Mount Shenjiang

Cong Yan was physically weak and collapsed from exhaustion after a short while.

Zhu Qinghe tucked her in and gently closed the door.

Shen Wumei stood with his hands behind his back on the silvery stone pavement illuminated by the moonlight, still maintaining his handsome and aloof demeanor.

It seems that nothing that happens will affect him in any way.

Zhu Qinghe descended the steps, walked up to him, and suddenly looked up and asked, "Shen Wumei."

It was rare for her to call him by his name so earnestly, instead of using the ingratiating "Lord Shen." Shen Wumei waited quietly for her to continue.

"If it were you, would you do what Cong Yan did?" Recklessly risking everything just to avenge someone important to her.

Perhaps she's not the only one doing this.

After a long silence, Shen Wumei finally spoke the truth: "I don't know."

Zhu Qinghe's eyes widened slightly. She thought she would definitely get a firm and affirmative answer from him: "I won't."

He was Lord Shen, after all; how could he hesitate even for a moment? Yet, he gave an answer that was less eloquent but more truthful.

She then realized that the seemingly aloof Lord Shen had already come to her side and truly become a flesh-and-blood, trustworthy partner.

"But no matter what, things always have to come to a conclusion. The case is now just one thing away from being closed."

Zhu Qinghe knew what he was talking about. Come to think of it, she knew the person they were looking for. She remembered that round-faced girl with a gentle smile, and the proud yet sorrowful look in her eyes when she talked about her younger brother.

Zhu Qinghe understood everything.

Having experienced so many cases, I've learned that the killers' plans are often imperfect. They seem completely unconcerned about being discovered soon; their goal is always to make the killers who harmed their loved ones pay the price.

They are even willing to sacrifice the rest of their lives to seek an exchange that is never fair or equivalent.

Thinking of the pervert who cruelly murdered Xu Yishu, Zhu Qinghe felt a chill in her heart. Shen Wumei keenly noticed her change and took off his outer robe and draped it over her shoulders.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here. I won't let anyone hurt you," Shen Wumei said softly.

When they found Chenxiang, his expression was very calm, as if he had expected them to come.

While outside, Zhu Qinghe looked around and saw that it was a very dilapidated little house, inevitably exposed to wind and rain.

This shows that their circumstances were indeed not good, and it was impossible for such a family to afford the tuition of Zhushi Academy. It seems that Fang Xiaoguo was indeed admitted to the academy for free based on her own merit.

Such an outstanding and self-reliant younger brother left her just like that. Although Zhu Qinghe didn't have a younger brother and couldn't understand the blood ties of family, if Ruyi had been treated like that, she probably would have felt no less hatred than Chenxiang.

"Miss Zhu, we meet again." Chen Xiang smiled, her gentle and kind round face carrying a calm smile.

"I'm sorry about what happened last time. We were only targeting Xu Yishu, but we didn't expect to involve you. I hope we didn't scare you."

Zhu Qinghe pursed her lips slightly. It was obvious that the "he" Chen Xiang was referring to was the perverted killer wearing the Nuo opera mask from last time.

"Who is he to you?" Shen Wumei stepped forward, shielding Zhu Qinghe behind her, and asked directly.

"You mean Brother Sixi?" Chenxiang smiled sweetly. "He's my lover."

Sure enough, Zhu Qinghe thought to herself, if that's the case, then everything makes sense. Brother Sixi killed Xu Yishu for Chenxiang's sake, and Chenxiang did it to avenge her younger brother Fang Xiaoguo.

They collaborated with Cong Yan, who devised a plan at Ya Ke Ju to take Xu Yishu to a secluded place. Chen Xiang then helped her knock her unconscious, and after entering the tunnel, Sixi took her to the dilapidated temple.

The steps are all interconnected, which allows people to be transferred in the shortest possible time without leaving any trace.

At that time, Chen Xiang came to chat with Zhu Qinghe just to leave more bargaining chips for his alibi. However, what Zhu Qinghe never understood was that, logically speaking, Hao Ziming was the mastermind behind it all.

Xu Yishu was at best an accomplice, and a brainless one at that. Why did they kill her first, and why did they use such cruel methods?

“Is it strange?” Chen Xiang said, “Because she deserves to die. No one stopped her from sucking up to Hao Ziming, but why did she have to hurt other people?”

"Do you know how many girls have been ruined by Hao Ziming because of her? She and Hao Ziming are in cahoots. As a woman, she is ruthless and destroys people's innocence. Since she has no shame, it's not a big deal for us to peel off her face."

