That night, Li Hao didn't fall asleep until very late after returning home.
Even in sleep, he remained exceptionally vigilant. He sent Black Panther to guard the front door and kept the Vortex III right by his hand, disregarding the risk of an accidental discharge out of fear that a cornered beast might make a desperate move.
Fortunately, the night passed without incident.
Perhaps they were still biding their time, waiting for a rainy night to come.
...
July 13, 1730.
Last night's commotion felt like a dream. Qiming Residential District was as quiet as ever, with no one paying any mind to the stir on the old street next door.
Even if someone had noticed, they wouldn't have made a fuss over it.
In the morning.
Li Hao got up, washed, and boiled a cup of water before submerging the jade sword into it.
After waiting a while.
Once the boiled water cooled slightly, Li Hao took a sip and frowned faintly.
"The starlight energy is a bit lower."
Li Hao pondered. Compared to yesterday, today's sword-infused water seemed to contain a little less starlight energy.
*If it's only a bit less, that's not a big problem. The key is whether this mysterious energy can regenerate...*
That was what truly mattered to Li Hao.
Was the mysterious energy on the jade sword a finite reserve stored previously, or did it require a certain amount of time after an infusion to restore itself to its original level? If it could regenerate, it would be an inexhaustible treasure!
As for the stone saber, Li Hao hadn't touched it for now.
He had feared being tailed last night, making it inconvenient to take it out.
Finishing the cup of water and feeling a warm current coursing through his body, Li Hao swiftly began practicing the Five Animals Ape Art. No matter how much he improved, it might not be enough to contend with the Red Shadow, but any increase in strength was a good thing, and Li Hao wasn't about to pass up the chance.
As he exercised, Li Hao turned things over in his mind.
With this Starry Sky Sword, was it better to steep it multiple times a day, or just once? Was there a significant gap between the effects of each infusion?
All of this would require careful experimentation over time.
Inside the room, Li Hao's figure remained nimble, darting about like an ape.
This time, he didn't repeat the forms as many times as the previous night.
After practicing three consecutive routines, he stopped while he still had energy to spare. The starlight energy on his body's surface dissipated completely; Li Hao had deliberately waited until the external starlight energy faded before calling it quits.
He worried that the Red Shadow or other supernaturals might be able to see the starlight energy on one's body just as he could.
If so, he would be exposed.
Liu Long and his companions all had faint starlight energy on their surfaces, which Li Hao had spotted at a glance; those men couldn't hide a thing from his eyes.
*I've seen Liu Long before, but I never noticed it then...*
Li Hao reflected on the previous night. Had he failed to see the starlight around Liu Long in the past because his eyes couldn't perceive it, or had Liu Long undergone changes only recently?
Or perhaps it was because Li Hao had drunk the sword-steeped water that he gained this vision?
Right now, he understood far too little about all of this.
*The supernatural world!*
Li Hao washed up again and changed into a clean set of clothes, looking much more refreshed.
He poured the remaining sword-steeped water into Black Panther's food bowl. The hound's eyes gleamed with excitement as it lapped it all up almost impatiently, and once finished, it wagged its tail relentlessly at Li Hao, wanting more.
Li Hao examined Black Panther closely for a moment and drew a soft breath.
*Good grief!*
The starlight on this dog seemed even denser than his own. Was it emitting more because it absorbed less?
Or was it the opposite—it had absorbed so much that the resulting stir caused starlight to overflow?
Li Hao had no idea!
He preferred to think the dog couldn't absorb it and the starlight was simply leaking out; otherwise, wouldn't that mean this dog was better than him, absorbing even more starlight energy than he did?
"Woof, woof!"
Black Panther was thrilled, as if begging for another bowl.
Li Hao patted the dog's head with a chuckle. "All gone! Next time!"
With that, he instructed, "I'm going to work, so watch the place! If anyone besides me shows up, pay attention! Remember their scent, and if conditions permit, track their location... but don't run too far."
He worried someone might sneak into his home while he was away.
He had the jade sword on him, so there was nothing truly valuable left in the apartment.
Of course, the stone saber he had brought back last night was also a treasure.
However, he wasn't afraid of the stone saber being discovered. Though the stone was somewhat large and cumbersome to carry around, Li Hao had tossed it into Black Panther's doghouse downstairs—who would ever find it there?
