Yes, what other explanation could there be? I was at the scene of these murders. Who would believe it was done by something supernatural? I was extremely frustrated, but then it suddenly occurred to me: since things are like this, why would Lei Yu believe what I said? Has he also seen supernatural things? I voiced my question, and Lei Yu waved his hand.

"How could that be? I've never seen that thing. If I had, you wouldn't be here to see me, would you?" Lei Yu's words were partly a joke, but I couldn't laugh at all. Seeing that his words had no effect, Lei Yu also got a little bored and his expression turned serious.

"I believe you simply because I trust my intuition. Over the years, I've seen countless murderers and all sorts of scum. You are unlike any of them, and there are indeed things about you that defy logic and common sense."

"That's it?" I was incredulous. Lei Yu's image had completely changed; he was nothing like the person who had initially threatened to convict me.

"That's it. And this kind of perfect crime-solving method doesn't seem like something you could do. After all, you're not that smart."

Lei Yu's words made me feel insulted, and any goodwill I had just felt vanished.

But I can't just shout that I can do it, or I'll only make things worse.

"Alright, enough said. Congratulations on your 7-day detention package. This might be the only time you'll get a decent meal in the next few days. Eat your breakfast now, the food in our detention center is terrible."

I wanted to argue, but I couldn't muster any enthusiasm for it. After all, the suspicion against me was impossible to clear, and detention was the only reasonable course of action.

Besides, isn't dying in a detention center or in my own rented room the same thing? I chuckled to myself. At this point, it doesn't matter where I am. I'm already dead. The old beggar can't save me, the abbot can't save me. What difference does it make where I wait to die? After figuring this out, I suddenly felt hungry. I quickly ate the breakfast Lei Yu had given me, and after finishing, I clasped my hands in prayer and silently prayed for the deceased abbot and the young monk. I didn't even know their names, yet they had already lost their lives.

After I finished eating, other police officers took me to the detention center to find my seat. They showed me a bunch of documents, but I didn't care. I was going to eat in jail anyway, so what did it matter if the procedures were legal or not?

The police officers who were taking me originally intended to take me to a large room, the kind of room where several people often share a room, like in movies. However, after a few whispers among themselves, the officers took me away from the large room instead.

"You should be happy, people of average status don't even get a private room."

The policeman who took me away saw my expressionless face and tried to make a joke to put me at ease, but I didn't cheer up. I just asked him a question.

"Am I being quarantined?" The police officer who brought me here was taken aback for a moment, and then said it rather irritably.

"Your surveillance level was originally very low, but the higher-ups decided to temporarily raise it. It's more like isolation. Although you've just arrived, your legend has already spread around us. You even have the nickname 'plague god.' But don't be discouraged. As long as your suspicions are cleared, we won't let you stay here even if you want to."

And so, I was locked in a solitary cell and began a decadent life of eating and sleeping every day. Frequent interrogations became a daily occurrence. I continued to repeat what I knew, but apart from Lei Yu, no one here believed me anymore. A doctor even came to examine my mental state.

Seven days passed quickly under these circumstances, and there was no progress in the case. Lei Yu even came to visit me and discuss things with me. He said that thanks to his efforts, my interrogation period was not extended, but I was released according to the original regulations.

When I left the detention center, I had the illusion of being a human again, but this did not improve my mood at all, because I knew that there were still several pairs of eyes watching me. The police had not taken their attention away from me, and letting me go was just another investigative tactic.

"Your shadow has returned."

When I returned to my rented room, the old beggar was still there. I wasn't surprised; I wouldn't be surprised if he appeared next to me anytime these days.

"He returned the day the abbot died."

I replied curtly that I had noticed my shadow returning ever since the old monk died, but this did not relieve me, because an even more terrifying force had appeared.

"Oh?!" The old beggar was unexpectedly surprised, then as if he had thought of something, he murmured, "If even his death couldn't save you, then that's really not right. Fang Shuang, congratulations, you won't die."

The old beggar's words caught me off guard. I don't have to die? Then what was the point of all my fear these past few days?! "Explain yourself, how do you mean I don't have to die?"

“Your shadow has returned, your lifespan has been restored, and the signs of sudden death are gone. I don’t know what Master Huineng did, but you cannot let his sacrifice go to waste.”

It turned out the old monk's name was Huineng. I silently prayed for Master Huineng, then lifted my shirt and showed my chest to the old beggar.

"And what's with this black hand?" The old beggar looked seriously at the black hand on my chest that seemed to be about to tear my heart apart, his tone somewhat troubled.

"I've asked many people these past few days, but no one knows what this is. It's definitely not some ordinary dirty thing. I have a feeling it's much more terrifying than I imagine."

"And, in all these days, has no one died again?" I nodded. The past few days have been so abnormally calm that it felt like I had returned to a normal life, as if what happened a week ago was a dream.

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