Thinking of that arrogant and domineering girl whose skirt was embroidered with pearls, Zhu Qinghe felt a little scared. She originally thought that the girl was just a little spoiled, but she did not expect that she was so vicious.

"Since you've all admitted it, come with us now."

Zhu Qinghe did not participate in the subsequent procedures; as an unofficial staff member, her mission ended there.

In the following days, she couldn't seem to muster any energy while staying at the fortune teller's place. After just a few cases, Zhu Qinghe felt that her nerves were starting to give out.

She sighed deeply, drawing the attention of Ruyi beside her: "Miss, what's wrong with you lately? You seem to be in a bad mood."

But the fortune teller's business is booming. So many people come to them every day to buy talismans and have their fortunes told. What could they possibly be dissatisfied with?

“I suddenly realized how fragile life is, and how short life is.” Zhu Qinghe suddenly straightened up from behind the counter, her eyes shining.

"Ruyi, let's take a few days off and go out for fun."

Ruyi glanced at the long queue outside and her eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

Good heavens, is this still her young lady? Instead of making money, she goes out to play. Has she been possessed by some monster?

Zhu Qinghe truly kept her word; this time, she chose a picturesque little village as her spring outing location, nestled at the foot of the southern slope of the mountain.

Nanlu Mountain is the blessed mountain of Licheng. Legend has it that hundreds of years ago, a great immortal descended on Nanlu Mountain. At that time, Licheng was suffering from a drought. Suddenly, the sky was filled with colorful clouds and dazzling light, and the great immortal appeared.

He held a whisk in his hand, stroked his beard, and sighed that this mountain was destined for him. Then he waved the whisk lightly, and instantly, dark clouds gathered and sweet rain fell from the sky.

Since then, Licheng has enjoyed favorable weather and has never experienced any serious disasters again.

Therefore, the locals regard the southern foot of the mountain as a sacred mountain, hence its nickname "Mountain of Divine Descent".

This small village, nestled at the foot of Mount Shenjiang, is naturally blessed and is known as "Shenyin Village" (Hidden Village).

Strangely enough, it's unclear whether they consider themselves gods descended to earth and look down on other mortals in Licheng, but in recent years, there has been virtually no news about them.

He really did escape the world and become an immortal.

Zhu Qinghe struggled to climb the last step, and behind her, Ruyi plopped down under a big tree and shouted, "I can't take it anymore, Miss, let's rest for a while."

Zhu Qinghe loosened the straw hat strap tied under her chin, glanced back at Ruyi who was limp and flushed, and mocked mercilessly, "We've only gone halfway, and you're already not up to par."

Ruyi said plaintively, "Miss, why don't we call a sedan chair?"

Zhu Qinghe coldly replied, "I have no money."

"Besides, more exercise is good for you. Look at you, sitting in the shop all day without moving, and you've already gained weight in such a short time."

Ruyi immediately retorted, "No way, I'm the one who runs the sourcing and selection of designs every day."

"Come on," Zhu Qinghe bluntly exposed her, "Don't think I don't know, Mo Wu helped you run those things."

Ruyi's face flushed even more, and she whispered, "...What can he possibly do?"

Zhu Qinghe clicked her tongue mischievously and said, "I think this young Master Mo is a good person, isn't he?"

Ruyi blushed and wanted to say something more, but suddenly looked behind her without speaking. The shy blush quickly faded from her face, leaving only a pale one.

His expression was a mixture of fear and horror.

"...Miss...you...your back—"

Zhu Qinghe felt a chill behind her, and goosebumps instantly rose from the soles of her feet to the top of her head.

She swallowed hard and slowly turned her head away.

*

"Boss, we're at Nanlu Mountain ahead." Mo Wu took a sip of water from the water bottle on his horse.

Shen Wumei nodded, glanced at the sky, and realized that it would be dark by then.

Mo Wu tied the water bottle back and asked, "By the way, boss, why didn't you bring Miss Zhu with you this time?"

These days, the boss and Miss Zhu are investigating cases together, going in and out of the same place. He feels that Miss Zhu is almost becoming a constable in their yamen.

She was still the one who received the most recognition.

Shen Wumei didn't say anything. She didn't seem to be in a good mood lately. The last case probably affected her. Let her rest well.

Besides, she wasn't originally one of his constables, and she had no obligation to help him investigate cases.

Just then, a woman's scream suddenly came from not far ahead.

It seems somewhat familiar.

Shen Wumei immediately mounted her horse and chased after him, with Mo Wu following closely behind.