"Whoa, Brother Duan Chen, you're still police officers?"
After the commotion, no one could sleep. Hong Yu decided to chat with them.
"Yang Wu and Li San are repeat offenders. They don't just steal from outsiders; they steal from villagers too! We've disliked them for a long time."
Hong Yu spoke carelessly, and Hong Xiu pinched her brother.
The village chief was still standing there.
The old man hadn't left and stood there nervously. Duan Chen saw this, smiled, and asked, "Then why were you protecting them?"
The village chief forced an embarrassed smile and replied, "Yang Wu is my wife's brother… I…"
It seemed Li San was implicated too. He'd been so arrogant.
Duan Chen waved his hand. "Sit down."
"Officer, can this matter be handled with some flexibility?"
Duan Chen chuckled. "Why don't you ask the villagers they stole from first?"
Upon hearing this, he fell silent.
After all, he was the village chief. Constantly protecting his own family had caused dissatisfaction among other villagers.
"Officers, what brings you here? You can't just be here to arrest Yang Wu and Li San, can you?"
He had seen the respectful attitude the previous officers had towards Duan Chen. He knew Duan Chen's identity might not be simple. But why would such an important figure come to a small village like Pinghan?
Duan Chen thought about it and decided it was best to be direct.
"Village Chief, we're here for one matter. You've seen my agent ID. You should know I don't handle ordinary cases."
The village chief nodded. "I've heard a little, a little."
It was evident he was still a bit nervous.
"I'm here for Pinghan Ridge."
"What?"
Upon hearing this, the village chief's expression changed drastically, and not for the better. Hong Yu and Hong Xiu also looked anxious.
"What's so good about that place to visit?"
"Brother Duan Chen… Grandma Yang disappeared at Pinghan Ridge…" Hong Yu's voice was very low. He noticed the village chief's unhappy expression and quickly reminded him.
Grandma Yang was probably the village chief's wife.
"Don't worry, we'll resolve the issue before we leave this time."
The village chief's expression slightly eased, but it was still grim. "Even though you are police officers, listen to my advice. That place is not to be visited. There are monsters inside, monsters!"
"But if we don't go to Pinghan Ridge, aren't you and this village in danger at all times?"
The village chief shook his head. "If we don't approach them, they won't bother us!"
"Them?"
Duan Chen frowned in confusion.
"That's right, it's those terrifying creatures, they're the ones who took my Qiu Xiang…"
The village chief sighed heavily.
"I'm afraid you'll go to your deaths too."
"Don't worry, we won't. Even if you don't agree, we'll go find it ourselves. I hope you can give me a map to Pinghan Ridge. It's very late now, you can go back and rest."
Duan Chen sensed that the village chief's resolve was beginning to waver.
After he left, the siblings Hong Xiu and Hong Yu didn't linger. They turned off the light in the storage room and left.
"Captain, what are you thinking about?" Jun Ci asked.
"I'm thinking, this place doesn't even have a post office. How did Qu Yan deliver the package here?"
Judging from the previous farce, the village order was entirely maintained by the village chief. The villagers didn't think about leaving and didn't understand the law much. They were isolated and backward.
Why would that person ask Qu Yan to mail a letter here?
And Pinghan Ridge wasn't on any map. How did Qu Yan send it?
Without regard for the time, Duan Chen directly called Qu Yan.
"Hello… Brother Duan… It's so late, can't a person sleep?"
"Qu Yan, I need to ask you something."
"Huh—?"
After hanging up the phone, Duan Chen's brow furrowed even tighter.
"Qu Yan said the client just asked him to put the letter in the nearest mailbox to his home."
"There are still mailboxes now?"
"It seems there is one near his home, but it's very remote. Besides, people mail packages at the post office nowadays, right?"
Duan Chen thought for a moment and replied, "Is it possible that person never intended to mail the letter, but just wanted Qu Yan to know that he went to mail it?"
"He's intentionally leading us to Pinghan Ridge?"
"Who could it be? The person behind this?"
Mi Le and Mi Xue'er also frowned upon hearing this.
Could it be Mi Jun?
Duan Chen wasn't sure. The first address was a real estate company, and they found an altar next to the company. What would they find at this address?
...
Peach Blossom Pond.
Chu Yue narrowed her eyes, examining the man in the photograph.
She first looked at the photo, then at the person opposite her.
They were identical.
"Have you compared them?"
The man, dressed in a simple black t-shirt and jeans, said calmly.
As if afraid Chu Yue wouldn't believe him, he clenched his palm, and a uniquely shaped long sword appeared in his hand.
In an instant, sword qi swept out, sharp enough to cut through metal. Wherever it passed, even blades of grass were not spared, severed at the waist.
At the same time, a pure power emanated.
Chu Yue saw a white chess piece gradually appear within the man's body. However, this white chess piece was slightly worn, no longer possessing its warm, smooth luster.
"Now, you should believe me, right? Saintess?"
"There's no need to call me that."
The man said earnestly, "Respect is necessary."
Chu Yue's expression was cold. "You escaped the purification, didn't you?"
The man sighed. "By sheer luck. That's also why I haven't dared to show my face in public for so many years."
"You even managed to deceive God. Should I praise you for being smart, or say you're foolishly clever?"
"Whatever you say is fine."
The man shrugged.
"But, I hope you won't tell him I'm still alive."
Chu Yue narrowed her eyes. "You used my people as tools for cleansing and scouting, and you expect me to help you keep a secret?"
The man gave a bitter smile.
"Saintess, I made a mistake by not consulting you beforehand, but please understand my predicament. With my current strength, going there… I might not survive."
"Forget it, I wasn't blaming you anyway. No need to apologize."
The man replied rigidly, "Politeness is my duty. In terms of contribution, you are no less than I am. In the previous… "
"Enough. Instead of dwelling on the past, we should look forward."
"I understand, so…"
"Mm."
The man breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you for your trouble."
"It's no trouble at all, and I don't like that God either."
"... Perhaps you could try to accept him?"
"I can't accept him."
The man smiled bitterly. "Alright."