“I haven’t reviewed the case files, so it’s hard to make a plan casually.”
Ning Shuying, trusting those she used and not doubting those she trusted, turned and said, “Come with me.”
Qin Li quickly followed, not fearing that the woman would harm him, as he had the instant space son bead on him.
Along the way, the two hurried, and Ning Shuying occasionally used her Divine Sense to ask Qin Li some minor, irrelevant questions.
Qin Li answered truthfully, and through this indirect questioning and answering, Ning Shuying had already formed a mental image of Qin Li.
Led by Ning Shuying, the two entered the yamen’s archives unimpeded.
Qin Li took the case files handed to him by Ning Shuying and began to read them carefully.
Zheng Sanzhen, a local of Qingyang City, was originally a Utility Disciple of the Cao Gang , and he became uncontrollable after raising a ghost to attack and kill his gang leader a month ago.
Within a month, he committed countless crimes, using his ghost to kill anyone with whom he had a past grudge or argument.
His methods were brutal, and his mind seemed deranged; after each killing, he would grind the victim's body into a meat paste and scribble randomly with it at the crime scene.
The yamen had deployed almost all its manpower, but all efforts were in vain.
“This is strange. Zheng Sanzhen’s past was unremarkable, so how did he suddenly start raising ghosts?”
Qin Li looked at the information in the case file and asked, “And isn’t the true identity of this ghost-raising fiend already known? Why isn’t his face drawn clearly on the wanted poster, and his crimes explicitly stated?”
“The wanted poster is a smokescreen. Mortals are often helpless against such evil cultivators. Issuing the wanted poster is mainly to make Zheng Sanzhen believe that he hasn’t been exposed yet.”
“Otherwise, if he becomes alert, changes his appearance, and leaves Qingyang City, the difficulty of capturing him will greatly increase.”
After Ning Shuying finished speaking, she felt a bit stuffy and removed the Magical Artifact for disguise that had been covering her face.
Qin Li gasped, seeing the true face of the Xuanyuan Dynasty’s top female Constable, and instantly froze in place.
Ning Shuying’s skin was like congealed cream, her eyebrows like distant mountains, and her beautiful eyes were bright and sharp, as if starlight was hidden within those piercing pupils; her red lips curved slightly upward, carrying a heroic and dashing air.
This was the first time Qin Li had seen such a beautiful and elegant woman since coming down the mountain. She was not much inferior to his Fairy mother; both possessed their own unique beauty.
Seeing his expression, Ning Shuying’s cheeks flushed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure, clearing her throat and saying, “Have you seen enough? Let’s think about how to capture Zheng Sanzhen first.”
Qin Li came back to his senses, scratched his head a bit awkwardly, and continued to ponder the case.
The two discussed the ghost-raising fiend case late into the night. Qin Li, thinking that Constable Ning had been working tirelessly on this case all day, stood up to bid farewell.
“I’m staying at the Luoning Inn for the next few days. Constable Ning, if there’s any news, please let me know as soon as possible. It’s too late now, I won’t disturb Constable Ning’s rest.”
“Very well, I’ll sort out my thoughts here. I won’t see Young Master Qin out.”
Qin Li said there was no need to see him off and then left the yamen.
...
Luoyun Temple.
The spring breeze brushed past, and Nangong Wan, dressed in simple white, stood atop Yin Yang Peak, her expression serene and her eyes complex.
“Fairy Master, do you miss Li Di?”
Zhou Fan slowly walked behind Nangong Wan at some unknown moment.
Nangong Wan nodded but did not speak.
“These past few days since Li Di left, I also think of him from time to time. Whenever that happens, I think, Fairy Master, you and Li Di have been together on Yin Yang Peak for over twenty years. With him gone, Master, you…”
Nangong Wan felt a warmth in her heart listening to Zhou Fan’s words whispered close to her ear, but she quickly noticed something even warmer.
