuai saw a fleeting image of a dragon, feeling a strange familiarity as if he had seen it before. His body instinctively reached out, grasping at the apparition. Before he could fully process the sensation, he was lifted off the ground and soared into the sky, disappearing from sight in a blink. Zhao Xiaobo, struggling with three boxes of food, finally arrived, looking around for them. He placed the boxes under a makeshift shelter and approached Jiang Yan. "Did you see Jianghuai and that girl?" Jiang Yan nodded mechanically, still not recovered from the surreal scene. "Where did they go? I didn''t see." Jiang Yan pointed upwards, dazed. "They flew away." Zhao Xiaobo: "Huh?" Jiang Yan: "I think I have mental issues now and need to see a therapist." She clutched Zhao Xiaobo¡¯s arm, her nails digging in. "Do you think there are really demons in this world?" "No, that must have been a deity." Zhao Xiaobo, utterly bewildered: "..." I think you''re sick too. Can you let go of me? You¡¯re drawing blood from my arm! ... When Ye Jianghuai regained his senses, he was high in the sky. The gray, thick storm clouds brushed past his feet, bringing a refreshing coolness. The white rain veiled the earth in a translucent mist, making the landscape hazy and unclear, with only the outlines of verdant mountains visible . The strong wind whipped against his face, making him squint. Tears streamed from his eyes, only to be blown away by the wind before they could fall. He instinctively tightened his grip on the solid surface beneath him. "Huh, how did you get up here?" Ling Ji, feeling a weight on her hind foot, looked down to find a familiar figure. Ye Jianghuai tried to speak, but the rushing wind filled his mouth, making him cough and swallow his words. "Sigh, I don''t have time to take you back now." Given his generosity in offering extra food, Ling Ji felt slightly more patient with him. Using her tail, she hoisted him onto her back. "Hold on tight, I¡¯m going to speed up." Ye Jianghuai''s waist tightened, and the next moment, he was swung onto a hard, wide surface. A deep sense of familiarity washed over him as if he had been here countless times, knowing exactly how to settle in comfortably. His face pressed against the smooth, glossy black scales of Ling Ji''s true form. His limbs clung tightly to her sides, the wind howling past his ears. All he could hear was the rapid pounding of his own heart. "Thump, thump, thump." Ye Jianghuai''s heart raced like a drum. He gripped Ling Ji''s scales, feeling the awe of riding a dragon through the clouds. He had never imagined experiencing something like this, riding a mythical creature through the sky. "Hold tight." Ling Ji''s voice came through the wind, tinged with urgency. --- Chapter 9: The Black and White Guardians A massive winding dragon shadow swiftly streaked across the sky. The ever-vigilant 24/7 operating satellite barely captured a fleeting silhouette, leaving behind a majestic, imposing tail. At that moment, a passenger plane was flying overhead. A teenager idly fiddling with his camera by the window accidentally saw that breathtaking figure and, startled, instinctively pressed the shutter. ¡°Click.¡± "Quick, send the photo to the Special Management Bureau. Inform them that a target creature was sighted at the border between Fengchuan County and Ming County." A middle-aged man in the Aviation Bureau, looking at the satellite image, said with a grave expression. The Special Management Bureau received the photo and promptly relayed the location and image. Upon receiving the message, a group of people who had already reached the western side of Luoyang County in Fengchuan County immediately turned back and rushed towards Fengchuan County. Anyone who happened to see this group would be utterly shocked. They wore various attire, and their feet never touched the ground. Some skimmed over the grass, some flew on swords, and others jumped and darted swiftly among the tree trunks, all moving at incredible speeds. ... At a rescue station in Fengchuan County. Haizhou, his eyes red and swollen, clung to the doctor''s leg, crying heartbrokenly. "No, big brother can''t be dead. Doctor, please save him. He can still be saved." The doctor, his white coat stained with mud and blood, sighed bitterly and patted the little boy''s head. "I''m sorry, I''ve done my best. He has no signs of life." Hearing this, the little boy cried even harder. The doctor shook his head helplessly, holding back his tears and stealing his emotions as he moved to the next patient in need of help, beginning the next round of treatment. This flood had taken countless lives, and more were still being lost. He had to move faster, pull one more person back from the clutches of death. "No, I don''t believe it. Big brother, wake up." Haizhou pounded on the young soldier''s pale, cold face. "Didn''t you say that as long as I believed in the Mountain Deity, everything would be fine? I prayed sincerely." Then why aren''t you waking up? "Because he left the life force for you." A girl in red, huddled in the corner, hesitated to speak. She wanted to approach but seemed to fear something, curling into a ball and muttering to herself. "Hey, put that thing he gave you on him and see what happened." Fish Summer couldn''t stand the little one''s loud crying anymore and reluctantly offered advice. If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. "Do you mean this?" Haizhou stopped crying, sniffling as he carefully pulled a black jade piece from his pocket. Jin Hong nodded. She also curled up even tighter, sensing the ancient, powerful aura from the scale on the jade piece. Vibrant, intense, with an overwhelming presence. Respect the owner of the scale. The underworld''s messengers might let the young man go, considering the scale''s owner''s status. Haizhou, unaware of the intricacies, immediately placed the jade piece on the young man''s chest and pressed it down with his small hands, hoping the talisman would work faster and better to revive him. Then he grabbed a small stool and sat by the young man''s hand, resting his chin on his hands, staring at him without blinking. Mu Bai, seeing the exhausted but resolute little boy watching over him, felt a warm current in his heart. His body, soaked in cold water for so long, no longer felt as cold. ¡°Clang clang~¡± The sound of chains dragging on the ground came from afar. The next moment, a cold, emotionless male voice drifted in. "Time''s up, it''s time to go." "Yeah, yeah, they can''t see you even if you linger. You''re wasting our time." Another similarly emotionless, urging voice followed. "The sooner you leave, the sooner you''ll reincarnate. You''ll be a brave man again in eighteen years." There are always dead people, but this year there are especially many. Usually, the death rate in this area is low. Their performance rankings are always at the bottom. This year''s sudden flood has drowned countless people. He doesn''t remember how many batches of souls he''s sent to the underworld. "Hey, Black, this year we should be first in performance, right?" White Guardian, carrying a scythe and chewing on a straw, spoke casually. "Let''s show those guys in the first and second squads that we can make a comeback too." Black Guardian, dragging chains, ignored him. He stood outside the rescue station for a while until a tired, hoarse voice came from inside. "The patient has no signs of life. Carry them out." Only then did he move his fingers. The chain on the ground flew up, passed through the tent, and pulled out a transparent, bewildered soul. "The headcount is complete. Let''s go." For some reason, he felt a familiar yet terrifying aura here, making him uneasy. "What''s the rush? There''s another one here." White Guardian pulled Black Guardian closer and gestured towards Mu Bai. "That soul is half out. We should help him along." Black Guardian followed his gaze and met the eyes of the young man who looked up. He frowned and muttered, "This shouldn''t be." He opened his phone, accessed the underworld app, and found today''s death list. Indeed, there was a name not checked off, though it had turned gray. His frown deepened. This person was clearly dead. Why did he instinctively ignore him just now? White Guardian, impatient, approached Mu Bai and swung his scythe. Suddenly, a black light, invisible to the naked eye, rose from the deceased''s chest, enveloping his soul. The scythe, instead of capturing the soul, was bounced back by the black light. If White Guardian hadn''t dodged quickly, his own soul would have been caught. "What the hell?" White Guardian cursed, looking at Mu Bai in disbelief. "Do you have connections?" Mu Bai: "What?" White Guardian, annoyed, asked, "I mean, who backs you? Which big shot? Are you on an official mission?" Mu Bai: "..." Why could he understand each word but not their combined meaning? White Guardian, waiting a while without a reply, thought Mu Bai was being difficult. His temper flared. "Fine, don''t talk. I have ways to find out. Black!" He shouted at Black Guardian outside. "Report this to our superiors and check his background." Since the gods and deities withdrew from this realm over two thousand years ago, the world''s order no longer allowed powerful beings to enter. They could only come through the underworld, reincarnating as ordinary humans. Over the years, some gods now living in celestial realms would occasionally reincarnate to undergo trials. The underworld kept records to avoid mishaps or offenses. Black and White Guardians could only see the deceased''s current life. To check three lifetimes, Black Guardian, as the squad leader, had to file a report for permission. Black Guardian, staring at the black light on Mu Bai''s chest, hesitated, then said, "No need to check." "I know who''s backing him." "Who?" "You know this big shot too," Black Guardian said, his expression complex. "Remember the stone tablet at the River of Forgetfulness?" "Of course." The stone tablet at the River of Forgetfulness was familiar to all underworld officials. "Ling Ji and dogs not allowed." They say even the Ghost Emperor himself erected it. "Yes, he''s protected by Ling Ji." Black Guardian dropped this bombshell calmly, making White Guardian jump. "The Ling Ji who caused more trouble in the underworld than the Great Sage himself?" "Yes." Black Guardian nodded. The troublemaker herself. Black Guardian vividly remembered her chaos in the underworld: flooding the Bridge of Helplessness, submerging the Yellow Springs, turning the Hall of Yama into a vast ocean where boats were needed to get around. "Wait." White Guardian, recalling tales from elders, said, "Wasn''t she imprisoned on Yushan, unable to leave without a divine pardon?" Black Guardian: "..." Right, he had forgotten. That troublemaker''s influence was still strong. "I''ll count to three. We''ll pull his soul out together." Knowing Ling Ji couldn''t leave Yushan, Black Guardian''s confidence returned. They moved swiftly. The scythe and chain struck together, expecting an easy capture but were blocked again. "Who dares interfere with the underworld''s business? Do you have a death wish?" White Guardian, enraged by two failures, glared at the figure blocking his target, then froze. "Black, she''s not human, is she?" The girl in red, with braided hair and an apple face, looked more serious than them. "A demon." Black Guardian identified her aura. --- Chapter 10: The Gates of the Underworld Open "Hey, which mountain are you from, little demon? Do you know what you''re doing?" White Guardian shouted irritably, ruffling his hair. "If you don''t step aside, we won''t be polite." Though the life and death of demons aren''t under the jurisdiction of the underworld, if they interfere with underworld affairs, they can be executed on the spot. That is, if the guardians are stronger than the demon. However, this one looked young, with a scattered demon aura indicating low cultivation. Earlier, she had the advantage of surprise, but in a fair fight, she would be no match for them. "This is someone Lord Ling Ji wants to protect. I can''t let you take him." The little girl gripped the red silk tightly, standing firmly in front of Mu Bai. Not knowing his identity before was one thing, but now that she did, she couldn''t ignore it. Lord Ling Ji was her idol, and she couldn''t let her idol down! "Uh... I have a question." Mu Bai peeked out from behind Jin Hong, raising his hand weakly. "The Lord Ling Ji you mentioned, is she the one I''m thinking of?" "Who else would have given you that scale?" Jin Hong couldn''t help rolling her eyes. But her gaze turned respectful and fervent when it fell on the scale that seemed like gold or jade. Ah, in the water, she had felt the powerful aura from the scale, thinking it belonged to a water creature. To find out it was her idol''s scale, she considered this a close encounter with her idol. "Go." Black Guardian signaled to White Guardian. "My barrier won''t last long. Finish this quickly." When Jin Hong made her move, he cast a barrier spell. Outsiders couldn''t see what was happening inside, but maintaining it drained his power quickly. The bustling surroundings and heavy human presence were disadvantageous. Most importantly, he felt a powerful aura approaching. Although the possibility was almost zero, Black Guardian didn''t dare bet on that tiny chance. White Guardian nodded. The two attacked Jin Hong with their weapons. The red silk danced in the air, entwining with chains and a scythe, clashing fiercely with sparks flying. The chains were heavy, the scythe sharp. The red silk could attack and defend, soft yet firm, depending on the wielder''s power. Jin Hong was just a young fish demon with less than three hundred years of cultivation. She had mostly bullied old turtles in the river, lacking experience and power. After a dozen moves, she couldn''t hold on. This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. "Miss, you''d better step aside." Mu Bai, though not versed in magic, was an experienced soldier. He could tell at a glance that Jin Hong was at a disadvantage. "I¡¯m already dead. Going with the guardians is only natural. Don''t push yourself." "Shut up." Jin Hong panted, turning her head angrily. "I said you wouldn''t die, so you wouldn''t die. They won''t take your soul today." "Hey, little girl, you talk big." Taking advantage of her distraction, White Guardian struck down her weapon, and Black Guardian''s chain wrapped around her neck, pulling her to the ground. "Do you think you''re the King of Hell? Saying who lives and who dies?" White Guardian''s tone was full of ridicule, not taking her words seriously. Such a weak demon, how could she control life and death? "I said he wouldn''t die, so he wouldn''t die." Offended by the doubt in her abilities, Jin Hong puffed her cheeks like a frog. "I am a koi." Koi, a mix of fish and dragon, symbolizes good fortune and long life. Once hunted extensively, their numbers dwindled to one in ten. While not all koi have the ability to bring luck, it depends on their cultivation and pure bloodline. Jin Hong''s bloodlineºÍcultivation was average, but in recent years, human admiration for koi had surged, boosting her abilities. With human faith adding to her power, her luck-bringing abilities and auspiciousness had greatly increased. Despite her modest cultivation, her focus could make things happen. Mu Bai, seeing the trembling but determined girl shielding him, grew serious. He changed his initial thoughts. If a stranger fought so hard to save him, he couldn''t let her down. "I..." Mu Bai opened his mouth but felt a tightness in his throat, a cold powerful force constricting his breath. "Heh, I thought you were someone important. Turns out you''re just a little fish demon." White Guardian''s mocking voice carried a chilling coldness from the underworld. "If you had crossed the Dragon Gate, I might reconsider. But now, humph." White Guardian lifted his head, looking disdainfully at the demon and the ghost. "Black, pull the chain." Black Guardian didn''t respond verbally but pulled the chain, dragging Mu Bai''s soul from his body into his grasp. Jin Hong''s hand grabbed only air. Seeing Black and White Guardians binding Mu Bai with other souls, she panicked. "Hey, aren''t you afraid Lord Ling Ji will trouble you?" Their response was cold indifference. Jin Hong stomped her foot, struggling internally. Then she bit her lip, pulling a white bone from her sleeve and charging at them. The white bone, ancient and exuding a solemn aura, looked like a last-resort weapon. But before it touched the guardians, a powerful force repelled her. "Ugh." Jin Hong spat blood, her face pale, looking up at the sky. The once bright sky had darkened. A black gate floated silently, adorned with skeletons, blood nails, and evil spirits, emitting an oppressive, chilling aura. Just looking at it, a coldness crept from her feet to her head, freezing her blood and paralyzing her. "Creak." The gate slowly opened, releasing dense death energy, crushing Jin Hong''s fledgling resistance. "Let''s go." Black Guardian pulled the soul chain, heading towards the gate. White Guardian, carrying the soul scythe, followed nonchalantly. One, two, three. Souls entered the gate, leaving behind Mu Bai, who looked back longingly. White Guardian jabbed his back, making him stumble forward. "What are you looking at? You can''t go back. Hurry and reincarnate. You might meet again in the next life." Mu Bai pursed his lips, giving Jin Hong one last glance, silently mouthing "I''m sorry." For wasting your effort. Jin Hong clutched the dirt, biting her lip until it bled. The metallic taste sharpened her tense nerves. As she despaired, sudden darkness enveloped the space. A massive shadow loomed overhead. Jin Hong instinctively looked up, witnessing the most awe-inspiring sight of her life. A majestic black dragon coiled in the sky, its glossy scales shimmering in the dim light. Its slender neck, flowing whiskers, and divine eyes exuded arrogance. With a flick of its tail, the dreaded gate dissolved along with the sealed space it created. Cold dissipated, warmth returned, and light reappeared. Ling Ji, now in human form, descended, carrying a man. "Lord Ling Ji!" Mu Bai, seeing her, floated over excitedly. "My lord, did you come to save me?" "And your true form is a dragon. So majestic." Mu Bai, genuinely impressed, cast an envious glance at the man beside Ling Ji. He had served Ling Ji for years but had never touched her dragon form. Not fair. Seeing the man''s face clearly, Mu Bai''s envy turned to shock. "Captain?!" Ye Jianghuai, hearing the familiar voice, took a deep breath, suppressing his nausea. He looked towards the sound. "It''s you." Mu Bai nodded eagerly. Six months ago, he joined the elite Qinglong Squad led by Ye Jianghuai. "Captain, weren''t you on a mission?" Seeing his pale face, Mu Bai instinctively reached to help, but his hand passed through. Mu Bai froze, remembering he was a ghost. He looked at Ling Ji, seeking support like a child who had lost his candy. "Lord Ling Ji." Ling Ji glanced at him disdainfully. "Never tell anyone you''re my follower." Mu Bai: "Huh?" Ling Ji: "I can''t bear the embarrassment." --- Chapter 11: The Serpent Enters the Sea Ye Jianghuai coughed lightly, a hint of a smile in his clear eyes. He turned slightly, reminding the angry young girl, "Shouldn''t you save him first?" Ling Ji snorted, her gaze as sharp as a knife landing on the cowering, trying-to-escape white figure. "Was it you who took his soul?" "Yes, it was them and another one, Black Guardian." Before White Guardian could argue, Jin Hong, freed from the oppressive aura of the Ghost Gate, sprang up and jumped in front of Ling Ji, her hands clasped under her chin, eyes sparkling as she recounted the whole incident. She ended by emphasizing, "My lord, they knowingly broke the rules, blatantly disrespecting you!" "Oh." Ling Ji looked at White Guardian, cracking her knuckles and beckoning him with a finger. White Guardian''s face was a mix of bitterness and regret that words couldn''t express. He cursed Black Guardian countless times in his heart for abandoning him to face this alone. However, his body, knowing its place, obediently moved closer. "My lord, I know I was wrong. Please forgive me this once." White Guardian dropped to his knees three meters away, tears streaming down his face. "Although I''m just a lowly new recruit in the underworld, your great name has long echoed in my ears, deeply engraved in my heart. My admiration for you is endless, like the surging floodwaters, longing to serve by your side." Wiping his tears, he kneeled closer, his tone increasingly sincere. "My lord, though I am insignificant and lack seniority, I had no choice but to follow Black Guardian''s orders to take Brother Mu''s soul. Please consider my deep admiration for you, forgive my helplessness." "If you still can''t calm down, I''m willing to sneak into the underworld and bring out Black Guardian for you to deal with as you wish!" Ling Ji: "..." Never heard such blatant flattery before. But something fell off. Jin Hong & Mu Bai: "..." Had they not witnessed everything, they might have believed his words. Do underworld guardians have no shame? If White Guardian could hear their thoughts, he would undoubtedly confirm. ¡ª Absolutely not! It wasn''t that he was falsely accusing Black Guardian; Black Guardian abandoned him first. Why else hadn''t he returned? He must have feared Ling Ji, leaving him alone to face her wrath. Hmph, an unfaithful colleague. Inside the Ghost Gate, winds howled and ghostly wails echoed. Black Guardian ran down the Yellow Springs Path like a dog was chasing him, the spirits he dragged flying in the air, resembling a string of kites from afar. This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. "Lord Black Guardian..." A green-faced, tusked ghostly messenger greeted him respectfully, but before he could finish, a black wind whooshed past and Black Guardian disappeared. The messenger wondered for a moment, "Is he seeing ghosts? Why is he running so fast?" Black Guardian, sprinting towards the Ghost Emperor''s palace, didn''t hear the messenger''s muttering. His mind was filled with one thought: "The troublemaker is out. I must inform the Ghost Emperor to prepare the underworld." Taking the soul of someone she protects, with her temper, she wouldn''t let it go. He didn''t want to row a boat for decades again. As for White Guardian left behind, his fate was not his concern. Each to his own. "..." Seeing Ling Ji unmoved, White Guardian, fearing for his life, made a desperate decision. "My lord, I can help Mu Bai return to life. Please, in light of my sincere repentance, spare me." Ling Ji: "..." Alright, you''ve said everything there is to say. I have nothing left to add. ... On a mountain road several dozen kilometers from Fengchuan County, two mud-splattered nanny vans bumped along, passing a village. Looking at the muddy road ahead, Jiang Lingyan frowned deeply. "System, do I have to go to Fengchuan County for disaster relief?" "You don''t have to." The mechanical, cold voice replied, emotionless. "Refusing the task will deduct double points and impose a level-three punishment." Level-two punishment was needles, which she experienced ten years ago when she failed a task. The pain in her fingers, even for half a minute, was something she never wanted to experience again. Level-three punishment was¡ªbeaten and kicked for half an hour. Thinking about being brutally kicked and slapped, Jiang Lingyan''s budding resistance and fear of the flood vanished. She could lose her head but not her beauty. Just a live broadcast at the flood site for her fans, nothing to fear. "System, you''ll ensure my safety, right?" She heard Fengchuan County was severely flooded. Despite the system''s assurances, she still worried. "Rest assured." The system''s cold voice reassured her. "You redeemed an hour of underwater breathing and swimming skills. If you''re in danger, you can redeem other survival skills." "Don''t worry about consuming points." The system knew her thoughts. "Think about the points you''ll earn after completing the task, enough to redeem your desired skills." Hearing she could redeem her coveted skills, Jiang Lingyan''s last bit of hesitation vanished. She was now full of fighting spirit. "I''ll do as you say!" The system rolled its eyes where she couldn''t see. Sigh, people from ancient planets are so easy to fool. "By the way, system, why did you go silent on Fengling Mountain?" Jiang Lingyan had one lingering question. "..." The system paused. "It''s your fault. If you had performed better, I wouldn''t have run out of energy and gone into hibernation at the critical moment." Jiang Lingyan: "..." Jiang Lingyan shrank back, not daring to speak further. Little did she know, the system''s blame was a cover. It had sensed a terrifying energy back then and had hidden in fear. Behind her nanny van, another silver-gray van followed. Its body bore a flying phoenix logo, now splattered with mud, looking more like a dirty chicken. "Tch, such a show-off." Yang Zhen, holding a tablet, sneered at the latest trending news on Weibo. "These fans are ridiculous, praising a female star''s kindness and bravery. Instead of praying for her, they should pray for the soldiers risking their lives for the people." Wiping his camera lens, Dong Shanmin didn''t even lift his eyes, speaking indifferently. "She¡¯s famous." True heroes often go unnoticed, while attention-seekers get all the praise and attention. "Hmph, let''s see if she can keep up the act at the flood site." Yang Zhen said childishly. Dong Shanmin shook his head, noncommittal. For fame and fortune, people will do anything. Yang Zhen was still too young. ... High above, a yellow figure flew through the clouds towards Fengchuan County. As it neared, the rainfall around Fengchuan County increased again, the floodwaters rising visibly. A blue figure heading for Fengchuan County noticed the abnormality, pausing briefly before moving again. "Elder Ming, the beast is ahead." A bearded man squinted at the massive shadow in the clouds, frowning. "Its power has grown." Silence followed, then a voice full of anger said, "Damn, it must have eaten more people!" "Stop talking and hurry." The leader, an elder, said. "We must stop it before it reaches Fengchuan County." A serpent transforming into a dragon wreaks havoc. This beast didn''t follow the proper cultivation path. Its demon core was impure, power unstable, causing floods and heavy rains, killing many. The Special Management Bureau sent them to stop it before it transformed. "My lord, it''s done." White Guardian returned Mu Bai''s soul to his body, glanced at Ling Ji, and stepped back cautiously. "However, to fully revive him, you''ll need to amend the Book of Life and Death at the King of Hell''s palace." "You mean I have to go to the underworld?" "..." Thinking of her past deeds, White Guardian quickly handed over his phone. Under Ling Ji''s puzzled gaze, he opened the underworld app, pointing to a gray icon in the contacts. "You can contact King Qinguang directly." He added, "Brother Mu was marked in red by King Qinguang." Ling Ji took the phone, examining it curiously. Seeing her reflection, she asked, "A communication mirror?" "Uh..." Remembering her long isolation, White Guardian explained, "It''s like a communication mirror, but better. It combines video calls, entertainment, and communication, a very useful, convenient new artifact." Ye Jianghuai looked at the sleek phone in Ling Ji''s hand, deeply silent. Even the underworld has kept up with the times. --- Chapter 12: Old Acquaintances in the Underworld Under the watchful eyes of a demon, a human, and a ghost, Ling Ji pressed the gray icon with silver-gray short hair and black wings. Speaking of which, she and King Qinguang were old acquaintances, though it was more of a fateful entanglement. Years ago, a scoundrel told her that Sishi had reincarnated and entered the cycle of rebirth. He advised her, a dragon, to cultivate diligently to achieve immortality and ascend to the celestial ranks. She didn''t believe it and stormed into the underworld alone, turning the place upside down but finding no trace of Sishi. The one who followed her, trying to persuade and stop her, was King Qinguang. "Ling Ji, Sishi has already drunk the soup of forgetfulness and entered the cycle of rebirth voluntarily. Even if you turn the underworld upside down, he won''t come back." "Then who has he reincarnated as? Where is he? Don''t you have the Book of Life and Death? Let me see it." Not finding the familiar figure, she turned angrily, demanding answers. Her lips were tightly pressed, her gaze stubborn. If King Qinguang didn''t give her the information, she seemed ready to bite him. King Qinguang''s expression stiffened, not expecting this young demon to think of such a thing, contrary to the simple-minded image of demons. Maybe she had picked up human cunning from being around them for too long? Considering Sishi''s personality, King Qinguang found it highly probable. "Ahem." Giving her the Book of Life and Death was impossible. King Qinguang''s eyes darted, thinking of how to dodge the issue. "The Book of Life and Death is kept by the Ghost Emperor. I, a mere King of Hell, have no such authority." Ling Ji eyed him skeptically. "Really?" King Qinguang nodded earnestly. "Really. I swear on my honor." Back then, the naive Ling Ji believed his lie. Just as she turned to seek the Ghost Emperor, heavenly gods arrived to capture her. The ensuing events were simple. She fought the gods, causing havoc on Mount Feather, but ultimately lost and was imprisoned on the newly rebuilt Fengling Mountain. Fearing her gaining power and escaping, they diligently sealed her, yet due to the merit she carried, they had to leave her a lifeline to avoid karmic repercussions affecting their cultivation. It was quite pitiful. Half a minute passed quietly, but the gray icon remained unchanged. The entire phone screen seemed frozen without any response. "Uh..." White Guardian wiped the cold sweat off his face, his smile more a grimace. "Perhaps King Qinguang is busy and didn''t hear it." Nonsense. He must be playing mobile games instead of working! If only he were good at it, it would be understandable. If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. But despite his noble status, his gaming skills were atrocious, not improving despite playing for so long. "Should I send an urgent red alert?" Facing Ling Ji''s cold gaze, White Guardian wished he could appear before King Qinguang, shaking him awake. "Your Highness, can we not play games during work hours?" As if hearing his plea, the long-dormant icon flickered, and a lazy, slightly groggy voice sounded. "White Thirty-Six, what do you need from me?" Yawning as he spoke. Even through the screen, Ling Ji could sense his laziness and drowsiness. She raised the phone, her voice steady. "King Qinguang?" "Yes." King Qinguang responded, exiting the game. Just as he was about to speak, a familiar yet ominous feeling crept up. The next moment, his suspicion was confirmed. "King Qinguang!" Black Guardian''s voice echoed from afar. "Ling Ji has escaped!" King Qinguang froze. What? Who escaped? "Ling Ji!" Panting, Black Guardian burst into the hall. "The one who caused havoc in the underworld over five thousand years ago!" King Qinguang: "..." Damn, how did that troublemaker get out? Who released her? No, wait. His gaze fell on the phone on his desk, frozen for a few seconds. That voice sounded very much like hers! "King Qinguang." As if confirming his thought, Ling Ji''s voice came through, her tone chilling. "Long time no see." "...Long time no see." King Qinguang''s back stiffened, his voice tight. "What do you want?" Unbidden memories of her last visit flooded back. King Qinguang prayed fervently to the Ghost Emperor, heavenly gods, and Buddha, hoping this time wouldn''t be like the last. Please, not like the last time. Please, not like the last time. Please, not like the last time. He repeated it three times, emphasizing its importance. Yet divine entities ignored his prayers. A cold, vengeful voice came through. "I need to borrow the Book of Life and Death." King Qinguang''s heart dropped. Previously, he could deceive young Ling Ji about the book''s whereabouts. Now, five thousand years later, that excuse wouldn''t work. Given she could contact him through the underworld''s special phone, she must know the truth. Indeed, he heard Ling Ji say, "I know you have the book. White Guardian told me." She had been gullible back then, believing his lies. The king of hell swearing on honor was absurd. "White Guardian~" King Qinguang gritted out, mentally cursing the subordinate who sold him out ten thousand times. "Ling Ji, I''ll be honest." Thinking she sought the book for Sishi again, he explained, "Though Sishi reincarnated through the underworld, his deeds and skills are unknown to us. His fate isn''t in the book." Even with the book, it was useless. "I know." She had learned this over three thousand years ago. "I''m not here for Sishi." "Then for whom?" King Qinguang asked instinctively. Who else could matter so much to her? He had never heard of anyone else. "Mu Bai." "Mu Bai?" King Qinguang repeated, confused. Never heard of him. Where did he come from? "Probably her servant," Black Guardian whispered, having reviewed Mu Bai''s life on the Yellow Springs Path. Though outstanding among humans, he was unremarkable to them. Except¡ªhe was born in Xianmiao Village at the foot of Fengling Mountain. And Fengling Mountain imprisoned Ling Ji. That explained it. "You want him revived?" With Black Guardian''s reminder, King Qinguang accessed Mu Bai''s details, understanding her reason. "He is mine. Alive or dead, he''s my ghost." Ling Ji declared. "Without my permission, no one decides his fate." "But he''s dead." King Qinguang was troubled. Had he known, he wouldn''t have issued a death notice. "That''s not my concern." Ling Ji''s eyes narrowed. "If he''s not revived in ten minutes, I''ll revisit the underworld." King Qinguang: "..." "And," her voice added, making him swiftly erase Mu Bai''s name from the book. "The Mu family signed a master-servant contract with me long ago. By that agreement, you have no right over their lives without my consent." In ancient times, humans, weak against marauding demons, often made contracts with gentler demons for protection. One type was the soul-binding master-servant contract. Once signed, their lives belonged to the demon. Though this conflicted with the underworld''s duties, the fledgling underworld, swamped with tasks, let it slide for peace. Ling Ji''s reminder, coupled with her threat, made King Qinguang promptly alter the book. "It''s done. Mu Bai will revive in ten minutes." Ling Ji ended the call, handing the phone back to the despondent White Guardian. "Why the long face?" she asked, puzzled. White Guardian gave her a mournful look, swallowing his resentment. "Nothing, I just have a naturally sad face." Ancestor, you forgot you sold me out to King Qinguang! His heart wept, his despair matching the nearby floodwaters. Surely he''d face repercussions. His career was doomed. Five minutes later, Mu Bai sat up. "Big brother, you''re awake?" Haizhou, who had been watching closely, shouted hoarsely. "Doctor, big brother is awake. Come quickly!" "Awake?" The exhausted doctor, finishing an emergency, approached, surprised and disbelief on his face. "He had no vital signs. How could he..." Be awake. Damn, he really was. Meeting Mu Bai''s gaze, the doctor muttered a curse, quickly checked his pulse and heartbeat, and found everything normal. Maybe he was too tired and misdiagnosed? As the doctor stood stunned, a nurse called him. "Doctor, patient nine is deteriorating. Come quickly." "Coming." He replied automatically, giving the now-normal Mu Bai some routine advice before rushing to the next patient. "He''s a good man." Jin Hong watched the doctor''s thin figure, her gaze lingering on his muddy, bloodstained white coat. "Good people deserve good fortune." As she spoke, a faint light, invisible to the human eye, entered the doctor''s body. While examining a patient, the doctor paused, blinking. Why did he suddenly feel less tired, his body warm and energized? --- Chapter 13: Shattered Beliefs "Mu Bai!" A burly man flung open the tent flap, his eyes wide as he searched among the patients who were lying down, sitting, or sprawled out. "I''m here." Mu Bai, who had just woken up, stretched his limbs, feeling the strength coursing through his muscles and sighed inwardly. It''s good to be alive. "How are you? We were told you were dead and came to collect your body." Zhou Tian walked over to Mu Bai, scrutinizing him closely but seeing no signs of death. Mu Bai stiffened and instinctively glanced at the little girl in black beside him. He had indeed died, but his master had brought him back to life. Zhou Tian, a member of the Qinglong Special Forces, had sharp senses. He followed Mu Bai''s gaze and widened his eyes in disbelief. "Captain?" Ye Jianghuai, who was half-hidden by Ling Ji, looked up at Zhou Tian and nodded. "Report the situation here." "Yes sir." Zhou Tian instinctively stood at attention, his expression serious as he began his report, forgetting his earlier confusion. Wasn''t the captain supposed to be with the supply convoy? How did he get here ahead of the convoy? And how did he get here? Seeing Zhou Tian''s distraction successfully redirected, Ye Jianghuai quietly sighed in relief and led everyone out of the tent to begin rescue and disaster relief efforts. "Um, my lord, may I leave now?" White Guardian, who had been trying to minimize his presence, looked at the new batch of names on his death notice and asked cautiously, "New tasks have come in." "Go ahead." Having achieved her goal, Ling Ji wasn''t unreasonable. She waved him off. White Guardian swiftly grabbed his scythe and hurried away. Jin Hong watched him disappear, then turned back to her idol, her eyes sparkling. Ling Ji felt a bit uncomfortable under her intense gaze. She coughed and beckoned her over. "My lord." Jin Hong''s eyes lit up and she hurried over. Ling Ji patted her pockets, feeling a bit embarrassed when she found nothing. "You helped Mu Bai. Is there anything you want?" Thinking of her treasures¡ªpearls, jade, emeralds, gold, silver, beast skins, and demon bones¡ªLing Ji mentally tallied her inventory, ready to reward the little fish demon. "I don''t want anything else." Jin Hong shook her head, understanding Ling Ji''s intention. Her eyes burned with admiration as she said, "I just want to stay by your side." "Though my powers are low, I can still be useful." Determined to seize this chance, Jin Hong eagerly promoted herself. "As a koi, I can bring you luck, change your fortune, and serve you." Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! "Though I failed to leap over the dragon gate, I''m still a fast runner. Any errands you have, I''ll handle them flawlessly." "You tried to leap over the dragon gate?" "Yes." Jin Hong''s shoulders drooped at the mention, her whole demeanor deflated. "But I failed." "How did you end up here?" Though she wasn''t great with directions, she could recognize rivers perfectly. The dragon gate was in Heze, the koi lived in Mengjin, and this place was neither. "I was swept here by the river." Jin Hong pouted, initially wanting to garner sympathy, but then her expression turned serious. "Actually, there''s more to the story." "I was swimming along my usual route when a serpent appeared out of nowhere, causing floods and changing the river''s course. Unable to fight the flood, I was swept here." "Are you saying this flood, which caused so many casualties, was caused by a serpent?" Mu Bai''s face changed, his voice rising. Jin Hong nodded. "The serpent is trying to transform into a dragon, stirring up chaos. This time, the disturbance was especially large." "A serpent turning into a dragon..." Ling Ji mused, her eyes flickering with thoughts. "If we stop the serpent, will the rain stop?" Mu Bai asked, getting out of bed and putting on his shoes, looking seriously at Jin Hong. "Probably." Jin Hong glanced at Ling Ji, uncertain if the rain was caused by the serpent or was naturally due. But as an ancient demon and pure-blooded dragon, Ling Ji had strong control and perception of rain. She would know the exact cause. Mu Bai also looked at Ling Ji. Ling Ji nodded. "My lord, I have a request." Mu Bai walked up to Ling Ji, looking down at the girl who barely reached his shoulder, his expression solemn and eyes filled with earnest plea. "Can you..." Before he could finish, a frantic shout interrupted. "Pack up and leave quickly! The flood is rising and will soon submerge this place." The tent bustled with activity. People hurriedly packed supplies and moved patients, pushing the two demons and one human to the tent''s edge. "Don''t just stand there. Either help or leave quickly." A nurse rushed past them, muttering as she joined her colleagues in packing up. "Big brother, big sister, my lord." Haizhou squeezed out from inside, his face red with effort. "Where are you going?" He tugged at his shirt, his eyes filled with fear and anxiety, yet he stood there timidly, afraid of annoying them. Mu Bai knelt down, ruffling the boy''s hair. "Don''t worry. Someone will come to take you to a safer place. Stay with the group." "What about you?" Mu Bai paused, looking at the raging floodwaters nearby, his gaze firm. "I have to go save more people like you." Haizhou hesitated, surprised that someone who almost died would go back into the flood to rescue others. He wanted to ask him not to go, but seeing the green military uniform, he swallowed his words. The country''s in need, soldiers must respond. It was a belief ingrained in every soldier. He hugged Mu Bai. "Take care, big brother." Then he ran to Ling Ji, looking up at the cold-faced girl. "My lord, you''ll protect big brother, right?" Ling Ji initially didn''t want to respond but felt his pure faith and knew he had helped her escape. "Yes." She nodded slightly. Haizhou''s face lit up with a smile. He bowed deeply to her, then ran back to help the nurses pack up. Ye Jianghuai and Zhou Tian approached. "The flood is rising fast. Follow the others to a safer place." Others might not know, but Ye Jianghuai saw Ling Ji bring Mu Bai back from the underworld. Mu Bai''s body must be weak. He couldn''t let his soldier die again. "Captain, I can handle it." Mu Bai knew he meant well, but as a soldier, couldn''t leave the battlefield prematurely. "That''s an order." Mu Bai stubbornly shook his head. "But this flood isn''t a natural disaster. It''s caused by a monster." Ye Jianghuai''s gaze turned cold. "What did you say?" Mu Bai repeated Jin Hong''s words, then said, "We need to kill the serpent to stop the rain and proceed with the rescue." "Hey, Mu Bai, have you been waterlogged? That sounds ridiculous." Zhou Tian wanted to knock some sense into him. "It''s true. Ask the captain." Mu Bai dodged Zhou Tian''s hand, seriously. "Captain, do you believe this?" Zhou Tian asked Ye Jianghuai, ready to teach Mu Bai a lesson but stopped by a cold, firm voice. "I believe." Zhou Tian turned in disbelief, seeing the serious captain. Was he hearing things? Something so fantastical must be a lie. Why would the wise, capable captain believe Mu Bai''s nonsense? "Do you believe there are dragons, captain?" Zhou Tian asked, half-joking. "I do." Ye Jianghuai replied seriously. "I rode a dragon here." Zhou Tian: "..." Great, the captain''s mind is waterlogged too. Vice-captain, help! Twenty kilometers from Fengchuan County, Chen Yicheng, Zhou Tian''s hopeful rescuer, was stranded on high ground due to the rising flood. "Vice-captain, the water''s too deep. Vehicles can''t pass." A soldier reported. "Any other route to Fengchuan County?" "None, all flooded." The soldier was dejected. "Unless the water recedes, we''re stuck." Jiang Lingyan and Yang Zhen were also stranded, but had better luck, their vehicles stopped at the county''s edge. "We''ll have to walk from here." Dong Shanmin assessed the situation. "Scared?" "No." Yang Zhen donned a raincoat, packing equipment in a waterproof bag. "I expected this and wouldn''t be here if I was scared." "Good." Dong Shanmin gave her a thumbs up and got out first. Passing a nanny van, Yang Zhen peeked inside but saw nothing through the tinted windows. She followed Dong Shanmin closely towards the rescue station by the Yellow River. The closest safe zone to the disaster area, someone was there to meet them. "System, what do we do?" Jiang Lingyan''s voice trembled inside the motionless nanny van. --- Chapter 14: Capture of the Serpent "Get out of the car and walk." The system''s cold, emotionless voice responded. "But..." Jiang Lingyan glanced at the situation outside and shrank back, reluctant to get out. It was raining, muddy, and wet outside. Stepping in that would definitely ruin her clothes, mess up her look, and affect her appearance. "Do you want to skip the task? Give up the points?" The system showed no sympathy. "Or do you want to accept the punishment?" "...I''ll go." Jiang Lingyan finally succumbed to the system''s pressure. ... "My lord, that serpent is coming this way." Jin Hong, standing behind Ling Ji, felt a surge of oppressive energy and moved closer to Ling Ji, trembling slightly. Ling Ji raised an eyebrow at the news and looked up at the gray sky. She squinted her eyes, a look of disdain crossing her face. "So ugly." The yellowish hue was dull, the scales lacked luster, the body was neither agile nor streamlined, looking soft and floppy, quite unappetizing. Mu Bai and the others looked towards the sky upon hearing Jin Hong''s words, but being mere mortals with limited eyesight, they saw nothing after a long time. "My lord, can you capture that serpent?" Mu Bai withdrew his gaze and asked the question he had been interrupted earlier. "Of course." Ling Ji lifted her chin, her tone filled with contempt. "Such a weak little demon, I can kill him with a single slap." "You''re amazing, my lord!" Jin Hong seized the opportunity to flatter her. "..." Mu Bai, momentarily stunned by the interruption, continued, "Then can you help capture the serpent?" "No." Ling Ji refused. "Why not?" "Too ugly, too smelly, not appetizing." Having reluctantly accepted the existence of ghosts and demons in this world, Zhou Tian was baffled by her response and asked Mu Bai, "What does she mean?" Mu Bai''s mouth twitched slightly as he explained, "The serpent is too ugly and smelly for her to want to eat." No desire to eat, so no motivation to move. Ye Jianghuai & Zhou Tian & Jin Hong: "..." Ye Jianghuai, recalling the earlier situation in the car, said, "I''ll give you food if you capture the serpent." Ling Ji''s eyes sparkled and she extended ten fingers. "Deal, I''ll give you a hundred boxes." Ye Jianghuai agreed decisively. "A hundred?" Ling Ji gulped, her eyes widening in surprise. She had only intended to ask for ten boxes. "It''s settled then." Fearing she might change her mind, Ling Ji immediately sealed the deal. "Wait here, I''ll be back soon." With that, her figure disappeared. Zhou Tian widened his eyes, his head swiveling quickly, looking around but finding nothing. "Where did she go?" Mu Bai pointed upwards. "Up there." Zhou Tian looked up, straining his eyes but seeing no trace of her. "You''re just an ordinary mortal; you can''t see her." Jin Hong, unable to bear his foolishness, reminded him, "To the east, several hundred meters away." You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. "Who are you?" Zhou Tian, quick on the uptake, caught the key point in her words. "What... species are you?" "I''m a koi." Jin Hong declared proudly, tilting her chin. "Vehicles are here, let''s help evacuate the others." Ye Jianghuai saw the buses pulling up not far away and walking towards them. Ten minutes later, the previously bustling rescue station was empty. Just then, Ye Jianghuai''s walkie-talkie crackled to life. "Captain Ye, we''ve just received word that two reporters from Phoenix Media are heading to the rescue station. Please meet them and escort them to the new rescue station." "Understood." Ye Jianghuai, looking at the white expanse ahead, said to those around him, "Wait here. I''ll go meet them." "I''ll go, Captain. You stay here." Zhou Tian, needing to clear his head and sort through his shattered beliefs, volunteered. High in the sky, the yellowish serpent raised its head, spewing a foul-smelling breath. The cloud it touched thickened and darkened, intensifying the rain. "Drip, drip." Raindrops formed and fell together. The yellow serpent shook its head in apparent satisfaction, its crimson vertical pupils filled with malevolent glee. Sensing something, the yellow serpent abruptly lifted its head, looking forward. A slender, seemingly frail figure stood ahead, untouched by the rain or dirt. The yellow serpent growled low, its body tensing, exposing sharp claws. "Hey?" Ling Ji blinked, a hint of doubt flashing in her dark eyes. She walked towards the yellow serpent, seemingly gliding in the air. "Your scent is off." The demon''s aura was mixed and impure, inferior to even a half-demon without awakened bloodline inheritance. She took two more steps forward. A struggle flickered in the yellow serpent''s crimson pupils, but it still opened its maw wide, revealing blood-stained fangs, seemingly unaffected by her bloodline''s pressure. No, not unaffected, but only lightly suppressed. This was interesting. Among demons, the strong prey on the weak, with higher bloodline and stronger power imposing harsh suppression on weaker demons. Like Jin Hong, a fish spirit with over three hundred years of cultivation, just one scale from Ling Ji would press her down. The yellow serpent, with only a few hundred years of cultivation, should be similarly suppressed. Moreover, its cultivation was unstable, fluctuating wildly, not like it was self-cultivated but rather artificially enhanced. Forget it, she thought. Killing it and extracting the demon core would reveal the truth. Ling Ji raised her fist and punched towards the serpent''s head. The yellow serpent instinctively shivered, roaring as it swung its tail and lunged at the white fist with its mouth wide open. "Crunch." The serpent''s teeth collided with something as hard as stone, instantly shattering its front four teeth. The yellow serpent whimpered, tears welling up, dripping from its eyes. It released its grip, switching from bite to claws, slashing at her. "Crack." The sound of breaking bones and claws echoed, the yellow serpent howling in pain as it rolled in the clouds, disturbing the weather. "Tsk tsk." Ling Ji watched the serpent writhing in pain, shaking her head. "Your cultivation is even weaker than I thought." Hearing her mockery, the yellow serpent burst from the clouds, its crimson eyes fixed on her, spewing foul breath, its whiskers dancing wildly. "Ah, can''t even speak human words." Ling Ji noticed another anomaly, her gaze growing more peculiar. "Your cultivation is full of flaws." A serpent ready to transform into a dragon should at least speak human language, if not transform into human form. But this one could only understand, not speak. Yet it had two small, almost imperceptible horns on its head. Ling Ji grew more intrigued, not wanting to kill it anymore. The yellow serpent, gathering strength, decided not to repeat its mistakes. It coiled its body around her, attempting to crush her. Ling Ji, seeing the serpent coil around her, smirked, transforming her fist into a claw. She grabbed its tail, lifting it overhead, swinging it in circles. A powerful demon energy flowed from her hand into the serpent, and within ten breaths, the once vigorous serpent turned limp like a dead eel hanging in her grasp. "Roar~" The yellow serpent weakly whimpered, its spirit broken. Seeing it had lost all resistance, Ling Ji flew down, dropping the serpent with a loud "thud." She conjured a stream of pure water, washing her delicate fingers thoroughly, sniffing to ensure no odor remained before dismissing the water. "My lord." Mu Bai and the others exited the tent, witnessing her disdainfully tossing the serpent aside to wash her hands. "Ahhh, my lord is so cool!" Jin Hong exclaimed in admiration. Ye Jianghuai scanned her for injuries, then shifted his gaze to the serpent responsible for the heavy rains and floods in Fengchuan County. He looked away quickly. The serpent''s massive body was covered in wounds, scales missing, revealing red flesh. Its head, emerging from the mud, had broken whiskers and missing teeth, its empty sockets black and gaping. "Ahhh!" A sudden scream pierced the air, breaking the calm. "What is that?" "A monster?" Ye Jianghuai looked towards the source, seeing a man and woman with backpacks and raincoats, accompanied by an equally shocked and embarrassed Zhou Tian. They were the reporters from Phoenix Media. Ye Jianghuai rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. Of all times to arrive, they had to come now. How inconvenient. "Did you capture this serpent?" Before Ye Jianghuai could think of a response, a gentle, melodious female voice asked. Ye Jianghuai looked up sharply, seeing a woman standing two meters away, her expression serious. She wore a light blue Taoist robe, embroidered with stars, her long black hair cascading smoothly down her back, enhancing her elegant and refined appearance. "Who are you? Don''t you know to introduce yourself before questioning others?" Instinctively, Jin Hong felt threatened by her, not in danger, but in the fear of losing attention. "Oh, my apologies." Realizing her rudeness, the woman smiled gently, her voice soft like misty rain in the Jiangnan region. "I''m Xing Miao, an astrologer." --- Chapter 15: The Will of the Stars In the river of history, astrologers shone like stars, arranging the 28 constellations and observing the movements of the five planets and the moon to record omens of fortune and disaster. Their gaze was not limited to the vicissitudes of individual destinies but overlooked the outcomes of wars, the safety of royalty, and matters of national significance such as floods and plagues. Throughout history, emperors have treated them as honored guests, their status sometimes surpassing that of tribal chiefs. In the era Ling Ji lived, the feudal system had not yet been established, and the practice of abdication was prevalent. Leaders were chosen based on their virtues. At that time, astrologers were not called astrologers but wizards, holding a revered place in people''s hearts, especially when facing natural disasters. A wizard who could predict disasters was naturally highly respected. However, Ling Ji''s situation was quite different. She always seemed unwelcome, with people either shaking their heads in pity or hurriedly avoiding her. But there were always exceptions. An old wizard in the tribe treated her kindly, often bringing her delicious food despite his advanced age. Ling Ji was grateful to this old wizard, so when a young astrologer appeared, she unconsciously showed more patience. She said lightly, "It was I who captured it." The young astrologer, Xing Miao, his eyes filled with curiosity and excitement, as if brimming with starlight, asked, "You are?" Suddenly, a scream pierced the tranquility. Jiang Lingyan, pale and frightened, stared at the giant beast in the mud. This was the first time in her two lifetimes she had seen such a terrifying creature, and fear stripped away all her pretense, leaving her oblivious to the person she longed for, who was right beside her. Ling Ji, irritated by the sudden scream, seriously asked Mu Bai, "Can I knock them out?" Mu Bai was silent for a moment, wanting to nod but knowing it wasn''t right. "No," he replied, "they are ordinary people; we can''t harm them." "Oh." Ling Ji lowered her head in disappointment, stepping on the restless yellow dragon, lightly pressing it down. The dragon, pushed into the pool, ate a mouthful of mud and made a feeble sound, then obediently lay still. Jiang Lingyan, seeing this, gradually calmed down, reason returning. She felt ashamed; it was just a fierce-looking creature, no need to lose composure. She tightened the straps of her backpack, took a deep breath, and was about to speak when she suddenly widened her eyes, tremblingly pointing behind, "Watch out, the flood is coming!" Ye Jianghuai immediately grabbed Ling Ji''s hand and ran. He didn''t need to look back; the omnipresent water vapor and silent pressure already told him the danger behind. At first, Ling Ji was pulled along but soon reversed the grip, stopping him. "Why run?" she asked. "Sir, the flood is coming," Mu Bai said while running, reaching out to pull Ling Ji, who stood still. "It won''t reach us," Ling Ji avoided his hand, looking back at the three- or four-meter-high wave, calmly saying. Jin Hong was the first to stop, pulling the unstoppable Mu Bai along. "Sir said it won''t reach us, so it won''t. We don''t need to run." Aquatic creatures have a natural ability to control water, and the dragon race is the best among them. As the deity of Zhongshan, Ling Ji had a natural control over water, her words carrying the power of law. Xing Miao hesitated, then gritted his teeth and stopped. Zhou Tian, having run dozens of meters, looked back and nearly had his eyes pop out. He thought, why are they dawdling? Run! But the next moment, he understood why they weren''t running. The several-meter-high flood wave, like a mischievous child seeing its parent, twisted mid-air and with an inexplicable posture, "whoosh," turned back the way it came. The flood receded visibly, and within ten minutes, there was no trace of water within a hundred meters of the rescue station. Yang Zhen, witnessing all this, was too shocked to speak. She pinched Dong Shanmin''s arm, "Shanmin, am I dreaming?" Dong Shanmin, hissing from the pain, snapped out of his shock and slapped the back of her head, "Does it hurt?" Yang Zhen: "Yes, it hurts." Dong Shanmin: "Then it''s not a dream." Yang Zhen: "But this isn''t scientific!" Even as a liberal arts student, she understood what had just happened was beyond scientific explanation. She thought of a word¡ªmiracle. Her thoughts drifted to the monster she had just seen, increasingly believing it resembled a legendary creature. "Brother Dong..." she began but was interrupted by Dong Shanmin, "Don''t talk." He needed a moment. Despite his extensive knowledge and experience, he needed a reason to convince himself. A deity stood before them; there was no hesitation in embracing the opportunity. Dong Shanmin, dragging the slow-reacting Yang Zhen, ran back but kept a respectful distance. Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. Jiang Lingyan, believing she had the protection of the system, didn''t panic like the others but calmly stood still. In fact, she was so terrified she forgot to run. Facing the flood directly, she saw everything more clearly than anyone. But the clearer she saw, the more incredulous she became. She felt lucky to be reborn, and later, with the system, she was convinced she had the protagonist''s script. But what she saw shook her belief. With a single word, the devastating flood was halted. Was it her superpower or the system''s help? If it was the former, she was still unwilling; if the latter, she was even more so. Both systems were worlds apart. "System, system? System!" Jiang Lingyan called thrice, but the system, as unreliable as ten years ago, gave no response. "Go to that dragon; it has the energy I need," the system finally spoke. Jiang Lingyan''s gaze fell on the battered creature, questioning the system''s judgment. "Are you sure that''s a dragon?" "...I''m very sure," the system said through clenched teeth, "Avoid that girl in black; she''s powerful. Don''t let her notice." The system had never praised anyone so cautiously and seriously before. Instead of feeling the same, Jiang Lingyan was more jealous. "How powerful?" she asked. The system: "...She can crush you like an ant. I can''t stop her." One sentence made Jiang Lingyan swallow her resentment and jealousy. Seeing her compliance, the system relaxed, eyeing the dragon with excitement. If it could get its hands on its demon core, the risk would be worth it. While receiving praise, Ling Ji sensed a special energy fluctuation, raising her eyebrows and looking towards the source. "You, hello," Jiang Lingyan, meeting Ling Ji''s icy gaze, stiffened, tried to smile, and was about to speak when she saw a familiar figure. Her eyes widened in genuine delight, "Brother Ye, what are you doing here?" She lifted her skirt and ran to the man, her face radiant with joy. This should have been a beautiful scene, but Jiang Lingyan forgot it was raining heavily. She trod through the mud, careful but still stained. Especially as the system, to avoid detection, deactivated the rain protection, letting the rain drench her hair and face. So Ye Jianghuai saw a familiar woman, wearing a mud-stained raincoat, with wet bangs clinging to her face, her eyes smudged black. "Miss," Xing Miao''s gaze paused on her face before stepping in front of Ye Jianghuai, saying softly before he could speak, "Your makeup is smudged." Her voice was gentle, smile sweet, and eyes concerned, standing in the rain in a clean sky-blue ancient costume like a kind little fairy. Jin Hong pouted. As a koi, her instinct told her this girl was definitely a hidden danger. Jiang Lingyan felt the same. Not because she had Jin Hong''s keen intuition, but the other''s natural beauty without makeup made her look even more disheveled. Suddenly, Jiang Lingyan''s gaze turned hostile. As a woman, she sensed the other did it on purpose. "Pfft," Yang Zhen, also approaching, couldn''t help but laugh. Serves you right for pretending; now you''ve hit a wall. "Captain," Zhou Tian, looking at the unperturbed girl and her calm companions, felt his worldview shattered. "It''s okay; you''ll get used to it," Mu Bai wiped rain from his face, sycophantically saying, "My lord is omnipotent. You''ll get used to it after seeing it a few times." Zhou Tian: "..." "My lord," Mu Bai approached again, "Can you stop the rain too?" Ling Ji looked at Ye Jianghuai. Ye Jianghuai said, "Another hundred boxes?" "Alright." Ling Ji reluctantly nodded, then raised her head and roared at the sky. A dragon''s roar, carrying an ancient aura, echoed through the heavens. Invisible sound waves entered the thick, dark clouds, each layer disappearing as if crushed by immense force. Soon, the clouds scattered, and the long-lost sun shone again, bringing warmth. Ling Ji extended her claw to the young man basking in the sun, meaning clear. Ye Jianghuai smiled, his cold eyes softening, "I don''t have that much food now; I''ll give it to you later." "Aren''t there many in your car?" "Those are for disaster relief, not for private use." Perhaps the sun after days of rain was too comfortable. Ye Jianghuai became more gentle. "I''ll give it to you after we finish here, I promise." Ling Ji''s cold eyes reflected the young man''s handsome face and serious, indulgent expression. She didn''t know why but nodded, conceding to the familiar gaze. Hungry, Ling Ji rubbed her belly, eyeing the nearby dragon. Licking her lips, she slowly approached. The dragon, sensing danger, struggled but was pressed down by a delicate foot. It raised its eyes, its scarlet pupils filled with tears, turning to reveal its white, bony wound, hoping for pity. "Heh," Ling Ji mercilessly pressed harder, the dragon''s body sinking into the soil, forming a wavy line. "Such heavy sin; you''ve eaten many people," Ling Ji moved to its weak spot, and when it braced for a fight, she stomped lightly. "Crack," the sound of bones breaking. The dragon''s pupils dilated, its fierceness fading, replaced by death. "Too ugly to elicit sympathy," Ling Ji commented coldly, "Or you''ll suffer more." Seeing it dead, she extended her pale hand, transforming into a black dragon claw, slicing through the thick skin, and skillfully extracting the core. What Ling Ji didn''t know was that far away, in a deep mountain cave, a roar echoed, filled with pain and hate. In the darkness, a pair of lantern-sized pupils glowed, filled with cold, fierce hatred. Ling Ji washed the bloody core and her hand with a water stream, looking at the ugly core with disdain. "Growl," her stomach protested again. Closing her eyes, she raised the core to her mouth. "Stop!" A man and woman, one near, one far, one old, one young, shouted simultaneously. The young woman, Jiang Lingyan, regretted shouting, recalling the girl''s control over the rain and her claw slicing through skin. Fear overwhelmed her as the cold, emotionless eyes locked onto her. Luckily, the other voice distracted the girl. "Fellow Daoist," the old man, with a dust whisk, was about to speak grandly but met the girl''s cold gaze and changed his tone. "This core looks strange; it''s best to be cautious." His tone was warm, his demeanor almost kind. Never seen so gentle, his companions were shocked, wondering, "Elder Ming Ying, who is this girl?" Ming Ying, stroking his beard, smiled with a high-spirited air, though internally panicked. He didn''t know her origin but felt as if he had walked through the gates of hell. He discreetly took out his phone, pretending to take a casual photo of the girl. The phone remained silent. Ming Ying''s expression grew serious. The phone, a new model, had powerful demon detection, identification, and measurement capabilities. Any demon registered with the Bureau would be instantly identified, and their information would be displayed. Now, there was no reaction, indicating three possibilities: she wasn''t a demon, which was impossible given her claw. She was a new demon not yet registered, or most worryingly, her power exceeded the phone''s detection range. "No problem," Ling Ji glanced at the old man, her nose twitching, recognizing him as a cultivator. Not interested in his presence, she raised the core to her mouth again, only to be stopped by a slender, jade-like hand. "Daoist, what''s wrong with this core?" Ye Jianghuai politely asked, stopping her. "The core''s energy is impure and scattered. I suspect it''s been artificially induced," Ming Ying, seeing his uniform, felt less wary and spoke honestly. Such items often carry great risks, potentially harming the girl. Moreover, he smelled a familiar scent of disinfectant from the core, adding to his concern. "May I see the core?" Ming Ying asked. "Give it to him," Ye Jianghuai instructed, "I''ll give you another hundred boxes." "...I''m hungry now," Ling Ji struggled, reluctant. "I have high-grade fasting pills," Ming Ying offered a porcelain bottle decorated with orchids, ignoring the surprised looks of his companions. "Don''t want," Ling Ji dismissed, "Tasteless and bad." Growing up, Ling Ji had a huge appetite. When unable to find food, her guardian had once given her fasting pills for six months, making her never want to touch them again. "How about candy?" a baby-faced youth offered a colorful lollipop. Ling Ji didn''t take it, her gaze lingering on him until he pulled out more, saying, "All for you." Ling Ji gestured, and the candies floated into her hand. "Here," she tossed the core. The youth quickly caught it, looking at Ming Ying. Ming Ying, staring at the candies-for-core exchange, felt old for the first time. "Are you Mu Bai of Xianshou Village?" a man suddenly spoke. "Yes," Mu Bai instinctively replied, recognizing the familiar face. "You are?" "Zhao Jiong," the man smiled, stepping forward, "Met you ten years ago during a human trafficking case." "Captain Zhao," Mu Bai recalled, subtly stepping in front of Ling Ji, "Long time no see." Zhao Jiong, seemingly unaware of his move, looked at the candy-eating girl, "Who is she?" --- Chapter 16: The Deitys Descent "Her name is Ling Ji," Mu Bai''s voice was calm, but a hint of nervousness flickered in his eyes. With no way to avoid it, he introduced her lightly, "She''s a distant relative of mine, inexperienced in the world. Please take care of her." Ten years ago, Ling Ji killed six human traffickers on Xianmiao Mountain, driving one insane. The officer in charge of the case back then was the man before them, Officer Zhao. At that time, Mu Bai was young, naive, and accidentally let slip some secrets. Fortunately, Zhao Jiong was a staunch materialist who didn''t believe him. But now, Zhao seemed unfazed by the sight of the legendary dragon and was accompanied by people who were clearly not ordinary. He must have suspected Ling Ji''s true identity. Although the six traffickers deserved their fate, the police would still see it as murder. Mu Bai didn''t want Ling Ji to be under suspicion or to face the judgment of others. His lord should be revered and worshiped by mortals! "Ling Ji?" Ming Ying, who had been eavesdropping, frowned. The name sounded familiar as if he had heard it somewhere before. "Miss Ling, may I ask who your master is?" Zhao Jiong''s smile was deep, his expression harmless. "I saw your impressive skills earlier and am deeply respectful. Your master must be extraordinary." Mu Bai''s expression cooled, his gaze becoming more guarded. Just as he was about to refuse, his lord''s casual voice, muffled by the candy in her mouth but clear enough for everyone to hear, interrupted him, "I have no master." Well said! That''s the way to shut them up. Mu Bai mentally gave his lord a thumbs-up. He smiled politely, ready to add, "We demons awaken our abilities through our bloodlines, inheriting them naturally." Mu Bai''s smile froze. His mind kept repeating one sentence. We demons... Demons... My lord, you''ve blown your cover! "What kind of demon are you? Have you registered with the Special Administration Bureau?" Guo Xiaoxiao, who wasn''t adept at subtlety, spoke directly with a lollipop in her mouth. "You look young. Just transformed?" "My lord." Mu Bai quickly intercepted before Ling Ji could respond. "Aren''t you hungry? Let me take you to eat." He glanced at the lollipop in her hand. "Though sweet, it''s not filling." "Hmm." At the mention of food, Ling Ji instantly forgot Guo Xiaoxiao''s question. She nodded vigorously, excitement in her eyes. "Lead the way." Mu Bai apologized to Zhao and the others, then subtly said to Ye Jianghuai, "Captain, I''ll take her to the new rescue station to eat and rest. We''ve been busy for a while." Ye Jianghuai''s gaze swept over Ming Ying''s group, then he nodded. "Go ahead, leave this to me." He paused, then added, "If it''s not enough, use my share of the supplies." "And mine," Zhou Tian eagerly added. Mu Bai nodded and led Ling Ji away. Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. "Wait... hold on!" Mu Bai had barely taken a few steps when he was stopped¡ªnot by anyone but by Ling Ji. Ming Ying, half in awe and half in excitement, looked at her, his old face flushed. "You... Are you Ling Ji? The deity of Xianmiao Mountain?" "Hmm." Ling Ji glanced at Ming Ying with annoyance. "What is it?" Before he could respond, she added, "If it''s something important, make it quick." "The heavens and earth are vast, but food is the most important. Whoever dares to stop her from eating, I''ll deal with them!" Frightened by her murderous gaze, Ming Ying stepped back, clearing the way. As she passed by, her scent of dragon saliva lingered, snapping him out of his daze. He quickly said, "Ling Ji, I have food!" Ling Ji stopped in her tracks and turned around. Seeing hope, Ming Ying immediately took out three boxes of Five Flavors snacks from his storage bag and handed them over. He then turned to Yi Yang behind him, "Quick, take out all your hidden stash." "I''ll repay you double when we return!" "And you all, hand over your supplies." Ever since he reached the Foundation Establishment stage, he rarely ate. Only in particularly good moods would he buy a box of Five Flavors snacks for a treat. His stash was far less than the robust young men behind him. Yi Yang and Guo Xiaoxiao exchanged confused glances, not understanding Ming Ying''s sudden change in attitude. Just a moment ago, he was still wary of the other party. However, they obediently took out their supplies, moving swiftly and skillfully. Not just because Ming Ying was their superior but also because they sensed his urgency and anxiety, something they had never seen in him before. Watching Ling Ji devour the food, Mu Bai shot a resentful glare at the cunning Ming Ying but ultimately relented. Well, his lord was hungry. He would just have to be more vigilant and protect her. "Jin Hong, if they have ill intentions, curse them." Mu Bai whispered to Jin Hong, "We can''t let them harm Ling Ji." Jin Hong solemnly nodded, patting her chest in assurance. "Don''t worry. If they try to hurt her, I''ll curse them." She proudly glanced at Xing Miao. As a koi, Jin Hong could not only bring good luck but also transfer misfortune and curse others. Cursing people was much easier than bringing good luck. Even before she transformed, she could do it effortlessly. Now that she had transformed, hmph. Opposite them, Ming Ying was explaining Ling Ji''s identity to his subordinates when a chill ran down his spine as if being watched. He glanced back, seeing nothing unusual, and continued, "Remember, don''t judge demons by their appearance. Their faces and ages don''t match. Although she looks young, she''s an elder our director respects and treats as an honored guest." "If she''s such a big shot, why isn''t she registered with the Bureau? Why haven''t we heard of her?" The team members exchanged puzzled glances, whispering among themselves. "It''s not that she''s unregistered, but her file''s classified too high for anyone below the director''s level to know." Ming Ying lowered his voice mysteriously. "And there''s another reason. She was imprisoned, and they thought she''d never be released, so they didn''t bother informing the lower ranks." But fate is unpredictable, and now she''s free. That''s why he didn''t recognize her immediately. He had to report this quickly, so the deputy director could prepare, lest someone offend her out of ignorance. Remembering some rumors about Ling Ji, his typing speed increased. "How do you know this?" Guo Xiaoxiao couldn''t contain her curiosity. "My master left notes." Ming Ying felt grateful for his knowledgeable master, who seemed to still watch over him from beyond. Guo Xiaoxiao, Yi Yang, Zhao Jiong: "..." Alright then, having an all-knowing master does come in handy. --- "System, system," seeing no one paying attention to her, Jiang Lingyan called her golden finger. "The demon core was taken by someone else. What now?" The system: "..." The system cursed its useless host internally but remained silent. It didn''t dare risk stirring up trouble so close to that powerful entity. Ignoring Jiang Lingyan''s calls, the system played dead. Neither Jiang Lingyan nor the system noticed Ling Ji''s gaze lingering on her, filled with a fleeting but profound meaning. "Brother Dong, I think we''ve stumbled into something big," Yang Zhen whispered, hugging her backpack, her gaze darting between Ling Ji and Ming Ying''s group. "Do you think they''ll silence us?" Her voice trembled, her face pale. Once involved in secrets, those who accidentally uncovered them often met unfortunate ends, according to the books. "Probably... not," Dong Shanmin said uncertainly, pointing to Ye Jianghuai and his men standing tall nearby. "Aren''t there soldiers here?" Soldiers protected civilians, not harmed them. "But that guy is also a soldier." Yang Zhen pointed at Mu Bai, her expression uneasy. "He''s with that demon girl." Though fresh out of school, Yang Zhen could tell this much. Her eyes showed uncertainty but also a spark of curiosity and adventurous spirit. "But she hasn''t harmed us or shown any intention to," Dong Shanmin, seasoned by years of experience, assessed the situation. His deep, steady voice conveyed calmness. "Though her eyes lack emotion, they''re clear, without malice. "Besides, she helped stop the flood and rain." He added, with a hint of appreciation in his tone. "That''s good deeds," he continued. "People can be good or bad. From her actions, she seems like a good demon... I guess." ... In Peng City, at the Special Administration Bureau. Deputy Director Zhou Cen had just returned from a meeting when he received an urgent report. **"Deputy Director, the deity of Xianmiao Mountain, Ling Ji, has been released!"** Zhou Cen spat out his water, soaking the documents on his desk. Coughing, he ignored the wet papers and gripped his phone, reading word by word. **"Deputy Director, Ling Ji is now in Fengchuan County!"** **"Deputy Director, Ling Ji killed the rebellious dragon causing the flood!"** **"Deputy Director, the rain in Fengchuan County has stopped, and the flood around our station receded, likely due to Ling Ji!"** Zhou Cen scanned each word carefully, afraid to miss anything important. His heart pounded, disbelief clouding his mind, until he read the third message about the dragon''s demise. The last message brought clarity to his thoughts . He knew this news would have significant implications, and the Bureau needed to act immediately. He quickly dialed the director''s number, his voice urgent, "Director, Ling Ji of Xianmiao Mountain... is out." There was a moment of silence on the other end... --- Chapter 17: Echoes of Ancient Times China, this ancient and mysterious land, is like a heavy tome, recording the condensation of five thousand years of civilization. However, the history truly woven by human hands is but a fleeting moment in these long years, merely a little over two thousand years. Before the bells of the Western Zhou Dynasty rang, this fertile land was a paradise for gods, demons, and monsters. Especially in the legendary times of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, if you were not immensely powerful, without a few celestial or demonic protectors by your side, and lacking in magical prowess, life would be arduous. In that era where myth and reality intertwined, Ling Ji was one of the most renowned demons. Her fame was not due to her immense strength. According to ancient texts, Ling Ji was merely a fledgling who had just learned to spread her wings. Although she possessed remarkable power, she was still far from being comparable to those great demons capable of moving mountains and filling seas. What set her apart among the many great demons, allowing her to survive until today, was the support of a certain individual. That individual came from a prestigious lineage, was extraordinarily talented, brave and wise, and had a compassionate heart, holding great renown among humans. Under his protection, Ling Ji was nurtured to be robust and plump, far exceeding her peers. Even after his death, his influence remained, allowing Ling Ji to stand out among her kind. --- "You mean to say that the demon who was sentenced to life imprisonment has been released?" Director Song Qiang of the Special Administration Bureau showed rare astonishment. Although he was an ordinary person, he had heard tales of this formidable figure''s "heroic deeds" from the previous director. "Oh, you just said she''s now in Fengchuan County, stopped the heavy rain there, and receded the flood near the rescue station?" Song Qiang, experienced as he was, quickly grasped the key points after a brief surprise. "Can we ask her to help with the flood?" As for the troublesome dragon that had previously vexed the Bureau, it was already out of his mind. A dead dragon that could no longer cause trouble did not warrant much attention. "That''s exactly my point," Zhou Cen nodded, his long fingers tapping lightly on his thigh before seemingly making a decision. "Director, given her special status, I must go personally." Song Qiang understood the importance of the matter and immediately agreed. "Handle this carefully. Whatever conditions she may ask for, try to meet them. If in doubt, seek my special approval. Remember, do not offend her." That one''s temper was reportedly not very good. They couldn''t afford to deal with a dragon due to the death of a mere snake. "I understand," Zhou Cen replied solemnly, a determined look flashing in his eyes. He had long heard of this formidable figure''s temper and knew this was no small matter. "Time is of the essence. I''ll travel by sword. I''ve already informed the aviation authorities. If there''s nothing else, I''ll take my leave." Song Qiang nodded, a serious expression on his face. "Go ahead, and be discreet on your way." He cautioned. Although the aviation authorities wouldn''t be alarmed by his presence, in today''s technologically advanced world, there was always the risk of being spotted by civilians using telescopes or drones. ... Ming Ying, having received news of the deputy director''s imminent arrival, put away his phone and took the demon core from Guo Xiaoxiao to examine it closely. The more he looked, the deeper his frown became. The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. "Elder, is something wrong with the demon core?" Guo Xiaoxiao asked, curiosity piqued. Ming Ying handed the core to Zhao Jiong, "Smell it. Do you detect a particular scent?" Zhao Jiong, seeing the seriousness of his question, took a sniff and frowned as well. "¡­Elder?" "I thought I smelled it correctly," Ming Ying''s brows furrowed deeply. The light demon core in his hand felt unbearably heavy, weighing down on him. "What scent could make you both react like this?" A bearded man in his thirties stepped forward, sniffed the core, and exclaimed, "Disinfectant?" His voice, though unexpectedly clear and clean, rose in surprise, contrasting sharply with his rugged appearance. "How could a demon core smell like disinfectant?" Guo Xiaoxiao''s mind struggled to process this, utterly baffled. "Did this dragon get vaccinated like pets at an animal hospital?" "But that doesn''t make sense. This dragon wasn''t domesticated." Guo Xiaoxiao continued, looking perplexed. As soon as he spoke, everyone turned to look at him. Guo Xiaoxiao, with a lollipop in his mouth, asked blankly, "What? Did I say something wrong?" "No, on the contrary, you might be right." Zhao Jiong, a seasoned criminal investigator, seemed to have a breakthrough. "Elder, have you noticed the increasing frequency of demon sightings in major cities over the past few years?" He narrowed his eyes, doing a mental calculation. "Are demons so easily transformed?" "Impossible," Ming Ying instinctively refuted. "With the dwindling spiritual energy, it''s rare for a demon to gain intelligence and transform." "Are you suggesting someone is cultivating demons?" Yi Yang stroked his beard, his eyes deep in thought. "It''s highly possible, but we need more data for further validation." Ming Ying''s voice carried an undeniable seriousness. "This is a serious issue. A single mistake could lead to unrest. Until we have concrete evidence, keep this to ourselves." Ming Ying''s tone was grave, commanding. "The deputy director will be here soon. Our priority is to deal with the flood first." His gaze was resolute, as if already seeing a solution. "Deal with the flood?" Guo Xiaoxiao''s mouth dropped open, the lollipop fall to the ground with a slight "plop." "Elderly, we can handle demons, but dealing with a flood is beyond us." His tone was tinged with helplessness, foreseeing a future of being at the mercy of the disaster management department. "I didn''t mean you." Ming Ying glared at him, casting his gaze towards the young girl in black who had just finished eating and was wiping her hands. Her movements were graceful and unhurried, as if everything around her was irrelevant. Guo Xiaoxiao and the others followed his gaze and met Ling Ji''s eyes. Guo Xiaoxiao smiled and waved, only to receive a cold nod in return before she looked away. Guo Xiaoxiao awkwardly scratched his nose. "Elder, your plan sounds nice, but she might not cooperate." "Terms can be negotiated," Ming Ying said, though he was internally uncertain. As the leader of this operation, he couldn''t show doubt. His gaze was sharp, like an eagle''s, seemingly able to see through everything. "By the way, Zhao, do you know the young man with Ling Ji?" Ming Ying suddenly asked, breaking the brief silence. "Yes, I met him while investigating a major case years ago. He was a witness then." Zhao Jiong''s voice was calm, but his eyes showed complex emotions. Actually, Mu Bai had overthought it. Zhao Jiong mentioning the old case wasn''t about holding Ling Ji accountable but testing the waters. Now that Ming Ying had thoroughly briefed them, Zhao was even more certain that Ling Ji was responsible for the case. However, he didn''t have the intention Mu Bai feared of using this against her. Firstly, he was no longer a policeman. Secondly, the case had been closed as an internal conflict among the traffickers. Thirdly, he personally wished for those inhumane scum to die. Following the clues from He Kun''s group, they had cracked a major trafficking ring in Y Province after months of investigation, arresting dozens of leaders and shutting down five trafficking routes. They rescued hundreds of women and children who hadn''t yet been sold. Seeing the numb faces of those rescued, Zhao Jiong, a man over six feet tall, had tears in his eyes. Those beasts had destroyed so many families'' happiness and so many girls'' dreams and lives! Had it not been for his police uniform and the principle of law, his anger and desire for vengeance might have led him to do something irrational. His work on that case had earned him a promotion to the Peng City Police Department. He was then unintentionally involved in a demon attack case and was invited to join the Special Administration Bureau by Deputy Director Zhou Cen. His life changed dramatically, but his sense of justice remained unwavering. "Human laws, demon rules. If human laws can''t punish those villains, why not use the methods of demons?" Zhou Cen''s words had a sly hint, like finding a glimmer of light in the dark. Those words awakened the beast in Zhao Jiong. The relentless detective of the Major Crimes Unit vanished, replaced by Deputy Captain Zhao Jiong of the Special Administration Bureau''s First Action Team. Few knew that Zhao Jiong joined the Bureau for another reason. The trafficking ring they dismantled in Y Province was just the tip of the iceberg. A larger force lurked behind it. As a small unit leader, even if he uncovered hints of the bigger picture, he couldn''t bring them to justice. For his beliefs and justice, he was willing to abandon his past glory. Even if it meant walking in the shadows, he would fight for the land that nurtured him, giving his life to light up the darkness with a glimmer of hope. But the kid across didn''t seem to trust him. Zhao Jiong offered Mu Bai a friendly smile, met with even more guarded eyes. Zhao Jiong awkwardly scratched his chin and looked around. The sky was clear, the ground muddy and yellow. Not far away lay a large yellowish corpse, a stark visual impact. Zhao Jiong frowned, a complex emotion rising within him. "Elder," Zhao Jiong squinted, nudging Ming Ying, "that dragon might be cultivated, but there''s still good meat on it." He nodded towards the horns of the dragon, each adorned with two thick, short straight horns. "Forget it." Ming Ying glanced at the horns, hiding his desire. "That''s Ling Ji''s trophy. It''s generous of her to give us the demon core. Let''s not push our luck." Zhao Jiong wasn''t surprised but still disappointed, muttering, "What if we trade food for it?" He had observed that Ling Ji seemed to favor modern food. Didn''t Guo Xiaoxiao trade a few lollipops for the demon core? "Eh?" Ming Ying''s eyes lit up, forming a plan as he stepped towards the other side. --- Chapter 18: The Dragons Spoils Ming Ying stood before Ling Ji, his weathered face adorned with a gentle smile, akin to the first light of dawn¡ªwarm but not blinding. However, beneath this serene exterior, his thoughts churned like hidden currents, calculating how to secure the greatest benefits from the dragon¡¯s remains. ¡°Lady Ling Ji,¡± he began with deep respect, every word carefully chosen to convey his reverence, ¡°this dragon harbors countless treasures within its body. Its skin, sinews, bones, horns, and scales are all priceless. To abandon them would be a waste. Why not make full use of these treasures and let their value continue?¡± At that moment, a soft female voice chimed in, suggesting to Ling Ji before Ming Ying could finish. ¡°With your profound power and formidable physique, you likely have no need for these items. However, making a protective robe from the dragon¡¯s skin for this young man without magical abilities would be wise. And the sinews and bones could be used to craft a whip for this pretty young lady for self-defense.¡± Jin Hong¡¯s eyes widened slightly at Xing Miao¡¯s suggestion, her clear, watery eyes filled with confusion, bewilderment, shyness, and a bit of embarrassment. Maybe this young lady isn''t so bad after all, Jin Hong thought. Xing Miao smiled warmly at Jin Hong, who blushed even more. She continued, ¡°The horn slices can be steamed or soaked in wine to strengthen the body, helping this commander, who has endured many hidden ailments from years of battle, to return to his peak condition and even surpass it.¡± Ye Jianghuai, who had been stoically calm, raised an eyebrow and let his gaze wander over the dragon horns. He then quietly looked back at Ling Ji. Zhou Tian and Mu Bai followed suit, their eyes burning with anticipation and hope, almost wagging their tails like eager puppies. Ling Ji felt uncomfortable under their fervent gazes and coughed. ¡°If you want them, go ahead.¡± Zhou Tian, Mu Bai, and Jin Hong cheered excitedly, practically jumping for joy. ¡°I have a special dagger,¡± Zhou Tian said, pulling it out. ¡°It¡¯s not as good as a divine weapon, but it can cut through iron like mud and slice gold like butter. It should be able to handle this dragon¡¯s skin.¡± Xing Miao thoughtfully handed over a seven-inch-long dagger. Under the morning light, it gleamed with a sharpness that seemed to cut through the air itself. Mu Bai and the others, who hadn''t thought of this detail, immediately felt a surge of gratitude towards Xing Miao. Even Jin Hong, who initially harbored inexplicable hostility towards Xing Miao, offered a sincere smile. ¡°Thank you, Miss.¡± Xing Miao waved her hand gently, her movements elegant and gracious. ¡°We¡¯re all friends here; no need to be so formal.¡± Ming Ying stood by, his emotions mixed. He had nearly offended the trusted companions of a great figure. A sigh stuck in his throat, unable to go up or down. Nevertheless... His gaze lingered on Xing Miao. Ming Ying looked at the gentle smile and pure eyes of Xing Miao, amazed by her maturity and wisdom. Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. The more he looked, the more familiar she seemed. ¡°Young lady, what is your name?¡± ¡°Elder Ming Ying, I am Xing Miao,¡± she replied, a hint of nervousness in her voice. ¡°My master is Xing Yangzi. I once met you while traveling with my master.¡± ¡°Xing Yangzi?¡± Ming Ying nearly jumped, as if encountering a plague, his expression turning complicated. He stepped back several paces, eyeing the young woman with suspicion. ¡°I remember him. He was a great astrologer.¡± ¡°Hehe, so you¡¯re Xing Miao.¡± Realizing his earlier overreaction, Ming Ying awkwardly smiled, trying to save face. ¡°In the blink of an eye, you¡¯ve grown up. You¡¯ve really changed. I almost didn¡¯t recognize you.¡± Xing Miao blushed modestly. ¡°You¡¯re still as vigorous as ever.¡± Ming Ying waved his hand dismissively. ¡°Ah, I¡¯m old now, not like you young people.¡± Despite his reluctance, he inquired about Xing Yangzi¡¯s current state. ¡°So, where is your master? Why isn¡¯t he with you?¡± Xing Miao¡¯s eyes dimmed, and her demeanor turned somber. ¡°He passed away seven years ago.¡± Her voice quivered slightly, barely holding back her sorrow. ¡°Passed away?¡± Ming Ying¡¯s voice rose in disbelief. ¡°When I last saw him, he was full of life. How could¡­¡± His voice trailed off. Astrologers often faced tragic fates, peering into the secrets of the heavens but suffering the consequences. Astrology, though it could reveal celestial truths, came with severe repercussions. Those who delved too deeply often met unfortunate ends, rarely finding peace. Ming Ying knew the heavy burden carried by the astrologer¡¯s lineage. Now that the trickster Xing Yangzi was gone, Ming Ying felt a heavy sense of loss rather than relief. Ming Ying¡¯s voice grew solemn, ¡°Xing Miao, life and death are natural, even for us cultivators. Your life is long; you must look ahead.¡± Perhaps it was the gentleness of her demeanor or his habit of speaking as an elder, but Ming Ying made a promise he would later regret deeply. Unknowingly, he had moved closer to Xing Miao, patting her shoulder with a paternal tone. ¡°If you ever need anything, come to me. You should call me ¡®Uncle.¡¯ Your master and I had a bond, though not officially master and disciple, but the sentiment was there.¡± Xing Miao nodded lowly, her eyes reddening as she whispered, ¡°Uncle.¡± ¡°Ah,¡± Ming Ying responded warmly, a kind smile on his face. He turned to the others. ¡°This child is my junior. If she encounters difficulties, you must help her.¡± His authoritative tone left no room for doubt, and those around him felt the weight of his words. Yi Yang and the others exchanged glances and nodded in agreement. Only Zhao Jiong sighed silently. He knew Ming Ying¡¯s decision could change many things, but he also understood they couldn¡¯t prevent it. Elder, do you remember your original goal? All the good stuff is being divided by them. And it was proposed by the girl you think needs protection! Unfortunately, Ming Ying, now seeing Xing Miao through a filter of respect due to the news of Xing Yangzi¡¯s death, didn¡¯t hear Zhao Jiong¡¯s internal monologue. Instead, he generously pulled out gifts from his storage bag, fearing the girl might be bullied when he wasn¡¯t watching. Zhao Jiong: ¡°¡­¡± Half an hour later, Mu Bai and Zhou Tian, under Jin Hong¡¯s guidance, meticulously harvested all usable materials from the dragon. Following Xing Miao¡¯s suggestions, they began distributing the spoils. Zhao Jiong and his team watched enviously as the materials were quickly divided. Mu Bai even nonchalantly displayed the dragon skin and scales in their direction. Zhao Jiong looked skyward, trying to ignore the frustration. At that moment, a green figure swiftly approached from a distance. By the time Zhao Jiong turned to call out, it had already arrived overhead and descended. Seeing the newcomer, Zhao Jiong¡¯s tense muscles relaxed. ¡°What brings you here?¡± Zhou Cen sheathed his sword, placing it into his storage bag, and nodded to the others. ¡°I¡¯ll explain later.¡± Without turning back, he approached the young girl along the way. ¡°Lady Ling Ji,¡± he stopped a meter away, respectfully bowing with hands clasped above his head. ¡°I am Zhou Cen. It¡¯s an honor to meet you.¡± He bowed deeply. Seeing Zhou Cen bow, Ming Ying and the others, embarrassed by their inability to kneel, quickly followed suit. Ling Ji wasn¡¯t moved by their gestures. As a demon, she had little regard for human etiquette. However, their sincerity touched her. The manners ingrained in her by Shi Xi with food as the reward compelled her to be somewhat courteous. Just a bit. If they offered delicious food, she might consider being more gracious. ¡°Zhou Cen, right? What do you want?¡± Ling Ji stepped forward, catching a faint, familiar scent. Her face hardened as she recalled the scent¡¯s owner. ¡°Zhou Cen.¡± She stepped closer, grabbing his collar and sniffing again, growling, ¡°What¡¯s your relationship with Jie Zhi?¡± Ming Ying and the others, who had instinctively stepped forward to intervene, stopped at the mention of the familiar name, staying rooted in place. ¡°Lady Ling Ji, you know Master Jie Zhi?¡± Zhou Cen asked cautiously, sensing her hostility. ¡°And you two¡­?¡± ¡°We have unfinished business.¡± ¡°I see.¡± Zhou Cen¡¯s mind raced, weighing the pros and cons before making a decision. ¡°I have no connection with Master Jie Zhi, but I know where he is.¡± Without hesitation, Zhou Cen sold out Jie Zhi, his speed leaving the others in awe. Was this the same empathetic, loyal, and righteous deputy director they knew? Feeling the grip on his collar loose, Zhou Cen knew he was on the right track, ignoring the bewildered looks from his subordinates. ¡°I can take you to him.¡± He offered bait. ¡°But¡­¡± ¡°But what?¡± Zhou Cen smiled gently, almost shyly. ¡°But I have unfinished business here. If you can wait a bit, I¡¯ll take you to him once I¡¯m done.¡± ¡°Just tell me where he is, and I¡¯ll go myself,¡± Ling Ji replied impatiently, releasing his collar. Zhou Cen¡¯s smile froze. Xing Miao, witnessing the scene, couldn¡¯t help but find it amusing. This great figure was delightfully unpredictable, refusing to follow the expected script. She liked it. --- Chapter 19: The Bureaus Dilemma Zhou Cen, having navigated the complexities of the social world for years, quickly regained his composure despite the initial awkwardness. "He¡¯s in Peng City, serving as our Bureau''s Chief Inspector." "The Bureau? What is that?" Ling Ji''s gaze swept over Zhao Jiong and his colleagues, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "The Bureau, officially known as the Special Affairs Administration, handles all non-human incidents," Xing Miao interjected, seizing the moment to provide clarity and prevent Zhou Cen from omitting critical details. "To ensure peace between humans and demons, any demon integrating into society must register with the Bureau, leaving a trace of their aura. This helps track down perpetrators if a crime is committed. Additionally, the Bureau educates newly transformed demons on societal norms, aiding their integration into modern life." "The one you seek, Chief Inspector Jie Zhi, oversees the Bureau''s operations, mediates disputes, and adjudicates contentious cases. His authority is substantial." "He always had a knack for such roles," Ling Ji remarked with a hint of bitterness. Back when she met him, he served beside Gao Yao, helping adjudicate crimes with unwavering justice. Yet, this paragon of fairness had sided against Shi Xi during the heavenly trial, condemning her despite knowing her actions were to save lives. Ling Ji still couldn''t fathom why Jie Zhi had delivered such a verdict. She needed to confront him, but not before giving him a good beating. "Young lady, you seem well-informed about our Bureau," Zhou Cen remarked, still smiling affably despite being outmaneuvered. "But there are a few things you might have missed." Xing Miao gestured for him to continue, "Please, enlighten us." Zhou Cen obliged, "Given the Bureau''s responsibility over all non-human matters nationwide, our headquarters are heavily guarded. Unauthorized entry is nearly impossible, especially for demons." "Our measures against demons are even more rigorous than those against humans," he added, raising his voice slightly for emphasis. "Of course, with your capabilities, Lady Ling Ji, you could break in. But it would cause significant trouble and draw a lot of unwanted attention." "So what?" Ling Ji responded indifferently. She had never shied away from causing a scene. "The world has changed. Rules have changed. You need to understand these new rules to avoid hitting a wall," Zhou Cen said with a smile. "You could ask Miss Xing Miao here for specifics." Xing Miao''s eyes darkened, but she didn''t follow Zhou Cen''s lead. "Lady Ling Ji, we now know his location. The rest will be easy." "And weren''t you hungry earlier? Now that we have someone offering food, let''s make good use of it," Xing Miao suggested, turning to Zhou Cen before he could react. "Director Zhou, if you want Lady Ling Ji''s help to stop the flood, you''ll need to show enough sincerity." "Lady Ling Ji''s services come at a high price." Ling Ji''s mood soured at the mention of stopping the flood. She frowned, ready to refuse outright, but Xing Miao tugged at her sleeve. Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. "Lady Ling Ji, we can demand a large amount of food in return," Xing Miao whispered, knowing this would tempt Ling Ji despite her other motives. Unexpectedly, Ling Ji shook her head, rejecting the offer of food. "No." "Lady Ling Ji, countless lives are at stake. Whatever you want, just name it. As long as you stop the flood in Fengchuan County, the Bureau will meet your demands," Zhou Cen pleaded, abandoning strategy for straightforward negotiation. "No," Ling Ji repeated firmly, her icy gaze silencing Ye Jianghuai and the others as they tried to intervene. Ye Jianghuai and Mu Bai fell silent under her glare. Jin Hong, standing behind Ling Ji, supported her with silent resolve. Zhou Cen, faced with her unwavering stance, felt a headache brewing. He had anticipated many scenarios but hadn''t expected outright refusal without negotiation. Wasn''t she always enticed by food? Why didn''t it work this time? What had changed? His eyes searched Ling Ji for any clues, but her cold expression offered no compromise. Zhou Cen realized he was facing a genuine dilemma. He couldn''t comprehend Ling Ji''s resolute attitude, having not experienced the upheaval of over five thousand years ago. Shi Xi had stolen the mystical earth to save mortals from a devastating flood, only to be condemned by the gods and perish on Feather Mountain. He sacrificed his life for mortals who could do nothing for him in return. Ling Ji had vowed never to make the same mistake, never to save those weak, foolish creatures again. Though she admitted some of her anger was misplaced, it mattered little. She was a demon, and demons and humans were fundamentally different. "Boom!" Suddenly, a bolt of lightning struck from the sky, too fast for Ling Ji to react, hitting her squarely. Ling Ji was stunned. What was happening? Everyone around her, human and demon alike, was equally shocked. Xing Miao, nearest to her and not instinctively fearful of lightning like Jin Hong, was the first to react, rushing to her side. Someone else moved even faster. "Ling Ji!" Ye Jianghuai grabbed her shoulders, his eyes scanning her anxiously. "Are you hurt?" Ten minutes earlier... Outside the new rescue station, Haizhou watched the distant floodwaters from a window, silently praying, "May the mountain god bless Fengchuan County, stopping the flood and saving more lives." In Peng City, a thirty-story skyscraper reached into the clouds, topped with a statue of a phoenix ready to take flight. Sunlight streamed through the phoenix''s eyes, casting a golden glow on a woman in a black suit standing by the window, enhancing her slender silhouette. "Ms. Bai, there''s been no word from Dong Shanmin. His phone is unreachable. They should have arrived in Fengchuan County by now," a short-haired woman said, her voice tinged with anxiety. "They won''t be in danger," Ms. Bai reassured, her calm and firm voice offering some comfort. "And the relief supplies?" "Floodwaters have submerged all roads to Fengchuan County. The convoy can''t get through," the short-haired woman reported, her voice growing softer with frustration. "And helicopters?" "No landing spots available," the woman replied, her frustration evident. Ms. Bai frowned, recognizing the dire situation. She moved to the window, contemplating a solution. Taking a deep breath, she spoke with calm authority, "We can''t give up. We must find a way to deliver the supplies." Turning to the short-haired woman, she instructed, "Contact the aviation companies. See if they can arrange airdrops. Also, reach out to local authorities to explore setting up temporary landing zones." Fengchuan County, a small town without an airport, had its few flat areas now flooded, and the high ground crowded with evacuees. Finding a landing spot was nearly impossible. Bai Luan, her brow furrowed, instinctively touched a black scale hidden at her chest. Its coolness provided some comfort, easing her anxiety. The food for Lady Ling Ji was also stuck. If the flood didn''t recede, her lady would go hungry. Letting her deity go hungry was unacceptable for a devout follower. "May some deity show mercy and stop the flood in Fengchuan County," she silently prayed. At Xianmiao Village on Mount Fengling... Mu Lin and Qian Sanduo sat in front of the television, closely monitoring the news from the disaster area. Hearing that the rain in Fengchuan County had stopped and the army was rescuing survivors, Mu Lin wiped tears from his eyes. "That''s good. It''ll be easier to help the children now." "Indeed," Qian Sanduo echoed, wiping his eyes as well. "I hope the floodwaters recede soon." "Yes, let''s pray this disaster ends soon," Mu Lin agreed, clasping his hands in prayer. "May the gods bless us." Qian Sanduo followed suit, praying sincerely. Unbeknownst to them, their prayers stirred the power of faith within Ling Ji, resonating with their plea. "Boom!" Another bolt of lightning struck, causing everyone''s scalp to tingle. As the lightning flashed, several figures instinctively shielded Ling Ji. Contrary to everyone''s expectations, the lightning didn''t strike directly this time. It exploded half a meter above their heads, leaving their ears ringing and briefly deafening them. "What happened?" Zhou Cen and his team, though experienced, were baffled by the unusual lightning behavior. "Are you alright?" Despite their confusion, they showed concern for Ling Ji, knowing they needed her help. Zhou Cen stepped forward, risking another strike. "Are you hurt?" "No," Ling Ji''s muffled voice emerged from beneath the pile of bodies, laced with anger. "Get off me. Let it strike. If I, Ling Ji, feared lightning, I wouldn''t be a dragon!" If it dared strike again, she would ascend to devour the thunder itself! Xing Miao and the others exchanged glances but didn''t move. --- Chapter 20: Whispers in the Thunder "Boom!" The sky thunder seemed enraged by Ling Ji''s provocation, sending down several bolts of lightning in quick succession, determined to assert its untouchable authority. Zhou Cen, positioned on the outer edge, activated his protective shield, gripping a talisman tightly, ready to leap forward at the first sign of danger, eager to prove his loyalty to Ling Ji. But... The expected energy impact did not occur. His shield stood quietly, unchallenged by the thunder, sparking not even a flicker. Zhou Cen couldn''t help but look up, his mouth twitching involuntarily. Had it not been for his deep-seated reverence for thunder, he might have mocked it out loud. This thunder, grandly posturing as it descended, had failed to make any impact. Except for the first bolt, the rest exploded in midair, causing nothing but a deafening noise that left their ears ringing but inflicted no real harm. This was entirely unlike the cold, relentless, and overwhelmingly powerful image thunder usually projected. It was as if... A mighty overlord had met a stronger foe, instantly transforming from a fierce wolf to a docile puppy, baring its fangs but posing no real threat. Zhou Cen''s gaze swept over Ling Ji, recalling past encounters with celestial tribulations, confirming his suspicion. This thunder was holding back. Zhao Jiong, also observing Ling Ji''s unscathed state, sneered internally. Even thunder, representing heavenly justice, now adjusted its intensity based on its target. Life truly was full of challenges. Xing Miao was equally puzzled. As someone who often communicated with the heavens, she understood the power contained within thunder better than anyone. This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. This wasn''t punishment; it felt more like... a warning. She reflected on Ling Ji''s actions and words but found nothing blatantly disrespectful to the heavens that warranted such a warning. Unable to decipher the heavens'' intentions, Xing Miao decided to focus entirely on protecting Ling Ji. She was the key her master had painstakingly found and must not suffer any harm. Though the others weren''t as tense as Xing Miao, none dared to relax their vigilance. Heaven''s will was unpredictable, and the intensity of the thunder could increase at any moment. However, amidst the protective circle of people, Ling Ji showed no signs of tension or fear. She felt a surge of blood in her chest, a voice in her mind urging her to act... as if disaster would strike if she did nothing. Ling Ji scoffed, dismissing the vague premonition. No one could force her to act against her will, not even the heavens. Seeming to sense her defiance, the lingering thunderclouds began gathering again, darkening the sky, the lightning within crackling more fiercely. This time, the thunder''s power multiplied exponentially. If the earlier strikes were child''s play, this was a deadly duel between adults. "Thud." Jin Hong''s legs gave out, unable to withstand the thunder''s pressure, and she fell to her knees. Ling Ji turned at the sound, seeing Jin Hong''s flushed face, straining to stand but sinking deeper into the ground, tears of frustration streaming down her cheeks. "Get up." Ling Ji reached out, pulling her up effortlessly. The oppressive force pinning Jin Hong vanished suddenly, as if it had never existed. Jin Hong blinked in confusion, looking at Ling Ji. "Master?" Ling Ji''s expression hardened. "Stay away from me. It''s targeting me." She then addressed the others standing nearby, "All of you, move back." "I want to see what it can do for me!" The black-clad girl stood defiant, her eyes fierce and wild, her neck bell shaking violently in her anger, emitting a long, resonant sound. In a distant, clean room, a white-haired youth watching through a long-range mirror couldn''t help but glance at his companion. "The girl has quite the temper." The elegant youth in green with a jade hairpin sighed, his eyes filled with helplessness. "Tell me about it." The girl had been stubborn since childhood, resistant to persuasion, making it harder to manage her than ascending to the heavens. "Now you understand my past struggles," he muttered, dealing with one troublesome demon was tough, let alone two at once. His life had been a constant battle. "...You¡¯ve survived," the white-haired youth comforted, suppressing a smile. "Easy for you to say," the green-clad youth retorted, rolling his eyes and rubbing his temple. He then pulled out a dark blue phone from his wide sleeve, found a number, and dialed. The clouds above pressed lower, the thunder within promising to obliterate everything. Just its presence was terrifying, causing the weaker ones to tremble uncontrollably. "Ring, ring." A sudden phone ring drew everyone''s attention away from the ominous thunder. Zhou Cen, meeting the gazes of his comrades, calmly pulled out his phone. Seeing the caller ID, his pupils contracted. He glanced at Ling Ji, preparing to fight the thunder, and quickly answered the call, covering the mouthpiece. "Hello?" Through the long-range mirror, the elegant youth nearly lost their composure at Zhou Cen''s furtive manner. Taking a deep breath, he chanted a calming mantra thrice before speaking on the phone, "Give the phone to Ling Ji. I need to talk to her." "Uh?" Zhou Cen thought he misheard, glancing at Ling Ji again, then hastily stepped away and whispered, "Are you sure? She seems ready for a fight." Though unaware of the specifics of their past, Zhou Cen sensed from Ling Ji''s murderous aura that the call might end with his phone destroyed. "Yes, give it to her," the youth insisted. Reluctantly, Zhou Cen composed himself, approaching Ling Ji with a gentler demeanor. "Lady Ling Ji," he said, voice softening, "Chief Jie Zhi wishes to speak with you." "Who?" Ling Ji didn''t react immediately, but as she did, her right hand had already grabbed the phone. "Jie Zhi!" --- Chapter 21: Ling Jis Wrath and Jie Zhis Scheme Ling Ji ground her teeth, forcing each word out between them, her eyes turning into the vertical pupils of a fierce beast. "You''ve got some nerve," she spat, astonished he had dared to contact her. "Cough, cough," Jie Zhi moved the phone slightly away from his ear. "Ling Ji, control your strength. Don''t break the phone; you''ll miss important information," he advised, knowing her temper all too well. "Heh," Ling Ji sneered, her disdain evident, but she did ease her grip, leaving shallow indentations on the phone. Zhou Cen, watching, finally exhaled in relief. Thank goodness, the phone money is safe, he thought. "Ling Ji, I know you''re resentful about what happened back then. I can explain," Jie Zhi hurried on, seeing the thunder rumbling ominously through his long-range mirror. "But first, we need to deal with your current situation. Otherwise, how will you come to Peng City to settle accounts with me?" "What do you mean?" Ling Ji''s voice remained harsh, but her pupils gradually returned to their normal black, with a glimmer of unreadable depth. "Do you know why the lightning is striking you?" "No, and I don''t care," Ling Ji glanced dismissively at the thundering sky, her tone arrogant. "Are you going to tell me that such petty lightning can trouble or harm me, preventing me from reaching Peng City?" Before Jie Zhi could reply, Ling Ji scoffed. "Jie Zhi, I¡¯m no longer that young dragon." Over the years, with her bloodline''s awakening, she had grown exponentially stronger. If she faced that god again now, she''d ensure he was the one getting dragged through the mud. Jie Zhi felt a wave of frustration at her defiant tone, taking a moment to compose himself before continuing. "Do you want to go back to prison?" "What do you mean?" The mention of returning to Fengling Mountain''s prison made Ling Ji bristle. "The seal is broken. How could I go back?" This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. "Do you remember the conditions for breaking the seal?" Jie Zhi noted the fear flickering in her eyes, feeling a rush of satisfaction. "You used the faith of others, so you must fulfill their requests," he said, his voice calm yet firm. "Or else you''ll face divine retribution." Ling Ji''s face tightened, and Zhou Cen''s new phone shattered in her grip, splintering into pieces. "Are you angry? Want to hit someone?" Jie Zhi''s voice remained infuriatingly calm. "It won¡¯t help. To settle things with me, you must first fulfill your followers'' wishes." Before she could retort, Jie Zhi hung up abruptly. "Isn''t it risky not telling her the full truth?" A white-clad youth, watching Jie Zhi''s satisfied expression, raised an eyebrow. "She wouldn''t listen now anyway, and the timing isn¡¯t right," Jie Zhi replied. "Oh?" The youth smirked. "Is it not because you fear she¡¯ll seek answers about Shi Xi and, when you can¡¯t provide them, she¡¯ll beat you to a pulp?" "..." Jie Zhi fell silent for a moment before bristling. "I used to beat her up, not the other way around." "That was then," the youth reminded him. "She was a cub then, without her bloodline awakened. Now, she''s different." Jie Zhi: "..." Please, stop. It''s hard enough without you pointing out the obvious. The youth laughed innocently, "Sorry for hitting a sore spot." Jie Zhi: "..." Is it too late to sever ties now? The youth wasn''t done. "By deceiving her like this, aren''t you worried she¡¯ll eventually learn the truth and come after you, settling old and new scores together?" Jie Zhi: "..." Friendship over. Severing ties immediately! As Zhou Cen''s phone shattered, his initial frustration was quickly overtaken by a realization¡ªfaith used must be repaid. Failure to do so would result in divine retribution. Thunder was indeed a threat. Zhou Cen looked up at the cloudy sky, piecing together fragmented information about Ling Ji, forming a clear conclusion. To break free, she needed to gather a certain amount of faith. But using that faith required fulfilling her followers'' wishes. The moment Ling Ji emerged, this agreement was sanctioned by the heavens. Violation of this pact would invoke divine punishment. The initial lightning strike had hit her directly, indicating a breach of this pact. Linking it to Ling Ji''s earlier words, their followers'' wish became apparent¡ªmitigate the flood. Everyone was quick to grasp this, their intelligent minds piecing together Jie Zhi''s words and Ling Ji''s circumstances. The followers'' wish... Looking at the muddy ground and the water shimmering in the distance, they understood. "Lady Ling Ji," Mu Bai, a devoted guardian of Fengling Mountain, stepped forward, unwilling to see her imprisoned again. "My task is flood relief. Can you help me?" Ling Ji''s cold, indifferent eyes bored into Mu Bai, her pupils dark as abysses, edged with gold, distant and unapproachable. Yet, Mu Bai, having grown up under her care, was immune to her intimidating presence. He clasped his hands and took a step closer, looking pitiful. "If I succeed in this mission, I¡¯ll get a raise." With a raise, I can buy you more delicious food. He blinked at Ling Ji, conveying a message only they understood. "Lady Ling Ji, our future meals depend on this." The gold in her eyes receded, revealing pure black. Her vertical pupils softened into playful almond shapes. "What a disgrace." She huffed, turning away to avoid his pitiful look. After a moment, she asked, "How much will the raise be?" Mu Bai was stunned. --- Chapter 22: The Miraculous Power of Ling Ji Mu Bai''s eyes lit up with joy, displaying his pristine white teeth as he grinned. He scratched his head and asked Ye Jianghuai, standing beside him, "Captain, how much can my salary increase?" Ye Jianghuai looked deeply at him, then directed the question to Zhou Cen, who had been eavesdropping, "What do you think, Deputy Director Zhou?" Caught off guard, Zhou Cen blinked, wondering why the issue of the Qinglong Squad''s pay was suddenly his concern. Just as he was about to deflect the question, he noticed Ling Ji''s narrowed eyes, emitting a dangerous gleam. Desperate to appease, Zhou Cen blurted, "Double, no, five times!" He raised five fingers for emphasis. Mu Bai, though puzzled about why his captain asked an outsider, was reassured by the promises from the deputy director, knowing his pay was secure. "Thank you, Deputy Director." He beamed a genuinely grateful smile at Zhou Cen. Zhou Cen returned a nervous chuckle, "You''re welcome, it¡¯s the least I could do." Finding a graceful way for Ling Ji to help was crucial, and whether intentional or not, Zhou Cen had succeeded. As Ling Ji decided to control the floodwaters, the ominous thunderclouds dissipated swiftly, as if they had never appeared. Everyone observed this with growing certainty about their suspicions but wisely kept their expressions neutral, smiling as they escorted Ling Ji toward the disaster area. "Brother Dong, should we follow?" Yang Zhen asked her colleague, watching the group move farther away. Dong Shanmin, holding his equipment, was torn. Not following would betray his journalistic duty. They were here to report firsthand, bringing the situation to the public. But following might put their lives at risk. The powerful figures seemed to have overlooked them for now. Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. Rubbing his neck, Dong Shanmin felt a chill. "Let''s go," he decided, seeing a familiar figure hastily following the group. "We can''t let that pretentious celebrity show us up." "Alright!" Yang Zhen, initially fearful, regained her resolve upon seeing Jiang Lingyan pursue them. They were reporters from Phoenix Media, committed to truth and integrity. They couldn''t lose to a fake star. "Deputy Director, those three are following," Zhao Jiong noted, glancing back at the footsteps. "No need to worry about them for now," Zhou Cen replied, knowing what he meant. The Bureau often erased memories to prevent public panic about supernatural events. "Phoenix Media journalists," he continued. Phoenix Media, while not as authoritative as state outlets, was reputable and known for integrity. "They might be useful later." "And the celebrity?" Zhao Jiong had already checked her records. Though she had no major transgressions, her character was dubious, especially compared to the earnest reporter. Zhou Cen pondered, "Let''s keep an eye on her." Watching Jiang Lingyan, a flash of cold calculation crossed his gentle features, "It''s safer to monitor her closely." Zhao Jiong nodded in understanding. A pampered celebrity wouldn''t normally venture into such danger for mere publicity. Something felt off about her presence. But dealing with the flood took priority. Jiang Lingyan''s issues could wait. Unaware of her near-exposure, Jiang Lingyan, driven by jealousy and defiance, followed Ling Ji''s group closely, determined to see the monster''s power firsthand. She couldn''t accept how this being, hated and hunted by all, was revered by such extraordinary individuals. Her envy fueled her resolve, making her forget the system''s previous warnings. Reaching Fengchuan River, she watched in disbelief. The Fengchuan River, a lifeline for several counties, had become a deadly torrent. The once nurturing river now overflowed with violent currents, carrying debris and destroying everything in its path. The sight of soldiers struggling in the floodwaters brought tears to Yang Zhen''s eyes as she filmed. "Brother Dong, those are our soldiers, risking their lives." "Yes," Dong Shanmin''s voice cracked, his eyes reddening. "Our brave soldiers." "Lady Ling Ji, those are my colleagues," Mu Bai said, pride and worry evident. "Aren''t they adorable too?" So, won''t you show your great power to save them? Ling Ji glanced at the pleading Mu Bai, a sarcastic smile forming, but upon seeing his pale face, she pressed her lips together and strode toward the water. "Hey, who are you people? This area is restricted!" A rescue team leader spotted the group, his eyes widening at Ling Ji and Xing Miao''s attire. "We''re from the Special Affairs Bureau, sent to assist," Zhou Cen approached first, showing his credentials. The team leader''s eyes widened further, snapping to attention. "Sir!" Zhou Cen retrieved his ID, smiling, "No need for formalities. We''re all here to fight the flood." "But..." The young leader stammered, overwhelmed, until Zhao Jiong led him aside to explain. Returning, the leader''s respect and awe were evident. "This way, ma''am." Zhou Cen stepped aside, letting Ling Ji pass. She walked effortlessly over the muddy ground, leaving no trace. As the raging waters surged towards her, they twisted and recoiled, forming a towering whirlpool. Everyone watched in awe as the water, under her control, spun higher and higher, finally dissipating into a gentle rain that nourished the land. "Is this... a deity?" the team leader whispered, eyes wide with reverence. Zhou Cen and Zhao Jiong, equally stunned, exchanged glances. They knew Ling Ji was powerful, but this display surpassed all expectations. Even the skeptical reporters and the jealous celebrity now gazed at Ling Ji with awe. "Lady Ling Ji, you¡¯re incredible!" Mu Bai rushed over, clinging to her arm. "You¡¯re my hero!" Ling Ji''s faint smile hinted at more to come. "This is just the beginning." Turning towards the distant horizon, determination filled her eyes. "I will end this flood and restore life to this land." With each step, the ground trembled, the world seeming to respond to her will. Watching her retreating figure, hope surged in their hearts. They believed this woman would indeed bring miracles. --- Chapter 23: The Extraordinary Power and the Flood Rescue A massive yellow vortex grew at an alarming rate, expanding like a gigantic tornado. The squad leader¡¯s jaw dropped as his gaze traveled from the vortex to the figure standing beneath it¡ªa woman with black hair and clothes, her pale skin and red lips striking against the backdrop. The cold, regal demeanor in her eyes was like the eternal snow of the Tian Shan Mountains, exuding an aura of undeniable authority. But what truly astonished him was the fact that no matter how much the vortex expanded, it remained half a meter away from her, as if an invisible barrier surrounded Ling Ji, forbidding any intrusion. Wu Jiang swallowed hard, convinced he was hallucinating from exhaustion after two sleepless days. "Prosperity, democracy, civility, harmony, freedom..." His words trailed off into silent shock as he saw a black-clad figure rise before him, standing against the swirling vortex. Ling Ji floated into the air, raising her small, delicate fist towards the immense vortex. Her fist, appearing soft and insignificant compared to the powerful vortex, seemed like a flimsy bun against a raging storm. Yet, she stood resolute, her small form defying the overwhelming force before her. "Boom!" The delicate fist plunged into the heart of the yellow vortex, releasing a burst of white light. The vortex shuddered and then exploded into a shower of water, dispersing in all directions. Instinctively, Wu Jiang raised his hand to shield his head, but the expected deluge never came. Peeking through his fingers, he saw the most breathtaking sight of his life. Suspended in mid-air, Ling Ji held her arms out, palms upward, as if cradling something unseen. Her black sleeves billowed gently, exuding a casual grace and the calm confidence of a true master. The suspended rainwater, halted mid-descent, hung in the air as if frozen in time. With a graceful motion, her hands moved, and the water responded, swirling in the sky and then retreating into the river, leaving the surface calm and serene. Wu Jiang¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. "What?" He blinked, rubbed his eyes, and then saw that the once turbulent floodwaters had not only calmed but also receded significantly. Wu Jiang felt as if he had lost more than just his jaw; his faith and conviction had shattered as well. He couldn''t comprehend what he had witnessed. "Which deity has descended? Please accept my reverence!" With his beliefs crumbled, the staunch atheist found himself a devout theist. Watching the black-clad goddess step into the river, her every step pushing the water back, he began to command his team to repair the dikes and clear the river, setting out deeper rescue operations with newfound fervor. "Where to next?" Ling Ji glanced at the now tranquil river and impatiently asked the excited elder, Zhou Qin. "To Feng County!" Zhou Qin, beaming with joy, retrieved a flying sword from his storage pouch and habitually offered, "Allow me to escort you?" Without much hesitation, Ling Ji jumped onto Zhou Qin''s flying sword, reminding him, "Prepare some food for me." Though controlling water didn¡¯t consume much of her power, the need to repeatedly reverse floods had taken its toll. She needed to conserve her strength to confront Jie Zhi later. In a tranquil chamber filled with the fragrance of tea, two elegant youths sat across a chessboard, each holding a cup of aromatic tea. The white-haired youth looked up from the telescope and placed a black piece on the nearly completed board. "This is the last flood-affected area, right?" "Yes," Jie Zhi, holding a white piece, hesitated, glancing at the black-clad girl in the telescope. Another fist-sized golden glow of merit entered her, and despite his experience, he couldn''t help but twitch at the sight. "Jealous?" Ming Qi teased, seeing his friend¡¯s unusual expression. "Extremely," Jie Zhi admitted, not bothering to hide his envy. "Since the deification, the heavens rarely bestow such generous merit." Especially such abundant and pure merit. Denying his jealousy would be a lie. "Xishi is truly remarkable," Ming Qi, usually calm, couldn¡¯t hide his excitement and admiration when speaking of Xishi. "Strategic, far-sighted, wise, and meticulous. If he had survived, he¡¯d be a legend recorded in history." Knowing that stealing the precious soil was a grave crime, Xishi took the risk of saving the people, even accepting all the blame alone and calmly facing death. Yet, he left a backup plan, waiting for the right moment to turn the tables. If not for being born in the wrong era, I¡¯d have loved to befriend him. "Ling Ji is indeed lucky," Jie Zhi recalled. "Though her parents died, Xishi raised and protected her from the moment she hatched. Even when facing the Emperor of Heaven, Xishi used his methods to shield her." What Jie Zhi admired most was how Xishi, anticipating Ling Ji''s reaction to his death, devised a plan. "Jie Zhi, I¡¯ve fed Ling Ji the meat of the Qitu, putting her into a deep sleep. When she wakes, my death will be long settled. Tell her I¡¯ve entered reincarnation, forgotten the past, and she should focus on her cultivation." If she refuses... Thinking of Ling Ji¡¯s nature, Xishi, who usually faced death unflinchingly, showed rare worry and helplessness. "If she causes trouble, her accumulated merit should keep her alive, though she¡¯ll suffer." Xishi¡¯s voice grew soft, his narrow eyes filled with concern and helplessness. "The Mu clan of the Wind Tribe owes me a great favor. If Ling Ji causes trouble and is punished, please notify the Mu clan to take care of her and offer their protection." "Ling Ji is stubborn and rebellious, hard to control. The gods imprisoning her will likely set a seal. I need you to..." Xishi hesitated, clearly struggling with the request. He stepped back, bowing deeply to Jie Zhi. Jie Zhi felt a pang of unease, wanting to refuse, but seeing Xishi¡¯s earnest plea, relented. "What do you want me to do?" Xishi¡¯s smile brightened, dispelling the shadows in his eyes. "I need you to... act as an evil demon once." Every seal has a way to break it, and Xishi¡¯s plan was for Jie Zhi to suggest to the gods that Ling Ji must gather the faith of ten thousand people to break the seal. At that time, even the largest tribes didn¡¯t have such a population, especially in the remote, desolate place where Ling Ji was imprisoned. This suggestion seemed to ensure Ling Ji would never be freed. The gods, eager to see Ling Ji imprisoned forever, readily accepted the idea. Jie Zhi didn¡¯t understand why Xishi, always considerate of Ling Ji, would propose something seemingly harmful to her, but he trusted Xishi¡¯s intentions and took the risk of Ling Ji¡¯s future wrath to offer the suggestion. Now, Jie Zhi understood. "Human faith is her past with humanity and the heavens," Jie Zhi murmured, watching the blinding golden glow of merit around Ling Ji. Humans and demons are inherently different. Despite outward respect, humans instinctively fear and guard against powerful demons. But with human faith, it¡¯s different. Some may fear her for being a demon, but others will trust and respect her for their faith. If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. With human faith, she¡¯s not alone. Additionally, the heavens, recognizing the human faith in her, have marked her as one of their own. Any beneficial actions she takes for humanity are rewarded with heavenly merit. Since the gods and immortals left this world two thousand years ago, heavenly rewards have become increasingly rare, especially merit. Even the life-enhancing nectar is dwindling, and the heavenly tribulations for demons growing harsher. Human faith also has another benefit¡ªit converts to her own power. The more believers, the more power she gains. In this era of thin spiritual energy, having such a shortcut to increase power is a divine blessing. Although faith has some side effects, they are negligible compared to the benefits. After all, for Ling Ji, enduring lightning tribulations is just shedding some skin; it¡¯s not life-threatening. "Xishi was a genius," Ming Qi sighed, admiring his wisdom. Ling Ji¡¯s disobedience was curbed, her merit ensured her safety, and imprisonment gave her time for peaceful cultivation. Once freed, with the added faith, the heavens had to acknowledge her, adopting a laissez-faire attitude. With power, merit, and faith, coupled with her own abilities, her future... He was even a bit envious. "Jealousy is useless. You don¡¯t have Xishi¡¯s mind and abilities," Jie Zhi seized the chance to retort. "He learned from Fuxi, used the River Diagram and Luo Book, and never made a mistake in divination. If he hadn¡¯t been playful and focused on raising Ling Ji, he could have been a top contender for the next leader, rivaling Dan Zhu and Shun." Of course, his lack of interest in power played a role, leading Yao to often praise him, inciting Dan Zhu¡¯s jealousy, which led to... "You¡¯ve lost," Ming Qi interrupted Jie Zhi¡¯s reverie, placing a piece that surrounded all the white pieces, securing a victory. "..." Jie Zhi stared at his friend''s innocent smile, sighing, "Was that necessary?" Ming Qi nodded, "Winning is always necessary." He paused, "You wouldn¡¯t understand, as you often lose." Jie Zhi: "..." Fine, I¡¯ll never play chess with you again! Meanwhile, in a remote mountain, an unremarkable hill suddenly glowed red , alarms blaring. Strangely, the noise didn¡¯t disturb the surrounding wildlife, as if they were oblivious. A man in a tailored suit arrived at the hill. Tall and fit, with slight wrinkles adding to his distinguished appearance, he exuded wealth and power, from his Rolex watch to his bespoke shoes. Yet, incongruously, he wore a black wooden tag around his neck, inscribed with a red spider lily and the number 001. Pressing the tag against the hill, the earth slid open, revealing a brightly lit tunnel. Despite the chaos inside, the tunnel remained orderly. "Director, Y115 escaped three hours ago, whereabouts unknown," a white-coated youth rushed up, tablet in hand. "And Y114 is also missing. I suspect Y115 sensed something and went after Y114." "When did Y114 go missing?" Director Zhao Boshan, head of the facility, asked as he walked. "About four hours ago," Peng Yiran, suspecting a connection between Y115''s escape and Y114''s disappearance, had already taken action. "At the same time, Zhou Qin of the Special Affairs Bureau left Peng City, heading towards Y114''s last known location. Could Ming Ying''s team be moving Zhou Qin for backup?" Zhao Boshan paused, considering the implications. "Besides Y114, any other unusual occurrences?" While Y114''s disruption was significant, it alone didn¡¯t warrant additional Bureau involvement after Ming Ying''s team was deployed. "Confirm Y114''s last location and search the area," Zhao Boshan ordered, comparing Y114''s path with a map of China. "Alive or dead, find it." "And act quickly. Destroy it if necessary, but don¡¯t let its body or demon core fall into Bureau hands," Zhao Boshan added grimly. "Already dispatched nearby personnel, but Ming Ying''s team is formidable. Y115¡¯s rampage complicates matters. Y114 is likely in grave danger," Peng Yiran admitted, knowing their delayed response left them at a disadvantage. "Then intercept the demon core. It contains the demon¡¯s purest power. Ming Ying''s team will return it to the Bureau. As long as it''s outside their headquarters, we have a chance." The research was not yet complete, exposure to the Bureau would jeopardize future operations. "And Y115?" Zhao Boshan loosened his tie, his face turning cold and ruthless. "Intercept with full force. If capture fails, eliminate on sight." Having lost one demon, they couldn¡¯t afford another to fall into Bureau hands. "Understood," Peng Yiran bowed and left to execute the orders. Alone in his office, Zhao Boshan''s breathing slowed, tension eased. "Shatter~" The sound of items swept off his desk echoed, amplifying his frustration and anger. After a long moment, he calmed, dialing a number. "Beep¡ªbeep¡ªbeep¡ª" After seven rings, the call connected. "Hello?" The smooth, alluring male voice conveyed casual indifference, captivating yet unsettling. Hearing the familiar voice, Zhao Boshan''s heart tightened. "Sir, the plan might fail," he reported, his tone respectful and cautious. Silence followed, the faint hum of the line amplifying his anxiety. A bead of sweat trickled down Zhao Boshan''s face, dripping onto the black desk with a soft "pat." "If it fails, it fails," the voice finally replied, unconcerned. "It¡¯s not a valuable bloodline. We can cultivate another." "But..." Zhao Boshan''s vision blurred with sweat. Wiping his eyes, he asked, "What about Zhou Qin? Will he discover anything?" "Zhou Qin?" The voice showed a hint of interest. "Even if he does, what can he do?" A soft laugh followed, dripping with disdain and arrogance. Zhao Boshan''s heart steadied, reassured by the speaker''s confidence. "With you, sir, even if Zhou Qin discovers something, it¡¯s inconsequential." The high-pitched tone signaling the call¡¯s end echoed in the silent office. Holding the warm phone, Zhao Boshan regained his composure. Yes, with the sir as their trump card, unless the Bureau found an equal adversary, they were untouchable. This seemed impossible. Most powerful beings had left, leaving only the weak and insignificant. Fate remained on their side. --- "My Lord, you¡¯re amazing." As the last flood in Qingzhou County receded, Jin Hong approached with a box of instant noodles, "Eat and rest." Ling Ji, already hungry, quickly tore into the box, devouring the noodles. Seeing her devour the noodles, Zhou Qin hesitated, searching his storage pouch for something edible but finding only medicinal pills. "Do you have any food?" he asked Ming Ying. Ming Ying shook his head, "We gave her everything we had." Seeing Zhou Qin''s disappointment and Ling Ji''s unfinished appetite, Ming Ying decided to stock food in their pouches for future emergencies. "When will Yi Yang''s team arrive?" Zhou Qin asked, adjusting their plans after leaving Feng County. Ming Ying and he followed Ling Ji for flood relief, while Yi Yang''s team handled witness memory wipes and evidence disposal to prevent public panic. "It should be a while," Ming Ying checked his watch, "There were many witnesses, especially soldiers in Feng County." Fortunately, they moved to less populated areas, so once Feng County was cleared, Yi Yang''s task would be easier. "But those two reporters are a problem," Ming Ying noted, relieved after the immediate threat had passed. "Zhao Jiong saw their equipment; they didn¡¯t capture anything sensitive. But their boss is Bai Luan, so there''s hesitation about erasing their memories." "Bai Luan?" Zhou Qin remembered the young, tax-contributing entrepreneur but thought she was an ordinary human with no ties to the supernatural. "Why hesitate?" "She¡¯s a devout follower of Ling Ji, akin to Mu Bai''s status," Ming Ying explained, nodding towards Ling Ji. "Extremely loyal." Realizing Bai Luan''s importance to Ling Ji, Zhou Qin decided, "Inform Bai Luan to manage her staff, ensuring nothing harmful to Ling Ji gets out." Ling Ji had just helped them; denying her this would be ungrateful and risky. As for Jiang Lingyan, her insignificance didn¡¯t warrant Bureau attention. She was a minor annoyance, relying on her rebirth and system for self-importance. Near the Yellow River, Dong Shanmin filmed Yang Zhen''s report. "This concludes our report on the Yellow River flood. We¡¯ll proceed to Feng County for further coverage. Thank you for reading." Packing up, Yang Zhen exhaled, "Brother Dong, how did I do? Any mistakes?" Dong Shanmin gave her a thumbs up, "Perfect." Yang Zhen beamed, "Let¡¯s send the footage to the editors." "Already done," Dong Shanmin rolled his eyes, "I sent it during the broadcast." Yang Zhen laughed, giving him a thumbs up, "I love working with you." "Less flattery," Dong Shanmin scolded, but his eyes shone with indulgence and joy. "Why is she still broadcasting?" Yang Zhen frowned at Jiang Lingyan, who continued streaming despite the flood''s end. "Does the entertainment industry lack standards?" "Maybe she''s building a persona?" Dong Shanmin guessed, noting Jiang Lingyan''s teary, emotional performance. "She¡¯s the only celebrity here; it has an impact." "But doesn¡¯t she fear backlash?" Yang Zhen wondered if Jiang Lingyan''s actions would backfire, attracting industry resentment. Checking Jiang Lingyan''s stream, Yang Zhen saw mixed comments. "Ah, my goddess is so kind and brave, coming to the disaster area. I''m so moved." "Same here, few celebrities have such courage. I¡¯m a fan now." "Admirable and beautiful, taking the initiative to help. I''m touched." "Seeing her stream made me aware of the flood¡¯s end. I''m donating now." "Me too." "Am I the only one who thinks she¡¯s acting? Real news is covered by major networks, and soldiers handle rescue. What¡¯s her point?" "Agreed, it feels fake. If she¡¯s truly kind, she¡¯d make real contributions, not just stream." "Her fans must be naive to think this isn¡¯t a publicity stunt." "How can you know she didn¡¯t donate? Her stream might inspire others to help." "That¡¯s laughable. Genuine celebrities donate without seeking attention. She¡¯s just seeking fame." "And maybe hoping fans will donate in her name." "Very possible. She¡¯s done it before." The stream¡¯s comments blurred into an unreadable mess as Jiang Lingyan closed them, realizing the backlash. Her closed comments only fueled the fire, sparking debate on her social media. "Qin Jie, there¡¯s trouble." In Hua Tian Entertainment''s office, an assistant showed the rising backlash to Qin Yan. "How to fix this?" Qin Yan sighed, rubbing her temples. "Why didn¡¯t she consult us first?" "She knew you''d forbid it." Qin Yan snorted, "Save? How?" "She ignored my advice and live-streamed, now wants help?" The assistant felt awkward, realizing Jiang Lingyan''s disregard for Qin Yan¡¯s guidance had backfired. "Disconnect her stream and donate, at least a significant amount," Qin Yan advised, "If she wants to salvage her reputation." The assistant bowed, "Yes, I¡¯ll tell her." Qin Yan watched the assistant leave, murmuring, "Might need to let Jiang Lingyan go." Stars with ambition were valuable, but if they disregarded advice, they weren¡¯t worth the trouble. "Qin Jie, you were right," the assistant said, re-entering. "Jiang Lingyan''s phone is off. Can¡¯t reach her." Qin Yan sighed, opening Jiang Lingyan''s social media and closing it without comment. Jiang Lingyan ended her stream, unaware of the brewing storm. "System, what now?" "Donate as advised," the system replied, exasperated. "Your manager¡¯s plan was sound. Follow it." Reluctantly, Jiang Lingyan donated a million, thanking the system for its guidance. "System, you¡¯re the best." The system rolled its eyes, feeling grateful it couldn¡¯t be replaced. Meanwhile, the system had warned her not to provoke powerful figures, yet she had filmed Ling Ji¡¯s abilities, nearly exposing them both. "Who is that demon?" Jiang Lingyan wondered, envy and curiosity mingling. "Doesn¡¯t matter. Focus on your tasks," the system snapped. "You''ve seen the consequences." Remembering the near-erasure of her memory, Jiang Lingyan felt a pang of fear but remained resentful. "I¡¯m the chosen one, destined for greatness. Why is she more powerful?" "She¡¯s a demon, born with innate power. You''re a human, with a different path." "But you never mentioned demons," Jiang Lingyan accused, feeling betrayed. "Didn¡¯t think it necessary," the system retorted. "Focus on your tasks, and you¡¯ll achieve your dreams." "Okay," Jiang Lingyan agreed, heading to the next rescue site. Passing Yang Zhen, she offered a kind smile. "Want to join me at the rescue station?" Yang Zhen: "..." Yang Zhen looked at her as if she¡¯d lost her mind. Only Dong Shanmin¡¯s intervention smoothed the encounter. "No, we¡¯re heading to Feng County." "Take care," Jiang Lingyan maintained her gentle demeanor, noting their Phoenix emblem before walking away. "Brother Dong, has she lost it?" Yang Zhen wondered, recalling Jiang Lingyan''s earlier hostility. "Ignore her. Focus on our work," Dong Shanmin decided, preparing to call their boss for a report. --- Half an hour later, as the Yellow River rescue neared completion, Zhou Tian, drenched, ran over. "Captain, bad news. The river surged suddenly, flooding a lot!" Before, Zhou Tian would have attributed it to weather or terrain. Now, he suspected another demon. "Should we alert Ling Ji?" "Any casualties?" "Not yet," Zhou Tian reported. "But I saw a huge shadow in the water before the surge." "Which way did it go?" "West." Ye Jianghuai¡¯s heart tightened. That direction... Qingzhou County, where Ling Ji was. "Get Mu Bai." Mu Bai, helping transport injured to the rescue station, arrived quickly. Hearing the news, he paled. "Captain, I can¡¯t contact Ling Ji." As a mountain deity, she could find him from miles away, but he couldn¡¯t reach her. "What about Zhao Jiong?" Ye Jianghuai asked. Mu Bai shook his head, "I avoid him. No contact." "But don¡¯t worry, Ling Ji is powerful. No one can harm her," Mu Bai assured, his faith in her unshaken. "Not even another demon." She¡¯s the strongest. Ye Jianghuai: "..." Oddly, he believed Mu Bai and began to worry about the unknown demon instead. "Gurgle~" A giant head emerged from the water, its lantern-sized eyes locking onto Ming Ying beside Ling Ji. Pouring tea and serving food, Ming Ying felt a chill and turned, meeting a pair of cold, malevolent eyes. --- Chapter 24: The Serpents Fury ¡°Reveal yourself, vile demon, or face my wrath!¡± Ming Ying''s voice rang out as he brandished his sword, the cold gleam of its blade reflecting the flickering lantern-like eyes emerging from the water. A thin, forked tongue flicked out from beneath the lanterns, carrying droplets of foul-smelling venom. As the venom hit the murky river, it spread a dark, inky stain across the water. ¡°Be cautious, this serpent is highly poisonous!¡± Ming Ying tightened his grip on his sword, his expression vigilant. ¡°Draw it to the shore,¡± Zhou Cen commanded, his gaze darkening as he calculated the distance. With a swift motion, he summoned his spirit sword and slashed at the river. A massive wave erupted from the previously calm river, black droplets of water spiraling into the air. As they threatened to fall back down, a series of dazzling sword lights wove into a net, catching the black water mid-air. Moments later, a searing flame ignited along the sword net, turning the black water into black smoke. Simultaneously, Ming Ying leaped into action. He formed a sword gesture with his left hand and raised his sword high with his right, spinning mid-air. ¡°Ten Thousand Swords Return to the Origin!¡± With a fierce shout, countless swords shot out from around Ming Ying, their sharp edges gleaming, exuding a chilling killing intent. ¡°Wow,¡± Jin Hong gasped, her mouth agape like a country bumpkin, marveling at the spectacular sword display. Xing Miao glanced at Ming Ying''s showy techniques, then at Ling Ji, who continued eating quietly. She suddenly felt sympathy for this self-important elder. Flirting with the blind¡ªutterly pointless. He¡¯d be better off taking a practical approach like Zhou Cen. No wonder Zhou Cen was a deputy director while Ming Ying remained just an elder. ¡°Hiss, hiss!¡± The giant serpent, forced out of the water by Zhou Cen''s initial strike, had no time to react before being bombarded by Ming Ying''s swords. Though its scales were tough as iron, some swords found their mark. ¡°Hiss!!¡± The serpent''s eyes reddened with pain, tears streaming down its face as its lantern-like eyes shot a death glare at Ming Ying. Ming Ying shivered under its hateful gaze. Why did it feel like he had killed his entire family? But he hadn¡¯t killed any serpent demons recently. Not even a related species¡ªwait, he had been chasing a yellow dragon not long ago. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. Realizing this, Ming Ying''s gaze shifted from Ling Ji to the serpent. ¡°Could it be? Is that yellow dragon your father?¡± Remarkably, they did look alike. The father was earth-colored, and the son was dung-colored¡ªboth equally ugly. ¡°Hiss!!!¡± The serpent, enraged by the mention of the yellow dragon, coiled itself like a spring and launched at Ming Ying like a cannonball. Ming Ying dodged swiftly, tossing several talismans from his storage pouch. ¡°Boom.¡± ¡°Hiss!!!¡± An explosion echoed, followed by a piercing scream that drowned out the thunder. Jin Hong covered her ears but couldn¡¯t resist glancing at the sky. ¡°Who do you think will win, my lord?¡± ¡°Who do you hope will win?¡± After a moment''s hesitation, Jin Hong decisively chose Ming Ying. ¡°That serpent is too ugly.¡± She had heard Ming Ying''s earlier comments and shared his sentiments. Given the yellow dragon died at Ling Ji''s hands, she didn¡¯t want the serpent to win, out of both personal and principled reasons. However, Jin Hong found it odd that the serpent only attacked Ming Ying. Zhou Cen had initiated the fight, and Ling Ji killed the yellow dragon, yet it fixated on Ming Ying. ¡°Maybe it''s picking the weaker target?¡± ¡°Ming Ying carries the yellow dragon''s demon core, possibly triggering a familial response,¡± Xing Miao explained, turning away from the serpent''s suffering. ¡°This child is quite filial.¡± In demon society, there was an unspoken rule: hurt one, expect retaliation. Killing the young warranted a vendetta from the old. Thus, demon battles rarely ended in death unless the hatred was insurmountable. ¡°Your observation skills need work; that''s a female serpent,¡± Ling Ji interjected, casually finishing her meal. ¡°A female?¡± Xing Miao and Jin Hong exclaimed, examining the serpent more closely. Its grotesque, dung-colored body and menacing features were repulsive. ¡°Moreover,¡± Ling Ji added nonchalantly, ¡°she''s not the yellow dragon''s daughter; she''s his mother.¡± ¡°What?!¡± Xing Miao, Jin Hong, and even Zhou Cen, returning from the river, were shocked. ¡°That defies logic!¡± If Ling Ji weren¡¯t so powerful, they would¡¯ve dismissed her claim. Demon strength typically increased with age; it didn¡¯t make sense for a mother to be a serpent and the son a dragon. ¡°Our lord is always right,¡± Jin Hong defended Ling Ji, puffing up with pride. ¡°If it seems impossible, it''s because you''re uninformed.¡± Zhou Cen, having calmed down, nodded at Jin Hong''s retort. ¡°You''re right.¡± As deputy director, Zhou Cen had seen numerous schemes and plots. This situation reeked of conspiracy. ¡°Something¡¯s off here,¡± Zhou Cen muttered, his mind racing. ¡°Ming Ying, keep it alive.¡± ¡°Got it a long time ago,¡± Ming Ying replied, though the serpent''s aggressive attacks had left little room for thought. Now, adjusting his aim, he slashed its side instead of delivering a fatal blow. A spray of blood accompanied a large chunk of flesh falling, resembling a giant brown lump from a distance. ¡°So weak,¡± Ling Ji remarked, disappointment evident in her cold eyes. ¡°The serpent is indeed weak.¡± Jin Hong echoed Ling Ji''s sentiment. She had realized the serpent''s strength lay in its size and brute force, not skill. Manipulating water was a basic trait for aquatic demons. ¡°Humans are weak too,¡± Ling Ji said, sitting on a clean rock, her disdain extending to Ming Ying. His techniques, though flashy, lacked substance. ¡°They¡¯re far inferior to the cultivators of my time.¡± Zhou Cen''s face reddened at her critique. He had hoped Ming Ying would impress her, but he intervened instead, joining the battle. With Zhou Cen''s help, Ming Ying quickly overpowered the serpent, leaving it wounded and whimpering. ¡°Thud!¡± Zhou Cen''s heavy sword struck the serpent''s head, forcing it to spit blood and collapse into a deep pit. ¡°Impressive sword,¡± Ling Ji finally praised Zhou Cen''s black iron sword. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to wield such a heavy weapon.¡± ¡°Your praise honors me, elder,¡± Zhou Cen replied, caressing the sword''s edge with a fond smile. ¡°Hiss, hiss,¡± the serpent tried to rise from the pit, but Ling Ji''s harsh words made it tremble and collapse. ¡°Hiss...¡± The sound faded into a whimper. The trio''s eyes turned to Ling Ji in awe. ¡°Your powers are incredible,¡± Jin Hong was the first to flatter. ¡°Your abilities grow stronger by the day, elder,¡± Xing Miao added. Ming Ying, watching his flattering junior, refrained from lecturing, hearing Zhou Cen¡¯s sincere praise. ¡°Truly, Ling Ji''s power is unmatched.¡± Ming Ying: ¡°¡­¡± Should I join in the flattery? ¡°Curious,¡± Ling Ji mused, inspecting the serpent. ¡°Though weaker than its son, it submits to my bloodline. Its lineage is purer than the dragon''s.¡± As the dragon, ruler of all scaled creatures, commands aquatic demons, making a lowly serpent submit is easy. Had the serpent not been blinded by rage, it would¡¯ve recognized Ling Ji''s superiority and not dared to defy her. ¡°Who fathered your son?¡± Ling Ji asked the serpent. --- Chapter 25: A Fortunate Encounter Ling Ji asked seriously, seeking answers. If the mutation didn¡¯t come from the mother, it must have originated from the father. ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s due to its father,¡± Ming Ying, despite not being as experienced as Zhou Cen, wasn¡¯t completely ignorant. He took out a sealed jade box containing the demon core. ¡°I¡¯ve always found this demon core peculiar.¡± As he opened the box and handed the core to Zhou Cen, he instructed, ¡°Take a sniff and tell me what you sense.¡± Zhou Cen first caught a whiff of an unpleasant metallic scent and instinctively shut down his sense of smell. Following Ming Ying¡¯s urging, he reopened his senses and took a cautious sniff, his brow furrowing immediately. ¡°Disinfectant?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Ming Ying confirmed, noticing the serpent¡¯s vertical pupils filled with hatred at the sight of the core. It seemed to teeter on the edge of madness. Ming Ying quickly resealed the core and added extra protective sigils. ¡°I suspect this serpent was artificially enhanced using unethical methods,¡± Ming Ying stated, revealing his hypothesis. ¡°Moreover, we believe an organization is behind this.¡± Ming Ying hadn''t initially considered this until Zhao Jiong, drawing on his extensive investigative experience, proposed the possibility. Now, after Ling Ji¡¯s remarks, it seemed increasingly likely. No individual could possess the resources to transform a snake into a near-dragon. ¡°No wonder we¡¯ve been seeing an increase in undocumented demons,¡± Zhou Cen mused, recalling previously overlooked anomalies. His gaze towards the serpent shifted to one of scrutiny. ¡°Balance of Heaven and Earth, Five Elements Align, Seal!¡± Zhou Cen''s fingers danced in intricate patterns, summoning a glowing diagram that enveloped the serpent entirely. This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. The serpent, sensing the impending danger, barely had time to react before the seal took effect, immobilizing it. Its massive eyes closed, and it fell silent. ¡°Retrieve,¡± Zhou Cen commanded, and the serpent, now shrouded in golden light, vanished, leaving only a deep pit filled with foul-smelling fluid. ¡°Lady Ling Ji, this serpent holds vital clues for our bureau. I must take it back immediately. Will you accompany me or follow separately?¡± ¡°You won¡¯t be leaving now,¡± Ling Ji''s narrowed eyes focused behind him. With a flick of her finger, a scream pierced the air. Zhou Cen turned to see a black-clad figure materializing, face sliced open, blood pouring from the wound. The serpent-patterned mask split, revealing bone-deep cuts and a rapidly reddening face. ¡°Ahh!¡± The masked figure¡¯s scream seemed to signal a response, as numerous black-clad figures emerged from the river, surrounding Zhou Cen¡¯s group. ¡°Surrender the serpent demon, and we¡¯ll spare your lives. Resist, and none of you will leave alive!¡± The leader, clutching his bleeding face, threatened. Zhou Cen chuckled coldly, drawing a heavy sword. ¡°And what¡¯s so funny?¡± the masked leader snarled. Zhou Cen sighed, pity in his eyes. ¡°I¡¯m laughing at your foolishness.¡± Jin Hong, Xing Miao, and Ming Ying nodded in agreement. Challenging Ling Ji was indeed the height of folly. Moreover, wearing all black and masks in broad daylight only solidified their villain status. ¡°Since you seek death, we won¡¯t be merciful!