Volume One, Chapter 113: Pingshui Town

The middle-aged man's lips twitched with a hint of a bitter smile. "How could I bear to die before seeing the true mastermind brought to justice?"

Qin Yu relaxed her brow ever so slightly, feeling a sense of relief she couldn’t quite put into words.

"Alright then, Dianqiu, shall we move on to our next game?"

A synthesized voice blared out of the black screen, and the middle-aged man promptly left the voice chat.

"Let's welcome the next Corpse Brother onto the stage!"

"If Yaoyao’s father cooperated willingly, does that mean the others did too? Then the streamer didn’t have to listen to the kidnapper at all!"

"Then why do you think the Master told them not to call the police?"

"Did the Master know from the start that the kidnappers wouldn’t harm the hostages?"

"Damn, I suddenly feel enlightened!"

Qin Yu narrowed her eyes. What exactly did he want her to investigate?

"Tell me, what’s the next location?"

"It’s not far—just a small village on the outskirts of Emperor View. I’ve sent you the exact address privately."

Since she needed to stream, Qin Yu didn’t choose public transportation, instead ordering a private car.

There was still some time before her ride arrived, so Qin Yu sat by her phone, chatting idly with her online viewers.

"Master, the safety talisman I bought during your last stream worked so well! Can I buy some more?"

"Of course, I’ll draw them live and send them out."

"Wife, the radishes in your temple look amazing. Are they for sale?"

Qin Yu’s eyelid twitched as she glanced at the little mound not far away. Did you hear that? Someone just praised your radishes.

"The radishes are not for sale."

"Curious how much you make in this line of work?"

"Curiosity’s useless—curiosity won’t make it yours."

"Streamer, I’m an influencer in the paranormal community. Can I apply to join you on this trip?"

"Sorry, I don’t collaborate with unscrupulous marketing accounts."

...

"Xiao Yu! I’ve figured it out!"

Mu Ling’s voice startled her inside her mind.

"What did you figure out?"

"You’re always streaming live, always in the public eye—Qingfeng Temple can’t do anything to you."

Qin Yu: …

Took you long enough to realize.

——

The little village Qin Yu headed to this time was sparsely populated. The driver, after dropping her off, seemed to see a ghost—he slammed the gas and sped away.

It was the busy farming season, but the fields on either side of the road were overgrown with weeds and lay fallow. Even the few that had crops were choked with wild grass, clearly untended for a long time.

Qin Yu walked onward. Suddenly, a figure darted out from a mud-brick house, running so fast that in her panic, she collided straight into Qin Yu.

Out of reflex, Qin Yu caught her as she stumbled.

The sharp, bony feel under her hands made Qin Yu frown.

She looked down to find a child of about six or seven, alarmingly thin—little more than skin and bones. The face, which should have been round and soft, was gaunt and sharp.

The child had cropped hair and was filthy from head to toe, making it hard to discern the gender.

He steadied himself, glancing up at Qin Yu in terror. Upon seeing her attire, a strange look flashed in his clear, bright eyes.

Before Qin Yu could decipher the meaning in his gaze, she heard a heavy, dragging sound from behind.

"You little wretch! Don’t let me catch you, or I’ll kill you!"

The child shoved Qin Yu hard, barked out a fierce "Run!" and bolted as if fleeing for his life.

The push sent Qin Yu stumbling.

Mu Ling immediately gave chase.

Once she steadied herself, Qin Yu spotted a figure peering warily from behind a withered tree.

She patted the dust from her pale cyan dress and waved at the figure. "Excuse me, is this Pingshui Town?"

The person didn’t respond, just stood there in a daze. Qin Yu was about to assume he was mute when he finally asked warily, "What brings you to Pingshui Town?"

Qin Yu politely stepped forward, but the man, startled, took a step back.

She remained where she was. "There’s been trouble in my family, so I’ve come to Pingshui Town to seek refuge with relatives."

Something in her words seemed to strike a chord, and his demeanor changed noticeably.

He stepped out from behind the dead tree, and Qin Yu could finally see him clearly.

He looked just like the child she’d met earlier—so thin he was little more than skin and bone, but unlike the child, he was brimming with energy and seemed in good spirits.

Especially upon seeing Qin Yu—his eyes lit up.

Qin Yu recognized that expression. It was the same look she had whenever she saw money.

"May I ask, what trouble has befallen your family?"