The cause of death for the body currently on hand remained unclear, and now the Public Security Bureau had brought a new victim. Truly, one trouble had barely settled before another arose.

Zhou Huan remained standing, silent. Sui Xi found himself slightly uneasy observing Zhou Huan’s profound composure.

“Master Zhou, perhaps we should…” Sui Xi deliberately offered a polite deferral.

Zhou Huan carefully placed the white sheet back over the corpse, then turned and said, “Xiao He, let’s go. We’ll let Master Sui Xi remove the talisman array here first; otherwise, when the next deceased arrives, they won't be able to enter.”

“What?” Sui Xi was confused. What did Zhou Huan mean by ‘won’t be able to enter’? His talisman array…

Zhou Huan turned back and pointed at Sui Xi. “You, Sui Xi, just cast a beautiful talisman array here. Both Officer Wang and I could feel the room’s temperature visibly rise. However, this action prevents any subsequent departed souls from taking residence. That’s why I said you should stay and remove the array. When I bring the person who died of a broken heart back later, you can simply cast another one.”

Sui Xi’s heart hammered wildly against his ribs, and tiny beads of sweat clearly shimmered at his temples. He looked into Zhou Huan’s eyes, but Zhou Huan only smiled—a kind, benevolent smile, one filled with genuine concern. This compelled Sui Xi to nod reflexively, agreeing to Zhou Huan’s suggestion.

Zhou Huan and Xiao He turned and left the morgue, getting into the car. Zhou Huan slammed the accelerator, driving straight back to the local Public Security Bureau. As the two arrived at the entrance, they saw Director Li waiting for them.

“Master Zhou, hurry, take me to the scene! This time, the aerial incident is going to blow up; this is the second death.” Director Li looked frantic.

Zhou Huan then asked, “Even with a second death, there’s no need to be this flustered. The key is how this situation is managed. Tell me why you are so alarmed?”

“Because… because the first one and this one both died in the same location,” Director Li relayed the situation to Zhou Huan.

Zhou Huan nodded. “It seems this place is indeed quite significant. Which way? I’d like to see what kind of place this is.”

Director Li directed the way, leading Zhou Huan to the entrance of a park. At the main gate stood a grand archway, upon which three seal script characters were carved: “Luoling Mountain.” A perfectly straight, wide avenue led towards the summit, and looking up, one could clearly make out clusters of temples.

“Brother Huan, how could there be such a homicide here? This is a temple complex, ah,” Xiao He murmured in astonishment.

Zhou Huan took another careful look. “Those on the mountain are Taoist temples. If I’m not mistaken, there should be some Confucian temples too. Let’s go up and take a look.”

Director Li, Zhou Huan, and Xiao He got out of the car. Director Li guided Zhou Huan up the straight avenue toward the peak. Halfway up the slope, they could already see a large crowd of police officers and forensics personnel gathered near a spot in the distance.

“Director Li, you’re here! Come quickly and see. This victim has almost the exact same appearance as the previous one. Our forensic team is a bit hesitant to proceed. Should we perhaps let Master Zhou handle the initial examination first…” A frantic officer rushed out of the crowd to report to Director Li.

Director Li glanced back at Zhou Huan. “This is…”

“Let me take a look first, and then you clean up,” Zhou Huan said. He pulled a talisman from his bag, swiftly inscribed the spell on it, and then scattered a circle of paper money and ingots around the area. He pushed through the onlookers and approached the body.

This victim was far more gruesome than the last. The entire face looked as if it had been struck by an artillery shell—a complete mess of blood. From the neck up, the external shapes of all organs were unrecognizable, encased in solidified blood clots. Moreover, this person also had a deep gash around the neck, and there were bloodstains and skin fragments beneath the fingernails. Judging by the attire, this individual appeared to have been exercising or hiking on the mountain.

“Director Li, is this person likely a local resident? It looks like someone who came out for their daily exercise,” Zhou Huan asked professionally.

Director Li cast a sidelong glance at Zhou Huan, his eyes momentarily looking grim and eerie, before quickly reverting to extreme politeness, offering a fawning smile. “Master Zhou is absolutely correct. I will immediately send men to investigate and locate the deceased’s residence. Can the forensics team proceed with the autopsy now?”

Zhou Huan nodded, casually flicking a talisman outward. It landed perfectly on top of the corpse's head. The body trembled slightly, let out a sharp, suppressed gasp, and then gradually relaxed. Zhou Huan then prepared to leave with Xiao He, telling the Director, “Proceed with the investigation using normal procedures. We have some things to attend to back at the hotel. I will contact you later; rest assured, I will not leave until this matter is resolved.”

“That would be best!” A faint, sinister smile played on Director Li’s lips, though his expression quickly normalized. He leaned in close to Zhou Huan and whispered conspiratorially into his ear, “Master Zhou, we have specifically established a Paranormal Investigation Unit. Feel free to proceed with whatever means necessary. Any issues regarding funding or anything else, we will handle. All expenses for the hotel where you are staying will be charged to our account.”

