Chapter 166: Chance Encounter

Chapter 166: Chance Encounter

A perfectly fine person, dead just like that? And such a bizarre, horrifying death at that... Zhang Yuanqing stood rooted to the spot, his mind yet to catch up.

Fu Qingyang, by contrast, appeared calm and seasoned. He produced an access card, opened the iron gate, his tone steady:

"Go see if any spiritual remnant lingers."

"Right, right..." Zhang Yuanqing snapped back to his senses, stowing away the shock in his heart, and strode into the cell, halting beside the bed.

His eyes welled up with a pitch-black, viscous "fluid," covering the whites, as he scanned the surroundings for a moment, then shook his head:

"No spiritual remnant remains. Chi Yue'an's soul has scattered, utterly destroyed. He died clean."

As he spoke, the energy in his eye sockets receded, his eyes returning to normal.

Fu Qingyang mused for a moment, "A Witch Gu Master's Curse Kill technique, slaying a Saint from afar—the caster's rank is exceedingly high. And they must possess Chi Yue'an's birth date and eight characters, along with blood, flesh, hair, or other things containing DNA information."

A Witch Gu Master's Curse Kill... is the organization behind Chi Yue'an the Spiritual Ability Association? No, if that were so, they would have rooted him out during the physical examination. One who knows Curse Kill isn't necessarily a Witch Gu Master; it could be an artifact-assisted technique... Zhang Yuanqing said in a low voice:

"Is Curse Kill a curse? Is it a Witch Gu Master's Saint-stage skill?"

Speaking of which, the Witch Gu Master profession wasn't unfamiliar to him. From "Heaven's Injustice" to the Black Impermanence, to the Boss in Yin-Yang Town—they were all Witch Gu Masters.

But this kind of remote curse-killing ability, it was the first time he had witnessed it; it felt rather horrifying.

Fu Qingyang leisurely stowed away the wooden cangue and shackles, saying:

"Curse Kill is a type of curse. In a certain sense, this is the true curse, the true witchcraft. Among the three great evil professions, the Witch Gu Master's trait is insidious venom.

"Often, they do not confront enemies head-on, but instead poison them, or seek opportunities to gather the target's information—birth date, DNA, photographs, and the like—then set up an altar to perform rites, remotely curse-killing or draining fortune.

"Among these, DNA is the most critical. Once a Witch Gu Master obtains it, death is all but certain! Only a handful of abilities can resolve it."

Put that way, I've never actually seen a true Witch Gu Master. I'll need to be careful preserving my own DNA from now on. Can't touch women of unknown origin either; DNA isn't just in cell tissues...

Zhang Yuanqing took a deep breath, redirecting his focus to the matter at hand, vexed:

"I should have just killed Wen Ling directly."

"No need to regret what has already happened. The enemy choosing to kill to silence him is essentially an admission of guilt." Fu Qingyang said.

He always bore the posture of one unmoved even if Mount Tai collapsed before him, possessing immense confidence in all things.

"So it really was Chi Yue'an's ex-wife." Zhang Yuanqing said heavily.

Fu Qingyang gave an "Mm": "Most likely. But Chi Yue'an is dead, so it's a dead end with no proof. She isn't one of the Five Elements Alliance's people, so we can't force a physical examination. For now, there's nothing we can do to her."

He turned his head to look at his confidant, shaking his head with a light sigh: "I heard that old matriarch of the Zhu family holds grudges. You harmed her former husband, cut off her income; it's hard to say she won't retaliate against you. Then again, I suppose you already have too many debts to worry about one more."

Recalling Chi Yue'an's miserable death, Zhang Yuanqing was inwardly alarmed:

"Centurion, all these powerful enemies, these forces I've provoked—they're all for the sake of our organization. The organization should be responsible for me, not mocking me."

Fu Qingyang said indifferently:

"Curse Kill requires a medium. Just take care to clean up your own DNA; there's nothing to fear. Could it be she'll come knocking on your door asking for your hair?"

Zhang Yuanqing said: "I'm just afraid that old aunt will try to seduce me."

