Chapter 39: When parents love their children, they plan for them with foresight.

Perhaps because of the exhaustion and intensity of the day, after a cursory sweep of the rooms upstairs and down, Shuisheng collapsed onto his bed and fell fast asleep the moment his head hit the pillow. He did not wake until the sun was high in the sky the following morning.

He was not awakened by his own volition, but by the insistent ringing of the doorbell.

He went downstairs to open the door. Standing there was Yan Ning with three others: one wearing the uniform of the Yan family, and two others in crisp business suits who clearly did not belong to the household. All three carried briefcases or document pouches tucked under their arms.

"You seemed to sleep quite well yesterday," Yan Ning remarked.

"Quite well," Shuisheng replied. "I was so exhausted that I just passed out; I didn't even have the energy to shower."

"For a young man like you to be thrust into such a scene, it was truly a lot to ask," Yan Ning said, entirely unaware of the tactical maneuvers Shuisheng had actually performed on the battlefield. "I apologize for the early intrusion, but there are some matters regarding Inspector Ni Ximei that we need to clarify. These two gentlemen..."

He gestured toward the man in the Yan family uniform, a middle-aged man in his fifties. "This is Deputy Director Li of the Yan family’s Logistics and Pension Department."

He then pointed to the two men in suits. "And these are Managers Liang and Wu from the Linghai Insurance Company of Fuling City."

Ni Ximei! Shuisheng felt his heart sink; a vague sense of foreboding washed over him. Out of courtesy, he invited them in and motioned for them to sit on the sofa in the living room.

"Deputy Director Li, please explain the situation," Yan Ning said.

"It is like this, Mr. Shuisheng," Deputy Director Li began. Because Shuisheng had been brought back personally by the young mistress and Captain Yan, and because he had heard whispers of the dying gift the old master had bestowed upon this youth, the Deputy Director spoke with profound respect. "Following the young mistress's instructions, we spent the night reviewing the pension arrangements for the four Yan family members who fell in battle. Based on the Yan family’s compensation regulations, we determined the amounts. For an Inspector of the combat team with a Level 5 ability, the Yan family provides 220,000 yuan in pension, plus an additional 300,000 yuan in work-related death insurance. The total is 520,000 yuan."

520,000 yuan—that was not a small sum. It should be enough to keep her husband, Chen Tao, their two children, and their parents afloat for quite some time. It might even alleviate the family’s immediate distress. Shuisheng felt a wave of relief.

"However," the Deputy Director said, gesturing toward the two insurance managers, "this morning, these two gentlemen from the Linghai Insurance Company came to the Pension Department with a concern."

Manager Liang took a document from his briefcase and placed it on the coffee table. Shuisheng saw the words "Death Certificate" on the cover.

"Yesterday afternoon, after Ni Ximei’s husband collected her remains, he obtained a death certificate in Fuling City and applied for a payout on her accidental death insurance," Liang explained. He then produced another document. "This is a commercial personal accident policy Ni Ximei purchased from our company over three months ago. Should she die from accidental injury, the payout could reach as much as 3 million yuan."

"Then you should just process the claim according to your procedures. Why come to me?" Shuisheng asked, confused. "I only knew Inspector Ni for a single day. If you have questions, talk to her family."

Manager Liang looked troubled. The man beside him, Manager Wu, pulled out another document—a medical report from a clinic for ability-users operated by the "Heavenly Court" organization in Fuling City. "Mr. Shuisheng, please take a look at this first."

Shuisheng opened it. The patient’s name was Ni Ximei. The date was two and a half months prior, and the diagnosis listed multiple complications resulting from "wood-toxin" cultivation seeping into her internal organs, compounded by overexertion and deep-seated emotional distress. Her life expectancy was estimated at no more than six months.

Ni Ximei had been suffering from a terminal illness!

Shuisheng was stunned. No wonder the very first time he saw her, he had sensed the heavy pall of sickness surrounding her!

Manager Wu continued, "After we received the application from her family, we expedited the process due to pressure from the Yan family. By this morning, while investigating her medical history, we discovered this record. In other words, long before the battle at the boundary point, Ni Ximei knew she was terminally ill and beyond saving. Taking out a massive insurance policy while terminally ill is considered fraud, and if discovered, the claim is voided. Furthermore, she could be held legally liable for insurance fraud!"

Deputy Director Li took over: "This raises a difficult question: Is it possible that Ni Ximei, knowing she was dying, deliberately sought to fall in battle to secure this massive insurance payout and pension for her family? If we don't clarify this, her family won't just lose the commercial insurance; even the Yan family’s pension will be drastically reduced. The Yan family’s policy differentiates heavily between those who die in the line of duty and those who intentionally seek their own death."

"We sympathize deeply with Inspector Ni’s difficult situation, but principles are principles, and regulations are regulations. Regardless of her circumstances, deliberate insurance fraud and deception toward the Yan family cannot be condoned."

"Mr. Shuisheng, this is a very delicate matter," Deputy Director Li sighed. "That is why today we have been seeking out witnesses who participated in the battle on Ice Prison Island to determine if she intentionally sought death."

"There are two opposing views," the Deputy Director continued. "The Yan family members largely claim she died fighting with all her might to protect the young mistress, Yan Ruobing. However, some members of the Crocodile God Society claim she intentionally threw herself onto the blade of the Ice Prison Commander. Other factions refuse to comment; they have no interest in the affairs of another group's members. We learned that while on the island, she gave you instructions on combat and spoke to you quite a bit. Since you belong to neither the Yan family nor the Crocodile God Society, we wanted to hear your perspective."

So that was it!

Shuisheng understood everything now.

He suddenly recalled the words Ni Ximei had said, asking for his help: "Shuisheng, my family is in great trouble. If I can get a promotion and a raise, it would solve some of it. I want to prove myself to the young mistress; if she faces danger, I will rush to save her. No matter what happens, I hope you will testify for me."

He hadn't thought much of it at the time and had agreed immediately. So, this was what she had meant!

No wonder she had looked for every opportunity to strike once Yan Ruobing joined the fray!

Thinking of her husband, Chen Tao, and his pathetic struggle with two sick children, he fully understood the woman’s desperate intentions. She was terrified that after she succumbed to her terminal illness, her husband—who lacked the ability to earn a living—and her two children would suffer even more. Especially the children! The medical bills for them were a bottomless pit; how could they possibly survive?

"A parent’s love for their child is deep and far-reaching." Shuisheng recalled this saying and was deeply moved.

The Yan family claimed she died protecting the young mistress because they wanted to ensure her family had a safety net. The Crocodile God Society claimed she sought death because she had protected Shuisheng, thwarting the schemes of Liu Qing and the others to turn a profit.

But was she... was she truly committing insurance fraud?

She was a good person, and her family was truly in dire straits. But was he supposed to lie to cover for her struggle?

Shuisheng’s mind raced with the speed of lightning.