Ling Ji swiftly turned around, narrowly avoiding the lightning strike that split the sofa in two and left it smoldering. Her sharp gaze fell on Zhao Jiong. "Did you just make a wish?"

Zhao Jiong, driven by a strong survival instinct, shook his head vigorously. "No, it wasn't me. I didn't do it."

As if he'd admit to that. Even if it had been him, he'd never confess now. Ling Ji's glare was enough to make anyone fear for their life.

"If it wasn't you, then who?" Ling Ji's suspicion was understandable. Among those present, only Zhao Jiong knew that failing to fulfill her followers' prayers would result in her being struck by lightning. Xing Miao was trusted, and Ling Ji believed she wouldn't trick her like that.

"Actually, it was me." In the midst of the awkward silence, Hu Li raised her hand timidly, her beautiful face full of innocence and anxiety. "I wished for the heavens to help us catch the real killer of Mo Baobao." Seeing the complex expressions on everyone's faces and Zhao Jiong's obvious relief, Hu Li realized something was off. "Am I not supposed to make wishes?"

Hu Li looked confused. For descendants of gods and divine beings, it wasn't unusual to pray to the heavens. Why were their expressions so complicated?

Ling Ji's anger dissipated significantly when she saw it was Hu Li. Hearing her sincere and perplexed tone, the rest of her anger melted away. "Never mind, I'll go with you."

Ling Ji had to concede.

She couldn’t blame Hu Li for being a devout follower or for an innocent mistake. If she had to blame anyone, it would be the one who started this whole mess, but that person was Shi Xi, the one she could never hold a grudge against.

"Hey, don't make wishes casually," Jin Hong said, feeling sympathy for Hu Li. "Or else the heavens will send down lightning to punish Ling Ji for not acting."

Just like what happened earlier.

"I didn’t know," Hu Li's eyes filled with tears. "I just wanted to find the killer quickly to get rid of my karmic entanglements. I didn't know Ling Ji would be struck by lightning if she didn't help."

"Unintentional offenses are forgiven," Jin Hong patted her shoulder, comforting her. "And Ling Ji isn’t blaming you, so don't be too hard on yourself."

"Just be more careful in the future," Xing Miao added, seeing the anxiety in Hu Li's eyes.

"Okay," Hu Li responded, her spirits visibly low.

Relieved to be out of suspicion, Zhao Jiong looked at Hu Li with newfound warmth. She was an honest and good demon.

As he applied for a search warrant, Zhao Jiong couldn't help but feel grateful.

Five minutes later, their group stood at the gate of the neighboring villa. Zhao Jiong, ever dutiful, pressed the doorbell.

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"Who are you?" The housekeeper, seeing a group of attractive men and women at the door, asked curiously.

Zhao Jiong showed his credentials briefly. "We're from the National Security Bureau. We need to speak with Zhao Boshan."

"Oh, please come in," the housekeeper, respectful upon hearing their affiliation, opened the door and led them to the living room. "The gentleman is upstairs. Please wait while I call him."

Soon, a man descended the stairs.

Around forty, he had a fit build that hinted at regular exercise. Despite wearing casual home clothes, his physique was apparent. Time had only added elegance to his features, leaving him looking handsome and every bit the successful man.

"Ew." As he approached, Ling Ji, her nose wrinkled in disdain, murmured, "It smells awful."

Her expression of disgust was clear as she looked at him. If not for the thunderbolt and her promise, Ling Ji would have left immediately due to the stench.

"Smells?" The elegant man's composed smile cracked slightly at her complaint. He sniffed the air but detected nothing.

He looked suspiciously at the girl, wondering if she was causing trouble on purpose.

"My Lady?" Jin Hong tugged at Ling Ji's sleeve, whispering in her ear, "Is there something wrong with this man?"

She hadn't smelled anything bad, but if Ling Ji said there was, it had to be true. Besides, this man gave her an inexplicable feeling of repulsion and distrust.

