Investigating the Case

"What exactly are you thinking?" In the side room, Liusu asked Qin Yi incredulously, "Since when have you had this kind of curiosity about investigating cases?" Qin Yi leaned against the windowsill, leisurely sipping his wine. "You seem to have gotten something wrong. The Li Family Siblings both wanted to take a look—was I supposed to insist on coming alone? Before we've even begun our real cooperation, we're already getting into a snit over such trivial branches and leaves?"

Liusu choked for a moment. That did seem to be the case... It appeared that after not dealing with people for tens of thousands of years, she had even forgotten the basic principles of conduct.

"What's truly strange is why Li Qinglin came along. By rights, he absolutely shouldn't have this kind of idle elegance." Qin Yi gazed into the night outside the window, thoughtful. "If I were him, having managed to invite a Fangshi out of seclusion, I'd wish wings would sprout from my ribs so I could hurry back to the capital. Why would I let myself ride an old horse at such a leisurely pace without urging me on even once? And that would be one thing—but he's actually meddling in someone else's business to investigate a case."

Liusu said, "Others see that you have a strange temper. Perhaps he didn't urge you because he didn't want to get into a snit with you. Li Qinglin is extremely steady. Do you think everyone is as naive as Li Qingjun?"

"Maybe." Qin Yi smiled. "In any case, this matter seems to have nothing to do with us. That madam's gaze practically wanted to swallow Li Qinglin whole."

Liusu smiled as well. A young talent like Li Qinglin, clearly from a wealthy and noble household, truly was devastating to young married women.

"Hey, Clubby, do you think this madam might have murdered her husband to seize the family fortune?"

"I don't know. I can't read minds."

"Then did you sense any Demon Qi in this manor or anything?"

Liusu replied lazily, "I told you back when we encountered the Spider Demon: I'm far too weak now, and my soul power is extremely low. Being able to see things and transmit my voice is already good enough. Asking me to sense Demon Qi is asking the impossible."

"You can't even sense Demon Qi, yet you still claim you can teach people cultivation..."

"..." Liusu gritted her teeth. "I'm weak, not incapable!"

"Then what other method do you have to determine whether the other party is human or demon?"

Liusu answered with perfect righteousness, "If you followed me in cultivating immortality, you'd naturally have countless methods. But right now? No method!"

Qin Yi was about to speak when footsteps came from outside the door. He immediately shut his mouth.

A knock soon sounded. Qin Yi opened the door and found Li Qingjun standing there.

"I came to discuss how we should investigate this matter tonight." Li Qingjun looked somewhat excited, clearly brimming with interest.

Qin Yi said helplessly, "Your brother is such a capable figure. Why aren't you discussing it with him? Why ask me?"

Li Qingjun looked around and lowered her voice. "Let me in first."

Qin Yi stepped aside. Li Qingjun slipped inside and closed the door.

"Whether this matter was caused by humans or by demons and ghosts remains uncertain. If it was done by humans, my brother can naturally investigate it. But if it was the work of demons, monsters, or ghosts, then of course I must ask your opinion." Li Qingjun paused, then added somewhat helplessly, "Besides, my brother may not be able to act with us tonight."

Qin Yi laughed. "Because Madam Zhang might go looking for your brother?"

"Yes. So my brother will stay in his room tonight. Perhaps he'll gain something instead. As for going out to investigate, that will be up to you and me."

"From your tone, you seem rather supportive of your brother having a romantic encounter outside?"

"Why shouldn't I support it?" Li Qingjun looked at him strangely. "My brother is a Prince, with countless consorts and concubines. What's wrong with a little romantic encounter outside? If this woman truly has nothing to do with the case, then if my brother likes her, it would be perfectly normal to bring her back and take her into his household. Though from what I can see, she's fickle in love. My brother wouldn't fancy her."

She said it as though it were the most natural thing in the world. Tsk... an ancient world... Looking at how the girls viewed multiple wives and concubines, it truly was good news for harem enthusiasts.

The thought made Qin Yi's smile turn a little suggestive. Li Qingjun looked at him with contempt. "Men."

"Hey, isn't that a double standard? Your brother can bring someone home if he likes her, but I get scorned just for smiling?"

"Because your smile is disgusting."

"How I smile is none of your business. Your brother is the one having a romantic encounter, not me. Aren't you afraid your brother will have his soul bewitched by feminine charms?"

"Impossible." Li Qingjun answered casually. "That wouldn't be Li Qinglin."

Qin Yi finally nodded. Though they had not spent much time together, he had great confidence in Li Qinglin as well.

Li Qingjun then seemed to ask casually, "You seem indifferent to everything. Why would you be interested in this sort of idle business?"

Qin Yi said, "Dreams of righting wrongs when I see injustice, of roaming the rivers and lakes with joyous abandon—Qin has those too."

Liusu truly wanted to control the Wolf Tooth Club and bring it down on him. That wasn't what you said just now!

Li Qingjun gave a faint smile, whether she believed him or not. "Then when we act tonight, what suggestions do you have?"

