The Gao family had never really cared whether Gao Chen lived or died, whether they were sending him overseas to study, letting him learn black magic, or even allowing him to run an anime content channel online.
As long as he did not court death by competing with the eldest or second young master for anything.
From beginning to end, the Gao family had never considered Gao Chen one of its core members.
But this time, the mess Gao Chen had made was far too big for his death alone to make up for it.
Thanks to how readily information spread online, the moment Gao Chen got into trouble, the Gao family's reputation was dragged through the mud along with him. Several major deals personally overseen by the family's eldest young master had also fallen through completely.
On top of that, the day after the incident, the Gao family's second young master had called from the Alabachia Federation just to mock the eldest young master and the old man who had sent him overseas to gain experience.
That sent the Gao family, which had originally intended to protect its reputation, into an outright fury.
So while this "revenge" operation was ostensibly meant to assist the authorities with their investigation, its real purpose was to restore both the Gao family's prestige and its material interests.
"They really aren't afraid to die."
Liu Yaowen honestly wanted to laugh.
That was all the judgment these nouveau riche families without any historical roots could muster. Any other family with a long-standing heritage in Shenzhou would have realized the moment they saw the analysis report that they had run into a wild "Haki Gao."
Instead of keeping their heads down and playing dead, they actually dared to announce they wanted revenge. If they provoked that person into coming straight to their door, it would be too late to cry and beg for reconciliation!
Forget it. If the Gao family wants to pull a tiger's whiskers, let them. It's their [personal action], after all. Ideally, they'll draw out that dangerous psychic superpower user, and the Bureau can step in to mediate afterward... whichever way you look at it, we won't lose out.
With that thought, Liu Yaowen rose from his seat and nodded to the Gao family's elderly representative.
"If the Gao family has a way to find that mysterious psychic superpower user, then please, go ahead."
The two had barely stepped outside when Liu Yaowen saw a Daoist standing at the door, who offered him a formal greeting.
"Blessings of the Immeasurable Heavenly Lord."
The man in blue-green Daoist robes had an otherworldly air, as though he had stepped out of an ancient painting.
"Team Leader Liu, allow me to introduce the master of the mystic arts our Gao family has invited. His Daoist name is Qing Xuanzi."
At last, a hint of a smile appeared on the elderly man's face, as though he were showing off.
"Greetings, Daoist Qing Xuanzi."
Liu Yaowen returned the greeting without any change in expression, while inwardly understanding what was going on.
No wonder the Gao family dared to come seeking revenge. They'd paid a fortune to hire a "Haki Gao."
But is this "Haki Gao" you've hired anywhere near as capable as the Diviner the director invited from the capital?
No, I can't jump to conclusions yet.
What if he really is a secluded master? Wouldn't that make me the clown?
So Liu Yaowen showed no trace of doubt and simply led the pair to the other side of the interrogation room.
Huang Qingque, who had been unable to glean any information from Gao Chen, was sitting by the door, apparently resting with her eyes closed.
"Hmm?"
Sensing someone approaching, Huang Qingque immediately opened her eyes, stood, and saluted Liu Yaowen.
"Team leader, I'm sorry. I still haven't been able to uncover anything about them."
"I know. Thanks for your hard work."
Liu Yaowen nodded, then introduced the two people behind him.
Huang Qingque was not particularly surprised that someone from the Gao family had come. She simply had not expected them to manage to invite a practitioner of the mystic arts.
After all, those people generally acted not for money, but according to their moods or personal obligations.
"You're..."
Yet when she saw the blue-robed Daoist, Huang Qingque froze for a moment, then said with a slight frown, "An unorthodox practitioner!"
"Heh... aren't you one too, lay practitioner? You forsake life itself to devote yourselves solely to divination. No wonder the Tianyan Sect's master still hasn't pulled through after being injured."
At that brazen provocation, veins immediately bulged on Huang Qingque's forehead, and her right hand instinctively reached toward her waist pouch.
But she quickly withdrew it, her expression returning to calm.
"Trying to provoke me? It won't be that easy."
"You certainly know how to keep your composure."
The Daoist looked somewhat surprised, then smiled serenely.
"If even a Diviner who specializes in divination can't see anything, how could an unorthodox practitioner like you find them?"
Huang Qingque challenged him.
"You need only wait here a moment, lay practitioner."
Qing Xuanzi answered with great confidence, then pushed open the interrogation room door and gracefully seated himself across from Gao Chen.
A few minutes later.
"What the fu- ahem! Forgive me, ancestral master! Forgive me! This disciple should never have uttered such filthy words!"
After observing him for a while, Qing Xuanzi nearly burst into curses. He hurriedly took a deep breath to calm himself, then could not help exclaiming:
"This is the first time I've ever seen... someone so 'pure' in this world! Not only was it induced after birth, it's irreversible."
In truth, he was already considering backing out.
An enemy who could physically alter someone's brain to make them this "pure" in such a short time was far beyond what a "humble Daoist" like him could afford to tangle with!
He had originally thought someone had stolen the man's three souls and seven spirits, and that he could make a tidy fortune with a secret technique. Instead, he had stumbled onto something this terrifying.
But slinking out like this would cost him too much face.
Damn that old Gao. If I survive this, you'd better compensate me with triple the fee!
[Soul-and-Spirit Projection Technique]
Deciding to give it a try, Qing Xuanzi formed a hand seal, and blue-green vapor began rising from his body, almost solid enough to touch.
The vapor then condensed further, taking on Qing Xuanzi's appearance and sitting upright in midair. Its ethereal, immortal-like bearing was a stunning sight.
Unorthodox trickery!
Watching this, Huang Qingque could not help silently cursing.
The next instant, the illusory Qing Xuanzi passed through the table and slowly merged into Gao Chen's body.
"Oh dear! Just as I thought. All three souls and seven spirits are present. He's really become a pure simpleton in the physical sense... ha! I wonder who's purer, him or Emperor Hui of Jin in the history books."
Qing Xuanzi, whose consciousness had slipped into Gao Chen's spiritual seat, could not help chuckling.
Then he formed another hand seal.
If I perform divination here, I should be able to follow the karmic thread straight to the attacker. The only question is whether I can drop to my knees faster than that powerful figure can use their superpower.
Although Gao Chen's spiritual seat contained no memories whatsoever related to the attacker, a sliver of karma still connected them: the karma of "concealment."
Things connected to the other party had been concealed, and that, too, counted as a form of karma.
With his secret art, he should be able to follow it back and take a look.
One look, then I'm out!
With that thought, Qing Xuanzi activated his secret art once more.
Then he felt some force dragging violently at his consciousness. The next instant, he discovered that he was no longer inside Gao Chen's spiritual seat, but in a strange city filled with poisonous fog.
"Ancestral master, protect me..."
Faced with such an unknown situation, Qing Xuanzi could only pray.
Before long, he saw a petite, white-haired figure appear in the distance, then rush toward him like a phantom, far too fast for him to react.
Like a fragile mage caught at close range by a warrior with a high attack speed, Qing Xuanzi did not realize he had been attacked until a gaping wound had been opened in his abdomen.
"...A man, huh."
Before losing consciousness, he dimly heard her slightly disappointed voice.
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