¡± The leader barked orders, and his men attacked. Zhou Cen¡¯s heavy sword swept through the attackers, sending them flying. ¡°Is this all you¡¯ve got? Your organization is weak,¡± Ming Ying mocked, beheading one with a swift strike. The masked leader, witnessing the skill of Zhou Cen and Ming Ying, wavered. ¡°Capture the women!¡± he commanded, eyeing the seemingly vulnerable trio. But his decision was his last. As his men advanced, they faced a swift and brutal retaliation. Jin Hong¡¯s red silk ribbons danced, binding and immobilizing attackers. Xing Miao¡¯s star charts paralyzed others mid-strike. ¡°Impossible!¡± The leader¡¯s disbelief turned to terror as Ling Ji¡¯s casual flick sent him flying, blood spraying. ¡°How can you see me? I was invisible!¡± ¡°I¡¯m not human,¡± Ling Ji¡¯s calm voice stated. ¡°I¡¯m a demon.¡± The leader¡¯s mind reeled, the word ¡°demon¡± echoing in his head. ¡°D-demon...¡± ¡°Yes, a demon,¡± Ling Ji repeated, crouching to peer at him. ¡°Your blood is plentiful. What do you eat to replenish it?¡± The leader choked on his last breath, disbelief etched on his face as he died. ¡°Pathetic,¡± Ling Ji muttered, confirming his death. ¡°He couldn¡¯t withstand a simple hit.¡± Star Miao, finishing off the last of the attackers, nodded sympathetically at the dead leader. ¡°Dying by her hand is a rare fortune.¡± As the leader¡¯s soul left his body, it joined those of his fallen comrades, a spectral chain pulling them towards a ghostly ferryman. ¡°Well, well, not hiding anymore, are we?¡± the ferryman, White Wuchang, taunted his partner, Black Wuchang. ¡°If I didn¡¯t come, how would you handle the aftermath?¡± Black Wuchang retorted, tightening the chains. ¡°This month¡¯s quota is unaffected.¡± ¡°But with all the lives she saved, our numbers still won¡¯t balance,¡± White Wuchang sighed, seeing more names turning from red to black on his list. ¡°That¡¯s not our concern,¡± Black Wuchang replied, pragmatic. ¡°That¡¯s for the King of Hell and the Ghost Emperor to deal with.¡± Meanwhile, near the Clear Water River, Zhou Cen¡¯s group faced another ambush. This time, the attackers were more skilled, wounding even Ming Ying. Fortunately, the villagers had evacuated due to the flood, avoiding civilian casualties. ¡°Deputy Director,¡± Xing Miao called, bloodied but smiling. ¡°Shall we strike a deal?¡± --- Chapter 26: The Real Masters As the sun set, its last rays bathed the girl''s clean blue dress, transforming the cold blue into a warm, inviting purple. She stood among the corpses, smiling gently, her elegance starkly contrasting with the blood-soaked scene. The forest fell silent, the wind howling through the mountains, making her presence all the more eerie. Even Zhou Cen, with his vast experience, couldn''t help but feel a chill running down his spine. Jin Hong, despite being on the same side, instinctively stepped back, seeking refuge behind Ling Ji. Only Ming Ying, whose eyes were clouded by a mentor¡¯s bias, remained oblivious to her true nature. "What deal?" "We protect you and ensure the safe delivery of the demon core and serpent to Peng City. In return, you provide us with a house and one million yuan," Xing Miao proposed with a sweet smile. Ming Ying frowned, looking at Zhou Cen for approval. While Ming Ying wanted to agree, he knew he couldn¡¯t make such a decision alone. Zhou Cen, after a brief consideration, nodded. His swift agreement surprised not only Ming Ying but also Xing Miao, who had prepared for a negotiation. "We also need a phone, identification, and a bank card," Xing Miao added. "Sure. Once we reach the city, I''ll take you to a store to get a phone. In Peng City, I''ll provide you with a more advanced phone from our bureau. As for the identification and bank card, we''ll handle that once we return to Peng City. You can decide on your identity by then." Xing Miao paused, considering if she had asked for too little, but Ming Ying''s cough signaled it was enough for now. "Alright, let¡¯s move. We can''t let Lady Ling Ji stay out all night." Xing Miao''s initial goal achieved, she didn¡¯t push further. She smiled warmly at Zhou Cen, "Deputy Director Zhou, you truly live up to your reputation. Your decisiveness is commendable." Zhou Cen''s face remained composed, his smile unwavering as he calculated the best way to explain the deal to his superiors. The director had given him the authority to negotiate any terms necessary to secure Ling Ji¡¯s assistance with the flood. Adding her as a bodyguard and potentially a new ally for the bureau seemed a beneficial outcome. "A house and a million yuan should be manageable," he mused. "Why didn''t we ask for food?" Jin Hong, puzzled by the negotiation, whispered. "Lady Ling Ji prefers food." Ling Ji looked at Xing Miao, her gaze questioning. Xing Miao''s smile widened, her voice sugary sweet. "Do you know how much food one million yuan can buy?" Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Both Ling Ji and Jin Hong shook their heads. "About as much as that mountain," Xing Miao pointed to a nearby peak. Ling Ji''s eyes sparkled with delight. She looked at Xing Miao with approval, "You¡¯re quite clever." Apart from Bai Luan, Xing Miao was the second human to offer her a substantial amount of food. Ling Ji decided to treat this practitioner well, "You may stay by my side." Though her words sounded patronizing, akin to a general assigning a task, for Ling Ji, an ancient and powerful demon, it meant she accepted Xing Miao as one of her own, offering protection. Xing Miao, understanding the significance, beamed brighter than the sun, her smile not fading for three days. An hour later, Zhou Cen and Ming Ying regrouped with Yi Yang in Fengchuan County. Briefly explaining the situation, they decided to split into two teams: Zhou Cen and Ming Ying would escort the demon core and serpent to Peng City with Ling Ji, Jin Hong, and Xing Miao. The others would trail them, gathering clues to uncover the mastermind. With Ling Ji as their ace, Zhou Cen confidently called Peng City to report their success and route. The call sent Peng City into a frenzy of preparations. "What? Y115 captured by Zhou Cen? Y114 reduced to a demon core?" Zhao Boshan, in his luxurious villa, nearly dropped the phone. "Weren¡¯t interceptors deployed? How did they still end up with Zhou Cen?" "They had expert assistance?" Zhao Boshan sneered at the excuses. "I thought you were all experts. Are there different levels of mastery?" "Increase manpower. If necessary..." His sentence was cut short by another ringing phone. Seeing the caller ID, his expression changed instantly. "Sir." Zhao Boshan listened respectfully, his face shifting from confusion to worry, then resignation. "Understood, I¡¯ll make the arrangements." Ending the call, he wiped the sweat from his forehead and grabbed another phone. "Intercept Y115 and Y114''s demon core, but do not harm Zhou Cen. Understood?" "And the others aiding Zhou Cen?" Zhao Boshan¡¯s face twisted with cruelty. "Kill them." --- "Twenty this time," Ming Ying noted, wiping his bloodied sword. "Five more than last time." "Their skills have improved too," Xing Miao kicked aside a corpse. "They¡¯re getting desperate." "But it¡¯s all in vain," Zhou Cen sheathed his heavy sword, glancing at Ling Ji, who was engrossed in her phone. "They can¡¯t beat us." Xing Miao smiled, recalling how Ling Ji had effortlessly dispatched most of the attackers with a single punch. "True. We have a formidable ally." "Lady Ling Ji, what are you doing?" Xing Miao asked, peeking at her phone. She noticed a new message. [Once you arrive in Peng City, go to this address. The promised food will be there. Just give my name. And behave¡ªno tantrums or trouble.] Xing Miao¡¯s eyebrow raised at the paternal tone. Was someone treating her like a daughter? She glanced at Ling Ji, whose youthful appearance could easily pass for a child, and found the idea amusing. Xing Miao quickly looked away, missing the address in the message: Peng City, Chaoyang District, 88, Yumu Film Company¡ªa massive and wealthy entertainment company. --- In a high-end office in Peng City, a neatly manicured hand pushed open the grand revolving door. The receptionist stood up quickly, "Good afternoon, President Ying." Ying Ning, impeccably dressed, acknowledged with a nod, her gaze catching security personnel moving boxes into the executive elevator. "What''s going on?" "Those are items the president ordered," the receptionist explained. Ying Ning walked over, stopping before another elevator. Her eyes couldn''t help but stray to the boxes, noticing their contents. "Snacks? Candy? Milk bread? Chocolate?" She blinked, wondering if she had misread. Since when did their esteemed president indulge in children¡¯s treats? Her confusion was resolved upon entering the president¡¯s office. "Those snacks have arrived. I had them placed in my office. I¡¯ll take care of that girl as promised." "Who is she?" Ying Ning asked, taking a seat. "The Dragon God," came the reply. Ying Ning: "..." Alright, I shouldn¡¯t have joked. My son¡¯s love life is doomed. "President," Ying Ning resumed her professionalism, "Huatian Entertainment''s Jiang Lingyan is in trouble. Qin Yan plans to drop her. I suggest we take this opportunity to promote our artists." "Who do you have in mind?" "Huli and Lushu." "They¡¯re promising," the president agreed. "Do it." "Also, join me at the mall later," she added. "We need to buy clothes for a young girl." Ying Ning raised an eyebrow, understanding. "Is it for the owner of those snacks?" The president laughed. "Yes. Jianghuai has taken an interest in a girl for the first time." "Let¡¯s meet her first," Ying Ning suggested, glancing at the numerous boxes. "We¡¯ll know soon enough." The president laughed, "Yes, we¡¯ll see." --- Chapter 27: Preparing for the Storm After waiting for three days, Zhou Cen finally emerged from an SUV, his face square and weary, but his eyes alight with an unusual brightness, as if they contained flickering flames. "My lord, we¡¯ve arrived," Zhou Cen announced as he walked around to open the car door, his smile ingratiating. The other members of the Special Affairs Bureau, who had come to meet the dignitary, strained their necks to catch a glimpse of the person inside the vehicle. "Thud." A black hem of cloth floated out first, catching the sunlight and transforming the otherwise mundane black into a dazzling display. Not far away, a handsome young man approached, dressed in a white shirt, black trousers, and white sneakers. Despite the simplicity of his attire, the young man exuded an air of elegance. The young man yawned, covering his mouth with one hand while his other hand idly pushed a tuft of hair from his forehead. He paused as he saw the crowd gathered, his eyes narrowing. Then, his gaze landed on the figure in the center and stayed fixed. "Shark gauze!" The young man¡¯s eyes widened as he exclaimed, rushing into the crowd with the speed of an Olympic sprinter. He pushed past Zhou Cen, dropping to one knee before the girl revealed from the car. Trembling, he grasped a small piece of the fabric of her dress, his cold face showing a rare look of reverence. "Ah, it truly is shark gauze. I never thought I¡¯d see such a fine example in my lifetime!" The Special Affairs Bureau members collectively grimaced at the familiar sight. "Oh no, our research chief Lin is at it again, wasting his good looks on his obsessions!" Their gazes shifted from the girl¡¯s delicate face to her luxurious black dress, eyes gleaming with an unspoken heat. Shark gauze, also known as dragon gauze, is translucent and light yet incredibly durable. It is water-resistant, flame-retardant, and dust-repellent. Ling Ji¡¯s dress, completely black and with an elegant drape, showed faint shimmering patterns, clearly made from a rare variant of shark gauze. "What materials did you add?" Chief Lin finally tore his gaze away from the fabric, directing it to its owner. "Can you sell me some?" The collective intake of breath from the surrounding agents expressed their astonishment and admiration. Truly fearless. Zhou Cen¡¯s ever-present smile wavered as he briskly stepped forward, slapping Chief Lin¡¯s hand away and lifting him by the collar. "Chief Lin, our esteemed guest, Lady Ling Ji, must not be treated so rudely!" He cast a pleading glance at Ming Ying. This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. Ming Ying wiped the cold sweat from his brow and swiftly stepped forward to escort Lin away. "Chief Lin, I have a near-dragon demon core for you to examine." Chief Lin¡¯s struggles ceased instantly. "Really?" "Yes, really." "...Let¡¯s go, then." After a brief hesitation, his curiosity won over his fascination with the fabric, and he followed Ming Ying towards the lab, still glancing back longingly. Zhou Cen turned to Ling Ji with an apologetic smile. "Please forgive him. Chief Lin is dedicated to researching new materials and loses control when encountering rare specimens. But he only reacts this way to exceptional materials. Your robe is truly unique and exceptional." His words were a subtle compliment, drawing nods and murmurs of agreement from the others. "Indeed, it¡¯s an honor to see such rare shark gauze." "Yes, I''ve been here for years, and it''s my first time seeing this exquisite fabric." "You truly embody elegance and grace, your attire is unparalleled." Xing Miao, following Ling Ji, listened to the usually aloof Special Affairs Bureau members showering her with praise. She couldn¡¯t help but step back to check the plaque at the entrance. ¡ªSpecial Affairs Bureau, Peng City. No mistake. "Deputy Director Zhou," Xing Miao interjected, "Have you prepared the house and money?" "Lady Ling Ji has traveled a long way and is tired." "I..." Ling Ji started to deny her fatigue but changed her mind upon seeing Xing Miao¡¯s signal. "Yes, I¡¯m tired and need rest." She paused, then added, "And food." Zhou Cen¡¯s group: "..." It was clear where her priorities lay. "Food has been prepared, awaiting your arrival," Zhou Cen said warmly. "We¡¯ll eat first, then take you to see the house." Ling Ji looked at Xing Miao, who nodded slightly. With that, refusing would seem petty. Ling Ji happily followed Zhou Cen to the dining hall, Xing Miao trailing behind, while Jin Hong, a newcomer, gawked at the surroundings. Turning a corner, they passed through a shaded path, and a tall black tower came into view. Jin Hong¡¯s body stiffened, and she struggled to breathe. "What is that?" she asked aloud. A staff member eagerly explained, "That¡¯s the Demon Sealing Tower, used to imprison heinous demons." "Demon... Sealing Tower?" Jin Hong felt her body go cold, instinctively gripping Ling Ji¡¯s sleeve. She had heard tales of this tower when she was young, warnings from elder demons about its terror. Ling Ji glanced at the black tower, then smirked, "Nothing to fear." It looked impressive, but compared to her celestial prison, it was nothing. "Yes," Jin Hong nodded firmly, her fear dissipating, though she continued to cling to Ling Ji¡¯s sleeve. Ling Ji didn¡¯t mind, letting her hold on as they walked. Behind them, a young staff member with dyed yellow hair felt indignant at Ling Ji¡¯s dismissive comment about the tower. He nearly stepped forward to argue but was stopped by Zhao Jiong¡¯s quick intervention. "Where is Elder Ming Qi?" Zhao Jiong asked, surprised not to see him. Peng City¡¯s Special Affairs Bureau had four elders: Kong Jing, Ming Ying, Ming Qi, and Wan Qiu. Wan Qiu, being nocturnal, wasn¡¯t expected during the day, and Kong Jing was on a mission in the west. But Ming Qi¡¯s absence was unexpected, given Ling Ji¡¯s arrival. "He¡¯s in Jing Garden," the young staff member replied. "He said he wanted to spend time with Master Jie Zhi." Zhao Jiong¡¯s eyes narrowed with understanding. He patted the young man¡¯s shoulder, "Be very respectful to her. Treat her like a deity." "Why? Is she very important?" the young man asked, puzzled. They had only been informed that a powerful demon who had greatly assisted the deputy director was visiting, but not much else. "You¡¯ll understand eventually," Zhao Jiong replied cryptically. Ling Ji appeared young, but her age was ancient. Few who knew her true identity were still alive, and those stories had faded into legend, known only to a few ancient families and powerful demons. Seeing Zhao Jiong¡¯s seriousness, the young man adjusted his attitude, regarding Ling Ji with newfound respect. In Jing Garden, Ming Qi nudged his friend lying under a pear tree. "Ling Ji has arrived. Are you ready?" The man opened his eyes, brushing petals off his face to reveal a refined, gentle appearance. Jie Zhi¡¯s lips curved into a smile, "Don¡¯t worry, I have a plan." "Oh, you¡¯re confident?" Ming Qi glanced at his friend¡¯s calm demeanor. "I just fear..." "Shut up," Jie Zhi jumped up, covering Ming Qi¡¯s mouth. "Don¡¯t jinx it." He had painstakingly gathered everything; nothing could go wrong now. "Then return to your garden," Ming Qi suggested, pushing him out. "I need to reinforce this place." "Didn¡¯t you just reinforce it?" Ming Qi waved him off, "This time it¡¯s different." As the gate closed, Ming Qi began casting protective sigils over his garden, ensuring it would withstand any potential conflict from Ling Ji¡¯s visit. --- Chapter 28: A Wasted Beating As it turned out, Ming Qi''s foresight was spot-on. ¡°Bang. Smash. Crash.¡± Listening to the sounds of destruction coming from the next room, Ming Qi leaned against a pear tree, sipping wine and reinforcing the weakening seals after each impact. ¡°Ling Ji, wait! Hear me out!¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve got gifts for you. Don¡¯t you want to see them?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Really not interested?¡± Jie Zhi¡¯s voice grew urgent. ¡°Ying Yu, Fei Yi, Shan Yang, Qu Ru¡ªI went to great lengths to find these exotic beasts from secret realms for you. You won¡¯t find such a collection anywhere else.¡± The response was a half-human-sized flame, pale red with a blue core, radiating immense power even from a distance. ¡°Aww!¡± Jie Zhi yelped, frustration evident. ¡°You¡¯re using Netherworld Fire on me? Remember how I used to carry you around, looking for food?¡± ¡°Hmph, you dare mention that.¡± Ling Ji¡¯s anger flared, the Netherworld Fire in her palm growing taller. ¡°You used me as a garbage disposal back then.¡± When Jie Zhi served under Gao Yao, they managed a prison filled with unruly demons constantly plotting escapes. Jie Zhi would wait outside with Ling Ji, ready to turn any escapee into her meal. Eventually, the prison emptied out, the would-be escapees all consumed, and Ling Ji nearly overeating. Fortunately, Si Xi returned early from other tribal duties, preventing Ling Ji from becoming the first dragon in demon history to die from overeating. ¡°I can tell you Si Xi¡¯s whereabouts!¡± Ling Ji¡¯s fist halted just ten centimeters from Jie Zhi¡¯s face. Waiting for the inevitable blow, he cautiously opened one eye, stepping back when no pain came. ¡°Really, I¡¯m not lying this time.¡± Ling Ji stared at him, clearly skeptical. After a moment, she extended her hand. ¡°Give it to me.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Ying Yu, Fei Yi, Shan Yang, Qu Ru.¡± Ling Ji repeated impatiently. ¡°Weren¡¯t those the gifts you mentioned?¡± The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. ¡°Or were you lying again, with nothing prepared?¡± Her eyes narrowed dangerously, the fire in her hand crackling. ¡°No, no lies.¡± Jie Zhi quickly retrieved a pile of exotic beast carcasses from his space. ¡°Do you want me to prepare them for you?¡± ¡°No need.¡± Ling Ji waved her hand, storing the beasts in her own space. She glanced at the half-collapsed house, paused, then threw a punch, reducing the remaining structure to rubble. ¡°There, now it¡¯s symmetrical.¡± She dusted off her hands, satisfied with her handiwork, and turned to leave. Jie Zhi, baffled by her indifference, hurried after her. ¡°Where are you going?¡± ¡°None of your business.¡± Jie Zhi choked, ¡°Don¡¯t you want to know Si Xi¡¯s whereabouts?¡± ¡°I already know.¡± ¡°You... know?¡± Jie Zhi couldn¡¯t believe his ears. ¡°What do you know?¡± ¡°Si Xi¡¯s whereabouts.¡± Ling Ji rolled her eyes. ¡°Did you already forget what you said? Old age is affecting your memory.¡± Jie Zhi: ¡°...¡± ¡°How did you find out?¡± Ignoring her jibe, he was genuinely shocked. ¡°Did you awaken some extraordinary ability?¡± Ling Ji gave him a look of pity. ¡°You know my abilities well.¡± Jie Zhi: ¡°Yes, but how did you know about Si Xi?¡± ¡°I met him.¡± ¡°Met... him?¡± Jie Zhi¡¯s voice rose, drawing curious glances from passing staff. Quickly, he composed himself, hiding his surprise under a calm facade, though his panda-like bruises undermined his serene demeanor. ¡°When did you meet him? How did you recognize him?¡± Si Xi¡¯s soul, after numerous reincarnations, had faint traces of its original mark. Jie Zhi had recognized him due to his unusual accumulation of merit, suspecting and confirming his identity after extensive investigation. ¡°I smelled him.¡± Ling Ji replied matter-of-factly. ¡°His soul¡¯s scent hasn¡¯t changed, still the same as before. I recognized it immediately.¡± Ling Ji¡¯s expression briefly faltered as she recalled how hunger had dulled her senses when she first met him. Only after spending more time together did she recognize the familiar scent. Jie Zhi, still reeling from her revelation, missed her slight unease. He couldn¡¯t stop thinking, ¡°She smelled him out.¡± Smelled. Out. Smelled. Damn, I forgot Ling Ji has a keener nose than a hound¡¯s. What a blunder! But who¡¯d have thought she¡¯d run into Ye Jianghuai right after her release? Jie Zhi gave Ling Ji a mournful look. ¡°You¡¯re really lucky.¡± His voice dripped with envy. ¡°But there¡¯s something you don¡¯t know.¡± Jie Zhi¡¯s tone turned sly, his eyes gleaming with mischief. ¡°The proposal for your divine punishment requiring ten thousand followers¡¯ faith wasn¡¯t my idea. It was Si Xi¡¯s.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Ling Ji paused, her expression uncharacteristically calm, devoid of the shock, disbelief, anger, or confusion Jie Zhi had anticipated. Jie Zhi¡¯s heart sank. ¡°You knew?¡± ¡°No.¡± Thank goodness, Ling Ji shook her head. ¡°But¡­¡± ¡°But what?¡± ¡°What¡¯s your point?¡± Jie Zhi: ¡°Huh?¡± Ling Ji blinked, her thick lashes casting shadows over her eyes. ¡°It¡¯s been ages. I¡¯m out now. What difference does it make?¡± ¡°But... if it doesn¡¯t matter, why beat me?¡± ¡°Oh, I¡¯ve wanted to hit you for ages. It had nothing to do with this.¡± Jie Zhi stood speechless, pointing at her in disbelief. ¡°Fine, since we¡¯re clearing old debts, let¡¯s get everything straight.¡± Jie Zhi, deciding not to spare her out of past affection, continued, ¡°Si Xi had you commit a significant crime for humanity, but it angered the heavens.¡± ¡°Afterwards, the Heavenly Emperor sent gods to capture you. Si Xi took all the blame to protect you, even requesting my help to condemn him. This way, you could be safe. That¡¯s one.¡± ¡°Second, he foresaw your future vengeance and chaos, so he had me propose the seal to the gods. Only with a severe seal could you be truly safe.¡± ¡°Third, he didn¡¯t go to the underworld but did reincarnate. The method bypassed the underworld, avoiding the Heavenly Emperor¡¯s retribution, but it was risky. His merits gave him a slim chance of success, hoping to leave you with the belief he lived somewhere.¡± ¡°That¡¯s why the King of Hell couldn¡¯t tell you his whereabouts. Not out of unwillingness, but ignorance.¡± ¡°So, our ¡®grievances¡¯ were all Si Xi¡¯s design, not your doing?¡± Jie Zhi nodded furiously, ¡°Yes.¡± All these years of suffering, today¡¯s beating¡ªit was all Si Xi¡¯s fault. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say so earlier?¡± Ling Ji shrugged. ¡°I¡¯ve already hit you. What¡¯s the point now?¡± Time couldn¡¯t reverse. Jie Zhi: ¡°...¡± True, what¡¯s the use now? The beating was unavoidable. Jie Zhi felt a pang of melancholy, staring at the sky, clear and blue, the warm wind rustling. Birds flew by, leaving shadows against the sky. The world was bright, but his mood was bleak. Who would pull him out of this slump? ¡°Let¡¯s go fix the house,¡± Ming Qi, the unsympathetic friend, interrupted. ¡°Your personal feud damaged public property. Finance won¡¯t reimburse you.¡± Jie Zhi: ¡°...¡± Bad luck and poor company¡ªtime to buy a koi fish for luck. --- Chapter 29: The Fox of Qingqiu ¡°Why are those people constantly staring at us?¡± Jin Hong asked as they left the Special Affairs Bureau and walked onto the bustling streets. She noticed pedestrians frequently glancing back at them, whispering and pointing. ¡°Could it be because we''re so beautiful?¡± ¡°Should we find a place to change clothes?¡± Even the usually composed Xing Miao felt uneasy under the intense scrutiny. ¡°These outfits are too eye-catching.¡± ¡°But I don¡¯t have any other clothes,¡± Jin Hong said, her face scrunching up. ¡°Do you?¡± ¡°...We could buy some,¡± Xing Miao suggested. Her old clothes, bought years ago by her master, no longer fit. ¡°What do you think, Lady Ling Ji?¡± ¡°No need,¡± Ling Ji replied, shaking her head. ¡°My clothes can change shape at will. I can change right now.¡± She brought her thumb and middle finger together, preparing a transformation spell. Xing Miao quickly grabbed her hand. ¡°Not here. You can¡¯t use magic in public.¡± Before they left, Ming Ying had repeatedly warned Xing Miao to explain human rules to Ling Ji and Jin Hong to avoid causing a disturbance. ¡°Yes, Lady Ling Ji, people here are ordinary. Using magic will attract even more attention,¡± Jin Hong said, holding Ling Ji''s other hand. ¡°People these days are such a hassle,¡± Ling Ji complained, her hands pinned down. In the past, people begged for their magic. Now, they have to avoid it. Such is the fickleness of time. ¡°Ladies,¡± a man wearing a floral shirt, eyeliner, and exuding an effeminate air approached them. ¡°You all look so extraordinary. Interested in forming a group and becoming stars?¡± ¡°I guarantee with your looks, you¡¯ll become top-tier celebrities.¡± Ling Ji withdrew her hands from Xing Miao and Jin Hong. ¡°What does ¡®becoming stars¡¯ mean? And what are celebrities? Are they part of the astrology faction?¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s a profession for ordinary people. Once famous, they get attention wherever they go.¡± ¡°Oh, let¡¯s go then.¡± Ling Ji lost interest immediately, turning to leave. Seeing her about to leave, the man in the floral shirt panicked. ¡°Don¡¯t be in such a hurry to go, young lady. Being a celebrity has many benefits. Besides, Yumu Film is one of the biggest film companies in the industry. We offer great benefits and have an excellent reputation. Every year, countless people strive to join us.¡± If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. ¡°Yumu Film?¡± Ling Ji¡¯s ears perked up at the familiar name. ¡°You¡¯re from Yumu Film?¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯m a renowned agent at Yumu Film¡ªHua Hua.¡± Seeing Ling Ji stop and turn back, Hua Hua quickly pulled out a business card. ¡°I¡¯m heading back to the company now. Why not come and visit?¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Ling Ji took the card, glanced at the unfamiliar characters, and handed it to Xing Miao. Xing Miao took it, her eyes lingering on the Yumu Film logo. ¡°Do you have spare clothes there?¡± Hua Hua nodded eagerly. ¡°Yes, we have a dedicated wardrobe department with a wide variety of styles to choose from.¡± Twenty minutes later, Hua Hua¡¯s car drove into Yumu Film¡¯s underground parking lot. After exiting the car, he pressed the elevator button for the ninth floor, where the wardrobe department was located. Above that were training rooms for their artists. As the elevator ascended, Jin Hong, feeling the movement, grabbed the handrail tightly. ¡°M-my lady, this box is moving by itself.¡± ¡°This is an elevator. Is this your first time using one?¡± Hua Hua, despite his eccentric appearance, had a keen eye and high emotional intelligence. He quickly noticed Jin Hong¡¯s nervousness. ¡°We used to live in the countryside and didn¡¯t have the chance to see such modern devices,¡± Xing Miao replied calmly. ¡°Haha, the countryside is nice, fresh air and no traffic. If I had time, I¡¯d love to live there for a while.¡± Hua Hua admired their frankness, raising his opinion of them. ¡°I must get them signed. They could be the next big stars like Huli and Lushu.¡± ¡°Ding.¡± The elevator stopped on the first floor, and a middle-aged man with a messy head of hair hurried in, pressing the button for the eighteenth floor while talking on the phone. ¡°Miss Ying, bad news. Huli is involved in a murder case. Worse, the media were at the scene. I¡¯ve managed to suppress the news for now, but the situation is dire. Meet me on the eighteenth floor.¡± He glanced at the keypad, seeing the elevator had stopped on the ninth floor and feeling impatient, quickly hit the close button before anyone else could act. ¡°Thunk.¡± The door closed just as it opened a crack. The middle-aged man, wiping sweat from his brow, relaxed when he saw Hua Hua. ¡°It¡¯s you.¡± He worried the scandal might be overheard by the wrong people but felt relieved seeing Hua Hua. ¡°Who are these ladies?¡± The middle-aged man¡¯s small eyes narrowed with suspicion at the unfamiliar faces. ¡°They¡¯re newcomers I¡¯m scouting, showing them around,¡± Hua Hua explained, mentally calculating how to keep them from spreading what they overheard. ¡°Explain it thoroughly once the elevator stops,¡± the middle-aged man emphasized. Hua Hua understood immediately. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I will.¡± The middle-aged man nodded, trusting Hua Hua¡¯s competence despite his odd demeanor. ¡°Ding.¡± The elevator reached the eighteenth floor. Before the doors fully opened, the middle-aged man rushed out, heading straight for the president¡¯s office. ¡°Hey, young lady, that¡¯s where our president works. Ordinary people can¡¯t go in there,¡± Hua Hua called, seeing the black-clad girl following the man towards the president¡¯s office. Panicking, he rushed out, trying to grab her back, but the girl effortlessly dodged his hand. Hua Hua, bewildered, thought it was a fluke. ¡°Young lady, this place is off-limits to you. Come back.¡± Standing in her path, he patiently tried to convince her. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for your exceptional looks, I wouldn¡¯t be so persistent.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not human,¡± Ling Ji corrected. ¡°Huh?¡± Hua Hua was confused. ¡°You said ordinary people can¡¯t enter,¡± Ling Ji explained. ¡°I¡¯m not human, so I can.¡± Hua Hua: ¡°...¡± Wait, what? But this place is truly off-limits. ¡°Are you joking? If you¡¯re not human, are you a demon?¡± Hua Hua scrutinized Ling Ji¡¯s clear eyes, doubting she was mentally unstable. ¡°It¡¯s not about whether you¡¯re human. You just can¡¯t go in there.¡± ¡°Why not?¡± Ling Ji¡¯s patience wore thin. She glared at him, her aura intensifying. Hua Hua felt a sudden chill, his back prickling with fear. He glanced at the ceiling, thinking the air conditioning was broken, then heard a voice from another elevator. ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± A seductive woman with a bombshell figure stepped out, retreating several steps, her back against the wall. Her brows furrowed in suspicion. ¡°Which senior is here?¡± Hu Li¡¯s eyes locked onto the figures ahead. Ignoring Jin Hong¡¯s weak power, she focused on Xing Miao, noting her strength wasn¡¯t intimidating. Then her gaze settled on the young girl in black. Meeting her gaze, Hu Li¡¯s spine stiffened, instinctively adopting a defensive stance. ¡°Lady Ling Ji,¡± Jin Hong whispered, peeking from behind Ling Ji, ¡°she¡¯s a demon too.¡± As a kappa, Jin Hong¡¯s instincts were sharp, quickly identifying Hu Li¡¯s nature. ¡°A fox demon,¡± Xing Miao added, her fingers quickly calculating. ¡°From the Qingqiu clan.¡± ¡°Indeed,¡± Ling Ji confirmed, her nose twitching. ¡°She¡¯s from Qingqiu.¡± --- Chapter 30: The Fox of Qingqiu From a distance came the hum of machinery mingling with the sound of secretaries tapping keyboards and flipping through documents. These subtle noises, combined with their lack of attempts to lower their voices, allowed Hua Hua to clearly hear the conversations around him. Monsters... a fox. Hua Hua''s head turned stiffly toward Hu Li, who was pressed against the wall, staring at the black-clad girl beside her with a mix of fear and vigilance. The normally calm and composed Hu Li, even under the daily barrage of scandals from black fans calling for her to quit the entertainment industry, now showed an unprecedented anxiety in her enchanting eyes. ¡°Who are you people?¡± Hua Hua asked, his throat dry and voice hoarse. ¡°I told you, we¡¯re not human,¡± Jin Hong said, rolling her eyes. Her disdain for Hua Hua¡¯s slow comprehension was evident. Hua Hua sensed her contempt but couldn¡¯t muster the energy to argue. His mind was a jumbled mess, feeling as if he were floating, and he barely had the strength to correct her misconception. ¡°So, you¡¯re a... fox?¡± As he struggled to articulate the words, an idea struck him, making further questions seem redundant. Hu Li¡ªFox. Her identity was blatantly clear; he would be foolish to question it further. But Hua Hua couldn¡¯t resist, ¡°You¡¯re lying, right?¡± How could monsters exist in this world? What happened to prosperity, democracy, civility, harmony, freedom, equality, justice, and the rule of law? ¡°Little fox, you don¡¯t need to be so nervous,¡± Ling Ji said, waving Hu Li over. ¡°For the sake of your ancestors, I won¡¯t eat you.¡± Hu Li, who was on the verge of revealing her true form and fleeing, froze. ¡°...¡± Your words make me even more nervous. Besides, I was exiled from Qingqiu; I¡¯m not even considered part of their clan anymore. ¡°Ding.¡± Another elevator door opened, revealing an ordinary-looking yet authoritative woman. ¡°Hu Li, why are you standing here? Get in now!¡± Ying Ning¡¯s brows furrowed as she noticed Hu Li standing by the wall. She marched toward the president''s office, stopping when she realized no one was following. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Hu Li remained silent, her eyes fixed on Ling Ji. Ying Ning followed her gaze, spotting the striking girl in the elegant black dress. Her eyes lingered briefly on the ancient, dignified attire before turning to Hua Hua. ¡°Did you sign a new artist?¡± This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Hua Hua nodded instinctively, then quickly shook his head. ¡°Yes¡ªno¡ªnot exactly.¡± He lacked the courage and authority to sign a monster. ¡°Is she or isn¡¯t she?¡± Ying Ning was bewildered. ¡°She¡¯s not!¡± Hua Hua clarified. Ying Ning, nodding to the three beautiful girls, softened her tone. ¡°This is the president''s office area, not open to the public. Perhaps you¡¯d like to visit the eleventh floor?¡± The tenth to thirteenth floors housed training rooms for artists. On the eleventh floor, Lushu happened to be practicing, perfect for these young girls. Since Hua Hua didn¡¯t claim them as his recruits, she¡¯d take them in. But first, she had to deal with Hu Li. The girls could wait. ¡°Why are you still standing there? Take them over,¡± Ying Ning reminded Hua Hua, who stood like a statue. Hua Hua felt like crying. ¡°My legs are numb.¡± His entire body was numb, immobile, with only his heart pounding in his chest. Even Hu Li hadn¡¯t moved, still pressed against the wall as if frozen. Ying Ning sensed something amiss, her eyes narrowing as she scrutinized the group. ¡°Who are you¡ª¡± ¡°Ying Ning.¡± The president''s office door opened, revealing Yu Zhiyan. ¡°Why haven¡¯t you come in?¡± Seeing her team on the monitor, Yu Zhiyan approached them, her high heels clicking on the floor, filling the air with a subtle fragrance. ¡°President, stay back!¡± Respect for the president overcame fear as Hua Hua yelled, halting Yu Zhiyan. Startled secretaries looked up at Hua Hua''s unexpected outburst. Ling Ji¡¯s gaze had settled on Yu Zhiyan from the moment she appeared. Noting her pause, Ling Ji stepped forward. ¡°Stop! Don¡¯t come any closer!¡± Hua Hua spread his arms protectively in front of Yu Zhiyan, eyes wide in terror. ¡°I¡¯ll¡ªI¡¯ll call the police!¡± Ling Ji ignored him, pushing him aside effortlessly. ¡°Thud.¡± Hua Hua felt a powerful force move him, sending him crashing into a wall, stars dancing before his eyes. ¡°Sorry, I didn¡¯t control my strength,¡± Ling Ji apologized, genuinely surprised by the outcome. She turned to Yu Zhiyan, smiling. ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Ling Ji.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Yu Zhiyan blinked, then smiled warmly. ¡°So, you¡¯re Ling Ji.¡± Ling Ji nodded. ¡°Where¡¯s my food?¡± Yu Zhiyan, ready to compliment her, laughed at the unexpected request. ¡°What an interesting child.¡± ¡°Your food is ready. Come with me.¡± Yu Zhiyan couldn¡¯t resist patting Ling Ji¡¯s hair, finding it silky smooth. The subtle dragon scent made her like Ling Ji even more. ¡°You¡¯re two days late. I almost called Jianghuai to check on you.¡± ¡°We were delayed,¡± Ling Ji admitted, regretting taking Zhou Cen''s advice to travel slowly. Yu Zhiyan led Ling Ji by the hand, pausing when she noticed her team wasn¡¯t following. ¡°Ying Ning, Hua Hua, Hu Li, come on.¡± Ying Ning shot Hua Hua a glare. ¡°Why the scare? I thought she was dangerous.¡± She recalled hearing about Ling Ji from the president recently. ¡°Didn¡¯t sleep well?¡± the secretary asked Hua Hua, lowering the phone she had intended to use to call security. Hua Hua: ¡°...¡± No, I¡¯m not, you misunderstand. Listen to me. But no one wanted to listen, not even Hu Li, who had revealed her true identity. ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Hu Li told him, relaxing as the oppressive aura lifted with Ling Ji''s departure. ¡°I have legal residency and won¡¯t harm humans.¡± Relieved, she released Hua Hua, who watched as she escorted him towards the president¡¯s office. ¡°Though I won¡¯t harm humans, if you reveal my identity¡ª¡± ¡°I swear I won¡¯t,¡± Hua Hua promised, miming sealing his lips. Hu Li snorted, releasing him. But as she moved away, Hua Hua grabbed her arm. ¡°What about the black-clad girl? Does she eat people?¡± He trusted Hu Li, but Ling Ji was an unknown threat. ¡°Guess,¡± Hu Li said coldly, freeing her arm. Seeing his face pale, she relented. ¡°If you don¡¯t provoke her, she won¡¯t harm you.¡± Hua Hua nodded vigorously. In the spacious, bright office, a marble tea table was laden with snacks. The usually aloof president now displayed maternal affection, offering Ling Ji a bottle of water. ¡°Drink first.¡± ¡°Help yourselves,¡± Yu Zhiyan invited Ling Ji¡¯s companions. Jin Hong and Xing Miao smiled but waited for Ling Ji''s approval. ¡°Eat,¡± Ling Ji said generously, having already filled up at the Special Affairs Bureau. ¡°Thank you.¡± Jin Hong and Xing Miao each took a snack. Yu Zhiyan¡¯s eyes glinted, noting the dynamic. She had assumed the blue-clad girl led the group, but it was the youngest, Ling Ji. Intriguing, she thought, liking Ling Ji even more. ¡°Hu Li, what happened last night?¡± Yu Zhiyan asked, leading the group into a meeting room. Hu Li, having thought it a minor incident involving nosy reporters, was startled by Yu Zhiyan''s tone. ¡°I argued with a dancer at a bar. Did she bribe a reporter?¡± ¡°No, she¡¯s dead,¡± Wei Xiang said coldly. Hu Li froze, surprised. ¡°Dead?¡± The meeting room door opened, and the secretary entered, looking uneasy. ¡°President, the police are here. They say Hu Li is a murder suspect and want to question her.¡± --- Chapter 31: Crisis in the Meeting Room The moment the secretary finished speaking, the entire meeting room fell silent for three seconds. Wei Xiang''s face darkened instantly. "Are there only police? No journalists?" He didn''t wait for the secretary''s response and stood up from his chair, walking to the floor-to-ceiling window to look down. "President, there''s trouble," another secretary knocked and entered the room. "The reception desk called to say that many reporters have gathered at the entrance, demanding an interview about Mr. Hu being suspected of murder." Wei Xiang could already see the crowd blocking the main gate. Security guards in dark blue uniforms were struggling to maintain order, but their efforts seemed futile against the press of bodies. "It''s trending on Weibo too," Ying Ning said, checking her phone. Sure enough, the news about Hu Li being suspected of murder had hit the trending list, climbing steadily with each passing second. At this rate, it would reach the top spot in less than half an hour. "Someone is definitely behind this," Wei Xiang clenched his fists tightly, his face livid. "First, handle the public relations," Ying Ning said. "Coordinate with Wei Xiang to investigate who''s fueling this. I''ll go meet the police." Yu Zhiyan remained calm and composed. She stood up and walked out of the small meeting room, stopping beside Hu Li. "Did you kill anyone?" she asked seriously. Hu Li was momentarily stunned before shaking her head firmly. "No, I didn''t." "Good, then there''s nothing to fear," Yu Zhiyan reassured her and walked out. Hu Li watched her slender yet strong figure, feeling a sudden surge of emotion. She blinked back tears, straightened her back, and left the meeting room. Three plainclothes police officers, two men and one woman, were waiting on the sofa outside. They stood up as she approached. The leading middle-aged man was short, with dark skin and a stern expression, but his eyes were sharp and penetrating. "Ms. Yu, hello," the middle-aged man greeted formally, extending his hand. "I''m Wu Song, head of the Major Crimes Unit. We received a report that your employee, Hu Li, is involved in a murder case. We need to ask her some questions." The young female officer behind him raised an eyebrow but said nothing. "Of course," Yu Zhiyan shook his hand, noting the calluses and thick knuckles indicative of years of handling firearms. She treated him with extra respect. "May I ask if the media received any information from your side?" "No," Wu Song''s expression grew even more serious. "We''re still investigating. Hu Li is only a suspect, and we haven''t disclosed any information to the media." "Yes, before the case is closed, we protect the suspect''s privacy to avoid any unjust damage to their reputation," added the tall, thin officer behind him, glancing at Hu Li to ensure she understood. Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. In today''s media landscape, sensationalism often trumps truth, causing lasting harm regardless of the final verdict. As law enforcers, they were committed to not exacerbating such harm. "Understood," Yu Zhiyan replied. "Do we need to leave the room?" "No, it''s just routine questioning. You can stay," Wu Song replied. The young female officer frowned, glanced at Wu Song but remained silent. She took out a pen and notebook. "What about these people?" she asked, noticing three girls in costume eating snacks nearby. "Ling Ji..." Yu Zhiyan noticed the trio on the sofa. "Please go sit inside. I''ll have someone bring you some milk tea." "Okay," Ling Ji replied indifferently, then looked at Hu Li with clear, bright eyes. "Why are they questioning you?" "They suspect I killed someone," Hu Li replied awkwardly. "If you didn''t, why do they suspect you?" Ling Ji looked genuinely puzzled. "Is murder a serious crime?" Everyone except Jin Hong and Xing Miao turned to stare, especially the young policewoman, who exclaimed, "Of course, it''s a serious crime! Murder is illegal and not tolerated by law." "Why does it matter what the law says? If the Heavenly Dao allows it, that''s enough," Ling Ji replied, perplexed. Hu Li was momentarily speechless, unsure how to explain the importance of legal compliance in human society to a spirit. She surmised that Ling Ji was an ancient spirit who hadn''t interacted with modern human society much. "Sorry, she¡¯s been meditating in the mountains and isn¡¯t familiar with worldly laws," Xing Miao interjected, covering for Ling Ji. "Yes, she grew up in the mountains and is unfamiliar with many things. Please don''t mind her," Yu Zhiyan added, smiling. Wu Song scrutinized Ling Ji but found her gaze clear and innocent. He turned to Xing Miao, who smiled naturally. "We address her respectfully. In our tradition, power determines seniority." Wu Song nodded, the matter seemingly settled, though he remained skeptical. "Hu Li, where were you between 8 PM and midnight last night?" asked the female officer. "I was at a bar from 7 PM, danced for half an hour, then had a drink. I left around 9 PM and went to the western cemetery," Hu Li replied, her expression darkening. "I paid respects to a deceased person." "Can anyone verify that?" "No, I avoided the cemetery staff. I wanted to be alone," Hu Li admitted. "How did you get there? You didn¡¯t drive drunk, did you?" the officer pressed. "No, I didn''t drive," Hu Li said. "Did you take a cab or use a ride-hailing service?" "Uh... neither," Hu Li said, hesitating. "I..." Seeing her nervousness, the officer glanced at Wu Song, who nodded slightly. "How did you get there?" the officer repeated. "I..." Hu Li looked at Ling Ji, frustration in her eyes. "I can''t explain." She couldn¡¯t admit she used a teleportation spell. Wu Song noticed her glance. "Can I make a call?" she asked, trying to divert attention. "Yes, but we need to be present," Wu Song agreed. Hu Li dialed a number she rarely used. "Officer Zhao, I need help. The police are questioning me about a murder. Can you come to Yu Mu Films'' office?" "Address?" "Eighteenth floor, CEO''s office," she replied. "I¡¯ll be there in half an hour," Zhao answered and hung up. "My witness will be here in thirty minutes," Hu Li informed the officers. Wu Song nodded. "A witness reported seeing you argue with the victim last night. Can you explain?" "Sure," Hu Li agreed. "I had a disagreement with Mo Baobao, the bar¡¯s resident dancer. She tried to ingratiate herself with me, and I rejected her." "I was in a bad mood, so I left early," Hu Li continued. "Did you use the back door?" "Yes," Hu Li said. "There''s a camera at the back, but it only shows the road, not the door." The officers exchanged glances. "The bar¡¯s main cameras didn¡¯t capture you?" "The bar''s cameras malfunctioned last night," the officer said, her tone sympathetic. "All footage was lost." "Malfunctioned?" Hu Li was incredulous. "That¡¯s too coincidental." It seemed like someone was orchestrating this, thought Yu Zhiyan, considering the timing and context. "Someone named Zhao is here to see Ms. Hu," a secretary announced, breaking the tension. A tall man in casual clothes entered. Jin Hong gasped, "It¡¯s you!" Ling Ji and Xing Miao looked up, recognizing him. "Old Zhao," Wu Song greeted him warmly, recalling their past work together. "You can vouch for her?" "Yes, but I need to know more details first," Zhao replied. After listening, he pulled Hu Li aside. "Did you use magic?" "Yes," she admitted. "Show me your hand," he said, taking out a monitoring device disguised as a phone. He scanned her, confirming no recent killings. "She¡¯s innocent," he told Wu Song. "Can you recover the lost footage?" Wu Song asked. "We''ll try," Zhao replied, offering Hu Li''s help. Reluctantly, Hu Li agreed, understanding the necessity. Yu Zhiyan then made a request, "I have a condition." --- Chapter 32: A Web of Deceit ¡°What condition?¡± Wu Song asked, his face showing both curiosity and caution. ¡°You know Hu Li is a public figure, and there are many reporters outside waiting for updates. I want you to clarify her innocence when you leave and post our company''s public statement on the police department''s official website.¡± ¡°This...¡± Wu Song hesitated. Helping a celebrity by making a public statement was unprecedented, but Yu Zhiyan''s status made it hard for him to refuse. ¡°I¡¯ll discuss it with the higher-ups and do my best to meet your request.¡± Yu Zhiyan was not entirely satisfied with the noncommittal answer, knowing that a major crimes unit leader could not make such decisions alone. She was about to use her family connections when she heard the young girl on the sofa speak up. ¡°Zhao Jiong, is this request difficult?¡± Ling Ji asked casually. ¡°Not at all,¡± Zhao Jiong straightened his back instinctively. ¡°I¡¯ll speak to Director Jiang about it.¡± The current police chief was indeed surnamed Jiang. While this was an unusual request, it wasn¡¯t unreasonable. ¡°Rest assured, as public servants, it¡¯s our duty to protect the reputation and safety of all citizens.¡± Ling Ji, feeling satisfied, waved her hand dismissively, signaling that he could leave. Seeing how deferential Zhao Jiong was to the young girl, Wu Song was taken aback but quickly recovered as Zhao Jiong pulled him out of the office. ¡°Old Zhao, tell me the truth. Who is that girl?¡± Wu Song demanded once they were alone. ¡°Her identity is confidential,¡± Zhao Jiong replied seriously. Only when they reached the elevator did he continue, ¡°But I can tell you this: even if you offend our chief, you must not offend her.¡± Four years ago, Zhao Jiong had been specially recruited into the Special Affairs Bureau, which operated under the guise of the national security agency. Wu Song, unaware of this distinction, assumed Zhao Jiong referred to the head of national security, causing him to tense up. Seeing his friend so nervous, Zhao Jiong patted his back reassuringly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. As long as you don¡¯t provoke her, she¡¯s quite reasonable, especially if there¡¯s food involved.¡± ¡°Do you know why she¡¯s here?¡± Wu Song shook his head. ¡°She was there when I arrived, so she must know Yu Zhiyan.¡± Thinking of Yu Zhiyan, Wu Song''s anxiety resurfaced. Investigating her was a daunting task, one that other senior officers had deftly avoided, leaving it to his team. Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. With reporters swarming outside, the pressure was immense. ¡°Think of it this way: our chief is a disciple of Old Master Yu,¡± said Qiu Gu, another officer. ¡°Plus, Yu Zhiyan''s husband, Ye Tongzhou, is a top military leader, and her son is also in the military. Their connections are formidable.¡± ¡°Ye Tongzhou? Military?¡± Hearing the name, Zhao Jiong had a revelation. He now understood why Ling Ji was helping Yu Zhiyan. It turned out she was Ye Jianghuai''s mother. Shortly after Wu Song and his team left, Wei Xiang returned with the drafted PR statement, clearly well-prepared in advance. ¡°It looks good. Go ahead and publish it,¡± Yu Zhiyan approved. Wei Xiang hurried back to the PR department, ready for a battle with the media and detractors. ¡°For now, you should take a break and wait for the storm to pass,¡± Yu Zhiyan advised Hu Li. ¡°Consider it a vacation.¡± Hu Li smiled, appearing relieved. ¡°Thank you, President Yu.¡± Turning to Ling Ji, Hu Li hesitated before stepping forward and bowing deeply. ¡°Thank you for speaking on my behalf.¡± ¡°No need to thank me. Your ancestors helped me a lot in the past. Consider this a debt repaid,¡± Ling Ji replied nonchalantly, even happy to help a descendant of an old friend. ¡°By the way, has Bai Heng come out of seclusion?¡± When Ling Ji mentioned Bai Heng, Hu Li¡¯s eyes widened in shock. She had thought Ling Ji might be bluffing about knowing her ancestors, but the name confirmed it. ¡°You know my grand-uncle?¡± Ling Ji nodded. ¡°I knew him long before his seclusion.¡± Hu Li''s face turned pale. ¡°That was over five thousand years ago. You must be...¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯m quite old,¡± Ling Ji acknowledged with a hint of amusement. Hu Li, realizing the significance, bowed again with even more respect. ¡°Qingqiu¡¯s Hu Li greets the senior.