Chapter 20

Translator: Atlas Studios

Editor: Atlas Studios

Retribution!

Something seemed to occur to Bai Ru, bringing about a change in her expression. She couldn’t help but ask, “Master, do you mean to say Li Meng’s father did something evil, so retribution fell on his son?”

Chen Hao shook his head. “I don’t know if his father was the one who did it. But that house is enveloped in deep resentment. I can sense the resentment of at least three victims who died a wrongful death. If my guess is correct, Li Meng’s mind was influenced by this resentment, leading him to play with water at the river and getting killed by that evil water ghost in the end.”

Bai Ru’s expression was dull. As if something suddenly struck her, the color drained from her face.

Chen Hao looked dubiously at Bai Ru.

What expression is this? Don’t tell me there are bad people in this woman’s home who inflicted harm on others?

But this woman doesn’t have resentment or evil thoughts or anything of the sort. On the contrary, she’s shielded by a noble aura. Ordinary ghosts dare not come near her.

“Master, I encountered a similar problem when I was little. At that time I was like possessed or something. I chased after a ball and ran into the roads and was nearly knocked down by a car. I suffered a great shock from that incident. After that, I had nightmares every night. It took several years before things went back to normal,” Bai Ru said.

Chen Hao paused, then smiled and said, “This is nothing. Kids are innocent and guileless and don’t have that many thoughts. It’s natural for a kid to get carried away by playing and not be able to distinguish dangers. Why, do you think you were possessed?”

Bai Ru remained quiet.

If she hadn’t seen this today, she might perhaps have this thinking.

But thinking about her elders’ past, Bai Ru felt that this wasn’t a mere coincidence.

“Right. Since I’ve agreed to help you resolve the Stream Mountain issue, I’ll keep my word. I’ll assign you a task now. Find a deity figurine or something that has been constantly worshipped with incense for a long time—preferably centuries. Best if you can find a few more,” Chen Hao said solemnly.

Bai Ru snapped out of her trance, her spirits lifted.

At least the ghost stuff hadn’t yet happened. Furthermore, with an amulet now, Bai Ru didn’t wish to think too much about this. Right now, the Stream Mountain construction site issue was much more important.

“Deity figurine? Why do you need this?” Bai Ru asked in astonishment.

Chen Hao glanced at her and said nothing.

Bai Ru’s mouth twitched.

Fine. I knew this scoundrel wouldn’t tell me.

But at least now they had gotten onto the right track. He wasn’t ignoring her like before.

Very soon, the Mercedes Benz arrived in the city. Chen Hao got out on a street.

Watching as Chen Hao’s back view disappeared around a corner, Bai Ru whipped out her phone and dialed a number.

“Dad, I’ve already contacted this Master Chen. Mm, I’ve confirmed it. He’s truly capable. But he’s asking us to find a worshipped deity figurine. His request is a little high—over a hundred years old. Alright, I got it. I’ll get on it right away.”

After hanging up the phone, Bai Ru resumed the aura of a career woman and ordered the chauffeur to start driving.

After parting ways with Bai Ru, Chen Hao also took out his phone and dialed Zhou Gang’s number.

“Haha, Brother, is something the matter?” Zhou Gang’s cheerful voice could be heard over the phone.

Chen Hao was surprised. This time hearing Zhou Gang’s voice, it sounded much more friendly, and it didn’t give off the same sense of urgency like he had an ulterior motive.

What caused this drastic change overnight?

Chen Hao had no idea, but he didn’t give this much thought either. He replied, “Brother, I went to look at the underground sewer on San Yuan Road and discovered a pretty good clue. Are you interested to find out?”

Zhou Gang kept silent for a moment, then spoke up, “Brother, do you feel that I am making use of you?”

Chen Hao froze in surprise. You even know what I’m thinking? Are police so impressive these days?

Zhou Gang continued, “If you feel this way, Brother, I won’t deny it. Previously, I was really astounded by your means. Suddenly meeting a remarkable man like you, it gave me some ideas. I apologize for this. It was my fault.”

Chen Hao was speechless. Why is he suddenly apologizing to me? I didn’t even say anything!

Zhou Gang said, “Last night after you left, my wife reminded me. Although relying on your means I might be able to reap some benefits, but I would then be letting down the affinity between you and me. I shouldn’t be greedy for material gains. As a police officer, I have let my country down, and I also let down your trust in me. So, I’ve been waiting for a chance to apologize to you in person. I hadn’t expected you to do this. I feel that if I don’t make myself clear right now, perhaps after I take advantage of you, you and I will drift apart. Then my wife and daughter will blame me to death. So, I’m making myself clear today. Unless you take the initiative to seek help, or unless it’s beneficial to your cultivation, I definitely won’t force you to do anything against your wishes.”

At hearing these words, Chen Hao was caught between laughter and tears.

He thought he was being sensitive. He hadn’t expected the other party to be even more sensitive, and even graciously speak his thoughts and make his stand clear.

After all, the two of them were off to a good start, and Zhou Gang had never done anything that harmed him. Chen Hao wasn’t a petty and calculative man, so he instantly smiled and said, “You’re thinking too much. Previously, when I asked you for help, you agreed without a second thought. How could I blame you for wanting me to help you? Earlier on I only didn’t agree to help you directly because I wasn’t sure of success. But now a woman called Bai Ru came to look for me. After we talked, I agreed to help. But whether it will work or not, I can’t be sure yet. When the time comes and I need to ask you for help, just don’t find me troublesome.”

“Bai Ru? Why would she look for you? I didn’t divulge your information to anyone!” The surprised Zhou Gang hurriedly explained.

Chen Hao said with a smile, “When we collaborated previously, you weren’t the only one who knew about me. If one has the will, he/she will be able to find out.”

Zhou Gang’s face dimmed instantly on the other end of the line.

Although he wasn’t the one who blabbed it, clearly it was one of his subordinates. He hadn’t expected that other than Ma Weizhao, some others totally ignored his warning!

“Sorry, I didn’t take my men in hand.” Zhou Gang apologized.

Chen Hao said, “It’s nothing. It’s hard to fathom people’s hearts, it’s not something anyone can control. You can’t be blamed for this. Right. Just let this matter rest, the past is the past. Do you want the information on San Yuan Road that I mentioned? If not, I’m really not going to say it.”

Zhou Gang smiled. Since Chen Hao said it was in the past, that meant he didn’t blame him for it. After this, he believed their relationship would be enhanced to another level, they wouldn’t need to behave so cautiously around each other anymore.

“Haha, yes. Of course, yes. Since Master Chen is taking the initiative to bring me information, it can’t be ordinary information. This corpse-dismemberment case has been unsolved for two years. You have no idea how much thought I have put into this,” Zhou Gang said with a chuckle.

Chen Hao said, “Mm, the underground sewer at San Yuan Road is not the first crime scene. This is why I couldn’t find the spirit of the dismembered female corpse there. But I did see another old ghost, and from him, I learned that back then there were three people who discarded the corpse—two youngsters and one middle-aged person. The middle-aged person has a mole next to his nose.”

Zhou Gang was invigorated at the newfound knowledge. “Great. With such an obvious trait, this culprit won’t be able to run away. Thanks, Brother. Come over to my place tonight and have a drink with me.”

“Probably not tonight. I found the spirit of that fellow who drowned Li Meng. I’ve already liaised with him. I’ll see if I can help by doing a sending for its soul.”

“Li Meng? He really drowned to death? It wasn’t a murder?”

Chen Hao smiled. “Well, I’ll only find out when he comes to look for me at night. Alright, I need to go. I want to check out another location while there’s still time.”