Chapter 116: Investigation

Just as Dabai had left, he noticed something strange. The patrolman who had been maintaining order suddenly stopped, then turned around and started walking toward the master’s tent.

Originally, the patrolman had been walking with his back to the master’s tent, but now he abruptly turned, his eyes appearing somewhat vacant.

“Oh no, how can I let him disturb the master?” Dabai thought anxiously, quickly running over to stop him.

However, after taking just two steps, the patrolman suddenly clasped his head with both hands, seeming to be in great pain.

Then a strange voice escaped his lips.

“Huh, how odd. The maggots have developed the strength to resist so quickly? They’re evolving fast.”

At that moment, a flash of white light suddenly flickered across the man’s body, and then he gradually calmed down.

He knelt half down on the ground, gasping as if he had just survived a life-or-death race.

After regaining his composure, he immediately ran toward the Starry Commerce Guild’s camp.

“What’s going on?” The onlookers who had been dispersing mostly witnessed this scene and were quite astonished.

“It seems he was possessed by some powerful evil spirit, but the man carries strong protective power, so the spirit was expelled,” someone explained.

“Exactly, I knew there wouldn’t be any risk-free gold prospecting,” another said knowingly.

“Yes, those evil spirits seem sealed in the mine’s core, but you can’t rule out a few stragglers. Luckily, the Starry Guild people are conspicuous and became their first targets, which is why the big guilds tacitly allow them to maintain order.”

The passersby came to what they thought was a reasonable conclusion and hurriedly left.

They needed to respond quickly to the new situation and make decisions: whether to stay or leave, and if leaving, when; if staying, what protective measures to prepare.

Dabai listened carefully to these words, sniffing hard with his nose. He felt the lingering scent in the air wasn’t like that of the foul creatures killed during the night, but something far more sinister.

He quickly ran back to the tent to inform his master.

A few minutes later, after hearing Dabai’s report, Fan Bei furrowed his brows.

Mining was risky, which was to be expected, but this risk seemed to be directly targeting him, which was suspicious.

As he pondered, someone spoke outside the tent.

“Excuse me, is Mr. Fan residing inside?”

Fan Bei, accompanied by Dabai, stepped out and saw a patrolman from the Starry Commerce Guild standing there.

“I’m Fan Bei. How may I help you?”

“Oh, our guild leader requests your presence immediately.”

Fan Bei didn’t respond right away but glanced at Dabai. After Dabai sniffed and shook his head, Fan Bei allowed the patrolman to lead the way.

Before long, they arrived at a wooden house.

Previously, he had only glimpsed it briefly and assumed it was an ordinary wooden cabin. But upon entering, he discovered it was something else entirely.

There was a bedroom, study, kitchen, living and dining room... even a small indoor garden, quite extraordinary for the wilderness.

Now, Lin Zhongqing was in the living room receiving him.

“Master Fan, there were some misunderstandings between us recently; please do not take them to heart,” Lin Zhongqing said calmly, waving his hand.

A servant nearby promptly brought a cup of hot tea to Fan Bei.

“Not at all, I’m grateful the guild leader handled things impartially. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have the chance to be here today,” Fan Bei said, taking a sip.

“It seems Master Fan truly isn’t bothered; otherwise, you wouldn’t drink tea so casually,” Lin Zhongqing finally smiled slightly.

“Oh, I have great trust in the guild leader’s character,” Fan Bei replied sincerely.

“Alright, let’s put that behind us. I’ve called you here to inform you someone wants to assassinate you,” Lin Zhongqing said seriously.

“Assassinate me? Who?” Fan Bei’s expression turned grave.

He immediately thought of the possessed patrolman Dabai had mentioned. Clearly, that man was involved.

Since he survived, it must have been Lin Zhongqing who used a mental link to purify him.

This kind of spiritual possession ability seemed ordinary but was actually extraordinary.

It could, by itself, cripple modern civilization. Using it to bring about a fungal winter would be no trouble at all.

Lin Zhongqing shook his head. “All I know is that it goes by the name ‘The Assassin.’ We just checked records; it’s a newly risen evil from the west, notorious for less than six months but already killed many powerful figures. Humans are just some of its victims, and ironically, the cheapest service price.”

“I see,” Fan Bei clenched his teeth. Now he truly understood Lang Sheng’s feelings back then.

Lang Sheng’s troubles had been unavoidable; he was merely an innocent victim.

“Enough with the news. If you want to purchase our guild’s security services, that’s a separate matter,” Lin Zhongqing finally revealed his true purpose.

“Thank you, Guild Leader Lin. Your services are excellent, but I simply cannot afford them,” Fan Bei said helplessly.

“How is that possible? You still have a piece of land, don’t you?” Lin Zhongqing pointed out an option.

“Uh, actually, with your abilities, Guild Leader Lin, you’re not restricted by the 50-kilometer settlement radius. You can claim any of the tens of thousands of square kilometers of wilderness out there. My land is just trash; it’s worthless,” Fan Bei shook his head.

“Hmph,” Lin Zhongqing’s face suddenly darkened. “Sell it or not, don’t try to deceive me. You may go.”

Fan Bei stood, thanked him once more, then turned and left.

He understood why Lin Zhongqing was angry: it was because of that mysterious estate.

The person who truly set the 50-kilometer settlement boundary was no mere tycoon or fierce overlord, but someone of estate owner rank.

Lin Zhongqing’s words reminded the other party of their own weakness and humiliation. For someone so proud, a mere frown was mild.

Sure enough, after Fan Bei departed, the sound of a teacup shattering echoed behind him.

“Damn it! Sooner or later, I’ll wipe you all out completely!”

Keep it up, wealthy one. I’m rooting for you.

Walking along the road, Fan Bei contemplated how to deal with this evil creature, likely on par with the Wild Wolf.

He said “on par” because the creature also couldn’t withstand purification.

The last time, the Giant-Clawed Wild Wolf targeted Lin Zhongshi.

Lin Zhongqing had his brother shoulder a debt of a hundred million; unless the opponent advanced to high-level cultivation soon, they would work for nothing their entire life.

Now, it was his turn.

Returning to his tent, he carefully reviewed the situation, pondering a solution.

After much thought, he left the tent and headed once again toward the Starry Commerce Guild’s location.

This time, he went to their temporary office. He couldn’t just go directly to the guild leader over a minor matter, as the leader was a man who even settled accounts with his own brothers.

“Can you help me investigate something?”

“Please state the matter.”

“Someone recently used the Assassin to target me. I want to know who it is.”

“Hmm, a deposit of 1,000 is required. After the investigation, the total fee will be determined based on the process.”

“Alright, here is the deposit.” Fan Bei produced a small silver note to pay.

After killing Wu Zicheng, he seized the opportunity to have Steward Huo handle the 500,000 silver notes, ending up with 350,000 in scattered silver notes.

“We will get back to you as soon as possible.”