Li Dongze sat behind his luxurious office desk, carefully trimming his mustache with a straight razor.
"I don't like shaving—it's troublesome. But for the sake of elegance, it's a necessary price to pay," he chuckled as he examined Zhang Yuanqing and said, "Looks like you passed Taiyi Sect's screening."
So the section chief really did know why they came looking for me… and didn't bother to give me a heads-up. That's one way to lose my… Zhang Yuanqing casually replied:
"You've heard of the Demon Lord too, huh?"
"In official organizations, evil cults, civilian groups, and lone practitioners alike—there are more high-ranking Spirit Realm Walkers who died at his hands than I can count. His infamy is well-known. Of course I've heard of him," Li Dongze said, still focused on his grooming.
"But characters like that are far removed from us. A giant might crush an ant beneath its foot, but never intentionally."
So the Demon Lord was no saint… Then how did Brother Bing get involved with someone like that? Zhang Yuanqing took the opportunity to say:
"Sir, could you help me check in with Jiangnan Province? I'd like to know the progress on Lei Yibing's case. Also, please look into his university years—his activities, social circle, everything. The more detailed, the better."
Before, as a rookie lacking experience and strength, he had treated Brother Bing's disappearance like a "long-term side quest."
But now, after learning the truth about the Demon Lord's character card, he had to reassess the situation.
Why did Brother Bing disappear? Is he alive or dead? Why leave the Demon Lord's card to me?
The truth was buried under layers of fog. It wasn't just about Brother Bing anymore—it involved him too. Even if he was still weak now, he had to begin digging for answers.
Brother Bing hadn't left any information, just the card. But Zhang Yuanqing understood. Sometimes, even if you want to speak, you simply can't. Today's questioning had proven that.
If Brother Bing had kept quiet, it was probably to protect him. But he must have left behind clues, breadcrumbs to guide him to the truth. Which meant he needed every piece of information he could get.
Li Dongze nodded after some thought. "Alright, I'll call in a favor from my colleagues over there. But it'll take time."
To him, Yuanqing's concern for his childhood friend was natural. Still, as a seasoned Spirit Walker, he believed the guy had probably perished in a week-long dungeon.
After finishing with Brother Bing's case, Zhang Yuanqing's expression turned serious. "Sir, I have something to report."
Seeing his subordinate's serious face, Li Dongze put down the razor, snapped shut the compact mirror, and straightened up slightly.
"What is it?"
Zhang Yuanqing then reported the haunting incident at his aunt's hospital and how he accidentally brought a ghost infant home. He deliberately concealed the spirit servant part, instead describing the baby as a dull, semi-refined spirit entity that hadn't advanced to the servant stage.
He kept his emotions in check while speaking, ensuring that neither his tone nor expression gave anything away—important, given Li Dongze's Scout profession.
He concluded, "I suspect a Spirit Realm Walker has been conducting spirit servant refinement experiments in that hospital. Likely a Night Wanderer. I just don't know if they're rogue or official."
Li Dongze's expression darkened with each word. He clenched his cane and cursed:
"Oh, god. That bastard belongs in hell. I swear I'll make him pay."
There's a difference between devouring a spirit and enslaving one. Spirits eventually dissipate—it's inevitable. But devouring just accelerates the process.
Refining spirits into servants, though… that's inhumane. Especially an infant spirit.
The ban on refining ordinary people's souls into servants stems from basic human decency. Imagine if your loved one died and someone turned them into a tool—how would you feel?
I thought you'd say something like, "I'd love to kick that guy's ass with my boots," Zhang Yuanqing mentally quipped, knowing Li Dongze's usual mannerisms.
"Sir, I've already performed a rite for the child and extracted the target's image from its memory. I'd like to request permission to pursue the case alone—to train myself."
Even before he finished, Zhang Yuanqing knew he'd be rejected.
Li Dongze, as expected, shook his head.