Fu Qingyang pondered for a moment, then said, "I'll warn her. This case isn't over yet; we can settle accounts with her later when the chance arises. We also need to reconfirm—what if it isn't her?"

Zhang Yuanqing nodded. As long as the suspect was locked down, a future reckoning amounted to the same thing.

That was the saying, after all: justice may be late, but it is never absent.

Fu Qingyang raised his left hand, glanced at his wristwatch, and said:

"Go find Guan Ya. My guest arrives in ten minutes."

...

The villa's first floor, the combat room in the west wing.

Guan Ya wore a loose training suit, stretching her legs by the window; a few meters away, Zhang Yuanqing was likewise limbering up.

Though Fu Qingyang would go warn the Zhu family's old matriarch, she might not swallow this grievance. Curse-killing techniques were impossible to guard against entirely; a single slip, and I could capsize in the gutter...

Zhang Yuanqing felt an urgent need to raise his strength.

The instance dungeon's opening required time—it couldn't be rushed. Currently, there were two ways to grow stronger in reality: one, wait for the official arena tournament to open, fight for a high ranking, and claim the rewards. Two, hunt down an evil professional at the Transcendent stage, refine them into a Yin Corpse, and become a truly outstanding powerhouse at the Transcendent stage.

These two matters would be his focus for the foreseeable future.

Of course, he also had to evade the "manhunt" of the Demon Eye Heavenly King. He truly hoped the branch elders would quickly deal with that radical hothead.

As long as that guy wasn't eliminated, he couldn't sleep easy.

Zhang Yuanqing gathered his thoughts, turned his head to look at the mixed-race beauty of exquisite features and bewitching charm, and asked:

"How come you suddenly thought of practicing combat today?"

*Today I suddenly just want to beat you...* Guan Ya thought resentfully, but her face wore a smile: "Haven't sparred in a while. Let's see if your level has slipped."

Zhang Yuanqing let out a "Ha": "I've been home these past few days, practicing footwork and punches every day."

At that moment, gazing at the floor-to-ceiling window, he saw a black luxury car pull up outside the villa. The door opened, and a blonde, blue-eyed stunner stepped out. Her skin was milky white, her figure athletic yet curvaceous.

Behind her came a middle-aged man in a tailored suit, short light-brown hair, fine crow's feet at the corners of his eyes, a deep gaze weathered by time, exuding the distinct charm of a mature older man.

Wasn't that Annie and Mr. Bill? Why had they come to Fu Family Bay?

Were they the guests Fu Qingyang mentioned?

Zhang Yuanqing was startled, hurriedly pressing against the window to observe closely.

Guan Ya followed his gaze, and through the landscaping trees, saw the two foreigners entering the villa. She paused briefly on the vixen Annie, then glanced at Yuan Shi, who looked like he wanted to gouge his eyeballs out and toss them outside.

Guan Ya ground her teeth, an inexplicable irritation rising in her heart.

"Stop looking. Start training."

Gan Ya launched herself airborne, her two long, straight legs clamping swiftly around Zhang Yuanqing.

She twisted her waist mid-air, rolling like a crocodile, and *wham*—slammed Zhang Yuanqing onto the elm floor.

"Fuck, no martial virtue!" Zhang Yuanqing roared in fury.

The two clashed in an instant, the sparring room echoing with a rapid, staccato *thwack-thwack* of flesh meeting flesh.

In the verdant, sprawling courtyard, Bill Talentino suddenly twisted his head, gaze locking onto the villa's west wing.

"What is it?"

Annie inquired.

Bill Talentino withdrew his gaze, a smile playing on his lips. "Just now... it felt as though someone was watching us."

Annie favored him with a smile of bewitching allure. "Being watched is perfectly normal, is it not? Who could possibly resist my charm?"

Bill looked away once more. "Indeed. Then, my beautiful lady, would you be so kind as to wield that beauty? Seduce the young master of the Fu family and secure the maximum advantage for us?"

"Naturally!" Annie laughed.

...

An hour later, Zhang Yuanqing left the sparring room with a bruised and swollen face, heading next door to the shower to wash off the grime.

Honestly, she knew no restraint. It's not like I unleashed the long-lost Dragon Claw Hand of the jianghu on her... Zhang Yuanqing returned to the living room, peering out the doorway to find the black luxury sedan still parked outside.