Qin Yi pondered for a moment. "I think we need to take a look at the manor lord's corpse. They said the first seven days haven't passed yet, right? The body should still be laid out in the mourning hall."

Li Qingjun nodded. Looking at the corpse should be the most direct approach. This so-called bizarre death—could there truly be no clue at all?

On a dark night with high winds, the two quietly slipped behind the mourning hall. Looking in through the window, they saw that candles still burned within, and several people were keeping vigil. One of them was dressed as a filial son and seemed to be the Young Master. But his face was green and his lips pale, making him appear extremely frail. This Young Master also looked about the same age as that madam... Clearly, the so-called madam was merely the manor lord's second wife.

The Young Master was discussing the autumn harvest with several manor hands. The two crouched outside the window and listened for a while, but gained nothing. Li Qingjun leaned close to Qin Yi's ear and whispered, "Hey, do you have any special method to make them go to sleep?"

Qin Yi's ear itched slightly. Catching the orchid-like fragrance beside him, he froze for a moment, unable to get out the words he wanted to say. Li Qingjun also realized that the posture was overly intimate. Her pretty face flushed faintly, but she quickly stopped caring and urged, "Why are you being so coy? Hurry up and tell me whether you have a way!"

"I do." Qin Yi pulled out a packet of powder. "Blow this powder inside. Once they smell it, they'll naturally become drowsy."

Over the past two months, in order to gain some prerequisite experience for his alchemy skill, he had indeed conducted many basic pharmaceutical experiments. He had sorted and brought quite a few of them with him, and they had truly proven useful everywhere. Li Qingjun moved half a foot away from him and said contemptuously, "Sneaking around making this kind of drug—what were you planning to do with it?"

Qin Yi did not know whether to laugh or cry. "You need this kind of drug, yet you scorn me for having it. Are you mentally split?"

Li Qingjun gave a "Hmph," snatched the powder from him, and was just about to use her inner strength to send it inside.

But at that moment, the conversation inside happened to end. The manor hands bade the Young Master farewell one after another. Li Qingjun was startled. Weren't these people supposed to keep vigil with the Young Master?

While she was still wondering, she saw the Young Master standing all alone in the center of the mourning hall. In the dark night and high wind, the candle flames flickered, making his pale face look ghostly. The sight sent chills through one's entire body.

The Young Master stood there quietly for a while, then suddenly spoke. "Why did you keep those three guests?"

In the empty, deserted mourning hall, those words in the dead of night made it feel even more like a ghostly prison.

A figure in mourning clothes slowly entered through the door and said softly, "That Young Master possesses inner strength. That is very important to me... Perhaps after this, I won't need anyone else's anymore. Don't you dislike me being with other people too..."

The Young Master sounded displeased, yet also somewhat helpless. "He has inner strength? Don't throw out your back! And judging from his bearing and clothing, he's either wealthy or noble. Don't stir up some major trouble."

"As long as we do it without gods knowing or ghosts noticing, what trouble could there be?" Madam Zhang placed her slender hand on the Young Master's chest and said softly, "Don't be afraid of those people who claim to catch ghosts for reward notices. Where are there any truly accomplished cultivators? Aren't they all swindlers putting on airs? Every last one of them stares at a woman's breasts until they can't bear to look away..."

The Young Master gave an angry snort. "So those three today were the same?"

"Not exactly..." Madam Zhang hesitated slightly. "One was a young lady, so there's no need to mention her. But both men had clear eyes. Young Master Li may be from a wealthy household and accustomed to beautiful women, but that young man surnamed Qin wore coarse clothes and straw sandals, yet remained calm and detached. Neither is ordinary..."

Qin Yi was somewhat speechless. So sometimes, normal behavior became a flaw in the eyes of someone with ulterior motives. He had learned something.

The Young Master said, "So you aren't afraid they truly came to catch ghosts?"

Madam Zhang shook her head. "I didn't sense any Mana cultivation in them. Only the inner strength of martial artists. Even if they truly came to catch ghosts, they would be no concern."

"You just like that Young Master Li!" The Young Master angrily shook off her hand and turned to leave.

Though he appeared angry, he had actually still tacitly permitted her to seduce Li Qinglin. Madam Zhang stood where she was for a while, smiled faintly, then turned and left as well.

Qin Yi and Li Qingjun stared at each other for a moment. The mourning hall had suddenly been left with no one keeping vigil...

"Let's go. We won't need the sleeping powder." After silently waiting until they had gone far away and confirming no one else was coming, Li Qingjun believed herself cautious enough and climbed in through the window.

"Hey, hey, hey, wait!" Before Qin Yi could stop her, he saw her rush to the coffin and reach out to lift the lid.

With a click, as if some mechanism had been triggered, the ground beside the coffin suddenly split apart. Li Qingjun was caught off guard and tumbled straight down.

"This foolish woman!" Qin Yi sprang forward in an attempt to grab her. He only managed to seize one slender hand, and the force of her fall dragged him down as well.

Bang! Fortunately, the trap was not very deep. Li Qingjun slammed into the bottom of the pit and fell spread-eagled. Qin Yi landed on top of her, pressing down firmly.