She didn’t need to test the needles; they were clean after being wiped with alcohol.

It wasn’t medically sound, but it was affordable. More importantly, it reduced her need to frequently visit clinics, which would attract attention.

Unfortunately, she couldn’t store the blood.

She dared not put it in the refrigerator at home; it would be difficult to explain if discovered.

Otherwise, she could use it with the [Feast] ability to create a blood pack for combat use.

“I still need to find a place to live alone,” Ivy thought.

She had too many secrets, and living at home was becoming increasingly difficult. She couldn't lock herself in her room every day.

Wang Suli was only concerned about her mental state.

But once Eric Ruiz was free and returned, his observant nature would inevitably raise his suspicions.

After drawing two vials of blood and consuming crushed iron beads, Ivy trained for four hours. Her absorption rate increased by six points, averaging 1.5 points per hour, a 50% increase from her previous best.

[Iron Eater: Rank 1]

[Consumable Iron Types: 1]

[Absorbable Metal Properties: 1]

[Currently detected iron type—Common cast iron, absorption rate 62.7%.]

[Absorbed properties: Plastic Embryo (White)]

Ivy was satisfied, a smile on her face as she drifted off to sleep.

...

In the smoky, alcohol-soaked office of the Bloody Rosary bar, Zheng Si sat shirtless on the sofa, two naked women at his feet, one wearing a dog collar, leaning against him.

Ma Ban stood opposite him, sneering. “Boss Zheng has enjoyed four women this week. Is the grief over his son’s death really driving him to such madness?”

Ma Ban already knew the answer; he simply found it foolish. His son was dead, but he still could have more children.

“Have you found the murderer?” Zheng Si asked, his voice raspy, his bloodshot eyes intense.

Ma Ban presented the prepared list. “We’ve narrowed it down to fifty suspects.”

Zheng Si didn’t take the list. His temples throbbed, making him unwilling to even think about his son’s death, as it would only bring back painful memories.

“A week has passed. You have one more week. Bring the murderer to me. I want to tear them apart piece by piece,” Zheng Si said, a terrifying grin spreading across his face. He seemed to already see it happening.

Ma Ban withdrew the list. “Understood.”

He turned to leave, then turned back. “Another officer is here—Deputy Captain Li Xiang. He has a warrant. Should the Boss meet him?”

Zheng Si gritted his teeth, his glass eye flashing with rage, but a hint of reason remained.

He growled, “Since he has a warrant, let him search. Arrange it.”

Ma Ban nodded and left, closing the door behind him.

“Guard the door. The Boss is in a bad mood. Don’t disturb him,” Ma Ban instructed the two guards waiting outside. Ma Wei was one of them; the other was nameless. Both nodded.

Ma Ban sighed, adding, “Don’t interrupt the Boss’s… fun. If those two women die, take their bodies away and bury them. Bring Xiao Li and Xiao Wu in.”

Ma Wei nodded repeatedly, feeling a chill down his spine. Xiao Li and Xiao Wu were brought in by Brother Ban two years ago. They are his most trusted… companions.

“Listen more, talk less. Understood?”

“Yes.”

In just a few short sentences, Ma Wei’s back was drenched in cold sweat.

He watched Ma Ban disappear around the corner, then listened intently. He heard a woman’s scream and a man’s suppressed roar from inside.

“My son is dead, and his body is missing, and the precinct is looking for me. Stupid, stupid. The precinct is stupid,” Zheng Si roared.

“They’re so arrogant, thinking they can just frame anyone! I’ll throw those two officers into a washing machine!”

“Ahh, no, Boss, don’t twist it! It hurts!”

Ma Wei winced, his heart aching.

He would have to recount the events from inside the room to Ma Ban, then type a message to the other Boss before going to bed.

Every interaction was fraught with danger; he was a lamb to the slaughter.

When would it end?

Death would be a relief.

Ma Wei rushed into the room, dragging the mangled body. He cleaned the bloodstains with a desperate urgency.

“I think I heard a woman scream,” Li Xiang said, sitting at the bar, spitting the mouthwash onto the floor, staining Ma Ban’s trousers.

Ma Ban stopped Chang Erbing from entering. He smiled at Li Xiang. “You must have heard wrong, Captain Li.”

Li Xiang’s face darkened. He waved the glass. “My ears might be wrong, but my eyes aren’t. I’ll go take a look myself.”