He proceeded to the dining room to enjoy the meal prepared by the bunny girl, replenishing his strength.

He sliced off a piece of steak, placing it in his mouth to chew slowly, when a sudden thought struck him: the Fu Qingyang's family held vast overseas interests. The man had grown up abroad, much like Guan Ya.

In that case, his connections to foreign Spirit Realm Walkers were hardly surprising.

Zhang Yuanqing finished the steak with deliberate, unhurried bites, then lifted the bowl piled high with mashed potatoes. He scooped them up spoon by spoon—the soft, fragrant mash mingling with a special sauce and pepper, perfectly seasoned, leaving an endless aftertaste.

Just as he finished the potatoes, footsteps approached from the staircase, accompanied by Ling Jun's ingratiating voice:

"Miss Annie, don't be in such a rush to leave. Might I have the honor of inviting you to dinner? Fu Qingyang is an ascetic pervert who doesn't know how to treat a lady, but I do. Miss Annie, Miss Annie?"

Zhang Yuanqing hurriedly poked half his head out to look. He saw Mr. Bill and Miss Annie striding toward the exit, unwilling to linger for even a second.

Ling Jun, clad in flip-flops, trailed behind them with a fawning gait, alternating between "Miss Annie" and "dinner invitation."

A complete and utter simp.

Regrettably, the Crown Prince Ling Jun's attentions failed to earn so much as a sidelong glance from Annie. She departed Fu Family Bay in the luxury sedan.

Zhang Yuanqing emerged, spearing a glistening sausage on his fork, and remarked with a grin:

"The foreign filly's conformation is decent enough, but her temper is too fiery, her eyes set too high. She looks impossible to handle. Young Master Ling had best stick to domestic models."

Ling Jun shrugged, collapsing onto the plush sofa. "Don't know about her temper, but her standards are certainly high. She wouldn't look at an ordinary Spirit Realm Walker."

"Ordinary?" Zhang Yuanqing swallowed the sausage. "You didn't tell her who you are? You're one of the top Crown Princes on the mainland."

Ling Jun let out two "hah-hahs."

"I was just teasing her. In this world, there are a hundred charms and a thousand reds worth savoring, but the women of the Aphrodite Association—you simply cannot touch them. They are roses with thorns. You know the Aphrodite Association, right? An organization composed entirely of the 'Lust' class.

"The women of this class possess a skill: they can demand a price from any man they've slept with. That's why the Association's upper echelons all keep three thousand male consorts—no, lovers everywhere. They rely on sleeping with men to stir up winds and clouds abroad."

Zhang Yuanqing obligingly feigned a shocked expression. "Such a class actually exists? What stage is that skill? Saint or Transcendent?"

"I recall it's the Transcendent stage... Sigh, that Annie just now, if I'm not mistaken, she's at the Saint realm. What a pity..." Ling Jun said with disappointment.

If it were a transcendent-stage temptress, he could suppress her by virtue of his rank, forcibly freeload, and refuse to pay the price.

Same rank, however, would not do.

"They're foreign Spirit Realm Walkers? What are they doing here?" Zhang Yuanqing seized the chance to probe.

"What else can Void-class professionals do but business? The Songhai Branch organizes and sells off items and materials with poor cost-performance or excess stock every year. Void-class professionals are the merchants of the Spirit Realm world, obsessed with trade to a fanatical degree. Thus, the Merchant Guild composed of Void-class professionals possesses inventories far surpassing any organization in the world, with the richest variety.

"As long as you can afford it, artifacts and materials from every major class can be bought from them. In past years, June and December were trading days. The Elder naturally wouldn't bother with such trifles. After Fu Qingyang arrived, the trade duties fell to him. That Annie just now kept throwing flirtatious glances during negotiations, trying to corrupt our Comrade Fu with her beauty—her heart is truly vicious."

In the future, any obsolete or unneeded artifacts of mine can also be sold to Mr. Bill, or bartered—far more cost-effective than turning them in to the branch...

After all, credits and merit points hold little use for me as things stand.

