Players: All NPCs in the Sect Are Moles

Su Ling’er looked at the teeming crowd outside the gate, and a bold idea suddenly popped into her head.

’What if... what if I could turn all these meddlesome onlookers into my "eyes"? I could have them help me investigate the strange occurrences in this city. They might find some relevant clues, and it would also be a good opportunity to purge the city of its corruption.’

’But mortals aren’t very perceptive, and they’re easily fooled by appearances... Oh, whatever!’

’Su Ling’er steeled herself. She refused to believe that someone who killed with such professional methods didn’t have some dirty secrets. It would be even better if she could force them into chaos! At worst, she’d just use her Divine Sense to monitor these few acquaintances around the clock. She’d lie in wait for them to make a mistake!’

’I refuse to believe they can keep their hands perfectly clean and never slip up!’

’Sigh, what a hassle...’ she lamented inwardly. But in the end, she stepped forward with firm resolve.

"Mr. Mu," she said, glancing at the man beside her who was still trembling slightly. "What are you standing there for? Follow me. It’s time to face this."

"CREAK—" The heavy gates of the Su Mansion were slowly pushed open.

The uproar from the crowd outside instantly flooded into their ears.

"It’s open! The gates are open!"

"It’s Miss Su! The Immortal Lady is coming out!"

"Miss Su! Miss Su! Excuse me, but is it true that Miss An’s body was... was stolen and brought into your mansion?"

"Isn’t that Mu Ling, the storyteller, kneeling on the ground? What on earth is going on?"

Countless questions and probing gazes instantly focused on Su Ling’er and Mu Ling beside her.

Withstanding the immense pressure, Su Ling’er’s expression remained calm. Her clear, cold eyes, however, had already stealthily sent out the tendrils of her Divine Sense, sweeping over the key individuals in the crowd one by one.

’Mr. An... he isn’t carrying anything unusual. He seems to be filled with only grief and anger.’

’Those few old servants of the An Family... The one called Mr. Li is holding a broom, and he seems to have some kind of medicine bottle tucked in his robes. And the butler... are those a few unhealed whip marks under his sleeve?’

’And hidden in a secret compartment of his belt is a neatly folded pawn ticket.’

’Mr. Wang of Wang’s Cloth Shop... he has the portly look of a wealthy man and his hands are empty. But hanging from his waist is a Brocade Bag. Inside, besides some silver taels, there seems to be... a small packet of white powder? What’s that for?’

Finally, there was Liu Yue. Su Ling’er’s Divine Sense lingered on her for a moment.

’Hanging from her waist is a pendant in the shape of a die, crafted from pure gold. In the lining of her sleeve, it seems... there’s a handkerchief soaked in some kind of medicinal liquid? Is it for self-defense?’

’However... she isn’t wearing the jade bracelet Mu Ling mentioned before.’

Su Ling’er slowly withdrew her Divine Sense, her mind a complete blank.

’Hmm... I still can’t make heads or tails of any of this!’

At that moment, Mr. An, who was in the crowd, saw Mu Ling kneeling on the ground. The grief and rage that had been building up inside him finally found an outlet.

"Mu Ling! You goddamn animal!" He shoved through the crowd and lunged forward. "My daughter had no peace while she lived, and now you dare to disturb her body after her death?! I’ll kill you, you bastard!"

"The Immortal is right here! Control yourself!" The nearby Government Officials were quick to react, rushing forward to firmly restrain the emotional Mr. An and prevent him from offending the Immortal.

Mu Ling trembled as he watched Mr. An charge at him. But he remembered the Immortal Lady’s instructions and knew he couldn’t reveal that she had been murdered, not yet. He could only swallow all his grievances and pain, saying to Mr. An, "Mr. An... I’m sorry... It was me... I didn’t take good care of Yao’er..."

"City Lord, Miss Su," Mr. An cried out to Zhao Decang and Su Ling’er, unable to break free. "I beg you both to seek justice for me!"

Zhao Decang’s head was pounding. He looked at Su Ling’er and asked tentatively, "Miss Su... what... what exactly is going on here?"

In an instant, all eyes were on Su Ling’er.