As for a passerby picking it up—what a joke, who would rummage through a stray dog's kennel to haul away a rock?
And as for neighborhood sanitation, the cleaners here would have to be bored out of their minds to bother tidying up a stray dog's den.
In short, nowhere was safer than the doghouse.
Furthermore, if it actually got stolen, Black Panther would know and could track it down. Either way, it was safer there than carrying it on his person. The jade sword was just a pendant, which was harmless, but if someone went around hauling a large stone everywhere, any fool could tell something was off.
"Woof!"
Black Panther understood Li Hao's words and bobbed its head. The fellow was growing smarter by the day.
Li Hao stood up and headed downstairs.
...
Outside the residential area, at the familiar breakfast stall, the proprietor handed over several large meat buns and a cup of soy milk without Li Hao having to utter a word.
Li Hao wasn't one to take free meals; he paid the bill and pedaled his bicycle at a leisurely pace toward the Inspectorate.
The black sedan that had tailed him after work yesterday didn't appear.
He wasn't sure whether they had given up or were too wary to tail him after last night's events.
Li Hao never felt the sensation of being followed all the way until he stepped into the Inspectorate.
...
The Inspectorate.
Confidential Records Office.
Li Hao was the first to arrive.
As usual, he swept the office briefly and boiled a kettle of water before others began trickling in.
Chen Na lacked seniority, so she arrived fairly early as well.
The weather was a bit muggy. Early in the morning, Chen Na looked drowsy, likely from a poor night's sleep. Yawning, she caught sight of Li Hao and complained, "Li Hao, that's not cool! You investigated the case last night—why didn't you call me?"
"You know about that too?"
"Of course!"
Chen Na yawned again. "How could I not? Even the Law Enforcement Team was mobilized last night!"
It had been quite a commotion, so naturally she had heard the news.
Chen Na shook her head to drive away the sleepiness and asked inquisitively, "Did you run into the killer last night?"
"No."
Li Hao shook his head. "I just felt like I was being followed."
"That thrilling?"
Chen Na had never taken part in a major case, so her interest was piqued at once. Excitedly, she said, "So those files you showed me earlier—were those really homicides?"
Li Hao gave a slight nod. "Most likely."
"Then you're going to earn major merit!"
Chen Na grew even more thrilled. "Li Hao, if you find the killer, you'll get top credit! Who knows, maybe this single case could get you promoted to Second-Class Inspector!"
There was a hint of envy in her voice, but mostly disappointment that Li Hao could participate in a major case while she couldn't.
She wasn't someone who could stand sitting on the sidelines.
"There aren't any leads yet."
Li Hao didn't elaborate. Chen Na's eyes darted around, and she whispered, "Didn't we agree yesterday to visit my hometown tomorrow? Li Hao, are we still going? If we go, will we be followed? Li Hao, do you think if the two of us team up and catch the killer, I'll get credit too?"
Yesterday, Li Hao had agreed to go with her to Chen Na's hometown tomorrow to inquire about the folk ditty.
However, yesterday Li Hao hadn't known he would be targeted so quickly, fraught with extreme danger, and that even the Red Shadow would appear.
Now, Li Hao hesitated.
Glancing at Chen Na, he spoke up, "Forget it, let's not go. We're both rookies, and it's too dangerous. It's better to keep a low profile lately."
He didn't want to drag his colleague into this.
Involving the supernatural realm was simply too perilous.
As for the folk ditty, there was no rush. Now that he knew about it, if he remained interested, he could always look into it later after killing the Red Shadow.
"Huh? We're not going?"
Disappointment washed over Chen Na's face. She really wanted to take part in a big case!
"Li Hao, come on, what's there to be afraid of? At worst, we'll let the Law Enforcement Team know and act as bait. Maybe we can catch them right then and there!"
She knew there were risks, but they could just notify the Law Enforcement Team to back them up.
"We'll see!"
The two chatted for a bit as the others arrived one after another.
Quite a few people had heard about last night. Big Sister Yu barged in and said in her sharp, brisk tone, "Little Hao, don't you do anything foolish! Don't go sticking your nose into dangerous cases like that. Here in the Confidential Records Office, the workload is light, the danger is low, and the pay is decent! Where else would you find such a sweet gig? Stay put in the office and don't meddle in the Law Enforcement Team's business!"