"Your intentions are good, but experience comes with pitfalls. In the Spirit Realm, one mistake can mean death. Here's what we'll do—Guan Ya will go with you. Her skills in combat and firearms surpass even mine."
"Yes, sir." Zhang Yuanqing was secretly thrilled.
To cover up Little Dork's existence, he needed to take the lead on the case. But like Li Dongze said, Spirit Realm affairs were no joke. One careless slip, and you could die—just like Ou Xiangrong.
So he needed an experienced partner.
By asking to go solo, he had forced Li Dongze to back down and compromise by assigning Guan Ya instead.
After all, everyone knew—Yuanqing was a Night Wanderer with a rule-type item. His margin for error was high. Ordinary danger wouldn't faze him.
And in his opinion, Guan Ya was far easier to fool than Li Dongze.
"Should I go find her now?"
Li Dongze gave a soft grunt, then suddenly smirked. "Nice singing voice, by the way. Don't ever do it again."
"..."
———
Pingtai Hospital, Kangyang District
As a top-tier hospital, Pingtai specialized in obstetrics and gynecology, boasting some of the nation's top experts. In the field, it ranked among the top five nationwide.
A black business van pulled into the lot. As the door slid open, Guan Ya glanced at Zhang Yuanqing's vacant expression and asked with concern:
"Been seeing double on your phone or computer lately?"
"Why do you ask?" Zhang Yuanqing pulled himself out of his thoughts.
Guan Ya curled her delicate lips and blinked mischievously. "Your face tells me you've been… overindulging lately."
Used to her suggestive tone, Zhang Yuanqing ignored her and asked, "The section chief assigned me to work with you. What's our usual process in cases like this?"
Guan Ya's smile faded. She replied seriously:
"First, we identify the target you saw in the spirit's memory. That part's easy. Then we dig up their real-world identity. If they're weak, we capture them directly. If strong, we call the section chief and use force."
"But we don't know if they have accomplices here or the scale of the spirit servant operation, so we move carefully. First, we do recon."
"Start with the ghost rumors. When did they begin? Any others besides the baby? That'll help narrow the time window."
"Check miscarriage and abortion records from that period. Male fetuses, at late stages. Shouldn't be many—identifying the baby won't be hard."
"Infant spirits fade fast. So the people who interacted with those mothers are all suspects."
"If any of them match the person you saw in your spirit vision, we act. If not, we're dealing with accomplices."
She's got a solid plan. So this is what a real Scout does… Zhang Yuanqing was impressed.
"My aunt works here. Not convenient for me to visit the OB-GYN wing. Let's split up—I'll handle the spirit-related stuff, you go dig into the maternity side."
They got out, pulled on masks and caps, and split up in front of the outpatient building.
Inside, Zhang Yuanqing entered a quiet stairwell and summoned Little Dork.
"Abba abba…"
The baby spirit lay on the ground, big dark eyes full of innocent curiosity.
Zhang Yuanqing mentally conveyed thoughts like "freedom" and "go play."
He planned to use Little Dork to lure out the culprit. A rare spirit servant gone missing—its creator would definitely search for it. Once the infant reappeared at the hospital, the person behind it would come sniffing.
Even if that failed, Little Dork could still recognize whoever refined it—maybe even feel a natural attachment.
With Zhang Yuanqing's permission, the baby gleefully squirmed and crawled off down the corridor.
He followed, up to the fourth floor, through a hallway door, into the waiting area—and straight into the OB-GYN wing.
So the target really is in obstetrics…?
Just as he thought this, a silvery laugh rang out.
"Really? You like that skincare brand too? I travel abroad often—next time I'll bring you some."
Guan Ya's voice.
He looked over.
Sure enough, she was chatting up a female doctor, laughing and gossiping.
The doctor in the white coat… was his aunt.
Shit! Zhang Yuanqing lowered the brim of his cap, keeping his gaze downward to avoid eye contact.
Mask and cap aside, his aunt knew him too well. A glance at his eyes might be all it took to recognize him.
Just then, Little Dork cheerfully crawled straight toward her.