Chapter 1830: Advise You to Give Up
Ye Shikai stood in the distance. With his cultivator’s hearing, listening to Ji Qian’s words was as easy as turning his hand over. But he didn’t do it. This was a "whisper" between Ji Qian and He Linghan, a secret in Ji Qian’s heart. The best outcome was for Ji Qian to open her heart through confiding and walk out of the shadow of self-blame. Otherwise, carrying a "big burden" in her heart every day would make her very tired.
"Do you have relatives buried here?" Zhang Ting asked curiously.
"Yes, relatives, very close relatives." Ye Shikai said lightly.
"Really, I remember your parents have never been to the central plains, haven’t they? Aren’t the graves in Yanjing?" Zhang Ting retorted. She had looked at Ye Shikai’s information, and besides his parents, he had no other siblings.
"Not my parents."
"Then who is it?" Zhang Ting was somewhat puzzled. If it’s not his parents, could it be his wife? But Chen Yuxin is doing well in Yanjing.
"An old acquaintance." Ye Shikai patted the car door. "All right, we should be leaving now."
"You just placed a bouquet and are leaving? Isn’t this an old acquaintance? Shouldn’t you say something meaningful? Leaving like this seems too hasty."
"You have such a temper. In the past, you couldn’t wait to take up my sleep hours to investigate cases. How is it now that when I leave early to solve a case, you aren’t pleased?" Ye Shikai teased.
"Am I so inhumane? Besides, the deceased take precedence. Since it’s your relative, of course I won’t disturb." Zhang Ting muttered.
"Enough, if I really wanted to stay here, even a hundred of you couldn’t drag me away. Since she’s here, there’s no need for me to stay anymore. What I want to say, she’s said on my behalf." Ye Shikai said lightly and then got directly into the car. He trusted Ji Qian; she could handle her emotions well.
In the hotel, Ye Shikai was still contemplating the attackers’ identities, wondering what organization they belonged to and why they were so ruthless. The failed operation led to complete silencing.
Ye Shikai was not unfamiliar. To prevent team members from revealing secrets upon a failed mission, they generally had team members prepare poison pills hidden in the mouth and swallow them to commit suicide if the mission failed. But to prevent team members from fearing death at the last moment, there was a "double insurance" where everyone carried a time bomb controlled remotely. If the mission failed, all members would be blown up.
These special capsules function similarly. Through certain methods, others could control from afar, releasing toxins immediately, causing instant death by poisoning.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Who is it?" Ye Shikai opened the door. The person was neither Zhang Ting nor Feng Ling, but Ji Qian.
"You’re here. Come in quickly." Ye Shikai had anticipated Ji Qian visiting, so he wasn’t surprised. He didn’t disclose his hotel stay to her, but given Ji Qian’s means, she could find out anytime.
"How is it? You spoke all afternoon at Ling’er’s grave, you should’ve found closure, right?" Ye Shikai said lightly, pouring Ji Qian a cup of tea.
"Are you still investigating the case?" Ji Qian didn’t answer, seemingly avoiding the question. Ye Shikai didn’t pursue it.
"Yes, the recent events have been too sudden." Ye Shikai disclosed the attack episode to Ji Qian, especially the details. He was explicit since Ji Qian’s meticulousness could potentially help him.
"Attackers, really, it shows that the situation is far from simple." Ji Qian showed a solemn expression. This wasn’t a simple case. If even a dozen cultivators could be treated as "disposable pawns," it illustrates the strength of the hidden hands. Yet, why would someone so powerful target beggars and scavengers...
"Otherwise, you should leave this case alone." What Ye Shikai hadn’t expected was Ji Qian advising him to abandon it.
"Qian, are you aware of what you’re saying? The complexity of this case is unmistakable. I feel if it’s neglected, it will lead to chaos. You want me to give up, making the hidden hands delighted."
"Investigating cases is a police duty, and you’re not a police officer, isn’t that a fact?" Ji Qian retorted.
"Indeed, I’m not a police officer, but I will never allow these people to act recklessly." Ye Shikai was once the captain of Dragon Teeth, even though he had left, he still despised evil.
"I have a feeling if you proceed further with this investigation, you might get into big trouble. You have a wife now and an unborn child. Are you hoping to put Chen Yuxin and yourself in constant worry?" Ji Qian stood up, speaking loudly, "And me, if something happens to you, I’ll be deeply worried."
"So it’s because of this." Ye Shikai murmured, understanding why Ji Qian wanted to prevent him from investigating. Honestly, he felt touched. Ji Qian’s words were quite objective; the case had involved too much already. Put simply, what they knew might just be the tip of the iceberg. The unseen is far more terrifying than the case itself.
If he doesn’t investigate the case, Ye Shikai naturally wouldn’t be involved. He was only assisting from the side, at most disdained by Zhang Ting, but once a cultivator-involved case arises, Zhang Ting and the others can’t handle it alone and will need to seek help.
"Qian, I have to return to Yanjing immediately."
"Okay, I’ll go back with you."
..................
National Security Bureau.
"Mr. Ye, long time no see. Where have you been lately?" Tianjing handed Ye Shikai a glass of water. Ye Shikai had not visited the National Security Bureau for some time since the Mothman case was resolved, and he hadn’t kept in touch with Tianjing.
"It’s a long story." Ye Shikai got straight to the point, "I’ve encountered some incidents recently, and I suspect it’s a major case."
"Just yesterday, I encountered a group of cultivators while investigating a case." Ye Shikai handed over integrated materials to Tianjing, recounting the situation once more. Since cultivators were involved, letting the National Security Bureau take over was the best choice.
"All right, I’ll immediately send Phoenix to investigate in Zhongyuan City. If it’s as you said, then it’s certainly not a trivial matter." Although Tianjing and Ye Shikai didn’t see eye to eye, he trusted Ye Shikai’s capabilities; this case was likely troublesome.
"Besides, I need to find a type of capsule." Ye Shikai handed over another set of documents, Tianjing scrutinized them, with a flicker of unusual expression in his eyes.
"How is it? Ordinary police might not have seen it, but you’ve surely heard of this capsule, haven’t you?"
"Of course. Actually, the Bureau has those capsules sealed."