Chapter 8

The sky had already darkened.

Zhang Yuan's home was not in Qiming Community, but on an old street outside the community.

When he was a child, Li Hao enjoyed playing on the old street very much.

However, as Yincheng developed, part of the old street was demolished, and vendors moved away one after another. The old street gradually fell into disrepair and became deserted, with few people coming to this area anymore.

Even the residents mostly moved away, making it even more desolate than Qiming Community.

On the quiet street, a few old houses still had some flickering lights, which seemed somewhat eerie.

If time allowed, Li Hao should have waited, drinking the sword-soaking water a little each day to gradually strengthen himself before thinking about other matters.

However, time did not allow Li Hao to do so.

The longer he delayed, the greater the danger became for him.

Although he might become a bit stronger, the sword-soaking water only made him more energetic, which was not enough to give Li Hao the power to deal with the Red Shadow.

Li Hao had one purpose in coming to Zhang Yuan's home: he wanted to see if the stone knife was still there.

If the stone knife was still there, it might be good news for Li Hao.

If it couldn't be found, it might have been taken by the Red Shadow and the forces behind it, which would mean that Li Hao's sword might have been exposed, and someone might be after it.

The black panther followed Li Hao silently, blending into the darkness, making it extremely inconspicuous.

The faint footsteps echoed slowly on the street.

Li Hao's expression remained calm. In front of him was an old house with a seal on the door, which was Zhang Yuan's home.

He could see it now.

He didn't see anyone, and the black panther didn't give any warning.

However, Li Hao wouldn't put all his hopes on the black panther.

When he was less than a hundred meters from Zhang Yuan's front door, Li Hao took out his communicator and dialed a number.

In the darkness, the communicator emitted a faint light, illuminating Li Hao's face.

"Beep... beep... beep..."

After a moment, a strong voice came from the other end: "It's late at night. Have you finally decided that you can't make it in the Inspection Bureau and want to come back?"

The voice was very loud!

Amplified by the communicator, it echoed through the dark street.

Li Hao, who had been somewhat afraid, suddenly felt much more at ease. His voice was respectful as he said softly, "Teacher, I don't have that idea yet."

"Then why are you calling me?"

From the other end, an annoyed voice came through.

"Teacher, I've been investigating the case of Zhang Yuan's self-immolation for a year. I've found some differences. Zhang Yuan... might not have died by accident!"

"Hmm?"

In the darkness, Li Hao's expression was calm, but there was a hint of ferocity. "I found out that in recent years, several people in Yincheng have self-immolated, not just Zhang Yuan. Although they don't seem related, there is a subtle connection. I haven't found the specific clues yet."

There was a sudden silence on the other end.

Li Hao had already walked to the front door of Zhang Yuan's old house. Looking at the broken seal, he said softly, "I'm at Zhang Yuan's old home now. I want to investigate and see if there are any other clues to prove that Zhang Yuan was murdered, not an accident."

"Li Hao!"

From the communicator, the heavy voice of the old man came through: "I know about Zhang Yuan's case. If it's a murder, as you say, don't go there recklessly. Be careful of any accidents!"

After that, he shouted loudly, "Wait a moment where you are. I'll contact the Inspection Bureau and the Ancient Academy. If you need help, someone will come right away!"

At this moment, Yuan Shuo seemed to understand something.

Li Hao didn't need to say more.

When Li Hao called and told him that Zhang Yuan's death might not have been an accident but a murder, and that he was at Zhang Yuan's old house, Yuan Shuo instantly understood Li Hao's meaning.

There might be danger!

Li Hao needed some powerful force to deter any potential threats.

He didn't need Yuan Shuo to do or say anything.

He just needed Yuan Shuo to know that he was there, investigating Zhang Yuan's case, which was enough.

A senior figure from the Ancient Academy of Yincheng, as long as he was paying attention, that was enough.

No one would dare to act rashly.

Otherwise, the death of Li Hao might provoke the anger of this old man from the Ancient Academy, leading to more trouble.

Rumors had it that Li Hao and Yuan Shuo had a falling out.

But the truth proved otherwise.

On this night, Yuan Shuo's voice echoed far in the empty street. If someone was really watching, they would definitely hear Yuan Shuo's words.

People from the Ancient Academy and the Inspection Bureau might come.

...

Just as Li Hao was on the call, the black panther, which had been silent, suddenly bit Li Hao's pant leg.

Li Hao didn't notice anything unusual.

However, the black panther was more sensitive and might have sensed something, or Yuan Shuo's words might have caused some people to reveal their presence, drawing the black panther's attention.

Someone was indeed watching.