Recalling Annie's retreating figure, huffing away in a rage, Zhang Yuanqing asked: "So the Centurion didn't take the bait?"

Lingjun rolled his eyes: "Not only did he not take the bait, that guy said with a straight face: if this deal also includes Miss Annie's body, then you'll have to pay me an extra fee for mental damages."

What a scam... Zhang Yuanqing silently covered his face.

He discovered Fu Qingyang was actually quite sharp-tongued. The longer they interacted, the more one would find that beneath that cold, ascetic exterior lay a venomous-tongued soul.

What happened next needed no telling from Lingjun—he could well imagine it.

"Business is business, haggling is inevitable. They'll be back in a few days. The Songhai Branch's vast stores of materials and artifacts hold a fatal attraction for Void-class professionals." Having said this, Lingjun added:

"You've used that long-lost jianghu ultimate move on Guan Ya again?"

"No I didn't. I did nothing this time—she attacked me the moment she showed up." Zhang Yuanqing said aggrievedly.

Lingjun wore an "I understand" expression, speaking with earnest sincerity:

"Yuan Shi, I've met quite a few beauties in Songhai lately. I'll recommend you a few later. They're understanding, gentle, virtuous, and bewitchingly graceful—provided you have the money."

Zhang Yuanqing fished out his phone while declaring righteously: "I'm not that kind of person!"

...

The next day.

After breakfast, Zhang Yuanqing left with his aunt. In the elevator car, Jiang Yuer carrying a small purse and Zhang Yuanqing with a backpack stood side by side.

The brightly polished elevator doors clearly reflected their silhouettes.

Jiang Yuer's outfit today was simple: a pale yellow short-sleeved top, slim-fitting capri pants, and a pair of white running shoes.

This attire showed off her figure beautifully, adding a touch of youthful vitality. Paired with that sweet, obedient face, she looked like nothing more than a well-developed teenage girl.

Rather than a 25-year-old young woman.

Zhang Yuanqing admired his aunt's peerless beauty in the "mirror." Beyond her exquisite, lovely features, her skin possessed a jade-like luster of congealed cream. Stare at this face long enough, and you'd suspect she was a jade beauty incarnate.

Unlike those so-called faces of white tinged with red.

Jiang Yuer tilted her head at a forty-five-degree angle upward, sizing up her nephew's crown a few times, then raised her little hand to gesture.

"Have you grown taller?" she asked.

Since becoming a Spirit Realm Walker, his body had undergone a second development—he had indeed grown four or five centimeters.

Zhang Yuanqing had no desire to dwell on the subject; tilting his head at a forty-five-degree angle downward, he quipped with forced levity, "You've grown up, too."

Jiang Yuer flew into a rage, swinging a knife-hand strike down onto her nephew's nape: "Impudent! You dare tease your own aunt—what wickedness is this little beast incapable of?"

The two tussled and bantered a while longer, until the elevator arrived at the first floor, its doors sliding open.

Jiang Yuer instantly resumed the demure composure of a proper young lady; yielding to the courtesy of several neighbors waiting outside the car, she linked her arm through her nephew's and stepped out of the cabin.

Exiting the building, Zhang Yuanqing climbed into his aunt's car, bound for Songhai University.

With the Chiyue An case closed, he had slipped back into his identity as a university student; though he needn't work for the time being, classes still demanded attendance, and he couldn't simply idle at home—his grandmother, for one, would never allow it.

The white sedan pulled up at Songhai University's gate; Zhang Yuanqing and his aunt exchanged waves in farewell.

Watching his aunt's car merge into the traffic flow, he slung his backpack over both shoulders and turned toward the campus.

Suddenly, a figure at the school gate caught his eye.

It was a young man in sportswear, handsome of feature, a sweatband wrapped across his forehead, a smile hanging on his lips—the very picture of a sunshine handsome guy.

Female students passing in and out of the campus repeatedly turned their heads to steal glances at him.

Yet he seemed not to see them, earnestly swinging a broom, sweeping dust from the school entrance.

The Demon-Eyed Heavenly King... Zhang Yuanqing distinctly felt his heart miss a beat, then begin to pound violently, rapidly.

...