"None of you smell it?" Ling Ji slightly relaxed her grip on her nose, only to be hit by the stench again. She quickly used a spell to block her sense of smell before facing the man who had now approached her.

"Did the young lady smell something wrong?" Zhao Boshan, assuming she was making trouble, smiled kindly. "Would you like some juice?"

Ling Ji glanced at him and then looked away, pursing her lips in a clear sign of disinterest.

Rarely had Zhao Boshan been so openly snubbed. He barely maintained his smile, reminding himself she was just a child. He turned to Zhao Jiong. "How can I help you, Officer?"

Zhao Jiong, though curious, knew this wasn't the time for questions. He took out a photo and showed it to Zhao Boshan. "Do you know the woman in this picture?"

Zhao Boshan glanced at the photo, then nodded after a brief silence. "Yes."

Zhao Jiong hadn't expected such a straightforward admission. He scrutinized Zhao Boshan before continuing, "What is your relationship with her?"

This time, Zhao Boshan took longer to respond. He glanced at the young women across from him, looking uncomfortable. "We were bed partners."

"Do you know she was murdered a few days ago?"

"Yes." Having admitted the most difficult part, Zhao Boshan answered quickly. "I saw the news." He glanced at Hu Li. "It was a big story, even involving Miss Hu."

Hu Li, hearing her name, forced a smile. "Yes, I was just sitting at home when this mess fell on me. That killer is truly despicable, trying to frame me."

"Luckily, the police cleared my name."

"Miss Hu is blessed," Zhao Boshan flattered.

Hu Li gave a perfunctory smile, not responding.

Fortunate demon. If not for Zhao Jiong and Ling Ji, she wouldn't have cleared her name so easily.

"When did you last see Mo Baobao?" Zhao Jiong shifted back to the topic.

"About a month ago," Zhao Boshan frowned, trying to recall. "I'm usually busy with work, so I didn't see her often. I didn't expect to see her on the news."

"Where were you on the night of July 10th from 9 PM to midnight?"

"At home, resting."

"Can anyone verify that?"

"I was alone. The housekeeper had left, and my child was at his grandparents'. No one can confirm it." Zhao Boshan then asked, "Are you suspecting me, Officer?"

"It's routine questioning," Zhao Jiong deflected. "How long had your relationship with her lasted?"

"Over a year."

"Why didn't you make her your official partner?"

Zhao Boshan seemed genuinely puzzled by the question. "Why would I? We had an arrangement, mutually beneficial. As a man, I thought you'd understand."

"Moreover, my heart belongs to my late wife. Only she could be my spouse."

Zhao Jiong, taken aback by his logic, responded firmly, "I may be unmarried, but my loyalty to my wife would be complete, body and soul, whether she's alive or not."

Zhao Boshan, hit where it hurt, darkened in expression. "What a pity. It seems you can't understand."

"Indeed," Zhao Jiong replied bluntly.

Zhao Boshan's hand clenched, his patience fraying. "Do you have more questions, Officer? If not, I must return to my work at Jiayuan."

His tone was barely civil.

"Oh, certainly." Zhao Jiong remained unruffled. "Where did you go yesterday?"

"To the pharmaceutical factory in the suburbs."

"What for?"

"Is this related to the case?"

"It is. Please answer."

Zhao Boshan, his politeness gone, crossed his arms and leaned back. "No."

He was outright defiant.

"Officer Zhao, though I'm a businessman, I understand the law. You have no evidence linking me to Mo Baobao's death. I have the right to refuse your unreasonable demands."

"If you want to see the factory, bring a warrant."

"We can do that," Zhao Jiong smiled, unaffected by his coldness.

At that moment, the doorbell rang again. The housekeeper, with Zhao Boshan's nod, went to open it.

A tall young man stood at the door. After showing his credentials, he walked in. "Zhao, I brought what you needed."

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