¡± Just then, Ying Ning, returning from making phone calls, witnessed Hu Li¡¯s uncharacteristic display of respect and couldn¡¯t help but rub her eyes in disbelief. The usually aloof and proud Hu Li was now bowing with utmost reverence. Hua Hua, however, was less surprised, having already been shocked by the earlier events. ¡°Given everything, this seems almost normal,¡± he thought, now ready to accept even more extraordinary revelations. Yu Zhiyan, seeing Ying Ning''s reaction, smiled and explained, ¡°It turns out Hu Li¡¯s ancestor and Ling Ji are old friends. Despite her young appearance, Ling Ji has a very high status. Even I was surprised.¡± Many families had cases where senior members appeared young, even leading to situations where an elderly man called a newborn ¡®grandfather.¡¯ Ying Ning, finding the coincidence amusing, shrugged and joined Yu Zhiyan in discussing further PR plans. Ling Ji, now feeling her role as a senior, waved Hu Li over and offered her some snacks. ¡°Eat something; it will lift your spirits.¡± Hu Li, initially tense, relaxed at Ling Ji''s casual demeanor. She smiled, genuinely grateful. ¡°Thank you.¡± Seeing Hu Li¡¯s uncharacteristically gentle smile, Jin Hong, watching nearby, couldn¡¯t help but feel a twinge of jealousy, wondering if her position as Ling Ji¡¯s favorite was at risk. --- Half an hour later, the police department''s official Weibo account reposted Hu Li¡¯s exoneration statement, adding, ¡°Any unfounded accusations are considered defamation. According to law, defamation that reaches a certain level of public impact can result in legal consequences.¡± Despite the clear message, some bloggers and internet trolls continued to spread false accusations, leading to a wave of backlash. Fans unfollowed Hu Li en masse, support groups disbanded, and her social media comments were filled with vitriol. When the police statement went live, accompanied by a stern warning, the tide began to turn. However, some persistent detractors still refused to back down, holding onto the belief that they could evade accountability. ¡°Have you recorded all their handles?¡± Yu Zhiyan asked, her gaze icy. ¡°Yes, legal is ready to send out cease-and-desist letters,¡± Ying Ning confirmed. ¡°Good. Make sure none of them are spared.¡± Although it risked antagonizing the media, Yu Zhiyan was determined to protect Hu Li¡¯s reputation. Her decisiveness was rooted in a blend of personal and professional integrity. As Ying Ning left to carry out the orders, Yu Zhiyan made a series of phone calls to ensure comprehensive action against the defamers. Within minutes, several high-profile accounts were suspended, and law enforcement began knocking on doors. The swift and severe response sent a clear message, causing a ripple of fear among those who had thought themselves untouchable behind their screens. ¡°System!¡± A frantic voice echoed in a luxury apartment. ¡°You said there wouldn¡¯t be any issues!¡± --- Chapter 33: A Game of Shadows Jiang Lingyan threw her tablet onto the carpeted floor with a loud thud. Fortunately, the expensive rug cushioned the fall, preventing the device from shattering. "I think you owe me an explanation." "An explanation?" The system''s voice was devoid of emotion, as flat as a line. "I believe what you want isn''t an explanation, but a benefit." Jiang Lingyan''s eyes flickered as she was caught in her true motive. "How could you say that? Am I that kind of person?" System: "Heh." There was no doubt. Ignoring the system''s sarcasm, Jiang Lingyan bent down to pick up the tablet, pointing at a specific part of the screen. "Now all the negative comments about Hu Li online are gone, and her fame has increased rather than decreased. It will be even harder for me to snatch the role from her." She had leaked a video of Hu Li arguing with the dancer to gossip reporters when she learned about the dancer''s death, intending to shift the public''s focus away from herself. Unexpectedly, Hu Li''s luck had turned around, allowing her to escape the scandal quickly. "Even without this incident, it wouldn''t have been easy for you to steal the role," the system retorted, still holding a grudge and unwilling to let her off the hook. "Especially now that Qin Yan has abandoned you." Without Qin Yan''s support and resources, Jiang Lingyan''s failed maneuver only added insult to injury, making her situation even worse. "It was you who suggested I go live-stream in the disaster area," Jiang Lingyan snapped back, anger flaring as the system reopened old wounds. "And who claimed to be invincible but cowered before that monster?" Thinking about the monster, Jiang Lingyan''s face twisted in rage. Had she known about the existence of demons, she wouldn''t have revered the system like a deity. Given her status as a chosen one, she might have had a chance to join an immortal sect and ascend to immortality. "I advise you to stop daydreaming," the system coldly interrupted her thoughts, pouring a bucket of cold water over her fantasies. "You''re a reborn person. Ordinary people may not notice your abnormalities, but cultivators certainly would. Without my protection, you would have been exposed and captured for research long ago." Jiang Lingyan''s face paled, her rising anger deflating like a punctured balloon. "Haha, I was just upset and misspoke. Don''t hold it against me, system." "I''m not petty enough to hold a grudge over your disrespectful words," the system replied leisurely. "But since you reminded me, I realize you failed your last mission. I must implement the Level Three punishment." Jiang Lingyan''s legs gave out, and she collapsed to the carpet. "System, I was wrong. Please forgive me this once." The system''s voice remained icy. "Rules are rules." With that, it pressed the punishment button. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Jiang Lingyan felt a sharp pain in her chest, and she was flung across the room, crashing into the wall with a loud thud. Clutching her displaced organs, she hadn''t even caught her breath when her head was struck again. "Smack, smack, smack." Three loud slaps echoed in the room, leaving red handprints on Jiang Lingyan''s fair, delicate face. Her cheeks swelled visibly, turning her pretty face into a swollen mess. "System, my face..." Pain radiated through her, and she clutched her cheeks, her words muffled by the swelling. The rest of her sentence died in her throat. Damn, it hurts so much, it must be bleeding! "Weren''t you worried that the last incident hadn''t fully blown over and would affect your popularity? Now you can rest at home and let the netizens forget about you," the system''s voice remained calm, indifferent to the sight of its host''s swollen face. Jiang Lingyan dared not speak out in anger, but deep in her lowered eyes, a cold hatred burned. It was unclear whether the hatred was directed at the system or someone else. Meanwhile, at the police station, in the major crimes unit, Wu Song reviewed the autopsy report just delivered by the forensic team, pressing a hand to his forehead. "Chief, I think we need to dig deeper into Mo Baobao''s background," Wang Jiayin suggested after reading the report. "She was just a bar dancer, yet she attracted enough hatred to warrant two attempts on her life." One group had used a new type of drug, never seen before on the market. "I agree," Qiu Gu added, his expression serious. "While the primary suspect who stabbed her multiple times is concerned, we must trace the source of the unknown drug that caused her slow death." If this drug were to circulate on the streets, the consequences could be dire. "It¡¯s a stroke of luck that her body was sent in time," Qiu Gu remarked, recalling the forensic expert''s warning that the drug''s effects would have disappeared in two days. "It''s chilling to think that if we hadn''t received her body promptly, we might have missed the evidence entirely." The thought of a killer using such a drug to mask the cause of death as natural or suicidal was unsettling. Without knowing the true cause, they would never catch the culprit, allowing the murderer to continue killing with impunity. "Chief, we found something new," announced an officer who had searched Mo Baobao¡¯s apartment, holding up a blue USB drive. "Mo Baobao had been closely monitoring someone. This drive is full of information she collected on that person." Cao Zhe, a slightly overweight officer, took a swig from a nearby cup, not bothering to check whose it was. "What¡¯s more suspicious is that this person had no apparent connection to her." "Who is it?" "Uh..." Cao Zhe''s expression was complex as he glanced at the chief. "It''s Lu Shu." "Who?" Wang Jiayin thought she misheard. "Which Lu Shu?" "Which other Lu Shu could it be?" Cao Zhe retorted, irritated. "The one adored by everyone from eighty-year-old grannies to eight-year-old girls." The same Lu Shu who was a top star at Yumu Film, he added silently. "So we need to visit Yumu Film again?" Qiu Gu felt a mix of excitement and dread. Seeing his idol again was thrilling, but dealing with Yumu Film¡¯s powerful connections was daunting. Mo Huan had certainly stirred up trouble, entangling two of Yumu Film¡¯s biggest stars in her mess. "Let''s go." Wu Song was unfazed. Despite Yumu Film¡¯s influence, they still had to follow the law. As he stepped out of the police station, Wu Song decided to make a call. "Hello, Old Zhao..." Ying Ning received a call from the secretary¡¯s office while shopping with the president for Ling Ji¡¯s clothes. As Yu Zhiyan held up a new dress against Ling Ji, she decided with a wave of her hand, "Wrap this one too." Ying Ning, glancing at the scene, stepped away to take the call. "What''s the matter? Is there a new development in Hu Li¡¯s case?" "No, it¡¯s about Lu Shu." Ying Ning''s surprise was evident as her voice rose slightly. "Have Wei Xiang handled the police for now? I¡¯m heading back." Even after ending the call, Ying Ning found it hard to believe that Lu Shu could be involved in the murder case. Her normally well-behaved and disciplined Lu Shu had never frequented bars or nightclubs, preferring to stay home reading or listening to music. Compared to Hu Li, he was a model of propriety. "What happened?" Yu Zhiyan asked, noticing Ying Ning''s distraction. "The police are here again," Ying Ning replied, exasperated. "It''s still about the previous case, but this time it involves Lu Shu." "Lu Shu?" Two voices spoke simultaneously. Yu Zhiyan turned to the source of the second voice: Ling Ji. "You know him?" Ling Ji shook her head, licking her lips subtly. "I don¡¯t, but... I¡¯ve tasted him." "President Yu, since there¡¯s an issue at the company, we should head back," Ling Ji suggested, her eyes gleaming with interest. "Alright, we¡¯ve bought enough clothes. Next time, we¡¯ll get you some matching jewelry," Yu Zhiyan agreed, remembering how Ling Ji had lingered at the jewelry counter earlier. She planned to let Ling Ji indulge herself fully next time. As they prepared to leave, Ying Ning, still puzzled by Ling Ji¡¯s words, felt a shiver down her spine. She hoped Yu Zhiyan''s trust in Ling Ji wouldn¡¯t backfire, especially with Jianghuai¡¯s eventual return. --- Meanwhile, in a secluded villa in Peng City, a middle-aged man in a brown suit stood respectfully behind another man in casual wear, who was watering a pot of orchids. "Is everything handled?" the man in casual wear asked, his tone casual. "Rest assured, sir," the suited man replied, bowing slightly. "The timing was perfect. Even the police¡¯s advanced equipment won¡¯t find a trace." The suited man knew the drug''s effects had already been metabolized, making detection impossible. The new ingredient they added ensured complete discretion. The casual wear man continued watering his orchids, as if discussing mundane matters instead of murder. His steady hand revealed a champagne-colored Rolex on his wrist. --- Chapter 34: Disappearance and Conspiracy "Is everything on the internet cleaned up?" Zhao Boshan put down the watering can and turned to ask. As long as it didn''t involve state secrets, he had always been lenient with online public opinion. This time, however, he took it seriously for once. If it hadn''t been for someone above warning him in time, he might have been caught. "Don''t worry, I used someone else''s alias to place the order, and the money went through overseas accounts. Even if the police investigate, they would just think it¡¯s a case of rivalry between actresses and not realize we were behind it." "But..." The middle-aged man glanced cautiously at Zhao Boshan and said with a bit of hesitation, "We have to delay our plans for Lu Shu." He had just received news that the idiot Mo Baobao had privately collected a lot of information on Lu Shu. This clue was discovered by the police, and now he was under their surveillance, making it difficult to act immediately. "I understand. You may leave now." Zhao Boshan frowned but said nothing more. After all, if you trace the problem back, it was his responsibility. However, Lu Shu seemed to have good luck, managing to escape this time. But this was as far as it would go. Next time, he wouldn''t miss. ... In front of the Yu Mu Film and Television Company, two cars stopped one after the other. Zhao Jiong got out of the black SUV and immediately met Ling Ji''s gaze. "Ling Ji," Zhao Jiong''s surprise was fleeting as he stepped forward to greet her. Ling Ji nodded. "Are you in charge of Lu Shu as well?" In the past two days, Xing Miao had explained a lot to her, including that the Special Management Bureau accounted for a third of it. Zhao Jiong greeted Yu Zhiyan and Ying Ning, who were getting out of the car. "Yes." "But I don''t think Lu Shu has anything to do with this matter." Considering Lu Shu''s usual behavior, Zhao Jiong didn''t believe he would have any connection with Mo Baobao given his personality and preferences. "I''m here to confirm something with Hu Li." He paused slightly, lowered his voice to a volume only they could hear, "The Mo Baobao case has been handed over to the Special Management Bureau, and I''m the main investigator." Ling Ji raised her eyebrows, glanced at the two people walking ahead, and also lowered her voice, "So, was she not killed by a human?" "Uh... You could say yes and no." Zhao Jiong had read all the investigation reports and files on his way here and naturally knew her cause of death. "Her direct cause of death was multiple stab wounds leading to excessive blood loss, but there was also an unknown slow-acting poison in her body." "To put it this way, even without the final stabbing, Mo Baobao wouldn''t have lived much longer." And the method used was clearly not something an ordinary person could manage. So, whether Mo Baobao was killed by a human was still uncertain. The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. But it was undeniable that she harbored secrets. "How did you find out about her?" Ling Ji had gained some understanding of the country''s operational institutions over the past two days. Without special reasons or clues, the Special Management Bureau wouldn''t intervene in police cases casually. Zhao Jiong looked at her in surprise, impressed by her acuity. Given her identity, there was nothing he couldn''t say. "Do you remember the dragon and snake captured in Fengchuan County?" Ling Ji nodded, signaling him to continue. "We suspect that the dragon wasn''t naturally grown but was artificially cultivated. And there''s a secret organization behind all this." This was confirmed by the large number of black-clad men who chased them later. Zhou Cen, Ming Ying, and Ling Ji fought at the front, while he and Yi Yang followed the clues. Through their investigation, they had indeed found some clues. "Recently, many demons have disappeared across various regions, their whereabouts unknown." Some were registered with the Special Management Bureau, while others were wild demons without registration. "Two days ago, we received a case of a demon disappearance. The missing one was a raccoon who had just transformed." Yucheng, as one of the most prosperous cities in the country, had frequent cases of disappearances, whether humans or demons. Moreover, demons were naturally wild and hard to tame, often roaming around or hiding somewhere to cultivate for years without emerging. So, previously, he wouldn''t have taken it too seriously. But this investigation made him pay more attention to the missing demons. After a thorough investigation, he found that the raccoon''s last known location was at Mo Baobao''s residence. As a policeman, Zhao Jiong''s instincts told him this was no coincidence. So he followed this lead and discovered that Mo Baobao indeed knew the raccoon. Half a month ago, the raccoon had disappeared. His family initially thought he had gone out to play or hunt in the mountains, not taking it seriously until they realized something was wrong and reported it two days ago. Mo Baobao was killed shortly after the raccoon''s disappearance, and there was a slow-acting poison in her body. Zhao Jiong believed there was some connection between the two. So he filed a request to transfer the case to the Special Management Bureau. "President Yu, I''m now taking over this case, so Captain Wu and his team won''t be coming. I''ll have a word with Lu Shu later." After explaining to Ling Ji, Zhao Jiong and his team took the elevator to the 18th floor. "Please stop at the 11th floor, I just have a few questions for them." "Them?" Ying Ning, after getting Yu Zhiyan''s permission, pressed the button for the 11th floor and turned to Zhao Jiong with a frown, "Aren''t you here for Lu Shu?" "I need to ask Hu Li a few more questions." Zhao Jiong responded politely. The elevator stopped on the 11th floor. The metallic gray doors opened slowly. Ying Ning glanced at Zhao Jiong and was the first to step out. Zhao Jiong stepped aside, gesturing for Ling Ji to proceed. Ling Ji sniffed and exited the elevator. Yu Zhiyan, lost in thought, followed Ling Ji out. "President Ying, what brings you here?" Hu Li, who came out to get water, straightened up slightly when she saw Ying Ning coming out of the elevator. "Ling Ji!" The next moment, a familiar figure caught her eye. Hu Li immediately stood straight and walked forward with her cup, "Do you need something from me?" Ying Ning suddenly felt a headache seeing Hu Li''s respectful and upright demeanor. This person always found excuses to avoid etiquette training, sitting improperly, standing improperly. If it weren''t for her good looks, Ying Ning wouldn''t have signed her. "I need to ask you something." Zhao Jiong said as he maintained his usual composure, "Is there an empty room?" Hu Li glanced at Yu Zhiyan, who nodded slightly. Only then did Hu Li lead them to an empty room. "By the way, please call Lu Shu." Zhao Jiong asked with a smile when they entered the room. Ying Ning stopped, looking straight at him. The quiet air seemed to spark. Finally, Yu Zhiyan intervened, "Ning, go call Lu Shu." At the president''s words, Ying Ning retracted her gaze and turned toward a singing room at the end of the corridor. "Ling Ji, come upstairs later. I''ll make you a special snack." Seeing Zhao Jiong block the door with a seemingly casual but full "No Entry" vibe, Yu Zhiyan understood his intention. In fact, she didn''t particularly care about listening in. If the other party didn''t want her to, she wouldn''t. Ying Ning wanted to go in, concerned about Lu Shu, worried he might be tricked into saying something that could be used against him. But Yu Zhiyan felt that with Ling Ji there, it wasn''t them who should be worried, but the other party. "Officer Zhao, what do you need from me?" "Tell me again in detail about the night you met Mo Baobao." Zhao Jiong didn''t beat around the bush. "What did you talk about, what did you do, did you notice anything unusual about her? Don''t leave out anything you find strange." Hu Li, surprised that it was still about Mo Baobao, straightened up upon seeing the seriousness of Zhao Jiong''s face and began to recall the events of that night. "That night, I came down from the dance floor, found a quiet corner, and ordered a cocktail. Before I had a few sips, Mo Baobao showed up." The colorful lights rendered the bar ambiguous. In the dimness, there was a hint of dark fragrance, and the air was filled with intoxicating alcohol. Mo Baobao stood before her in the flickering lights. "Oh, I wondered who it was, turns out to be the famous Hu Li." Hu Li took a sip of her drink, half-closed her eyes, and ignored her. Mo Baobao, feeling slighted, was infuriated. "What are you so smug about? You may be on top now, but soon I''ll replace you. Then, I''ll be the adored goddess, and you''ll be the rat in the gutter, stepped on by everyone!" "Oh, maybe not even a rat." Mo Baobao''s voice was sharp and full of undisguised malice. Hu Li lifted her eyelids and replied slowly, "Who are you?" Mo Baobao: "..." Suddenly, she felt like punching a pillow. "Who let the mad dog loose? Don''t know if it had its rabies shot." "You!" Mo Baobao''s face turned red and green. She pointed at Hu Li''s nose and cursed, "Do you think you''re so great? You''re just a woman who''s been with countless men. How dare you insult me!" "You''ll never find true love! No one will ever love you sincerely!" --- Chapter 35: Summoning Spirits and Questioning Ghosts "Snap." The glass in her hand instantly cracked, shattering with a crisp sound. As a demon who had lived for hundreds of years, she wouldn''t normally bother with a mortal. It was beneath her. But mentioning that person was crossing the line, stirring up her deep-seated pain. Hu Li raised her head. The eyes that usually exuded charm were now icy, with a faint trace of blood swirling in their depths. The bar''s lights flickered violently for a moment, and a chill not typical of summer spread from Hu Li, making Mo Baobao shiver. "What do you think you''re doing?" Mo Baobao took a step back, her bravado fading, but she still tried to sound tough. "This place is full of cameras. If you dare touch me, I''ll expose you to the media!" Perhaps something in her words struck a chord. The blood in Hu Li''s eyes faded slightly. "Mo Baobao." She called out softly, her voice gentle and filled with an enchanting power. Mo Baobao instinctively looked up, meeting a pair of extraordinarily beautiful eyes. She felt as if she had fallen into a vortex, her mind in turmoil. The next moment, her eyes lost their focus, and she stood there motionless. "Leave." Hu Li''s red lips parted, her tone cold, a stark contrast to her earlier gentleness. Mo Baobao, as if hearing heavenly music, obediently turned and left. "By the way, I''m not sure if it''s my imagination, but she seemed to know I''m not human." Hu Li recalled the scene in detail, thinking about Mo Baobao''s seemingly disjointed words. "You used a mind control spell on her?" Zhao Jiong noted this point and asked another question. "Yes," Hu Li said. "Just the basic mind control spell. It only lasts for two hours and then dissipates on its own." Seeing Zhao Jiong''s expression change, Hu Li became a bit nervous. "The spell just slows down her thoughts and actions..." Halfway through her sentence, she seemed to realize something, and her face changed. "It seems you''ve realized," Zhao Jiong said, rubbing his chin. "The killer probably took advantage of Mo Baobao''s sluggish state due to your spell. In other words..." "I didn''t kill Boren, but Boren died because of me." Hu Li finished his sentence. As soon as she said that, a faint blood-red thread seemed to wrap around her. It was the karmic consequence of Mo Baobao''s death, indirectly caused by her. If Zhao Jiong were to scan her with his phone now, the results would be vastly different from before. "Knock knock." Two knocks sounded from outside, followed by an incredibly pleasant voice, "Sister Hu, are you in there?" If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. The voice was so melodious it could be described as "making one''s ears pregnant." "Come in," Zhao Jiong called, glancing at Hu Li. Lu Shu opened the door and stepped in. The next moment, he found himself frozen, paralyzed by a pair of eyes. "Officer Zhao?" He called out to Zhao Jiong, his already pale face turning ghostly white, "I''ve been law-abiding recently, not killing, not eating people, not hurting anyone." So could the person next to him stop looking at him like food? He was scared. Zhao Jiong coughed, noting Ling Ji''s intense gaze at Lu Shu. Her eyes, like black obsidian, were filled with an obvious meaning. ¡ªFood, delicious, want to eat. "Ling Ji, Lu Shu is a well-behaved demon under the Special Management Bureau..." "I know I can''t eat him," Ling Ji interrupted, but her eyes didn''t move from Lu Shu. "Do you have any kin around here?" Lu Shu shook his head like a rattle drum. "No, sir. I''m the only survivor of the Lu Shu clan." "What?" Ling Ji couldn''t believe it, rubbing her ears. "Your clan is known for high fertility among demons. How can there be only you?" "Are you counting those low-level, mindless Lu Shu and trying to deceive me?" "No, you misunderstood." Sensing the cold tone in her voice and the immense pressure of an ancient demon, Lu Shu broke into a sweat. "I''m not referring to those lower-level demons." In the demon world, only those who awakened their ancestral bloodline and perfectly inherited their legacy could bear the name of their species. He, being the purest bloodline of his clan, naturally inherited the name Lu Shu. Others, even if called Lu Shu, were not true Lu Shu. Moreover, in the demon world, the strong ruled, and the fittest survived. It was normal for higher-level demons to prey on lower-level ones. He wouldn''t offend a powerful demon for unrelated lower demons. For example, if a radish suddenly gained consciousness among a bunch of radishes, it wouldn''t consider other radishes its kin. Its true kin would be other conscious beings like itself. A radish might be eaten by a rabbit, the rabbit by a wolf, and the wolf by a tiger. This was the natural food chain. Even if one creature transcended its place in the chain, it didn''t mean it could disrupt the original chain. This was the law of nature. "All those with Lu Shu bloodline have been eaten over the years." Not only by higher demons but sometimes even by humans. "I can testify to that," Hu Li, who had known Lu Shu for decades and worked with him for years, didn''t want to remain silent. "Honestly, humans are even worse than higher demons." China has always been a nation of food lovers. Anything that flies, swims, or runs is on the menu. Lu Shu''s unique abilities made his kind prime targets for humans. Lu Shu, described as a white-headed, tiger-striped creature with a red tail, was said to bring prosperity to one''s descendants if worn. Eating its flesh was even more effective. Infertility has always been a persistent issue, ancient or modern. When humans go crazy, they''ll eat anything, including each other. To them, Lu Shu was just another dish, no different from chicken, duck, cattle, or pig, except for its higher value. Lu Shu, with his pure bloodline, had hidden deep in the mountains to avoid such a fate. "What a pity." Ling Ji regretfully looked away, slumping back on the sofa with a pillow, feeling sorry. Without that burning gaze, Lu Shu relaxed, cautiously moving to sit beside Hu Li, clutching her sleeve. Seeing her sleeve wrinkled, Hu Li wanted to tell him, "Brother, you''re holding the wrong leg. I''m also at the mercy of the big boss." But seeing his pale, frightened face, reminiscent of her own initial encounter with the boss, Hu Li''s heart softened, and she let him be. Zhao Jiong waited for Lu Shu to calm down before asking about Mo Baobao. Unsurprisingly, Lu Shu didn''t know her. "So who exactly is this Mo Baobao?" Hu Li found the situation odd after hearing about the raccoon. "Is someone targeting us demons?" Foxes are known for their intelligence. It was normal for her to make such a connection with so few clues. "It''s possible. Be careful when you go out, and don''t let your guard down even at home." "What''s there to fear? If they come, just crush them." Ling Ji''s half face peeked from behind the pillow, glancing at Hu Li. "Your main concern should be how to rid yourself of that karma." Demon cultivation was already harder than humans. Now, with human karma, her future cultivation would be even more challenging if not resolved. "Sister Hu, why do you have karma?" Lu Shu, who had been training in the studio, hadn''t followed the news. By the time he came out, the issue had subsided. With his cultivation, he couldn''t see the karma on Hu Li. "Is it because of that Mo Baobao?" Lu Shu, though not very powerful, was not stupid. He quickly figured it out. "Officer Zhao, how can we get rid of Sister Hu''s karma?" Zhao Jiong rubbed his chin, "We''ll probably have to find the real culprit behind Mo Baobao''s murder." Lu Shu''s eyes lit up, looking at Zhao Jiong with hope, "How do we investigate?" Zhao Jiong: "..." He had hoped to get new clues from Hu Li, and though he did, the case had become more complicated. "What''s so difficult?" Seeing their worried faces, Ling Ji casually suggested, "Summon Mo Baobao''s spirit and ask her." A wrongful death would cause the soul to linger in the place of death for seven days until the underworld officials came to take them away. "Even if we can''t summon her, we can ask the local underworld officials." Zhao Jiong clapped his hands, "Right, why didn''t I think of that? Thanks for the reminder, Ling Ji." He then got up to find someone in the Special Management Bureau to summon the spirit. With one person gone, three demons with different moods remained. Feeling down, Ling Ji got up, stretched lazily, "Little fox, I''m leaving. For Bai Heng''s sake, come to me if you encounter unsolvable problems." "Thank you, Ling Ji." Ling Ji nodded, gave Lu Shu one last longing look, and went upstairs to find Yu Zhiyan. She was in a bad mood and needed something sweet to cheer up. After she left, Lu Shu finally relaxed, peeking out from behind Hu Li, "Sister Hu, who is that big boss? Why is she so powerful and terrifying?" --- Chapter 36: Underworld Deployment "Ancestor," Hu Li shared the same feeling, not daring to casually speak of her identity, "By the way, how is your new song coming along?" The Lu Shu clan had unique talents; besides aiding fertility, their singing was exceptional. When singing with full emotion, entering a state of selflessness, they could resonate with the heavens and earth. However, such singing took a toll, so Lu Shu usually reserved it for significant events. Even so, when he sang seriously, his voice was like a heavenly symphony, unmatched by ordinary people. Ying Ning had recognized this and had spared no effort to sign him, nurturing him into a young king of the music industry. This time, she planned to leverage Jiang Lingyan''s blunder from the rival company Huatiang to boost his new album, further elevating his status. If not for... "Sister Hu, this incident isn''t your fault." Sensing her slight disappointment, Lu Shu quickly reassured her, "Besides, I believe that elevating one''s status should rely on one''s own abilities, not other means." "Alright, you don''t need to comfort me. I know my limits." Hu Li, not one to take undue responsibility, felt more at ease after his words. "Don''t go out unnecessarily these days, and if you must, have someone accompany you." Thinking of the missing raccoon and its connection to Mo Baobao, and recalling the items found at Mo Baobao''s place, Hu Li''s gaze toward Lu Shu was filled with concern. "Forget it, just inform me if you need to go out. I have nothing else to do, so I might as well accompany you." "Sister Hu..." "This is settled." Hu Li interrupted him, showing a look of disdain, "Besides, this isn''t entirely for you. There''s an unknown force targeting our demon clan. We need to root them out to ensure safety." Otherwise, she might become their target one day. However, how did Mo Baobao know their identities? They had concealed themselves so well. Hu Li''s foxy eyes showed deep contemplation. ... In the evening, at the Special Management Bureau. Zhao Jiong waited until it was completely dark and the moon was out before knocking on the door of the Dark Garden. With a creak, the heavy wooden door opened by itself, revealing the darkness inside. Zhao Jiong, fully prepared, pulled out a flashlight from his pocket, turned it on, and stepped inside. "Elder Wanqiu?" He walked a distance in the darkness, shining his flashlight around, seeing only gloomy, eerie walls, with no sign of a ghost. "What do you want?" A ghostly figure suddenly appeared behind him, cold breath on his neck. Zhao Jiong shivered, gripping his flashlight tightly, took two quick steps forward, then turned around, shining the light two meters ahead. A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. "Elder Wanqiu." Even though he had met her several times, Zhao Jiong couldn''t help but feel uneasy looking at the pale, cold woman illuminated by the flashlight. "I need your help." "Speak." "Can you summon this woman''s spirit?" Zhao Jiong pulled out a photo from his pocket and handed it over. "Her name is Mo Baobao, born at 7 AM on July 7, 1990." A slight breeze carried the photo to the woman, landing in her almost transparent white hands. "Come back in half an hour." "Thank you, Elder Wanqiu." Zhao Jiong didn''t mind her cold attitude, quickly leaving the Dark Garden. Frankly, her agreeing so readily was already beyond his expectations. Elder Wanqiu was famously aloof at the Special Management Bureau, rarely leaving her residence and hardly speaking. It was difficult to even catch a glimpse of her outside. "Isn''t it normal for an old ghost to be aloof and silent?" Yi Yang, not understanding his deputy''s excitement, grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds from a nearby dish, munching away, "Do you want to see her outside every day?" Recalling Elder Wanqiu''s ghostly visage, Zhao Jiong shook his head honestly, "I think it''s better for her to remain mysterious." Yi Yang rolled his eyes, not surprised by his response. It wasn''t that they looked down on ghosts, but her aura was so overwhelming that everyone who saw her ended up having nightmares for days, her terror beyond words. If it weren''t for the urgency of solving the case, Zhao Jiong wouldn''t have braved it to ask for her help. Half an hour passed quickly. Zhao Jiong got up from his chair, grabbing the last handful of seeds from the dish before leaving, "Captain, I''m going." Yi Yang noted the empty dish, mentally marking it down in his little black book. "Elder Wanqiu, I''m coming in." Zhao Jiong knocked on the Dark Garden door before entering. The moon was now high, its clear light dispelling the darkness and illuminating the surroundings. It also illuminated the figure standing in the dew. Black hair, red dress, pale skin, red lips. Her delicate features were even more striking against the stark contrast, her coldness particularly prominent. "I can''t summon her spirit." Under the night sky, Wanqiu''s face was almost transparent, her eyes calm yet puzzled. "Strangely, I can''t sense her spirit''s presence." She repeated coldly. "You mean her spirit isn''t here?" Zhao Jiong, experienced as he was, quickly thought of several possibilities, "Was her spirit taken by the underworld officials?" "Perhaps." Wanqiu glanced at him, adding another possibility, "Or perhaps her spirit was taken by someone else." In this world, it wasn''t just the underworld officials who collected souls. There were also evil practitioners who refined souls, and villains who destroyed them. But which one it was, he had to find out himself. Zhao Jiong''s expression deepened, his worst fear leaning toward the last possibility. Leaving the Dark Garden, he returned to the first team''s break room, finding Yi Yang munching on sunflower seeds again, "Captain, does anyone in the Special Management Bureau have contact with the underworld officials?" "Cough cough." Yi Yang choked on the seeds, coughing for a while before spitting them out, "Why are you asking about this?" Not knowing that the underworld and the living world were separate and independent? "It''s necessary for the case." Zhao Jiong knew his question was out of bounds but couldn''t let it go after their experiences since returning from Huangshui County. He looked at Yi Yang earnestly, "Captain, this is important." He had a hunch that solving Mo Baobao''s case would uncover part of the organization behind the dragon, the giant snake, and the assassins. Seeing the determination and seriousness in his eyes, Yi Yang took a sip from his thermos, thinking for a while, "You need to talk to Elder Bai Qi." Many people and demons in the Special Management Bureau could communicate with the underworld, but only Bai Qi was effective. Strictly speaking, Jie Zhi could too, but he had a falling out with the underworld and was on their blacklist. "Thank you, Captain. I''ll go find Elder Bai Qi." Zhao Jiong''s eyes lit up, thanking him before heading to Bai Qi''s Jingyuan. Five minutes later, he knocked on Jingyuan''s door. "Xiao Zhao, what brings you here at this hour?" Bai Qi, intending to finish his book before resting, was surprised by Zhao Jiong''s visit. He put down the book and poured him a cup of tea. "I''m not in trouble." Zhao Jiong accepted the tea but didn''t drink it, holding it to warm his cold hands, "I need your help." "Hmm?" Zhao Jiong took a deep breath, "I need you to help me contact the underworld officials in this area. I have some questions for a deceased person." "Contacting them is no problem. But are you sure the ghost you''re looking for was taken by the underworld officials?" Bai Qi noticed the lingering chill in his expression, knowing he had visited Wanqiu. If he went to her first, it meant the spirit was likely still wandering, not taken by the underworld. A ghost that should have been wandering yet wasn''t summoned by Wanqiu meant something was wrong. "Not sure, but they can help confirm my suspicion." Eliminating other possibilities, the last, no matter how unbelievable, had to be considered. Seeing his confidence, Bai Qi nodded, pulling out his phone and making a call. Ten minutes later, he hung up, "Xiao Zhao, you might have to wait. The underworld officials for this area are changing shifts, currently handing over work." Zhao Jiong''s heart sank, feeling the last possibility grow more likely. "What shift changed?" Jie Zhi, entering with a stack of books, raised an eyebrow seeing Zhao Jiong, "Having trouble?" "Yes." Zhao Jiong briefly explained, Jie Zhi''s eyebrows rising higher, "Haven''t seen them change shifts in centuries. Why now? Nothing special happened recently." Bai Qi''s gaze lingered on the books Jie Zhi carried, then flickered as if remembering something, "The underworld has its reasons. Let''s focus on our work." Nothing major had happened, but a powerful demon had recently arrived in Pengcheng, one even less favored by the underworld than him. "By the way, did you finish organizing the study materials for Ling Ji?" --- Chapter 37: Investigating Souls by the Underworld Officials "Almost done. I''ll stay up tonight to finish it for her." At the mention of Ling Ji, Jie Zhi set aside the previous topic, put down his book, and poured himself a cup of tea. "I don''t owe them anything from my past life, so why do they keep bossing me around?" Ye Jianghuai, despite losing his memories of Sui Xi, still fussed over Ling Ji like an old nanny, caring for her every need and teaching her about the modern world. Jie Zhi remembered being woken up by a midnight call, not with concern for his elderly state but to give him more tasks. If Ye Jianghuai was so worried about Ling Ji adapting, he should teach her himself. Why trouble him? Haven''t they put him through enough? "You have a face that demons can''t help but want to order around." Hearing the same complaint from his friend as from Ye Jianghuai, Jie Zhi almost suspected they were in cahoots. "I''ll leave you two seniors to chat; I have other matters to attend to." Zhao Jiong, seeing the conversation turn to Ling Ji, tactfully prepared to leave but was stopped by Jie Zhi. "Hey, wait. Tomorrow, come here to deliver something to Ling Ji for me." Zhao Jiong hesitated, instinctively refusing, "But I don''t really know Senior Ling Ji. I''m afraid..." Before he could finish, Jie Zhi cut him off, "Didn''t you just meet her today?" He wasn''t oblivious to Ling Ji''s scent on Zhao Jiong. "Besides, the more you interact, the more familiar you''ll get. Your deputy director wants to recruit her into the Special Management Bureau. Getting on her good side will benefit you." "...Alright." With the argument laid out, Zhao Jiong couldn''t refuse without appearing ungrateful. He''d just have to allocate a third of his salary to buy delicacies for the big boss, hoping to earn her favor through food... hopefully. Feeling the pinch in his wallet, Zhao Jiong left Jingyuan and went to count his savings. In the Underworld, at the Unusual Affairs Office. Hei Wuchang (Black Impermanence) and Bai Wuchang (White Impermanence) finally cleared the mountain of paperwork and looked up from their desks. "Old Hei, why do you think the first team suddenly agreed to swap work locations with us? Could it be that the boss finally recognized our hard work and talents?" "Or maybe our performance in Y Province finally topped the charts, and the boss is rewarding us?" China has nine regions, each with a team of two Impermanences. Their ranks depended on their performance and abilities. Since becoming White Impermanence, Bai Shi Ba (White Eighteen) had remained at the same rank, never advancing. "Do you think we could still top the charts in Y Province after what Ling Ji pulled off?" "..." Bai Wuchang was silent for a moment, then argued defiantly, "But didn''t she also give us a lot of heads later on?" Those heads belonged to people with blood on their hands and sins on their souls, each worth ten ordinary ones. Hei Wuchang turned away, moving further from the naive Bai Wuchang, not wanting to speak to him. "Hey, Old Hei, why aren''t you talking? Is it because you have no rebuttal? Let me tell you..." Hei Wuchang deftly pulled out a pair of earphones from his sleeve and plugged them in. Instantly, the world fell silent. He picked up his phone and updated the data, watching the death list fill with names. For once, a rare smile appeared on his usually expressionless face. Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. So many heads. At this rate, he could soon get promoted and request a new partner, finally parting ways with Bai Shi Ba. Honestly, he''d endured him long enough. ¡ªMo Baobao. Seeing her name at the top of the updated list, Hei Wuchang adjusted his attire, picked up the soul-binding chain, and kicked the still-chatting Bai Wuchang. "Let''s go, work to do." Not long after, in an alley behind the Dark Night Bar, the air twisted, revealing two figures, one in black, the other in white. Dragging chains and wielding a scythe, they phased through walls and arrived at the second-floor fitting room. "Strange, she died here, but her soul isn''t present." Hei Wuchang looked at the dark bloodstain on the floor, certainly it was the primary crime scene. "Could she have followed the corpse or the killer?" Bai Wuchang suggested, surveying the room and confirming the ghost''s absence. Some vengeful spirits lingered around their killers, unable to move on until justice was served. Hei Wuchang closed his eyes, releasing his spiritual sense to thoroughly scan the room. When he opened them, his expression was grave. "Bai Wuchang, contact the Special Management Bureau. The spirit has been taken by unknown individuals." Bai Wuchang: "Huh?" Hei Wuchang pointed to a fallen clothing rack. "Scan it carefully. There''s a faint trace of fear and struggle left by the spirit." Following his instruction, Bai Wuchang scanned the area, then smiled sheepishly at Hei Wuchang. "Uh, Old Hei..." "Never mind, make the call." Hei Wuchang didn''t need to hear more to know what he wanted to say. He shouldn''t have had any expectations, forgetting his limited abilities. Ming Qi received the call from the newly appointed Impermanences at dawn. He glanced at Jie Zhi, asleep at his desk, and stepped outside. "I understand. I''ll handle it. Thank you." After hanging up, Ming Qi''s usually calm face showed concern. He frowned at the rising sun, muttering, "A storm is brewing." Human soul capture hadn''t occurred in years. An hour later, when Zhao Jiong arrived to collect the items, Bai Qi briefed him on the situation. Zhao Jiong, having anticipated this, wasn''t too surprised. "Don''t worry, Elder. Even without the deceased''s testimony, it''s still manageable." He''d solved cases without knowing about demons and ghosts, relying on skill, experience, and technology. It would just be more effort. Seeing his determination, Bai Qi regarded him with newfound respect. This young man was stronger than expected. He should be able to handle Ling Ji. An hour later, Zhao Jiong, carrying bags of breakfast, knocked on Ling Ji''s door. Xing Miao opened it, her gaze lingering on the aromatic food in his hands. She raised an eyebrow. "So fragrant." Ling Ji, attracted by the scent, emerged sleepily, eyes half-closed. Navigating the room with practiced precision, she took the breakfast from Zhao Jiong. Watching her accurately eat with her eyes closed, Zhao Jiong''s initial surprise turned to a sobering thought¡ªwondering if a third of his salary would be enough. "Ling Ji, this is from Jie Zhi," he said after she finished eating, her mind clearer. Zhao Jiong handed her a jade slip. "No, take it away." At the mention of Jie Zhi, Ling Ji glanced at it and decisively refused. "¡­This is from Ye Jianghuai, through Jie Zhi." Remembering Bai Qi''s advice, Zhao Jiong rephrased. Hearing it was from Ye Jianghuai, Ling Ji hesitated but accepted the jade slip. Seeing her take it, Zhao Jiong continued, "Ye Jianghuai said you must learn its contents. He''ll test you when he returns, with rewards for completion." "When will he be back?" Ling Ji, guessing the contents, thought of Sui Xi''s past actions. "Probably in a month or so," Zhao Jiong estimated, thinking of the situation in Fengchuan County. "Oh." Ling Ji slumped on the sofa, uninterested. Having eaten his breakfast, she asked, "How''s the investigation into that mortal''s case? Did she reveal her killer?" "We couldn''t find her spirit; it was likely taken." The purpose was obvious¡ªto prevent them from identifying the killer through her spirit. Zhao Jiong now strongly suspected the same group behind Mo Baobao''s murder and the dragon''s cultivation. "Ring ring." Zhao Jiong''s phone rang. Seeing the caller, he quickly answered, "Director Lin, are the results for the demon core analysis ready?" "Yes, as you suspected." Director Lin''s voice came through. "The core contains the same component as the one you sent two days ago." Zhao Jiong''s tense expression relaxed slightly, a sharp glint in his eyes. He thanked the director and ended the call. Having sent the unknown substance from Mo Baobao''s body to the lab immediately had proven wise. Now, if he could find the true killer behind Mo Baobao, he could trace the mysterious organization. "Was the dancer''s killer the same group that pursued us?" Zhao Jiong hadn''t hidden his call, so Xing Miao heard everything, quickly grasping the key points. "Will they target the master?" Though they had dealt with the pursuers, they hadn''t hidden Ling Ji''s presence, making it only a matter of time before they tracked her down. "That would simplify things." Zhao Jiong hoped they''d show themselves, whether in single or group attacks, to provide leads rather than staying in the dark. "Isn''t there surveillance footage? How''s the recovery?" Xing Miao, initially indifferent to the case, grew serious when linking it to the previous black-clad assailants. Though Ling Ji''s power was unmatched, recent hidden undercurrents in China couldn''t be ignored. "Not yet..." "Ring ring." The sudden phone call interrupted Zhao Jiong. Seeing the caller, he told Xing Miao, "I''ll take this." She nodded, sitting on the sofa and peeling an orange for Ling Ji. "Hello." Zhao Jiong answered, then smiled, "The surveillance is restored?" --- Chapter 38: The Hidden Motive Behind the Crime After hanging up the phone, Zhao Jiong finally showed a hint of relief. "We have a lead on the murderer¡ªone of the bar''s waiters." Facing the three pairs of eyes looking at him, Zhao Jiong succinctly explained, "I''ve sent the image to the information department. We should have results soon." Sure enough, it wasn''t long before he received the suspect''s profile on his phone. Xu Ximing, male, twenty-five, a graduate student at Q University. He was a model student, courteous, and friendly¡ªa promising young man with a bright future. "This guy doesn''t look like a cold-blooded killer." Jin Hong glanced at Zhao Jiong''s phone, seeing a bright and handsome young man smiling in the photo. "Is there more to this story?" "What do you think could be the hidden story?" As a former criminal police officer with rich experience, Zhao Jiong believed Xu Ximing was likely the culprit. First, the victim had multiple stab wounds, inflicted randomly and without pattern, suggesting the killer was inexperienced and unfamiliar with human anatomy. Second, the crime occurred between 9 PM and 11 PM, the bar''s busiest hours. It would be nearly impossible for an outsider to avoid detection entirely unless they were familiar with the bar''s layout. Third, although the Dark Night Bar was lax in management, it wasn''t loose enough to let a stranger carry a knife inside unnoticed. The most plausible explanation was that the knife came from within the bar, and an insider could easily access it without arousing suspicion. However, given Jin Hong''s intuition, Zhao Jiong was curious to hear her reasoning. After all, during their journey from Fengchuan County to Pengcheng, Jin Hong''s near-prophetic sixth sense had proven invaluable. She predicted ambushes, defused bombs, and correctly identified poisoned individuals who would survive. If Elder Bai Qi was known for bad news, Jin Hong was a harbinger of good fortune. Jin Hong shook her head, honestly saying, "I just feel he''s a good person." Zhao Jiong: "..." "Being a good person doesn''t mean they can''t kill." Ling Ji, eating an orange, blinked, indifferent. "Sui Xi was a good person, but on the battlefield against foreign invaders, he killed without hesitation." Sometimes, killing wasn''t about evil but about the killer''s stance and emotions. "You''re right, Master." Zhao Jiong''s expression deepened. He had seen gentle women kill abusive husbands and thugs stab people over loyalty. "Ding." At that moment, Zhao Jiong received a message¡ª"Target apprehended, ready for interrogation." With the suspect in custody, Zhao Jiong naturally wanted to check it out. Just as he was about to bid Ling Ji farewell, the girl who had been lazily lying on the sofa moved. "Let''s go. I''ll come with you." If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Zhao Jiong was somewhat flattered. "Huh?" Was his breakfast finally working its magic? Seeing through his thoughts, Ling Ji glanced at him. "That little fox got involved in this case. Finding the real killer will remove her karma." The debts of the father fall on the son; the blessings of the ancestors benefit the grandchildren. She had eaten at Bai Heng''s place many times. Now that he was absent, she, as an elder, should look after his descendants. This way, she could continue enjoying their hospitality in the future. Seeing it wasn''t due to his merit, Zhao Jiong wasn''t disappointed. Instead, he happily led the group to their destination¡ªXuesiyuan Residential Complex near Q University. Xu Ximing lived in Unit 101 of Building 3, a somewhat damp and dark one-bedroom apartment. Despite its condition, the rent was double that of other places due to its prime location near the university. When they arrived, Xu Ximing was quietly sitting on the sofa, polishing a picture frame. His demeanor was calm, his features clean and handsome, bathed in sunlight¡ªa picture of tranquility, far from a murderer. "See, I told you he doesn''t look like a bad person." Jin Hong, seeing him, straightened up, glancing at Zhao Jiong for validation. Zhao Jiong smiled without comment, walking over to Xu Ximing and knocking on the coffee table with his knuckles. "Knock knock." The sound broke Xu Ximing''s reverie. He looked up, his dark eyes dull, like dust-covered pearls, lacking any brightness. "Are you the officer in charge of this case?" Zhao Jiong nodded. The next moment, the young man spoke in a calm voice, "I killed her. You can arrest me." This genuinely surprised Zhao Jiong. He had encountered many people turning themselves in, but never someone so calm, so lighthearted, as if he had long accepted their arrival, showing no resistance, regret, or defense. It was as if he had already accepted his fate, his heart like dead water. "Captain Zhao." One of the officers guarding Xu Ximing approached, whispering in his ear, "He didn''t resist when we arrived, nor did he attempt to flee. It was like he knew we were coming and remained calm, as if we had the wrong person." "Thanks, I''ll take it from here. You and the team can take a break." Zhao Jiong, with a complex expression, looked at Xu Ximing, then patted his colleague''s shoulder. The officer nodded and left with his partner. "Can you tell me why you killed her?" Zhao Jiong sat down opposite Xu Ximing, his gaze pausing on the photo frame in his hand. He softened his voice. "Was it because of her?" He pointed to the photo of a girl who bore a resemblance to Xu Ximing. Xu Ximing''s grip tightened, veins bulging on his pale hand. He looked up, his eyes bloodshot. "Yes." He squeezed the word out through clenched teeth, carefully placing the frame on the table. "That woman deserved to die." His voice was cold and sharp, like a chilling wind from hell. "What did she do?" Zhao Jiong wasn''t intimidated by his gloom, continuing to ask, "Or rather, what did she do to your sister¡ªXu Xinuan?" On the way here, Zhao Jiong had studied Xu Ximing''s profile. He found that the young man had always been a model son, student, and friend¡ªobedient, filial, polite, and ambitious. Every commendable adjective could apply to him. If he had a flaw, it was his poor family background. Fate seemed to favor and torment him equally. Born in a remote, impoverished village, his parents earned less than 5000 yuan a year. He had a younger sister, three years his junior. Despite their hardships, poverty didn''t crush his spirit. It made him cherish education, and after twelve years of hard study, he was admitted to the nation''s top university. He thought it was the beginning of his soaring journey, but it was the start of misfortune. His father was diagnosed with lung cancer. To avoid burdening the family, he returned home to wait for death. His mother worked day and night for his tuition, nearly losing her sight. Yet he still got into Q University, thanks to his sister, Xu Xinuan. Xu Xinuan gave up her studies, followed him to the capital, and worked to support his education and their father''s treatment. Coincidentally, Xu Xinuan worked at the Dark Night Bar. Seeing this, Zhao Jiong connected the dots between the siblings and Mo Baobao. He called Wu Song to investigate Xu Xinuan''s history, especially her death. Yes, Xu Xinuan was dead. Xu Ximing''s family record clearly stated, "Parents deceased, sister deceased, only him remaining." The most plausible reason for a promising young man to forsake his future and embrace murder charges was a suspicious death of his sister. Sure enough, he heard Xu Ximing''s hoarse voice, "She dragged my sister into the abyss." "My sister was introverted and shy, blushing when speaking to strangers." Xu Ximing''s eyes were hollow as he recounted, "But they said she argued with a customer and committed suicide." "Ha, ridiculous. She never argued, only stomped her foot and said, ''I won''t talk to you anymore.'' How could she argue and forget our promise to commit suicide?" "I didn''t believe it then. I begged the police to investigate thoroughly, but they didn''t believe me." His eyes mocked Zhao Jiong, then turned away, "The case closed as suicide." But he didn''t give up, searching for evidence for years with no progress. Until a month ago, a bar employee approached him, revealing some truths. "I don''t know if Xu Xinuan committed suicide, but I know what she went through. Maybe those experiences drove her to it." Then he heard heartbreaking details. A regular customer at the bar fancied Xu Xinuan and wanted to keep her, but she refused. Mo Baobao gave her a drugged drink, leading her down a path of no return. --- Chapter 39: Searching Souls for Clues When Xu Ximing heard the revelations, he was stunned. His ears buzzed, blocking out all other sounds, and he had no recollection of how he got home. A few days later, he received an envelope filled with photos. Every photo showed his sister in intimate positions with various men. He couldn''t imagine how other brothers would react to seeing their sister defiled in such a way. All he knew was that at that moment, he felt a strong urge to kill. To kill these beasts, to kill the one who pushed her into the abyss, and to kill... himself. Despite his mind being filled with rage and hatred, one thought took root in his mind like a towering tree. ¡ªHis sister did all this for him, to support his education, to give him a good future. He was the real culprit. If it weren''t for him, his sister wouldn''t have endured the first incident, wouldn''t have resigned herself to her fate, and wouldn''t have given up resisting. "So you never planned to escape." Zhao Jiong understood why Xu Ximing was so calm. Xu Ximing scoffed, his tone filled with disdain, "Where could I escape to? The law is especially harsh on ordinary people like us." Those with power and influence could use money to escape punishment, find someone to take the blame, or flee abroad. At the very least, they could hire a lawyer to reduce their sentence. In today''s highly surveilled society, ordinary people without power or influence could only admit guilt; even if they tried to escape, they wouldn''t get far. Instead of being caught in a humiliating manner and receiving a harsher punishment, it was better to accept it calmly from the start. Besides, he had no right to escape. "Wrong, the law is fair to everyone." Zhao Jiong wanted to say more, but seeing the disdain and contempt on Xu Ximing''s face, he held back. Xu Ximing wasn''t receptive to good advice now, so it was pointless to say more. Instead, he changed the subject, "You haven''t told us who that waiter was, who sent you those photos, and who helped you destroy the surveillance footage?" Xu Ximing''s eyes flickered with panic, his hands clenched into fists. "I don''t know." Realizing this wasn''t convincing, he added, "I didn''t recognize the waiter and never saw him again. The person who sent the photos didn''t leave any contact information; the delivery was left downstairs. As for the damaged surveillance... I have no idea." Xu Ximing let out a bitter laugh, uncertain if it was directed at himself or the police. "Honestly, I thought you''d find me by the next day." He hadn''t planned on hiding. "Ah." Zhao Jiong scratched his chin, his gaze drifting. If the surveillance hadn''t been damaged and the weapon hadn''t been hidden, they would indeed have found him by the next day. Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. "You''re protecting those people." Ling Ji, who had been quietly listening to the door, cut to the chase. "Why?" Those people knew Xu Xinuan''s secret, had photos of her with various men, and were clearly not clean. Ling Ji didn''t believe the intelligent young man before her hadn''t figured it out. "Is it because they helped you find Mo Baobao?" Jin Hong, with her keen intuition, spoke up, confused. "Even if those people didn''t kill your sister, they''re using you to murder and take the blame. Why protect them?" "Do you think that''s fair to your dead sister?" "Are you being blackmailed?" Zhao Jiong followed up, then dismissed the idea. If Xu Ximing wasn''t afraid of dying, why would he fear blackmail? His gaze landed on the photo frame on the coffee table, and an idea struck him. "Are they threatening you with your sister''s reputation?" Xu Ximing''s face turned pale, his lips pressed into a tight line. Seeing his reaction, Zhao Jiong knew he was right. "Didn''t his sister die?" Jin Hong asked Xing Miao, "How can the dead threaten the living?" Xing Miao shook her head. Though she had spent more time among humans than the others, her knowledge was limited compared to those born and raised in the mortal world. Ling Ji, fresh out of confinement, was even less knowledgeable. So they all turned to Zhao Jiong. "It''s those compromising photos." Zhao Jiong, having worked in the major crimes unit, quickly connected the dots. "There might even be videos." If they could send photos, they likely had videos too, the kind that thrives on adult websites. Once uploaded, such content would be watched, purchased, saved, shared, and commented on by countless people. Xu Ximing didn''t want his sister to face such mental violations and public scrutiny even after death. "Those people are truly vile!" Jin Hong, furious, pouted, her eyes burning with anger. "I curse them to have constant bad luck and choke on water!" "Poof!" In a dimly lit room, a man uploading videos spat out water, coughing violently. "Lao Huang, how can you choke on water at your age?" A bald man sitting beside him turned away in disgust. "Ugh ugh ugh." The coughing continued, but the man''s hands didn''t stop, dragging a video file into the upload queue. "Sizzle." Neither noticed the small sparks from the water that splashed onto the power strip. "Click." The computer screen went black. "What the hell?" The bald man jumped up, seeing the black screen. "Why did the power go out? I have so many unsaved videos!" These men, involved in illegal video uploads, had no idea their bad luck was just beginning. Although the videos of Xu Xinuan had already been sold, they were still the original source. Jin Hong''s curse wouldn''t spare them, especially as they continued uploading compromising videos of other women. "Don''t worry, we''ll help you find and remove those videos, ensuring they don''t go online." Still angry, Jin Hong promised Xu Ximing. "So tell us about the people behind this, so we can bring the real culprits to justice." Jin Hong, though new to society, wasn''t naive. Combining Zhao Jiong''s earlier statements with Xu Ximing''s situation, she quickly grasped the bigger picture. ¡ªXu Ximing had been used by the mastermind. They poisoned Mo Baobao, then, to cover their tracks, found Xu Ximing, whose hatred for Mo Baobao had been reignited by his sister''s death, making him the tool for murder. To hinder the police, they destroyed surveillance footage and hid the weapon. Afraid he might reveal them, they blackmailed Xu Ximing with his sister''s videos, forcing him to take all the blame. In this case, the unluckiest one was Hu Li, who got unwittingly entangled. First provoked, then her small punishment spell was exploited by Xu Ximing to kill Mo Baobao. What terrible luck. Xu Ximing, looking at the resolute Jin Hong, felt a mix of amusement and despair, his expression a blend of a smile and a grimace. "You promise? How can you guarantee that? On what basis?" "The source material is with them. You don''t even know who they are, so how will you catch them?" Did they think he wanted to let those accomplices go, letting his sister''s videos fall into malicious hands? If he could find them, he''d have done something by now. "I don''t even know if that waiter was really from the Dark Night Bar." Xu Ximing ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. "I joined the bar to get close to Mo Baobao and couldn''t find any trace of that man." So he was likely impersonated, just to lure him in. Despite knowing it was a trap, Xu Ximing still took the bait to avenge his sister. "The mastermind is formidable, leaving no trace. How will you investigate?" Xu Ximing, though resigned, still hoped to expose the hidden hands using him. "There is a trace left." Xing Miao said calmly, "You saw the waiter, didn''t you? You must remember his appearance." Knowing what he looked like made finding him easier. "..." Xu Ximing was silent for a moment, then deflated. "I can''t remember." He had tried to recreate the man''s likeness, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn''t recall his features, as if something blocked his memory. Everyone: "..." "That''s easy." Ling Ji, seeing their hesitation, seemed unfazed. "Check his memories." Everyone leaves an imprint in their minds of people and things they''ve encountered. Even if he thinks he doesn''t remember, his brain does. It''s just locked away. But just because he can''t unlock it doesn''t mean others can''t. How about some soul-searching? --- Chapter 40: The Zhulong of Zhong Mountain Xu Ximing looked at the nonchalant girl with a complex expression. He opened his mouth, wanting to mock her naivety, but held back upon seeing her youthful face. Forget it, she''s still a child; there''s no point in arguing with a kid. However, to his surprise, while he restrained himself, the policeman next to him did not seem to want to hold back. "That''s indeed a good idea, but he''s just a mortal. Can his soul withstand soul-searching?" Zhao Jiong was conflicted. Soul-searching, as the name suggests, is a spell that directly affects the soul. The caster can see all the life experiences of the one being cast upon, making it a straightforward, quick, real, and reliable method for interrogation. However, this technique also causes significant damage to the soul. Elder Ming Qi had once used it on a disobedient demon in the Demon Lock Tower, and the demon turned into an idiot afterward. Though Zhao Jiong wanted to solve the case and catch the mastermind, he wasn''t ruthless enough to turn an ordinary person into an imbecile. Ling Ji glanced at him, surprised he would ask such a foolish question. "Can you visit someone''s house and collapse it?" Zhao Jiong: "..." It seemed her understanding of soul-searching differed from his. Seeing the youthful girl''s face and knowing her identity, Xing Miao understood. "Ling Ji has a unique divine ability to observe souls without harming them." Ling Ji¡ªZhulong, the deity of Zhong Mountain. When her eyes opened, it was day; when they closed, it was night. Her breath brought winter; her exhale brought summer. She could see a thousand miles, perceive the minutest details, explore the netherworld, and examining a person''s soul was as easy as retrieving an item from her pocket. This was a divine privilege. Knowing she was a demon but not her divine nature, Zhao Jiong was relieved and stepped back, bowing to her. "I''ll trouble you then." Ling Ji raised her chin slightly and, in a flash, appeared in front of Xu Ximing, who was looking at them as if they were lunatics. Seeing the girl suddenly before him, Xu Ximing''s eyes widened in shock. The surprise momentarily overcame his fear. His light brown pupils clearly reflected the girl''s figure, and the next moment, a pair of black eyes with a golden glow enlarged before him. Xu Ximing''s consciousness sank, and his mind went blank. Ling Ji''s right eye gradually lost its color, turning from pitch-black to a light pearly white, rimmed with gold. Zhao Jiong held his breath at the sight. He had seen many splendid spells and experienced profound techniques, but none had ever shaken him like this. Just one look felt like a world apart. Ten seconds later, Ling Ji withdrew her gaze, her right eye returning to its normal black color. She extended her index finger, drawing a few strokes in the air, and a man''s face appeared. "It''s him." Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. Zhao Jiong looked up. The man seemed to be in his thirties, with ordinary features, single eyelids, and a flat nose. The only memorable detail was a black mole under his nostril. "Click." Zhao Jiong took a photo of the man''s face, edited the information, and sent it off. His actions were smooth and uninterrupted. "Who... Exactly are you people?" Just as Zhao Jiong was about to shower praises, a weak male voice interrupted. He turned to see Xu Ximing, whose face showed shattered beliefs and a sliver of remaining reason. "Uh, there''s no need for you to know that." Zhao Jiong quickly opened an app called "Memory Cleanse" on his phone, aiming it at Xu Ximing and pressing "Start." "Wait." Ling Ji stopped him, stepped forward, lifted Xu Ximing''s chin, and with her right pinky, which had turned into a sharp dragon claw, made a cut on his face. A shallow bloodstain appeared on Xu Ximing''s fair face, not long or deep, but fresh blood quickly oozed out, filling the room with the smell of iron. Ling Ji scraped a bit of blood and sniffed it. "I see." She released his chin, her bright eyes revealing understanding. "Master." Xing Miao examined Xu Ximing but found nothing unusual. "Is something wrong with him?" "His blood..." Jin Hong sniffed the air, her eyebrows furrowing as she stared at Xu Ximing, hesitant. "It seems to have a demonic aura." "Hmm?" Xing Miao raised an eyebrow, surprised by this revelation. Zhao Jiong''s gaze swept over Xu Ximing like a searchlight. As a human without demonic power or Jin Hong''s keen senses, he couldn''t see anything unusual. "He has the bloodline of a celestial deer." Seeing their confusion, Ling Ji explained, "Celestial deer are divine beasts guarding tombs in the celestial realm, resembling deer with long tails, capable of absorbing and suppressing evil." Though divine, they were essentially high-ranking demons in the celestial realm, revered by mortals. "I know about them." Xing Miao recalled, "The ''Book of Song'' records: ''Celestial deer are pure spiritual beasts, shining in five colors. They appear when a ruler''s virtue is complete.''" "His celestial deer bloodline is extremely thin, likely a half-demon descendant after many generations. Though diluted, it still sets him apart from ordinary people." Otherwise, he wouldn''t have regained his senses so quickly from her spell. "What are you talking about? Celestial deer? Half-demon?" Xu Ximing, regaining some clarity, was baffled. He understood every word but not their meaning together. Despite being a science student, he had always excelled in language arts. "In this case, we can''t erase his memory." Zhao Jiong regretfully put away his phone, giving Xu Ximing a pitiful look. "And we can''t process him through normal legal channels." Xu Ximing: "..." Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing? Zhao Jiong sighed, calling his colleagues back in. "Take him to the Special Management Bureau for custody under Chief Shen." Since he couldn''t be sent to the Demon Lock Tower, Chief Shen, in charge of interrogations, was the next best option. The colleagues complied without question, taking the bewildered Xu Ximing away. "Master, I''ll go see Hu Li, see if she recognizes this man." Although unlikely, Zhao Jiong wanted to try. His main goal was to have her help find the man. As a long-term resident demon with official registration, Hu Li had far-reaching connections between both humans and demons, much more than him. After all, age speaks volumes. "I''ll go with you." Ling Ji, dreading the thought of studying, eagerly chose to go out. Though unaware of her enthusiasm''s reason, Zhao Jiong welcomed her company, appreciating her abilities. If she went, Xing Miao and Jin Hong naturally followed. Jin Hong, having promised to help Xu Ximing retrieve his sister''s videos, felt obligated to keep her word. Since Zhao Jiong mentioned Hu Li''s influence, she wanted her advice to avoid aimless searching. "Achoo." Hu Li, lounging on her sofa with a script and a glass of red wine, shivered, spilling wine on her script. Setting the glass down, she blew on the script, instantly restoring it to its original state, with no trace of wine. "For some reason, I feel trouble coming my way." Losing interest in her script, she set it aside. Half an hour later, faced with two humans and two demons, Hu Li regretted not going out to avoid them. "I don''t recognize him." Glancing at the portrait on Zhao Jiong''s phone, Hu Li couldn''t recall him. "Does he have any special traits? Do you need my help?" This was precisely what Zhao Jiong hoped for. "Yes, I suspect he has some unusual methods. Can you help find him?" Though he had relied on colleagues from the major crimes unit, the suspect''s ability to obscure Xu Ximing''s perception suggested conventional means might fail. Hu Li: "..." Well, she had to follow through on her offer. "Send me his photo." After posting a missing person notice in her network, the timid carp spirit trailing Ling Ji approached Hu Li. "Can you help me with something?" Noticing Ling Ji''s disinterest, Hu Li smiled warmly. "Go on." "It''s tricky." After hearing the request, Hu Li frowned. "Such videos usually have dedicated buyers and clients. If the videos are with the hidden masterminds, it''s hard to trace." Initially, Hu Li agreed out of respect for Ling Ji, but realizing the case''s relevance to hers, her attitude shifted. "A well-connected media professional could help." Hu Li suggested, "They could track down the source, leading us to the buyers and the mastermind." Jin Hong: "Doesn''t your company have such people?" Hu Li: "We do, but they lack the necessary depth." For such sensitive information, only media veterans could quickly uncover the truth. Like... Hu Li pointed to a recently pushed news notification, indicating the icon. "Someone from their team." Jin Hong looked where she pointed, seeing a lifelike phoenix ready to soar. --- Chapter 41: Devout Believer "Phoenix?" Jin Hong glanced at the phone screen, only understanding the magnificent mythical bird amidst the sea of text. "Will they help us?" "I''m afraid it''s unlikely," Hu Li, having mingled among humans for many years, had a keen understanding of human nature. "Unless someone at the boss''s level speaks for us or we can offer a reward that interests them, it''s hard to find someone willing to take on such a dangerous task." Beyond the hidden mastermind, the mere involvement with adult websites implicated numerous powerful interests and transactions, including high-ranking officials and wealthy businessmen. "Master, do you recognize this emblem?" Xing Miao, who had been observing Ling Ji, noticed her thoughtful gaze on the phoenix emblem and felt a spark of realization. "Yes, I do." Xing Miao, initially skeptical, was taken aback. Before she could fully process Ling Ji''s statement, she continued, "This emblem belongs to one of my believers. Every time she offers me tributes, many of them bear this symbol. Mu Lin said it''s her... What was it? log dog." It''s "logo." Hu Li corrected in her mind and then, reacting slowly, grasped the meaning behind Ling Ji''s words. "Are you saying the head of Phoenix Media is one of your followers?" Hu Li''s voice, distorted with surprise, almost squeaked, "That ruthless and decisive Bai Luan, who can bankrupt someone with a word?" "When I first met her, she was just a fragile, pitiful little bird. Has she become so formidable now?" Ling Ji, missing the critical point, was instead filled with pride. "Not surprising, since she''s mine." She sounded very pleased and proud. Hu Li: "..." Master, you seem to be missing the point, but it''s not entirely wrong either. She vaguely recalled that Bai Luan had a major incident about ten years ago, something deliberately covered up. At the time, Hu Li had little interest and dismissed it as mere gossip. Now, she realized it was likely when Bai Luan met Ling Ji and received her help. Otherwise, she couldn''t have become Ling Ji''s follower. Hearing a familiar name, Zhao Jiong froze momentarily, then glanced deeply at Ling Ji, his eyes full of meaning. Ah, so that¡¯s why Bai Luan''s gratitude to Xianmiao Village was so generous. Donating money, building roads and schools, sending people, supplies, and food¡ªshe provided everything imaginable. He once thought all that was to thank Mu Lin and his grandson, but now he realized it was all for Ling Ji. Jin Hong''s ears perked up completely, her face tense as if faced with a difficult problem. The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. ¡ªOh no, another rival for Ling Ji''s favor. When will her position as the number one follower be secure and unshakable? It seemed she needed to enhance her skills further. The calmest person was Xing Miao, who neither competed for the first follower spot nor doubted her own abilities. No matter how many people joined, she remained useful. "In that case, let''s give her a call." Zhao Jiong glanced at everyone before asking Ling Ji, "Do you have her contact information?" "No," Ling Ji glared at him, recalling her previous confinement. "I was imprisoned in the mountains. Why would I need contact information?" Zhao Jiong: "..." Oops, forgot about that. Hu Li, sparked by Ling Ji''s mention of imprisonment, had a fleeting thought but was interrupted by Zhao Jiong. "Does your company collaborate with Phoenix Media? Who has Bai Luan''s number?" Setting aside her thoughts, Hu Li called Yu Zhi Yan''s assistant, Fu Shaoqin. Shortly after, he sent over a number. Holding her phone, Hu Li looked around, seeing no one else willing to make the call. Resigned, she dialed the number. "Beep... beep... beep." The phone rang four times before it was picked up. "Hello, who is this?" "Hello, Ms. Bai, this is Hu Li from Yu Mu Film and Television." Hu Li quickly identified herself. "I have a senior who wishes to speak with you." She handed the phone to Ling Ji, whispering, "Master, this part is beyond my influence." Ling Ji hesitated briefly before speaking on the phone. "Bai Luan, it''s me." "Screech." The signing pen left a thick, dark line on the document, ruining a contract worth millions. The signer, however, didn''t care, standing up with a trembling hand holding the phone. "Is... Is this Master Ling Ji?" "Yes, it''s me." Hearing the confirmation, Bai Luan trembled, her eyes turning red. "Master..." Her voice choked up, but she forced herself to calm down. "Where are you?" Learning the location, Bai Luan grabbed her car keys and dashed out. "Stay there. I''m coming over." She rushed out without another word. Jin, Bai Luan''s assistant, stood shocked as her normally composed and aloof boss stormed out, unable to believe her eyes. What just happened? Why did her usually calm and collected boss suddenly have such an emotional outburst and run out? "...Master?" Jin, having caught snippets, frowned in thought. Who could that be? Twenty minutes later, Bai Luan arrived at Yu Mu Film and Television. "Hello, do you have an appointment?" The receptionist, seeing a powerful and beautiful woman enter, stood up with a polite smile. "I''m here for Ling Ji..." She stopped herself in time, changing her words upon seeing the receptionist''s confusion. "I''m here for Hu Li." Before the receptionist could ask more, Bai Luan added, "I''m Bai Luan from Phoenix Media. I just spoke with Hu Li." The receptionist, having received a call from Hu Li, became even more respectful and guided Bai Luan to the elevator. "Ms. Bai, Ms. Hu is on the thirteenth floor." Bai Luan nodded. "Thank you." "No, thank you," the receptionist said, overwhelmed, and returned to her desk after the elevator doors closed. Then she picked up her phone and sent a message in a staff group chat. **[Shocking, I just saw Bai Luan in person!!!]** **[She''s even more beautiful than in the news. Comparable to our boss!]** This message caused a stir in the previously calm group chat. **[Finance Dept. Rich Beauty: Really? Why is Bai Luan here? Do we have a collaboration? Secretary Dept. Cutie.]** **[Secretary Dept. Cutie: Just confirmed with the boss, no notification received. Are you sure it was Bai Luan? Receptionist Sweetie.]** **[Receptionist Sweetie: I''m absolutely sure! She came to see Hu Li, and I took her to the elevator myself.]** **[Logistics Dept. Angel: Whoa, Receptionist Sweetie is right. I saw Bai Luan on the thirteenth floor!]** Seeing this, Secretary Dept. Cutie''s expression changed, immediately notifying Fu Shaoqin. "Assistant Fu, Bai Luan from Phoenix Media is here on the thirteenth floor." "She said she''s here to see Hu Li," she added, watching Fu Shaoqin''s stern face. Fu Shaoqin adjusted his glasses, a sharp look in his eyes. "Got it. You may go." He then called the thirteenth floor and the receptionist, confirming the information before knocking on the CEO''s office door. "President, Bai Luan from Phoenix Media is here." "What''s her business?" Yu Zhi Yan, just packing freshly baked cookies into a box, raised an eyebrow. "Who is she here for?" "Hu Li," Fu Shaoqin''s gaze paused on the box of cookies, "but the receptionist said she first asked for Ling Ji." He stepped back, clearing the way. "Why does she need Ling Ji?" As expected, Yu Zhi Yan''s nonchalant expression changed upon hearing Ling Ji''s name. "I need to check this out." She closed the box and headed out. Fu Shaoqin, used to this, followed, raising Ling Ji''s status even higher in his mind. In a lounge on the thirteenth floor. Bai Luan, seeing Ling Ji after years apart, hugged her tightly. Jin Hong, having kept her eyes on Ling Ji, watched Bai Luan clinging to her and clenched her fists, ready to intervene. "Master, why didn''t you tell me you were in Pengcheng? I could have come to pick you up." Smelling the faint dragon scent on Ling Ji, Bai Luan felt like a ship finally finding its port. "How long have you been here? Where are you staying? Are you eating well?" Without waiting for an answer, Bai Luan bombarded her with questions. "Let go of Master Ling Ji. I can answer that," Jin Hong, unable to bear it, stepped forward. "We''ve been here for five days, staying at Guan Ming Garden, eating well." "Guan Ming Garden?" Bai Luan released Ling Ji, frowning. "Why stay there?" "The environment is average, traffic inconvenient, and the units are small. I have several newly renovated villas. Pick one, and I''ll have it prepared immediately." --- Chapter 42: The Suspect Yu Zhi Yan, standing at the door, raised an eyebrow at this and tightened his grip on the box of cookies. Damn, he had been careless, not anticipating this move and letting her get ahead. "President Bai, what brings you here?" Yu Zhi Yan knocked on the door and walked in with a polite smile. Seeing his little girl tightly embraced by someone else, his eyes turned sharp, though his face remained calm. He lifted the box of cookies in his hand and waved it toward Ling Ji. "Ling Ji, I baked cookies for you. Come and eat." Bai Luan inwardly cursed, and the next moment, the fragrant, soft girl in her arms slipped away like a fish, leaving her only with a lock of hair. Bai Luan squinted at Yu Zhi Yan, whose eyes were gleaming with triumph, irritating her greatly. "President Yu, President Bai, let''s get down to business first." Hu Li quickly stepped in to mediate, giving her boss a discreet look. Yu Zhi Yan, no stranger to social cues, glanced at the quiet girl nestled by his side, eating cookies. He toned down his smugness and boastfulness slightly. "Alright, you talk. Do you need me to leave?" Although he asked, his body, firmly seated on the sofa, showed no intention of moving, clearly just being polite without any intention of leaving. "No need. You can also provide some insight." Although they needed help, Hu Li didn''t forget her loyalty and wouldn''t undermine her boss. Moreover, her boss knew plenty about the case. So she detailed the new developments and difficulties of Mo Baobao''s case. "So you want me to find out who filmed the indecent videos of that girl and trace it back to the mastermind?" Bai Luan''s expression remained unchanged, but her eyes grew colder, revealing her disdain for those scumbags. "No problem," Bai Luan agreed readily. Even without it being Ling Ji''s request, she wouldn''t sit idly by. After being rescued by Ling Ji from human traffickers and returning to Pengcheng, she had been committed to defending women''s rights and protecting their legal interests. This included cracking down on sites that profited from secretly filming women. However, such sites were like weeds, one gone soon replaced by another. "Additionally, looking into the customers Xu Xinan served that night might yield some clues," she suggested, since the men in the videos could be potential leads. "Officer Zhao, have you found anything?" Zhao Jiong replied, "I''ve asked my colleagues to investigate. We should have news soon." As soon as he finished speaking, his phone rang. Checking the caller ID, he answered, "Brother Zhao, we''ve got a lead. Mo Baobao was not only a dancer at the Dark Night Bar but also a pimp. She controlled many young, beautiful girls, including Xu Xinan." If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. "Some girls were willing, others forced. Those who resisted were threatened by the indecent videos she filmed, silencing most of them." "Who was her video partner?" Since such blackmail required a reliable accomplice. "That''s the strange part," the chubby officer Cao Zhe said, sounding frustrated. "We checked all her social accounts, phones, tablets, and computers, but found no trace of this person." It seemed someone had erased all evidence of this person before they acted. No, not just one person. "Brother Zhao, the bartender provided another piece of information," Cao Zhe continued, his small eyes gleaming. "Mo Baobao had a secret lover. This person was generous and wealthy but highly secretive. Hardly anyone at the bar knew about him." The bartender had only seen her get into a luxury car one night when he went out for a smoke. The next day, she had a new designer bag worth tens of thousands. "I have a hunch," Cao Zhe said confidently, squinting his eyes. "This person is influential and likely has a family." Otherwise, with Mo Baobao''s flamboyant nature, she wouldn''t have kept it a secret. She would have flaunted it. "Slap." A notebook smacked Cao Zhe''s head, and Wu Song''s voice came over the phone. "How many times have I told you? We rely on evidence, not hunches!" "Brother Zhao, I have a feeling," Wu Song took the phone from Cao Zhe. "Mo Baobao''s secret lover is likely the key to her murder." Rubbing his head, Cao Zhe, feeling aggrieved, tried to reflect when he heard his boss seriously discussing an unproven theory. Boss, isn''t this a double standard? Wu Song hung up, noticing Cao Zhe''s upset expression. "Got a problem?" "No," Cao Zhe shook his head like a wronged wife. "You''re the boss, you''re always right." Wu Song snorted, "I have a theory. To poison Mo Huanhuan unnoticed, it had to be someone she trusted." Mo Baobao had many enemies, but few could make her drop her guard. The secret lover was the most suspicious. Zhao Jiong agreed but couldn''t find the person through police channels, so he had to explore other avenues. "Those who film such videos usually have their own circles. This will need your help, President Bai." Mo Baobao must have leaked some videos; finding a familiar person in that circle could identify her collaborator. Understanding his point, Bai Luan started arranging for an investigation. "Hu Li, you know many people. Ask if anyone has seen Mo Baobao''s lover," Zhao Jiong suggested. "Check the bar, her home, and her usual spots." Hu Li nodded. "I''ll call Si Konglang." Si Konglang, a wolf demon, had settled in Pengcheng ten years ago and quickly became the leader of all dogs in the city, with ears everywhere. "Alright, let''s end here for today. I''ll return to the station and question Xu Ximing again, see if he recalls anything," Zhao Jiong said, then hesitated, turning to Ling Ji. "Master, if convenient, can we meet at your place tomorrow at ten to discuss progress?" Ling Ji nodded, then added, "Just so you know, I don''t provide food. You need to bring your own." Bai Luan, finishing her call, looked at Zhao Jiong incredulously. "You visit Master and don''t bring food?" Zhao Jiong: "..." No, I did. "That was for me," Ling Ji added, as if reading his mind. Zhao Jiong felt the gaze at him growing colder, ready to cry. Master, I never said I''d freeload. "Also, did you arrange the house at Guan Ming Garden?" Bai Luan asked. Zhao Jiong: "Yes." Bai Luan''s expression turned understanding yet disdainful. "Master, that place is too small. I''ll show you some new houses later." Checking her watch, Bai Luan continued, "Before that, let''s have lunch. I know a place with great food. You''ll love it." Ling Ji, initially indifferent, brightened up at the mention of good food and stood up. "Let''s go." Bai Luan smiled victoriously, linking arms with Ling Ji, ready to leave. "Wait." Yu Zhi Yan grabbed Ling Ji''s other arm. "I also have several new houses with excellent lighting, convenient transport, and a nearby food street. You don''t even need to go out; one call, and food is delivered." Ling Ji''s eyes sparkled. "Really?" Yu Zhi Yan nodded. "Really." "Then..." Ling Ji started, but Bai Luan interrupted, "Master, you said I''d handle your living arrangements. Besides, President Yu has many responsibilities. This small matter shouldn''t trouble her." Bai Luan''s words subtly suggested Yu Zhi Yan was an outsider while they were insiders. Ling Ji blinked, unsure if she had ever said such a thing. Seeing Ling Ji waver, Yu Zhi Yan grew anxious. "Of course it''s no trouble. Ling Ji''s matters are my matters. President Bai, you''re overthinking." Seeing Ling Ji still hesitant, Yu Zhi Yan played her trump card. "Jianghuai insisted I take good care of you. If you go with someone else, I can''t face him." She lowered her head, pretending to wipe away tears. "I''ll go with you." Hearing Ye Jianghuai''s name, Ling Ji agreed immediately. "Don''t cry." "Okay, I won''t cry," Yu Zhi Yan smiled, her eyes clear with no sign of tears. Bai Luan clenched her teeth, eyes shooting daggers. Typical actress! Yu Zhi Yan, satisfied with the result, ignored Bai Luan''s glare and mentally praised her own son, smugly challenging Bai Luan. Hear that? We''re family. You''re an outsider! Humph! Bai Luan: "..." Bai Luan gripped the scale hanging around her neck, her heated mind regaining some coolness. She raised a corner of her mouth, silently exhaling. "Hmph." You don''t even know Master Ling Ji''s true identity, yet you claim to be family? Don''t ask how she knew the other didn''t know Ling Ji''s identity. A woman''s intuition can be irrational like that. But... "Where did that rascal Ye Jianghuai come from, and why does Master Ling Ji change her mind in his name?" Bai Luan wondered, her bright eyes scrutinizing Yu Zhi Yan. --- Chapter 43: Manzanita at Night Lila Sage''s mind was still a bit messed up, thinking about the memories she had just remembered, and she said yes in a distracted manner. Not being able to think of a solution for a while, she could only suppress her doubts for the time being, and first accompany Jin Sorin to find the Ten Thousand Grass Flowers he wanted before saying anything else. Most of the people of Qingzhou went up the mountain in order to pray and worship at the Xuanmiao Guan halfway up the mountain, and the further they walked towards the top, the fewer people there were. As she climbed to the top of the mountain, Lila Sage had the feeling that the dark clouds had finally lifted completely. The top of the mountain was wide. The old trees were lush and green. It wasn''t easy to find a Wan Cao Hua from the top of the mountain, and she felt that she had a long way to go. It took them an hour or so to climb up. It was still early in the day, and they couldn''t find the Flower of Ten Thousand Grasses until nighttime, so Lila Sage found a place to sit down. Jin Sorin does not know . Hetiredness as if, breathing evenly, also does not sit down to rest for a moment, stood in front of the cliffs at the top of the mountain intertwined. There were no trees or flowers along the cliffs, and the wind blew in all directions. He looked down at the bottom of the cliff, which was so deep that he could not see the bottom. A large eagle flew over the sky and it soared freely into infinity. Lila Sage rubs her ankle and hears the sound the great eagle makes and looks over, her eyes falling first to the great eagle in the air and then to Jin Sorin. He stood in front of the cliff, the wind ruffling the corners of his coat, like he was blending into the mountains, and as if he could leap and disappear into the world in the next instant. She stood up and walked to the edge of the cliff as well, standing side by side with Jin Sorin. ¡°You ......¡± Lila Sage showed hesitation. Jin Sorin then turned his face sideways to look at her at the sound of his voice, ¡°What do you wish to ask.¡± ¡°It may be presumptuous, but may I ask you.¡± Lila Sage still couldn''t resist the urge to verify if the memories in her head were real, ¡°What was your mother''s name?¡± The wind whistled in the mountains, piercing through her ears, and Lila Sage held her breath, afraid she wouldn''t be able to hear Jin Sorin''s answer later. He didn''t answer right away. She was still waiting. ¡°I''m not sure.¡± He answered, ¡°It could be Kishu, because I''ve only ever heard one person call her Ashu, and I take her last name.¡± Sure enough it was just as she remembered. Lila Sage couldn''t figure out why she had memories of these people but didn''t act rashly Suddenly, she wanted to figure everything out. The silver jewelry in Jin Sorin''s hair refracted in the strong sunlight. ¡°Why are you asking this all of a sudden?¡± He asked her questions, too. Lila Sage twisted the hem of her coat, not wanting to lie, ¡°I''m trying to figure something out, but I don''t really want to talk about it right now, so when I figure it out later, I''ll tell you, is that okay?¡± The teenager''s shoulders were broad and long, standing in front of her at that moment, his figure wrapping around her completely, as if he had taken her into himself. Jin Sorin bent over, and Lila Sage looked up. Eyes met in mid-air. He gently tilted his head sideways and bent his eyes, ¡°Of course.¡± Lila Sage''s tense body relaxes and takes Jin Sorin''s hand, taking a few steps back toward the back of the cliff so he can sit down and rest as well. Jin Sorin''s insects and snakes were as excited to be on the mountain of Deng Yun Mountain as if they had returned to their old home in the Lonely Mountain, jumping up and down as they crawled across the mountainous terrain, and all of them were to poisonous Gu, which made her cringe to see. But they would not harm her. Their master was Jin Sorin. They rarely acted without Jin Sorin''s orders, but there were always exceptions. The black snake was one of those exceptions, and with a twitch of its tail, it crawled over to Lila Sage, who was sitting on the ground, and reached out to lick her hand, which was hanging at her side. This was not a sign of wanting to eat Lila Sage, much less biting her. The Gu and its owner shared a mutual understanding, and the black snake knew that the owner treated her a little differently and wanted to please this person as well. And the black snake''s way of showing favor was to lick the person. Lila Sage, who had her hand licked by the snake''s letter, sprang up violently like a spring. The black snake, startled by Lila Sage, flicked its tail, turned its head and crawled away, but Jin Sorin grabbed the snake''s tail; you can''t grab a snake by the tail, but he did, and the black snake didn''t dare to put up a fight. The red snake lazily sunbathing in the sun twisted its flat head to look at them, although it also wanted to get close to Lila Sage, but it would not lick each other. The red snake was acting a bit condescending. Well, actually the main reason is that its snake venom is poisonous and will ulcerate the skin if it gets wet. The black snake was startled by Lila Sage, and Lila Sage was startled by it, sitting on the ground and being licked by the snake, and she''s still so afraid of snakes. It''s a wonder she didn''t react well. Jin Sorin carries the black snake to the edge of the cliff and lets go of it to throw it off. Lila Sage has a brain fart and follows her. What''s even more incredible is that she caught the black snake with her hands, which was about to fall down. The black snake curled up into a ball and stayed obediently in her small palm, timidly peeping at Jin Sorin. The snake''s body was cold, and Lila Sage''s entire scalp tingled. Wanting to let go, she feared the black snake would die. The only thing she could do was hold it rigidly. Jin Sorin glanced at the black snake staying in Lila Sage''s palm, ¡°You are not afraid of the snake anymore?¡± Lila Sage spoke her heart out, ¡°Still afraid, but I don''t want it to die, it''s not hurting me.¡± In a way, these insects and snakes also made her mentally strengthened. Hearing that, he chuckled, ¡°You seem to be able to accept them somewhat after all.¡± Jin Sorin extended his hand towards the black snake. The black snake quickly left Lila Sage''s palm and crawled back to him, not far from where the red snake crawled over and down his boot to his shoulder. ¡°Would you like to touch it?¡± Jin Sorin said, referring to the ¡°much neglected¡± Red Snake. Lila Sage tried to refuse. The red snake seemed to be staring at her. Lila Sage swallowed her refusal. She moved over to the snake very slowly, and her fingertips landed on the snake''s head, lightly stroking it twice as a friendly greeting. The red snake was stroked comfortably, and also took the initiative to rub its head against Lila Sage''s hand, and Jin Sorin took the red snake down and put it back on the ground. Lila Sage''s heart was beating fast. It was her first time touching a snake like this. She had never dared to think about it before. Lila Sage felt that she was gradually, step by step, stepping into the world that belonged to Jin Sorin. A world where the only thing that existed was a world of insects, snakes, and Gu. The red snake that Lila Sage had stroked crawled away. It lay back on the rock and continued to bask in the sun, brightly colored and mottled, and to those who know snakes, the Red Snake is undoubtedly an extremely beautiful snake on the outside, but wrapped in poison on the inside. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. Lila Sage looks at the snake from a distance, the coldness of its body still lingering in her palm, reminding her that she had touched Jin Sorin''s snake earlier. Jin Sorin: ¡°How does it feel?¡± Lila Sage rubs her fingers, ¡°It doesn''t seem as scary as I thought it would.¡± ¡°You''ve had them since you were a child?¡± Lila Sage was going to have to wait with Jin Sorin all the way to the top of the mountain for darkness, so she simply looked for something to say that wouldn''t be so boring, and besides, she really wanted to know. ¡°The three snakes, Black Snake, Red Snake, and Silver Snake, are the ones I grew up with.¡± He bent his knees and sat down, ¡°The other Gu Crafting was made some years ago, dead and alive, I only brought a small portion out with me on this trip down.¡± Lila Sage looked at the Gu worms one by one. Most of the Gu were not pretty. Some Gu could even be called ugly and hideous. The snake type of compulsion was one that could still be seen by the eyes. She swept her eyes at the purple spider that crawled into the cracks of the stone, and still got goosebumps out of control. Not goosebumps from disgust though, purely a physical reaction of the body. Lila Sage just sat at the top of the hill and waited for darkness, surrounded by writhing Gu worms. She didn''t look at them, tilting her head in the sky , which was slowly creating a change. The sun was setting in a golden glow. The scattered light reflected their faces red. Jin Sorin was leaning against a rock, one leg bent up and the other naturally straight, his hand resting casually on his supported knee, the hem of his indigo garment hanging on the ground, beautifully illuminated by the setting sun. He is not afraid of cold, nor is he afraid of heat. His body temperature was always on the high side, but because of his body''s special characteristics compared to normal people, Jin Sorin preferred warmer weather. As soon as it was dark, Lila Sage hurriedly pulled the flowers and grasses at the top of the mountain to look for Wan Cao Hua, and then saw that Jin Sorin''s Gu had also moved out. She froze. Gu also had the role of helping to find things. Lila Sage took out a candle from her bag and lit it up with a fire cracker. The candle flame swayed in the wind. She moved forward. Jin Sorin, on the other hand, could do without the candle; he had gotten used to walking in the mountains at night a long time ago, and even though every mountain was different, as long as they were mountains, they still had something in common. Searching, Lila Sage didn''t find the Ten Thousand Grass Flowers, but instead came across a man. That person was the same man they had met at the bottom of the mountain, a Red Leaf Village villager, who was hugging his knees and crouching extremely uneasily under a large tree. Lila Sage didn''t see the man at first, but the man saw her first. He thought they would listen to the admonition not to go up the mountain at night, but he didn''t realize that not only did they go up the mountain, but they also walked around fearlessly. Lila Sage, holding a candle, was a few steps away from him. Her eyes surprised. ¡°It is you?¡± The man nodded fearfully. His father was sick today, and the man had gone up the mountain to try to gather medicine, so intent on finding a good herb that he had gotten so caught up in picking it that he had forgotten the time, and when he looked up he realized that it was dark and didn''t dare move. Red Leaf Village villagers believe in what Xuan Miao Guan said, but also believe that the so-called mountain god does exist on Mount Deng Yun. He did not want to die because the night was still in the mountains, so afraid to hide under the big tree on the mountain top. Seeing Lila Sage and Jin Sorin also on the mountain, the man doesn''t know whether to be happy or sad. Joy, having company. Sadly, the three of them will die together. The man trusts his intuition that these two look different from the people of Qingzhou who see them as monsters, and without hiding from the other man, he reveals the reason why he would go up the mountain. After learning the man''s reason for going up the mountain, Lila Sage understands. No wonder he stopped them from going up the mountain last night but stayed alone on the mountain tonight, so he forgot the time when he was looking for herbs. Jin Sorin doesn''t care if the man is here or not, and concentrates on finding the Manjusri flower. The man looks at them. He struck up a conversation with them at a loss. ¡°What are you looking for, I have lived at the bottom of Mount Dengyun for over thirty years, perhaps I can help you find what you are looking for.¡± Lila Sage knew Jin Sorin''s character well, so she said, ¡°No, thank you.¡± The man followed them at the same pace, ¡°Are you really not afraid that the mountain gods will punish those who still go up the mountain at night and those who stay there for the night?¡± Jin Sorin didn''t make a sound as he ran his hand through the dew-beaten flowers and plants. Lila Sage bent down to distinguish the flowers and plants. She understood the man''s panic, ¡°When did the rumor of the mountain god spread, and also don''t you find it strange? How is a man who stays on the mountain for the night any different from the Taoist priests of Xuanmiao Guan?¡± ¡°The Mountain God doesn''t allow anyone to stay on Mount Dengyun at night, but the Taoist Masters of Xuanmiao Guan are also human beings, so why would they remain unharmed?