Chapter 30

"Delov, this time you really have to help me."

In the office of the Tōng Huā District Constable, Furen, without bothering to wipe the rain from his body, looked disheveled and anxious.

"What happened?" Delov picked up a cup of hot water and handed it to Furen, his brows furrowed with seriousness.

"Ah—"

Furen took the cup from Delov, sighed deeply, and sat down on the sofa, recounting his troubles in detail.

"All of them are dead?" Delov's expression changed after hearing Furen's story.

"Yes," Furen said, rubbing his forehead in distress. "If it were just ordinary people, it would be fine, but this murder case involves a big figure. Now, I must provide a reasonable explanation, or—"

"Who are the dead people associated with?" Delov asked seriously.

Furen looked around cautiously, as if to ensure no one was listening, then leaned close to Delov's ear and whispered, "It's the Fourth Prince's people."

"What?" Delov was somewhat surprised.

"Shh—" Furen quickly made a gesture to hush, looking nervous.

"How did Anbofen get involved with the Fourth Prince?" Delov asked in a low voice, sitting next to Furen.

"You might know that among all the districts in the capital, the Fēiguāng District is the most commercially prosperous, and the Stone Plate Street is the commercial center of the Fēiguāng District. Whoever controls the Stone Plate Street will have countless profits every year," Furen explained, taking a sip of hot water. "Such a huge profit is coveted by the big figures in the capital, and Anbofen was the one the Fourth Prince supported to rise to power. But now he's dead, how could the Fourth Prince not be angry?"

"So the Fourth Prince sent people to hold you accountable?" Delov said.

"Yes..." Furen sighed again. "But I am completely helpless in this murder case, so I came to you for help."

"You flatter me too much," Delov shook his head.

"Of course!" Furen said with excitement. "Who in our circle doesn't know about your illustrious reputation in the Investigation Department back then!"

"Ha ha—" Delov smiled bitterly, a self-mocking expression on his face. "Am I still the same person?"

"How could you not be?" Furen urged, his voice rising. "Although you've been quiet these past years, I know it's because of family ties that you've become more steady. Otherwise, you wouldn't be in your current position. But you are still you, and your investigative skills and talent are undeniable."

"Do you know? My assistant died a few days ago," Delov shook his head, seemingly indifferent to Furen's praise. He raised his head, his eyes vacant, and murmured, "He was a lot like me in the past, with the same investigative talent and the same temper, but he's dead."

As he spoke, Delov's eyes became moist, his fists clenched, and his voice carried a note of pain. "He wouldn't have died if it weren't for me. If I had been willing to investigate that case, everything would have been different, but I chose to shirk—"

"Do you know? I'm not the same person anymore," Delov suddenly turned to stare at Furen, his face twisted.

"You—" Furen was startled by Delov's expression and jumped back, his voice trembling. "Delov, are you okay?"

"Sorry." Delov shook his head, his hands buried in his hair, and sighed. "I got a bit carried away."

Furen cautiously sat back beside him, patted his back, and comforted him. "Don't think too much about the past. Maybe you can do something to make amends."

"Make amends? Ha ha..." Delov said bitterly. "He's dead. What can I do?"

"Maybe you can fulfill his last wish," Furen had a sudden idea. "This murder case might give you some clues or help."

"Furen, you still like to manipulate people," Delov looked at Furen and shook his head.

"Ha ha—" Furen laughed awkwardly.

Although his thoughts were exposed, Furen didn't give up. "From your reaction, it's clear that your assistant's death has become a knot in your heart. If you can't resolve it, you'll be haunted by guilt for the rest of your life. Do you want that?"

Seeing Delov's silence, Furen felt relieved, knowing that his words had resonated. To secure his future, he had to push harder.

"People get older and consider many things, just like you changed your bad temper for your family. Family must be very important to you. But when something conflicts with your family, you choose your family, but you didn't foresee the outcome, which left you surprised and sad. You want to change something, but you're afraid of the consequences affecting your family. Instead of that, you choose to bear the pain alone. Am I right, Delov?"

"If you could use your smooth talk for investigations, I don't think you'd be any worse than me," Delov glanced at Furen and sneered.

"Delov! Don't you want to change anything?" Furen's expression turned serious.

"You said it, some consequences are too much for me to bear," Delov said with a helpless smile.

"But that shows you have the desire to change. Delov, this is simple. If you can help with this case, I believe the Fourth Prince will notice you, and your problems won't be problems anymore," Furen said.

"In the end, you still want me to help you," Delov looked at Furen and said bluntly.

