Li Shang knew there was some truth in Ma Bin’s words after all, if Zheng Hang really came back for revenge, he and Ma Bin would both be targets.

He just hummed and didn’t dwell on the question.

Instead, he recalled the events of the past. Indeed, Ma Bin’s speculations were not impossible, and he even thought the likelihood was high.

What a surprise.

As the renowned detective, he actually failed to see through the ruse designed by a gang leader.

After the two had exchanged a few more words about the [Mask], Li Shang carefully put away the sheepskin scroll, stood up, and prepared to leave.

Ma Bin looked like he wanted to speak but hesitated, a trace of worry and unease in his eyes.

Li Shang noticed his concern and reassured him:

"Don’t worry, I’ll hand this over to the special commissioner. With this, at least the Patrol Office won’t trouble you anymore."

Ma Bin’s face lightened slightly, and he walked alongside to see them off.

As they parted, Li Shang feigned sincerity:

"You’d better find a safe place to hide for a while so Zheng Hang doesn’t come looking for you. But don’t worry too much; since Zheng Hang has shown his true colors, he won’t hide for long."

Ma Bin looked slightly uneasy but managed a smile:

"Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing."

Only then did Li Shang put the sheepskin scroll back in the blue-and-white car as Chang Erbing turned around and asked while starting the engine:

"Captain Li, should we hand the sheepskin scroll directly to the commissioner?"

Li Shang leaned back in the seat, closed his eyes, and his mind raced.

After a moment, he opened his eyes and replied:

"It must be handed over, but before that, we have to....."

Li Shang paused, a glint in his eyes:

"This sheepskin scroll is no ordinary item. It can truly connect to the Evil Sacrifice, huh—"

Inside the room.

Ma Bin took out a velvet cloth and slowly wiped his glasses until the lenses clearly reflected Ma Wei’s hesitant face as he pushed the door open.

Ma Wei came in from outside, hesitated for a moment, then asked:

"Will Li Shang take the bait?"

Ma Bin wasn’t entirely confident himself. He wished to nurture Ma Wei, so he explained a bit more:

"Maybe he will, maybe he won’t. Who knows? That’s the most intriguing part of fishing. You never know what kind of fish will bite next."

Ma Wei seemed thoughtful, gaining a deeper understanding of [Destiny].

Is the sheepskin scroll the bait?

No.

Everyone’s unwillingness to accept an ordinary destiny is the bait they always have in their mouths!

Ma Bin smiled and imparted the philosophy of [Destiny] to Ma Wei:

"Ah, Wei, there are many misconceptions about [Destiny], but [Destiny] never forces anyone. On the contrary, [Destiny] kindly offers people an extra choice.

Everyone who ultimately embraces [Destiny] has done so step by step on their own. Don’t you think?"

Ma Wei thought of himself and nodded in agreement:

"Praise [Destiny], everything is arranged for the best!"

.....

Destiny is the easiest seed to water, just needing time to emerge and grow into bizarre fruits.

No rush needed.

Feng Mu slowly returned home.

Tonight, he slept at home but didn’t feel sleepy.

So he got up and started practicing in the bedroom.

The familiar home environment brought peace, and Feng Mu soon lost track of himself, immersing in cultivation.

[[You are lost in your training!]

[Seven Kills Fist • Blood and Flesh Three Solutions skill proficiency increased by 8 points.]

[Seven Kills Fist • Blood and Flesh Two Solutions skill proficiency also increased by 8 points.]

[Soul-Seeking Step • Blood and Flesh Three Solutions skill proficiency increased by 5 points.]

[Soul-Seeking Step • Blood and Flesh Two Solutions skill proficiency increased by 5 points.]

[....]

Accompanying Feng Mu’s practice, his shadow twisted and squirmed, reflected on the wall.

Truly, like a shadow following the body.

And since the shadow has no physical form, it can twist into any shape.

So, according to Li Guishen’s theory of [Root Bone], the root bone of a shadow should of course be.....max?!!

.....

The taxi screeched to a pathetic stop by the roadside, its trunk lid missing, looking like a gangster without underwear, exuding an unusual flair.

Dong Ping viciously slammed into the seat, his arm piercing through the leather backrest.

The driver, seeing a gaping hole in the seatback, remained silent for a long time.

Dong Ping gritted his teeth and sinisterly asked:

"What was that back there?"

The driver frowned and answered:

"It should be the Puppet Mother’s parasite, it’s complicated to explain, but you just need to know that both you and that female college student are no longer human."

Dong Ping knew little about the monster world, nor did he want to delve into it.

All he sought was revenge against Feng Ju.

The driver continued:

"You’re not a match for that girl, I think you should revert to your original target, what do you say?"

Seeing Dong Ping remain silent, the driver sighed and continued to persuade:

"Don’t get me wrong, I’m not afraid of the Puppet Mother. But if I have to act, that’ll be another cost, though you’ve already pawned yourself to me."

Dong Ping didn’t refute the driver, his brow knitted into a knot:

"Hmm, I seem to have misunderstood. The relationship between Feng Ju and Feng Yuhuai seems severed. In that case, I’ll take your advice and switch targets, this time I’ll choose..."

Failing in his revenge, Dong Ping’s resentment grew even stronger, he said eerily:

"I’ll switch to Feng Ju’s wife Wang Xiuli, and his son Feng Mu."

The driver coveted Dong Ping’s body but preferred to avoid hassle. Seeing Dong Ping’s vengeful plans shift more flexibly than a steering wheel, he was quite pleased.

If every retrieved corpse were as adaptable as Dong Ping, and not as stubborn as the last one, meeting my monthly performance targets would be a breeze.

The driver suddenly sighed inexplicably.

He pulled out his phone and reopened navigation, inputting the names "Wang Xiuli" and "Feng Mu."

The dark locator dots overlapped on the navigation screen.

"Lucky you, they’re both together!"

The driver glanced at the time, the smile on his lips growing broader:

"There’s still a while until dawn, I’ll take you there now."

.....

4:27 a.m.

The taxi slowly stopped at the entrance to the community.

Dong Ping got off and walked towards the old and run-down community.

"Go early, return early, and enjoy yourself."

The driver rolled down the window and waved to Dong Ping.

Dong Ping didn’t look back, casually waved a hand behind him.

Standing below the building, he looked up and quickly locked onto a window.

Behind the sheer curtains, a shadow moved faintly.

"Seems like someone is training, huh—, quite diligent, but unfortunately...."

Dong Ping sneered, a venomous and mocking smile on his lips.

Before his words fell, he leaped, grabbed the exterior wall with his terrifying arms, and climbed up like a rat scaling a wall....