"Exactly, Little Hao, take some advice from your older brother. Meddle less in those things. Not only is it dangerous, but there's hardly any reward."
"..."
Everyone was genuinely looking out for their young colleague and chipped in with advice.
Working in the Confidential Records Office had long made them rusty when it came to detective work; if asked to go to the front lines now, few would be willing.
Li Hao didn't argue. He nodded continually, wearing an innocent, docile expression.
His face seemed to say: *I couldn't help it either, I just happened to get caught up in it.*
...
It wasn't until Wang Jie stepped through the door that the chatter died down.
"Li Hao, come to my office for a moment!"
Wang Jie left those words and walked into his office.
After waiting a brief moment, Li Hao rose and headed over.
...
Inside the office.
Wang Jie studied Li Hao closely for a while before breaking into a smile and gesturing downward. "Have a seat!"
Li Hao sat down with cautious decorum.
Wang Jie chuckled. "No need to be so stiff. If you're too restrained, you won't survive long in the Law Enforcement Team."
Li Hao looked up. Wang Jie looked back at him. "The Law Enforcement Team phoned me last night asking to transfer you over. Liu Long rarely speaks up, and for him to personally ask for someone is truly unusual—he's taking you very seriously! Li Hao, it seems your work on the spontaneous combustion case caught Liu Long's eye. The Law Enforcement Team wants you; what are your thoughts?"
In truth, Wang Jie had no power to refuse.
As for Li Hao, Wang Jie felt the young man couldn't resist either—though it was said Li Hao's teacher watched over him closely, so if he truly wanted to refuse, it wouldn't be impossible.
Liu Long of the Law Enforcement Team held far more clout than Wang Jie.
And he wielded genuine real-world authority!
Wang Jie wanted to hear Li Hao's perspective.
Li Hao thought for a moment, lowered his head, and said softly, "Director, I want to go! The Confidential Records Office is wonderful and I like it very much, but as you know, I entered the Inspectorate with only one goal... to avenge my friend!"
"Alas!"
Wang Jie let out a sigh. "I understand. To tell the truth, I'm reluctant to let you go. If you stayed, I was even preparing to submit a report to my superiors to see if I could get you promoted a rank. But since you're dead set on the spontaneous combustion case, I won't stand in your way.
"Just be careful. The Law Enforcement Team is far more dangerous than the Confidential Records Office; they suffer casualties every year. Especially with this spontaneous combustion case, I recommend you stick mainly to clerical paperwork and stay off the front lines. This whole thing doesn't sound simple at all! If the Law Enforcement Team can't handle it, it will likely draw the attention of higher authorities."
Li Hao nodded quietly.
Seeing this, Wang Jie said no more. He genuinely liked the young man.
Yet since Li Hao had joined the Inspectorate specifically for this, there was no point in trying to dissuade him further.
"Once the spontaneous combustion case is settled, if you ever want to return, you can submit an application. You're always welcome back!"
"Thank you, Director!"
Li Hao expressed his gratitude. Wang Jie smiled. "Don't mention it. Go report to the Law Enforcement Team first and see when they'll officially finalize the transfer. Once the formal order comes down, our office will organize a farewell gathering for you."
"Thank you, Director!"
Li Hao thanked him again. Everyone in the Confidential Records Office treated him well.
Had matters not reached this point, he too would have considered staying in the office a fine choice.
...
Exiting the director's office, Li Hao didn't tell the others that he was being transferred.
Without packing anything, Li Hao told Chen Na he was stepping out for a moment and quickly headed toward the Law Enforcement Team.
Both the Law Enforcement Team and the Confidential Records Office were located within the Inspectorate headquarters.
However, they were not in the same building.
The Confidential Records Office occupied rooms behind the main inspection hall, whereas the Law Enforcement Team was situated in an adjacent building—the entire structure belonged to them, far grander and more imposing than the records office.
Wearing his inspector's uniform, Li Hao walked up to the entrance of the law enforcement building, and no one stopped him.
At the doors, members of the Law Enforcement Team came and went, every one of them looking fierce and formidable.
Compared to them, Li Hao appeared rather slender and unassuming.
Without asking anyone for directions, Li Hao headed straight upstairs.