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Ma Ban gestured for his underlings to back off, then leaned in, whispering, “Our Boss is in a terrible mood. I’m afraid you won’t be able to leave if you go in. It’s best not to.”

Li Xiang sneered. “You’re threatening me? Do you know who you’re talking to? You’re a gang member threatening a police officer?”

Ma Ban met Li Xiang’s gaze. A hint of hesitation appeared on his face, but his tone remained cold and firm. “I wouldn’t dare threaten you, but I’m following the Boss’s orders.”

Before Li Xiang could respond, Chang Erbing, unable to contain his anger, slapped the warrant onto Ma Ban’s face. “Obstructing an investigation is a serious crime. Step aside, or I’ll take you to the precinct. Getting out won’t be easy.”

A red mark appeared on Ma Ban’s face where the warrant had landed. He took a step back, crumpled the warrant, and swallowed it before grabbing a bottle of liquor from the bar and downing it.

“You what?!” Chang Erbing exclaimed, astonished. He’d never seen anyone swallow a warrant in front of a police officer.

He lunged to grab Ma Ban by the throat.

Ma Ban stood still. The surrounding Qinglang Gang members smashed bottles, menacingly surrounding Chang Erbing.

Chang Erbing froze, his hand inches from Ma Ban’s throat, cold sweat trickling down his forehead. He said, trying to maintain a tough exterior, “You swallowed the warrant!”

Ma Ban wiped his mouth with his thumb. “Who saw?”

Li Xiang, his chair knocked over, pulled Chang Erbing back, laughing coldly. “Excellent. Harboring a murderer, resisting arrest. The Qinglang Gang’s audacity is beyond my expectations.”

Ma Ban seemed intimidated by Li Xiang’s demeanor. He hesitated before waving his hand, and the gang members put down their bottles and dispersed.

He said, his tone a mixture of softness and firmness, “I apologize, Captain Li. Please understand a grieving father’s pain.”

“The Qinglang Gang is not harboring Zheng Hang. In fact, Boss Zheng believes his son was murdered.”

“The precinct has made a mistake in this case. Your investigation is adding insult to injury. The Boss doesn’t want to see any precinct officers right now, so…”

“Let’s do this. The Qinglang Gang has narrowed down the suspects. Give us a week. Once we find the real killer, I’ll personally apologize to Captain Li with drinks. How about that?”

Li Xiang stared intently at Ma Ban. “You mean I, Li Xiang, have made a mistake, and the Qinglang Gang is teaching the precinct how to investigate?”

Li Xiang’s eyes flashed with undisguised killing intent. He didn’t bother to reply, turning to leave. Chang Erbing, letting out a cold snort, hurried after him.

Ma Ban waited three seconds, feigning surprise and distress, before hurrying to catch up with Li Xiang.

He explained hastily, “Captain Li, that’s not what I meant. The Qinglang Gang wouldn’t dare to teach the precinct how to do their job. It’s just…”

He hesitated, sighing, “Boss Zheng is grieving, and he just wants to find the murderer and avenge his son. We don’t have any other motives. I hope you understand.”

He quickly pulled out a check and offered it. “This is from Boss Zheng. Please accept it as a token of apology.”

Li Xiang glanced at the amount, his expression cold.

He considered himself a seasoned investigator, able to see through people. He instantly recognized who had sent the check.

Li Xiang took the check and said meaningfully, “The precinct is investigating to find the murderer; the Qinglang Gang is investigating to avenge their loss. These two things aren’t mutually exclusive. Understand?”

Ma Ban was confused.

Seeing the check, Li Xiang added, “The precinct’s conclusion is correct. I don’t care if the Qinglang Gang accepts it or not, but don’t cause any trouble for me. Understand?”

Ma Ban suddenly understood. “The precinct needs to save face, and Boss Zheng needs to keep things quiet.”

Li Xiang frowned. Ma Ban was intelligent, but not very. He’d understood, but it was inappropriate to state it so directly.

But then again, a gang member would naturally be intelligent but lack knowledge of legal procedures.

Ma Ban seemed to realize his mistake, apologizing and asking Li Xiang to wait. He then offered two gold bars.

Li Xiang and Chang Erbing exchanged glances, each taking a gold bar. A knowing smile appeared on their faces.

There were no rules; they were easily bribed. It wasn’t a big deal.