¡± Lila Sage had wondered this for a long time. The man opened and closed his dry, cracked lips. He said with conviction, ¡°The Taoist Masters of the Xuanmiao Guan are all cultivators and have the favor of the mountain gods.¡± Lila Sage''s hand paused as she searched for something, ¡°Is that what you all think?¡± The man said, ¡°Yes.¡± She was still about to speak. Instead, Jin Sorin spoke, ¡°Do all the people in your village look like you?¡± He shook the dew-stained hem of his shirt, as if he hadn''t meant to ask, a question that could easily be offensive, but from Jin Sorin''s lips, not so offensive. There was no excuse for being curious about it as an outsider; after all, they were so ridiculously ugly that the men were afraid to look in the mirror for fear of being ugly themselves. It was true that the villagers of Red Leaf Village all looked like this, and anyway, they couldn''t see much better. But ten years ago was not so. Ten years ago, the Red Leaf Village villagers were the same as the people of Qingzhou. Although there was beauty and ugliness in their looks, they were not so ugly as to be miserable, whereas nowadays everyone was ugly, and their bodies were still developing towards deformities. Mentioning this matter, the man couldn''t help but cover his unattractive face with his hand. Qingzhou outbreak plague year. He is still a young man in his early twenties. The village is still handsome Langjun, and Qingzhou a good family of girls set a marriage contract. The road ahead is bright. Red Leaf Village is located in a remote area. Qingzhou outbreak of plague at the beginning did not affect the red leaf village. Later very suddenly one day spread throughout the red leaf village. They felt that they could not survive. It was San Shan Zhen Zhen who came to their rescue. After surviving the plague, the villagers of Red Leaf Village rejoiced for a long time, and after a month, they realized that their bodies were developing towards deformities. The changes produced by their bodies were so obvious that it was hard for them not to notice. It''s not that they didn''t suspect that it was an adverse reaction left over from that plague, but everyone in Qingzhou was fine. They were the only ones with this condition. It. They were superstitious and suspected that it was a curse. When the people of Qingzhou disliked them for being bad luck and wanted to drive them out of Qingzhou, it was the Three Good Masters who blocked the gossip and left them behind. They were grateful. The Three Good Truths were their rebirth parents. So when he heard Lila Sage''s speech containing questions about the Three Good Masters and the Xuan Miao Guan, the man''s heart was a little unhappy, remembering that they were not the people of Qing Zhou who had received favors, and did not take it personally. After hearing the ins and outs, Jin Sorin was calmly not surprised, ¡°So that''s how it is.¡± Lila Sage focused on ten years ago. It seemed like the turning point of everything was ten years ago. It was too much of a coincidence. The red snake brought in a flower, crawling to Jin Sorin''s feet to take credit. The man was busy backing away. He was worried that it was a poisonous snake from the wild mountains. If he was bitten, he would not have the life to go back to see his father. ¡°Snake!¡± The man called out. Jin Sorin stooped down and removed the Manjusri flower from the red snake''s mouth, ¡°I raised it.¡± The man was stunned, ¡°Yours?¡± Having to find two Manzanita flowers to do so, Lila Sage has been searching for almost an hour and a half, and at this point, she also sees a Manzanita flower and reaches over on tiptoe to pick it, which is near the cliff. Gravel slid under her feet. ¡°Lila Sage.¡± Jin Sorin unconsciously pinched the Manjusri flower in his hand, and the smile at the corners of his lips stagnated slightly, like a mask falling off his face. Lila Sage managed to pick the Manakusa Flower. She turned around happily, ¡°Look, I found the Manakusa Flower!¡± ¡°Here.¡± Lila Sage walked over to Jin Sorin and slipped the Manzanita Flower into his palm, ¡°You put it away, I''m afraid I''ll lose it.¡± The two Ten Thousand Grass Flowers lay in his hand. Jin Sorin''s eyebrows moved slightly as he held the Ten Thousand Grass Flowers, unprecedentedly feeling a hint of being out of control. After all, the Gu he used to raise was under his control as much as possible. If he wanted to live, he would live. If he wanted to die, he would die. The moment Lila Sage plucked the flower from the cliff, Jin Sorin wondered if her life and death seemed less under his control, uncertain. He blinked, pondering what to do about this lack of control. ¡°Should we go down now?¡± Lila Sage asked. She wiped the sweat from her cheeks with the hem of her sleeve, her skin flushed a healthy pink from exercise. The men were not far from them, and by the light of the moon and the candle Lila Sage held, they could see what Jin Sorin was looking for, the Manzanita, a very sinister type of flower, and wondered what they were looking for. Jin Sorin for the time being could not think of how to deal with this uncontrollable, first put away the ten thousand grass flowers, said to Lila Sage, ¡°Now go down the mountain.¡± ¡°May not.¡± The man stopped them. Lila Sage knew he meant well, ¡°You''re worried the mountain gods will find out and punish us?¡± The man nodded his head as if he were pounding garlic. He rambled on, ¡°People who have gone up the mountain at night over the years have died, I''m really not lying to you, you will die. Why don''t we just stay at the top of the mountain until dawn, and then go back down when it''s light.¡± Jin Sorin smiled and rejected him. The rejected man dried up. After finding the Ten Thousand Grass Flowers, Lila Sage didn''t intend to still linger on the mountain: ¡°You''ll be fine if you come down with us. I''m not going to lie, we were on the mountain last night too, and we''re fine.¡± The man was surprised, ¡°You guys went up the mountain last night?¡± He thought they turned back last night and didn''t go up the mountain, only to go up again today. Lila Sage said sincerely, ¡°We didn''t lie to you either, we went up the mountain last night.¡± The expression does not seem to be false. The man looked at it and couldn''t help but believe it. ¡°Could it be that you are also people favored by the mountain gods?¡± The man muttered. Lila Sage cried and laughed. What do you mean ? Are they also the people favored by the mountain god? There is no mountain god in this Deng Yun Mountain, but she didn''t argue with the man about whether the mountain god exists or not. There is no need. The man looked like he had made up his mind, ¡°Alright, I''ll go down the mountain with you.¡± Jin Sorin lifted his steps and headed down the mountain. They returned the same way. Ten years ago, the man had often gone up the mountain at night, and was familiar with the neighborhood, and wasn''t afraid of getting lost; he followed them, always keeping an eye on the movements around them, fearing that there might be an accident. The moonlight dappled and spilled onto the ground, lengthening their shadows, and every now and then an animal''s cry or two came from the depths of the forest. The sound of silver jewelry was the most crispest. It spread through the silent, eerie night. The men were tempted to ask Jin Sorin to remove the silver jewelry from his body and go back down the mountain. On second thought, this young man was covered from head to toe in silver jewelry, and it would be difficult to remove it all at once. What''s more, he wouldn''t necessarily listen to his own words, and men are still very self-aware. Since he made the choice to go down the mountain with them, the man also prepared for the worst, no longer entangled in the silver jewelry, and walked down the mountain with a hard head. It was not known if the man''s eyes were blurred, he saw a silhouette flash by in the distance. Fixed his eyes on it. The silhouette disappeared again. Was he too afraid of an accident and hallucinating? The man stared at the direction where the silhouette had flashed for a while, saw that it didn''t reappear, and attributed it to the fact that he had just misread it. The man was too busy to walk fast enough to catch up with Lila Sage and Jin Sorin in front of him. His legs and feet were of different lengths, and he walked laboriously and slowly. The young girl slowed down as if she was tired of walking. The men were able to catch up. Lila Sage, afraid that he would be embarrassed to follow them, whom she did not know, casually asked the men something about the village of Red Leaves, trying to relax the mood, without always being afraid that she would die on the mountain tonight. One thing led to another, and before they knew it, they were at the bottom of the mountain. The man''s face was pleasantly surprised, though the facial contortions made his expression less flexible. The man was grateful to them. There were still a few hours before dawn, and he wanted to invite them into the village to rest their feet. It had taken a lot of time and effort to come down from the mountain of Deng Yun Mountain, and if they continued to walk back to the Qingzhou Inn, they were afraid that their physical strength would not be able to keep up. Jin Sorin seemed to be used to walking on mountains, and Lila Sage seemed to have rarely climbed mountains, and after a long time, her breathing was disorganized, so walking further would easily cause some bad effects on her body. The men were sincerely grateful to them and invited them into the village. Since the Red Leaf Village became that way, the villagers also changed their temperament greatly, very xenophobic. Because the people outside didn''t treat them well, the Red Leaf Village villagers didn''t treat the people outside either, and only had good looks for the Taoist priests of the Xuanmiao Temple. So they probably wouldn''t treat the duo of Lila Sage and Jin Sorin either. What he wanted was to sneak them into the village. The man waited nervously for their reply, unlike the Red Leaf villagers, he still wanted to reach out to the outsiders and interact with them deep in his heart. Lila Sage was a little tempted by the talk, and Jin Sorin gazed at the man for a moment, smiling and saying yes. The village was just down the hill in the forest. The villagers didn''t live in normal houses, they lived above the trees. The forest was full of large trees that took several people to encircle, and they dug out a hole in the tree and laid their living things inside. Hanging ladders hung down from the trees, and when they went up to rest they put them away and put them down again when they wanted to come down. The man takes Lila Sage and Jin Sorin to the ¡°tree house¡± he has made, new and unused. The man tells them to rest here and he will take them away in the morning. The tree house is also close to the Red Leaf Village''s hot springs river, where they can go to cleanse themselves, and where the villagers will not be moving around in the late hours of the night. Lila Sage naturally would not go to bathe in an unfamiliar river alone. She went with Jin Sorin, and successively used the warm river water to briefly scrub her body before returning to the tree house. They climbed up the ladder of the tree house. Lila Sage, who had never seen a tree house before, felt new. After climbing up, she sits on the thick branch of the tree house, her bare feet cleaned, her legs hanging downward, swaying a little, seeing the forest from this angle is an unprecedented experience. Jin Sorin took hold of Lila Sage''s ankle. She turns her head to look at him. He looks down at Lila Sage''s reddened ankle, rubbing his fingertips over it; it''s red from the embroidered shoes rubbing and squeezing her heels and ankles as she''s not used to climbing for too long. Lila Sage''s ankle bone was thin, narrow enough for Jin Sorin to hold in one hand, with room to spare, and he gently stroked over her ankle. ¡°Lila Sage, I realized today that one thing seems to be out of my control.¡± The teenager said softly. Lila Sage was tickled a little by his fingertips. But the sore ankle was a little more comfortable because Jin Sorin had squeezed it, and she went with his grip, ¡°What''s out of your control, and how do you want to deal with it, do you need my help?¡± Jin Sorin closed his eyes slightly, thinking. He always chose to destroy things that were out of his control. After all, it was better to be destroyed in his hands than in the hands of others. Lila Sage''s death was not under his control, then death in his hands was under his control. Just as Jin Sorin tried to open his eyes, the corner of his lips pressed against a softness with the coolness of the night; Lila Sage had kissed him, and the light scent followed, his eyelids fluttering slightly as he lifted his eyes. Lila Sage mistook his quiet closing of his eyes as a request for a kiss, as there had been a few times before, when he had done the same, and that was why she had taken the initiative to kiss him. Seeing the surprise in Jin Sorin''s open eyes, she knew instantly that she had gotten the wrong idea. Lila Sage tried to climb back into the cabin. Instead, Jin Sorin held the back of her neck. He lowered his head and met her lips and tongue, grinding over them extremely slowly, licking them repeatedly, the thoughts of a moment ago dissipating, wanting to be closer to her even more, the pleasure seeping into the cracks of his bones. The wind rustled the leaves next to the tree house, and the silver jewelry clashed. Up in the tree, the teenager''s breath burned and rolled, and his long, slender eyelashes flicked as if they were tidal. Jin Sorin held five fingers at the back of Lila Sage''s fragile, vulnerable neck, but the kiss was deep and deep, and his neck, lowered by the need to kiss someone, was even more fragile, as if he was the one who was really being held in a chokehold. --- Chapter 44: Morning Sun and the Aftermath The morning sun was still dripping from the leaves outside the treehouse, and there had been a light rain late last night, too, moving little to moisten the leaves and the dirt. Inside the treehouse, Jin Sorin is somehow pushed to the edge by Lila Sage, as if she were holding him against a wooden wall, their clothes slightly open, their long hair tangled together. A bird flew to the branch and squeaked. Lila Sage stomped her legs in a daze, the soles of her feet on the indigo hem of Jin Sorin''s coat that hung down at her side, moved, and then put her feet up again, finding a comfortable position to continue sleeping. Their lips were red in varying degrees, as if they had rubbed against something for too long to produce it, coated as if with a layer of rouge that was still there from last night and would take some time to fade. Beneath the tree, the man called to them in a low voice, trying to lead them away from the Red Leaf Village. The hour was still early, and it was not easy to meet others. It was fine for the man to be caught by the villagers of the Red Leaf Village that he had brought outsiders into the Red Leaf Village, but he was afraid that the villagers of the Red Leaf Village would have a problem with them. Lila Sage woke up as soon as she heard the man''s voice calling, sat up, and fell back down. Her hair wrapped around Jin Sorin. I can''t say that, to be precise, it should be Jin Sorin''s silver jewelry tied at the end of her hair that hooked and knotted her hair, and Lila Sage realized it just as she sat up, and was forced to lie back down again. When Lila Sage unintentionally pulled a handful of her long hair, Jin Sorin naturally woke up, and when she lifted her eyes, she saw her lying on her back, her slender fingers moving to untangle their intertwined hair. But there were too many tangles. The more Lila Sage untangled, the messier it got. She was still sweating a little in her palms when she got to the back of the untangling and thought, ¡°It''s over, the tangles are getting tighter. The man did not get a response, wanted to climb up to the tree house to call them, but in the path of the ladder was collected up, needed to be released from the top to go up. There is no other way but to stand at the bottom of the tree to call out again. Lila Sage was busy answering the men, saying to wait a moment, they needed to take care of something. ¡°Good ......¡± The man didn''t know what to think and silently walked a little farther away and stood under another large tree waiting for them, not rushing. Lila Sage speeds up detangling her hair. Jin Sorin slowly and methodically took the green silk they had entwined together from her hand and cut his section of hair directly with his dagger, separating it, cleanly and as decisively as he was as a person. Lila Sage, who had parted her hair in this manner, wanted to speak, and the silver jewelry of bells that had been tied to the ends of Jin Sorin''s hair fell into her hair. Because the tangled knot had not been untied. His hair and the silver jewelry were still in her hair. Jin Sorin cut off a piece of his hair just to make them move freely. It would take time to remove the silver jewelry, his hair, but Lila Sage didn''t have time. She couldn''t keep the man waiting for them under the tree for too long. They were the ones who had bothered him. As soon as Lila Sage regained her mobility, she immediately pushed open the door of the treehouse, covered only by a piece of wood, lowered the hanging ladder, and climbed down. Her hair tinkled. Jin Sorin came down behind Lila Sage. The man watched them descend the treehouse one after the other and paced over to them, rubbing his head less than kindly, telling them to get their things and follow him out of the village. Lila Sage thanked him again; after all, he was the one who had taken them in last night, or she would surely have had to walk back to Qingzhouli to find an inn to rest her feet, or the sky as a blanket or the ground as a mat to rest for the night. Jin Sorin glanced at the silver jewelry in her hair. It had been in his hair not long ago. And Jin Sorin''s broken hair, which was about the same color as Lila Sage''s, was tethered together by the silver ornaments, looking unobtrusive and blending into one. ¡°You''re welcome.¡± The man had little contact with outsiders, and his neck and earlobes were red through and through. ¡°It is I who will thank you.¡± He said plainly, ¡°If it wasn''t for you guys, I wouldn''t have known what to do on the mountain last night, I probably would have died like everyone else, and you guys kind of saved my life by taking me down the mountain.¡± The man turned around and headed out of the village. Before he took a few steps, someone called out to him. ¡°Zhong Liang?¡± The two villagers from Red Leaf Village called out to Zhong Liang, but their eyes were looking at Lila Sage and Jin Sorin with a look that was not considered friendly. When Zhong Liang heard the Red Leaf Village villagers call out to him, he fumbled for a while, blocking them behind him, and said to the villagers, ¡°Uncle Zhong, Auntie Li, they, they don''t mean any harm.¡± They didn''t come out that early on weekdays, but today they were unlucky enough to run into an accident. He had a difficult face. Lila Sage looked toward the villagers. Uncle Zhong''s cheeks were sunken inward, skin over bone, like a dying tree, but his ears were unusually fat, as if they were about to fall to his shoulders, and his rotting black and yellow teeth were faintly revealed between words. And Dame Li''s hair was all white, frizzy like rough weeds, her nose was low and her eyes were few, she had no more eyebrows, her waist and back were severely hunched, and the hand holding the walking stick was as slender as an animal''s paw. Their eyes scrutinized Lila Sage sharply, with Jin Sorin at her side. Lila Sage looked at them as well. After years of being detached from the outside world, Uncle Zhong and Dame Li actually felt uncomfortable being looked at by a little girl today, and, annoyed, they preemptively asked, ¡°Who are you people?¡± They walked over, aggressively, ¡°Why did you come to Red Leaf Village.¡± The tone was bad. It was laced with the nastiness of outsiders. Zhong Liang hurriedly said, ¡°Uncle Zhong, Dame Li, it wasn''t them who wanted to enter the Red Leaf Village, it was me who brought them in, don''t misunderstand, they really don''t have any ill intentions, they''re leaving now.¡± Uncle Zhong glared fiercely at him, as if he was about to stare his cloudy eyes out. ¡°It was you who brought them into the village? Zhong Liang! Do you remember how they, the outsiders, treated us all these years? One mouthful of ugly villages, one mouthful of monsters!¡± Zhong Bo staggered a few steps in anger, his chest heaving violently, ¡°They were also afraid that we were suffering from some disease that would spread like the plague, and didn''t want us to take half a step into Qing Zhou again.¡± Li Daniang hurriedly supported him. Zhong Liang also ran to his side, ¡°Uncle Zhong, don''t be angry.¡± Later on, the Three Good Realities confirmed that their growing ugliness and physical deformity defects would not spread like the plague, but Qingzhou''s attitude towards them remained the same as before, repulsive and disgusting. The people of Qingzhou didn''t want them to take half a step into Qingzhou. Well, they would stay in Red Leaf Village forever, and they didn''t welcome the people of Qingzhou into their village. Even though the people of Qingzhou didn''t care about entering Red Leaf Village either, for fear of getting into something bad. The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. The Qingzhou people were afraid, they understood. Everyone was afraid of death. But what was wrong with them? Why should they have to bear the many malicious gazes and words? The Qingzhou people knew that the abnormalities in their bodies were not contagious, yet they still treated them like this. Red Leaf Village was originally part of Qingzhou, but later, the people of Qingzhou gradually separated Red Leaf Village and did not recognize them as Qingzhou people. They also stopped calling themselves Qingzhou people and instead called each other by that group of Qingzhou people. And because Xuanmiao Guan was known far and wide. Some outsiders to Qingzhou would also come to Xuanmiao Guan to pay their respects, and occasionally bump into them at the bottom of the mountain, not knowing if they had heard the Qingzhou people talk about them or not, and avoided them. How can Zhong Bo have a good face for outsiders? In the long run, non-Red Leaf Village people, they do not like, xenophobic. Zhong Liang was from Red Leaf Village, how could he not understand Zhong Bo''s feelings, ¡°Zhong Bo, don''t blame them, it''s my fault, it''s me who took people back to Red Leaf Village without authorization, it has nothing to do with them.¡± ¡°They treated me with the grace of saving their lives, that''s why I moved to take them back to the village and let them stay here for the night.¡± Zhong Bo was stunned, ¡°Saving their lives?¡± He was a bit disbelieving. The people outside were lucky if they didn''t kill them as monsters, would they still save them? Zhong Liang had no choice but to inform Zhong Bo about what happened yesterday. Li Daniang covered her mouth and scolded him for not wanting to die, daring to stay on Deng Yun Mountain at night. If something happened, his mother is old, what to do with the white hair to send the black hair. Zhong Bo did not let Zhong Liang say anything more. The less people know about such things as going up the mountain at night, the better. The villagers of Red Leaf Village believe in Xuanmiao Guan, and when they see them, they have set up a stone monument at the bottom of the mountain, and they will not go up the mountain at night to show their respect for Xuanmiao Guan. If Zhong Liang learns about the mountain climbing at night by Xuan Miao Guan, Zhong Bo is worried that they will misunderstand that the Red Leaf Village villagers don''t take Xuan Miao Guan''s words seriously, so it''s better for not too many people to know about it. Lila Sage tries to interject a word in, ¡°Uncle Zhong? Auntie Li?¡± That was needed what Zhong Liang called them. They looked at her in turn. ¡°I''m sorry to have made you all uncomfortable, but we really mean no harm and will be leaving Red Leaf Village now.¡± Lila Sage said, ¡°Big Brother Zhong was also kind enough to take us in for just one night.¡± Hearing her say the words Red Leaf Village, Uncle Zhong and Dame Li looked at each other and had 80% believed Zhong Liang''s words, wanting to scold them and retract the words to get the hell out of Red Leaf Village. Uncle Zhong was an old man in the village. He had watched Zhong Liang grow up, and after hearing Zhong Liang say that they had saved Zhong Liang''s life, his attitude eased a bit, but was still a bit stiff. Except for the Taoist masters of Xuanmiao Guan, those who stayed on Deng Yun Mountain at night never came down alive, they were able to come down the mountain alive, and also brought Zhong Liang down the mountain as well. Rounding up is also considered a favor. Zhong Bo sighed. He wanted to say thank you to Zhong Liang, but how could he not say it to these outsiders? So Zhong Bo kept silent. Today he could pretend he didn''t see these two people. Zhong Bo raised his steps to leave this place, only to see Zhong Liang''s mother running over in a panic, shouting for Zhong Liang to quickly go see Zhong Liang''s father. Li Daniang''s face changed: ¡°Zhong Liang''s mother, what happened to Zhong Liang''s father?¡± Song wiped her tears and said that the man was dying. Zhong Liang, who could not stand up, left the others and quickly ran to look for his father. Zhong Bo and the others learned that Zhong Liang''s father was dying and chased after Zhong Liang to see his father. The villagers of Red Leaf Village were very united. Lila Sage also went. Red Leaf Village is a complex terrain. The path is all winding, like a natural labyrinth, without the villagers to bring, relying on their own to figure out. Perhaps have to walk for a few hours to get out of this village. This is one of the reasons. Another reason was that Lila Sage couldn''t take advantage of the fact that someone''s father wasn''t feeling well, stayed overnight and then left without saying a word. Zhong Liang''s dad was physically inconvenient and didn''t live above the tree house, living in a simple hut that Zhong Liang had erected with wooden planks, and just as Lila Sage went there, she smelled a strong odor of medicine. All the villagers are gathered around in front of the hut. Lila Sage and Jin Sorin''s looks and clothes are out of place in Red Leaf Village, and they seem to be outsiders, which naturally leads to a discussion. Jin Sorin leans against a tree and looks at the dying old man in the hut. He had no fear of life and death. Life and death. In Jin Sorin''s eyes, these are just two words he recognizes. Since he was a child, Jin Sorin has not been touched in the slightest by anyone''s life or death. The old man''s physical deformities were worse than those of the Red Leaf villagers who could walk normally. Lila Sage stood in front of the door, which was open for air, and looked in to see that Zhong Liang''s father was so thin that he was reduced to bones, like a skeleton wrapped in a layer of wrinkled, shapeless skin. This layer of skin in turn was developing sores and rotting. Blood and pus spread all over his body. Zhong Liang brought over the medicine that had been placed on the table to cool, picked up the old man and tried to feed him. The villagers of Red Leaf Village had no time to ask Lila Sage where they had come from and what they had come to Red Leaf Village for, and after a few words, they returned their attention to the hut, caring more about Zhong Liang''s father''s well-being. Someone told Zhong Liang to go to the mountains and find San Shan Zhen Zhen to come down to the mountain to treat his father. They used to look for San Shan Zhen Zhen as well. Qingzhou doctors are also Qingzhou people. They also do not treat the red leaf village villagers. They are heard to come to the red leaf village to see the doctor will politely refuse. They can only find out before the family is also a doctor of the three good real. In the past ten years, the red leaf village villagers have discomfort, looking for are XuanMiaoGuan, three good real will personally come over every time for them to diagnose and treat. The medicine was also prescribed by San Shan Zhen Zhen. It was a pity that their bodies did not compete, this disease was cured, and that disease got up again. Zhong Liang lightly fed the old man a few mouthfuls of medicine. The old man drank it down sickly. Jin Sorin cocked his head and softly asked, ¡°What kind of disease does he have.¡± As soon as he made a sound, he hooked everyone''s attention again. The Red Leaf Village villagers with their ugly and tainted looks couldn''t help but feel ashamed of themselves when they saw the young man''s beautiful appearance and didn''t like outsiders interfering with the Red Leaf Village. Zhong Bo knew that Jin Sorin had favored Zhong Liang, unlike the villagers who didn''t want to talk to outsiders, he took the initiative to answer, ¡°We don''t know either.¡± Jin Sorin twirled the butterfly silver chain on his wrist, ¡°The Three Good Realities did not speak with you?¡± Lila Sage wanted to ask as well. But why would Jin Sorin care? Because she knew he was a man of purpose and would have a reason for what he did. ¡°The real Sanshin only said it was a rare disease.¡± Zhong Bo shook his head, ¡°It''s not recorded in the books either, it''s a strange disease.¡± Jin Sorin murmured, ¡°A strange disease.¡± He changed his words and asked, ¡°Is that all there is in your village?¡± Uncle Zhong: ¡°No. Ever since that plague that broke out ten years ago, the villagers of our Red Leaf Village have always been sick. The year before last, San Shan Zhen Zhen picked up a portion of the villagers who were seriously ill.¡± ¡°Where are those villagers now?¡± Zhong Bo was speechless, ¡°We don''t know, the Three Good Masters will place them properly by themselves.¡± Lila Sage couldn''t understand, ¡°You all don''t know? But you haven''t thought of visiting that part of the villagers?¡± It wasn''t that they hadn''t thought about it. It was just that when the Three Good Masters said that those villagers were in an unstable condition and should not be seen. Of course they believed him and took what he said as a guiding principle. Zhong Liang finished feeding the medicine. He put down the bowl of medicine and looked at them outside: ¡°Could it be that the young gentleman also knows medicine?¡± Zhong Liang was listening to them even as he fed the medicine. Jin Sorin slowly smiled, ¡°I don''t really know medicine, but I can tell that he won''t live past today, I can help you renew his life for one month, only I have a condition.¡± Before, when others came to him for a deal, the price they needed to pay was the most important thing, and at the same time, it had to be something he wanted. Nowadays, that could be changed. It did not need to be the most important thing, it could just help him get what he wanted. Since Jin Sorin wanted to kill him, he would have to suffer the consequences of not succeeding. There were a few people who were not afraid of death, but they also had something they were afraid of losing... What was Jin Sorin afraid of losing? Jin Sorin thought he could probably guess. He wanted to see San Shan Zhen Zhen lose what he cherished the most, causing the other party to suffer more than death. That should be a great scene to watch. Lila Sage''s eyelids fluttered as she listened. It was clear to her that he was going to make a deal with the Red Leaf Village villagers. Could it be that Jin Sorin was trying to use Gu to help Zhong Liang''s father renew his life? But what could he want from the Red Leaf Village villagers? The Red Leaf Village villagers looked at each other. Five days ago, San Shan Zhen Zhen also came down the mountain to look at Zhong Liang''s father''s illness, saying that he would pass away within the next few days and asked them to get ready. Zhong Liang''s eyes lit up, it was good to renew his life for a month, he wanted to spend more time with his dad, even if it was one more day, he immediately walked out of the hut, ¡°I promise you.¡± Jin Sorin guffawed. ¡°Without asking me what the conditions are?¡± Zhong Liang: ¡°As long as it''s not something that harms heaven and earth, I, Zhong Liang, will definitely do it.¡± He hesitated for a long time, wondering if Jin Sorin could renew his life for a longer period of time, being greedy. When he heard that he could renew his life for a month, he would wonder if he could renew his life for a year. Jin Sorin smiled lightly, but mercilessly said, ¡°No, I can only renew it for one month.¡± Zhong Liang could only give up. In this way, Lila Sage temporarily stayed in Red Leaf Village, and the unity of the Red Leaf Village villagers was also shown here, in order for Zhong Liang''s father to be able to renew his life for one month. They also acquiesced that they could stay. When Jin Sorin uses Gu on Zhong Liang''s father to renew his life for one month, he needs to dismiss the crowd. Lila Sage was able to stay in the cabin. The tabletop is lit with a candle flame. Half of Jin Sorin''s face falls into shadow, and he takes out a dagger and puts it on the candle flame to heat it up before slitting the wrist of the old man on the bed. The old man was so sick and confused that he couldn''t even open his eyes. Even if Jin Sorin used Gu in front of him, he was still unaware of it. Lila Sage watches a little nervously from the side, worried that something might go wrong. A fly-sized Gu worm crawls out from Jin Sorin''s palm and burrows into the old man''s cut wound. When the Gu worms go in, he cuts his own wrist with Heavenly silkworm silk again. Lila Sage subconsciously grabs him. ¡°I need to use blood as a guide.¡± Jin Sorin said calmly. Lila Sage let go of his hand and watched as the Heavenly silkworm silk, which could be sharp or soft, cut through his already old scarred wrist, and bright red blood flowed out along his wrist and dripped into the old man''s body. To feed blood to the old man for three consecutive days to make this Life Renewal Gu effective, each person can use the Life Renewal Gu once in a lifetime, and the efficacy of the Life Renewal Gu is only for a month, and can not be used more than once. The silver butterfly chain was lifted above Jin Sorin''s wrist, and the blood was still dripping down. Lila Sage''s heart tightened as she watched. It''s done. Jin Sorin withdrew his hand, and she immediately took out a handkerchief and wrapped it around his wrist. Lila Sage could feel the pain as the blood seeped out of his wrist, but Jin Sorin looked as normal as ever, his only complaint being that after each cut, his hand would initially lose its strength. Lila Sage gently bandaged Jin Sorin''s wound with another clean handkerchief. She looked down at his wound, and Jin Sorin lowered his eyes to look at the side of Lila Sage''s face. Her skin was delicate, so delicate that you could see a light fuzz, and the silk sash draped over her shoulders, framing the smallness of her face. ¡°Keep the wound out of the water.¡± Lila Sage tied a knot to secure the paddle. Jin Sorin never dressed wounds. No one else would bandage his wounds either. He looked at the bow tied around his wrist and tugged with his other hand.Lila Sage''s eyes widened, ¡°What are you doing.¡± ¡°Nothing.¡± The teenager lowered his hand. They walked out of the cabin. As soon as they pushed open the door, Zhong Liang and the Red Leaf Village villagers waiting outside came over, Zhong Liang anxiously looked inside, ¡°How''s my dad doing? What else needs to be done?¡± Lila Sage repeats back to them what Jin Sorin said to her in the cabin. She omitted the use of Gu and only said that besides today, it would take two more days before she could successfully renew the life of Zhongliang''s dad for another month. Although the villagers of Red Leaf Village were curious about the method they used to renew the life of Zhong Liang''s father, they also knew that there were some things that could not be known just because they wanted to know, and curiosity could easily kill a cat. The teenager also had no reason to lie to them. Even if he wanted to lie to them, he couldn''t. After all, whether or not Zhong Liang''s Ah Dad could live past today was the best proof. The Red Leaf Village villagers gradually dispersed. Zhong Liang expressed his gratitude to them again and again, and went into the house to serve his own Ah Dad. Lila Sage also leaves the hut and goes to the hot spring river for the reason that Jin Sorin wants to bathe. He did not like the smell of medicine. Jin Sorin could tolerate a little medicine for his body''s wounds, but he could not tolerate the smell of medicine all over his body, and the cabin was full of the smell of medicine that had built up over the years and smoked his hair into it. She went along. The Hot Springs River was sparkling with clear running water and weeping willows fluttering in the wind. Jin Sorin sat by the river untangling the silver jewelry from the ends of his hair. He had to bathe as well as shampoo. Lila Sage walked over to help. She laid a pad on the ground and placed the removed silver jewelry inside. When she got close enough, she could smell his warm scent. The warm scent was mixed with a hint of the medicinal scent brought from the cabin, and it still smelled very good. Clink, clink, clink. The silver jewelry made an irregular rattling sound as it was unwrapped, which was very nice to hear. When all the silver jewelry was removed, Jin Sorin''s long hair hung down to her waist, the ends of her hair slightly curled naturally and flicked in the wind, ignoring the obvious knot in the front of her throat, so beautifully androgynous that she couldn''t tell the difference between males and females. Lila Sage put away the silver jewelry full of pa. It is silver, can not be lost. She said, ¡°Let me shampoo your hair.¡± Jin Sorin had just slit his wrists and it was better to use his hands sparingly, and she definitely wasn''t going to help him bathe, but shampooing his hair was within the realm of acceptability. There was a back and forth, Jin Sorin had even tied her hair before, and Lila Sage could help him too. ¡°No, I can do it myself.¡± It wasn''t like Jin Sorin hadn''t been in a situation before where he''d hurt his wrist and still needed to clean up his body. With that said, Jin Sorin stepped inside the hot spring river and lifted his hand to undo the mincing belt. He bathed and shampooed together. Lila Sage was stunned at how Jin Sorin didn''t wait until she left the river before undressing! Jin Sorin is not that concerned about the human body, he has seen Lila Sage''s, by Lila Sage to see his own does not feel anything, he bathed also did not avoid the Gu worms he raised. The mincing belt is undone, the indigo colored shirt is open, the muscular tight and smooth waist and abdomen appear. Lila Sage turned around in a hurry and tried to walk away. Walking too quickly, her foot slipped. She fell straight backward, splashing, Lila Sage''s hands flailing involuntarily. When she touched something in the water, Lila Sage''s first reaction was to hold on to it, and then ...... she embraced Jin Sorin''s lean, naked waist and stomach, and they were now ¡°honest¡± with each other. Lila Sage tilted her head back so hard that drops of water dripped down her jaw and hit his waist and stomach. Jin Sorin shuddered with sensitivity. --- Chapter 45: A Sudden Thunderbolt Although Ling Ji wouldn''t hide her demon identity, if it weren''t for a significant trigger, Ye Jianghuai''s staunchly atheist mother would have dismissed it as a joke, no matter what she heard. Ye Jianghuai thought of the masked black-clad men. The ringing phone interrupted his thoughts. He glanced at the caller ID, his expression tightening as he answered. ... "Deputy Director, there''s something very suspicious about Zhao Boshan. I suspect he''s the mastermind behind Mo Baobao''s murder." "Evidence?" "..." Zhao Jiong stood before Zhou Cen, muttering softly, "If I had evidence, I would have arrested him already instead of bothering you." "Don''t think I can''t hear you." For those with cultivation, keen hearing was a given. Even the smallest sound could be heard clearly, especially when Zhao Jiong barely lowered his voice, clearly intending for Zhou Cen to hear. "Zhao Jiong, I understand your eagerness to solve the case, and Zhao Boshan is indeed suspicious. But," Zhou Cen paused, his eyes turning sharp like an unsheathed sword, exuding a heavy, commanding presence, "our Special Management Bureau operates with rules and regulations." Human law governs humans, and the demon world has its rules. Even if they didn¡¯t have to follow ordinary laws, they couldn''t act on mere suspicions, breaking into homes or conducting searches without warrants. "Although the Special Management Bureau operates independently and isn¡¯t under other departments'' control, we must maintain our own standards. If our agents disregard rules and act arbitrarily, the greatest threat to society would not be the demons and monsters but us, wielding power without restraint." Laws exist to regulate and guide, ensuring those in power know their limits and allowing ordinary people to protect their rights. "You''ve been a bit reckless lately." Zhao Jiong bowed his head, his lips moving without making a sound. After a while, he looked up, his face full of remorse. "Deputy Director, I understand my mistake." Being used to the Special Management Bureau''s methods and pace, he had forgotten that this time, they were dealing with a regular human, not a demon. Seeing that he understood, Zhou Cen''s expression softened, and he relaxed slightly. "The path may be blocked, but there are always alternatives. If necessary, we can create our own path." Zhou Cen subtly hinted, "As a member of the Special Management Bureau, your actions represent our image. You must be cautious in all you do." "I''ll authorize you to get some puppet birds from the logistics department to monitor Zhao Boshan closely." "Thank you, Deputy Director." Zhao Jiong, relieved to avoid returning empty-handed, beamed and was about to rush to the logistics department. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. "Come back," Zhou Cen called, seeing he hadn''t fully grasped the hint. "I heard Ling Ji moved out of Guanyin Garden?" "Yes, Yu Zhiyan from Yumu Films arranged a private villa for her at Yunhe Bay, coincidentally right next to Zhao Boshan." Zhao Jiong started to grasp the implication and looked at the still stern Zhou Cen. "Are you suggesting I ask Ling Ji for help?" "I didn''t say that," Zhou Cen replied coolly. Zhao Jiong understood instantly, gave an OK sign, and left humming a tune. Special Management Bureau members had to follow the rules, but non-members didn''t. Plus, with Ling Ji''s high status and deep demon power, they couldn''t control her even if they wanted to. Perfect reasoning! ... Zhao Boshan felt like countless eyes were watching him lately. But every time he looked back, everything seemed normal. "Am I overthinking?" he muttered, instructing his driver to stop at the upcoming intersection. He then took the wheel himself, heading towards the outskirts. What he didn¡¯t notice was a yellow stray dog in the corner, lifting its head as he turned onto another road. It then dashed into an alley. "Bark, bark." Target has turned onto New Road. All units on New Road, stay alert. "Bark." Came the response from a collar around its neck. Received. Meanwhile, sparrows resting on branches took off as if suddenly invigorated, following Zhao Boshan''s direction. On another front, Hu Li, now dressed in a low-key tracksuit, knocked on the door of an old courtyard in the city''s old district. The door creaked open, revealing an old, wrinkled face. Looking at the aged face, Hu Li averted her eyes in disdain. "Can''t you change your face? Aren''t you afraid of scaring yourself awake at night?" The old woman, stooped, led her in and closed the door. In an instant, the white hair turned black, and the hunched back straightened. In the blink of an eye, the old woman transformed into a beautiful young lady in her twenties. "What do you want?" With red lips and black hair, the woman''s every move was full of allure, even with a cold face that was strikingly captivating. Except for her kin, Hu Li. "Your charm magic has improved," Hu Li noted. "Get to the point," the beautiful woman snapped. "Don''t be so cold, Sister Fourteen," Hu Li cooed, trying to wrap an arm around the woman''s neck, only to be blocked by a cold, glinting hairpin. Hu Li coughed, redirecting her arm to her hair. "I''ve run into a bit of trouble." "I can see that." Bai Shisi eyed the karmic entanglements on her cousin, softening her tone slightly. "What happened? Did you kill that dancer?" "Of course not." Hu Li pouted. "I was framed." "Serves you right for using charm spells on people." Bai Shisi scolded after hearing the story. "I was provoked," Hu Li muttered, inching closer to Bai Shisi. "Sister Fourteen, you have to help me." "Give me the photo." Hu Li handed over the photo of the waiter. "He''s not a demon," Bai Shisi observed. "He''s using a disguise spell." In other words, the man was an ordinary human. "Exactly," Hu Li''s eyes flashed with realization. "No wonder we couldn''t find him despite our extensive search. The face was fake." "Sister Fourteen, your magic is amazing." Hu Li praised with a grin. "Flattery won''t get you anywhere," Bai Shisi retorted, tapping the photo. Ripples spread across it, transforming the man''s face. A broad nose, deep-set eyes, and a scar crossing his face, giving him a menacing look. "Sister Fourteen, your illusion magic is perfected." Hu Li admired, her eyes full of envy. Being able to trace back a person''s true face from a photo was the pinnacle of fox clan illusion magic. "You could achieve it too if you focused on training," Bai Shisi said coldly. "I can''t seem to focus," Hu Li laughed nervously, changing the topic to avoid past grievances. "When will you return to the clan?" "No rush," Bai Shisi said, not falling for the diversion. "I''ll return when you do." Hu Li hesitated, looking away. "Sister Fourteen, I..." "Still can''t let go of him?" Hu Li''s silence spoke volumes. Bai Shisi sighed, heading inside. "My illusion magic has reached a bottleneck. I sense the breakthrough opportunity is in Pengcheng." So she wouldn''t leave until she advanced. Hu Li, understanding the underlying meaning, relaxed and smiled. "Sister, I recently met a koi spirit. I''ll ask her to bless you for a breakthrough." With that, she disappeared in a flash. Bai Shisi turned to the empty courtyard, sighing softly. "Foolish child." ... The next day at ten, in Ling Ji''s living room. Zhao Jiong excitedly presented the new information to the assembled demons and people. "Yesterday, the puppet birds tracked Zhao Boshan to a pharmaceutical factory in the suburbs. He stayed there most of the day and left with a small bag full of vials." "I suspect they contain the poison used to kill Mo Baobao." "Sikong Lang''s dogs couldn''t get close to the factory, blocked by the formation there." "Another formation?" Zhao Jiong felt his suspicions solidify. "This strengthens our hypothesis." "Let''s go meet Zhao Boshan next door." Ling Ji lounged on the sofa, reluctant to move. "I haven''t finished my jade slip yet. You go without me." Hearing she wouldn''t join, Zhao Jiong''s enthusiasm dampened. Considering Zhao Boshan might be the leader of the organization hunting them, he weighed his own abilities and shamelessly clung to Ling Ji. "My lady, without you, we have no sense of security. Zhao Boshan set up powerful formations at home; he might have other deadly tricks. If we fall into a trap, who will buy you tasty treats?" "And if a fight breaks out and the house gets destroyed?" Ling Ji pointed to Hu Li and Xing Miao. "They''ll handle it." Seeing no way to persuade her, Zhao Jiong sighed. "Alright." His tone was resigned. Ling Ji waved her paw, and suddenly, a thunderbolt exploded above her head. Ling Ji: "..." What the...?! --- Chapter 46: Witness Testimony Ling Ji swiftly turned around, narrowly avoiding the lightning strike that split the sofa in two and left it smoldering. Her sharp gaze fell on Zhao Jiong. "Did you just make a wish?" Zhao Jiong, driven by a strong survival instinct, shook his head vigorously. "No, it wasn''t me. I didn''t do it." As if he''d admit to that. Even if it had been him, he''d never confess now. Ling Ji''s glare was enough to make anyone fear for their life. "If it wasn''t you, then who?" Ling Ji''s suspicion was understandable. Among those present, only Zhao Jiong knew that failing to fulfill her followers'' prayers would result in her being struck by lightning. Xing Miao was trusted, and Ling Ji believed she wouldn''t trick her like that. "Actually, it was me." In the midst of the awkward silence, Hu Li raised her hand timidly, her beautiful face full of innocence and anxiety. "I wished for the heavens to help us catch the real killer of Mo Baobao." Seeing the complex expressions on everyone''s faces and Zhao Jiong''s obvious relief, Hu Li realized something was off. "Am I not supposed to make wishes?" Hu Li looked confused. For descendants of gods and divine beings, it wasn''t unusual to pray to the heavens. Why were their expressions so complicated? Ling Ji''s anger dissipated significantly when she saw it was Hu Li. Hearing her sincere and perplexed tone, the rest of her anger melted away. "Never mind, I''ll go with you." Ling Ji had to concede. She couldn¡¯t blame Hu Li for being a devout follower or for an innocent mistake. If she had to blame anyone, it would be the one who started this whole mess, but that person was Shi Xi, the one she could never hold a grudge against. "Hey, don''t make wishes casually," Jin Hong said, feeling sympathy for Hu Li. "Or else the heavens will send down lightning to punish Ling Ji for not acting." Just like what happened earlier. "I didn¡¯t know," Hu Li''s eyes filled with tears. "I just wanted to find the killer quickly to get rid of my karmic entanglements. I didn''t know Ling Ji would be struck by lightning if she didn''t help." "Unintentional offenses are forgiven," Jin Hong patted her shoulder, comforting her. "And Ling Ji isn¡¯t blaming you, so don''t be too hard on yourself." "Just be more careful in the future," Xing Miao added, seeing the anxiety in Hu Li''s eyes. "Okay," Hu Li responded, her spirits visibly low. Relieved to be out of suspicion, Zhao Jiong looked at Hu Li with newfound warmth. She was an honest and good demon. As he applied for a search warrant, Zhao Jiong couldn''t help but feel grateful. Five minutes later, their group stood at the gate of the neighboring villa. Zhao Jiong, ever dutiful, pressed the doorbell. This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. "Who are you?" The housekeeper, seeing a group of attractive men and women at the door, asked curiously. Zhao Jiong showed his credentials briefly. "We''re from the National Security Bureau. We need to speak with Zhao Boshan." "Oh, please come in," the housekeeper, respectful upon hearing their affiliation, opened the door and led them to the living room. "The gentleman is upstairs. Please wait while I call him." Soon, a man descended the stairs. Around forty, he had a fit build that hinted at regular exercise. Despite wearing casual home clothes, his physique was apparent. Time had only added elegance to his features, leaving him looking handsome and every bit the successful man. "Ew." As he approached, Ling Ji, her nose wrinkled in disdain, murmured, "It smells awful." Her expression of disgust was clear as she looked at him. If not for the thunderbolt and her promise, Ling Ji would have left immediately due to the stench. "Smells?" The elegant man''s composed smile cracked slightly at her complaint. He sniffed the air but detected nothing. He looked suspiciously at the girl, wondering if she was causing trouble on purpose. "My Lady?" Jin Hong tugged at Ling Ji''s sleeve, whispering in her ear, "Is there something wrong with this man?" She hadn''t smelled anything bad, but if Ling Ji said there was, it had to be true. Besides, this man gave her an inexplicable feeling of repulsion and distrust. "None of you smell it?" Ling Ji slightly relaxed her grip on her nose, only to be hit by the stench again. She quickly used a spell to block her sense of smell before facing the man who had now approached her. "Did the young lady smell something wrong?" Zhao Boshan, assuming she was making trouble, smiled kindly. "Would you like some juice?" Ling Ji glanced at him and then looked away, pursing her lips in a clear sign of disinterest. Rarely had Zhao Boshan been so openly snubbed. He barely maintained his smile, reminding himself she was just a child. He turned to Zhao Jiong. "How can I help you, Officer?" Zhao Jiong, though curious, knew this wasn''t the time for questions. He took out a photo and showed it to Zhao Boshan. "Do you know the woman in this picture?" Zhao Boshan glanced at the photo, then nodded after a brief silence. "Yes." Zhao Jiong hadn''t expected such a straightforward admission. He scrutinized Zhao Boshan before continuing, "What is your relationship with her?" This time, Zhao Boshan took longer to respond. He glanced at the young women across from him, looking uncomfortable. "We were bed partners." "Do you know she was murdered a few days ago?" "Yes." Having admitted the most difficult part, Zhao Boshan answered quickly. "I saw the news." He glanced at Hu Li. "It was a big story, even involving Miss Hu." Hu Li, hearing her name, forced a smile. "Yes, I was just sitting at home when this mess fell on me. That killer is truly despicable, trying to frame me." "Luckily, the police cleared my name." "Miss Hu is blessed," Zhao Boshan flattered. Hu Li gave a perfunctory smile, not responding. Fortunate demon. If not for Zhao Jiong and Ling Ji, she wouldn''t have cleared her name so easily. "When did you last see Mo Baobao?" Zhao Jiong shifted back to the topic. "About a month ago," Zhao Boshan frowned, trying to recall. "I''m usually busy with work, so I didn''t see her often. I didn''t expect to see her on the news." "Where were you on the night of July 10th from 9 PM to midnight?" "At home, resting." "Can anyone verify that?" "I was alone. The housekeeper had left, and my child was at his grandparents''. No one can confirm it." Zhao Boshan then asked, "Are you suspecting me, Officer?" "It''s routine questioning," Zhao Jiong deflected. "How long had your relationship with her lasted?" "Over a year." "Why didn''t you make her your official partner?" Zhao Boshan seemed genuinely puzzled by the question. "Why would I? We had an arrangement, mutually beneficial. As a man, I thought you''d understand." "Moreover, my heart belongs to my late wife. Only she could be my spouse." Zhao Jiong, taken aback by his logic, responded firmly, "I may be unmarried, but my loyalty to my wife would be complete, body and soul, whether she''s alive or not." Zhao Boshan, hit where it hurt, darkened in expression. "What a pity. It seems you can''t understand." "Indeed," Zhao Jiong replied bluntly. Zhao Boshan''s hand clenched, his patience fraying. "Do you have more questions, Officer? If not, I must return to my work at Jiayuan." His tone was barely civil. "Oh, certainly." Zhao Jiong remained unruffled. "Where did you go yesterday?" "To the pharmaceutical factory in the suburbs." "What for?" "Is this related to the case?" "It is. Please answer." Zhao Boshan, his politeness gone, crossed his arms and leaned back. "No." He was outright defiant. "Officer Zhao, though I''m a businessman, I understand the law. You have no evidence linking me to Mo Baobao''s death. I have the right to refuse your unreasonable demands." "If you want to see the factory, bring a warrant." "We can do that," Zhao Jiong smiled, unaffected by his coldness. At that moment, the doorbell rang again. The housekeeper, with Zhao Boshan''s nod, went to open it. A tall young man stood at the door. After showing his credentials, he walked in. "Zhao, I brought what you needed." --- Chapter 47: A Foul Stench Zhao Jiong stood up, took the item from the young man, and waved it at the visibly displeased Zhao Boshan. "I''m afraid you''ll need to come with us, Mr. Zhao." Zhao Boshan forced a smile, his eyes betraying no warmth. "Officer Zhao, cooperating with the police is every law-abiding citizen''s duty. Besides, I am a legal citizen." Zhao Jiong raised an eyebrow, seeing through the pretense but saying nothing. Forty minutes later, they arrived at the pharmaceutical factory in the suburbs. Upon receiving the gatekeeper''s call, the factory director, Mr. Li, hurried out. "Officer, what brings you to our factory?" he asked, his gaze unintentionally falling on a familiar figure. His pupils dilated in shock. "Mr. Zhao, you''re here too?" "Cooperating with the investigation," Zhao Boshan replied with a hint of sarcasm. Mr. Li turned his cautious gaze back to Zhao Jiong. "What would you like to see, Officer?" Zhao Jiong flashed the search warrant at Mr. Li, then addressed the demons behind him, "Search the place for anything suspicious." Ling Ji, Jin Hong, and Hu Li nodded, each extending their spiritual senses in different directions. Xing Miao remained still, her eyes closed as she sensed the flow of spiritual energy in the air. She followed the currents to find the formation''s core. "This is quite the formation," Xing Miao remarked, understanding its intricacies. "Who set this up?" Mr. Li instinctively glanced at Zhao Boshan before catching himself. "Oh, a wandering Taoist came by seeking alms. As thanks, he set up this formation, saying it would benefit the factory." "I didn''t think much of it at the time. Is he a master of some sort?" Mr. Li''s face showed feigned regret. He slapped his thigh in mock disappointment. "Had I known, I''d have treated him better." Jin Hong: "..." Quite the actor, aren''t you? "Mr. Li, I didn''t expect a pharmaceutical director to believe in such things," Zhao Jiong said meaningfully. Mr. Li waved it off with a sheepish smile. "My wife believes in this stuff. Over time, I picked up a thing or two." Zhao Jiong knew pressing further would be futile and switched topics. "Can we see the medicine you gave Mr. Zhao yesterday?" Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. "Of course, follow me." Mr. Li led them to the warehouse. Zhao Jiong watched Mr. Li''s brisk pace, eyebrows furrowing. This wasn''t what he expected. He glanced back at Zhao Boshan, who remained composed, deepening his suspicions. "Here it is," Mr. Li said, taking some boxes from a shelf and handing them to Zhao Jiong and Xing Miao. "These are our new supplements to alleviate nerve fatigue, recently passed clinical trials and ready for market." Zhao Jiong opened a box and sniffed a pill. It had a faint herbal bitterness mixed with a slight minty scent. Finding nothing amiss, Zhao Jiong looked at Xing Miao, who shook her head subtly. Unperturbed, Zhao Jiong pocketed the box, intending to have Ling Ji inspect it later. "Zhao Jiong." Just then, a familiar female voice called his name as he exited the warehouse. "We found something." Zhao Jiong''s eyes lit up, and he quickened his pace. "What''s this?" He eyed the transparent bag Hu Li held, containing a piece of lacy lingerie. He looked to Ling Ji for explanation. "This belongs to Mo Baobao," Ling Ji confirmed. "She left it here about six or seven days ago." Mo Baobao had died five days ago, meaning she had been at the factory the day before her death. "Mr. Li, care to explain this?" Zhao Jiong asked, ignoring the sweat forming on Mr. Li''s brow. "Well, I... um..." Mr. Li stammered, glancing nervously at Zhao Boshan. "Could it be related to Mr. Zhao?" "No, no," Mr. Li quickly denied. "This has nothing to do with Mr. Zhao. It was... it was..." "Mr. Li, speak clearly," Zhao Boshan interjected, unable to stand the dithering. "Truth will out. Officer Zhao won''t wrong an innocent." "Indeed, I won''t wrong an innocent, nor let a guilty one escape," Zhao Jiong retorted. "That''s reassuring," Zhao Boshan replied calmly. Encouraged, Mr. Li finally spoke coherently. "This is Mo Baobao''s, but it has nothing to do with Mr. Zhao. She came to see Mr. Li, the factory''s owner." "Which Mr. Li?" Zhao Jiong felt a bad premonition, like a fish slipping through the net. "Mr. Li Xiao, the major shareholder of the factory." "This factory isn''t Mr. Zhao''s?" Zhao Jiong asked, realizing his mistake midway. "No," Zhao Boshan replied coolly. "I gave it to Li Xiao ten years ago. He often asks me to oversee things because he''s not good at management." Two sentences perfectly explained his presence and Mr. Li''s respect, absolving himself. "Mr. Zhao is not only generous but also quite helpful." Zhao Boshan nodded, not at all flustered by the backhanded compliment. "He''s my late wife''s brother. It''s my duty to assist him." He annually donated large sums to strangers. Why shouldn''t he help his own family? "So, why was your lover at the factory and involved with Li Xiao?" Zhao Jiong pressed, maintaining his composure. "That''s something you''ll have to ask them," Zhao Boshan replied, feigning innocence. "I wish I knew why." "You''re not angry about being cheated on?" Jin Hong asked, puzzled by his calm demeanor. "Little girl, you don''t understand the adult world," Zhao Boshan said condescendingly. "Anger isn''t worth it." After all, she was just a plaything. "Respect the dead." Perhaps seeing Jin Hong''s innocent eyes, reminiscent of his own daughter, Zhao Boshan added, "She wasn''t worth getting angry over." Jin Hong: "..." I don''t believe a word. "Any other discoveries?" Seeing Zhao Boshan''s airtight defense, Zhao Jiong felt they''d come up empty but asked Ling Ji anyway. "No," Ling Ji shook her head, her dark eyes quietly observing Zhao Boshan. When their eyes met, Zhao Boshan felt a chill, like being plunged into a dark abyss. His confident facade cracked slightly under her gaze. "Let''s go. I''m hungry," Ling Ji said, rubbing her belly. Zhao Jiong: "..." For some reason, her words dispelled his frustration, lifting his spirits. "Alright, let''s go back." As they drove away, Zhao Boshan finally exhaled heavily, feeling like he had just surfaced from deep water. Who was that girl? A new recruit of the Special Management Bureau? Or... a demon? "Mr. Zhao, are you alright?" Mr. Li, equally relieved, noticed his boss''s discomfort. "Shall I help you inside?" "No need," Zhao Boshan shook his head. "Call Li Xiao and inform him about the police visit. I have other matters to attend to." "Very well, take care." Mr. Li watched him leave before dialing Li Xiao. "Hello, Mr. Li..." ... Back at the villa, Zhao Jiong gulped down a large cup of tea. "Jin Hong, did you sense anything off about Zhao Boshan?" Jin Hong shook her head. "He seemed normal. Annoying, but normal." Zhao Jiong''s excitement deflated like a punctured balloon. "And you?" He turned to Hu Li, holding onto hope. "You, with Mo Baobao''s karma, should sense something." Hu Li shook her head. "Nothing." Zhao Jiong: "..." Taking a deep breath, he looked at Ling Ji as his last hope. Ling Ji paused mid-bite of her dumpling. "He has no karma or sin." Disappointment washed over Zhao Jiong''s face. "But..." "But what?" He perked up slightly. "But he stinks," Ling Ji frowned in disgust. "Worse than rolling in garbage and swimming in a sewer." So bad it nearly ruined her appetite. --- Chapter 48: Reckless Driving Zhao Jiong felt utterly deflated. "Don''t be too discouraged, Officer Zhao. Zhao Boshan is just incredibly cunning," Hu Li tried to comfort him. "But who exactly is this Li Xiao?" Why did Zhao Boshan transfer the pharmaceutical factory to him? And why wasn''t he angry about being cuckolded? "Li Xiao is his brother-in-law," Zhao Jiong explained, recalling the details he''d uncovered about Zhao Boshan. "His wife¡¯s maiden name was Li." "The Li family initially built their wealth on herbal medicine. Later, they established a pharmaceutical factory, becoming one of Pengcheng¡¯s major taxpayers." "Unfortunately, the old man died young, leaving the vast estate for his two children. The daughter, Li Xuan, married Zhao Boshan right after college and became a devoted housewife, completely ignorant of business. The son, Li Xiao, despite studying business administration, was a wastrel, squandering the family fortune quickly." "It was Zhao Boshan who stepped in to manage things, preserving the Li family''s business while simultaneously building his own company from scratch." It was a win-win situation for him. "But since the company was under Li Xiao¡¯s name, why didn¡¯t you find this out earlier?" Xing Miao asked, her suspicions growing. "With your resources, you shouldn''t have overlooked this detail." Something didn''t add up. "The pharmaceutical factory was initially Li Xuan''s," Zhao Jiong elaborated. "After her death, she left it to Zhao Boshan in her will. He later gave it to Li Xiao." The problem was, this information hadn¡¯t shown up in the documents he received. Even if the transfer had been done quietly, the business records should have reflected it. "The conclusion is obvious," Xing Miao said, folding her hands. "Either there¡¯s a mole in the Special Management Bureau, or Zhao Boshan bribed someone at the business registry, giving you incomplete information." Either scenario meant they had been played. Business registry errors could be passed off as oversight, but a mole in the bureau was a far graver issue, casting a pall over the room. "I have a question," Jin Hong suddenly raised her hand, breaking the silence. "Doesn''t it seem like Zhao Boshan knew we were investigating him and set this all up?" His smooth, premeditated demeanor seemed too convenient, too staged. Indeed, Zhao Jiong and Xing Miao had the same feeling. Xing Miao exchanged a look with Zhao Jiong, whose pale face and serious expression mirrored her own thoughts. There was a mole in the Special Management Bureau. If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. "Doesn''t that make him even more suspicious?" Hu Li pointed out. "An innocent person wouldn''t go to such lengths to cover their tracks." Zhao Jiong: "..." "You''re right," Zhao Jiong slapped his face lightly to wake himself up. "Since he pointed us to Li Xiao, we should investigate him. Let''s see what he¡¯s hiding." With steely resolve, Zhao Jiong called a colleague to check Li Xiao¡¯s whereabouts five nights ago. The colleague soon called back. "Zhao, Li Xiao was indeed at the pharmaceutical factory with Mo Baobao five nights ago. But... he just died." "What?" Zhao Jiong stood up, his brow furrowing deeply. "How did he die? Murder or suicide?" "Accident. A drunk driver speeding and ignoring traffic rules crashed into him. The car exploded due to a gas leak, and by the time firefighters arrived, he was burned to a crisp." Zhao Jiong ended the call with a grim expression. "Li Xiao is dead. I need to visit the scene." He paused, then added, "We should split up. Ling Ji, come with me. Jin Hong, Xing Miao, and Hu Li, you go to Li Xiao¡¯s house. I¡¯ll arrange for a search warrant to be sent over." Though Jin Hong was a koi spirit, Zhao Jiong instinctively wanted Ling Ji¡¯s company, a gut feeling honed from countless cases. Twenty minutes later, the pair arrived at the scene. Police tape cordoned off the area, where a few onlookers lingered, some discreetly taking photos with their phones. "Officer Zhao, the bodies are over here, but they¡¯re unrecognizable," an officer greeted him, leading them to two covered corpses. "The other car is over there, also badly burned." Any clues would likely be charred beyond recognition. That was the unspoken implication. Zhao Jiong inspected the scene, finding a burned-out van and a sports car, its hood adorned with the charred remnants of a winged figure. The lingering heat from the fire still emitted wisps of smoke, mingling with the acrid smell of burnt metal and oil, a pungent reminder of the destruction. Finding no useful clues, Zhao Jiong instructed the officers to send the bodies to the coroner. "Lady Ling Ji, did you notice anything unusual?" "Everything seems normal," Ling Ji replied, watching the bodies being loaded into the police van. "Except their souls are missing." "What do you mean, their souls are missing?" Zhao Jiong glanced at the departing van, now just a distant silhouette. "You should ask a professional," Ling Ji suggested, nodding towards a seemingly empty space. "The reapers, Black and White Wuchang, are over there." Zhao Jiong looked where she pointed, seeing nothing but trees. He pulled out a pair of sunglasses from his bag, put them on, and finally saw the ghosts. "Old Black, why is the big boss here? Isn''t she supposed to be in Fengchuan?" The reapers, alerted by their app, had arrived to collect the souls, only to spot a familiar and formidable figure. They ducked behind a tree in unison, peeking out nervously. "Did she see us?" Black Wuchang: "..." Tired, doesn''t want to speak. Now he understood why another team was so eager to trade shifts with them. He should have realized there¡¯s no such thing as a free lunch. "Old Black, say something." White Wuchang tugged on his partner''s chain, shrinking further behind the tree. "If we pretend not to see her and leave now, do you think we can get away with it?" "What do you think?" Seeing the human approaching, Black Wuchang saw their reflection in the man''s sunglasses. He yanked the soul chain from White Wuchang¡¯s hand and stepped forward. "You''re from the Special Management Bureau?" "Yes, Deputy Team Leader Zhao Jiong of Unit One," Zhao Jiong nodded slightly, mindful of the ordinary people around. "Are you here for the souls of Li Xiao and Li Zhuang?" "Yes," Black Wuchang confirmed, glancing at the scene. Considering Zhao Jiong¡¯s status, he explained, "We arrived shortly after notification, but their souls are missing." "This isn''t the first time." In the past week alone, at least a dozen souls had vanished mysteriously. Zhao Jiong''s expression grew serious. "Do you have any leads?" Black Wuchang looked at Ling Ji, then pulled out a compass from his sleeve. "In places where souls have disappeared, we''ve detected traces of dark cultivators." "Dark cultivators?" Zhao Jiong''s heart sank. Dark cultivators and missing souls together spelled trouble. "We''ll report the soul disappearances to our superiors. As for the dark cultivators, we''ll leave it to the Special Management Bureau." Zhao Jiong nodded, his face somber. Black Wuchang softened slightly. "We''ll take our leave now." He bowed to Ling Ji, then led the still bewildered White Wuchang away. "My Lady..." Zhao Jiong returned to Ling Ji, troubled. Ling Ji¡¯s sharp senses picked up everything within ten miles. But she wasn''t one to comfort others. After a long silence, she simply said, "Do your job well." Zhao Jiong: "???" "Why are you staring at me? That dark cultivator isn¡¯t the one who killed Mo Baobao. I can''t help for free." Remembering Xing Miao''s talk of remuneration, Ling Ji straightened, speaking righteously, "My services are expensive. If it¡¯s not about Mo Baobao, I don''t work for free." Zhao Jiong: "...!!!" His budding plan to bribe her with food died instantly. Who taught this pure demon about money¡¯s importance, who?! He soon found out. "Did you find all this at Li Xiao''s house?" Zhao Jiong asked, looking at the pile of items on the table, his tone grave. "Yes, we found them in a safe," Jin Hong said proudly. "Is this the drug we''ve been looking for?" Hu Li pointed to a small glass vial, half-filled with clear liquid. Zhao Jiong picked up the vial, shook it, and watched the liquid ripple. "We need Lin to test it, but I suspect it¡¯s the same poison found in Mo Baobao¡¯s body." The feeling of being led along a predetermined path grew stronger. In a vast darkness, blood-red eyes slowly opened, cold, indifferent, and filled with mockery. Then they closed again. Ling Ji, mid-bite, sensed something and looked towards the source of the red eyes, murmuring, "Hmm." About to leave, Zhao Jiong turned back at the sound. "Lady Ling Ji?" --- Chapter 49: Dust Settles Ling Ji stared for a moment, seeing nothing unusual, and looked away. "Nothing, I might have overthought it." She resumed eating. Seeing her calm demeanor, Zhao Jiong dismissed his concerns and returned to the Special Management Bureau with the evidence. An hour later, Chief Lin''s test results came in. "The drug components match those extracted from Mo Baobao''s body. It''s the same substance," Chief Lin said, removing his mask. His sharp features were filled with curiosity. "Where did you get this? Do you have more?" The colorless, odorless substance was lethal to humans, yet it enhanced the power of demons. His scientific curiosity was piqued, but the sample was too small for a complete analysis. "Just this one bottle," Zhao Jiong replied, stepping back from Lin''s intense gaze. "I''m tracking the source. There should be more soon." Satisfied, Lin patted Zhao Jiong''s shoulder. "Good, keep it up." Zhao Jiong: "..." It seemed everyone had the same advice for him¡ªwork hard. First, it was because they couldn''t afford to hire a powerful demon. Now it was to gain support from the research department. Maybe it was time to talk to the higher-ups about a raise. "You said there¡¯s a dark cultivator in Pengcheng?" Zhou Cen asked after hearing Zhao Jiong''s report, pacing the room. "When is Elder Kongjing returning?" "Colleagues from the northwest said the situation there is wrapping up. He should be back in a few days." "Call him and tell him to hurry back. No more wandering about." Knowing Elder Kongjing''s carefree nature, Zhao Jiong agreed, "Understood." Just as Elder Kongjing was about to win big in a game, he received the urgent call from headquarters. "Hello." He put down his drink, activated a soundproof barrier, and answered. "Zhao, I''m busy. Make it quick." "Elder, there''s a dark cultivator in Pengcheng. At least a dozen souls have vanished without a trace." Elder Kongjing''s carefree demeanor vanished. "I''ll return immediately." As soon as Zhao Jiong hung up, Wu Song called. "Zhao, we have a witness ready to testify against Mo Baobao''s killer." "I''ll be right there." Zhao Jiong''s mood lifted as he rushed to the city police station. The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. He spent the entire night there. The next morning, the news broke, flooding websites and causing a public uproar. "Shocking: Mo Baobao''s Killer Revealed" "Stunning Revelation: The Real Culprit Behind Mo Baobao¡¯s Death" "Disturbing: How the Killer Evaded Justice" Such headlines dominated the top news slots within an hour, catapulting the story to the top of real-time searches. The city police station was swarmed with reporters, their cameras ready, eager for updates from the major case squad. Cao Zhe crouched behind the station''s back wall, frustratedly scratching his head. "Skinny Monkey, come help me over the wall. I can''t climb up." The station''s front and back entrances were both blocked by reporters, forcing Cao Zhe to resort to wall-climbing. "I should have worked the night shift," he grumbled, watching the growing crowd through the cameras. His spirits sank. Finally scaling the wall with the help of a ladder tossed over by Skinny Monkey, he returned to the office, his white shirt ruined. "When''s the boss arriving?" Alone with Skinny Monkey, also known as Qiu Gu, Cao Zhe didn''t hesitate to change into a spare T-shirt. "It''ll be a while," Qiu Gu announced to the group chat, informing them about the hidden ladder. "Someone leaked the news, and now we''re swamped." "No kidding," Cao Zhe agreed, nodding. They had just made a new witness statement the previous afternoon, and by morning, the news about Li Xiao being the killer had spread like wildfire. Clearly, someone was manipulating the situation. "Did Zhao leave?" Qiu Gu asked, looking at the throng outside. "Yes, he left before dawn," Qiu Gu replied, relieved that Zhao had avoided the chaos. At Yulan Mansion, Hu Li and Zhao Jiong met at the entrance. They exchanged glances, speaking simultaneously. "You¡¯re here because of the news?" Jin Hong, rubbing her eyes, opened the door. "What news?" "So Li Xiao is the real killer?" Jin Hong read the news, still feeling something was off. "That''s what it seems," Hu Li said. Jin Hong: "???" Hu Li: "My karma is gone." Jin Hong: "!!!" "It really is," Ling Ji confirmed after scanning Hu Li. "Did we accuse the wrong person?" Jin Hong asked. Ling Ji, munching on a dumpling, remained silent. Initially, she had helped Hu Li out of respect for Bai Heng. Later, the thunderbolts forced her to pursue the real killer. Now that the truth was out, her part was over. But Zhao Jiong had other thoughts. "Not necessarily." "Yesterday, a witness testified that Li Xiao poisoned Mo Baobao. Li Xiao discovered she was cheating on him with another man, who happened to be his brother-in-law, Zhao Boshan." "Feeling betrayed, Li Xiao took his anger out on Mo Baobao, fearing retaliation from Zhao Boshan." "Doesn''t that clear Zhao Boshan?" Jin Hong asked, confused. They had a witness, a motive, evidence, and timing. Hu Li¡¯s karma disappearing confirmed Li Xiao¡¯s guilt. Heavenly law wouldn¡¯t absolve her otherwise. "It''s not that simple," Xing Miao interjected, calculating with her fingers. Finding no answer, she took out a star chart. The constellations and the twelve heavenly stems and earthly branches formed a mysterious star map. Midway through her calculations, the star map disrupted, orderly planets flickering out. She closed the chart, suppressing turbulent spiritual energy. "Something is blocking my divination." Calming her energy, she continued, "Li Xiao was a failure, living off his family. Where did he get the poison?" "How did he learn about Mo Baobao and Zhao Boshan¡¯s relationship?" "Li Xiao wasn¡¯t smart enough to set up such an elaborate scheme, frame Hu Li, and arrange for Xu Ximing to take the blame." If he were, the Li family wouldn¡¯t have fallen apart, with most assets going to Zhao Boshan. And another point. "He died too conveniently." Zhao Jiong and Xing Miao spoke in unison. "As soon as we focused on Li Xiao, he had an accident. With the evidence from his home, his guilt was certain, even if he was innocent." "Plus the witness, it seals his guilt," Zhao Jiong added. "And why did his soul vanish?" Of all the people in Pengcheng, why was Li Xiao the one unlucky enough to be taken by a dark cultivator? And the driver. Zhao Jiong didn¡¯t believe it was a coincidence. "But you have no more leads?" Ling Ji remarked lazily. "And the mastermind did a good deed." Ling Ji glanced at the news on her phone, her dark eyes gleaming. "With Li Xiao convicted, Xu Ximing is cleared." Public attention was on Li Xiao. If the reports convinced people of his guilt, Xu Ximing, who killed Mo Baobao out of desperation, could escape scrutiny. Unless the Special Management Bureau pursued it. "We will," Zhao Jiong coughed, meeting Ling Ji¡¯s knowing look. "Murder is wrong, regardless of the motive. He must be punished." Ling Ji: "Oh." Her tone indifferent, dismissive. Zhao Jiong¡¯s gaze flickered. Recalling Chief Lin¡¯s interest in Xu Ximing¡¯s skills, he decided not to discuss it further. "The deputy director wants me to hold a press conference with the major case squad. I have to go." He left quickly, not noticing Hu Li¡¯s half-raised hand. "What¡¯s this?" Jin Hong took the photo Hu Li held out, seeing an unfamiliar man. "He looks mean, like a bad guy." Xing Miao chuckled. "Lately, everyone looks like a villain to you." Jin Hong puffed her cheeks, holding the photo up to Ling Ji. "What do you think, Lady Ling Ji? Is he bad?" Ling Ji glanced at the photo, her gaze pausing before scrutinizing the man. "He looks familiar." --- Chapter 50: The Disappeared "What seems familiar?" Bai Luan asked as she stepped inside, having rushed over as soon as she saw the news. She removed her shoes and approached the sofa, leaning over to look at the photo. Her gaze froze, and she began to tremble slightly. It was as if she had seen something terrifying, something that awakened a deep-seated fear within her. Noticing her reaction, Ling Ji touched Bai Luan''s forehead with two fingers, sending a wisp of spiritual energy into her. At the same time, she took a photo of Jin Hong. "Do you know this person?" The warm spiritual energy spread through Bai Luan''s body, dispelling the cold fear that had seeped into her bones. "Lady Ling Ji, do you remember the day we first met ten years ago in Xianmiao Village?" Bai Luan asked, regaining her composure. Ling Ji, holding the photo between her fingers, nodded. "Of course, I remember." Back then, Mu Lin''s son had died in an accident, and the old man struggled to raise his grandson. Their offerings to Ling Ji were meager, so she often slept for years at a time to avoid hunger. Ten years ago, on the day Mu Bai''s mourning period ended, Mu Lin brought him to pay respects to Ling Ji, along with some rare offerings. She had followed the scent from her sleep and found a disheveled Bai Luan, along with some disrespectful mortals. One of them had even tried to shoot her with a gun. Wait. Ling Ji''s thoughts returned to the present as she looked at the photo again. After three seconds, she realized, "Isn''t this the mortal who chased you and was disrespectful to me?" She shook her head immediately. "No, that man was killed by me. He didn''t have a scar on his face. This must be his brother." "Given the resemblance, even the fierce look in his eyes, they must be brothers," Bai Luan said, feeling safe with Ling Ji beside her. She was able to recount her past without the usual pain. "I remember overhearing them mention that He Kun had a brother working for a powerful figure in the capital. That''s why they were so fearless." He Kun was the leader of the gang that kidnapped her, the fool who tried to shoot Ling Ji and got killed. "This guy is definitely a bad person," Jin Hong said, clenching her fists and glaring at the photo as if she could curse the man through it. She indeed tried to do just that. "I hope he gets caught soon and rots in jail!" If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Xing Miao glanced at the indignant Jin Hong and gently reminded her, "You should go back to training. Otherwise, you might exhaust yourself before he gets caught." Jin Hong: "..." "Fine, I''m going to train." With a dejected sigh, Jin Hong leaped into the long fish tank in the living room, startling the small shrimp that hid in the seaweed. The water rippled, then settled. "That''s the waiter Ling Ji saw in Xu Ximing''s memory," Hu Li explained to Xing Miao. "I asked a friend to find him, but he was hard to track. Eventually, I suspected he had altered his appearance." "So I asked my sister to check, and she confirmed he used a disguise technique. Although it¡¯s a mundane method, it can be quite effective if done well." "Although this case seems solved, there are still many unanswered questions. I thought we might learn more by investigating him." Hu Li paused, looking at Bai Luan with some guilt. "I didn''t realize he was connected to your past. I''m sorry for bringing up bad memories." "No need to apologize," Bai Luan said, having regained her composure. The demeanor of a powerful CEO returned. "Those who hurt me have paid the price. Even if he didn''t directly participate in the kidnapping, I doubt he was unaware. They likely collaborated." "So I''ll definitely get to the bottom of this." Bai Luan''s determination was evident. "Yes, we''ll help catch him," Hu Li promised earnestly. Although her karma had vanished, indicating the case might be over, Hu Li knew it wasn¡¯t truly resolved. Why did Mo Baobao have information on the deer demon in her room? What happened to the missing cat? How did Mo Baobao know she was a fox? And where did her soul go? These questions needed answers to ensure Hu Li''s future safety, a survival instinct of the Qingqiu clan. "If you have a direction, pursue it without fear. I¡¯ll back you up," Ling Ji encouraged, sensing that this case was just the beginning of a larger conflict. She rarely offered such support, making her statement significant. Just then, her phone rang. The caller ID showed it was Yu Zhiyan. "Hello," she answered, hearing Yu Zhiyan''s urgent voice. "Ling Ji, is Hu Li with you? I need your help urgently." Ling Ji glanced at Hu Li, who perked up at the mention of her name and moved closer to listening. "Go ahead." Yu Zhiyan''s anxious tone calmed slightly. "Ying Ning''s daughter is missing. We reviewed the surveillance, but she disappeared in a blind spot. We''ve searched for a day and a night without success." Looking at the distraught woman on the sofa, Yu Zhiyan lowered his voice. "Can I bring her to you? And... Can I tell her about your identity? She needs hope." Ling Ji looked at Hu Li, who nodded. "Yes, as long as she can keep it a secret." After receiving permission, Yu Zhiyan helped the exhausted Ying Ning off the sofa. "Let''s go. There are people who can help." Ying Ning''s eyes lit up with hope. "Really?" Yu Zhiyan nodded. Half an hour later, the car stopped outside Ling Ji''s house. Ying Ning looked at the familiar building. "Yu, isn¡¯t this Ling Ji¡¯s home?" "Yes, it is," Yu Zhiyan said, unbuckling his seatbelt and helping Ying Ning out of the car. Inside, a pure white fox lay quietly on the sofa. Hearing the commotion, its furry ears perked up, and a pair of black-purple eyes looked their way. Ying Ning hesitated, almost confusing the fox with someone else she knew. "An''an would love this," she murmured, thinking of her daughter, Ying Anhe, whose name meant peace and harmony. "Ying Jie, don¡¯t worry. We¡¯ll find An¡¯an," said the fox, surprising Ying Ning with its speech. "Hu Li is here too?" Ying Ning looked around, not seeing anyone. "Did I hear Hu Li?" Yu Zhiyan turned her to face the fox. "No, you heard right." Ying Ning: "Where?" Yu Zhiyan pointed to the sofa. "There." Ying Ning sighed, thinking it was a bad joke. "Yu, I appreciate the effort, but this isn¡¯t funny." "Ying Jie, I am Hu Li." The fox stood, revealing its four tails. Ying Ning blinked, rubbed her eyes, and stared. She had heard of mythical creatures but never expected to see one. "A fox spirit?" "Yes, I am a fox spirit," the fox said, jumping down gracefully. "And I am Hu Li." Ying Ning: "..." She felt dizzy, clutching Yu Zhiyan¡¯s arm. "The fox spoke." "Seems she has a low tolerance," Ling Ji noted, considering revealing her true form but deciding against it. "She¡¯s always been a skeptic," Yu Zhiyan explained, holding Ying Ning¡¯s hand to steady her. "Ying Jie, Hu Li is still the person you know. Just in a different form." "Just a different species," Yu Zhiyan added. --- Chapter 51: Deceit and Betrayal Perhaps it was Yu Zhiyan''s persuasion, or perhaps the initial shock had passed. Maybe Hu Li''s deceptive appearance played a role. Regardless, after staring at her for three minutes, Ying Ning finally reached out a trembling hand to stroke her soft, silky fur. The touch was smooth, like the finest silk, without a hint of roughness. Ying Ning bent down, lifted the white fox, and held it level with her eyes. "You..." She opened her mouth, struggled for words, and finally hugged the fox, sitting down on the sofa before the black-clad girl. "Are you also... a demon?" Ying Ning asked, recalling the unusual reaction from her first meeting and the respect Hu Li and others showed the girl. It was hard to believe she was an ordinary person. As expected, the girl nodded without hesitation, then proudly said, "I am an ancient demon, Zhulong." Ying Ning: "..." Though she didn''t know what kind of creature a Zhulong was, it sounded grand. She stiffly looked at the girl, then bowed deeply, her posture humble and reverent. "Please, save my child." "Granted." Ying Ning felt as if she had heard a heavenly sound, pulling her from the dark, muddy pit of despair. At that moment, she finally understood why Yu Zhiyan had brought her here. She also realized why people in desperation turn to gods and prayers. Ten minutes later, after witnessing the fox transform into a human, Ying Ning''s emotions stabilized completely. "This is what happened..." Yesterday, there was an issue at her company. She had the nanny pick up An''an from kindergarten. On the way home, they passed a park where some people in costume were handing out flyers and balloons. An''an received a balloon and was so happy that they stayed in the park a little longer. And in that short time, she disappeared. "What about the nanny? What was she doing?" Xing Miao poured her a cup of calming tea and asked softly. Ying Ning took the tea, sipped it, and found it sweet with an indescribable freshness that seemed to wash away her bitterness. "The nanny ran into a friend in the park and chatted for a while. In a moment of distraction, the child vanished." "She reacted quickly, contacted the park staff to search, and called me immediately." "I was stunned by the call, and the next moment I rushed out, meeting Yu Zhiyan as he was leaving work." Ying Ning glanced gratefully at Yu Zhiyan, who patted her hand and continued, "I immediately used my connections to block the park entrances and sent people to search every inch. We found one of An''an''s shoes by the lake." This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. "So, I called a rescue team to search the lake, but we didn''t find her." It was as if An''an had vanished into thin air. "In the past, I might not have thought much of it. But knowing there''s a more mysterious, fantastical world beyond ours, I naturally considered that possibility when logic failed." "You suspect someone used magic to take her?" Ling Ji understood her implication. "It''s not impossible." "Moreover, we found a suspicious woman at the scene." Yu Zhiyan pulled a photo from his bag. Due to the angle, it only showed half of her face and was somewhat blurry. It was an ordinary-looking middle-aged woman, worn by life. "She..." Bai Luan frowned at first glance. "Do you have a full-face photo of her?" "She seemed very camera-shy. This is the only photo showing her face. I had the tech department reconstruct her full face from skeletal proportions. It should be done soon." Yu Zhiyan checked his watch as his phone on the coffee table lit up. "It''s here." Yu Zhiyan opened the message and displayed the reconstructed image. "It''s her." "It''s really her." Bai Luan''s eyes turned cold, a flash of realization crossing her face. "You know her?" Ying Ning asked urgently. Bai Luan nodded. "By blood, she''s my half-sister." "But she looks older than you by at least a decade," Xing Miao noted, examining the photo. It was hard to believe she was a sister. "She''s been through more of life''s hardships." Bai Luan sneered, the coldness in her eyes visible even to the grief-stricken Ying Ning. "Did she offend you?" Ling Ji, eager to support her loyal followers, flexed her fingers, ready to offer her assistance. Bai Luan, seeing the little girl ready to back her up, felt a warmth in her heart, dissipating some of her coldness. "I''ve already avenged myself." Her face was proof. "But you''re right to suspect her. If it''s her, she might be involved in An''an''s disappearance." Bai Luan recalled her past and scoffed. "She once sold me to human traffickers. I almost didn''t come back." If not for meeting Ling Ji, her plan would have succeeded. "A dog can''t change its habit of eating shit." Ling Ji, unaware of these details, asked concernedly, "What happened?" Bai Luan glanced at Ling Ji, then at the pale Ying Ning, and began her tale. "This happened ten years ago." When Bai Luan was in college, she dated a man. He was from a modest background but had a great personality¡ªsunny, warm, and attentive. In a white shirt, he resembled a fairytale prince. But this prince conspired with her best friend to sell her to human traffickers right when they were about to marry. When the police brought her back, she had no idea of his involvement. Certain behaviors of her friend aroused suspicion, leading Bai Luan to report these to the police. Soon, her friend was arrested. In the detention center, Bai Luan saw her friend through the bars and learned the truth. Her friend had been in love with her boyfriend for years, from college to now, but he chose Bai Luan, which she resented deeply. "Other than being born lucky, how are you better than me? Why do people always notice you when we''re together, while I am always in your shadow?" Her friend''s jealousy and hatred were clear through the bars. Bai Luan looked at the unfamiliar face opposite her, her voice dry. "So you decided to harm me? I never forced you to stand with me. You did it willingly." "Yes, willingly," her friend laughed maniacally, eyes red, pressing her face against the glass, her gaze twisted and cruel. Bai Luan felt a chill, an intense foreboding of unbearable pain to come. "Did you know?" Her friend''s voice was icy through the phone, sending a shiver down Bai Luan''s spine. "Your boyfriend planned all of this. He came to me first. I just loved him too much to refuse." "Impossible." Bai Luan denied it immediately. "He wouldn''t do this to me." "Seems you''re still in the dark, clueless about everything." Her friend''s voice was like a devil''s whisper. "You''re stupid, deserving to be deceived." "Do you think Wei Jin loves you? Madly in love with you? Let me tell you, he loves someone else. And that someone is your half-sister." "Lies. My parents only had me. I don''t have a sister." "Your mom had only you, but your dad didn''t. Ask him about Bai Nian. She''s his illegitimate daughter." "Oh, and your mom was as foolish as you, never knowing her husband had another family. She died oblivious, deceived her whole life." "Ha, you mother and daughter are both laughable and pitiful." Bai Luan hung up, stumbled home, intending to confront her father. She overheard his phone conversation. "Did you have a hand in Bai Luan''s kidnapping?" His tone softened slightly at the response. "Better not have. Don''t blame me for being ruthless otherwise. And stop filling Nian Nian''s head with unrealistic ideas. The Bai family is for Bai Luan. When Nian Nian marries, I''ll give her a dowry." Bai Luan didn''t remember how she left home. She only remembered the heavy rain, the icy drops colder than her heart. She fell ill, sleeping in her mother''s old house for three days and nights. When she awoke, her heart was as hard as iron. She lured her friend into confessing with a lighter sentence, got her boyfriend to implicate Bai Nian¡¯s mother, and sent them all to prison. Unfortunately, Bai Nian¡¯s mother took all the blame, sparing Bai Nian. Bai Nian, lacking her mother¡¯s cunning, pathetically knelt before the Shen family, begging Bai Luan to forgive her mother. When Bai Luan¡¯s father intervened, Bai Luan said, "Dream on." Then she walked away with her luggage. Bai Nian lunged at her, but Bai Luan sidestepped. Bai Nian fell, screaming, and grabbed Bai Luan¡¯s father¡¯s arm. He caught her, but the momentum sent him tumbling down the stairs, leaving him a vegetable. Bai Luan then had Bai Nian imprisoned for intentional injury. She remembered the sentence was twelve years. How did Bai Nian get out early? --- Chapter 52: A Realm Within "This woman is selfish and hypocritical, driven by greed. I''ve never regarded her as a sister," Bai Luan said, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders as she shared her buried past. "Leave her to me. I''ll investigate." "Then let''s go to the scene," Ling Ji stood up from the sofa and addressed Ying Ning. "Do you have any of An''an''s belongings with you? Something she wears frequently?" Ying Ning shook her head. The sudden incident left her with no time to return home; all of An''an''s personal items were there. "I''ll go get them now." "Good," Ling Ji nodded. "Meet us at Jinghu Park once you have them." Jinghu Park, where An''an had vanished, was eerily empty today. The incident had scared away the usual crowd, leaving the expansive park cold and desolate. But the emptiness suited their purposes perfectly. "Ma''am, this is the toy bear An''an holds every night when she sleeps. Will this do?" Ying Ning pulled a small twenty-centimeter-high teddy bear from a black plastic bag. Through the partially opened bag, other items like a comb, pajamas, and hairpins can be seen. "This will do," Ling Ji took the bear, sniffed it briefly, then returned it to Ying Ning. She inhaled deeply, sifting through the myriad scents¡ªperfume, body odors, fresh grass, food, car exhaust¡ªuntil she isolated the sweet, milky fragrance that was uniquely An''an''s. "I''ve got it," Ling Ji said, her lips curving into a smile as she moved northwest. The others quickly followed. They walked past flowers, through shaded paths, and over cobblestone walkways, heading steadily towards the edge of the lake. As they reached the lakeside, Ying Ning felt a growing unease. "Her scent ends here," Ling Ji pointed to a spot beneath the water. "A demon used water-walking magic to take An''an through an underwater tunnel." Ying Ning instinctively looked where Ling Ji pointed. The clear, emerald green lake lay still like a polished jade. Beyond the surface, nothing but deeper green water was visible. "I''m aware of the waterway beneath Jinghu leading elsewhere," Yu Zhiyan said, his eyes puzzled. "But the tunnel isn''t big enough for An''an''s child An''an''s size." "She was likely placed in the demon''s spatial realm," Hu Li explained. She glanced around, ensuring no cameras were in sight, then made a subtle gesture towards a large stone by the lake. The stone, which three adults would struggle to lift, floated lightly towards her and vanished into thin air. "Every demon has a spatial realm, the size of which depends on their bloodline and cultivation level," Hu Li continued, retrieving the stone and sending it back to its original position. "A demon capable of traversing waterways with water-walking magic must have considerable skill. Storing a small child in their spatial realm would be no challenge." "It''s not just demons. High-level cultivators without realms can achieve this too," she added, recalling the legendary stories. "Like the immortal Zhenyuanzi in ''Journey to the West,'' who could store entire cities in his sleeve." The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. "Do you know which demon took An''an?" Hu Li asked. Despite her years in the capital, she was familiar with most demons. Those adept at water magic were few, and even fewer would assist in such schemes. She mentally listed the suspects, ready to act on Ling Ji''s answer. "It''s a Gu Diao," Ling Ji said, her tone firm. "A Gu... Diao?" Hu Li''s eyes widened in pure shock, her usually calm demeanor shattered. "The kind that lives in the marshes and swamps of Lu Wu Mountain?" "Exactly," Ling Ji confirmed. "I''ve tasted its meat before. There''s no mistake." Hu Li: "..." She was left speechless by the unexpected information. "I''ll call Zhao and check if the Special Management Bureau has any records of Gu Diao in the mortal realm." Hu Li quickly composed herself and dialed Zhao Jiong. Three minutes later, she relayed Zhao Jiong''s response. "There are no records of Gu Diao in the Special Management Bureau. Elder Bai Qi was equally surprised; he thought they were extinct." "So it''s an undocumented Gu Diao?" Xing Miao''s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. Hu Li nodded. "That''s what Zhao said." "Is An''an still alive?" Ying Ning asked, her voice trembling with unfamiliar terms and fears. "Does this Gu Diao... eat people?" The air grew thick with tension. Gu Diao, known to look like eagles with horns and cry like babies, were indeed man-eaters. "Yes, it eats people," Ling Ji answered truthfully, piercing the silence. "It prefers infants, then young children." The Gu Diao she had eaten had devoured many people, causing public outrage that reached her ears. Accompanied by Si Xi, she had exterminated it to protect the people. Ling Ji never lied, nor did she see the need to soften the truth. Whether Ying Ning could handle the truth was not her concern. Ying Ning swayed, but Yu Zhiyan caught her quickly. "It''s not as bad as it sounds. Don''t scare yourself." "Ling Ji will save your child. Right?" Yu Zhiyan nudged Ling Ji with his gaze. Ling Ji, misinterpreting Yu Zhiyan''s signals, asked, "Is your eye twitching?" Yu Zhiyan: "..." "If the child is alive¡ª" Ling Ji began, but Xing Miao clapped a hand over her mouth, laughing awkwardly. "Our Lady is straightforward and honest." "She means An''an has a blessed fate and will surely survive until we rescue her." Ling Ji pushed Xing Miao''s hand away, frowning. Humans were strange. They asked for the truth but couldn''t handle it. Turning away, she caught sight of two figures¡ªa black and a white shadow. Before her mind could fully register, her body reacted. In an instant, she grasped the shadows and two spirits appeared at her feet. "Greetings, Lady Ling Ji," Black and White Wuchang greeted respectfully. "Is Ying Anhe dead?" Ling Ji asked directly. Confused by the sudden questioning, Black Wuchang quickly checked his app, scanning the recent and upcoming death lists. "No, my lady." "Good. You may go," Ling Ji waved them away. The spirits exchanged a glance, surprised by her leniency. White Wuchang, emboldened, added, "Lady, though Ying Anhe is not dead, her life is in grave danger if captured by those practicing dark arts." Ling Ji: "Hmm?" Xing Miao''s eyes narrowed. "How so?" "Her eight characters are all yin, making her a rare pure yin body," White Wuchang explained. In the cultivation world, such a body was highly sought after as a cauldron. Ling Ji glanced at Ying Ning, then nodded at the spirits. "Understood. You may leave." Regretting his outspokenness, White Wuchang quickly closed his mouth and fled with Black Wuchang. "Lady Ling Ji..." Ying Ning began, her voice filled with trepidation. "Rest assured, An''an is alive," Ling Ji reassured her. "That''s wonderful." Hearing her daughter was alive, Ying Ning felt warmth seeping back into her heart. The ice surrounding her spirit began to thaw, bringing a glimmer of hope. As Ying Ning''s face brightened with rare relief, Xing Miao resolved to find An''an quickly. "Can you track An''an''s scent to their location?" Xing Miao asked Ling Ji. Ling Ji sniffed the air, frowning. "Follow me." Half an hour later, the group stopped by a pond in the suburbs. "The scent ends here," Ling Ji said, sniffing the air again, her brows furrowing deeper. "This can''t be right." Determined, she focused solely on her sense of smell, blocking out all other sensations. Apart from a faint, familiar stench, there was no trace of An''an. Ling Ji''s eyes flared with dark fire, her fists clenching. "They used a spell to mask their trail." "Lady, let me use the star chart to deduce their direction," Xing Miao said, trying to calm the visibly angry Ling Ji. "They used the spell near their hideout, which means we''re close." "Yes, you''ve done well. Don''t be angry over someone unworthy," Yu Zhiyan comforted Ling Ji, holding her close to soothe her. The fire in Ling Ji''s eyes dimmed, her gaze sharp as she scanned the surroundings. "You calculate. I''ll scout around." With that, she vanished. Yu Zhiyan, staring at the empty space, asked, "What kind of spell was that?" "Teleportation," Hu Li replied, eyes filled with admiration. Though she too could teleport, Ling Ji''s speed was unmatched. Only a few in her clan could rival her. ---