Early the next morning, Lu Li and Xiao Cha took the opportunity to practice martial arts together and quietly discussed things.
"How's Wan Qing?"
"Pretty good. She's quite happy."
"Was what happened yesterday... normal?"
"Of course it wasn't! Having fire appear out of nowhere is way too bizarre. I've never heard of anyone at any cultivation level being able to do that!"
After whispering together for a while, Lu Li asked, "By the way, did you ask her... what her conviction is?"
"I didn't dare." Xiao Cha lowered her voice.
"It probably has something to do with what happened up north. She always gets strange whenever it comes up... Oh! Here she comes!"
Just then, Wan Qing came out of the house.
She had a light, graceful figure. As she walked, she instinctively held an arm across her chest to keep it from bouncing indecorously.
As she passed the two of them, she gave them a gentle smile.
Watching her head into the kitchen to prepare breakfast, Lu Li said,
"As long as she's safe and sound, that's all that matters. The rest... isn't important."
Xiao Cha also breathed a sigh of relief. "Breaking through to a new level is never a bad thing."
At that moment, Wan Qing was calmly preparing the ingredients in the kitchen.
After entering Meditative Entry, she could project her Mind Power outward, making her increasingly perceptive of the world around her and everyday life more convenient.
Everything was moving in a good direction. Lu Li said,
"Next, keep a close eye on Wang Siqi's side. Try to find an opportunity as soon as possible."
"Mm, don't worry. I'll make sure not a single one of them gets away!"
The insignia on Xiao Cha's shoulder gleamed brighter than ever.
~~~~~~~~~~~
The Wang Family was one of Jinmen's great houses. Xiao Cha was a newly appointed constable, and investigating such a colossal family could be quite risky.
But everything came down to fate. Qin Chuan, who had previously barged in and caused trouble, had unexpectedly helped them a great deal!
He helped the Wang Family search for a "Spirit Child," thinking he'd latched onto a powerful patron. He even treated it as a badge of honor and bragged about it everywhere.
Little did he know, he'd made things much easier for Xiao Cha!
The conflict between them was already out in the open, so it was only natural for Xiao Cha to investigate her opponent's background.
And so, Xiao Cha openly obtained the information and brought it home to discuss with Lu Li.
"The old master of the Wang Family who's about to die is Wang Siqi's own father! He once worked at the Prime Minister's Office, holding the fifth-rank post of secretary. He was involved in the signing of the Treaty of Shimonoseki."
As Xiao Cha spoke, her expression grew solemn.
"The problem is, the Wang Family lives on Miyajima Street, inside the Izumo Concession, so it won't be easy for us to get close. And the place is full of high-ranking officials and nobles, with experts everywhere!"
The situation was tricky. Lu Li considered it and said, "What if we don't go after the Wang Family and just kill Wang Siqi? Would there be an opportunity?"
That would mean they couldn't get their hands on the cultivation method, but they would have to settle for less.
Xiao Cha thought it over, then frowned.
"To show his filial devotion, Wang Siqi has to attend his father's bedside every day. He won't leave the estate before his father dies. And his father has a cultivation base too... He should be able to hold on until the end of the year."
"It's only mid-July..." Lu Li frowned. "Keep watching him, then, and see if an opportunity comes up."
Xiao Cha nodded. "We can only do that for now. Let him live a few more days."
They prepared to play the long game, but everything came down to fate.
When fate arrived, there was no stopping it!
~~~~~~~~~~~
At that very moment, the Wang Siqi they'd both been thinking about was attending his father, Wang Wenzhen, at his sickbed.
Wang Wenzhen was withered to the point of looking like a sun-dried old tree stump, but a few clear sparks still lingered in his eyes, showing that his mind remained sharp.
He looked at his son and asked sternly,
"I had you learn the Izumo Language. How well have you learned it?"
Wang Siqi replied respectfully, "Reporting to Father, I've learned eight or nine tenths of it. I can manage everyday conversation without difficulty."
"Excellent!" A faint smile appeared on Wang Wenzhen's face, then he grew serious again.
"The Emperor of Izumo is a man of great ambition and ability. Sooner or later, he'll unite the world. It can't hurt to learn the language in advance!"
Wang Siqi bowed. "Thank you for your instruction, Father."
Looking at his modest, refined son, Wang Wenzhen was very pleased. He asked again, "Have you prepared the Spirit Children?"
"They're ready. There are six in all. We've also prepared a whole collection of treasures, sacrificial vessels, and the like."
"The rest isn't important. Make sure you carefully inspect everything related to cultivation. I'll be taking it all down with me."
"Please rest assured, Father. There won't be any mistakes."
The father and son talked for a while. With nothing left to worry about, Wang Wenzhen said,
"I don't have many days left. Let's pick an auspicious day and have me go down early. Call the people from the Jiu Shan Sect to see me off."
Wang Siqi paused, then replied, "I will obey, Father."
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next day, news of the Wang Family's funeral spread throughout Jinmen.
When Xiao Cha first heard about it, she didn't react much.
It was just a funeral for a high-ranking official. It would simply be a grand affair.
But then Chief Constable Chen summoned her and gave her an assignment.
"Lord Wang Wenzhen has passed away. The funeral will be held on the first day of the eighth month. There'll be many people paying their respects, so represent the Patrol Bureau and go stand guard."
Having constables stand guard at a funeral was a fitting mark of respect for a high-ranking official.
Xiao Cha's eyes lit up. "Your subordinate obeys!"
Chief Constable Chen nodded with satisfaction. "You've got plenty of drive. Young people should be like that. Go on, get to it."
Xiao Cha hurried home, vaulted over the courtyard wall in a single leap, and spotted Lu Li.
"Something's changed! Wang Wenzhen's funeral has been announced!"
"Is he dead? That was sudden..."
"He probably isn't dead," Xiao Cha explained.
"A lot of high-ranking officials and nobles like to pick an auspicious day and go straight into their tombs. They say it helps with reincarnation or something. Wang Wenzhen's probably doing the same."
Lu Li could only shake his head at that funeral custom...
Xiao Cha continued, "And what a coincidence! The bureau's assigned me to bring people and keep order on the day of the funeral!"
At that, Lu Li's expression shifted. "You mean..."
"Hehe~" Xiao Cha's pretty face flushed with excitement as she lowered her voice.
"Not only can we go in openly, but it'll be chaotic once we're there... I've already scouted the place. We'll wait for the right moment and make sure father and son share the same funeral!"
The excited young woman showed her little canine teeth, biting down hard on her rosy lips!
Lu Li smiled. "Constable Xiao, you're an officer of the law. Try to keep up appearances."
"Oh, I just think it's so thrilling~ So satisfying~" Xiao Cha's bright eyes shone as she cooed, "Do you dare go?"
"You really are bold enough to defy the heavens~"
Lu Li raised a hand, and a Children's Rifle dropped into it. "Of course I do... I couldn't ask for more!"
"I knew you were a lawless sort!"
Xiao Cha also went inside and brought out her two guns.
They screwed suppressors onto the muzzles and practiced firing in the courtyard, the shots going "thump, thump."
Lu Li also had an extra task: practicing somersaults.
His Mind Power had already been strengthened to its limit, so he'd make the most of the time he had left to improve his physical abilities as much as possible!
Wan Qing stood nearby, smiling gently.
"That Lord Wang betrayed his country for personal gain. When he signed the treaty, he leaked a great deal of information to the People of Izumo. Young Master Lu, do your best!"
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