Author: 梦溪石 / Meng Xi Shi
Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/
Chapter 163
When one was under the eaves of a house, one had no choice but to bow their head.
Not long after Kan Chaosheng transformed, he serendipitously joined the Special Administration Bureau. Although there were experts hidden among the ordinary-looking staff in the Bureau, even the doorman was a rare master; Kan Chaosheng knew he had always been under Long Shen’s protection. For a newly transformed creature like him, it was easy to encounter interference that could hinder his spiritual progress. It was because of Long Shen that he could transition safely within Group 2.
However, comfort could lead to complacency. Only when he was restrained by Chang Qing and the prestige of the Special Administration Bureau failed him did Kan Chaosheng realize how much he had taken for granted. He understood that he had flourished in Group 2 because people like Dong Zhi and Zhong Yuyi had been accommodating to him. Even Long Shen, who seemed strict, had been lenient. Without this protection, he might have been expelled from the Bureau long ago. Kan Chaosheng began to reflect and regret his past arrogance.
Deng Po glanced at the disheartened Kan Chaosheng and whispered, “Why don’t you apologize to the master and ask him to release you?”
Engulfed in sorrow, Kan Chaosheng didn’t respond.
Even Deng Po’s mother felt pity seeing him like this. However, regardless of their pleas, Chang Qing remained resolute in not releasing him.
“You’ve been deceived by his appearance and now pity him,” Chang Qing said coldly. “Until I’m sure he hasn’t harmed anyone, I won’t release him. Push me further, and I’ll show you his true form. You might just die of fright.”
Left with no choice, Deng Po and his mother headed to the detention center and saw a dispirited and beaten Deng Bin.
In just a few days, he had lost a significant amount of weight, with a full beard. Deng Po hardly recognized him at first glance.
“Don’t worry,” Deng Po’s mother comforted him. “The lawyer is hired from Beijing by your brother. He’s experienced in defending such criminal cases. You must cooperate fully. Everyone is trying to help you. Don’t lose hope.”
Deng Bin, who was close in age to Deng Po, grew up under Deng Po’s mother’s care. He had a great relationship with his elder brother and sister-in-law. He nodded weakly in response, not saying a word. Seeing him like this, Deng Po’s mother sighed and introduced him to Chang Qing. “This is Mr. Chang. A very capable person I contacted through a friend. Let him check if there’s anything unusual with you.”
The case against Deng Bin seemed clear-cut, but to his family, it was shrouded in mystery. Deng Po’s mother didn’t believe he could kill. She even thought he might be possessed, which is why she went through great lengths to bring Chang Qing. It might seem superstitious, but she was trying every possible solution.
Deng Bin looked at Chang Qing, puzzled for a moment. Suddenly, as if recalling something, his spirits lifted considerably.
“Sister-in-law, I remembered someone who might be able to help me!”
Deng Po’s mother urged, “Take your time and explain.”
Deng Bin exclaimed, “Last time, when I went on an adventure to Kunlun Mountain with friends, remember?”
Deng Po replied, “Yes, you sent me photos!”
Deng Bin continued, “Yes, Xu Kun and I were close to Lengele Gorge when two men stopped us, claiming it was a restricted military area. We didn’t believe them until a storm brewed. A lightning strike nearly hit us, but one of the men used a sword to divert it. Later, he gave his contact to Xu Kun. I can’t believe I didn’t think of this sooner! Get the number from Xu Kun and contact that master. He must have a solution. Sister-in-law, I really didn’t kill anyone!”
His emotions were all over the place, but everyone understood him.
Deng Po, familiar with Xu Kun and having trekked with him before, immediately said, “I’ll contact him right away!”
“Xiao Po, you need to tell him that I didn’t kill anyone!” Deng Bin kept repeating this phrase. His current state was very different from the carefree uncle Deng Po remembered. However, anyone in Deng Bin’s current predicament would probably not fare any better.
The haggard appearance of Deng Bin weighed heavily on the hearts of the two members of the Deng family. After leaving the detention center, Deng Po’s mother couldn’t wait to ask Chang Qing what he had discovered.
Chang Qing shook his head. “Even if the killer vehemently denies it, his face would unconsciously reveal a murderous aura. Although he looks unlucky right now, he doesn’t have that killing aura. Logically speaking, he shouldn’t be the killer.”
Deng Po’s mother was first relieved, then sighed deeply.
She trusted these words, but they couldn’t serve as evidence.
Chang Qing said, “If I could visit the crime scene, I might discover something.”
Kan Chaosheng, who had been silent, couldn’t help but mock, “If you’re incompetent, admit it. If my boss had personally taken action, this would have been solved by now!”
Chang Qing glanced at him, subconsciously categorizing his ‘boss’ as a demon, and coldly said. “Then I could capture one more demon.”
Kan Chaosheng laughed instead of getting angry. “Then try it, we’ll see!”
Meanwhile, Deng Po quickly got in touch with Xu Kui and hurriedly asked for the phone number of the ‘master’, only to find that his phone was switched off. Deng Po was persistent and called multiple times, to no avail.
Kan Chaosheng said indifferently, “Now, apart from my boss, no one can solve your problem. I don’t mind waiting.”
Chang Qing ignored him and still proposed to visit the crime scene or at least inspect the body of the deceased, both of which were now in police custody and not under the control of the Deng family. Deng Po’s mother was somewhat disappointed but not surprised. She knew that such a complicated murder case couldn’t be solved by esoteric methods.