He was looking for Liu Yan.
As the deputy captain of the Law Enforcement Team, Liu Yan had her own office on the sixth floor.
Li Hao soon reached the sixth floor.
There were few people here, as the floor was reserved for leadership offices.
Looking around, he found the nameplate and knocked on the office door.
"Come in!"
Liu Yan's voice lacked the sultry charm of the previous night, tinged instead with a layer of coldness.
The moment Li Hao pushed the door open, her tone shifted, tinged with amusement. "Well, if it isn't little Li Hao. Looks like you didn't sleep well last night. Missing your big sister this early in the morning?"
"Good morning, Captain Liu!"
Li Hao offered a formal salute, entirely unmoved and exceptionally proper.
Seductive allure held no sway over him.
Besides, danger lurked on all sides; he had no interest in admiring her charms, not to mention that this Deputy Captain Liu was far from ordinary and in league with Liu Long. Li Hao had no desire to invite trouble.
"Little Li Hao, why be so stiff?"
Liu Yan wore a radiant smile, but Li Hao remained rigid and stood straight as a board, his peripheral vision sweeping across her office.
Inwardly, he was taken aback.
The office was massive, feeling no smaller than the entire Confidential Records Office workspace—at least one or two hundred square meters.
The space itself wasn't the issue; it was normal for the Law Enforcement Team to enjoy grander quarters. What was abnormal was that Li Hao immediately spotted several weapons of mass destruction displayed openly in the office.
What did a Vortex III amount to?
A little pistol like that was pure trash here!
Storm I!
Li Hao had heard of this one: a submachine gun of devastating power with a three-hundred-round capacity capable of continuous fire.
Hawkeye IV, a state-of-the-art sniper firearm with an effective precision range of over five hundred meters and an even greater lethal reach.
Armor Piercer II, reputed to punch straight through steel.
...
How was this an office? It was an armory!
Li Hao's heart pounded in shock.
As if noticing the subtle shift in his expression, Liu Yan chuckled. "Little Li Hao, don't look so shocked. These are all models I keep around for fun. They aren't real!"
Li Hao was speechless. *Do you really think I'd buy that?*
*Models?*
*With that cold metallic sheen and heavy texture, models?*
*Do you think I'm blind?!*
The Law Enforcement Team was truly something else; Liu Yan brazenly kept these destructive weapons sitting right out in the open in her office.
"They really are models!"
Liu Yan laughed. Suddenly, she reached over, grabbed a black grenade, and tossed it straight at Li Hao. "Go on, play with it. Nothing will happen!"
Li Hao's eyes widened, and he hastily caught it in both hands.
Cold sweat faintly pricked at his forehead!
*Holy crap!*
*Is this thing going to blow?!*
"Don't be scared!"
Liu Yan walked over with a giggle. Seeing Li Hao catch it, she casually pulled the pin from the grenade and said cheerfully, "It's fine, the pin isn't even pulled, what could happen?"
Li Hao's scalp went numb!
*Are you insane?!*
She had just pulled the pin!
At that moment, Li Hao wanted nothing more than to flee.
Fortunately, Liu Yan chuckled, plucked the grenade back from his hands, and tossed it casually out the window.
"Relax, it's fake!"
*Boom!*
A deafening roar erupted, shaking the entire room.
Li Hao turned pale. *Fake?*
Furthermore, this woman was completely mad—she had thrown it right out the window and it detonated! How could this... how could this be fine?!
Liu Yan kept her gaze fixed on him. Seeing Li Hao's pale face, she dropped her smile and said rather flatly, "Little Li Hao, this won't do."
"Hmm?"
"Frightened by just this?"
Liu Yan walked back to her seat, leaned back against the chair, and unceremoniously propped her feet up on the desk. She said lazily, "Supernaturals are nothing like this toy! A casual little fireball from some of those guys might pack more punch than that! One misstep... and you're dead! If you're scared of a mere grenade blast, your guts are far too small. How could you join us?"
Li Hao frowned slightly, but his brow quickly relaxed. "I don't know anything about those matters. I'm just an ordinary person. Even if I join the Law Enforcement Team, I might not have to deal with them directly. Captain Liu, it's only natural for me to be afraid. Perhaps after a few more times, I'll get used to it."
"Is that so?"