Luan Feng Immortal’s pretty face instantly flushed. She looked down at the ant-sized Utility Disciple on Yin Yang Peak below the clouds, and her voice became alluring, “Not here.”
Zhou Fan cast a one-way barrier Spell, a second-tier Spell he had recently learned, which allowed those inside the barrier to see out, but prevented those outside from seeing anything within the barrier.
“Fairy Master, do you really not want to?”
Zhou Fan sensed for a moment and then realized that Luan Feng Immortal, looking down at the oblivious Utility Disciple below the mountain, instantly got into the mood.
A drop of rain fell from the sky, and Zhou Fan followed the Dao.
Luan Feng Immortal, with her hair disheveled, lay against the one-way barrier, her attention quickly diverted, and she forgot about Xiao Li, who was thousands of miles away.
...
For the past few days, Ning Shuying still often went out at night.
The only difference from before was that she knew there was a man secretly protecting her from behind.
This gave Constable Ning, who had always been a lone wolf, an indescribable feeling, but it seemed, it wasn’t bad.
“Constable Ning, let’s stop here for today. This Zheng Sanzhen is quite patient.”
Qin Li’s voice came. The ghost-raising fiend hadn’t committed any more crimes since she entered the city, and Ning Shuying knew that this matter couldn’t be rushed.
“How about we move to the Luoning Inn? I’ll treat Constable Ning to a drink.”
Qin Li’s figure appeared. Ning Shuying was originally focused on catching the fiend and had no mood for drinking, but after meeting Qin Li’s clear eyes, her heart softened, and she agreed.
Two quarters of an hour later, in Qin Li’s room, looking at the good wine and dishes on the table, Qin Li first poured Ning Shuying a cup of wine.
“Catching that fiend is important, but we can’t neglect rest. Although we are cultivators, we can’t have no time to relax at all.”
Qin Li smiled. After these few days of spending time together, the two had become as familiar as friends.
Only then did Ning Shuying realize why Qin Li had invited her for a drink, and she felt a little touched. It had been a long time since anyone had cared for her so much.
“You’ve gone to great lengths, Young Master Qin.”
“It is Constable Ning who has gone to great lengths. I’ll toast you first on behalf of the elders and villagers of Qingyang City.”
After a few cups of turbid wine, two red clouds rose.
Qin Li stared blankly, feeling that Ning Shuying at this moment was different from her usual heroic self, having a few more captivating and charming qualities.
“It’s just that this Zheng Sanzhen…”
Ning Shuying was about to discuss the case when Qin Li waved his hand to interrupt her.
“No talk of cases today.” Qin Li waved his hand grandly and said, “With Constable Ning here, I reckon that hidden rat won’t be able to hide for much longer.”
Qin Li deliberately flattered her, making Ning Shuying cover her mouth and chuckle softly.
After a few more cups of wine, Ning Shuying began to talk more.
“I joined the Divine Constable Bureau at the age of six. After twelve years of training, I was tested at eighteen and found to possess a Profound-grade mutated Wind Spiritual Root. Now, more than ten years have passed, and I have solved nearly a hundred major and minor cases, ultimately bringing all the true culprits to justice.”
“As a mere woman, I have risen to become one of the Four Great Constables of the Xuanyuan Dynasty…”
Qin Li listened quietly. After coming down the mountain, he had met many people and knew that everyone had their own difficulties.
With Ning Shuying’s looks, reaching her current position inevitably invited criticism. As Ning Shuying spoke slowly, her eyes unknowingly became a little red.
Taking a handkerchief from his Storage Pouch, Qin Li handed it to Ning Shuying.
Their hands touched during the exchange. Qin Li’s expression was normal, while Ning Shuying’s cheeks flushed red.
After they talked for a long time, fueled by the wine, Ning Shuying looked at the gentle, polite, and caring Young Master sitting opposite her, and asked from her heart, “Young Master Qin, are you married?”