Li Xiang took out a business card and handed it to Ma Ban, who quickly received it.

Li Xiang said meaningfully, “Grief is understandable, but don’t let it cloud your judgment and cause trouble for others.”

Ma Ban nodded. “Captain Li, don’t worry. I’ll advise Boss Zheng.”

“Advise?!” Li Xiang sneered.

“You’re smart and loyal to Boss Zheng, but let me tell you something. A gang is a quagmire. Those who are too loyal often sink to the bottom first.”

Ma Ban looked embarrassed, unsure of how to respond.

“Think about what I said,” Li Xiang said before leaving with Chang Erbing.

Ma Ban watched them leave, his face impassive. He put the business card in his pocket.

Then, calmly, he took out a white handkerchief and carefully wiped the liquor stains from his trousers.

Leaving the Bloody Rosary bar and getting into the police car, Chang Erbing started the engine and said to Li Xiang in the back seat, “Captain Li, Zheng Si might be a brute, but his second-in-command is quite shrewd. We didn't lose out this time.”

Li Xiang grunted, saying disdainfully, “Typical. Gangs usually choose their leaders based on martial arts skills—whoever’s the best fighter. Few of them are actually smart.”

Chang Erbing nodded. “The Qinglang Gang seems to be genuinely searching for the murderer. Could Zheng Hang not have been running away, but actually been killed and his body disposed of?”

Li Xiang narrowed his eyes. “What do you think?”

“I think…” Chang Erbing glanced at Li Xiang’s darkening expression through the rearview mirror and changed his words. “They’re putting on a good show, but we have Zheng Hang’s phone records.”

“Wang Wei was called by Zheng Hang to the school storeroom. Before her death, her bank account received a transfer from Zheng Hang. The evidence is irrefutable. Wang Wei was lured and murdered by Zheng Hang,” Chang Erbing said confidently.

Li Xiang snorted coldly. “The case is closed. Anyone who tries to reopen it is asking for trouble. Don’t mention it again.”

Chang Erbing nodded, driving out of 978 Street. “Captain Li, where to now?”

Li Xiang: “Back to the station to get another warrant.”

Chang Erbing: “We took money from Ma Ban, and we’re still going back? That’s not good.”

Li Xiang lit a cigarette and exhaled slowly. “Did you eat lunch yesterday? Will you eat today?”

Chang Erbing swallowed, a surge of excitement coursing through him. Captain Li’s appetite is enormous. But we got a gold bar today. Maybe we can get another one tomorrow. No wonder everyone wants to work with Captain Li.

Li Xiang didn’t hide his greed. “That money was from Ma Ban.”

“But Ma Ban isn’t the leader. That was just a small offering.”

“If we want a big meal, we need to pry open Zheng Si’s mouth. Once we do, we can feast, repeatedly. This case is our best opportunity.”

“The station is focused on the big case and isn’t letting us help. We probably won’t get a share of the rewards. We have to find our own food.”

Chang Erbing understood completely. He bowed his head in admiration. “Brilliant, Captain Li. You’re planning to tame that wolf dog and enjoy a nice cut of meat.”

Li Xiang lowered his window, flicking the cigarette butt out. “My brothers work hard, and I ensure they eat well!”

Chang Erbing nodded vigorously. He would follow Li Xiang’s lead. If Li Xiang said east, he would never go west.

The police car sped towards the precinct.

...

——Boss, Li Xiang came again with another officer, but Brother Ban handled it.

——Following Brother Ban’s orders, I’m guarding Boss Zheng. He seems a little crazy recently; he’s killed several women.

——I buried another woman’s body. I’ve been burying bodies every day since burying Zhang Tong.

——Boss, I’m terrified. I feel like I’m in danger. I’m afraid the next body I bury will be my own.

Early morning.

Ivy woke up and checked her phone, seeing four unread messages from Ma Wei.

She sensed Ma Wei’s immense mental pressure; his messages were disjointed and rambling.

No one could bury themselves, so Ma Wei’s fear was unfounded.

As for the events he reported, they were brief and fragmented, suggesting Ma Wei could only observe surface-level details, lacking the broader picture.

Ivy couldn't discern the connections between these events; they might be unrelated incidents.

The only useful information was…

“Zheng Si is going crazy?!” Ivy mused. “The ‘guarding’ is rather suspicious. Is this a form of confinement?”