Liu Yan smiled. "Being this timid isn't what the boss described. He said you have plenty of guts! In fact, I think you're pretty bold myself. If you were truly timid, would you have dared to keep investigating the spontaneous combustion case when you knew it wasn't ordinary?"
"Some things simply must be done."
Li Hao regained his composure. "Going forth into the tiger's mountain knowing full well a tiger is there! Just like you and your team, Captain Liu—you know supernaturals aren't to be trifled with, yet you provoke them anyway. Is it because you aren't afraid? I believe no one is fearless; it's just that... sometimes, something must be done!"
"Fair point!"
Liu Yan nodded in genuine agreement this time, smiling again. "Well said. No one is fearless. I'm afraid, and in truth, the boss is afraid too! But fear doesn't mean we give up!"
She looked at Li Hao. "I don't believe you'll be of much help to us, but... since the boss spoke, I welcome you to the Law Enforcement Team. That's trivial, though; what matters is, welcome to the Demon Hunting Squad!"
*Demon Hunting!*
Li Hao's eyes flickered. Was that the name of their squad?
Seeing Liu Yan extend her hand, Li Hao reached out to shake it.
The moment their hands met, Li Hao was startled. With a sudden burst of force in her wrist, Liu Yan locked his right hand in a grappling hold and twisted it backward. Before Li Hao could even react, she executed a shoulder throw. With a heavy thud, Li Hao slammed hard onto the floor!
The instant he hit the ground, Li Hao sprang up.
Three years of practicing the Ape Art had borne fruit after all. With a swift leap, he endured the pain and instantly bounced out of Liu Yan's striking range.
Liu Yan didn't press the attack, merely watching him calmly.
With a hint of appreciation, she teased, "Not bad! Your alertness is a bit lacking and your martial skill is average, but your reflexes are decent. That's the Ape Art from the New Book of Five Animals, isn't it? Fairly well trained!"
Li Hao remained silent, his guard fully raised.
Shock rippled through him. This woman looked delicate, yet when she struck, her hand felt like iron. Without looking, Li Hao knew his arm had already swelled from the grip!
Tremendous strength!
It felt as if he had been clamped by solid steel!
"I was merely testing your moves, don't be scared!"
Liu Yan beamed dazzlingly, laughing with sultry grace as ripples of charm returned to her eyes, slipping back into her earlier demeanor.
Li Hao, however, didn't dare lower his guard again!
"Having a foundation in the Five Animals Art is a good thing. The Ape Art isn't meant for offense, but it excels at escape. If you can train to your teacher's level, ordinary supernaturals might not even be able to catch you!"
At those words, Li Hao's eyes shifted. After a moment of thought, he asked in a low voice, "Captain Liu, are you saying... my teacher's Ape Art is very strong?"
"Huh?"
Liu Yan froze for a moment, then doubled over in laughter, shaking like a blossoming branch.
"Who compiled the New Book of Five Animals? Old Yuan did! Are you doubting whether the creator who compiled the *New Book of Five Animals* is strong in the Five Animals Art?"
After laughing for a bit, Liu Yan stopped abruptly. "Very strong! Your teacher, Yuan Shuo, may not be a supernatural, but back before supernaturals emerged into the light, your teacher was a top-tier master in the mortal realm! But once supernaturals appeared, those who failed to step into the supernatural realm... alas!"
A sigh escaped her lips, whether pitying Yuan Shuo or lamenting her own plight.
Even if one reached the pinnacle of mortal martial arts, so what?
No matter how skilled a warrior was, they likely couldn't stop a supernatural's fireball, a flash of a blade, or a bolt of lightning.
Such was the sorrow!
Soon, however, Liu Yan snapped out of it. Her smile vanished as she strode toward the door. "Come on, let's see the boss. It's time to help you understand what we do and what you should be doing, so you know our enemies and ourselves. We don't expect miracles from you—just don't drag us down!"
Li Hao's heart raced.
*Supernatural power!*
Perhaps through Liu Long, he could learn more about supernaturals. And that would be his first step into the supernatural realm.
For these people to dare strike at supernaturals, they had to possess substantial knowledge about them.
That was another crucial reason Li Hao wanted to join the Law Enforcement Team: only by understanding his enemy could he better confront the Red Shadow.
Chapter 13