In the afternoon, the police called to question the Deng family. Deng Po’s father also rushed back from the company. They went to the police station for questioning and were told that they might also need to visit the crime scene.
Chang Qing said, “I’ll go with you.”
Deng Po’s mother hesitated. “The police may not allow unrelated people in.”
Chang Qing insisted. “It’s okay, if I can’t go in, I’ll observe the surroundings; I might discover something.”
Deng Po’s father was skeptical of the “charlatan” his wife had brought. He didn’t believe in such things, but his father’s generation did. He opened his mouth to speak but eventually said nothing, allowing Chang Qing and Kan Chaosheng to join them en route to the police station.
The case had been exposed by the media. The Deng family’s status as wealthy businessmen, coupled with the sensational element of ‘wife-killing’ attracted widespread attention. A special task force was formed, with Captain Yin as the head. Both sides had met a few times, so they were familiar. But this time, the Deng family noticed that a young man in plain clothes stood next to him, and upon seeing him, Kan Chaosheng became agitated.
“Dong Zhi!”
Captain Yin frowned. “Who told you to bring children here?”
Dong Zhi was also surprised. He had just landed and was planning to rescue Kan Chaosheng but was urgently called by Captain Yin. Thinking that Kan Chaosheng was temporarily safe, he decided to wait until matters were settled here to go find him. He didn’t expect the person he was looking for to show up.
“Captain Yin, this is my colleague from the Special Administration Bureau.”
As Dong Zhi spoke, he walked toward Chang Qing and his group.
He had already noticed that some kind of restraint seemed to be placed on Kan Chaosheng; otherwise, he would have been jumping up by now instead of standing still with a flushed face and teary eyes.
“Hello, I’m Dong Zhi. What’s your name, brother?” He extended a hand to Chang Qing.
But Chang Qing frowned.
He possessed a natural ability to ‘sense auras’. At a glance, he could see the true forms of all beings with a lower cultivation level than his own. Therefore, he immediately recognized that Kan Chaosheng was a creature from the worm demon category. However, in this era, genuine dragons were rare, not to mention lesser dragons. Initially, he had mistaken Kan Chaosheng for a python.
Chang Qing naturally assumed that Kan Chaosheng’s backup would also be a demon, but it turned out not to be the case. The man in front of him seemed human but was surrounded by a faint mist, neither entirely human nor demon, and definitely not evil. For the first time in his life, Chang Qing was taken aback.
“Chang Qing.” He didn’t shake Dong Zhi’s hand. “What are you?”
Dong Zhi was taken aback. “What do you mean, ‘what am I?'”
Chang Qing pursed his lips. “I can’t see your true form.”
Dong Zhi, speechless, responded, “Nonsense. I’m human. What else could my original form be?”
Chang Qing shook his head. “That’s not right.”
Finding Chang Qing hard to communicate with, Dong Zhi moved to undo the restraints on Kan Chaosheng. Seeing this, Chang Qing attempted to intercept. Both remained stationary, engaging in a swift exchange using only their wrists. Dong Zhi swiftly drew a talisman, which flew towards Chang Qing with fierce momentum, forcing him to step back. Dong Zhi seized the opportunity to free Kan Chaosheng. As the latter was about to transform and attack Chang Qing, Dong Zhi decisively grabbed his neck.
“Chaosheng, behave!”
The tone was all too familiar to Kan Chaosheng, almost like that of his boss, Long Shen, but with a different voice. Kan Chaosheng angrily retorted, “He mistook me for a demon and detained me all the way!”
“I know. Let me handle this. Don’t act rashly and remember your status!” Dong Zhi said sternly.
Pushing Kan Chaosheng aside, Dong Zhi stepped forward, grabbing Chang Qing’s wrist as he was about to unsheathe his sword.
“Although Kan Chaosheng looks like a child, he’s an official of the state. Your unprovoked detention of him is a crime.”
Chang Qing, startled by Dong Zhi’s speed and words, asked, “A demon can be an official nowadays?”
Dong Zhi, imitating Liu Qingbo, rolled his eyes. “Where did you come from? Did you time travel from ancient times? It’s the rule of law now, even for demons. Understand?”
He took out an ID from his pocket and flashed it at Chang Qing.
“Director of the Special Administration Bureau of the People’s Republic of China, Lucheng Office, Dong Zhi. You’re suspected of obstructing official business and interfering with investigations. I need you to cooperate until we verify your identity. Captain Yin!”
Almost immediately after Dong Zhi finished speaking, Captain Yin had already thrown handcuffs over. Without looking back, Dong Zhi caught them mid-air and restrained Chang Qing, neutralizing his attacks in a swift, fluid motion that lasted no more than three seconds. It was executed with style and precision.
Not only were Deng Po and the police astounded, but Kan Chaosheng was also left agape.
Ever since Dong Zhi began his duties, Kan Chaosheng had never collaborated with him. He had heard of Dong Zhi solving many cases with excellence, gaining fame in the international conference, and even accompanying Long Shen on dangerous missions. Now, Dong Zhi was a leading figure in the bureau. But to Kan Chaosheng, Dong Zhi was still that newbie. Seeing this ‘newbie’ display such prowess challenged his perceptions, even making him question his own role in Group 2.
Dong Zhi clapped his hands and calmly said, “Alright, let’s get down to business.”
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