Li Hao's heart stirred. This wasn't a bad thing; it was a good sign. If someone was watching, it meant that the stone knife at Zhang Yuan's home might not have been taken away.

Yuan Shuo was still talking on the communicator.

Li Hao quickly smiled and said, "Teacher, it's not that serious. I called you just to briefly mention this. The key isn't this, but that I've taken on the task of protecting the Ancient Academy's field investigation. In a few days, I might be protecting you during the investigation."

"You?"

On the other end, Yuan Shuo seemed surprised and soon laughed heartily, "That's good. I'll wait for you! This investigation is quite complex. You've learned a lot in the two years you've been with me, but you haven't had any practical experience. Li Hao, how about treating this as your practical course? If you perform well, I can consider giving you the status of an external student. The Ancient Academy has many rules, but if you establish yourself during this investigation, I can still graduate you!"

"You should know that with a graduation certificate, even if you stay in the Inspection Bureau, it can promote you two levels! Becoming a first-level inspector is a sure thing, much more promising than your current position!"

Li Hao smiled, "Teacher, we'll talk when we meet. I'll go in and look around to see if there are any clues. Once I figure out Zhang Yuan's case and catch the murderer, I'll think about returning to the Ancient Academy, even without your urging."

"Alright!"

Yuan Shuo reminded again, "Contact me if anything happens. There's nothing that can't be solved. If the Inspection Bureau and the Ancient Academy can't handle it, I still have some influence. If it comes to it, as long as you give me a reason to be proud, I'll do my best to bring in some experts!"

At these words, Li Hao felt a sudden shock and a silent gratitude.

He understood what Teacher Yuan meant.

When the time came, the experts he referred to were likely the Night Watchers.

In the past, Li Hao never talked much to his teacher.

He was worried about expanding the trouble and affecting his teacher.

But with Teacher Yuan's wisdom, when he heard that Zhang Yuan's self-immolation might not have been an accident, he would likely have immediately thought of supernatural interference.

That's why he mentioned finding experts.

However, even with Teacher Yuan's high status, the Night Watchers weren't easy to summon. Li Hao's matter was personal, not official, and it might require a significant cost.

"Understood, thank you, Teacher!"

Li Hao hung up the communicator, tore the seal, and opened the door of the old house that had been sealed for a year.

...

As Li Hao entered the old house with the black panther, the quiet street outside remained silent.

In the darkness, a pair of eyes with a faint blue glow appeared and disappeared.

Under the night sky, a black figure seemed to be a part of the night, completely black from head to toe, except for the eerie blue eyes and a ghost-like mask that concealed the face, making it impossible to tell the gender.

"Li Hao, Zhang Yuan's classmate and best friend, a second-level student at the Ancient Academy of Yincheng. He dropped out last year after Zhang Yuan's death and joined the Inspection Bureau, investigating Zhang Yuan's self-immolation. Today, he reported to the head of the Inspection Bureau's confidential room, Wang Jie, linking six self-immolation cases and wanting to merge them."

Information about Li Hao instantly flashed through the black figure's mind.

Li Hao had already been under surveillance after he dropped out and joined the Inspection Bureau last year.

Moreover, it seemed that Li Hao might be a key figure, though this wasn't within the black figure's jurisdiction, and he didn't know much. Someone had instructed him not to act rashly and to keep Li Hao useful.

The black figure thought, indeed, he shouldn't act rashly.

Was Li Hao just now talking to his teacher, Yuan Shuo?

Yuan Shuo, a top elder at the Ancient Academy of Yincheng, the head of the Ancient Civilization Exploration Department, and a collaborator with the Night Watchers, was one of the few people in Yincheng who could directly contact the Night Watchers.

"Li Hao can't be touched, no one needs to say it..."

The black figure quietly approached Zhang Yuan's old house, wanting to know why Li Hao had entered.

Clues?

Zhang Yuan self-immolated at the Ancient Academy. What clues could be found at home?

Or was he looking for something?

The black figure didn't know what he was looking for, but his task was to monitor everyone who entered or approached Zhang Yuan's old house.

...

"Whine!"

A low whine came from the black panther's throat, biting Li Hao's pant leg, showing some anxiety.

It seemed to be trying to say something.

Li Hao remained calm but was on high alert.

Was someone approaching?

Had his call with his teacher not been enough to deter some people?

Without saying more, he gently patted the black panther's head to calm it down. Then, Li Hao looked at the abandoned old house.

It was a small courtyard.

In front was the main house.

On the sides were Zhang Yuan's secondary bedroom and the kitchen. Li Hao was very familiar with this place, having visited often as a child. Even as an adult, before his parents passed away, he would often come here because his own home was small and unsuitable for playing.

