What Promise Would Lord Chen Make in Return?

Nie Shi'an said with disappointment:

"You people really have something wrong with your eyes."

You're actually putting all the blame on a young, blonde girl? Are you trying to drive her to her death?

"Alright, I'll have Chen Ankang investigate this case. Are you all satisfied now?"

Chen Ankang is Zhou Wanwan's mortal enemy now, but he is a first-rate investigator.

He now holds the rank of Fourth-Rank Provincial Surveillance Commissioner, in charge of local criminal cases. He wields real power and can intervene in cases large and small in the government, making him extremely influential.

His family is also a long-established official family with deep roots; his ancestors served as officials for generations, and the family was very wealthy.

All the prominent families breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Chen Ankang's name.

Chen Ankang quickly walked in and said:

"Uncles and elders, please rest assured, I'm here, and I will definitely give you an explanation."

As for certain individuals, once the evidence is conclusive, I will certainly make them pay the price they deserve.

Zhou Wanwan looked at Chen Ankang and said:

"Lord Chen, who are you referring to as 'certain people'? It can't be me, can it?"

Lord Chen's prejudice against me is so deep. I just don't understand what I did to make Lord Chen target me like this.

Is it because Lord Chen feels a sense of crisis? Seriously.

Lord Chen, your investigative skills are quite poor. You've been investigating a case for months and haven't made a single clue.

He's a complete bum.

Zhou Wanwan's words were merciless, and Chen Ankang's face turned ashen with anger. "Zhou Wanwan, you're too arrogant! Who do you think you are? You're just a scholar. What right do you have to investigate these cases?"

Zhou Wanwan looked at him and said, "No way! No way! Lord Chen is getting anxious? Are you afraid I'll take your job?"

Chen Ankang took a deep breath and said:

"I currently have two cases on hand. The first one is the theft of the golden Buddha statue from State-Pacifying Temple a few months ago."

The temple was very popular, but a large golden Buddha statue enshrined there disappeared without a trace during the night.

The courtyard walls were intact, the doors and windows were also in good condition, and the monks guarding the temple and the servants protecting the courtyard were all fast asleep.

When I woke up, there wasn't a single clue. I searched high and low, but I couldn't find even a trace of the thief.

There's a second case, even more bizarre.

Every few months, something bad happens in that desolate forest on the outskirts of the city; the bodies of more than twenty women have been discovered so far.

These women were of unknown origin; some were ordinary country girls, while others were women working in the city. They were all young and had died mysteriously and their bodies were left in the wilderness.

Successive governments investigated for several years but could not find out who the murderer was or what the motive was.

One incident after another occurred, and the case remained unsolved.

Many seasoned officials and experienced investigators are at a loss, and you, a mere young girl, dare to interrupt and spout nonsense?

If you're so capable, then solve both of these cases for me!

If this cannot be solved, from now on, when the government holds meetings, investigates cases, or conducts trials, you should consciously disappear from this place and never show your face again to get in the way!

Zhou Wanwan looked up at him and said:

"What if I really solve both of these long-standing cold cases?"

What promise does Lord Chen intend to fulfill this time?

Chen Ankang scoffed coldly, his face full of disdain:

"You, a young woman, dare to presume to solve these two unsolved cases?"

I'm putting this out there: if you're truly capable of thoroughly investigating both cases, I'll personally give you five thousand taels of silver.

Besides, from now on I am willing to acknowledge you as my master and be your subordinate. If you tell me to go east, I will never go west. Whatever you command, I will do without hesitation.

Zhou Wanwan's eyes lit up and she asked, "Lord Chen, is this really true?"

Prefect Fang coughed several times beside him and said, "Lord Chen, think twice before you act, in case..."

Chen Ankang laughed loudly, "I, Chen, have been investigating cases for over 20 years. Do you think I'm inferior to a six-year-old little girl?"

Zhou Wanwan looked at him and said, "Since everyone is here today, why don't we sign a contract? I'm not comfortable with that."

Chen Ankang rolled his eyes and said, "Fine, I'll write it."

It's just a contract, isn't it?

Chen Ankang didn't take the child seriously and quickly finished writing the contract.

Zhou Wanwan's handwriting is quite good. Chen Ankang asked with a look of surprise, "Your handwriting is really good. You must have practiced for many years. Are you really only 6 years old?"

Zhou Wanwan looked at him and said, "What else? Hurry up and sign and put your fingerprint on it."

The two quickly signed and sealed the agreement, making three copies: one for Zhou Wanwan, one for Chen Ankang, and one for Nie Shi'an.

Nie Shi'an laughed and said, "Chen Ankang, why are you arguing with a child like this?"

Chen Ankang glanced at Zhou Wanwan and said:

"She provoked me first; it's clearly stated in the contract."

If you fail to solve these two cold cases this time, you will have to kowtow to everyone present and deeply reflect on your own actions.

Can you do it?

Zhou Wanwan nodded and said, "Yes, it's just kowtowing, right? If Lord Chen loses, then he'll have to sell himself to me and be at my beck and call."

It's a great deal no matter how you look at it, okay?

Chen Ankang flicked his sleeve and left.

He didn't even consider a six-year-old child a threat; his current focus was on investigating a case, which was quite bizarre.

He recently discovered many robbery cases, and the victims were all wealthy and powerful families.

Moreover, it is highly targeted.

Just like the major families this time, the Xie Family head looked at Lord Chen and said, "This was done by Zhou Wanwan. We just had a dispute with her at the treasure appreciation banquet a while ago."

Chen Ankang looked at them and said, "Oh? Is that so?"

The Xie Family head recounted what happened at the treasure appreciation banquet. Chen Ankang looked at them and said, "You mean, Zhou Wanwan switched your treasures?"

The Xie Family head quickly nodded and said, "Yes, yes, she switched them, trying to fool us with a fake."

Chen Ankang suddenly laughed:

"Master Xie Family, do you think I'm a three-year-old child?"

Are those treasures definitely switched by Zhou Wanwan?

I was there at the time, and you know perfectly well whether your precious item was switched or not.

The Xie Family head's face darkened. Chen Ankang had a sharp tongue; he didn't like being treated like a fool.

The Xie Family head led Chen Ankang into the storeroom, Chen Ankang immediately began to carefully examine the surroundings.

The huge warehouse was empty, completely emptied, with not a single item left, and not a trace of goods being dragged on the ground.

Chen Ankang frowned deeply and muttered to himself:

"Who exactly are these people who managed to move things out so quietly?"

Does that mean everyone knows kung fu?

Even with superhuman agility, it's impossible to move so many heavy items out of the warehouse out of thin air. This is too strange.

He then went to the window and carefully examined the window frame and sill, trying to find any clues.

The warehouse floor was already covered with a thin layer of dust, so people walking around would have left footprints.

But the ground was spotless, not even a single footprint could be found.

Chen Ankang's face was filled with disbelief as he murmured:

There weren't even any footprints on the ground. How did these people get in?

Could it be that they started from the roof and hoisted the things away directly?

He looked up and carefully examined the roof; the beams and tiles were all solid and the structure was very sturdy.

If the roof and tiles are forcibly removed, damage will inevitably be left behind, and the noise will be considerable, so it's impossible for no one to notice.

Chen Ankang paced back and forth around the warehouse, becoming more and more puzzled the more he examined it.

I just can't figure out what's going on. It feels incredibly strange, and I have absolutely no clue what's going on.