Su Ling’er’s expression did not change as she began to speak slowly. "Regarding this matter, Mr. Mu, overcome with grief and longing for Miss An, developed an obsession. He stole Miss An’s body and came to me, begging me to use an Immortal Technique to bring her back to life."

"Bring her back to life?!"

Those five words sent a massive stir through the crowd.

At that moment, Su Ling’er’s Divine Sense was highly focused, carefully observing the reactions of the core suspects.

When she said "bring her back to life," Mr. An, the old butler, Mr. Wang, and Liu Yue—nearly all of them—showed expressions of shock.

Su Ling’er continued, "...However, I do not possess the power to bring the dead back to life. Once someone has died, they cannot be resurrected. Moreover, Mr. Mu’s actions have crossed a line. A moment ago, I used an Immortal Technique to return Miss An’s body to the An Mansion’s ancestral hall."

When they heard it wasn’t possible, none of the suspects showed any unusual reactions.

Liu Yue, in particular, even lifted her sleeve to dab at the corner of her eye. Her sorrow for her dear friend did not seem feigned.

Watching their reactions, Su Ling’er felt helpless. ’Come on, just give me a single slip-up!’

After hearing that the body had been returned, the killing intent in Mr. An’s eyes faded significantly when he looked at Mu Ling again, but his gaze was still filled with resentment and dissatisfaction. "That little scoundrel... He didn’t know how to cherish Yao’er when she was alive! Now that she’s gone, he thinks to ask an Immortal to revive her!"

Zhao Decang saw that the matter seemed to be heading toward a "perfect resolution" and was about to step forward to say a few pleasantries and conclude things.

However, Su Ling’er’s next words nearly scared him so much he fell on his rear.

Su Ling’er was heard announcing in a clear voice, "I grew up here in Anhe City. Having completed my training, I have returned and wish to do my humble part for the people of this city."

"From this day forward, anyone in Anhe City who discovers any vile deeds where human life is treated with contempt may report it to the authorities or to me! Once the report is verified, the whistleblower will be rewarded with ten, a hundred, or even a thousand copper coins!"

"If the crime is particularly heinous, and the whistleblower can provide solid evidence and assist the authorities in bringing the criminal to justice..." She paused, her voice suddenly rising:

"The reward—will be low-grade Spirit Stones, and more!"

As soon as she said this, the local residents present, including Zhao Decang and Liu Yue, were all deeply shaken. ’This Miss Su... is a meddler?!’

But among the unaffiliated players in the crowd, most of whom had not yet even begun to cultivate, her words instantly caused a massive uproar!

Spirit Stones!

For these low-level solo players who were still scrambling for a few copper coins, this was something that only existed among the whales with fated opportunities and the players in major sects. It was a top-tier hard currency that was practically unobtainable!

At almost the exact same moment, a system notification that left them breathless popped up before the eyes of every player in the Anhe City region!

[DING! You have triggered the Regional World Quest: The Storm of Anhe!]

[Quest Giver: Miss Su of Anhe City (Personal)]

[Quest Details: Investigate the hidden crimes and illegal activities within Anhe City. Report any valid clues to the Quest Giver or the Anhe Government Office. Based on the value of the clue and your contribution, you will receive a reward of copper coins! If you can provide decisive evidence and assist in bringing a criminal to justice, you will have a chance to receive "low-grade Spirit Stones" as a reward!]

[Note:]

[Clue Uniqueness]: For any given clue, only the first person to report it will receive a reward. Duplicate reports are invalid.

[No Staging]: Players are strictly prohibited from manufacturing, instigating, or participating in criminal acts to obtain clues or rewards. If the system determines such an action has occurred, a high "Infamy" penalty will be applied, and forced imprisonment may be triggered.

[Evidence Integrity]: Reported clues must possess a degree of authenticity and relevance. Submitting baseless rumors, malicious slander, or invalid information will be considered "Quest Disruption" and will incur a corresponding penalty.

[Contribution Score]: The final reward will be calculated based on the player’s overall contribution throughout the entire case investigation, not on the value of a single clue.

[Bonus Rewards]: Completing the quest offers a chance to gain Reputation with the "Anhe City" region, as well as Affinity with certain special NPCs!

(Fourth Calamity, activate!)