This time, Li Hao's main goal was the stone knife at Zhang Yuan's home.

He glanced around. The old house seemed untouched, but someone had definitely been there. Some items were placed in positions that seemed normal but were clearly moved to Li Hao.

Zhang Yuan's home, besides Zhang Yuan, was most familiar to Li Hao.

Even the old tree in the courtyard had been tampered with, possibly dug up and replanted.

"If the stone knife is still at Zhang Yuan's home, it definitely won't be in the main house or the secondary bedroom!"

Li Hao had been there many times and knew the situation. If it were in these two places, he would have seen it and remembered. He had searched Zhang Yuan's home thoroughly, treating it like his own.

"The last time I saw the stone knife was when Uncle Zhang hit Little Yuan. I remember Uncle Zhang casually threw it on the ground, but I don't know if he picked it up later."

Li Hao recalled the past. He vaguely remembered that Zhang Yuan had found the stone knife in some corner.

Zhang Yuan's father probably didn't remember where he had thrown it, and when the child found it, he used it as an excuse to beat Zhang Yuan. As for any family heirloom, Zhang Yuan's father didn't take it seriously.

Just a broken stone!

What family heirloom?

Even if it were, it wouldn't be valuable. If Zhang Yuan hadn't found it, Zhang Yuan's father might never have thought about the stone again.

Following his vague memory, Li Hao slowly walked toward a corner of the courtyard.

There, some stones were piled up, originally used to repair the wall.

Li Hao quickly observed but didn't see the stone he remembered.

He remembered that the stone was somewhat similar to a knife.

"Someone is watching me in the dark, so I can't search openly."

Just as he thought this, the black panther, which had been quiet, suddenly let out a low growl.

"Whine!"

It wasn't a protective growl but a sound of caution, a whimper.

At this moment, Li Hao's scalp tingled!

Following the black panther's gaze, he looked toward the main house, his heart skipping a beat, and his heart rate accelerating.

The main house's door was originally closed, with nothing there.

But now, the door seemed to have a small gap, and through that gap, a hint of red could be seen.

"Red Shadow?"

Li Hao's heart raced. The Red Shadow had appeared?

He had vaguely seen it before, but according to his reasoning, the Red Shadow should only appear on rainy nights. Why was it here now, and at Zhang Yuan's home?

"Could it be... the Red Shadow has been at Zhang Yuan's home all along, looking for the stone knife and hasn't left?"

A thin layer of cold sweat appeared on Li Hao's forehead.

The encounter was too early!

Li Hao wasn't fully prepared. If the Red Shadow attacked him now, burning him, he would have no chance to resist.

"Why is it here?"

"Damn, it appeared too early. I haven't even seen the Night Watchers..."

Li Hao's body stiffened slightly. At this moment, his body trembled imperceptibly, and he even wanted to turn and run.

But outside, someone might be watching him.

Yes, the Red Shadow is invisible to most people.

He couldn't run!

Otherwise, even if he escaped, he would expose something, like the fact that he could see the Red Shadow, which would be a huge trouble.

Since he couldn't see it, he had no reason to be afraid.

Many thoughts flashed through his mind. In the next moment, Li Hao shouted, "What are you barking for? Be quiet!"

After scolding the black panther, Li Hao looked at the main house and shouted, "Is someone inside? I'm an inspector from the Inspection Bureau. Who's in there?"

Li Hao held the Vortex III, aiming at the main house, and shouted again, "Is anyone there? Come out!"

He clearly saw a corner of the Red Shadow but forced himself not to look at the red corner, instead focusing on the door and shouting at it.

Li Hao slowly approached the main house door.

Suddenly, he took a step forward and kicked the door open with a loud bang.

The loud noise caught the attention of a few nearby households.

Faint rustling sounds could be heard.

Li Hao ignored them, kicked open the door, and looked into the dark main house, shouting, "Is anyone there? I'm an inspector from the Inspection Bureau. If you don't come out, I'll shoot!"

At this moment, Li Hao's eyes were fixed on the front, but sweat was seeping through his forehead, and his arms were trembling slightly.

The black panther, lying motionless at his feet, was scared.

There was no other reason!

In Li Hao's peripheral vision and the black panther's dog eyes, at this moment, a red shadow was standing next to Li Hao, the red shadow almost touching his cheek.

However, Li Hao seemed not to see it, showing no reaction at all.

His gaze remained on the main house.

"No one?"

Li Hao's voice trembled, muttering, "Damn! Luckily, no colleagues were here, or I would have been laughed at