“I’ve succeeded! I’ve succeeded!”
“Hahaha! Is this what it feels like to be a high-sequence? It’s wonderful—so wonderful!”
The apprentice shouted as he used a scalpel to flay his own skin.
His movements were incredibly skilled, as if he had practiced them countless times, every step etched into his soul.
Yin Yang and Xiao Zhe tried to stop him, but they were nearly slashed by the blade. In the end, they could only watch helplessly as he flayed himself, dying amidst agonized wails.
Blood splattered everywhere, a bright, piercing crimson.
At the time, Xiao Zhe had literally wet his pants from terror.
Yin Yang, however, was busy wondering: had the apprentice died from the pain, or from the blood loss?
“Yin... Yin Yang?”
“Yeah?”
“Can I borrow a pair of pants?”
“My pants are slim-fit. You won’t fit into them.”
“Then won’t I be completely humiliated?”
“Let’s just soak ourselves. When the Coroner comes, we’ll say we fell into the pond while trying to save the apprentice.”
“Genius!”
It was precisely because they had gone through this together that Xiao Zhe felt he and Yin Yang shared a bond forged in life and death.
Later, when they started working, Xiao Zhe even bought several sets of ‘extra-large’ clothes for Yin Yang, claiming they were spares for any future emergencies.
“Alright, let’s stop talking about that. Didn’t Mr. Xu tell you to deliver the report to Lord Mei?”
“Go on, they’re waiting to solve the case.”
Xiao Zhe curled his lip at that.
“It’ll be a miracle if they solve it. This is already the sixth flaying case this month.”
“They haven’t found a single lead. Why can’t they just leave professional matters to professional people?”
Yin Yang patted his shoulder.
“Enough. Keep those thoughts to yourself. Don’t you know that walls have ears?”
Xiao Zhe looked around warily, then took the report and started walking.
“Wait for me here. We’re eating out tonight; my treat.”
“Sure, sure. Go ahead, I’ll wait for you.”
Yin Yang watched with a smile until Xiao Zhe was far away before murmuring softly.
“It seems I won’t be able to stay here much longer.”
As the sky grew dark, Yin Yang stood at the entrance, half of his face hidden in the shadows.
Behind him, a dense crowd of ghosts stood!
At the very front were six flayed corpses.
Hearing Yin Yang’s words, they slowly lifted their heads, their eyes filled with pure malice.
...
Command Center.
“Lord Mei, here is the autopsy report from the Coroner.”
Xiao Zhe’s attitude was very respectful. The man before him, Lord Mei, was a high-status individual sent down to ‘gold-plate’ his resume. It was said he came from Central City and was only here to add a note about ‘understanding the common people’ to his record.
Lord Mei was in his thirties, thin, and pale-skinned.
He took the report, glanced at it twice, and set it aside.
“The same as before?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Did that ‘Coroner’ of yours not see anything else?”
Xiao Zhe kept his head down, hiding his expression.
“No. Mr. Xu began the autopsy as soon as he arrived. I recorded the findings by his side. He left immediately after finishing, telling me to deliver the report and saying that he trusts in the abilities of you lords.”
The air went still as Lord Mei fell silent.
In normal times, saying he trusted their abilities would be a compliment.
But after six consecutive murders, saying he trusted their abilities sounded more like he was washing his hands of the responsibility!
“Very well. Go back and thank Mr. Xu for his trust.”
“Yes, sir.”
Xiao Zhe respectfully withdrew. The moment he stepped out the door, the corners of his mouth twitched upward.
He had subtly sabotaged the Coroner. Even if the old man found out, it wouldn't matter.
After all, he had only said ‘good things.’ Who could help how others interpreted them?
Lord Mei sat quietly on the sofa, eyes closed in deep thought for a long time before he sighed softly.
“Six people dead in just one month.”
“Not a single common thread.”
“Is it an evil cult, or is it the work of those colleagues of mine?”
With a wave of his hand, the text on the autopsy report flew off the paper, transforming into a glob of ink that hovered above his palm.
Boom!
A flash of fire erupted, and the ink turned into a wisp of blue smoke.
Lord Mei stood up, walked to the mirror to straighten the collar of his jacket, and strode out.
“You all underestimate a Sequence 7 too much.”
...
“Eating noodles without garlic takes away half the flavor.”
“Here, there’s no one else around. Have a clove.”
Xiao Zhe handed a peeled clove of garlic to Yin Yang.
Yin Yang took it and dropped it into his bowl before speaking.
“Lord Mei is a Sequence 7, isn’t he?”
“Definitely,” Xiao Zhe said while slurping his noodles.
“He’s on the Scholar pathway. You can only become an official once you reach Sequence 7, the Juren rank. So, Lord Mei has to be at least a Sequence 7!”
He picked up a nearby cola and took several large gulps, letting out a satisfied breath.
“The Scholar pathway requires ten years of arduous study just to enter. That promotion ritual alone discourages over eighty percent of people. If there weren't great benefits, who would bother?”
“But Lord Mei looks to be only in his early thirties. Tsk, tsk. A Juren in his thirties... who would believe he isn’t from a Great Family?”
Yin Yang nodded in agreement.
“Whether it’s a cult or something else, it will affect Lord Mei’s official reputation.”
“Be careful lately. Whatever you do, don’t get on his bad side.”
“Don’t worry.”
Xiao Zhe agreed, then chuckled.
“But I expect the killer will be caught soon.”
“After all, how could those Great Families watch one of their own have his promotion ruined?”
Yin Yang asked curiously, “Do you know the promotion method for a Juren?”
Belch—
Xiao Zhe let out a loud burp and grabbed a tissue to wipe his mouth.
“I only know a little. Supposedly, they need to serve as an official and bring prosperity to the local people.”
“And the scale of their contribution affects their future promotions.”
“That’s why I said Lord Mei’s family will definitely send other transcendents to resolve this.”
Yin Yang smiled and nodded, standing up to walk toward the shop owner.
“Bill, please.”
“Hey, hey, hey! What are you doing? I said it was my treat today. Why are you paying? Are you trying to shame me?”
Xiao Zhe sprang up, moving with a speed that completely defied his build. He rushed over and beat Yin Yang to it, handing a hundred-yuan bill to the owner.
Yin Yang said amusedly, “Can’t you just treat me next time?”
“How is that the same!”
Xiao Zhe burped again.
“If I say it’s my treat, then it has to be my treat.”
By then, the owner had returned the change. The two walked out of the noodle shop as a light drizzle began to fall.
Xiao Zhe stuffed the remaining change into Yin Yang’s hand.
“It’s raining. Take a taxi back.”
“I’ve got some plans tonight. See you tomorrow!”
Xiao Zhe gave Yin Yang a knowing wink, the kind shared between men.
Yin Yang hummed in response. He waited for Xiao Zhe to get into a car and drive off before stepping into the rain alone.
The rain began to divert three meters above his head, as if an invisible giant were holding an umbrella over him.
Rate on N.U.
