Ling Ji stared for a moment, seeing nothing unusual, and looked away. "Nothing, I might have overthought it." She resumed eating.

Seeing her calm demeanor, Zhao Jiong dismissed his concerns and returned to the Special Management Bureau with the evidence.

An hour later, Chief Lin's test results came in.

"The drug components match those extracted from Mo Baobao's body. It's the same substance," Chief Lin said, removing his mask. His sharp features were filled with curiosity. "Where did you get this? Do you have more?"

The colorless, odorless substance was lethal to humans, yet it enhanced the power of demons. His scientific curiosity was piqued, but the sample was too small for a complete analysis.

"Just this one bottle," Zhao Jiong replied, stepping back from Lin's intense gaze. "I'm tracking the source. There should be more soon."

Satisfied, Lin patted Zhao Jiong's shoulder. "Good, keep it up."

Zhao Jiong: "..."

It seemed everyone had the same advice for him—work hard. First, it was because they couldn't afford to hire a powerful demon. Now it was to gain support from the research department.

Maybe it was time to talk to the higher-ups about a raise.

"You said there’s a dark cultivator in Pengcheng?" Zhou Cen asked after hearing Zhao Jiong's report, pacing the room. "When is Elder Kongjing returning?"

"Colleagues from the northwest said the situation there is wrapping up. He should be back in a few days."

"Call him and tell him to hurry back. No more wandering about."

Knowing Elder Kongjing's carefree nature, Zhao Jiong agreed, "Understood."

Just as Elder Kongjing was about to win big in a game, he received the urgent call from headquarters.

"Hello." He put down his drink, activated a soundproof barrier, and answered. "Zhao, I'm busy. Make it quick."

"Elder, there's a dark cultivator in Pengcheng. At least a dozen souls have vanished without a trace."

Elder Kongjing's carefree demeanor vanished. "I'll return immediately."

As soon as Zhao Jiong hung up, Wu Song called. "Zhao, we have a witness ready to testify against Mo Baobao's killer."

"I'll be right there." Zhao Jiong's mood lifted as he rushed to the city police station.

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He spent the entire night there.

The next morning, the news broke, flooding websites and causing a public uproar.

"Shocking: Mo Baobao's Killer Revealed"

"Stunning Revelation: The Real Culprit Behind Mo Baobao’s Death"

"Disturbing: How the Killer Evaded Justice"

Such headlines dominated the top news slots within an hour, catapulting the story to the top of real-time searches.

The city police station was swarmed with reporters, their cameras ready, eager for updates from the major case squad.

Cao Zhe crouched behind the station's back wall, frustratedly scratching his head. "Skinny Monkey, come help me over the wall. I can't climb up."

The station's front and back entrances were both blocked by reporters, forcing Cao Zhe to resort to wall-climbing.

"I should have worked the night shift," he grumbled, watching the growing crowd through the cameras. His spirits sank.

Finally scaling the wall with the help of a ladder tossed over by Skinny Monkey, he returned to the office, his white shirt ruined.

"When's the boss arriving?" Alone with Skinny Monkey, also known as Qiu Gu, Cao Zhe didn't hesitate to change into a spare T-shirt.

"It'll be a while," Qiu Gu announced to the group chat, informing them about the hidden ladder. "Someone leaked the news, and now we're swamped."

"No kidding," Cao Zhe agreed, nodding. They had just made a new witness statement the previous afternoon, and by morning, the news about Li Xiao being the killer had spread like wildfire. Clearly, someone was manipulating the situation.

"Did Zhao leave?" Qiu Gu asked, looking at the throng outside.

"Yes, he left before dawn," Qiu Gu replied, relieved that Zhao had avoided the chaos.

At Yulan Mansion, Hu Li and Zhao Jiong met at the entrance. They exchanged glances, speaking simultaneously. "You’re here because of the news?"

Jin Hong, rubbing her eyes, opened the door. "What news?"

"So Li Xiao is the real killer?" Jin Hong read the news, still feeling something was off.

"That's what it seems," Hu Li said.

Jin Hong: "???"

Hu Li: "My karma is gone."

Jin Hong: "!!!"

"It really is," Ling Ji confirmed after scanning Hu Li.

"Did we accuse the wrong person?" Jin Hong asked.

Ling Ji, munching on a dumpling, remained silent.

Initially, she had helped Hu Li out of respect for Bai Heng. Later, the thunderbolts forced her to pursue the real killer. Now that the truth was out, her part was over.

But Zhao Jiong had other thoughts. "Not necessarily."

"Yesterday, a witness testified that Li Xiao poisoned Mo Baobao. Li Xiao discovered she was cheating on him with another man, who happened to be his brother-in-law, Zhao Boshan."

"Feeling betrayed, Li Xiao took his anger out on Mo Baobao, fearing retaliation from Zhao Boshan."

"Doesn't that clear Zhao Boshan?" Jin Hong asked, confused.

They had a witness, a motive, evidence, and timing. Hu Li’s karma disappearing confirmed Li Xiao’s guilt. Heavenly law wouldn’t absolve her otherwise.

"It's not that simple," Xing Miao interjected, calculating with her fingers. Finding no answer, she took out a star chart. The constellations and the twelve heavenly stems and earthly branches formed a mysterious star map.

Midway through her calculations, the star map disrupted, orderly planets flickering out. She closed the chart, suppressing turbulent spiritual energy.

"Something is blocking my divination."

Calming her energy, she continued, "Li Xiao was a failure, living off his family. Where did he get the poison?"

"How did he learn about Mo Baobao and Zhao Boshan’s relationship?"

"Li Xiao wasn’t smart enough to set up such an elaborate scheme, frame Hu Li, and arrange for Xu Ximing to take the blame."

If he were, the Li family wouldn’t have fallen apart, with most assets going to Zhao Boshan.

And another point.

"He died too conveniently."

Zhao Jiong and Xing Miao spoke in unison.

"As soon as we focused on Li Xiao, he had an accident. With the evidence from his home, his guilt was certain, even if he was innocent."

"Plus the witness, it seals his guilt," Zhao Jiong added. "And why did his soul vanish?"

Of all the people in Pengcheng, why was Li Xiao the one unlucky enough to be taken by a dark cultivator?

And the driver.

Zhao Jiong didn’t believe it was a coincidence.

"But you have no more leads?" Ling Ji remarked lazily. "And the mastermind did a good deed."

Ling Ji glanced at the news on her phone, her dark eyes gleaming. "With Li Xiao convicted, Xu Ximing is cleared."

Public attention was on Li Xiao. If the reports convinced people of his guilt, Xu Ximing, who killed Mo Baobao out of desperation, could escape scrutiny.

Unless the Special Management Bureau pursued it.

"We will," Zhao Jiong coughed, meeting Ling Ji’s knowing look. "Murder is wrong, regardless of the motive. He must be punished."

Ling Ji: "Oh."

Her tone indifferent, dismissive.

Zhao Jiong’s gaze flickered. Recalling Chief Lin’s interest in Xu Ximing’s skills, he decided not to discuss it further. "The deputy director wants me to hold a press conference with the major case squad. I have to go."

He left quickly, not noticing Hu Li’s half-raised hand.

"What’s this?" Jin Hong took the photo Hu Li held out, seeing an unfamiliar man. "He looks mean, like a bad guy."

Xing Miao chuckled. "Lately, everyone looks like a villain to you."

Jin Hong puffed her cheeks, holding the photo up to Ling Ji. "What do you think, Lady Ling Ji? Is he bad?"

Ling Ji glanced at the photo, her gaze pausing before scrutinizing the man. "He looks familiar."

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