Zhou Huan offered a strained smile. “Director Li, your words are too courteous. I, Zhou Huan, do not necessarily seek profit from this visit, and moreover, I have other commitments. So, Director Li, please do not stand on ceremony with me. I will handle things my own way. As for Master Sui Xi, his methods are quite skillful; you should keep him around. However, I dislike that man. I fear having people from two different factions handling the situation might lead to mutual obstruction, affecting the progress of the investigation.”

“Master Zhou, please don’t worry about that. I absolutely won’t let him accompany you next time. Rest assured, rest assured.” Director Li sounded somewhat disingenuous, his expression slightly strained.

Noticing Director Li’s discomfort, Xiao He added, “Director Li, there’s no need to worry. We have our own matters to attend to. For now, you can simply place this deceased together with the previous victim, as Master Sui Xi is still in the morgue. Please proceed.”

“Ah, yes, yes, you attend to your business. I certainly won’t disturb you,” Director Li said, though his expression remained unnatural, looking somewhat embarrassed toward Zhou Huan and Xiao He.

Zhou Huan drove Xiao He back to the hotel. Upon returning, the two headed straight for Miss Yang’s room. Zhou Huan pushed the door open and immediately heard the sound of rushing water.

“Hiss!” Zhou Huan felt a jolt of panic. He glanced furtively at Xiao He, then pointed a finger toward the shower stall. “Is she showering?”

Xiao He placed her hands on her hips, her eyebrows knitting together sharply. “Get out! You barge in while someone’s bathing—what is the meaning of that? I’ll speak with her.” As she spoke, Xiao He physically pushed Zhou Huan out of the guest room door, managing to shove him back with a mix of pushing and light striking, then summarily shut the door behind him.

Suddenly, Xiao He yanked the door open again. “Wait, what did you want to tell her? How should I phrase it?”

Zhou Huan stood with his hands crossed over his chest, a wide grin spreading across his face. “I’d say you’re getting jealous a bit too quickly. How was I supposed to know she was in the shower? Besides, you didn’t even know what I intended to discuss, yet you shoved me out. Isn't that…”

“Are you going to tell me or not? If you don’t, I’m leaving!” Xiao He pretended to be angry, leaning against Zhou Huan and slipping her hand into his trouser pocket.

“I’ll tell you, I’ll tell you, as long as my dear wife isn’t angry,” Zhou Huan replied, placing his hands gently on Xiao He’s shoulders, a smile fixed on his face. “I came to see her to take her to the place my old friend mentioned.”

“What place? Do you know where it is?” Xiao He asked, thoroughly perplexed.

Zhou Huan nodded. “Yes, I’m quite sure about that place. The moment I saw the atmosphere there, I knew it was a place where trouble brews. My old friend wouldn’t choose such a location casually.”

“Master Zhou, when did you arrive? I didn't hear anything while I was inside just now!” Miss Yang stood draped in a bath towel, water droplets still clinging to her hair, revealing a deep cleavage between her soft breasts right in front of Zhou Huan.

Xiao He instantly felt a surge of heat; her eyes slowly drifted toward Miss Yang’s chest, her eyeballs nearly popping out. Seeing Xiao He’s reaction, Miss Yang gently pulled her towel up a bit higher, smiling apologetically. “Oh, I’m sorry, this towel is a bit small.”

At this moment, Zhou Huan’s gaze drifted down to Miss Yang’s thigh. Xiao He noticed Zhou Huan’s look, then glanced at Miss Yang’s thigh—the towel hadn't wrapped tightly enough, and half of Miss Yang’s hip was exposed. Now Xiao He was truly furious. She grabbed Miss Yang and pushed her back into the room. “Zhou Huan, you get out! Miss Yang, hurry and put some clothes on!”

Zhou Huan retreated, feeling helpless. Standing guard outside with Xiao He present felt awkward. Miss Yang hadn't been completely exposed; the towel was just a tad too small to cover her fully. It hardly warranted such an extreme reaction, did it?

Bang! The guest room door slammed shut… A few minutes later, the door violently burst open: “Zhou Huan, come in!” Xiao He’s tone was stiff, and a flush of anger colored her cheeks.

Zhou Huan forced a wry smile and turned back into Miss Yang’s room. Upon seeing Miss Yang, he froze, his eyes locked onto her figure.

Xiao He stood with her back to Miss Yang, facing Zhou Huan. Seeing Zhou Huan staring blankly at Miss Yang, a wave of fury shot up to her brow, making her hair feel like it was about to explode. “Zhou Huan, you pervert!” As she spoke, Xiao He yanked Zhou Huan’s ear. “Hmph, you wanted to look, didn’t you? I’ll let you have a good long look!” With that, Xiao He pulled Zhou Huan by the ear, turning to drag him toward Miss Yang.

Zhou Huan, pulled by the ear, couldn't move. But when Xiao He turned to look at Miss Yang, she too froze, her eyes—just like Zhou Huan’s—staring fixedly at the woman inside. The hand gripping Zhou Huan’s ear went slack. “Brother Huan, she… how could she be…”

“Don’t ask me, I don’t know what’s going on. Let’s go look!” As Zhou Huan spoke, he and Xiao He moved closer to Miss Yang.