Volume One, Chapter 111: Seeking Clues.

Jiang Chen smiled and nodded, keenly picking up something unusual from the old man’s words.

“Hahaha, everything’s normal, normal,” Jiang Chen replied with a faint smile.

The elderly woman busied herself for a while before pouring a cup of tea for Jiang Chen. At that moment, Wu Gang had gone outside to move the car in.

Taking the opportunity, Jiang Chen asked, “Aunt, did something happen to my elder brother before?”

The old woman sighed, “Yes. Don’t be fooled by how quiet he is now; he used to be sharp and clever. Perhaps word got around the nearby villages—many young girls wanted to marry him back then.”

Jiang Chen understood and asked, “So, what happened?”

The old woman sat beside Jiang Chen. “This boy’s teacher insisted he go explore the Lingqin area. But when he came back, he changed like this. He might speak only a few words in a whole year and has become very obedient.”

Changes in environment or experiences can indeed cause profound transformations in a person’s character. Perhaps this elder brother truly went through something unforgettable that altered his personality.

But to shift from being eloquent and talkative to silent and reserved—what kind of ordeal could make someone so inward?

“Take your time drinking; I’m going to cook now,” the old woman said as she rose to leave. Yet Jiang Chen remained lost in thought, pondering the clues she provided. He had once thought Wu Gang was just an ordinary man who had spent his entire life in a small county town without venturing anywhere else. But hearing from the old woman, it seemed Wu Gang had been quite headstrong in his youth.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have gone on an adventure alone.

Had he encountered something so unforgettable that it changed him forever?

“Hey, your car won’t be ready for another three hours. Are you going to wait here?” Wu Gang appeared at the door, interrupting Jiang Chen’s thoughts.

Jiang Chen smiled and stepped outside. “I’ll come pick it up later.”

Wu Gang nodded again, seemingly unwilling to say a word.

Such a strange personality.

Jiang Chen glanced into Wu Gang’s eyes but found nothing unusual. Resigned, he stepped out of the house.

---

Li Changsheng saw the troubled look on Jiang Chen’s face and asked, “Did you discover something?”

Jiang Chen nodded. “I did, but it’s not a complete discovery yet. Let me tell you first.”

After Jiang Chen finished explaining, Li Changsheng, who worked at the 509 Institute and had investigated many strange and bizarre cases, understood where the problem lay.

“It really is strange. What kind of bizarre and horrifying experience could completely change a person’s character? It’s unimaginable,” Li Changsheng said, shaking his head in disbelief.

Shen Huaizhu smiled lightly. “It’s just a change in personality. What’s the big deal? Maybe he realized his mistakes and reformed. That’s no clue at all. Is this how you investigate?”

“Senior sister! Mind your words,” Liuli urged anxiously, grabbing Shen Huaizhu’s arm, signaling her to stop.

Jiang Chen ignored her. “We’ll keep watch tonight. I don’t believe he’s endured so long without snapping today!”

Someone who has caused multiple murder cases over many days will surely kill again—that was Jiang Chen’s judgment. When he studied criminal psychology, he learned that a person who kills repeatedly likely suffers from a psychological disorder and uses bloodshed to numb themselves.

So Jiang Chen guessed he might strike again tonight because he couldn’t hold back any longer!

If tonight proved fruitless, Jiang Chen would have to set off for Longhu Mountain. After all, if the murderer stops, the case might go cold for a long time. He couldn’t wait and would have to leave it to the 509 Institute to continue the investigation.

Upon hearing about the night operation, Shen Huaizhu was the first to refuse.

“Why should I come with you? You go if you want. Catching one murderer needs four cultivators? Isn’t that enough? It’s freezing cold, and I’m not going just to suffer. I’m not going!” Shen Huaizhu leaned against the wall, her expression showing impatience.

Li Changsheng, to avoid losing his temper, returned to his room directly.

Jiang Chen said, “Whether you go or not, it’s up to you.”

With that, he left, leaving only Liuli and Shen Huaizhu in the room.

“What’s with those two? I’m the top disciple of the Qingyun Sword Sect, yet they treat me like this. They don’t respect me at all. No, I must confront them!” Shen Huaizhu said, about to rush out, but Liuli held her back.

“Senior sister, calm down. You don’t have to go. The three of us will go. You just wait here for news. Once we finish, we’ll come back, and after this is over, I’ll go with you to Longhu Mountain. Don’t worry,” Liuli comforted her before returning to her room.

She felt her head was about to burst.

---

Inside the room, Shen Huaizhu cried softly, feeling wronged. “No one has ever ignored me like this before. Why do they belittle me? I’m clearly the strongest among the three of them, yet they don’t even beg for my help.”

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. “No matter what, I’m going tonight to see for myself. When I catch this person, they’ll only have praise for me as before!”

At nightfall, Li Changsheng drew his long sword, waiting silently for the prey to fall into the trap.

Liuli stood cautiously nearby, feeling a thrill she had never experienced before. Until now, her days at Qingyun Sword Sect had been spent practicing various techniques and flying swords, as well as studying classical literature. Although there were some electronic devices inside, there was no internet, so her life from birth had been dull and uneventful. Her senior brothers and sisters could go on trials, but she could not. She had always longed for adventure, and today she finally experienced it.

Clenching her fists, Liuli vowed, “I must help them solve this case. At least my coming out of seclusion won’t be in vain!”

Li Changsheng came over and said, “If there’s danger, just run. Don’t worry about us; we can take care of ourselves.”

Liuli nodded. “Okay! You be careful too, don’t push yourself.”

Hearing those words of concern made Li Changsheng’s heart flutter with joy. He felt dizzy in the best way—he knew this was the feeling of happiness.

Jiang Chen was speechless. Li Changsheng’s strength had already reached the Non-Shape realm, making him a top-tier young cultivator. There was no way he could be harmed by an unknown creature. Even if it wasn’t human, Li Changsheng could easily escape unscathed.

In short, this guy had fallen in love, and no matter what Liuli said, he would be delighted.

Rustle—

A shadow darted out from the bushes.

Jiang Chen whispered, “Here it comes!”