Chapter 1828: The Assailant
"It’s strange. We’ve reached the depths of the alley, but there’s not a single person here." Zhang Ting looked around, noticing all the nearby houses were vacant. However, that was to be expected; this was a shantytown, with people coming and going frequently, so it was normal for people to leave.
"Alright, let’s hurry and search." Ye Shikai said calmly, and the two separated to start searching. The depths of the alley could be described as "dirty and chaotic," with lots of trash but not a soul to clean up.
Bang, bang, bang.
Zhang Ting knocked on the flimsy wooden door, but nobody came to answer. Although it was a shantytown, they were still people’s homes, and Zhang Ting wasn’t keen on barging in. Moreover, she didn’t think there would be any clues inside.
"Are you sure... the missing people lived here?" Zhang Ting asked indifferently.
"According to that blond guy’s account, it should be here. But there’s nobody around. We don’t even know which room is their residence." Ye Shikai waved his hand when suddenly, a black shadow flashed on the roof not far away.
"Watch out." Ye Shikai shouted and immediately grabbed Zhang Ting. He sensed a "scent," a scent of danger.
Whoosh.
"Someone." Just as he spoke, a crossbow arrow shot down from above. Ye Shikai summoned his inner strength, and the arrow was stopped by his domineering force just as it was about to hit him. Clenching his fist, the arrow turned into powder in an instant.
"Who are you?" Ye Shikai yelled, but the shadow on the rooftop vanished quickly. It must be a cultivator. His first thought was Feng Ling, that woman who stuck to him like glue. Wherever Ye Shikai went, she followed, and she was already quite impatient with Zhang Ting. But he quickly dismissed that thought; Feng Ling wasn’t foolish enough to attack Zhang Ting, especially with Ye Shikai present.
Zhang Ting hadn’t yet processed what happened. She only saw a crossbow arrow suspended mid-air before turning into dust, leaving her stunned.
"Stay here and don’t move." Ye Shikai jumped onto the roof. Despite the shadow’s quick escape, he had caught a glimpse.
"Don’t even think about running." Ye Shikai unleashed his inner strength, chasing swiftly after the figure. The arrows were designed specifically for targeting cultivators, and the pursuer was also a cultivator, making Ye Shikai more suspicious of his identity. If this were a simple missing persons case, how could there be a cultivator attacking from the sidelines? This was undoubtedly no ordinary case. Kidnapping these individuals had to have an ulterior motive.
Ye Shikai’s speed was swift, and although the person continuously fled, they clearly had inferior skills. Escape was impossible.
"Still trying to run?" Ye Shikai leaped forward, landing a punch on the person’s body without holding back. This person had already made a deadly move against Zhang Ting, marking them as a "desperado." If he showed restraint, it would be himself facing the consequences.
Bam.
With one punch, the person fell from above, crashing onto the rooftop. The shanty’s poor quality couldn’t withstand the impact, and the figure dropped right through, but Ye Shikai had already jumped down after them.
"Who exactly are you, and why did you attack us?" Ye Shikai demanded, staring at the person’s face. His memory was sharp, confirming he had never seen this individual before.
Bam, bam, bam, bam.
Suddenly, urgent footsteps approached, and Ye Shikai turned to see a dozen figures dressed in black rushing in. Their outfits suggested they were the man’s accomplices.
"So, you were trying to lure me in. Let’s see if you’re up for the challenge." Ye Shikai sneered, picking up an iron rod from the ground. He had no intention of using You Xi Sword or the Netherworld Blade; their destructive power would be enough to "tear apart" the shantytown.
"Bring it on."
Three minutes later.
"I thought you’d be stronger, but this is all you amount to." Ye Shikai had them all sprawled on the ground. These people were at the Out-of-Body Stage at best, far below his Body Integration Realm.
"Speak. Who are you?" Ye Shikai lifted one by the collar, shouting.
Spurt.
Suddenly, the man spat a mouthful of blood. Before Ye Shikai could attempt any rescue, the person died. Looking around, the others all similarly spat blood and perished. Ye Shikai pried open one’s mouth, finding no peculiar taste or toxins, suggesting they hadn’t committed suicide via consuming poison at the moment but had pre-ingested poison capsules that activated, spreading toxins from their stomach, leading to their demise.
Twenty minutes later.
"What the heck happened here?" Zhang Ting and the police were shocked at the sight of bodies strewn across the ground. Ye Shikai explained the situation from start to finish. Without the crossbow bow found on the attacking assailant and Zhang Ting’s testimony, clearing his name would have been impossible. These individuals were pre-poisoned, so an autopsy would yield findings.
"So, these people all died from poison." Zhang Ting questioned, still in disbelief.
"Correct, that’s exactly what happened. Why would I lie?" Ye Shikai was also shocked. What was supposed to be an investigation into a serial disappearance case had escalated into a "mass suicide by poison" scenario, growing increasingly complex.
Moreover, what secret could drive over a dozen people to commit mass suicide? Clearly, this was no ordinary missing persons case. There’s undoubtedly a deeper secret behind it, and Ye Shikai had a premonition that if not quickly uncovered, graver consequences would ensue.
"With so many people committing suicide by poison, the bureau is taking it seriously. Director Huang is thoroughly investigating based on the clues we provided." Zhang Ting added.
"Sigh, now that they’re all dead, our leads might be severed again." Ye Shikai lamented, fearing the investigation might need a fresh start.
"By the way, are you hurt?" Ye Shikai asked.
"Hurt? I’m agile and nimble, not so easily injured."
"If it wasn’t for me, that crossbow arrow would have pierced your head by now." Ye Shikai rolled his eyes. This group was indeed treacherous; seeing them investigate the shantytown, they had aimed to strike from the shadows. If Zhang Ting had been alone today, she’d have fallen victim to "a sinister hand."
"Sir, are you alright?" Feng Ling hurried over, hearing about the attack on Ye Shikai by black-clad figures and fearing the worst might have happened.
"Don’t worry. I’m fine."