"Exactly! If the outcome benefits both of us, why not?" Furen answered honestly this time.

Delov stared at Furen, his mind in turmoil. Finally, he closed his eyes.

"You win! I'll help you."

"Thank you! Thank you! Delov, you're a true friend," Furen was overjoyed and thanked him repeatedly.

"But I have conditions," Delov interrupted Furen's excitement.

"What are they?"

"This operation must be kept secret. Externally, it will be your own investigation. If the Fourth Prince doesn't provide the necessary help, I'll withdraw, even if it means more pain for me."

Furen frowned, knowing that Delov was planning to cut all ties. If things didn't go well, he would back out. But Furen was in a bind too.

"Alright, let's go see the Fourth Prince together."

With that, the two began to prepare and left.

In the carriage moving through the heavy rain, Delov pulled back the curtain of the window and stared blankly, his eyes filtering through the blurry street scenes.

He wasn't sure if his decision was right, but if he didn't act, his heart would ache. Now that he had acted, he felt a bit hesitant.

When did he become so hesitant and timid?

He was trying to find his old courage, and he was seeking redemption.

"Delov, don't think too much," Furen, seeing Delov's expression, thought he was troubled and consoled him.

"Nothing, can I open the window a bit?" Delov asked, grateful for Furen's concern.

"Sure, but not for too long, or the rain will come in," Furen nodded in agreement.

Pulling the latch of the small window, the rain seemed to find a new home, bringing in a cold wind. The warmth inside the carriage met the cold outside, and the person in between felt a bit more alert.

A low rumble of thunder echoed in the dark, rain-blurred sky. He saw a person walking on the street with an umbrella.

A flash of lightning briefly illuminated Delov's eyes, and he saw the person clearly.

It was a handsome young man, seemingly from a wealthy family. What could have brought him out in such bad weather?

He seemed to sense Delov's attention, and his eyes, sharp like a sword, pierced through the rain and into Delov.

The carriage quickly left the man behind, and Delov quickly closed the small window, leaning back and breathing heavily.

"What happened?" Furen asked, puzzled.

"Nothing—" Delov shook his head, still shaken. "Just startled by the lightning."

The man's eyes were not those of an ordinary person, and the sudden shock left Delov with this thought.

Perhaps he was being too sensitive, Xiaolan thought, watching the carriage disappear into the rain. But he quickly forgot about it and headed to the Alchemists' Association in the capital to find a potion master.

Because the pain inside his body was getting worse.

At No. 666 Stone Plate Street, in the main hall of Anbofen's residence.

"Are you Delov?"

The man Furen feared looked Delov up and down and asked.

"Yes," Delov nodded, neither humble nor arrogant. "May I ask your name?"

"Losge," the man introduced himself briefly, glancing at Furen. "I heard your investigative skills are the best in the capital's police force?"

"I wouldn't dare to claim that," Delov said humbly, bowing his head.

"I don't care about your past, but you must give me an explanation here," Losge pointed to the neatly arranged bodies on the ground, especially the headless body of Anbofen. "Especially his death."

"I will do my best," Delov said seriously.

Furen, standing beside him, tugged at his sleeve nervously and whispered, "Old friend, it's all up to you."

Losge watched coldly, perhaps having already made up his mind, but he was curious to see what they could uncover.

Delov approached the bodies, his expression serious as he examined the wounds on each one. He frowned, as the killer's method was too efficient, reminding him of the deaths of the three black-clothed men in the Tōng Huā District and his assistant. The difference was that the weapon this time was a sword.

He wasn't sure if the killer was the same person, but he had a suspicion.

When examining Anbofen's body, Delov was meticulous, knowing that the Fourth Prince's envoy was watching him closely. He examined the body from head to toe without missing a detail.

In the messy room, Delov began to observe the surroundings, especially the damaged areas. The results made his heart race.

Returning to the starting point, he closed his eyes, organizing his thoughts.

"Lord Losge, I'm not sure if it's appropriate to say this," Delov opened his eyes, looked at Furen, and said seriously.

"Oh—" Losge's eyebrows twitched, seemingly surprised. "It seems you've found something."

"Yes, some things need your verification," Delov nodded.

"Go out, and don't let anyone in," Losge suddenly instructed Furen, leaving him puzzled but relieved to leave. He didn't like the bodies or Losge.

So, he nodded to Delov as he left.

After Furen left, Losge said to Delov, "Now you can speak."

"Lord, I believe Anbofen was one of your people, right?" Delov said sternly.

"Yes," Losge admitted openly.

"Then did you know he was a mage?"